"This case is of grave importance and cannot be handled without Wei Qing's intervention!"
"Your humble servant is burdened with numerous duties in the Chancellery. Moreover, I am aged and dim-sighted, my eye ailment worsening. Last winter, I suffered from windstroke and now walk with difficulty. My abdomen is cold and distended, my waist aches unbearably, I pant frequently with throat obstruction, my head and forehead often dizzy, my body feverish and heart troubled, my breath rebellious with spitting, my tongue curled and mouth parched, my ribs suddenly convulsing, my breathing short and labored..."
Wei Shufen stood quietly behind the large screen in the Empress's chamber, listening to her father's slightly hoarse voice reciting medical texts. Without looking, she knew her father must be stiff-necked, holding his ceremonial tablet in reply, his face clearly expressing, "This absurd and trivial investigation is beneath me."
And rightly so. Now that Wei Xuancheng had been appointed Acting Head of the Chancellery, his daily duties involved reviewing the Son of Heaven's edicts. Wherever he found improprieties in the imperial decrees, he could directly amend them or send them back for revision—without his signature, the edicts could not be issued. Such weighty responsibility and immense honor! Compared to this, why should a minor case involving the Emperor's nephew's marriage and niece's death require a chancellor's personal investigation? What a colossal joke.
Even if it weren't a "minor case," matters concerning the palace fell under the Palace Service Department, while those involving the imperial clan were the responsibility of the Court of the Imperial Clan. If it had to be brought to external judicial authorities, there were the three judicial offices—the Court of Judicial Review, the Ministry of Justice, and the Censorate—to handle it. By no stretch of the imagination did this case concern Wei, the Head of the Chancellery. Did the Emperor think he had too much free time?
"Two years ago, Qing resolved the backlog of cases in the Department of State Affairs with great fairness, judging with compassion. Both the aggrieved parties and the accused were satisfied," the Emperor attempted to reason patiently with Chancellor Wei. "This case involves the orphaned daughter of the former Crown Prince and touches upon the Empress herself. If mishandled, it will spawn rampant rumors and unsettle the people. It must not be taken lightly."
"Your Majesty, regarding rumors—"
"Setting aside official duties, let us speak of personal sentiments," the Emperor swiftly interrupted Chancellor Wei's lengthy discourse on "how to handle rumors." "During the WuDe Era, Wei Qing served the Hidden Crown Prince with unwavering loyalty and righteousness. Now that the Hidden Crown Prince's orphaned daughter has met her end, can Qing stand idly by and allow the blood of his former master to remain unavenged?"
All under heaven knew that Wei Zheng had been exceptionally promoted by the current Emperor due to his status as a "former minister of the old court," and both ruler and subject had greatly benefited from this. Having profited from the deceased father's legacy, how could he remain indifferent to the poor young lady's death?
"Your humble servant is aged and dim-sighted, my eye ailment worsening. Last winter, I suffered from windstroke and now walk with difficulty. My abdomen is cold and distended, my waist aches unbearably, I pant frequently with throat obstruction, my head and forehead often dizzy, my body feverish and heart troubled, my breath rebellious with spitting, my tongue curled and mouth parched, my ribs suddenly convulsing, my breathing short and labored..."
Unable to argue further, he could only repeat himself. Wei Shufen sensed her father's resolve weakening. As his resistance waned, the Emperor's tone grew firmer:
"Enough, enough. Since last autumn, has Wei Gong not been granted leave to attend to his health, reporting to the office only once every three days? After a winter of recuperation, I observe that Wei Gong now appears radiant, his steps light as he entered the hall earlier, his voice robust, reciting a string of symptoms without pause..."
Wei Shufen was well aware that her father had been on leave since last autumn. The main reason was the Emperor and his ministers' proposal to dispatch troops against Tuyuhun. Wei, the Head of the Chancellery, had always opposed costly military campaigns beyond the borders. This time, his remonstrance had failed, and once the army marched, the Chancellery became busy. Resentful, he feigned illness, and the Emperor, seizing the opportunity, granted him leave to attend the Chancellery only one day out of three, handling civil affairs while staying clear of military matters.It had been three months since this favorable treatment began—light duties with full salary. Did Prime Minister Wei truly believe such good fortune existed in the Zhenguan era?
"Your servant suffers from cold and bloating in the abdomen, unbearable lower back pain, frequent wheezing and throat obstruction, dizziness in the head and forehead, feverish restlessness, nausea and vomiting, a curled tongue and dry mouth, sudden spasms in the ribs, and shortness of breath..."
"Very well, very well. When I tasked you with investigating this case, naturally, it was only to review documents, analyze discrepancies, and assess circumstances. At your venerable age, Minister Xuan Cheng, do you truly think I am such a tyrannical ruler as to force a dignified prime minister to lower himself to the level of petty clerks, running about to make inquiries? For all the menial tasks requiring legwork, there are subordinates to serve—"
The Emperor began outlining the personnel arrangements for this investigation, specifically emphasizing that a prince and the Son of Heaven's niece would assist Prime Minister Wei. However, Wei Shufen found this unconvincing. Sure enough, her father raised numerous objections, his refusal quite firm.
At least he hadn’t dared to mention his daughter’s involvement—how she had fled an arranged marriage, entangled herself in this case, and even confessed to murder in defiance of her parents. Likely, he couldn’t bear the shame... Just as Wei Shufen was feeling guilty, she noticed Empress Zhangsun behind the screen gesturing to Chai Yingluo. The female Taoist nodded in understanding and stepped out from behind the screen.
"Greetings, Lord Wei. The Empress has words she wishes me to convey."
Silence fell instantly beyond the screen.
"The Empress understands your reluctance and thus conveys her earnest plea: the sudden and inexplicable death of Princess Linfen is a matter of great peculiarity. There are surely those who, out of malice, speculate she was driven to her death by her aunt. This case gravely affects the Empress’s reputation. Gossip is a fearsome thing, melting metal with its heat. His Majesty relies on your integrity and righteousness, and the Empress deeply trusts your courage and judgment. As the incident occurred within the palace, there will inevitably be many sensitivities in the investigation. The Empress humbly requests His Majesty issue a special Imperial Edict, permitting you and Prince Wu to enter and exit the palace at will, mobilizing all necessary offices. You may question the Son of Heaven above and interrogate palace servants below—all in pursuit of the truth, with no topic off-limits. Only thus can the Empress’s innocence be proven and the trust of the realm secured!"
As the words concluded, the rustling of robes and the sound of paper and ink being prepared echoed beyond the screen. Shadows flickered across the screen—Chai Yingluo kneeling beside the imperial desk, readying writing materials, as if silently urging, "Your Majesty, hurry up and write the edict—the Empress has already spoken, why delay?"
"Since the Empress commands, Wei Zheng dares not refuse further." The tone of the Imperial decree indeed carried weight, and the Prime Minister’s voice grew more deferential. "Your servant speaks from the heart: though the deceased was but an insignificant woman from the former palace, she was still of imperial blood. This case may have far-reaching implications—extending to the Supreme Emperor in the Great Peace Palace, deep into the inner quarters among imperial consorts and princesses, and even broader..."
Wei Zheng paused, drawing a deep breath.
"Even to the events of June in the ninth year. Your servant deserves death for this, but I fear this investigation may unearth secrets too painful for Your Majesty and the Empress to hear. Thus, I boldly advise—it would be better not to investigate this case at all!"
Wei Shufen was stunned. She knew her father was bold, but never imagined he would openly allude to the "Xuanwu Gate Incident" and directly mention "secrets"—essentially accusing the imperial couple of wrongdoing to their faces. Beyond the screen, the silence grew even deeper, as if those present dared not even breathe loudly.
The Son of Heaven, who had been drafting the edict, spoke calmly:
"How strange. In June of the ninth year, I slew my own brother at the Black Tortoise Gate—a heinous act violating human ethics, already proclaimed to the realm in an open decree. What hidden shame could there possibly be that I would fear to hear or reveal? Since you speak so, Minister Xuan Cheng, then this case must indeed be thoroughly investigated!"The sound of his brush strokes on paper grew more urgent, as if his temper had been provoked. With a few swift strokes, he finished writing the Imperial Edict:
"If you fear interference from my wife and me, I hereby make a threefold pledge with you: I will not meddle in details, I will not shield relatives, and I will follow your lead in pursuing the investigation to its conclusion. Let this written pledge stand as witness!"
The faint rustle of skirts and jade pendants suggested Chai Yingluo's shadow had risen to take the edict and present it to Wei Zheng. Yet Wei Zheng remained silent. After a moment, he spoke again:
"Even at the risk of ten thousand deaths, this humble minister must beg one more promise from Her Majesty the Empress."
"Please speak, Lord Xuancheng," the Empress responded from behind the screen.
"This case is peculiar and directly implicates the nation's mother. If my investigation reaches an impasse, I request permission to have a private audience with the Empress to report the full circumstances before concluding and withdrawing the case."
"That must be decided by His Majesty," Empress Zhangsun, renowned for her "non-interference in governance," firmly deflected.
"Your servant is ignorant, but I fear it may not be so simple. A thorough investigation will inevitably offend many. I beg Their Majesties to set an example for their subjects. For instance, as mentioned earlier, before Princess Linfen's sudden death at night, she had a private conversation behind closed doors with the Empress. That very conversation is likely the key to unraveling this case. Could the Empress candidly reveal what was discussed with her niece?"
This was the same question that had lingered in Wei Shufen's mind since the incident occurred the previous night. Standing by the heated bed, she could only see the Empress's profile in deep thought, her long lashes fluttering incessantly beneath closed eyes.
Her father's question was, in truth, highly impertinent—it could be interpreted as: "Since you've tasked me with investigating, my first suspect to interrogate is Your Majesty the Empress herself. If you refuse to answer, I need not accept this assignment and may simply cast aside my tablet and leave."
That the Emperor did not intervene meant he tacitly permitted such audacity. No doubt everyone beyond the large screen, including the Son of Heaven himself, was all ears, watching the screen intently, awaiting the Empress's response.
After a silence spanning several heartbeats, the Empress sighed softly and beckoned to a palace maid standing in the corner of the hall. The maid approached quietly, bending to listen as the Empress whispered in her ear.
Wei Shufen stood not far from the Empress, but she only caught the words "Hailing" and "close relationship," the rest leaving her utterly bewildered.
Hailing... Could that refer to the former Prince Qi, Li Yuan-ji?
The youngest son born to the Supreme Emperor's first wife, Empress Dou of the Mu clan, Li Yuan-ji was enfeoffed as Prince Qi after the founding of the Tang dynasty. In the final years of the WuDe Era, he allied with his eldest brother, Jiancheng, against their second brother, Prince Qin Shimin. On the gengshen day of the sixth month in the ninth year, both were executed at the Black Tortoise Gate and posthumously stripped of rank as commoners for treason. Later, Jiancheng was posthumously restored as Prince Xi with the posthumous title "Hidden," while Yuan-ji was posthumously enfeoffed as Prince of Hailing with the posthumous title "Laceration." When Wei Shufen occasionally heard them mentioned, they were usually referred to as "Xi-Yin and Hai-Ling" or even "the Two Former Palace Villains"—far more cautious than the Chai siblings' casual "Eldest Uncle and Fourth Uncle."
After listening, the palace maid, like Chai Yingluo earlier, stepped out from behind the screen to beg the Emperor's pardon before whispering—presumably relaying the Empress's account privately into Wei Zheng's ear, for his voice soon rang out beyond the screen: "Your servant thanks the Empress."
With this, Minister Wei seemed to have accepted the task of leading the investigation. The Emperor's voice grew somewhat more relieved:
"Since Lord Xuancheng has agreed to undertake this labor..."
"Your Majesty, a moment," Wei Zheng interrupted, turning to question Chariot General Chai Shao: "One matter requires Duke Qiao's guidance. Regarding the Temple of Common Vocation within the palace grounds—since the Zhenguan era began, I have not revisited it. How are its internal and external defenses arranged? Could outsiders easily infiltrate during the chaos of night?"Is the trial starting already... Chancellor Wei is indeed decisive in handling matters. Prince Consort Chai cooperatively replied:
"The Temple of Common Vocation was originally Prince Qi's residence, located within the forbidden garden without palace walls for protection, making it vulnerable to attacks from northern enemies crossing the Wei River. Therefore, during the WuDe Era when it was built as a princely residence, high walls and corner towers were constructed, with the prince's rotating guards maintaining strict defenses. After the Zhenguan period began, when the wives and daughters of the two princes Xiyin and Hailing moved in, security was transferred to garrison patrols of the imperial guards. Though the number of guards decreased, the princely residence's scale was also reduced, with fewer courtyards needing protection. Standing on one corner tower would provide a full view. Although I wasn't present at last night's wedding, I imagine it would have been extremely difficult for outsiders to climb over the high walls from the three sides amidst the chaos."
Prince Consort Chai had served as the General of the Imperial Guards since the early Zhenguan period and was familiar with palace defenses, speaking with authority. Prince Wu Li Yuangui's voice also chimed in:
"Xinzhi, when he first entered official service, was stationed at the Northern Military Camp and seems to have stood guard at the Temple of Common Vocation."
This referred to his tall and sturdy attendant Yang Xinzhi, who had served as an imperial guard early in his career and had stood watch outside the temple. Wei Shufen recalled that when she first entered the temple, she had noticed its tall corner towers with guards in bright armor. Presumably, Yang Xinzhi had also been stationed on those four towers.
Sure enough, Yang Xinzhi replied, "I've stood watch on the corner towers during rotations. Normally, only the main hall and the eastern and western side courtyards see activity during the day—even children's facial features and hair are clearly visible. At night, it's dark, but the walls are covered with thorns, making climbing difficult."
Wei Zheng pondered and said, "I asked because I heard there have been Tuyuhun people appearing in and around the capital recently. From what you've said, it seems unlikely that outside criminals took advantage of the chaos to sneak into the temple and commit murder."
"Indeed, it's highly improbable. There were no such signs during last night's wedding," confirmed the groom, Chai Zhewei.
"In that case, if Princess Linfen died by suicide, so be it. But if it was murder, the killer must have either hidden among the wedding procession, been among the noblewomen attending the ceremony, or... been one of the two princes' wives, daughters, or their maids residing in the temple."
Chancellor Wei, now tasked with investigating the case, once again appealed to the Son of Heaven:
"This case involves individuals such as Prince Wu and other imperial relatives, noblewomen from high-ranking families, and the two princes' wives with their special statuses. I—"
"I've already issued an edict granting you full authority, and the Empress has allowed you to question anyone necessary," the Emperor impatiently interrupted. "Where you need to go and whom you need to interrogate, you may decide yourself. Why must you seek approval for everything? It's getting late—I must visit the Supreme Emperor at Great Peace Palace. Brother-in-law, you all come along, and Fourteenth Brother—"
The Emperor paused mid-sentence, as if suddenly remembering something, and asked:
"Fourteenth Brother, was it you who presided over Yi Niang's wedding last night? How did this duty fall to you?"
Your Majesty, did you just realize something was amiss... Wei Shufen recalled how her father, Wei Zheng, had scolded Li Yuangui in Yi Niang's chamber last night: "Your mother hasn't even been dead for three months, and here you are in festive attire presiding over a wedding!" It seemed even the Emperor hadn't known about this.
Last night, it was Chai Yingluo who had defended Li Yuangui. Today, she smoothly came to his aid again, casually explaining, "The Supreme Emperor's oral decree from Great Peace Hall was issued without Fourteenth Uncle knowing the details." The Emperor didn't press further and instead turned to Yang Xinzhi, his tone carrying a hint of amusement:"It's been a while since I've seen the Yang family nephew. Counting the time, it's been three or four months since you've been with Prince Wu. How come Fourteenth Young Master hasn't grown sturdier, while you've gotten increasingly plump, Xinzhi?"
Yang Xinzhi replied smoothly:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble official strictly follows the imperial decree, accompanying Prince Wu daily to cook and serve meals. It's just that Prince Wu's appetite is too small—he gets full before finishing half his portion. Since the leftovers cannot be wasted, this official has no choice but to eat them myself..."
Thinking of the stark contrast in physique between the two youths outside, Wei Shufen nearly burst out laughing, noticing the Empress was also covering her mouth with a handkerchief in amusement. Beyond the screen, the Son of Heaven let out a hearty laugh, presumably addressing Li Yuangui:
"You rascal, this counts as defying an imperial decree!"
Li Yuangui muttered some indistinct reply, to which his half-brother responded, "You'll come with me to the Great Peace Palace and explain yourself to the Supreme Emperor—ah..."
An abrupt sigh suddenly dampened the previously lighthearted atmosphere outside. Considering the timing, they should have been escorting the newlywed couple—the Supreme Emperor's eldest granddaughter Li Yiniang and her husband Chai Zhewei, who was also his grandson-in-law—to pay respects to their grandfather, the Son of Heaven. Now, they would likely need to coordinate their stories along the way about the bride's sudden disappearance.
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