As the sun dipped westward, Li Yuangui led the way, followed by Yang Xinzhi and Chai Yingluo, who had changed into a practical set of men's attire, along with a retinue of mounted attendants from the Chai residence. The group rode in a grand procession toward the residence of Guiyang Princess in Changxing Ward.
Neither Yang Xinzhi nor Chai Yingluo was particularly willing to accompany him on this trip, grumbling complaints along the way, which Li Yuangui simply ignored. Bringing his niece along to the Fifth Princess's residence was a last resort—he had thought it over and found no better solution.
Wei Shufen had informed him that it was Yang Shidao, the Fifth Princess's consort, who had secretly taken Consort Yang, Princess of Hailing, away. Li Yuangui was determined to confront him directly about this matter. However, the entire affair involved palace secrets and was shrouded in mystery, so the fewer people who knew, the better. Guiyang Princess was his half-sister, and as her younger brother, it would be improper for him to visit without first paying respects to his elder sister. His fifth sister was notorious for her meddlesome and explosive temper, while her husband was famously mild-mannered and henpecked. Without a female companion to distract the lady of the house, it would be difficult for him to have a "private conversation" with Chancellor Yang...
The princess's residence was of high rank, and its outer Black Head Gate opened directly onto the street, guarded by halberd-wielding sentinels. Li Yuangui's party dismounted noisily before the gate to announce their arrival. The head gatekeeper emerged and immediately spotted the tallest and burliest figure in the crowd:
"Well, well, if it isn't the young master gracing us with his presence! And with so many comrades-in-arms, no less! Are you planning to storm the princess's residence?"
The attendants Chai Yingluo had brought from home consisted of just two eunuchs and a few maids dressed as men, carrying gift boxes to lend an air of formality to their "visit." Li Yuangui glanced at Yang Xinzhi, who stood stiffly with lips pressed tight, refusing to respond.
He had long known that Yang Xinzhi was not favored at home. After reuniting with his parents for the New Year celebrations, he had been staying at the Seventeenth Prince's Residence and military barracks, never returning home. But he hadn't expected even a lowly gatekeeper of the princess's residence to dare openly mock the young master in front of so many people. As he stepped forward, intending to teach the insolent servant a lesson, a figure flashed past him—Chai Yingluo, whip in hand, strode up the steps:
"Are you blind, you cur? Do you not recognize your own young master?"
The servant faltered, squinting as he scanned the crowd outside the gate. Li Yuangui had never visited the Fifth Princess's residence before, and he wasn't wearing his princely robes, dressed instead in a plain black robe with a simple sash, indistinguishable from a commoner. Chai Yingluo, in mourning attire, wore a blue-green Slit-Sided Robe, her slender waist and graceful posture unmistakably feminine up close.
"Young master," the servant sneered, ignoring Chai Yingluo and addressing Yang Xinzhi instead, "Her Highness and His Excellency run a strict household, as you well know. Bringing some brazen outsider woman home in broad daylight—aren't you afraid—"
Before he could finish, Chai Yingluo lashed out with her whip, striking him squarely on the head:
"You vile, insolent slave! A dog with eyes only for status!"
Her strike was swift. Though the servant had braced himself, the whip still landed heavily, drawing blood from his forehead. He howled like a slaughtered pig: "Rebellion! The young master has brought men to attack his own home—"
Amid the cries, a dozen more gatekeepers armed with clubs surged out from the princess's residence, charging aggressively. Yang Xinzhi pulled Chai Yingluo behind him to shield her, while Li Yuangui swiftly drew his saber, flicking his wrist to send a gleaming arc of steel through the air. The dazzling blade momentarily forced the servants back."Do not act rashly!" Yang Xinzhi finally found his voice after returning home. "This is His Highness Prince Wu, the Fourteenth Young Master of the Supreme Emperor and younger brother of the Son of Heaven! Quickly announce inside—Prince Wu comes by imperial decree to see Duke Ande!"
His deep, resonant voice boomed through the scene, instantly silencing both sides of the gate. The dozen or so gate servants hesitated briefly before bowing and retreating, with one darting inside to report. The bleeding bully on the ground looked up at Li Yuangui, his legs trembling as he collapsed completely, scrambling on all fours to crawl back through the gate.
Chai Yingluo, however, refused to let it end there. Emerging from behind Yang Xinzhi's broad frame, she strode into the gatehouse with her horsewhip, lashing and kicking: "A servant daring to bully his master deserves instant death! I'll teach you to look down on others! I'll—"
Yang Xinzhi intervened again, pulling her back with a pained smile. "High Truth Master, don't waste your energy on such a lowly dog. This is one of my Zhao brothers' men... Ah... I'm used to it..."
He was likely referring to the sons born to Guiyang Princess and her late husband Zhao Cijing—no blood relation to him, yet fellow young masters of this household who clearly held far more sway. Chai Yingluo lowered her whip, shooting Yang Xinzhi a withering glare:
"How can you be so spineless! All that size for nothing, putting up with such nonsense in your own home! A disrespectful slave like this deserves to be kicked to death! Do you think your parents or brothers would demand your life in return?"
Yang Xinzhi only shook his head with that same bitter smile. A lifetime of habit, perhaps...
His adoptive father, Consort Yang, didn't keep them waiting long. Upon receiving the report, he hurried out to greet them, apologizing profusely for the "discourtesy" and asking if they should prepare an incense table for the imperial decree. Lacking authority to proclaim the decree himself, Li Yuangui offered reassurances before being ushered inside.
Yang Shidao exchanged greetings with Chai Yingluo but seemed not to notice his own son kneeling in respect, focusing entirely on escorting his guests through the courtyards to the main hall. Naturally, no one mentioned the earlier altercation at the gate.
Guiyang Princess awaited them in the hall, impeccably dressed and glittering with jewels. Li Yuangui addressed her as "Fifth Sister," Chai Yingluo as "Fifth Aunt," each bowing in turn. The noblewoman in her thirties took the female Taoist's hand, beaming:
"Yingniang! What a rare guest—how many years has it been since you last visited? And Fourteenth Brother, is this your first time at your sister's home? Sit, sit, make yourselves comfortable—you children really should have sent word ahead! I'd have prepared proper refreshments. You must stay for dinner tonight..."
Though not sharing the same mother as the current Emperor, Guiyang Princess was less than a year apart in age from her brother, having grown up playing together with deep affection. Her first husband Zhao Cijing had died for the nation during the founding wars, earning her particular compassion and respect from both WuDe to Zhenguan reigns. Among the surviving princesses, she occupied a subtly elevated position, frequently visiting the palace to chat with the Emperor and Empress.
Li Yuangui had heard from his mother about this fifth princess—a beauty in her youth when first married, though her fertility proved overwhelming. Four years with her first husband produced three children, and after remarrying Yang Shidao, she announced new pregnancies every year or two. Now surrounded by offspring, her figure had swollen unbearably, her high-waisted skirt concealing what might be a barrel, layers of chin fat nearly resting on her chest.It wasn't just her obesity—the Fifth Princess's skin was still fair and smooth, and with careful grooming and adornment, she carried an air of dignified nobility befitting the imperial family. Unfortunately, she couldn't resist being seen in public with her current husband, Consort Yang Shidao, their heads close together and shoulders touching. The contrast was... Li Yuangui couldn't help but sigh inwardly, unsure whether to feel more pity for his sister or his brother-in-law.
Yang Shidao was currently bending to assist his wife into her seat, his posture like a carpenter's square. Yet, strangely, even in this position, he still gave the impression of having "broad shoulders, an upright back, and a straight figure." Standing at seven chi and four cun tall, with a majestic beard, refined features, and in his forties, his temples were already streaked with gray, which only added to his dignified and scholarly demeanor. Among the nobility of the capital, it had long been whispered that Consort Yang was "the most handsome man in the Great Tang." His eldest son, Yang Xinzhi, though also tall and imposing, lacked his father's composed and scholarly air of nobility.
Duty-bound, Yang Xinzhi had followed his lord, Prince Wu, into the hall but stood with hands clasped at the entrance, his burly frame unconsciously trying to shrink behind the wall—as if hoping to escape the notice of his father and stepmother. The Fifth Princess and Consort Yang didn't disappoint him; the couple seemed oblivious to their son, focusing instead on warmly chatting with Chai Yingluo and Li Yuangui.
After some casual conversation, Li Yuangui exchanged a glance with Chai Yingluo. The female Taoist understood and said to the Fifth Princess, "It's been a while since I've seen my cousins. Auntie, why don't you take me to visit the girls?" She then led her out of the hall into the rear residence.
Left alone with Yang Shidao, Li Yuangui sat facing his brother-in-law, who offered a faint smile, waiting for his brother-in-law to speak.
"Brother-in-law, the reason for my visit—" Li Yuangui began but then paused, glancing around the spacious main hall of the princess's residence and the attendants standing below. Turning back to his host, he said, "Some matters are rather private. Might we move to your study to discuss them?"
Yang Shidao frowned slightly but nodded, rising to lead the way. Li Yuangui motioned for Yang Xinzhi, who was standing to the side, to follow. Yang Xinzhi hesitated, looking at his father and murmuring, "Father?"
This was the first time father and son had spoken since Yang Xinzhi's return, Li Yuangui realized. Yang Shidao finally glanced back at his son but said nothing, only sighing before leading the way deeper into the residence.
No refusal meant tacit approval. Yang Xinzhi lowered his head and followed his father and Li Yuangui out of the main courtyard into a smaller compound with rockeries and a flower pond, then into an elegant study. The servants were dismissed, and the door was closed.
Yang Shidao gestured for Li Yuangui to take the seat of honor, while Yang Xinzhi remained standing by the door with hands clasped. Struggling to ignore the awkward silence, Li Yuangui addressed Yang Shidao:
"A few days ago, at the Temple of Common Vocation in the forbidden garden, the eldest daughter of the former Crown Prince, Princess Linfen, was married. During the ceremony, tragedy struck unexpectedly. I assume you're aware of this, brother-in-law."
"Indeed," Yang Shidao nodded, then explained, "That night, the princess and I were supposed to attend the wedding, but she was unwell and personally requested leave from the Empress. I stayed home to care for my wife and thus didn't attend."
Likely you deliberately avoided the ill-fated family of the former Crown Prince... Li Yuangui thought but naturally didn't voice it aloud. Instead, he said, "Yi Niang's death was bizarre and unjust, alarming the Son of Heaven and the Empress. They specifically ordered me—along with Imperial Secretary Wei—to lead the investigation. We've already questioned those involved at the Temple of Common Vocation. Among them, Consort Yang, Princess of Hailing, is highly suspect..."As he spoke, he carefully observed Yang Shidao's expression. The handsome middle-aged man merely sat quietly with a humble smile, not even a twitch at the tips of his beard. Only when Li Yuangui paused did he stroke his beard and smile faintly:
"Regarding Prince Wu and Duke Wei being ordered to investigate the case, I have also heard of it in the Council of State. However, Duke Wei has already received the Empress's command to halt the investigation into Princess Linfen's case, concluding it as suicide when reporting to the Imperial Clan Court. Does the Fourteenth Young Master not know of this?"
Li Yuangui felt somewhat embarrassed and coughed lightly before replying, "This case concerns the Empress's reputation, but the Son of Heaven would never allow a hasty and unjust verdict. His Majesty and Her Majesty later discussed it again and decided to conduct a thorough investigation, albeit discreetly, with the responsibility solely entrusted to me."
"I see." Yang Shidao nodded with a smile, though his warm expression clearly carried a trace of perfunctory disbelief.
Li Yuangui, irritated, raised his hand, tempted to produce the Imperial Edict from the Emperor to prove his point. But he thought better of it—if he resorted to brandishing the edict at every turn, no one would dare speak their mind.
"Brother-in-law," he leaned forward earnestly, "this matter is of great importance. How would I, a mere junior, dare to fabricate lies? Last night, the Temple of Common Vocation suddenly caught fire and burned to the ground, proving the urgency of Yi Niang's case. Someone is willing to take extreme risks to destroy evidence. As a trusted minister of the Emperor, you must understand His Majesty's intentions. If you know any leads in this case, I hope you will not hesitate to share them."
"Naturally," Yang Shidao's smile remained unchanged. "If I could assist the Fourteenth Young Master in any way, how could I hold back? But I truly have no clues about this case and cannot help you."
Li Yuangui's temper flared, and he dropped the pretense:
"Then why did you personally go to the Temple of Common Vesterday noon, before the fire, to retrieve the Princess of Hailing and her two daughters? Where are Fourth Sister-in-law and her daughters now? I hope Lord Yang will enlighten me."
For the first time since their meeting, a look of shock and fear flashed across Yang Shidao's face, and his warm smile vanished entirely. He first glanced at his eldest son standing by the door before turning back with a grave expression:
"Who said I took the Princess of Hailing away? Let them come forward and confront me."
"Did you not?" Li Yuangui stared intently into his eyes. "Could I have misheard? Can you clearly state that you did not go to the Temple of Common Vocation in the forbidden garden yesterday to retrieve the Princess of Hailing and her daughters?"
The information he had received was actually just the three words "Imperial Son-in-law Yang" uttered by a severely wounded guard in delirium—hardly concrete evidence, and possibly mistaken. But judging by Yang Shidao's conflicted expression now, he was clearly deeply involved in Consort Yang's disappearance. Even if he hadn't taken them away, he surely knew much about the matter.
Yang Shidao remained silent for a long moment before his expression gradually steadied. He spoke:
"Regarding the Princess of Hailing, I must decline to comment. This matter is unrelated to Princess Linfen's death."
"Oh? Are you so certain, Brother-in-law?"
"The Princess of Hailing left the Temple of Common Vocation for other grave reasons," Yang Shidao said slowly. "Reasons that Prince Wu would be better off not knowing."
The familiar tone of "this is adult business, don't meddle" had returned. Li Yuangui bit his lower lip, finally unable to restrain himself, and reached into his robe to pull out the Imperial Edict the Emperor had given him."I am here by the decree of the Son of Heaven to investigate the case of Princess Linfen. The consort of Prince Hailing is already a prime suspect. I must ask Lord Yang to truthfully inform Yuangui of her current whereabouts. Otherwise, I shall have no choice but to report to the Son of Heaven and charge you with defying an imperial edict."
He unfolded the Imperial Edict and presented it with both hands to Yang Shidao. Yang Shidao also received it with both hands, rising to kneel and hold it respectfully, quickly scanning its contents—as the current Zhongshu Ling, he drafted and handled imperial decrees daily and was intimately familiar with the Emperor's handwriting. Surely, he wouldn't suspect this edict was forged—Li Yuangui thought with some satisfaction.
Yang Shidao lifted his head, his face once again breaking into a warm and amiable smile:
"Shidao is unworthy and dares not obey Prince Wu's command. If Fourteenth Young Master wishes to report this to the Son of Heaven, Shidao willingly accepts the consequences."
With a genial smile, Consort Yang respectfully returned the Son of Heaven's edict to Li Yuangui with both hands, his tone impeccably deferential and humble—yet the content of his words was unmistakably: "I'm defying the imperial decree, so what? Go ahead and file your complaint, you brat."
Li Yuangui numbly took back the edict, momentarily speechless. He never dreamed that Yang Shidao, his fifth brother-in-law, known for his timidity and docility, would dare openly defy an imperial decree.
"Father!"
Yang Xinzhi, standing by the door, was also stunned, the exclamation slipping out. Clearly, he too hadn't expected his father to act so boldly.
Both Li Yuangui and Yang Shidao turned to look at the tall guard. Yang Shidao slightly dimmed his smile, adopting a more serious expression, still ignoring his son as he addressed Li Yuangui:
"Since last autumn, my unworthy son has been under Fourteenth Young Master's care and guidance, for which I am deeply grateful. Regarding the case of Princess Linfen, both you and my son are already deeply entangled. For both public and private reasons, I must advise Prince Wu to withdraw from this matter and not wade further into these troubled waters."
"Why?" Li Yuangui demanded. "I am investigating this case under the direct decree of the Son of Heaven. Yi Niang died unjustly, and the Empress's reputation has been tarnished. What is improper about me pursuing her killer? Why won’t Fifth Brother-in-law assist me?"
Yang Shidao sighed softly, his handsome face clouding over:
"I cannot refute every point you've just made, Fourteenth Young Master. But let me address just one—you claim Yi Niang died 'unjustly.' That may not be entirely accurate."
"What do you mean?" Li Yuangui asked. "She was a lonely girl secluded in the inner palace for nine years, with no contact with outsiders. What crime could she have committed? Was her sudden death at the wedding her own fault?"
His emotions were running high, and his tone was sharp. Yang Shidao, however, didn’t take offense, smiling faintly:
"The wives and daughters of the late Princes Xi and Hailing, confined to the forbidden temple for nine years, naturally could not have committed any wrongdoing. But ten years ago, when Princess Linfen was still in the Crown Prince's Palace, she may not have been so innocent."
"Ten years ago..." Li Yuangui's thoughts raced, and he let out a disbelieving laugh. "Fifth Brother-in-law must be joking. Ten years ago, Yi Niang was only six or seven years old in the Crown Prince's Palace. How could she not have been innocent? Even if she quarreled with someone, it would have been childish squabbles. How could that warrant retribution a decade later?"
Yang Shidao pondered for a moment, then gestured to Yang Xinzhi by the door, signaling his son to come kneel beside Li Yuangui. Stroking his beard solemnly, he said:"The words that follow, perhaps I shouldn't speak them, but you're both young and impulsive, unaware of the critical stakes involved. If I don't lay it out plainly, I doubt I can stop you from reckless actions, and who knows when divine retribution might strike—Princess Linfen, the Supreme Emperor's eldest granddaughter, alas, she suffered divine retribution."
Li Yuangui and Yang Xinzhi exchanged glances, both seeing bewilderment on each other's faces—what did it mean to suffer divine retribution?
"During the chaos at the end of the Sui dynasty, I was in the eastern capital Luoyang, reluctantly serving under the rebel Wang Shi-chong. At that time, rumors spread across the land that the Mandate of Heaven favored the Tang, so I abandoned my home and child to flee back to Chang'an." Yang Shidao glanced at his eldest son, a hint of apology flashing in his eyes. "The Supreme Emperor was then in his prime, full of vigor, while the former Crown Prince was honest and mature, steady and amiable—both were outstanding men of their time. Yet the moment I saw Prince Qin back then, I knew upon whom the Mandate of Heaven truly rested..."
The handsome middle-aged man stroked his meticulously groomed beard and smiled self-deprecatingly. "You might not believe me when I say this. But think about it—how many of the great generals from the founding era never once served under Prince Qin or followed his orders? You can count them on one hand. And I, Yang Shidao, am one of them—not because I didn't want to, but because the Supreme Emperor and the former Crown Prince had their own plans. As a descendant of the previous dynasty's imperial clan and one who married a princess by decree, I dared not act recklessly. Yet Prince Qin—our current sovereign—knew of my loyalty and has trusted and employed me without doubt since the Zhenguan era began... Ah, I've digressed."
You've digressed indeed, Li Yuangui silently grumbled. But he understood Yang Shidao's intention in rambling on—to emphasize that Prince Qin, the current Son of Heaven, was the "true chosen ruler," and that he, Yang Shidao, had been prescient. But what did this have to do with Yi Niang?
"Our sovereign bears the Mandate of Heaven, which is why he charged through countless battles in the founding wars, never shying from arrows or stones, yet never once harmed by blade," Yang Shidao stressed. "But do you know what the greatest peril our sovereign ever faced was? It was in the eighth year of WuDe, when he drank a cup of poisoned wine in the Crown Prince's Palace, vomited liters of blood, and nearly died."
Li Yuangui had naturally heard of this incident—though the version told by the concubines and maids in Great Peace Palace was phrased quite differently. But as Yang Shidao mentioned it now, a sudden realization struck him like lightning, and he straightened up from his kneeling position:
"That poisoned wine—could it have been—"
"Indeed," Yang Shidao nodded at him. "It was Yi Niang who offered it to her second uncle, Prince Qin.##### Author's note explains why Yang Xinzhi calls his father "Daren" (Sir). For the note's content, visit the author's Weibo by searching ID "Tang Dynasty Tour Guide Forest Deer." Welcome to discuss.
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