The palace envoy sent from the Great Peace Palace to Princess Pingyang's residence to bestow funeral gifts was Deputy Palace Supervisor Yin Tuo. Li Yuangui recognized the man from afar and immediately halted, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist.
This Yin Tuo was a clansman of Consort Yin, originally named "A-Ta," a street ruffian who was later adopted as a son by Consort Yin's father, Yin A-Shu, who had no male heirs. Through this connection, he secured the position of Deputy Supervisor at the Great Peace Palace. The palace supervisor, Chen Wanfu, had served the Supreme Emperor for a lifetime as an old retainer of the Li family but had grown frail with illness in recent years, leaving much of the palace affairs to Yin Tuo. The Yin family siblings worked in collusion, tightening their control over the Great Peace Palace to the point of being impenetrable.
Li Yuangui and his mother and sister had long suffered under the "care" of the Yin siblings, and his hatred for them ran deep. At the sight of Yin Tuo, the first thought that flashed through Li Yuangui's mind was: His seventeenth sister was no longer a hostage in the hands of the Yin family—could he seize this chance to cut down this vile wretch?
Of course, he couldn’t do it at the Chai residence—he mustn’t bring trouble upon Chai Shao and his daughter. Then perhaps on the man’s way home or back to the Great Peace Palace?
Yes, that was the plan. Once this scoundrel finished his official duties and left, Li Yuangui would borrow a set of plain clothes from the Chai household, change into them, and quietly follow behind with Yang Xinzhi. At the right moment, they’d cover their faces, rush out, and strike him down... Though such an act wasn’t exactly honorable, when had the Yin siblings ever acted honorably in their years of tormenting his family? Repaying cruelty with justice was hardly excessive.
As he stood there, lost in violent thoughts, he suddenly noticed Yin A-Ta turning his head in his direction.
Damn it... Li Yuangui remembered he was still wearing his ceremonial robes, making him highly conspicuous. Worse, a warm presence beside him made him glance up—just his luck, Yang Rou-ta had come to stand by his side. The two of them now posed like an "iron pagoda beside a banner pole," an unmistakable sight to anyone familiar with them.
Yin A-Ta, occupied with his official duties, first exchanged formalities with Chai Shao and his son, then paid his respects before the spirit tablet. Li Yuangui stood under the western corridor, watching from afar, grinding his teeth in frustration. Finally, when the rituals concluded, Chai Shao seemed to be ushering Yin A-Ta toward the guest reception hall in the western wing. Seizing the moment, Li Yuangui darted ahead with Yang Xinzhi before the group could enter.
The once lively reception hall was now empty save for two servants kneeling in the corner, ready to attend. Without hesitation, Li Yuangui slipped behind the plain screen at the back of the main seating area, with Yang Xinzhi following closely. However, Yang Rou-ta’s towering height left his forehead and eyes visible above the screen—Li Yuangui frowned and tugged urgently at his sleeve. After two pulls, the hulking man reluctantly knelt down.
No sooner had they settled than a clamor of footsteps entered the room. Yin A-Ta’s voice was heard explaining:
"...It’s not that Yin dares to be presumptuous, but before coming, Consort Yin repeatedly insisted these words must be delivered personally to the High Truth Master. I beg your forgiveness for this intrusion, Third Imperial Son-in-Law..."
Chai Shao’s polite refusals followed, mingled with footsteps and Chai Yingluo’s greetings—she must have just been summoned. The exchange dragged on before finally quieting. Chai Yingluo first inquired, "Is the Supreme Emperor in good health?" mentioning she hadn’t visited the Great Peace Palace in days and was deeply concerned about her grandfather’s condition.
Yin A-Ta praised her with perfunctory remarks about "the High Truth Master’s miraculous elixirs and Consort Yin’s devoted care," but both questioner and respondent were clearly distracted, bracing for the real conversation to come."Consort Yin instructed me to relay a message to the High Truth Master," Yin A'da cleared his throat twice. "Yesterday, His Highness the Crown Prince visited the Supreme Emperor's sickbed to pay respects and discussed with his grandfather the selection of a princess for marriage alliance..."
"Marriage alliance?" Chai Yingluo exclaimed in shock. Li Yuangui was equally startled, nearly letting out a cold snort at the phrase "discussed with his grandfather." Why not just say "discussed with Consort Yin," or more honestly, "Consort Yin initiated this topic with Crown Prince Li Chengqian"?
"Indeed. The imperial court's war with Tuyuhun has reached a stalemate, and His Majesty is considering a marriage alliance to secure foreign reinforcements. The Crown Prince mentioned there are currently two foreign countries seeking marriage, and an urgent decision must be made regarding which princess to send. The first is Tubo, a kingdom south of Tuyuhun, with towering mountains perpetually covered in snow and thick miasma that easily claims lives. Their ruler is a young hero who has conquered and annihilated countless tribes in recent years—a man of violent temper, crude manners, and unyielding arrogance. His Majesty believes only a physically strong, courageous, and intelligent woman sent there could survive and have any hope of winning over the Tubo ruler."
The more Li Yuangui listened, the more alarmed he became. Behind the screen, Chai Yingluo asked coldly:
"Who did Consort Yin recommend to the Crown Prince?"
"High Truth Master, you misunderstand—it was certainly not Consort Yin's recommendation. The Crown Prince heard in the Hall of Established Governance that the eldest daughter of Imperial Attendant Wei had knelt before the Son of Heaven and volunteered to marry into the foreign lands... Imperial Attendant Wei is a man of unyielding integrity and great learning, so his noble daughter must surely be exceptional. Both the Crown Prince and Consort Yin found her suitable..."
Chai Yingluo fell silent. Yin A'da, speaking cheerfully and no longer bothering to drag the Supreme Emperor into it, merely laughed:
"His Majesty and the Empress have entrusted the Great Peace Palace to the Crown Prince's discretion. If His Highness approves, isn't the matter settled? Consort Yin said that the honorable daughter of Chancellor Wei has been staying at the Purple Void Monastery and instructed me to inform the High Truth Master. Once these busy days pass, please prepare Wei Niangzi for the marriage alliance arrangements—we mustn't delay such an important matter."
Li Yuangui clenched the hilt of his sword tightly, barely restraining the urge to step out and cut someone down. Behind the screen, Chai Yingluo gave an ambiguous hum before asking, "And the second foreign country seeking marriage—who do they intend to send there?"
"Ah, the second kingdom—now that's a strange one," Yin A'da chuckled. "According to the Crown Prince, this small country lies north of Tuyuhun, deep in the desert wilderness, yet most of its people are Han Chinese! They speak our language and write our script, yet stubbornly refuse to submit to the rule of our Central Plains Son of Heaven. Their self-proclaimed king bears the surname Qu, and his ancestors were also Han Chinese. A few years ago, they even came to Chang'an to pay tribute..."
"That would be Gaochang," Chai Shao interjected. "They're descendants of garrison soldiers sent to cultivate the Western Regions during Emperor Wu of Han's reign. Later, when the Central Plains fell into chaos, many Han people migrated there and formed their own state. Naturally, as remnants of Han and Wei, they speak our language and write our script."
"Indeed, indeed. Third Imperial Son-in-Law speaks wisely—this humble servant lacks such learning," Yin A'da laughed. "The Crown Prince said that since Gaochang is ruled by Han Chinese, and its current queen is none other than the Princess Huarong of the former Sui dynasty who married there in an alliance, they are thoroughly familiar with Central Plains affairs. If we agree to their king's request for a marriage alliance with our Crown Prince, and hope for Gaochang to send troops to aid our campaign against Tuyuhun, then sending a false princess as a marriage alliance likely won't suffice."
"They want to send a real princess?" Chai Yingluo asked in shock. "Which of His Majesty's daughters?""The Crown Prince said that among His Majesty's daughters, the older ones are already betrothed and it would be improper to break those engagements, while the younger ones cannot wait. There was no choice but to come to the Great Peace Palace to discuss with Consort Yin and see if there were any suitable unmarried imperial sisters or princesses. After calculating, Consort Yin found that the only one of marriageable age yet unbetrothed is Seventeenth Miss..."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuangui's shoulders jerked, toppling the plain screen in front of him.
Amidst the ensuing chaos, he leaped over the fallen screen and charged straight at Yin A-Ta, who was seated in the place of honor. The long blade at his waist sang as it left its sheath, its cold edge pressing against Yin A-Ta's throat.
Yin A-Ta was the sacrificial envoy sent by the Great Peace Palace, bearing an imperial decree that entitled him to the seat of honor. However, his actual rank was merely deputy supervisor of a detached palace, far beneath that of Chai Shao, who was a royal relative, imperial son-in-law, duke, and grand general. The man had some self-awareness and modestly declined the principal seat, taking the western seat instead, while Chai Shao and his daughter occupied the host's position.
This was fortunate, for had Li Yuangui toppled the screen behind the principal seat, Yin A-Ta would have been crushed beneath it.
As it was, his situation was hardly better. Li Yuangui seized him by the collar and dragged him from his seat, the gleaming blade at his throat sending him into a panic as he kicked his legs and cried for mercy. Li Yuangui hesitated briefly before both his arms were seized by others, voices shouting in unison: "Fourteenth Young Master!" "Stop this!"
The hands gripping him were strong and unyielding. Li Yuangui struggled but could not break free. A large, fan-like hand reached from his right to grasp the back of his blade, pulling it back forcefully as Yang Xinzhi's voice urged:
"Fourteenth Young Master, do not act rashly. Defying an imperial envoy is a grave crime..."
"Consider my humble request, Fourteenth Young Master. Sit down and speak calmly." This was the voice of his third brother-in-law, Chai Shao, who held him from the left. With these two stalwarts restraining him, Li Yuangui realized he would not succeed and reluctantly released his grip on the blade, allowing Chai Shao to half-carry, half-drag him to the eastern couch to sit.
Yang Xinzhi took Li Yuangui's blade and discreetly concealed it behind his elbow, standing to one side. Across from them, Yin A-Ta was helped up by his attendants. The rough handling had caused him to bite his lip, and he spat blood twice before sneering at Li Yuangui with a twisted grin:
"Fourteenth Young Master could kill this lowly one as easily as stepping on an ant, but what would that accomplish? The matter of the marriage alliance is beyond my control. I am merely following the orders of the Crown Prince and Consort Yin to relay a message to the High Truth Master. Why vent your anger on me?"
Having regained his composure, the man quickly revealed his true colors as a street ruffian, though his words held some truth.
"The marriage alliance may not be your doing, but the consequences of how you deliver your message will fall upon you," Chai Yingluo said coldly. "Palace Envoy Yin was sent to offer sacrifices for Princess Linfen and bears the authority of an imperial envoy. But in conveying Consort Yin's message, you are merely a servant following orders. Prince Wu reprimanding you for Consort Yin's words does not constitute defiance of an imperial envoy."
"Defiance or not, I don't understand such official talk," Yin A-Ta sneered. "Consort Yin is, after all, Fourteenth Young Master's elder by marriage and once cared for Seventeenth Miss. She has shown kindness to you siblings! Fourteenth Young Master should not be ungrateful, wasting Consort Yin's sincere efforts and rendering Lady Zhang's sacrifice meaningless...""Dog thief!" Li Yuangui was furious beyond measure, itching to step forward and kick him a few more times, but Chai Shao firmly held him down on the sitting couch. Chai Yingluo's willow-leaf eyebrows shot up as she cursed, "A dog relying on its master's power, waving a chicken feather as a command arrow, how dare you throw your weight around in my home! Cut the act—I'm not afraid of your so-called backer!"
"It's not just Consort De—I received the Crown Prince's order in person!" Yin A'da retorted stubbornly, craning his neck. "High Truth Master, if you defy the command, even the Crown Prince's Palace won't spare you! The Seventeenth Princess was meant to go to Gaochang for a marriage alliance, yet you abducted her—that's a capital offense! The Crown Prince and Consort De have ordered you to return Seventeenth Miss to the Great Peace Hall within three days..."
Li Yuangui pushed against the couch, wanting to rush over and beat the man again, but Chai Shao still restrained him. Then came a loud "smack"—a horsetail whisk landed heavily on Yin A'da's face.
It was Chai Yingluo, dressed in Daoist robes, who had grown so angry that she hurled her whisk at him. True to her reputation as a skilled polo player, her aim and strength were impeccable. Despite Yin A'da's attempt to shield himself, the close-range strike hit its mark, eliciting a howl of pain.
"Yingniang!"
Chai Shao, torn between restraining Li Yuangui and scolding his daughter, barked at her. Yet seeing Yin A'da clutching his face and yelping in distress, the father's reprimand couldn't help but carry a hint of laughter.
The room erupted into chaos—Yin A'da hurling curses, Chai Yingluo sneering back, the Great Peace Palace attendants chiming in, Yang Xinzhi attempting to mediate, and Chai Shao calling for someone to tend to Yin A'da's injuries... Amid the uproar, Li Yuangui, the most agitated of all, found himself unable to get a word in, left only to sit sprawled on the couch, panting, his chest heaving like a stampede of horses.
Yin A'da wasn't seriously injured, and after trading more insults with Chai Yingluo, he stormed off with his attendants in a huff. Yang Xinzhi looked concerned, but Chai Shao and his daughter, never ones to tread cautiously, seemed unfazed. Chai Yingluo merely frowned at Li Yuangui and asked:
"Fourteenth Uncle, didn't the Crown Prince agree with you to settle Seventeenth Aunt's fate through a polo match between your generations in a few days? Why has he gone back on his word now?"
"How should I know!" Li Yuangui snapped angrily. "For someone of his stature as heir apparent to break his promise—doesn’t he fear the ridicule of the world?"
"Calm down and think carefully," Chai Yingluo advised. "Though the Crown Prince is young and willful, he’s no fool. Who knows how that vile Consort Yin poisoned his mind... But since they’re ordering me to return Seventeenth Aunt to the Great Peace Palace, it means the Crown Prince doesn’t dare confront the Empress directly at the Hall of Established Governance... Perhaps there’s still room for negotiation?"
Her words struck a chord with Li Yuangui. He struggled to suppress his rage, pounding his head to clear his thoughts, yet his mind remained clouded.
With his nostrils still flaring from anger, how could he possibly think calmly?
Since that was the case, he might as well stop trying.
"I’ll go to the Crown Prince's Palace and request an audience with the Crown Prince," Li Yuangui declared, standing up. "I’ll ask him face-to-face—what does he truly intend? What does he plan to do with us siblings? If he wants to kill or torture us, let him say it outright! Why resort to such underhanded bullying? And colluding with that vile Consort Yin? Doesn’t he care about tarnishing his own reputation?"
Chai Shao, his daughter, and Yang Xinzhi exchanged glances, momentarily silent. After a pause, Chai Yingluo mused:
"That might actually work. A direct confrontation is cleaner than this backroom scheming and message-passing—fewer people get dragged into it. What do you think, Father?"Chai Shao sighed, "That could work, but Fourteenth Young Master, with your current temper, I'm afraid you won't exchange more than two words with the Crown Prince before quarreling. Why don't you rest tonight and visit the Crown Prince's Palace tomorrow?"
"No, we can't waste time," Li Yuangui shook his head. "Once Yin A'da returns to Great Peace Palace and tells Yin Shi about today's events, who knows what new schemes might arise. I'm leaving now. Third Brother-in-law, may I borrow a good horse from your estate?"
"Make it two," Chai Yingluo decided firmly. "Yang Da will accompany you to keep you in check—Fourteenth Uncle, give your scabbard to Yang Da. If you threaten the heir apparent with a blade in your anger, that would be a true disaster!"
Yang Xinzhi nodded and held out his hand to Li Yuangui. With a bitter smile, Li Yuangui unbuckled the scabbard from his waist and handed it over. He didn't think he had the courage to draw his sword against the Crown Prince, but given the current situation, pushed to the brink, anything was possible.
"That's better. Let the wind clear your head on the way, don't be so stubborn," the female Taoist sighed. "I'll send someone to Purple Void Monastery to check on A Fen and comfort her. She's another one who tends to fixate and cling to principles—poor child, let's not have any more trouble..."
Li Yuangui was already heading out when he turned back at her words, opening his mouth as if to say something for Chai Yingluo to relay to Wei Shufen, but no words came out.
If the young lady of the Wei family were to be enfeoffed as a princess and sent to Tibet in a marriage alliance, it would be ten times more tragic than when his own half-sister was married off to Gaochang.
A pang of bitterness struck his heart. Li Yuangui turned and strode out, mounting one of the fine horses brought by Chai's servants with Yang Xinzhi. They galloped east from Guangde Ward.
It was already late; they had to reach the Crown Prince's Palace before the night curfew.
#####Chapter 17's appendix introduces the highly popular "otter fishing" industry of the Tang Dynasty. For the appendix content, please visit the author's Weibo. Search for the ID "Tang Dynasty Tour Guide Forest Deer" on Sina Weibo. Welcome to discuss.
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