"The Sart's merchant caravan was robbed in Songzhou? Was it related to the Tuyuhun war?" Li Yuangui pressed Kang Su-mi urgently.
Kang Su-mi smiled: "What exactly happened, old Kang hasn't figured out yet. The frontlines are chaotic with war, I'd warned them long ago not to take that route. Stubborn fools acting like know-it-alls!"
"Does Kang Sabao have any new military updates from Songzhou?" Li Yuangui pressed further. He knew these foreign merchants had their own communication channels between nations, sometimes even faster than official court couriers.
After a brief hesitation, Kang Su-mi nodded frankly:
"Since Your Highness asks, old Kang dare not hide it. People in Songzhou say General Li of Tang suffered a major defeat at Wild Fox Gorge, with tens of thousands of soldiers slaughtered by the Tuyuhun Qiang tribesmen. The Yellow River ran red with blood!"
Li Yuangui was shocked: "Is this true?"
"Old Kang wouldn't boast idly, but dare not guarantee its truth either. War is serious business—Your Highness should verify with official court reports."
If true, this would be earthshaking news. The barren northwestern highlands made grain supply difficult—the court's six-pronged offensive totaled less than 100,000 troops. Losing tens of thousands in one battle would mean abandoning the campaign.
Li Yuangui had intended to inquire about the Tuyuhun royal family and former Sui Empress Xiao's household, but this Songzhou news was too alarming—he needed to report to the palace immediately. Kang Su-mi was even more anxious, repeatedly apologizing while explaining his robbed caravan required immediate government negotiations that only he could handle. He again insisted Li Yuangui take the two foreign girls as attendants, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
After consideration, Li Yuangui pointed at Fen Dui: "Since the Sart insists, it would be rude to refuse entirely. I'll take just this one—Mi Wei would be too much honor."
Both Kang Su-mi and Mi Wei looked surprised he'd choose the visibly plainer girl, while the dark-haired maiden's eyes lit up with joy.
Li Yuangui reasoned Mi Wei's flirtatious experience and striking golden-haired, green-eyed appearance might cause trouble at Great Peace Palace, whereas Fen Dui would be easier to manage. Conversely, a beauty like Mi Wei still had value—Kang Su-mi likely wouldn't mistreat her severely, but timid Fen Dui would suffer greatly left at the Protectorate Office.
After two more attempts to persuade, Kang Su-mi relented seeing Li Yuangui's resolve. Post-breakfast farewells at the gate saw Fen Dui emerge with luggage and pipa, while camels and horses were assembled for departure.
Kang Su-mi gave household instructions in his tongue, then told Li Yuangui: "With favorable winds, I'll return within days. Old Kang shall host Your Highness a Nine-bowl Feast in apology—if only I knew where to send the invitation."
Realizing Kang's servants couldn't enter the forbidden garden or approach his Seventeenth Prince's Residence, Li Yuangui had an idea, gesturing southward:
"Isn't the Sart acquainted with Prince Consort Chai of Qiao State? Your steward could visit his residence, asking his household to notify me at Great Peace Palace's fourteenth courtyard."
The Chai residence, due to frequent dealings with Purple Void Monastery overseen by Chai Yingluo, likely held Forbidden Gate Passes. Kang Su-mi acknowledged the arrangement before bidding solemn farewells.Li Yuangui and Yang Xinzhi's two horses were waiting outside the gate, while Fen Dui had her own smaller mare prepared by the Kang residence. The three mounted their steeds, with Li Yuangui urging his horse northward. Yang Xinzhi followed closely behind and asked:
"Fourteenth Young Master, where are we heading now?"
"The Hall of Established Governance in the political affairs hall. We must enter the palace first." Li Yuangui frowned and spurred his horse. "I must request an audience with His Majesty to report the news from Wild Fox Gorge. You take Fen Dui back to Great Peace Palace—"
Before he could finish, a sudden burst of shouting interrupted him. All three turned their heads toward the courtyard wall beside them.
Having just left Kang Su-mi's residence, they hadn't traveled far and were still outside the rammed earth walls of the Kang compound. The shouts came from within the walls, followed by loud laughter and men greeting each other in foreign tongues, sounding like a reunion of several Hu merchants after long separation. Such noises were common in foreign merchant compounds, so the three thought nothing of it and continued their journey.
They rode north along Fanglin Gate Street. Li Yuangui alone entered through Anfu Gate, proceeding east along Tiantian Street until reaching the outer gate of Shuntian Gate to verify his credentials. The gate guards, seeing he carried an Imperial Edict from the Son of Heaven, dared not delay and quickly granted him passage. By the time Li Yuangui entered the inner palace courtyards, the morning court session had already concluded. He managed to intercept the imperial procession halfway between the Hall of Two Principles and Wanchun Hall, prostrating himself in greeting.
The Son of Heaven, hurrying to Wanchun Hall for discussions with his ministers, motioned for Li Yuangui to approach and take the reins of the imperial mount, conversing as they walked. Knowing time was short, Li Yuangui briefly reported the battle situation at Songzhou as learned from Kang Su-mi. Summoning courage, he glanced sideways at his imperial elder brother astride the horse, noticing his distracted expression—the Emperor seemed preoccupied and indifferent to the news his younger brother brought.
"Merchant communications?" the Emperor asked. "They do pay attention... What of the Tuyuhun prince's grandson I tasked you to investigate?"
The abrupt change of topic left Li Yuangui no choice but to steel himself and recount his failed attempt to visit former Sui Empress Xiao, naturally omitting his and Yang Xinzhi's midnight trespass. Growing uneasy toward the end, he couldn't resist another glance at the Emperor, who indeed glared at him sternly:
"Lady Xiao is a princess of Western Liang and former Sui Empress—practically our aunt by marriage. The court provides for her year-round, and even the Empress treats her with utmost respect during her rare palace visits. Yet you dare cause trouble at her residence? Quite bold indeed."
"This subject..." I was performing official duties, not bullying the unfortunate like some ruffian, Li Yuangui thought but dared not voice aloud. Clearly in foul temper, the Emperor was looking for someone to vent his anger on—no sense inviting trouble.
By now they had passed through Wanchun Gate with its hall where the Emperor convened his ministers. Ahead lay the Hall of Established Governance, the imperial couple's shared residence. Dismounting at Wanchun Hall's steps, the Emperor was greeted by bowing ministers including Fang Xuanling. Simultaneously, another group approached from the direction of Lizheng Gate—two youths, one tall and one stout, hurried forward to pay respects upon seeing the imperial procession too late to avoid it.Crown Prince Li Chengqian and the fourth prince, Prince Yue Li Tai, were both born to Empress Zhangsun, with only a little over a year’s difference in age, yet their appearances were strikingly different. Li Chengqian resembled his father, with sharp brows, phoenix eyes, and a chiseled profile—stern in stillness and swift as the wind in motion. Li Tai, on the other hand, was short, plump, fair-skinned, and round-faced, with narrow, elongated eyes, looking every bit the spitting image of his maternal uncle, Zhangsun Wu-ji.
Standing beside the imperial horse, Li Yuangui noticed that the Emperor’s gaze softened slightly when looking at Li Tai, but as soon as his eyes shifted to Li Chengqian, his brows furrowed, and he asked coldly, "Have you paid your respects to your mother?"
Li Chengqian’s attitude toward his father was no better. Stiff-faced, he answered with a curt "Yes" and fell silent. In contrast, Li Tai appeared much more at ease. Rising with a smile, he said, "Some time ago, I acquired a rare complete edition of The Chronicles of Jingzhou in three volumes, compiled by the late Song Dynasty’s Vice Minister Sheng Hong-zhi. After transcribing and binding it these past few days, I brought it in to present to A Niang. She was delighted and asked me to accompany Eldest Brother to deliver it to the Great Peace Palace. She said Grandfather enjoyed hearing tales of the south during his youth in Anzhou, and if he was feeling well, she suggested I read some passages to him."
The Supreme Emperor had indeed traveled and studied in the Jingxiang region during his youth, a fact Li Yuangui was aware of. The Emperor nodded and smiled at his fourth son. "Your mother is thoughtful, and you’ve shown commendable care as well, Qingque. Alas, centuries of turmoil have left barely a tenth of our ancient texts intact, and the court is too burdened with urgent matters to spare much effort for cultural restoration. It’s rare for someone like you, Qingque, to devote yourself to scholarship. You should gather more learned scholars and compile books of literary and philosophical merit—this too is a worthy endeavor. Far better than those who spend their days gallivanting on horseback!"
At the last remark, the Emperor shot a pointed glare at Crown Prince Li Chengqian, which everyone present noticed.
The seventeen-year-old Crown Prince merely tilted his head slightly, his expression blank, as if he hadn’t heard a thing. His younger brother chuckled and said, "Qingque humbly accepts Father’s decree. By nature, I’m soft in body and weak in will, lacking the discipline to excel in martial arts like Eldest Brother, Third Brother, or Fourteenth Uncle. No matter how much I admire Father’s prowess, I could never hope to match even a fraction of it. So I’ve resigned myself to the lesser path—holing up indoors with books and brushes."
Hearing the Emperor’s favored son mention him so abruptly, Li Yuangui stiffened, instinctively sensing that being dragged into the dynamics of this father and sons trio was anything but favorable.
The Emperor, however, took his beloved son’s flattery in stride and laughed. "You’re mistaken there. Founding a dynasty is hard, but maintaining it is harder. You can conquer the realm on horseback, but you cannot rule it so. Though the court is still embroiled in wars, they will only grow fewer. Scholarship is the true path forward. With governance so tangled, it often gives me headaches. Your mother and uncle, being well-read, offer more solutions than I can—even your cousin from the Chai family has been compiling medical texts these past two years. Qingque, as an established prince, surely you can’t lag behind a female Taoist priest of the Inner Sanctum? Proceed with confidence. If you lack anything, just say so."
Li Tai responded with a dutiful "Yes," unable to conceal the smugness on his face."Cousin Chai is highly capable in her work, and I deeply admire her. The Purple Void Monastery has many medical texts, and I've borrowed several from there. Unfortunately, there aren't many rare editions among them. The High Truth Master even asked me to recommend scholars to help her organize and transcribe them. The officials I usually interact with are just those from the princely estates—how many erudite Confucian scholars do I have at my disposal? Even for my own project of compiling a geographical compendium, I'm short-handed..."
"You should have said so earlier!" The Emperor raised his brows. "Why not follow your father's example and establish a Literary Academy in your own residence, recruiting scholars yourself? Submit the required materials to the relevant authorities through your Chief Administrator. After this year's imperial examinations, go to the Ministry of Rites and select some talented scholars with clear and elegant writing to invite into your academy for compilation work. Isn't that simple?"
Li Yuangui suddenly looked up and indeed saw Li Chengqian's expression change slightly. Behind the Emperor, Fang Xuanling and several other chancellors exchanged glances, looking at each other in dismay.
"Your son thanks Your Majesty for this imperial grace!" Li Tai prostrated himself in overwhelming joy. "This subject will devote himself to scholarship, compile profound works, and bring glory to the literary achievements of this prosperous era."
The Emperor nodded, his gaze sweeping over his eldest son as he sighed. "Our Longxi Li clan rose to power through military prowess, conquering the realm from a corner. How many of those noble clans secretly look down on us, pointing fingers at our family's lack of refinement, claiming we're unfit to rule? The older generation is beyond hope, but you youngsters—whether through scholarship or martial arts—must show some progress, some achievement! Qingque is compiling books. What about the others? How many years of peace have we enjoyed? We still need our younger generation to serve on the battlefield! Among my brothers and sons, each boasts of their outstanding horsemanship and archery—yet only your Fourteenth Uncle has volunteered for battle. The rest act as if it's none of their business! Among my sons, not a single one is willing to serve the state!"
With that, he threw down his horsewhip and turned away angrily, striding up the stone steps of the Wanchun Hall. The crowd below bowed in unison to see him off. From the corner of his eye, Li Yuangui noticed the purple-robed narrow sleeves on Li Chengqian's chest trembling uncontrollably.
The Son of Heaven's inexplicable fury had been entirely vented on his eldest son. There must be some hidden reason... Li Yuangui quietly stepped back, mentally chanting "You don't see me," hoping everyone would disperse. Unfortunately, things didn't go as he wished. Li Chengqian spoke up immediately:
"Fourteenth Uncle, are you returning to the Great Peace Palace?"
"Yes," Li Yuangui replied, then suddenly realized his mistake. Sure enough, the Crown Prince calmly ordered, "What a coincidence. My brother and I are also going to the Great Peace Palace to pay respects to the Supreme Emperor. Let us accompany you."
Unable to think of an excuse to refuse, Li Yuangui reluctantly agreed. The Crown Prince's entourage brought him his mount. The uncle and nephews, all of similar age, had no desire to converse near the politically sensitive Hall of Two Principles and remained silent as they passed through the Vermilion Bright Gate.
Two days prior, after learning that the Crown Prince had taken charge of the forbidden garden and the Great Peace Palace, Chai Yingluo had kindly warned Li Yuangui to be wary of Li Chengqian seeking revenge. The blood jade ring he had found and given to Empress Zhangsun was likely evidence of Li Chengqian's incestuous affair with his cousin. Today, the Emperor had inexplicably used Li Yuangui's volunteerism for battle to berate his son, making it likely the Crown Prince would view his fourteenth uncle with even greater displeasure.
No sooner had the group exited the Vermilion Bright Gate than the Crown Prince abruptly asked:
"Fourteenth Uncle, the Supreme Emperor misses his youngest daughter and has asked me to return Seventeenth Aunt to his side. What do you think we should do?"
"The Supreme Emperor?" Li Yuangui exclaimed in shock. "The Supreme Emperor can still... can..."Can he speak? Can he express his intentions so clearly? Even... remember anyone in this world besides "Ah Yin"?
Li Chengqian signaled his younger brother Li Tai to explain. It turned out the two brothers had been ordered to the Great Peace Palace the previous day to pay respects and inquire about their grandfather's health on behalf of their parents—naturally, Consort Yin was by the bedside. Consort Yin poured out her grievances, saying that after Chai Yingluo and Li Yuangui suddenly took the Seventeenth Princess away, the Supreme Emperor had woken once or twice. Unable to see his youngest daughter, he sighed and lamented, worsening his condition...
"From start to finish, it was all Consort Yin... speaking on her own, wasn't it?" Li Yuangui asked coldly.
"It was Consort Yin speaking, but when the Supreme Emperor was awake, she leaned over and asked him 'isn't that so?' and Grandfather responded," Li Tai replied leisurely.
"Responded?" Li Yuangui questioned. "So Consort Yin asked something, and the Supreme Emperor just made some 'uh-huh' sounds?"
Li Tai gave a somewhat helpless smile and turned to look at his elder brother. Li Chengqian shot a cold glare at Li Yuangui:
"Uncle Fourteen, you know the situation in the Great Peace Hall better than I do. Regardless of Consort Yin's character, the Supreme Emperor simply cannot do without her! You and Cousin Chai acted so recklessly. If anything happens to the Supreme Emperor because of this, if the imperial tomb collapses, who can bear the responsibility?"
"If disaster strikes, Yuangui will take full responsibility!" Li Yuangui declared loudly, feeling his blood boil with heroic fervor. "Kill me or slice me, I won't drag anyone else down. Your Highness can rest assured!"
The response he received was a loud laugh from the Crown Prince. Li Tai also shook his head beside him, his plump face wearing the amused expression of someone watching a performance.
"You take responsibility?" Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows in challenge. "Don't take this the wrong way, Uncle Fourteen, but I doubt a mere prince like you can bear the weight of the life and safety of the Supreme Emperor, the founding ruler of the Great Tang! To be frank, with the Empress ill and needing rest, and the Son of Heaven busy with the Tuyuhun campaign, I've been explicitly ordered to attend to the Supreme Emperor's medicine and oversee the palace officials in the Great Peace Palace. If any trouble arises in the forbidden garden of the Western Palace, the Son of Heaven will hold me accountable!"
Li Yuangui was stunned, then suddenly understood.
With the Son of Heaven preoccupied with the Empress's illness, the responsibility of caring for their grandfather had been handed to Li Chengqian. In the past few years, he had acted as regent and earned praise from the court and the public, probably thinking this task wouldn't be difficult. But then he encountered Consort Yin's malicious accusations. Upon hearing the Supreme Emperor's condition had worsened, the seventeen-year-old immediately panicked, fearing his grandfather might "ascend to the heavens" under his watch, leaving him unable to answer to his parents.
"You and Cousin Chai caused this mess—you clean it up yourselves!" Li Chengqian stopped and fixed his gaze on his younger uncle. "You go and return the Seventeenth Princess to the Great Peace Hall, apologize to Consort Yin, and we'll consider the matter closed. Don't force me to step in personally—if that happens, I'm afraid it'll be even more embarrassing for everyone involved."
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