Wei Shufen had once had the opportunity to meet the Emperor face-to-face before, but on that occasion, she had been cold, terrified, and emotionally overwhelmed. Kneeling with her head bowed before the imperial presence, she had fainted after uttering only a few words, hardly catching a glimpse of the Son of Heaven’s face.
Thus, when she carelessly bumped into the Emperor’s back, rebounded, and fell, she didn’t recognize the man she momentarily locked eyes with. His bearing and appearance strikingly resembled the Fourteenth Young Master, whom she had been yearning for incessantly… Perhaps in another twenty years, Li Yuangui might look just like this?
The fine lines at the corners of his eyes and brows had replaced the youthful naivety, exuding a composed and authoritative presence. He wasn’t clad in the Buff-colored Robe or the jade-buckled belt exclusive to the Emperor, but rather wore plain white mourning attire with a hemp headband. Yet, upon closer inspection, one would immediately realize this was the supreme ruler of the realm, the sovereign of the Nine Provinces, the Heavenly Khan revered across the land.
Colliding with the imperial procession was a grave offense, and directly bumping into the Emperor himself was… Well, there was no need to dwell on the specifics of the crime. Nearby guards were already shouting as they rushed forward to seize this unruly palace maid. The Son of Heaven himself, however, seemed unperturbed. After a brief glance at Wei Shufen, he turned back to observe the training grounds, evidently assuming she was merely an unfortunate servant.
Panicked, Wei Shufen resisted the guards’ grasp and called out to the Emperor:
“Y-Your Majesty! This humble subject, Wei, has a matter to report!”
At the words “humble subject, Wei,” the Emperor paused slightly and turned to look at her again. Frowning in thought, he suddenly realized:
“Ah, Wei Xuancheng’s daughter… Release her. What are you doing here?”
At his command, the guards immediately let go and stepped back. Wei Shufen had barely caught her breath when the imperial inquiry left her frozen in place.
What was she doing here? How had she ended up running out of the Emperor’s tent alone?
The situation was too convoluted. Even if she weren’t standing before the Emperor, she would need time to gather her thoughts and explain clearly—but now, she had no such luxury. In her desperation, inspiration struck, and she blurted out:
“I came here accompanying Her Majesty the Empress’s carriage!”
She had hidden behind the Imperial Bed, eavesdropping on the Emperor and Empress’s private conversation—a crime far too severe to admit. Fortunately, the grand tent was spacious enough that she could claim she had been far from the Imperial Bed earlier… But why had she suddenly appeared inside the imperial tent? That would require careful fabrication.
Moreover, the Emperor had been training with siege engines in this remote corner of the forbidden garden precisely to avoid alerting her father and other admonishing officials. It would be best to feign ignorance of the earlier military display. Claiming she had come with the Empress would at least cover that point and ease the Emperor’s concerns. However, another problem arose:
“You came with the Empress’s carriage? Why didn’t Her Majesty mention you earlier?”
During their private conversation, the imperial couple had discussed Wei Zheng and his daughter. If Empress Zhangsun had indeed brought Wei Shufen along, she would have mentioned it—so lying truly was a delicate and troublesome art. Wei Shufen’s palms were already damp with sweat as she racked her brain to spin another tale."Your Majesty, the Empress was unaware that I was in the procession... I originally went to the Hall of Established Governance to seek an audience with Her Majesty, as I had urgent matters to report. By chance, the Empress was departing for this place, and the chief stewardess ordered me to accompany the entourage, hoping I might find an opportunity to present myself. Unexpectedly, the place was crowded and chaotic. As soon as we reached the steps, someone instructed me to enter the tent to prepare the Empress's accommodations... Young and ignorant, I unwittingly entered the tent, then lost my way inside, wandering far before finally finding my way back. Hearing the shouts outside announcing the Empress's departure, I panicked and rushed out recklessly, offending Your Majesty's presence. I deserve death for this crime..."
I spun quite a plausible tale, Wei Shufen thought to herself as she kowtowed in apology, inwardly praising her own quick thinking. The Son of Heaven listened and chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Enough, enough. Wei Xuancheng is stubborn and rigid, not the most flexible thinker, and his daughter is just like him—you may go."
This was the Emperor's mercy, pardoning her for the offense of obstructing his path. Wei Shufen expressed her gratitude but hesitated to rise—she had come here precisely to personally request funds from the Emperor. Having finally managed to see him, how could she leave without addressing the main issue?
Yet how could she possibly bargain with the Son of Heaven of the Great Tang? The very thought struck her as absurd...
"Hmm?" The Emperor suddenly seemed to recall something and asked her, "Do you still reside at the Purple Void Monastery? With the Chai family's Yi Niang?"
Wei Shufen wasn't sure what this question implied and could only reply vaguely, "Your Majesty, I frequently travel between my home and the Purple Void Monastery... My mother is often ill, and I entered the Daoist path to cultivate blessings, which was reported to the Empress..."
Before she could finish, the Emperor turned and walked back into the grand tent, crooking a finger. "Come here."
What was this about?
Wei Shufen suddenly remembered the Imperial Bed inside the tent and the scented sachet upon it, her chest tightening... Surely not—he had just quarreled with his lawful wife over this very matter...
A sovereign's command could not be disobeyed. Steeling herself, she rose and cautiously entered the tent. Fortunately, the Emperor didn't head toward the Imperial Bed. Instead, he sat on the couch behind the desk, curling one leg beneath him as he rested his knee and frowned in thought.
Relieved, Wei Shufen quietly approached the imperial desk and knelt silently. It seemed the Emperor had something to say to her. This was better—easier to navigate than speaking in front of numerous attendants outside. She could also speak more boldly without fear of repercussion.
"Since you still reside at the Purple Void Monastery, deliver a message for me to the Chai family's young lady when you return," the Son of Heaven began. "The Empress is unwell. If Yingniang can manage, she should visit the Hall of Established Governance as often as possible to keep an eye on her aunt's condition—though there are imperial physicians in the palace, they are all men. They can only diagnose physical ailments, not heal the heart's afflictions."
So even Your Majesty knows that the Empress's frailty is largely due to matters of the heart... Wei Shufen thought silently, bowing her head in acknowledgment. Behind the desk, the Emperor sighed again, his tone tinged with frustration:
"I truly don't understand you women. What's on your minds, what you wish to do—why can't you just say it outright? The Empress's virtue is unparalleled in history, save for one flaw: she thinks too much and speaks too little. Otherwise, she wouldn't have fallen so ill... Sigh... How can I spend my days deciphering women's thoughts? Yingniang is better in this regard—takes after her mother, speaking without restraint. When angry, she shouts and fights; when happy, she laughs and rewards generously, even giving away houses and land. Now that's true joy!"The well-fed know not the pangs of hunger—how many people in this world can be as willful and unrestrained as you uncle and niece? Wei Shufen thought to herself, already somewhat understanding the Emperor's intentions.
He had personally carried his wife out earlier but did not accompany the Empress's carriage back to the Hall of Established Governance. Perhaps the Empress had said something outside the tent to prevent him from joining her. Realizing his wife was genuinely angry, he thought of Chai Yingluo, knowing this niece of his could speak effectively before her aunt and was skilled in soothing words. Thus, he ordered Wei Shufen to go to the Purple Void Monastery to relay a message to Chai Yingluo, asking her to mediate between the imperial couple...
"This humble servant obeys the decree and will return to the Purple Void Monastery at once to convey Your Majesty's words to the High Truth Master." She took a deep breath, mustering the greatest courage she had ever gathered in her life. "This lowly one also has an impertinent request. I dare not conceal it from Your Majesty and wish to speak frankly before the throne, beseeching the merciful Sage Lord for compassion."
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