Chapter Sixty-Two: The Emperor and Empress’s Hearts

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Gentle Grove was situated on the west side of Changxia Gate Avenue, the third block from north to south. Whether leaving the city or entering the palace, this district was exceptionally convenient, and so it naturally became home to many members of the imperial family as well as high-ranking officials and nobles. In addition to the residences of Princess Cai and Lady of Qiongshan, along with several officials’ mansions, there stood in the northwest corner a grand estate that occupied about one-sixth of the entire block, rivaling the illustrious mansion of Duke Bi Dou. This residence had been acquired by Liu Fan, former Right Minister at the Ministry of Personnel, during his tenure. Now that Liu Fan had passed away and his son Liu Qiwu was posted as Prefect of Muzhou, the Liu family, renowned for their generations of wealth in Guanzhong, still maintained the expansive mansion with a retinue of numerous servants, and its gates saw endless traffic from the elite.

The Liu family’s ancestral home was in Chang’an, and with the Emperor’s procession to the Eastern Capital this time, only a few of the Liu scions had followed. At this moment, in the study at the southeastern corner of the Liu residence, Liu Ximing was pacing back and forth. Only when a soft knocking sounded from outside did he abruptly turn and stride to the door, yanking it open.

“My lord…”

“Well? Was the letter delivered?”

The attendant bowed anxiously. “Lady Liu is currently attending the Emperor at Taoguang Garden, so the letter could only be handed to those on duty at Linbo Pavilion. However, this has happened before—someone will surely pass the letter on to Lady Liu.”

If it failed to reach her in time, all his efforts would be in vain!

A flash of bitterness flickered across Liu Ximing’s handsome, jade-like features. He immediately ordered his attendant to continue gathering information and slammed the door shut. Weary, he trudged back to the main seat and collapsed onto the couch. Usually so particular about decorum in public, he now sat gracelessly, swinging his feet beneath the couch, his gaze restless and hands clenched tightly, betraying the tumult within.

His journey to Mount Song to study under Lu Hong had only been possible after pulling every string to get a renowned scholar from Jingzhao to recommend him. Deep down, however, he held little respect for Lu Hong—descendant of a noble house, yet content to hide away in the countryside, growing old alongside the flora.

Yet what was meant to be a quest for reputation had unexpectedly led him to cross paths with Du Shiyi. After returning to the Eastern Capital last year, Liu had stormed off in a fit of pique, wandering the lands of the Heluo region and refusing to return to Mount Song. Even when he heard that the Emperor had issued a personal summons, he never imagined Lu Hong would actually respond. But now, not only had Lu Hong arrived, Du Shiyi had come with him—and during that night banquet at Duke Bi Dou’s mansion, he had been humiliated before all! In just a few short days, he had become the butt of many jokes. This year, hoping to attain a ranking at the Jingzhao Prefecture exams would be close to impossible!

“Du the Nineteenth… you deserve to die…” Liu Ximing nearly crushed his own fist, only unclenching his jaw after a long, tense moment to exhale deeply. “Lu Hong, you’re willing to teach poetry and song to that has-been Du the Nineteenth, yet you guard your knowledge jealously from me. Fine. You don’t want to serve in office? I’ll make sure you do! Once you accept a post, you’ll be no different than Lu Zangyong, who treats reclusion as nothing more than a shortcut to officialdom. But if you refuse… the Emperor’s wrath will bring corpses by the hundreds of thousands, blood flowing for miles. I’d like to see how you talk your way out of that! What the sages despise most is the hypocrite who chases fame by feigning aloofness!”

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As long as his aunt saw the letter, events would surely unfold exactly as he imagined!

Taoguang Garden of Luoyang Palace lay north of Huiyou Hall, separated from the palace proper by a corridor stretching several miles. To the south of this corridor were the living quarters of the emperor’s consorts; to the north, since Sui times, the imperial inner gardens—Taoguang Garden itself. Within, the Jiuzhou Pool spread over nearly seven hundred acres, ideal for boating and leisure, while rare and colorful flowers and exotic plants flourished everywhere, and the stables housed many rare birds and beasts. Now that the Emperor was in residence, the place bustled with excitement every day.

Among the consorts accompanying the Emperor eastward this time, besides Empress Wang and the recently favored Lady Wu, there were also Consort Zhao, Lady Huangfu, as well as Lady Liu and Lady Liu, including both established figures from the princely courts and newer favorites of the harem. Although the Emperor had shown the world his penchant for simplicity upon ascending the throne, the women nonetheless competed fiercely in dress and adornment, striving to appear as enchanting and alluring as possible.

Though Empress Wang had once envied Consort Zhao and Lady Huangfu for frequently winning the Emperor’s favor, now these former court beauties, like herself, could not escape the passage of years. Since the early days of the Kaiyuan era, new faces had continually entered the palace, such as Lady Wu, who, not long after receiving the Emperor’s favor, had been elevated to high rank, even overshadowing Consort Zhao, mother of the Crown Prince, and threatening the Empress’s own preeminence. Thus, despite her wariness toward Lady Liu—respected by Li Longji for her distinguished lineage—the Empress had no choice but to include her among the accompanying consorts, which greatly pleased the Emperor.

At this moment, in the riding grounds of Taoguang Garden, she watched as Li Longji, along with Prince Song, Prince Qi, Prince Xue, Prince Shen, and others, galloped across the field, swinging mallets in a wild game of polo. The watching consorts cheered enthusiastically, but Empress Wang could not suppress a sense of unease. As she cast her gaze about, she noticed Lady Liu quietly speaking to a maid behind her, then slipping away. Observing this, the Empress’s brow furrowed thoughtfully; she kept one eye on the game, the other on Lady Liu’s movements. Only after a long while did she see Lady Liu return to her seat. Sensing the Empress’s attention, Lady Liu soon rose and approached her.

“Your Majesty, the Empress.”

Lady Liu’s courtesy was always impeccable. Seeing her bow, the Empress quickly reached out to support her and said with a smile, “We’re at the riding grounds, not in the audience hall; there’s no need for such formality.”

After a few words of humble thanks, Lady Liu seated herself beside the Empress, discretely squeezing the roll of paper hidden in her sleeve. She then spoke softly, “It is rare for Your Majesty to allow us to watch the polo match together; I should not trouble you. But just now, my troublesome nephew sent a letter from home, and I feel obliged to report it to Your Majesty.”

“Oh?” No letter was ever supposed to pass between palace and outside, a rule as old as any dynasty. Thus, the Empress had always turned a blind eye. Now, seeing Lady Liu report even such a minor family matter so formally, the Empress felt both satisfied and somewhat surprised. Accepting the paper roll and scanning the handwriting, she fell into thoughtful silence.

“Master Lu of Mount Song is a man of great talent. Even when I was still at home, my father spoke of him, always in the highest praise.”

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Though she lived within the palace, Lady Liu was well-informed about events outside its walls, never missing what she needed to know. She had already ordered the maid who brought the second note from Linbo Pavilion to swallow it. Now, seeing the Empress remain silent, she pressed her point: “My nephew is unfortunate; after only a few months as Master Lu’s disciple, ill health forced him to return to the Eastern Capital. Yet he holds Master Lu in the deepest esteem. Now, with the imperial edict calling for the recommendation of worthy men from every county, if such a great recluse as Master Lu cannot be persuaded to serve, I fear others may not be willing to come forward either. Still, this is a matter of state, and as a mere palace woman, I should not speak out of turn. Therefore, I merely report what I have heard to Your Majesty, and besides, my nephew’s letter did violate palace rules.”

Empress Wang had weathered many storms with Li Longji: in the purges of Empress Wei and Princess Taiping, she had played a vital role. Thus, hearing Lady Liu’s frankness, she nodded approvingly and handed the note to a waiting maid. “Swallow Lady Liu’s note,” she commanded.

When the palace maid hastily complied, the Empress turned to Lady Liu with a gentle smile. “I will speak with His Majesty about this. As for your nephew, since he is still young, a mild scolding in the future will suffice.”

After Lady Liu thanked her profusely and returned to her seat, the Empress saw that the polo match had ended, with Li Longji’s team emerging victorious. Naturally, she rose with the other consorts to cheer. Shortly after, Li Longji, now dressed informally, returned in high spirits to her side, stroking his mustache and saying, “Prince Ning was badly off his game today—I hardly count it a victory!”

“If you feel it was no true win, then invite Prince Ning to the palace again for another match. That way, we’ll have another thrilling contest to enjoy!” the Empress replied with a smile. Seeing Li Longji’s pleasure at her suggestion, she ordered warm wine to be brought. After he drank, she spoke with careful deliberation, “Since Your Majesty arrived at the Eastern Capital last year, the general amnesty and tax remissions have filled the hearts of the people with joy. The civil and military officials all praise Your Majesty’s wisdom, and I hear that this year’s examinations have gathered talents from all over the realm. Moreover, with the call for reclusive worthies from every county, such a flourishing scene surely rivals that of Emperor Taizong’s reign!”

Her address had shifted from the intimate “Third Son” to the formal “Your Majesty.” Li Longji, already flushed with energy from the game, grew even more radiant at these words. Laughing, he beckoned for another cup and replied with a cheerful smile, “The Reign of Zhen Guan lasted twenty-three years—I have been on the throne but a few. If I can truly usher in an era of prosperity, it will be thanks to your encouragement. I toast you with this cup!”

The other consorts glanced sideways at the imperial couple, their expressions mixed; but Empress Wang paid them no mind. After draining her cup, she pressed her advantage: “I have heard that Master Lu of Mount Song has arrived in the capital? Though Your Majesty summoned him repeatedly before, he did not come; now, at last, he has responded. This is surely due to Your Majesty’s virtuous rule. Besides, what other sovereign in history has shown such magnanimity to one who dared such defiance? If Your Majesty appoints him to office, then all the recluses of the land will surely pledge themselves to your cause!”

“He has come—do you think I cannot keep even one recluse of Mount Song?” Li Longji replied with a proud smile. Thinking of that memorial from Yao Chong, which had so perfectly matched his own intentions, and considering how Song Jing, for all his uprightness, so often lacked flexibility, his expression clouded slightly.

To find a truly satisfactory prime minister was as difficult as reaching the heavens!