“It’s fine, come keep me company for a while.” Consort Yin pulled Wei Shufen to sit beside her on her own couch, patting the back of Wei Shufen’s hand with a sorrowful smile:
“I’ve always wanted to give Yuanheng a little sister… Princes grow up and must leave the palace for their fiefdoms, sent far away where they can only return to the capital once a year, barely seeing their family two or three times… But a princess could marry and establish her own residence in the capital, visiting her mother in the palace often for a chat. What a pity… After serving the Supreme Emperor for over a decade, I only bore one son, and yet…”
And yet he died on the way to his fiefdom.
Wei Shufen had heard of Consort Yin’s only son, the Supreme Emperor’s eighth prince, Feng Wang Li Yuanheng. In the early years of the Zhenguan era, the older imperial brothers and sons gradually began leaving the capital for their fiefdoms, including both Li Yuanheng and Li Yuangui. Yuanheng, spoiled since childhood due to his mother’s favor, couldn’t endure the hardships of travel. In the sixth year of Zhenguan, he suddenly fell ill and died on the way to his fiefdom in Jinzhou—only fourteen years old.
When the news reached the capital, it stirred discussions in the court and the Son of Heaven’s grief. An edict was issued to halt all princely departures, and the Supreme Emperor’s sons were recalled to Great Peace Palace to accompany him. Consort Yin’s devastation was beyond words, and even the Supreme Emperor Li Yuan was deeply remorseful, thereafter favoring her exclusively. According to Li Yuangui and Chai Yingluo, before her son’s death, Consort Yin had been more restrained and obedient for his sake. But after losing him, she became ruthless, bullying Consort Zhang and other palace ladies without restraint.
“Feng Wang was kind and filial—he must have received blessings in the afterlife and surely watches over A Niang from above.” Wei Shufen clumsily attempted to console her. Consort Yin smiled faintly at her before raising her gaze to the ceiling.
“Yuanheng was also a foolish child. In his first letter after leaving for his fiefdom, he filled the pages with praises for the Son of Heaven, saying how merciful His Majesty was to pity his youth and distant journey, sending envoys to comfort him and even hosting a banquet along the way, gifting him a golden cup… A golden cup… Hmph… And then he suddenly fell gravely ill at a courier station…”
The middle-aged beauty pressed her lips tightly, struggling to hold back her tears. Wei Shufen clasped her hands, opening her mouth but finding no words.
A golden cup… sudden illness… Why did it sound so familiar?
“The Son of Heaven is protected by all spirits—such things happen too often.” Consort Yin sniffed sharply, her face twisting into another cold smile. “He doesn’t even need to lift a finger. Whoever dares provoke or annoy him and his wife will face divine retribution… Yuanheng was like this, Yi Niang was like this, not to mention Yi Niang’s late father, the Fourth Uncle… And Princess Pingyang…”
“Princess Pingyang?” Wei Shufen was startled. “The High Truth Master’s late mother? The current emperor’s third sister?”
“You didn’t know?” Consort Yin countered.
“Princess Pingyang… didn’t she pass away from complications during the birth of her second son?” How, from Consort Yin’s words, did this also seem connected to the current emperor and his consort?"The difficult childbirth might indeed be true. But think about it—Princess Pingyang had already safely delivered two children before. How could she suddenly have a difficult labor with the third?" Consort Yin sneered. "The Chai family has never dared to mention that incident, thinking they could hide it from the world? In the sixth year of the WuDe Era, Yang Wengàn was forced into rebellion, causing the Crown Prince and Prince Qin to turn against each other. His Majesty did his best to mediate, and Princess Pingyang, despite her condition, was also running around trying to reconcile them. That day, she had a heated argument with her second brother, Prince Qin, which caused her blood to surge and triggered premature labor, ultimately leading to her death. Ah, Princess Pingyang was a woman who had led troops into battle—her body was naturally strong and robust. She rode horses and performed martial arts daily without a second thought. If not for that incident, she might have lived a hale and hearty life past a hundred!"
Wei Shufen felt dizzy. "If that's the case... then High Truth Master and His Majesty... wouldn't they have..."
"A mother's blood feud?" Consort Yin scoffed. "How would the Chai family dare to think that way! Back then, the Supreme Emperor summoned his son-in-law into the palace for a private inquiry, but Prince Consort Chai flatly denied any connection between his wife's death and Prince Qin. Later, the family wholeheartedly attached themselves to the Tiance Mansion, and after the sixth month of the WuDe Era... well, there's no need to say more. That little girl from the Chai family even once dreamed of becoming the Crown Princess and then Empress. How could she care about how her mother died? All she cared about was currying favor with the current Empress."
Wei Shufen sighed, lowering her gaze to her sleeves and hands, her expression somber. Consort Yin asked softly, "What's wrong?"
"If Lady Yin had said these words a few days ago, Shufen wouldn’t have believed it," the eldest daughter of Chancellor Wei murmured in reply. "But after seeing High Truth Master and the Fourteenth Young Master with my own eyes... those with cold and callous natures are inevitably frivolous and dissolute. It’s hard not to believe..."
Consort Yin laughed. "I knew you wouldn’t last long at the Purple Void Monastery! Your father, Chancellor Wei, is such an upright and principled gentleman, with such strict family discipline. You, Miss Wei, are a virtuous young lady who guards her chastity like jade. How could you possibly endure that vile woman Chai Yingluo?"
Wei Shufen bit her lower lip, her mind in turmoil as she pleaded, "Lady Consort Yin, what should I do from now on... please advise me..."
"From now on..." Consort Yin pondered. "I don’t know either. If you ask me, we must first deal with that little wretch from the Chai family. She’s petty and holds grudges. Now that both of us have offended her to the point of no return, if we don’t strike her down in one move and let her recover later, we’ll both be in grave trouble!"
"This..." Wei Shufen’s face showed reluctance, but when she looked up and met Consort Yin’s gaze, she quickly nodded in fear. "Yes... I’ll follow your instructions."
"At dawn tomorrow, I will accuse that Chai family wretch of plotting against the Supreme Emperor," Consort Yin said through gritted teeth, her smile cold. "But that wretch is the Supreme Emperor’s granddaughter and has always been doted on by her grandfather and uncles. Empress Zhangsun might not believe me... That’s where you come in. You must also accuse her of 'defiling the palace and violating moral principles!'"
"Me... me?" Wei Shufen hesitated. "Go before the Empress and denounce High Truth Master?"
"There’s nothing to fear! Just repeat what you saw and told me earlier to the Empress exactly as it happened!" Consort Yin encouraged her. "Oh, and just mentioning Prince Wu and his guards isn’t enough... You must drag the Empress’s own sons into it. Say that Crown Prince Chengqian, Prince Yue Tai, and the other princes have all engaged in debauchery at the Purple Void Monastery!"Wei Shufen's mouth fell open, momentarily too terrified to speak. Consort Yin tapped her forehead with her hand, then shook her head:
"No, that's a bit too much. The shock would be too great—the Empress might not believe it and would investigate further... Here's what you should do instead. Say that during your late-night secret conversation with Chai Yingluo, she confessed her attraction to the Crown Prince and Prince Yue brothers, intending to seduce them for wealth and status. As for whether she succeeded, you wouldn't know... That sounds much more plausible."
"I..." Wei Shufen stammered.
"Being bold won't hurt you," Consort Yin smiled at her. "In this deep palace, if you don't act this way, you simply won't survive. Listen to me—first deal with that wretched Chai woman, then we'll talk about your marriage alliance. With me here, you won't suffer any losses!"
Hearing her mention the marriage alliance now, Wei Shufen understood. She was to cooperate in bringing down Chai Yingluo as an exchange—only then would Consort Yin help her escape the tragic fate of being sent to Tibet as a political bride. With no real choice, she could only lower her head in agreement.
After this long conversation, both women began to feel uncomfortable. Consort Yin looked around, frowning and muttering, "Why is it getting smellier?"
Wei Shufen suddenly remembered something and let out a soft "Ah." #####This chapter includes an explanatory note about Li Yuanheng's death, with a "Golden Cup" image. Please visit the author's Weibo to view the image. Search for the ID "Tang Dynasty Tour Guide Forest Deer" on Sina Weibo—discussions welcome. ????
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