Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Emperor Leaves the Palace

Within the city of Luoyang, a vast contingent of soldiers poured out of the imperial palace in disciplined ranks, beginning their search along the banks of the Luo River. Such a grand mobilization inevitably stirred the whispers of the populace; people exchanged furtive speculations, wondering what calamity had occurred.

It was not long before word reached every noble and official: Princess Taiping had been attacked and her whereabouts were unknown.

The news sent shockwaves through the ranks of the elite; each began to ponder the implications. Many wondered immediately who could possess such reckless audacity, daring to so blatantly slap the emperor’s face—did they wish for death? Ministers aware of the princess’s favored status quickly dispatched their own retainers to join the search. All the while, they brooded anxiously; if the princess survived, all would be well, but should she perish, Emperor Li Zhi would surely descend into madness. Blood would flow endlessly, and many trembled at the thought, especially those in the county and prefectural offices of Henan.

The Eastern Capital could be regarded as a city; the Henan Prefecture office was its city government. Just as Chang’an had two counties, the Eastern Capital was divided by the Luo River—north was Luoyang County, governed by its own office; south was Henan County, likewise governed. Both county offices ultimately answered to the prefectural office.

Upon receiving the news, the magistrate of Luoyang County sent out search parties—concerned, but not fearful, as the attack occurred within Henan County’s jurisdiction and thus did not implicate him directly.

Meanwhile, the magistrate of Henan County hurried to Xuanfan Ward and sought out Prefect Lyu Hexiang. “Teacher, have you heard the news?”

Lyu Hexiang nodded silently behind his desk. “I’ve just received word; I have already ordered a search.”

The county magistrate’s face betrayed panic as he asked, voice trembling, “Teacher, do you have any confidence?”

“None,” Lyu Hexiang replied, shaking his head and running his hand over the map before him. “All we know is that the princess jumped into the Luo River. The assassins have all killed themselves; there are no further clues.”

The magistrate sighed. “Why did Her Highness run toward the river? Had she come to the prefecture, you could have led the guards to capture the assassins—it would have been a great merit!”

Lyu Hexiang did not respond to this hindsight, only shaking his head in silence.

From the reports of his servants, he understood the princess’s escape route, and he had to admit, it was the most optimal choice. She was only a child, lacking stamina; she would naturally choose the shortest path to flee. The attack happened in Jianshan Ward, close to the bustling southern market, offering a better chance of escape. Had she run toward Xuanfan Ward, where the prefecture was located, it would have been farther, and worse, the route was sparsely populated, making it easier for the assassins to pursue her unimpeded.

Moreover, none of these officials had ever seen the princess in person; even if she arrived, trusting her identity would be another matter entirely.

But such explanations would not satisfy the emperor. For now, the best course was to pray for the princess’s safety. Otherwise… not only hats, but heads might roll.

…

“Grandfather, Grandfather…” Liu Huang rushed home in a panic.

Seeing Liu Rengui seated in the main hall, he hurried over. “I heard…”

“I already know,” Liu Rengui waved his hand. “I’ve already sent the family retainers to search.”

Liu Huang sat beside him, but anxiety lingered on his face. “How could this happen to Her Highness…”

“Quiet!” Liu Rengui waved again, closing his eyes in thought.

Seeing his grandfather remain silent, Liu Huang stood and paced nervously, then suddenly turned. “I can’t wait any longer—I must go search myself!”

Without waiting for a reply, he dashed out the door.

Liu Rengui did not call him back, still deep in thought.

Clearly, some could not abide the imperial family monopolizing lucrative products and sought to seize the formula, using this as an opportunity to warn the emperor.

But…

Liu Rengui shook his head grimly. To warn the imperial family, one must assess one’s own strength; this was not the era of the Northern and Southern Dynasties.

He was worried not only because the princess was favored, but most crucially because she was his own disciple. The princess was virtuous and kind-hearted, always thinking to send him good things first, earning his deep affection.

He resolved inwardly: should calamity befall her, he would not hesitate to break with decorum.

…

Outside the palace, Li Zhi and his family stood at the entrance of Renshou Hall, watching the sunset sink toward the horizon, their hearts weighed with anxiety.

He furrowed his brow tightly, the health ball in his hand spinning rapidly as he pondered.

Li Hong and the others stood silently nearby, gazing toward the city gates, anxiously awaiting news.

Wu Zetian stood beside Li Zhi, occasionally glancing at him, fearing his illness might flare at such a moment.

Most palace guards had already been dispatched; along both banks of the Luo River, nearly every ten paces, a soldier was stationed to dredge the waters.

Yet, not a single piece of news had arrived.

Princess Xuancheng muttered to herself nearby, calculating the river’s current and Li Yuechen’s swimming speed. Alas, her skills were insufficient to compute such complexity, and she could only simulate it vaguely in her mind.

Li Zhi, irritable, turned and barked, “What are you mumbling about? Speak!”

Princess Xuancheng lifted her head. “Father, I am calculating. Chen’er is an excellent swimmer, and with the river’s current… I believe she has already reached outside the city.”

“Outside the city?” Li Zhi echoed, eyes narrowed, pondering the logic. With the sun about to set, he worried—if she spent a night soaked in the river…

Suddenly, he shouted, “Prepare the horses! Imperial Guards, follow me out of the city!”

“No!” Wu Zetian immediately interjected, sensing trouble. “Your Majesty should remain and wait in the palace…”

“I cannot wait any longer!” Li Zhi turned, thrusting the health ball into her hands. “If I wait any longer, I fear my illness will worsen. She is my daughter—I must search for her myself!”

Hearing his mention of illness, Wu Zetian fell silent, unsure how to persuade him.

Li Hong and the children urged him as well, but Li Zhi waved them off. “Enough! Stay here and await news. If anything arises, send word at once.”

At that moment, the Imperial Guards had brought the horses, and the troops assembled. Li Zhi mounted swiftly, followed by Zhang Chengxin. With a clatter of hooves, the leading guard squad cleared the way, and Li Zhi galloped out.

Wu Zetian watched his departing figure, exhaled deeply, and gestured to Li Xian. “Xian’er, go and watch; if there’s news, report back immediately.”

“Yes!” Li Xian replied and hurried out.

On the main streets, curious crowds had gathered, watching as soldiers lined the riverbank, dredging for something unknown.

Suddenly, the thunder of hooves erupted—two squads of Imperial Guards in black surged from the palace, opening a path as they rode.

As the crowd wondered what was happening, they saw a rider in brilliant yellow, embroidered with dragons, charge between the guards atop a magnificent horse.

Most people in this era might never see the emperor in their lifetime, but the scene, the attire—there was no mistaking his identity.

The gathered crowd bowed low, rising only after the procession disappeared. Then, faces alight with astonishment, they marveled: today, they had seen the emperor!

Li Zhi had no time for them, galloping straight out of the city. Though his eyesight was poor, the guards cleared the way, allowing him to ride confidently.

News of the emperor personally leaving the palace spread swiftly, and officials everywhere sprang into action. The emperor’s presence outside meant only one thing: whoever harmed the princess was doomed.

…

Outside Luoyang, a cold wind swept over Li Yuechen, making her shiver atop a pile of straw.

She was soaked through, with nothing to cover herself for warmth, forced to endure the relentless chill seeping into her body.

Her eyelids drooped, her once-bright eyes nearly closed.

Yet, she dared not sleep, for she was not yet safe.

Her greatest concern was not for herself, but for Li Zhi.

If her guess was correct, news would have reached the palace by now; if his illness flared, things could turn dire.

She wished for his safety above all, wanting only his peace.

She forced herself to stay awake, chatting with the dog beside her to stave off sleep.

The dog saw her hugging herself against the cold and offered, “Should I hold you? You look very cold.”

“Better not,” Li Yuechen managed a weak smile. “I don’t mind, but if someone sees, you’ll be in trouble.”

In truth, what she wanted most was to shed her wet clothes and dry herself, but she dared not.

Not for modesty’s sake, but as an imperial princess, if those two men saw her, even as her rescuers, they might not escape punishment.

Li Yuechen had no wish for her benefactors to meet a grim fate.

The ox cart trundled forward, the sun finally sinking, the sky deepening to indigo.

Li Yuechen forced her eyes open—she could barely make out the city walls of Luoyang; they were almost there.

She knew she was near her limit, but had to persevere.

Soon, she would need to convince the gate guards of her identity, as she carried no proof.

As she considered how to explain, the thunder of hooves sounded ahead.

Looking up, she saw the Imperial Guards in black riding swiftly.

Li Yuechen managed a faint smile—if the emperor’s personal guards were here, she must be safe.

Seeing the ox cart approaching Luoyang, the lead guard halted to inspect it.

Wu Da, confronted by soldiers, was stunned, about to explain when the lead guard recognized Li Yuechen lying on the straw and cried out, “Your Highness!”

Li Yuechen’s voice was hoarse. “Take… take me back to the palace.”

Her voice was too weak to be heard, so the guard turned and shouted, “Report to His Majesty at once—Her Highness is here!”

Wu Da was stunned, looking at Li Yuechen, then breathed a sigh of relief; luck was truly on his side.

Li Yuechen herself had not expected the emperor to come in person; she struggled to sit up.

Soon, the sound of hooves grew near, and a middle-aged man in dragon robes, surrounded by guards, halted nearby.

Wu Da quickly pulled his son to bow.

Li Zhi rushed past them, jumping off his horse to the rear of the cart. “Chen’er!”

“Father…” Li Yuechen forced her eyes open. “I’m alright, I was only worried you’d fall ill from worrying about me!”

“No, no, as long as you’re safe, I am fine.” Li Zhi smiled, then hurriedly lifted her up. “Come, I’ll take you home.”

Only then did he realize how soaked she was, so he handed her to Zhang Chengxin and began removing his dragon robe.

Zhang Chengxin, seeing Li Yuechen’s pale lips and drenched body, felt a wave of sorrow. This princess had always been kind to them; seeing her in such a state brought tears to his eyes.

When Li Zhi began to remove his robe, Zhang Chengxin protested, “Your Majesty, let me…”

“Silence!” Li Zhi interrupted, stripping off his robe. “Get her out of those wet clothes!”

“Yes!”

Zhang Chengxin complied, waiting for Li Zhi to cover her with the dragon robe before helping her change.

He then turned to the guards. “Quickly, send word for Liu Fengyu to enter the palace at once!”

“Yes!” Two guards responded and left immediately.

Li Zhi wrapped her tightly in his robe. “You’re safe now, Chen’er. I’ll take you home…”

Li Yuechen forced her eyes open. “Father, these two… saved my life. And the palace guards—they did their best…”

“All right, all right, I know. Don’t speak,” Li Zhi said, eyes reddened, holding her close as he mounted his horse.

Zhang Chengxin and others followed, leaving two guards to care for the father and son, and galloped toward Luoyang.

Li Zhi held the reins with one hand, his daughter snug against him, sharing his warmth.

At last, Li Yuechen relaxed, closing her eyes.

“Hold on, Chen’er—soon we’ll be home!” Li Zhi urged, riding at a frantic pace.

…

That night, Renshou Hall was ablaze with light; the food sent in remained untouched.

The family waited anxiously for news.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves echoed, and a eunuch rushed in. “Your Majesty, Your Highnesses! The princess has been found! His Majesty is on his way back and has summoned Liu Fengyu to the palace!”

A collective sigh of relief swept through the family.