Chapter 2, Li Family and Wu Family

Seeing him like this, I felt embarrassed to continue eating, and instinctively put down my chopsticks, following his gaze to look at the dark Shaohua Pavilion. ... Now that I think about it, that night I was there on a whim, while he, for some unknown reason, was also present, and given his status, he should not have been intentionally spying on the Emperor and his favored consort's affair

I smiled slightly; no matter what Yi said, it ultimately justified this lie: "I also have something that I cannot comprehend." She tilted her head slightly to look at me, waiting for me to ask. After a moment's pause, I smiled and said: "Sister Wan'er, how did you know that the Prince and I would definitely enter through the west gate of the Imperial Garden?"

Hearing the thunder, I felt somewhat unsettled. I was about to hand the book to Yiping, but suddenly withdrew my hand: "If you burn something outside the palace, someone will surely see it. Just bring in a brazier and say that I am afraid of the cold." Yiping understood and nodded, then went out for a moment and ordered someone to bring in the brazier. She dismissed the other palace maids and personally tore the book apart, carefully burning it page by page.

Li Chengqi pondered for a moment, as if weighing his options

I let out a sound and did not ask anything further

Li Chengqi listened to her words and looked up at me

I silently cursed in my heart, yet I did not know how to respond to Yongtai's words. ... If I say yes, then it becomes my idea; if I say no ... . ... Seeing Yongtai's determined expression, I knew she had made up her mind today.

In my youth, I was often compelled by my teacher to memorize these eight principles of calligraphy, and I never expected that the next generation, including my grandniece, would still be the same. The Emperor seemed to recall scenes from his childhood, his expression slightly softening, and a hint of warmth appeared in his smile

The Emperor has spoken, which surely indicates that he intends to bestow a marriage. It is just unclear which noble family will receive this honor this time. The princesses present are somewhat anxious, while Wan'er, standing behind the Emperor's throne, appears to be fully aware of the situation.

The leading palace maid is someone close to the Crown Prince. Today, she accompanied several princes into the palace, seemingly having received instructions, and her arrangements were extremely appropriate. When it was mentioned that they were going to the Taiyi Pool, someone had already prepared a wooden boat in advance. Two eunuchs stood at the bow of the boat with lanterns, waiting to assist them aboard. The palace maids and eunuchs tactfully made way, leaving only Li Chengqi and me walking in the corridor.

I casually dismissed the palace maid at the door and waved to her, and she indeed ran over. When she approached, she hurriedly performed a bow and took out a silk cloth package from her bosom: "This is from the Prince of Yongping for the Princess"

"Come, come to the Empress Dowager's place." The Emperor beckoned to me.

Because of this banquet, someone had already used a heater to dissipate the humidity in the palace, creating a warm atmosphere in the room

She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and interrupted the conversation between the grandfather and grandson with a smile: "My daughter has also discussed the art of writing with him, but based solely on the characters, who can definitively say whether he is a treacherous minister or a rebel? You just mentioned that literati enjoy making baseless comments about state affairs, so let them speak as they wish."

The two individuals, along with several princes who had come with them, bid farewell. Yongtai's elder brother furrowed his brows as he looked at her, sighed, and then followed the others.

Yongtai sat down next to Li Chengqi, resembling a small adhesive plaster, which was both amusing and exasperating

I replied: "Before entering the palace, Yong'an had studied for two years with the family teacher, who was the one that taught him."

On this day, I went to bed extremely early as usual, because the next day was the new moon. I ended up entangled in countless thoughts throughout the night, and by the time I became aware, the sky was already dimly bright. I lifted the hibiscus curtain, and the candle in the incense burner had already extinguished. The rich fragrance lingered heavily within the thick drapery, making my head feel even more dazed

Several princes bowed to receive the imperial edict. As I exited the palace gates, I noticed that the stone carving of the Li head still bore traces of water, although the torrential rain had finally ceased after several days.

I responded with a sound, then bowed to several princesses in turn, and sat down at a table near the palace door. Once seated, I noticed that today there were actually several more tables, all of which were empty and unoccupied.

Upon hearing of the Wu family's audience, I listened intently

Yiping thought for a moment, put the calligraphy book into the box, and took out a roll of book with a blank cover from the bottom of the box, saying: "Is this what the princess meant?" I took it, flipped through it, let out a sigh of relief, and said: "Thank goodness, I was worried for my life. If this roll of book were to be seen by someone with ill intentions, it would definitely lead to great disaster."

The Emperor shook his head with a smile and instructed the palace maid to set the table.

These few sentences may sound like casual conversation, yet they speak of two deceased princes, both of whom were once designated as crown princes and subsequently deposed. Before ascending the throne, the emperor had deposed six crown princes and two emperors, which ultimately led to the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty. Upon reflection, they were all the direct descendants of the imperial grandmother, merely events that transpired during the six years from when I was three to nine years old

Li Chengqi replied with a smile: "It is nothing serious, tomorrow I am supposed to go to the palace to apologize to my grandmother, the Empress Dowager"

I hold this scroll, as if I am touching his cool fingers. The sound of rain outside gradually fades away, leaving only the scent of dampness.

I lifted my skirt and walked to the palace gate, where a heavy curtain of rain obscured the world. The rainwater slid down from the eaves, cascading in streams. I took a deep breath, still pondering the matters of tomorrow, wondering what kind of commotion could prompt the Liang King to personally intervene, yet remained vague and unclear

Wan'er, who had always remained silent by the side, timely turned to the side, took the tea from the palace maid's hand, and placed it in front of the Emperor

I rose busily and went through it in my mind before finally speaking: "Like the falling stones from a high peak, like the new moon in the vast sky, like the clouds in a thousand-mile formation, like the withered vines of ten thousand years, like the steep cliffs with bent pines and hanging stones, like the release of a crossbow with immense force..."

The Emperor, with his phoenix-like eyes deeply narrowed, interrupted her, saying: "Taiping, do not speak of such matters while dining"

I could only sit still and watch the confrontation between the mother and daughter. Subconsciously, I glanced at Yongtai, only to see her biting into half of a jade dew ball, smiling and winking at me. Li Chengqi, on her side, leisurely held a wine cup, his face illuminated by the palace lantern, glistening like jade and serene like an orchid.

I was secretly taken aback, and my hand involuntarily tightened around one of the legs of the table. ... The Empress Dowager has always been strict regarding anything related to treason. Although his earlier words were somewhat evasive, now this statement is ...

I was extremely hungry and couldn't afford to be polite, so I first ate two pieces of pastry and drank a cup of tea. He arrived late to the banquet and also ate very little; at this moment, however, he showed no appetite, merely pushed the food around a bit before putting down his chopsticks

I saw her leave, and did not think much of it. I was captivated by the sight of the hundred birds flying towards the phoenix, filled with immense admiration for Taiping's appetite and courage. In front of Grandmother Huanggu, only Taiping and Wan'er could speak frankly, but Wan'er has always been one to go along with what is said, while Taiping tends to go against the Emperor's wishes.

"Grandmother Huanggu." I bowed deeply.

Like the son of the Empress Dowager, the King of Luling seems to have had even worse fortune than the Crown Prince. Just two months after ascending the throne, he was demoted from the capital, accompanied only by the Wei family, while his children remained in the Daming Palace. Of course, there were also two princesses born during the journey of exile; Princess Anle was kept by the Wei family, while the younger one, Princess Yongtai, was sent back to the palace.

Yiping heard the noise and hurriedly pulled back the curtain to come in and assist me with my grooming. After she tied the ribbons on my skirt, I began to feel somewhat awake: "It seems like this rain will never stop. Have you been to the inner teaching workshop these past few days?"

I lightly traced the rim of the cup with my index finger, pondering how to respond, when she suddenly smiled and said, "Alright, I won't make it difficult for you; Yi has already told me everything." She sighed meaningfully.

There is a saying, "Observe the words to understand the person." Li Chengqi stated, "Everyone believes that Ouyang Tong harbors no treasonous intentions. My grandson believes this case should be expedited to put an end to such discussions."

The Emperor nodded again and said, "What has been said?"

I casually picked up a piece of seven-return cake and listened to a conversation between several young men and the Emperor, only to realize that the one who was just upset was the eldest son of the King of Luling, no wonder he resembled Yongtai by about fifty to sixty percent

Yiping complied with the instructions, murmuring: "It’s fine to steal the limelight; if the Emperor is pleased, he might just grant a marriage."

The Emperor smiled gracefully, chatted with me for a few moments, and then said to Li Chengqi: "Please take a seat."

Wu Sansi? In terms of seniority, he is my uncle, but due to my father's lack of enthusiasm for the Wu family's influence, we do not have a close relationship. At most, we exchange a few pleasantries when we meet in the palace, and that is mainly because I often stay by the side of my imperial aunt. Speaking of which, that day when Di Renjie was appointed as a minister, it was the most he had spoken. But why did he specifically call my maid aside to give her instructions?

Li Chengqi bowed and returned to his seat

I nodded and helplessly said, "The old scholar has a stubborn temper, and both Yong'an and several of her sisters have been punished by him. The Four Books and Five Classics were also assigned to be copied as punishment, and only then did they manage to memorize them. " I did not expect that the old gentleman was also once the teacher of my imperial grandmother.

After Wan'er left, Yiping entered to tidy up the tea set, also taking care to put away my calligraphy practice sheets, all the while praising how much more beautiful my writing had become. Her words suddenly reminded me of the reason I had sought her out this morning, and I hurriedly asked: "Have you touched the handwritten poetry scroll that Wan'er gave me?"

Yongtai smiled as he sat back down. The Emperor, dressed in a red and gold wide-sleeved robe, reclined gracefully on the couch, listening intently with his phoenix-like eyes to what Princess Taiping was saying. Suddenly, he smiled knowingly, shook his head lightly, and looked up at me

On a cool autumn night, a few peals of thunder suddenly resounded

By the time I woke up, it was already close to 9 a.m. Yiping had prepared everything early and attended to me, then we arrived outside the Lingqi Hall in a soft sedan chair. As I stepped down, a series of clear and melodious laughter came from within.

The Emperor further stated: "Just now, Wan'er mentioned that the Zhao Qing Palace has been tidied up quite well. You may return to the palace in half a month, so that your Grandmother need not wait for the New Year or festivals to see you all."

I stared at the flames in the pot, feeling a deep sense of heartache, if I had known today would come, I would have looked more closely before

At this thought, I casually broke the silence: "What difference is there between the Qujiang in the eyes of the prince and this Taiye Pool?"

The Emperor nodded and inquired with concern, "Is there nothing serious?"

I walked to the side of the Emperor, and she gently held my hand: "Grant a seat."

The Emperor let out a light sigh, remaining silent

Li Chengqi seemed to see through my interests and smiled slightly as he said, "I have seen it once or twice. The banquets for newly appointed scholars have always been held by the riverside, thus some interesting customs have been passed down since early years. Whenever the banquet reaches its halfway point, someone always places a wine cup on a plate, and as it floats down the river, whoever it reaches must drink it all in one go. What started as a small trick among one or two people eventually became the renowned 'Qujiang Flowing Drink.'" There was a hint of regret in his eyes as he continued, "I met Ouyang Tong at a banquet in Qujiang, and now, both then and now, everything has changed beyond recognition."

"Taiping, I know you harbor grievances," the Emperor sighed lightly, addressing the silent Taiping. "Half a month ago, Zhang Jiafu proposed to establish the Duke of Zhou as the Crown Prince, and Ouyang Tong strongly opposed it. Therefore, you have always believed that the case against Ouyang Tong for treason was a slander by the Duke of Zhou. I am also from a military family, and you are now married to a member of a military family as well; we are essentially one and the same. Why let the matters of the court damage our feelings?"

I hurried over, but everyone looked at me with different expressions. Some of the Wu clan princesses were envious, while Princess Li showed jealousy, and there were also those who remained indifferent. Princess Taiping merely held her cup of tea, casting a glance at Wan'er that seemed almost imperceptible, and then swept her gaze over me. I pretended not to notice the expressions of those around me, but as I passed by Li Chengqi, who was standing with a bow, I became slightly distracted.

Just as everyone's thoughts were spreading, a eunuch at the palace gate suddenly entered to report: "Your Majesty, several princes are waiting outside the palace."

Upon returning indoors, I specifically set up the curtains, sat on the bed, and opened the cloth pouch. Inside was a piece of paper and a book

I made a sound of acknowledgment and said, "What has been said?"

Li Chengqi's smile grew more pronounced: "I have not played the flute for a long time"

The silk draped around her arms and waist, swaying with the flowing garments, captivating the hearts of all who beheld it

Staring quietly at a page, it was only after a moment that I realized I had not remembered a single word

The Taiye Pool within the palace and the banks of Qujiang outside the palace are the scenes that Wan'er often mentions. Since I entered the capital two years ago, I have never had the opportunity to visit Qujiang outside the palace. Now, seeing the Taiye Pool, which stretches to the horizon with its azure waves, I find myself even more curious about the banks of Qujiang. That day, when Wan'er saw him, she mentioned the Hibiscus Garden outside the palace. Today, Grandmother Huang also spoke of his interactions with Ouyang Tong in the Hibiscus Garden, suggesting that he is a frequent visitor to the Hibiscus Garden by the banks of Qujiang.

I have heard of Ji Kang's "On Releasing Personal Desires," but due to the many losses of writings from the Wei and Jin dynasties, I have never seen a complete volume. ... As I picked up that scroll and opened it, I was momentarily dazed, and after flipping through several pages, the characters were identical to those on the paper ... ? ... Could this be a manuscript copied by his own hand?

In terms of age and status, it should not be my turn at such a time

I felt a chill run through me, yet I heard the sound of jade objects lightly clinking. The palace maid serving me had a pale complexion and struggled to steady the jade plate in her hands. My heart tightened, and I quickly reached out to take the jade plate from her, lest she attract the Emperor's attention: "This dish is a bit greasy; please bring me a cup of 'Shenquan Xiaotuan'"

The literati may speak as they wish. If it were not for the case of Ouyang Tong, they would find other matters to discuss. The Emperor looked at him closely and smiled slightly, saying, "I have heard that outside the palace, in the Furong Garden, you once wrote to Ouyang Tong from the pavilion, feeling quite a sense of understanding with him?"

The Emperor nodded and said: "There is no need for such elaborate formalities at a family banquet, just pass it on."

She stuck out her tongue and turned her head to look at the several older brothers inside.

Tai Ping's words are courteous and measured, without any flaws

I originally intended to change the subject with this question, hoping to alleviate her suspicions. However, to my surprise, her expression suddenly darkened, and after a moment, she said: "I once walked that path with someone, and he happened to have a great fondness for the young Prince Yongping from his childhood, so he speculated that the prince is most likely familiar with this route. If he wishes to avoid most of the ears and eyes in the palace, taking that path would be the safest option"

The Emperor did not speak, or perhaps was unwilling to respond

Because of these words, I was in a daze for several days, and the Daming Palace was shrouded in several days of overcast rain

After a moment, a palace maid in the distance noticed that we had walked quite a distance and approached us to quietly report that ahead was the Floating Jade Pavilion, where tea and snacks had already been prepared. After hearing this, Li Chengqi looked at me and said, "We have indeed walked quite a bit; it would be nice to sit in the pavilion for a while"

Forget it, I handed the scroll to Yiping, "Burn it, no matter how well it is hidden, it is still a source of trouble"

The number of ministers and officials executed by Lai Junchen is countless; adding one more, Ouyang Tong, is merely another name to the list of crimes. Wan'er once mentioned that this is merely a means for the Emperor to suppress the Li Tang royal family before ascending the throne. However, Lai Junchen possesses an extraordinary talent for coercing confessions, never having failed in his endeavors. Despite his notorious reputation, no one has been able to catch him with even a hint of wrongdoing.

The prince consort was executed by beating for treason that year, and his daughter had questioned this as well. "Tai Ping," she added gently, "only wishes to see no one unjustly accused of treason and dying in prison."

While she was speaking, Yongtai was eating that dish and immediately spat it out

"The servant will return in an hour," Yi Ping said softly, "the banquet in the Lingqi Hall cannot be delayed.

Everyone shook their heads and laughed, and thus the previously tense atmosphere completely dissipated

After a moment of contemplation, I ultimately resigned myself to the decision. If I do not go, then so be it; there is no need to overthink it.

"The princess is not yet twelve years old, how can she instruct a servant?" Yiping also speaks quite eloquently when conversing with me, "Miss Wan'er is a descendant of a renowned minister, and naturally, I cannot compare with her. Moreover, ever since the Emperor ascended the throne, the palace maids have become rather lax, after all, our Emperor is now a woman, and most of the princes and grandsons are not in the palace."

The Emperor seemed rather indifferent to Tai Ping's words, instead turning to Li Chengqi on the other side, and said: "What is Chengqi's opinion on the case of Ouyang Tong?" As she spoke, she pointed to a dish beside her, signaling Wan'er to serve it to Li Chengqi

I was speechless. After she had properly affixed the crescent flower to her forehead, I finally let out a sigh and said: "The breakfast should be a bit more substantial. Please instruct them to prepare a more lavish meal, so that I won't be too hungry to eat anything for lunch and have to endure until evening."

Fourth

Yiping nodded and followed the instructions as directed

Yongtai kept giving me signals, but it was Li Chengqi who nodded first and said to Li Chengyi behind him: "Since the princess has the intention, let us take a walk by the Taiyi Pool."

Li Chengqi replied: "A few days ago, I went to Qujiang. I did not take a carriage nor did I bring any servants. On the way, I encountered a heavy rain and got soaked through. I have been resting in bed these past few days. I was afraid that if I fell ill, it would worry my grandmother and aunt, so I did not dare to show my face today"

Having gone nearly half an hour without food, I truly felt a sense of hunger that was quite distressing, making each step a struggle

After the banquet, the Emperor remained alone with Taiping to converse

She straightened up, stretched her waist, and sighed, saying: "Fortunately, I have to incense the bed curtains every night, otherwise someone would ask if they caught a whiff of it." I propped my chin on my hand and looked at her, feeling extremely exhausted from the day's mental turmoil: "I didn't realize it until you mentioned it; I'm so sleepy. By the way, I was actually going to Yeting to find you today. Where did you go instead of properly taking your medicine?"

Yiping nodded and obediently pushed me to the front of the dressing table: "Today, you need to accompany the Emperor at the Lingqi Hall for the banquet, so you should be more spirited, Your Grace." I quietly looked at myself in the mirror and said: "It's better to keep it simple; many princesses are coming today, and I don't want to steal the spotlight."

I regained my composure, gave an awkward smile, and said, "How did you end up here?" She blinked and replied, "The incense smell is too strong; it's lighter here." I held her in my arms and said, "Only you would dare to run around in front of the Emperor, not afraid of punishment."

I nodded and said, "I am also a bit tired."

Suddenly, Taiping coughed a few times, as if choking on wine

A single sentence, like a fine thread wrapped around the tip of the heart. With the slightest carelessness, it could tighten fatally

Before everyone stood Li Chengqi, a young eunuch was bending down to wipe the water stains off his long boots. He was originally tilting his head to listen to the boy speaking behind him, but as if sensing something, he suddenly turned to glance inside the hall, just as our eyes met. He smiled slightly and waved his hand to dismiss the eunuch.

Yiping called out softly from outside the curtain, and I hurriedly tucked the letter away, leaving only the book on the bed: "I am a bit tired and would like to sleep for a while first." After I finished speaking, I reached out and lowered the hibiscus curtain again

After Di Renjie was appointed as the prime minister, the court officials repeatedly petitioned for the establishment of a crown prince. Wu Chengsi, a member of the Wu clan, which is favored by the emperor, was indeed one of the candidates discussed multiple times. This is why Princess Taiping mentioned the case of Ouyang Tong; it was merely a pretext, as what she truly intended to address was the matter of the crown prince's succession.

Li Chengqi entered the hall with several princes, respectfully performing a deep bow. The Emperor seemed to be in a very good mood, repeatedly smiling and inviting them to rise and take their seats. Aside from Taiping, who observed them closely, the other princesses all stood up to pay their respects. Just as I reached out to pull Yongtai up, she broke free from my grasp, and a pink figure suddenly leaped onto Li Chengqi: "Brother Chengqi."

At the moment of enchantment, a series of flute melodies drifted from afar across the pond, floating over the Taiye Pool. The cold water and warm sounds create a unique ambiance

The palace maid quickly arranged the dishes, but the Emperor did not seem in a hurry to pick up his chopsticks. Instead, he glanced at everyone and smiled, saying, "Tai Ping is right; in the blink of an eye, they have all grown into young ladies." Tai Ping then cheerfully added, "Except for Yong Tai, they are all of marriageable age."

After finishing the burning of the incense, Yi Ping went to fetch the candle snuffer, fiddling with the unburned remnants until they were completely reduced to ash, merging into the charcoal dust before finally stopping

Burned? I have never thought of it that way. When Wan'er secretly gave it to me, she mentioned that this was the only scroll in the entire Daming Palace, and it was written based on her childhood memories. If it were to be burned... As I hesitated while holding the scroll, I unexpectedly recalled that intense, unyielding gaze and his admonishing words

I sighed for a long time without reason, adjusted my dress, and after the eunuch reported, I stood quietly for a moment before entering the hall

The Emperor pondered for a moment and said, "If there is still no evidence of guilt by the twelfth day, then let him go."

"Sister," Yongtai gently touched my hand and said softly, "Isn't my brother handsome?"

The palace maids and eunuchs were all at a distance, while the four of us walked along the corridor by the Taihe Pool. The two brothers occasionally whispered to each other, and one could tell from their expressions that their bond was very strong. Wan'er often said that the several princes of the Crown Prince were deeply connected as brothers, and it seems that this is indeed the case. On the other hand, the children of King Luling, Li Xian, despite living very close, never interacted with each other. Otherwise, Yongtai would not frequently come to my palace.

The Emperor shook his head and smiled, saying: "How is it that I have never heard of your proficiency in calligraphy?"

"Alright, tell the Empress Dowager to wait for him tomorrow," she smiled and added, "Tomorrow is the day for the Wu clan princes to pay their respects, so let him enter the palace around the hour of Wu, and he will just happen to meet the princes."

Wan'er is correct; both the Li and Wu families are at the center of attention. Even though she is by the emperor's side every day, it is difficult to say that she can accurately gauge his thoughts. It is precisely for this reason that the emperor often uses marriage as a bargaining chip. There have been countless unions between families, and even the most favored Princess Taiping married the relatively unknown Wu Youji. How much more so for those who bear the title of princess but lack a foundation due to their parents' imprisonment.

Her words were vague, yet I could already discern that 'that person' held a prominent status

I did not understand her; she did not say anything more, only handed the cloth bag over again. I did not want to put her in a difficult position, so I took the cloth bag, and before I could say anything else, she bowed and ran away.

As everyone was taking their leave, she suddenly remembered something and said to Li Chengqi, "Why didn't Longji come today?"

At this moment, everyone fell silent, with only the faint sounds of music from behind the screen lingering on endlessly

Yongtai pouted and said, "It is not good; if I want to see Brother Chengqi again, I will have to wait for half a month."

I couldn't help but mutter a few words to myself; I had treated this little girl too well on ordinary days, yet at such a time, she knew to bully me. Every time during the banquet, everyone dared not eat much, and I had not eaten all day again this time. I had just taken a couple of bites when the matter concerning the Crown Prince disturbed my peace of mind. I was just thinking of returning to ask Yiping to prepare some food to fill my stomach, but she wanted me to accompany her to stroll around the Taiye Pool

I have become lazy, " Tai Ping placed the cloth down and said, " In the past, there were quite a few people in this palace who practiced calligraphy using the 'Bu Shang Tie' and 'Zhang Han Tie'.

I listened intently for a moment before laughing and saying, "The Prince of Hengyang must have been pressured by that tormentor to play the flute in such a fitting manner." Li Chengqi, with a smile in his eyes, replied, "Since Chengyi took up the flute, he has always considered his skills lacking and has never played in public. It seems that he must have been driven to fear, which is why he would act this way."

Princess

Yongtai, full of spirit, looked at me discontentedly and said, "You are already tired after just a short walk?" Seeing this, Li Chengyi reached out to pinch her cheek and laughed heartily, saying, "I also feel it is not enough; how about you and I take a boat to Penglai Mountain in the pond?" Yongtai quickly nodded and asked Li Chengqi, "Are you going too, Brother Chengqi?"

The princess said, "She laughed and said, 'Many people in the Daming Palace admire the calligraphy of Ouyang Xun, including the Yong'an Princess, who has only been in the palace for two years. She talks about Ouyang Xun's eight methods of practicing calligraphy all day long.'"

Taiping smiles, continuing to enjoy the hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix

During the emperor's banquet, the tea served has always been "Enshi Yulu." I specifically requested something not available at the banquet, simply wishing for her to spend a little more time outside to calm her mind. However, what Princess Taiping said was rather alarming; how could she be so frightened?

The compassionate Emperor Li Hong and the erudite Crown Prince Li Xian both departed this world bearing the supreme and noble titles. The remaining King of Luling and the current Crown Prince, however, are regarded by the populace as mediocrities. There are too many legends circulating in the Daming Palace, becoming tales of the deceased, or perhaps living puppets, and perhaps no one can definitively speak of right or wrong

Upon hearing these words, my mind was filled with the seemingly coquettish yet actually coercive little tricks of Yongtai, and I couldn't help but shake my head and smile: "The piper must be lamenting about the prince at this moment. The prince gained fame across the land with the tune 'An Gongzi' back in the day; had he gone along just now, the one playing the flute would have to be someone else now."

Did the princess forget? Yiping picked up the incense burner that had been prepared in advance and walked around the bed curtain. Every month on the new moon and full moon, the princes of the Wu family are supposed to enter the palace to meet the emperor, right? Today, I was called away by a palace maid sent by Prince Liang, who gave me some instructions.

Just as everyone had relaxed their bodies, they tensed up again

Yiping looked at me, and I helplessly nodded, signaling her to return to the palace first

The calligraphy on the paper is striking and elegant, exuding a refined simplicity, truly reflecting the character of the person: "The Emperor has always adhered to the health-preserving principles of Ji Kang, and since there is no complete text of the 'Shisi Lun' within the palace, I have specially attached a handwritten copy for reference."

The Emperor shook his head and smiled, saying: "Taiping, this scene reminds me of your childhood, when you were similarly attached to Hong." Taiping's expression dimmed slightly, but she soon raised a bright smile and said: "At that time, I also wanted to cling to Brother Xian, but unfortunately he was as cold as the bitter cold of midwinter, and I didn't even dare to speak more than three sentences."

Yiping gently shook her head: "There is nothing left, just this one sentence. Then Miss Wan'er came to look for me."

Although Yongtai appears naive on ordinary days, her seven years of experience at the Daming Palace enable her to sense people's emotions from their words. Although Li Chengqi spoke in a light manner, she instinctively shrank back and pulled Li Chengyi's hand to leave

For a seven-year-old princess, the previous turmoil was far removed from her life. The bright spring scenery of the Daming Palace was the soil in which she grew. She was unaware of how fortunate she was in relation to her elder sister, whom she had never met.

I lowered my head and stared at the jade cup, watching the emerald leaves settle at the bottom, feeling utterly at ease

The Emperor smiled and nodded, saying: "Please take a seat."

I had not yet finished reciting when I was interrupted by the Emperor's voice: "Like a sword severing an ox's horn, like a wave passing through a pen." The smile in her eyes deepened as she asked, "Who taught you this?"

I nodded and said, "In my youth, I heard the teacher say that all newly appointed Jinshi would gather for a banquet at Qujiang. Has the prince ever witnessed this?"

Li Chengqi gently patted Yongtai's head, but the boy behind raised his eyebrows: "Yongtai, oh Yongtai, I am your real older brother." Yongtai snorted and did not look at him

Three years ago, the prince consort Xue Shao was executed by beating in prison for treason, and his second son had just turned one month old. The Daming Palace has many taboos, and this incident is one of them. Who would have thought that the Princess Taiping would actually speak of it herself

If the daughter harbors any grievances against the Wu family, she would not marry Wu Youji. Taiping continued, saying: "Regarding the position of the Crown Prince, Taiping does not believe there is much room for debate. This time, a hundred people have submitted petitions requesting Wu Chengsi to be established as the Crown Prince, and next time there will certainly be thousands or even tens of thousands submitting petitions. But the position of the Crown Prince cannot be swayed by mere petitions. The so-called Crown Prince must first be a royal heir, and a royal heir, by definition, is the son of the emperor.

In the hands of Lai Junchen, there has never been an innocent person. The torture methods are numerous, yet they are given euphemistic names. Nailing a person's hands and feet with a wooden beam, threading them in a line to rotate in one direction, is called 'Phoenix Spreading Its Wings.' Taiping smirked sarcastically and pointed with chopsticks at a plate of 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' in front of him, saying, 'Just like this, but much more blood-soaked.'

Yiping stuck out her tongue and said, "The princess has not been feeling well these past few days, so I found an excuse not to go."

Due to this conversation, the Emperor did not bring up the matter of bestowing a marriage again, and the princesses and noble ladies present all secretly breathed a sigh of relief

He seems to sigh without actually sighing, yet I no longer dare to inquire further

Li Longji is the third younger brother of Li Chengqi. Could it be that what my uncle said is related to him? But how does he know that Li Longji will enter the palace tomorrow, and why would he inform me? The more I think about it, the deeper I find myself in a fog, unable to grasp even a hint of clarity

In front of the palace gate, the palace maids were busy cleaning the jade stone steps. Upon seeing us emerge, they hurriedly stepped back to the sides and bowed in greeting. Yiping, who was waiting at a distance, was about to approach me when I was already grabbed by a small hand. Yongtai, who was beside me, said in a spoiled manner: "It has been raining these past few days, and I have been feeling restless in the palace. Now that it has stopped, sister, please accompany me for a walk by the Taiye Pool."

I responded with a sound, lying on the bed in a daze. Due to a sleepless night, I unexpectedly felt drowsy and fell asleep again

Li Chengyi nodded with a smile and said, "I will follow your arrangements, elder brother." After he finished speaking, he gave me a slight nod as a gesture. I hurriedly returned the gesture and said, "Thank you, Prince Yong'an and Prince Hengyang, for your company."

Li Chengqi said softly: "The Taiye Pool is indeed beautiful, but it cannot compare to the liveliness of Qujiang. The visitors here are the wealthiest people in the world, and to outsiders, it is merely referred to as a fairyland. In contrast, the Qujiang Pool has been developed since the previous dynasty, allowing both royalty and commoners to enjoy themselves, making it feel more like the human realm"

The Emperor smiled and asked, "Then, upon observing his writing, do you also feel that this person harbors no treasonous intentions?"

She is truly a lazy girl. I smiled and said to her: "Do not underestimate the knowledge of the Inner Academy; Wan'er came from there back in the day. Moreover, since you are still young, it is better to learn more songs, dances, and acrobatics. In the future, when performing for the princes, you must remember that one cannot achieve success overnight"

A few brief sentences, without a signature

Taiping quietly instructed the maid to bring a cup of hot tea to Yongtai, then raised her narrow phoenix eyes and said: "A few days ago, I ordered someone to bring the 'Luo Zhi Jing' he compiled for a close reading. The common methods such as pouring vinegar into the nose, boiling people in a vat, all made my scalp tingle, let alone the act of driving wooden wedges into the head, causing the brain to split and the marrow to ooze out"

The young palace maid was taken aback for a moment, quickly cast a grateful glance at me, and then bowed and withdrew.

Li Chengqi's expression remained unchanged as he nodded and said: "My grandson had a fondness for Ouyang Xun's calligraphy when he was young. One day, he happened to encounter him at Ziyun Tower, which piqued his interest a bit. It was merely a brief encounter, and it cannot be said that they are kindred spirits."

It turns out that she wanted to invite Prince Yongping to go together

Duke Wu Chengsi, no matter how esteemed he may be, is still the emperor's nephew, not his direct descendant

As I sat at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, I happened to see several eunuchs collecting umbrellas and a few young men adjusting their clothing at the door. Since I entered the palace just as my imperial aunt ascended the throne, several princes, in order to avoid disaster, either claimed illness to recuperate outside the palace or were directly expelled from it. Now, they all appear quite unfamiliar to me

Yiping took a deep breath and tentatively asked me: "Did that servant steal it and burn it?"

The Fubi Pavilion is located on the eastern side of Taiye Pool, and from within the pavilion, one can faintly see the Shaohua Pavilion illuminated by the dim light.

I tapped her on the head and whispered, "This is something you can only say to me, understand?"

Before the Emperor entered the palace at the age of fourteen, there was no bloodshed or fierce competition among the young women in the harem. Seeing her slightly melancholic expression, I couldn't help but recall the days before entering the palace. Although my mother had passed away early and I seldom saw my father, I did not have to weigh the words of others carefully. The greatest worry of each day was merely failing to memorize my lessons and being scolded by my teacher for not copying them.

The Emperor smiled faintly and raised his eyes to look at me

Li Chengqi rose to express his gratitude and said, "I believe that the matter of Ouyang Tong is not only a political issue in the court but also a matter concerning the scholars among the common people." Upon seeing the Emperor nod slightly, he continued, "Ouyang Tong's father, Ouyang Xun, is renowned throughout the world for his calligraphy, and even Emperor Gaozu has praised him. Among literati and scholars, his reputation is exceedingly high. Ouyang Tong has inherited his father's true legacy, and his fame is no less than that of his father. Therefore, this case has been widely discussed among literati and scholars, who have expressed their discontent."

One cannot escape the hidden arrows of the Daming Palace, and one must also be cautious to avoid the obvious calamities

Yongtai noticed my hesitation and immediately made a decisive command to his palace maid: "Let the Princess Yong'an's maidservants return to the palace first." The maid quickly bowed and withdrew, running to Yiping's side to whisper a few words.

At this moment, Yongtai had released my hand and pounced on Li Chengqi, saying in a spoiled tone: "Brother Chengqi." Li Chengqi looked down at her and replied in a calm voice: "Why haven't you gone back yet?" Yongtai sniffed, glanced at me, and said: "Sister Yong'an wants to go to Taiyi Pool, would Brother Chengqi be willing to accompany us on this outing?"

After several days of interrogation by Lai Junchen, employing severe punishments and various tortures, she said while shaking her cup, "Yet they still cannot obtain evidence of Ouyang Tong's treason. Now, many ministers in the court are submitting memorials to exonerate Ouyang Tong. How does the Empress Dowager view this matter?"

The clouds in the sky have yet to disperse, and the faintly tinted moonlight can still be seen.

I finally understood at this point

The lotus has withered, leaving only the yellowing floating leaves to support the rainwater, which occasionally gathers into a pool of flowing water, quietly sliding into the pond. After every rain, the water of Taiye Pond transforms from green to azure, rich and deep, with no bottom in sight

Inside the palace, fragrant smoke swirls around. Behind the dragon throne, twenty-eight palace maids hold pheasant feather fans, carrying red-gold incense burners, burning a blend of dragon's saliva and orchid leaves for fragrance. Behind them, eighteen eunuchs in blue robes stand quietly, holding dusters. The sound of delicate music can be heard from behind the screen, weaving through the air.

Once I regained my senses, I noticed a familiar-looking palace maid in the distance under the corridor, seemingly wanting to approach.

Li Chengqi said lightly: "The princess and I are waiting for you at the Floating Jade Pavilion"

He appeared gentle and humble, yet remained silent. I could only stroll slowly, making small talk, while observing the Taiye Pool after the heavy rain had just subsided

Mr. Xie has not achieved much in his career, spending his life teaching in a military family, yet he often enjoys discussing such matters for leisure. The stories I heard in my childhood are not very clear in my memory, but I distinctly remember 'Drinking by the Qujiang River' and 'The Plum Blossom in the Orchard' as particularly charming.

Halfway through the banquet, Taiping suddenly brought up matters of the court

The palace maid hurriedly brought over a low redwood seat. As I sat down, the Emperor smiled and said, "I have heard your father mention your teacher, Mr. Xie. Mr. Xie Litian has been with the Wu family for many years, and even I was once taught a lesson by him during my childhood."

I was taken aback for a moment, puzzled by her enthusiasm: "The road is full of standing water, how will it be tomorrow?"

This voice is very recognizable; it belongs to Princess Yongtai of Luling Wang.

In fact, the servant did not quite understand. Yiping placed the incense on the table inside the curtain and mimicked, "This time, the princess must arrive a bit earlier for the audience; there will surely be some good shows to watch." I was taken aback, and an uneasy feeling quietly spread from the depths of my heart: "What else was said?"

"It has been on my lips all day?" The Emperor seemed very interested and said, "Come, recite it for me to hear."