Chapter 151: Lady Thirteenth Had an Audience with the Emperor

Ever since the reign of Emperor Gaozong, the Taiji Palace had grown damp and low-lying. Except for Empress Wu, who simply relocated the capital to Luoyang, subsequent emperors rarely took up residence in that palace city built at the dawn of the Great Tang dynasty, choosing instead to dwell in the Daming Palace. Yet whether it was the Taiji Palace, the Luoyang Palace, or the Daming Palace, the Empress's official sleeping quarters were never fixed.

When Empress Wu held the title of Empress, she favored the Hanliang Hall on the western banks of the Taiye Pond in the Daming Palace. Thus, when Emperor Zhongzong moved his court back from Luoyang to Chang'an, Empress Wei likewise claimed the Hanliang Hall as her own. Empress Liu, wife of Emperor Ruizong, passed away young, so the question of the Central Palace did not arise; but upon the ascension of the current Emperor, Li Longji, Empress Wang naturally and rightfully took possession of the Hanliang Hall.

That Empress Zetian, who first embodied the motherly ideal of the empire and later nearly possessed the empire itself, was truly the secret object of supreme adoration for every empress and consort in the Great Tang!

As for Consort Wu, after leaping two ranks from a Third-Class Jieyu to the exalted position of Consort Hui, she moved into the Zilan Hall north of the Taiye Pond. The northern grounds of the Taiye Pond were more open and spacious than the south, with fewer pavilions and halls. Her choice of this location was ostensibly because it was quiet and sparsely populated, making it an ideal place to rest and await the birth of her child. However, once she gave birth to an imperial prince, Li Longji no longer spared the time to visit his other consorts, constantly traveling by palanquin to the Zilan Hall regardless of the hours. For a time, this caused the other consorts and wives to grind their teeth in silent jealousy. Therefore, when the upheaval occurred on the evening three days ago—rumor had it that Consort Wu, then in confinement, had momentarily fainted—there were no doubt many who secretly rejoiced.

At this moment within the Hanliang Hall, watching Empress Wang weeping and collapsing to the floor with a sallow face, repeatedly invoking the memory of her father Wang Tongjiao who had perished only a few months ago and how he had once served him, Li Longji—who had initially arrived intent on cross-examining her—found himself even more agitated. Suddenly, he turned on his heel, flicked his sleeves, and strode away. After wandering aimlessly for a long while along the western shore of the Taiye Pond, he tilted his head as if sensing something. Seeing Gao Lishi standing behind him out of nowhere, he smiled derisively and said, "You come without a sound. Since when did you become so stealthy?"

"Your Majesty's spirits are less than optimal, and this humble servant thought that taking a stroll might lift your mood, which is why I did not make a sound to disturb you," Gao Lishi replied with a beaming smile. Seeing that Li Longji was indeed not offended, he motioned for the attendants to step forward and drape a cloak over the Emperor's shoulders, then continued: "Your Majesty has been immersed in affairs of state these past few days and has had no time to visit the Pear Garden. Since you have some leisure today, why not go and take in the songs and dances at the Pear Garden? Whether it is the three Li brothers or Lady Gongsun, they have not slacked in their arts these past days, and they have produced quite a few excellent new pieces."

Considering that if he were to turn back toward Consort Wu's quarters, she would undoubtedly be just as unyielding as Empress Wang in demanding justice, while the other consorts would undoubtedly harbor secret delight behind smiling, flattering masks, Li Longji pondered for a moment and nodded. However, once he boarded his palanquin again, he asked thoughtfully, "Lishi, what do you make of that madman on Zhuque Avenue?"

Gao Lishi had tried his best to avoid this subject over the past two days. But apart from the reports he had already received, he had just met with Princess Yuzhen, and that famously wise and perceptive princess had made a specific request of him. With his mind already made up, how could he continue to stall? Furthermore, though residing within the palace, his eyes and ears were exceptionally sharp; the tit-for-tat struggle between Empress Wang and Consort Hui was already entirely clear to him.

Yet this was not the time to bring that up for discussion, so he merely smiled with composed ease: "Your Majesty, a madman is simply a madman—what else is there to make of it? You and the Empress are companions through adversity; you know the character of the Central Palace best. And Consort Hui has ever been gentle and yielding in her service to Your Majesty since entering the palace, treating all the consorts and ladies with courtesy and humility. If that prophecy truly represented the will of the people, straightforward ministers in the court like Prime Minister Song would have already remonstrated. It is merely the ravings of a madman. To launch a grand and resounding state inquest over it would benefit neither the Empress nor Consort Hui, and would only mar your own sagely reputation."

Hearing this, Li Longji thoughtfully stroked the mustache upon his upper lip, mentally recalling the nearly identical advice given by the two prime ministers, Song Jing and Su Ting. Yet advice spoken from the lips of prime ministers always sounded rather stiff and harsh, whereas spoken by Gao Lishi, it was tactful, well-rounded, and deeply comforting to the ear. Especially the phrase "mar your own sagely reputation," which, to a sovereign single-mindedly bent on achieving great deeds and becoming an enlightened monarch, was the most crucial consideration of all.

"Hmm."

From this noncommittal grunt alone, Gao Lishi knew the situation was likely to take a favorable turn. It was already quite late by now; when the palanquin entered the Pear Garden, the sky had long since grown pitch black. However, the Pear Garden, having received advance word, was already hung with bright lanterns everywhere. Among the few officials stepping forward to welcome him, Li Longji swept his gaze across them and asked with a pleased smile, "Do we have fine music and dance today?"

The disciples of the Pear Garden did not belong to the Office of Imperial Music; hence, those standing at the fore were entirely individuals personally selected and promoted by Li Longji. Standing right at the front, Li Rugen stepped forward and respectfully replied, "We indeed have a new melody, and we beg Your Majesty to grace it with your appreciation."

"Oh?"

Having dismounted from his palanquin, Li Longji was instantly filled with eager anticipation. However, as he walked slowly into the compound surrounded by his retinue, amidst the quiet of the night, the single stroke of a pipa suddenly rang out. Someone was playing before he had even arrived. He was greatly astonished, yet the pipa notes drifting on the wind were unlike the usual martial or civil airs; the tune was slow, gentle, and possessed an almost mind-cleansing serenity. A connoisseur of music, he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, listening intently for a long while before remarking thoughtfully, "This is a Daoist tune, neither a grand suite nor a vulgar ditty. Yet the pipa is played rather clumsily. With such rudimentary skill, how could it gain entrance to the Pear Garden?"

He merely uttered this in passing, not expecting an answer from his attendants. Quickening his pace as he rounded a small path and approached the largest stage within the Pear Garden, he saw Princess Yuzhen sitting with a smile upon the central mat of the high terrace, while beside her, holding a pipa, sat a woman whose age was difficult to determine. Unable to guess Princess Yuzhen's intent, he refrained from stepping forward and simply stood quietly waiting for the piece to end. When the final notes broke from the usual hasty conclusion of standard pieces, fading away slowly on a single lingering tone, he could not help being deeply moved.

"A fine piece, though the execution leaves much to be desired. What is this, Yuan-yuan? Have you brought your own musician to the Pear Garden to challenge the masters here?"

Seeing Du Shiniang holding her pipa, shifting her posture, and bowing her head, Princess Yuzhen had no choice but to stand up, curtsy in greeting to her elder brother, and say with a smile, "The tune is not my composition, nor is this person my musician. How would I dare claim to challenge the masters? It is simply that I recently obtained a musical score and a wondrous instrument, so I brought a talented artist here to present them to my elder brother."

"Oh?"

Only then was Li Longji genuinely intrigued. Leaving the others behind, he mounted the high terrace directly. Seeing Princess Yuzhen hand him a musical score, he unrolled it immediately. Upon catching sight of the signature at the bottom, his eyes instantly lit up. Closing the scroll of music with a soft snap, he asked in a deep voice, "Is this a score composed by Master Sima?"

"Indeed, it is *The Clear Heart Chant*. Does Your Majesty feel your mind calmed by it?"

"Splendid, it truly possesses some effect. It is indeed worthy of Master Sima's composition. What is this wondrous instrument you spoke of?"

"Thirteenth Lady."

Despite boasting before her elder brother, Du Shiniang had felt quite apprehensive upon entering the Yuzhen Taoist Abbey earlier to see Princess Yuzhen. Now, finding herself deep within the palace facing the Emperor of the Great Tang, she felt as though her heart were about to leap out of her chest. Yet the etiquette and composure she had learned at the Cui estate finally came into play at this crucial moment. Rising to her feet, she moved with graceful poise before Li Longji, then presented the pipa with both hands. Only after the instrument was taken from her grasp did she step back a few paces and stand quietly at attention.

Since Princess Yuzhen had just stated that this young pipa-playing girl was not one of her people, Li Longji seized the opportunity to look her up and down thoroughly. Finding her features pure and delicate yet entirely unremarkable otherwise, he felt a deep sense of suspicion. However, the moment he examined the pipa in his hands, that trace of suspicion was instantly cast to the winds. He inspected the soundboard and the back plate carefully, over and over again, before finally saying thoughtfully, "Could this pipa be made of the legendary Luosha sandalwood? Tenth Master Dou once mentioned to me that he had seen such a rare treasure. How did it come to be in your possession?"

"The pipa belongs to Du Shiniang's elder brother, and the score was gifted to her brother by Master Sima. Instead of asking me, Brother, why not ask her?"

Li Longji had a passionate love for music and musical instruments. He might not be privy to all affairs outside the palace, but he had indeed heard how Tenth Master Dou had brought a crowd of younger Dou family members to the birthday banquet of Imperial Noble Consort Dou, performing a novel Hu-teng dance that greatly delighted her, and how Prince Song and Prince Qi had subsequently become obsessed with several new tunes presented by Nineteenth Master Du. Not only had he heard of this, but he had even seen copied versions of those musical scores, which were indeed uniquely striking. Yet by comparison, the trouble stirred up by Nineteenth Master Du had spread far more rapidly. When he first heard of it two days ago, he had happened to be consumed with frustration over the prophetic verses, and the news had only made his anger flare higher.

"Nineteenth Master Du is your elder brother?"

No joy or anger could be discerned in the Emperor's tone, making Du Shiniang exceptionally nervous. Taking a deep breath, she managed to raise her gaze slightly and replied, "He is indeed this humble subject's elder brother."

"Your elder brother possesses quite some ability! With the provincial examinations imminent, he made a round trip between Chang'an and Luoyang, and even though he was waylaid by assassins, he still managed to make it back to the Jingzhao Prefecture offices to sit for the exams. Truly, heroes have been youths since ancient times!"

Though these words sounded like praise, Du Shiniang was not foolish; hearing the faint undercurrent of suppressed rage within them, she drew another soft breath to steady herself, raised her head, and said, "Since Your Majesty inquires, this humble subject dares not conceal the truth. The provincial examinations are certainly important, but they occur once a year, whereas a brother of one's flesh and blood, once lost, can never be recovered. My brother and I have no full brothers. Previously, my brother and Eleventh Master Cui studied together on Mount Song, developing a bond as close as real brothers. Hearing that the latter had lost both his grandmother and his father within the span of half a year, my brother was consumed by such grief that he could neither sleep nor eat. If he had not rushed back then, and any misfortune had befallen his friend, he would have spent the rest of his life with an unsettled conscience!"

Seeing Li Longji's expression shift slightly without barking out a command for her to stop, Du Shiniang felt her courage surge. She spoke up even louder: "As for being waylaid by assassins along the road and yet ultimately prevailing, my brother has Your Majesty to thank as well! The five Cui retainers who escorted him back from Luoyang to Chang'an were all trusted men of the late Duke of Zhaoguo. Their leader had once followed the Duke of Zhaoguo to suppress rebellions under Your Majesty's command, which is why they possessed such courage and resourcefulness! Thus, facing those miscreants who first plotted arson and then murder, they were able to adapt to the changing circumstances, triumph over superior numbers with inferior forces, and ultimately wipe out the entire gang of culprits. Even the Six Steeds that carried them on their return journey were the imperial mounts bestowed upon the late Duke of Zhaoguo by Your Majesty's grace in former years!"