Chapter 127: When Passion Deepens, Affection Fades

In a side chamber, seeing Li Longji approaching with long strides—dressed in a white round-collared robe and wearing a turban—and then bowing deeply in a formal salute, Consort Doulu felt her eyes instantly well up with tears.

She had served Li Dan, the Emperor Ruizong, from a very early age. When Li Dan first ascended the throne, she held the highest rank among his four consorts, preceding even Empress Zhaocheng, who was then Lady Dou. Later, the wives and concubines around Li Dan met with tragic ends one after another; even Lady Liu, the birth mother of the Prince of Qi, had died an untimely death while still a mere palace servant. She alone had survived. However, during those years of living in humiliation and disgrace, a rift had grown between her and Li Dan, who was similarly clinging to life, and they had drifted apart. Consequently, when Emperor Zhongzong, Li Xian, ascended the throne, she had instructed her uncle to submit a petition to have her leave the palace, living thereafter in a separate residence, holding nothing but the empty title of Consort.

Her husband was long gone, but the child she had raised still remembered the kindness of those days.

"Sanlang, leaving the palace in disguise is a matter of great consequence. What would happen if something went wrong?"

Seeing Consort Doulu say this while clutching his hands tightly, refusing to let go, Li Longji smiled. "We live in an era of peace, and with Wang Maozhong, Gao Lishi, and Yang Sixu nearby, there is nothing to worry about. When you were ill at the end of last year, did I not come to visit? And how could I miss your birthday this year? It is only a pity that I could not pay my respects openly, and even when I played the flute, I had to remain hidden behind the screen."

"Brother also said that Song Ge and Xue Ge were playing the flute and the pipa; everyone already knew, so how is that any different from paying respects in person?" Princess Yuzhen added playfully from the side. Seeing Consort Doulu smile, she helped her back to her seat with a look of mock reproach, then added, "That is why those two lines of poetry by Du Shiyi describe it perfectly: 'Such music should only exist in heaven; how often can one hear it in the mortal world?' With such exquisite melodies, where else but the celestial palaces could one hear them?"

"Yuanyuan, your tongue becomes sharper by the day." Li Longji straightened his face. Seeing Princess Yuzhen laugh and quietly withdraw, he sat down beside Consort Doulu and whispered, "Brother Xue also intends to bring Lady Wang out of the palace to live in a private residence. If you are willing, perhaps Brother Qi..."

"No need. I have lived here for over a decade. The younger generation of the Doulu family visits often and serves me with great care. If I were to move out, wouldn't their filial piety over these many years be subject to idle gossip?" Consort Doulu knew well that after her uncle Doulu Qinwang passed away, the Doulu family lacked any standout talent. Even though she did not live with her nephews, the Emperor would always favor the family out of respect for her. She shook her head. "Silang is already grown, his household is full of wives and concubines, and his life is harmonious. If I were to move in and add another elder, wouldn't it cause them anxiety? It is enough that you all remember me."

Since Consort Doulu insisted, Li Longji did not press her further. He spent a long time talking with his foster mother, who had protected him and his siblings during their darkest days when their mother was murdered. Seeing her grow weary, he persuaded her to rest in the side chamber. Only after she had fallen into a deep sleep did he step out of the room, his footsteps light. He found Princess Yuzhen lost in thought under the veranda.

"Yuanyuan."

"Brother?"

Seeing Li Longji make a gesture for silence, she knew Consort Doulu was asleep. Signaling the two maids waiting outside to enter and serve, she accompanied her brother as he walked outside. Knowing the Emperor had arrived in disguise, the servants of the Doulu estate had been ordered not to wander about. The path was empty, save for Huo Qing, Gao Lishi, and Yang Sixu, who followed at a discreet distance. After walking for a while, Li Longji spoke as if making casual conversation, "Jiulang has only just passed, and Shiwulang is still in swaddling clothes—a bright and handsome child. I intend to promote Lady Wu to the rank of Consort Hui."

Knowing that Li Longji had already made up his mind, Princess Yuzhen smiled faintly. "As for palace matters, Brother should decide as he sees fit. I am sure Sister-in-law is always magnanimous and will surely not object."

"Wang is not what she used to be." Li Longji said the words as if weighing them carefully, then added indifferently, "She is too headstrong."

***

Knowing that her brother had many favored concubines while Empress Wang had shared his hardships, Princess Yuzhen found it difficult to speak further on such matters. Just as she was about to change the subject, she saw Wang Maozhong hurrying toward them.

"Your Majesty." Wang Maozhong used the formal address, a rarity. He paused to collect himself before whispering, "The Duke of Qi, Kaifu Yitong Sansi... has passed away!"

On the day of Consort Doulu's birthday, his father-in-law had suddenly passed away. Li Longji was shocked. Although his father-in-law Wang Renjiao did not hail from a prestigious lineage like the Wangs of Taiyuan or Langya, he had shared in his joys and sorrows. During his most desperate times, it was Wang who had exhausted his wealth to help him survive; when they purged Empress Wei, it was he who secretly provided armor and weapons. Though his relationship with Empress Wang had grown distant, he had always held his old father-in-law in high esteem. Without a second thought, he turned to Princess Yuzhen and said, "Tell Consort Doulu that I have urgent business and must leave. Do not mention the Duke of Qi's passing yet, so as not to cause her unnecessary grief."

"I understand. Go quickly, Brother!"

Had it not been for this sudden tragic news, Wang Maozhong would have had to worry about how to explain his eldest son's botched sword dance. But now, the Emperor would not care about such trivialities, so he was glad to skip it. However, when he accompanied Li Longji to the opulent Duke of Qi’s mansion in Yongning Ward, they were met with the sound of wailing. He assumed the Emperor would go inside, but Li Longji sat on his horse for a long time before lowering his eyelids and saying, "Maozhong, go and check, then report to me in the palace. Lishi, Sixu, let us return!"

When he had invested his second son, Li Ying, as Crown Prince, Empress Wang had caused a scene, and over the years she had often complained that her father and brothers held no real positions, using their past history to cry and plead! He was now the Emperor; those days of hardship were long gone! Death leaves everything empty; she should have time to calm down while observing mourning!

Watching Gao Lishi and Yang Sixu lead the palace attendants and the Wanqi Guards to escort the Emperor away, Wang Maozhong frowned in deep thought. It was only when his eldest son, Wang Shouzhen, rode up to his side and called out "Father" that he was startled back to reality. He asked coldly, "What was the meaning of your conduct today?"

Wang Shouzhen did not expect his father to question him in front of his three younger brothers instead of attending to the Emperor's command. He felt embarrassed. He wanted to offer a flimsy excuse, but seeing his father staring straight into his eyes, he hesitated before gritting his teeth and answering, "Back at Anguo Temple in the Eastern Capital, I happened to stay in a cell adjacent to Madame Gongsun. At night, a young novice monk clashed with my attendants and falsely accused them of ulterior motives. Master Chongzhao of Anguo Temple expelled them, and the matter ended there. One of my attendants picked up a Bodhi bead bracelet he had dropped, which I later discovered belonged to the Cui family temple. By the time I went to find the monk, he had disappeared. I heard that Du Shiyi had some connection to him and was close with Madame Gongsun, so I wanted to teach him a lesson..."

*Slap!*

As the sudden blow cut off his explanation, Wang Shouzhen lowered his head, not daring to make a sound. Wang Maozhong said coldly, "He is a commoner; there are plenty of ways to teach him a lesson. To lose your temper on an occasion like today, nearly offending Consort Doulu, and with the Emperor present—you are a fool! Go home and reflect behind closed doors. I will ask for leave for you regarding your official duties!"

"Father!"

"Bullying the weak—are you not afraid of shaming the Wang family!" Wang Maozhong threw out this sentence and gestured for his remaining three sons to approach. After ordering them to return with Wang Shouzhen, he watched them depart before calling over an officer. "Xiao Le, go and find out everything about this Du Shiyi—his background, his connections, find it all out!"

Since there was a grievance, he had to know the bottom line to avoid further trouble!

Although Li Longji had ordered that the news of Wang Tongjiao's death be kept from Consort Doulu, various channels of information eventually reached the guests who had come to the birthday banquet. Even Du Shiyi received the news from a Cui family servant who had hurried over. The Doulu family knew when to call it a day, stating that Consort Doulu was tired and the banquet was over. Guests gradually dispersed. As Du Shiyi stepped out of the main hall, he saw little Fatty Cui anxiously waiting at the foot of the stairs, clearly waiting for him, with Wang Rongting beside him.

"Brother Wang."

"Du Shiyi, you certainly stood out today!"

Before Du Shiyi could respond to Wang Rongting's comment, little Fatty Cui rushed over and grabbed his sleeve. The chubby boy glared at his cousin and whispered, "Du Shiyi, that eldest son of the Wang family was clearly targeting you. Is it because of that matter in the Peach Orchard?"

"Don't get panicked over such a small thing." Du Shiyi pulled his sleeve away, straightened it, and said calmly in a low voice, "Remember, we were not the only ones involved. So many people are implicated; if anything goes wrong, that Prefect Liu will be the first to suffer, and he will do everything in his power to sweep it all under the rug. Go back to your uncle's house and remember what you promised: keep it buried in your heart!"

Little Fatty Cui watched blankly as Du Shiyi bowed to Wang Rongting, exchanged a few casual words, and walked away without looking back. He stamped his foot in frustration.

The Wang family was so overbearing; if something did go wrong, it would be no small matter!

Seeing Wang Rongting looking at him suspiciously, he quickly blustered, "Why are you being so arrogant? Fourth Aunt only told me to listen to you on the road; I don't have to listen to you now!"

As things stood, listening to Du Shiyi was definitely the right choice!

When Du Shiyi returned to the Cui residence in Pingkang Ward, he saw the three Feng sisters standing with bowed heads, looking uneasy. Beside them, the familiar musician, Elder Kang, looked helpless. Upon seeing him, he hurried forward and bowed deeply. "Master Du, Madame Gongsun has been retained at the Pear Garden as a music officer. She said we are her followers and has requested an imperial order to grant us severance pay. Before leaving, Madame Gongsun specifically instructed that if we did not wish to return to our hometowns, we could seek your protection, Master Du."

Elder Kang possessed exquisite skills, no less than those of the musicians in the Imperial Pear Garden, but he did not wish to struggle for survival in the palace. As for the younger one, she had only recently been taken in by Madame Gongsun and, wishing to remain in the Pear Garden, was simply out of her depth. Du Shiyi understood that this arrangement was a testament to Madame Gongsun's thoughtful heart.

"Elder Kang, just settle in for now."

Glancing at the three Feng sisters, he saw the eldest was calm, the second was biting her lip, and the third was on the verge of tears. He could not tell if they were sad about leaving Madame Gongsun or worried about their uncertain future. It was quite a predicament. However, after having the Cui family servants settle them in, he returned to the small guest courtyard he shared with Du Shisanniang. Seeing the young girl kneeling on the mat, chin in her hands, ignoring him, he felt an even greater headache.