"Sister Ying... what's the deal with Prince Wu's Fourteenth Young Master and Yang Da? They're quite the pair."
After leaving the Hall of Established Governance, Chai Yingluo, claiming exhaustion, requested a covered carriage with double windows to take Wei Shufen with her as they headed toward the eastern gate to exit the palace. Seeing no one else in the carriage, Wei Shufen couldn't suppress her curiosity and finally asked.
Inside the Hall of Established Governance, the Son of Heaven had made remarks about Yang Xinzhi and Li Yuangui being "well-fed and robust," which sounded amusing but left her puzzled. The two youths, so different in appearance yet inseparable, always struck her as comical—as if they were deliberately performing a comic skit to entertain... Hearing the question, Chai Yingluo glanced at her and smiled faintly:
"Oh? Which one of them has caught your eye?"
"Sister Ying!"
Seeing her blush, Chai Yingluo laughed even more heartily. "I'm not just teasing you. Since you'd rather die than obey your parents' arranged marriage for profit, why not find a suitable husband yourself? Have his family propose, and I'll persuade the Emperor and Empress to grant the marriage. Surely that's better than marrying General Cheng? Both these young men are excellent choices. My fourteenth uncle, as you know, is of noble status—no need to elaborate. As for Yang Da, he's actually my cousin..."
"Cousin?" Wei Shufen questioned.
She vaguely recalled someone mentioning "Consort Yang." If they were referring to Yang Xinzhi's father, then logically... judging by age, it could only be the husband of the Emperor's fifth elder sister, Princess Guiyang—Consort Yang Shidao, Commandant of the Imperial Guards and Secretariat Director.
That would make Yang Xinzhi's mother, Princess Guiyang, Chai Yingluo's fifth aunt, making them proper cousins.
"Yang Da is the eldest son—actually the legitimate eldest son—of my fifth uncle, but he wasn't born to my fifth aunt. Ah, this is a long story. Where to begin..."
Resting her head on her hand and leaning against the carriage window, Chai Yingluo thought for a moment before continuing in a languid tone:
"It seems all this trouble started during last year's Double Ninth Festival..."
The ninth day of the ninth month, the eighth year of the Zhenguan era—the Double Ninth Festival.
The Supreme Emperor Li Yuan, having recently recovered from a long illness, was in high spirits. He hosted a banquet on the slopes of the Great Peace Palace, summoning the Emperor, the imperial consorts, princes, and princesses to join him for leisurely enjoyment.
The hills were ablaze with chrysanthemums and dotted with dogwood, creating a delightful scene. The Supreme Emperor insisted on walking instead of riding in a palanquin to "stretch his bones," so the Emperor personally supported his elderly father as they slowly ascended the path lined with ceremonial guards and carpeted with rugs. After all, the Supreme Emperor was over seventy. As he paused to catch his breath, his gaze fell on a particularly tall and robust guard standing among his companions:
"What a strapping lad! Whose son is this?"
Those permitted to stand guard near the imperial presence were mostly descendants of noble families or high-ranking officials from the Three Guards. Hearing the Supreme Emperor's question, the towering guard knelt and bowed, replying with utmost deference:
"My father is Secretariat Director, Commandant of the Imperial Guards, and Duke of Ande, Yang Shidao."
Such a formal recitation of titles was uncommon in verbal exchanges—more suited to memorials or imperial decrees—and clearly betrayed his inexperience, which amused both the Supreme Emperor and the Emperor. The Supreme Emperor stroked his beard and chuckled:
"Oh, A-Wu and Yang Qilang's son? When did I acquire such a fine-looking grandson? Old age must be muddling my mind—I don't recall ever seeing him before..."
In truth, he hadn't. And the boy wasn't his actual grandson.Yang Shidao, the youngest son of Sui Dynasty's Prince Guan Yang Xiong, had already married and had children during the Sui era. During the chaos at the end of Sui, Yang Shidao's family took refuge in Luoyang. At that time, Wang Shi-chong and other ruling officials detained the families of officials in the palace as hostages. When Yang's wife and son were seized, his wife told him, "I go now with only death awaiting me—do not grieve for me." Later, Yang Shidao fled alone to Chang'an and eventually learned of his wife and son's deaths. Emperor Li Yuan of Tang then married his widowed fifth daughter to him.
In the fourth year of the WuDe Era, Prince Qin Shimin led Tang forces to pacify Luoyang, freeing many from the besieged city. Miraculously, Yang Shidao's first wife appeared at his home in Chang'an, explaining she had survived for their son's sake—misinformation was common in those turbulent times. Now the husband of the fifth princess, Yang Shidao faced a dilemma. His long-suffering first wife made no demands, requesting only to become a nun and that their son be returned to his father to be raised under the family name.
This incident caused a minor stir. Yang Shidao submitted a memorial confessing to "deceiving the Emperor." Upon hearing the full story, the Son of Heaven sighed at fate's cruelty and simply comforted his daughter and son-in-law.
It should be noted that the fifth princess was not a first-time bride either. She had previously married Zhao Ci-jing and borne him two sons and a daughter. After widowhood, she brought her three Zhao children into her new marriage with Yang Shidao, living together in the princess's residence. Yang proved a kind stepfather to the three children and shared a loving bond with the princess. Now, with his first wife's son returning to claim his father, the princess could hardly refuse him openly. Over the years, the family managed well without major conflicts.
The aging Supreme Emperor's memory faded. During the Double Ninth Festival in the eighth year of Zhenguan, he noticed the exceptionally tall Yang Xinzhi among the guards and, upon being reminded, recalled the incident from over a decade prior. Marveling at how "the little boy who escaped death has grown so strong," he beckoned this unexpected grandson to assist him up the slope to the banquet. Noticing his fifth daughter Princess Guiyang's expression as she waited at the banquet, he teased her: "Ah Wu, don't adopt the petty ways of a stepmother—our house can certainly afford Xinzhi's upkeep."
In short... the old man simply took a liking to this handsome young descendant.
Yang Xinzhi spent the entire banquet standing behind the Supreme Emperor in attendance—but more on that later. After the chrysanthemum wine and festive cakes, the grand archery ceremony commenced according to Zhou rites.
The Great Peace Palace grounds included a training field suitable not only for target archery before the hall but also for observing mounted archery on the nearby slope. The Supreme Emperor ordered all his younger sons, princes aged twelve and above, and grandsons and nephews to participate.
Naturally, imperial clansmen and outsiders served only as supporting players. The true competitors were the Supreme Emperor's sons and grandsons—the young princes of those generations.
In foot archery, the Supreme Emperor's fourteenth son Prince Wu Yuan-gui took first place. On the mounted archery field, this unassuming, slender middle son again excelled, shooting rapidly from both sides of his galloping horse. Watching from afar, the Supreme Emperor couldn't help turning to joke with the Emperor seated beside him:
"That boy rather resembles your youthful horsemanship."
"Really?" The Son of Heaven stroked his chin in reply. "Your subject... wasn't that thin back then, was he?"The banquet hall erupted in laughter. The Supreme Emperor was broad-shouldered and robust, and most of his twenty-two sons had inherited his physique. The youngest, Yuan-ying, was only six but already a chubby little boy with a round, fleshy face. However, his second son—the renowned general Prince Qin, who had once led troops to conquer over half of the Tang Empire’s territory and was now the reigning Emperor—had been slender in his youth, agile on horseback with unmatched archery skills. Now, another lean young prince had appeared, naturally reminding everyone of the dashing and elegant young Prince Qin of yesteryear.
After the archery ceremony concluded, Prince Wu Yuan-gui stepped forward to receive his rewards. In addition to the prearranged prizes, the Son of Heaven personally poured a large golden cup of wine from the Golden Pot. Spotting the tall, sturdy guard standing behind the Supreme Emperor, he specifically ordered him to deliver the cup to Prince Wu.
When Yang Xinzhi stood beside Li Yuangui, the entire hall burst into laughter.
The two were close in age—Yang Xinzhi around seventeen or eighteen, Li Yuangui sixteen or seventeen—and their heights weren’t drastically different. But the contrast in their builds was striking. Bundling four Li Yuanguis together might roughly match Yang Xinzhi’s solid, muscular frame.
The Supreme Emperor laughed so hard his beard trembled, nearly choking on his wine. Chai Yingluo, clad in a Taoist robe, came over to attend to her grandfather and seized the moment to jest:
"To celebrate Fourteenth Uncle Prince Wu’s victory, Yingluo has composed a little poem, humbly presenting it to the Supreme Emperor in hopes of a reward."
"A poem? Wonderful, wonderful! Recite it quickly."
The female Taoist smiled charmingly and, under the gaze of the imperial relatives, consorts, and princesses, recited in a melodious voice:
"King Liao met Wu Zixu,
Neither found joy in the view.
A monkey climbs an ancient tree,
An iron tower shadows the banner’s glee."
The poem wasn’t refined, merely fitting the occasion, alluding to the tale of King Liao meeting Wu Zixu from The Annals of Wu and Yue . The vivid contrast in the last two lines between the lean and the brawny was so lifelike that not only did the Supreme Emperor and the Son of Heaven slap the table in laughter, but even the usually composed and dignified Empress Zhangsun broke into a radiant smile. She beckoned Chai Yingluo over, personally unfastening her sash to reward her quick wit. From then on, Yang Xinzhi earned the nickname "Yang Iron Tower" among the Three Guards, which later morphed into "Yang Rou-ta." Meanwhile, Li Yuangui was mockingly called "Fourteenth Banner Pole" behind his back by some—but that’s a story for later.
At the Double Ninth Festival banquet, the Supreme Emperor, having laughed his fill, asked Yang Xinzhi directly:
"My fourteenth son’s frame is truly worrisome—why can’t he seem to gain weight? Young man, what do you usually eat?"
"Reporting to the Supreme Emperor," Yang Xinzhi replied with earnest honesty, "I eat... whatever is available..."
"Then how much do you eat in one meal?" the Emperor chimed in, amused.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, I... eat however much is given..."
The hall roared with laughter again. The Son of Heaven slapped the wine table and issued an edict:
"Yang Xinzhi, son of the Commandant of Imperial Consorts Yang Shidao, has served the Supreme Emperor with merit. He is hereby granted the honorary post of Keeper of Prince Wu’s Treasury. Your sole duty is to dine with Prince Wu daily—listen well: whatever you eat, he eats; however much you eat, he eats. Feed him like this for a year, and let’s see if we can fatten up my little fourteenth brother..."
The position of "Keeper of the Treasury" was a highly prestigious sinecure. Yang Xinzhi’s parents, Yang Shidao and Princess Guiyang, immediately rose to express their gratitude, while the rest of the banquet guests congratulated the "family of three." That day’s feast was filled with joy, harmony, and liveliness, and the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan was especially spirited.Taking advantage of the elderly's good mood, the Emperor and Empress brought up the matter of Crown Prince Chengqian's marriage and taking a consort—"His younger brother Qingque's children are already running around everywhere"—to which the Supreme Emperor nodded repeatedly: "This is a significant matter. You've chosen the young lady from the Su family of Wugong? Excellent, excellent. I trust your judgment completely..."
From the Crown Prince's marriage, the conversation turned to his siblings and younger uncles and aunts who were also of marriageable age. They also mentioned the eleven granddaughters in the Temple of Common Vocation, the eldest of whom, Wanxi, was the same age as Chengqian and had been betrothed early—it was time for her to marry as well. They suggested taking advantage of the relevant authorities preparing the ceremonial arrangements to conduct this series of weddings in succession after the grand ceremony at the Crown Prince's Palace.
At the mention of "the eleven granddaughters in the Temple of Common Vocation," the Supreme Emperor squinted, trying hard to recall, as if just remembering the matter, stroking his beard thoughtfully:
"Yi Niang... I remember that child was betrothed to which family? The second or the third..."
"Grandfather, how could you remember such trivial matters?" Chai Yingluo, who remained by his side, chuckled. "She was betrothed to Yingluo's elder brother Zhewei! The engagement was made in the eighth year of WuDe..."
"Ah yes, betrothed to your Chai family to strengthen ties," the Supreme Emperor patted his forehead and laughed. "My memory... I recall we even held a banquet at the Crown Prince's Palace to celebrate, inviting all the imperial relatives and consorts. That banquet... hmm..."
After turning seventy, the elderly man's memory had indeed declined—forgetting things he shouldn't and recalling inconvenient matters at the wrong times. Speaking of the banquet in the eighth year of WuDe to celebrate Li Yiniang and Chai Zhewei's engagement, the words were on the tip of his tongue when the Supreme Emperor abruptly stopped himself—his aged eyes beneath snow-white brows darting uncomfortably toward the Son of Heaven.
The Emperor had already turned his face away, pretending not to see or hear anything. Empress Zhangsun, seated to the side, deftly changed the subject, mentioning plans to marry the daughter of Chancellor Fang Xuanling to the eleventh younger brother, Prince Yuanjia of Han, a former Sui imperial clan member, Yangshi, to the third son, Prince Ke of Shu, and the daughter of the Grand Architect Yan Lide to the fourth son, Prince Tai of Yue. The Supreme Emperor approved each proposal, and the banquet concluded joyfully.
During that period, the Supreme Emperor was in unusually high spirits. A few days later, accompanied by the Emperor, he traveled west of the city to review the drills of the Sixteen Guards and receive foreign envoys and surrendered chieftains. However, weakened by age and catching a chill, he fell ill shortly after the Double Ninth Festival.
Thereafter, the palace was unsettled, and the Supreme Emperor's condition fluctuated between lucidity and delirium. By the new year, even the newlywed Crown Prince Chengqian and his consort Su Shi went to pay respects to their grandfather, but the Supreme Emperor remained unconscious on his sickbed, unable to see his granddaughter-in-law.
In the early spring carriage at the end of February, Chai Yingluo leisurely recounted the events around last year's Double Ninth Festival to Wei Shufen. After listening, Wei Shufen asked, "Shouldn't this be considered good fortune for Yang Dalang, encountering noble help? Why did Yingluo say it was trouble?"
"Yang Da indeed had good luck, but the trouble was for Fourteenth Young Master," Chai Yingluo sighed softly. "During the Double Ninth Festival, Fourteenth Uncle stole the spotlight but angered someone."
"Who did he anger?"
"Well," Chai Yingluo asked slowly, "You were quite young during the WuDe era, but these past two years, accompanying your mother in social circles, you must have heard about the discord between my eldest and second uncles in the late WuDe period. The two consorts in the rear palace who opposed my second uncle the most were Consort Zhang Jie and Consort Yin De, weren't they?""...Yes." These two women were indeed too notorious for Wei Shufen to feign ignorance. According to official accounts, the Xuanwu Gate Incident had been instigated by these two consorts' alleged affairs with Jiancheng and Yuanji.
"Later, when the current Son of Heaven ascended the throne, the Supreme Emperor moved with his concubines and young children to Great Peace Palace. Given my second uncle and aunt's magnanimity, they naturally wouldn't trouble those women and children. Consort Zhang Jie soon died. Consort Yin De had a son—my eighth uncle Yuanheng was her biological child. In recent years, she had become more cautious and submissive for her son's sake. Everything was fine until the sixth year of Zhenguan, when Eighth Uncle fell ill on his way to assume an official post and died en route..."
"Ah." Wei Shufen was stunned. "Consort Yin's only son was gone?"
"Indeed, that was her sole hope for the latter half of her life," Chai Yingluo sighed. "Consort Yin had always been a favored concubine. After that, the Supreme Emperor became even more attentive to her. In recent years, as his health declined, he practically stayed day and night in Consort Yin's chambers, relying on her for care and communication. Consort Yin, holding the emperor to command the nobles, quietly became the true master of Great Peace Palace. Though my second uncle and aunt recognized the impropriety, they were constrained by circumstances and could do nothing for the time being."
"Ying-jie mentioned that Fourteenth Young Master's prominence had offended someone—was that someone Consort Yin De?" Wei Shufen asked.
Chai Yingluo nodded. "Exactly. With her own son dead, her remaining years would be spent in bitter seclusion as a nun. Seeing others' sons favored and rewarded naturally filled her with envy and resentment. Fourteenth Uncle usually lived in the Seventeenth Prince's Residence on the outskirts of Great Peace Palace, beyond her reach, so she began tormenting his birth mother, Lady Zhang. Lady Zhang was no match for her, and before long, she was driven to hang herself..."
"Good heavens," Wei Shufen gasped again. "How dreadful! So Fourteenth Young Master's mourning... was because of this?"
"Fourteenth Uncle truly suffered. He nearly witnessed his mother's suicide but couldn't save her in time. Then Consort Yin sent word that the Supreme Emperor was gravely ill and couldn't bear to hear bad news of a death. Even the Son of Heaven and the Empress had no choice but to issue an edict temporarily withholding Lady Zhang's funeral arrangements. No one was allowed to speak of it, not even her own children, who were forbidden to observe mourning rites..."
"So Prince Wu concealed the mourning because of this," Wei Shufen understood, recalling subsequent events. "And later, Yi Niang's marriage—was that also Consort Yin forging the Supreme Emperor's decree, forcing Prince Wu, who was in deep mourning, to act as the male host for the wedding?"
"What else?" Chai Yingluo sighed. "And it wasn't just forging decrees. After Lady Zhang's death, her biological daughter, the twelve-year-old Seventeenth Princess, was also taken in by Consort Yin. To Fourteenth Uncle, it was as if Consort Yin had taken his younger sister hostage. How could he dare disobey even slightly? Ah, it's truly pitiful."
"Would Consort Yin... mistreat the Seventeenth Princess?" Wei Shufen felt her heart clench. No wonder Li Yuangui always wore that gloomy, resentful expression, as if the whole world owed him a fortune, and why his words were so sharp and unyielding. His bitterness had its reasons.
"She might not necessarily abuse her. A woman like that might not need to beat or scold a young girl," Chai Yingluo said with a cold smile. "The schemes and methods of these vicious noblewomen are quite different from those of common shrews..."
Before she could finish, the carriage jolted violently, throwing both women against the compartment walls. Chai Yingluo fell silent, glanced out the window, and smiled faintly. "We're about to leave the palace."Wei Shufen also peered out through the carriage curtains. Indeed, they had arrived before a towering palace gate, where the maids accompanying the carriage were presenting their entry tokens. Within the palace grounds, carriages were pulled by human labor, but once past the gates, oxen or mules could be harnessed to increase speed.
Chai Yingluo, being a frequent visitor to the palace, passed through the gates with ease. None of them alighted from the carriage—after exchanging a few words with the guards through the curtains, they were waved through. The household servants were lifting the carriage over the threshold and preparing to harness the draft animals when suddenly, the sound of hoofbeats and a horse being reined in came from outside. Then, her father Wei Zheng's voice rang out beside the carriage window:
"High Truth Master, please wait a moment."
Wei Shufen felt her soul nearly leave her body in fright.
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