Chapter Sixty-Four: Entering the Palace

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(PS: There will be an extra update around midnight tonight to welcome Monday. If you can't wait, you can read it tomorrow morning. Still asking for recommendation votes ^_^)

Luoyang Palace was originally the Ziwei City during the Sui dynasty, then at the beginning of the Tang it was made into Luoyang Palace, later renamed the Palace of Grand Beginning during Empress Wu's reign, and upon the ascension of the Zhongzong emperor, reverted back again. Now, as the emperor tours the eastern capital Luoyang, this palace, having lain empty for many years, once more welcomes its master, its guards strict within and without, the imperial grandeur manifest in full.

Du Shiyi's previous memories had only ever allowed him to gaze from afar at this majestic palace city. But this time, thanks to Lu Hong's summons, he was able to accompany Lu Wangzhi across Xingjin Bridge, Tianjin Bridge, and Huangdao Bridge, escorting Lu Hong to the palace gates, his heart stirred by countless emotions.

Standing outside the Right Side Gate, recalling how he had glimpsed, while riding closer, the grand Hall of Light built by Empress Wu’s craftsmen—now the Qianyuan Hall—he found himself distracted for a moment.

Lu Wangzhi, unlike Du Shiyi, had no such distractions. Supporting Lu Hong, he glanced at the armored guards standing vigil and could not help but whisper, "Master Lu, my junior and I can only escort you this far. You must take care."

"I'm hardly a child of three; you needn't fuss so," Lu Hong replied, his gaze falling thoughtfully upon Du Shiyi, who seemed entranced by the palace towers. Lu Hong smiled quietly, "Nineteen Lang, you look just as any ordinary man would upon first arriving at Luoyang Palace. There's no need to worry; take Nineteen Lang and return to the inn. When I leave the palace, we can begin our journey back to Mount Song."

Du Shiyi had only been imagining the Hall of Light as it once was; now, hearing Lu Hong’s last words, his heart gave a jolt. But faced with the elder’s calm, confident smile, he felt there was little point in reminding one so seasoned by life’s tempests. Thus, like Lu Wangzhi, he could only softly say, "Master Lu, take care."

"It's not as though I'm venturing through fire and blade."

Having said this, Lu Hong gave a slight nod, then turned and followed the official leading the way straight into the Right Side Gate. Watching that figure recede, finally vanishing into the dark, lengthy passage, Du Shiyi muttered under his breath, "Just how long is this corridor?"

"The walls of Luoyang Palace are first built with rammed earth, then faced with brick on both sides. The rammed earth alone is twenty-five paces thick, about ten zhang high. So, how long do you think the corridor is?" Lu Wangzhi stared at the passage, finally letting out a deep sigh. "Let’s hope this is the first... and last time. This is a place crowded with court officials; we were only allowed this far by special permission. If we wait here, it only causes trouble. As Master Lu said, let's return to the inn. Since we received the imperial summons a few days ago, we've used it as an excuse to decline other invitations. If Master Lu can return home, we must prepare to leave at once; otherwise, if we accept this or that invitation, it will be a nuisance."

Du Shiyi could easily see through Lu Wangzhi's forced casual demeanor. Though Lu Hong was gentle and broad-minded, he possessed a certain unspoken pride and stubbornness. Today, he would see the emperor; if things went too far, who knew what might happen? So, he agreed, and after crossing Tianjin Bridge onto Dingdingmen Avenue, suddenly slapped his forehead and said, "I nearly forgot—today, Lady Five of the Cui family took Lady Thirteen and Zhuying Tianmo to the South Market. I’m a bit uneasy and plan to look for them there. Senior brother, you return first."

"Very well. It's a pity that Wang Shisanlang left after staying just one night, otherwise I'd have a drinking companion!"

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Lu Wangzhi seemed not to suspect anything, and after a few jokes, the two went their separate ways at the intersection. Leading his horse, Du Shiyi finally drew a quiet breath.

The day he went to the Cui residence for the appointment, Lu Hong was summoned to the palace on the fifth day of the second month—today. After persuading Dou Shilang to help, he discussed twice more with Cui Jianxuan, who sought out the opinions of the noble families. Today, Lady Thirteen was coaxed out by Du Shiyi. The girl was not fond of appearing in public, but Cui Jianxuan managed to have Lady Five invite her; feeling obliged, Lady Thirteen agreed, giving Du Shiyi the perfect excuse to send Lu Wangzhi away. Now, all he had to do was wait for Cui Jianxuan to meet him. Luckily, as he looked around the street, he didn’t have to wait long before he saw a rider gallop toward him, dismount nimbly, glance about, and finally exhale in relief.

"No need to look, senior brother’s returned to the inn."

Cui Jianxuan coughed lightly, then said irritably, "Senior brother may be loose, but he's always a gentleman. Even if he saw us, it wouldn't matter. I was just worried Lady Nine would sneak out!"

Seeing Du Shiyi’s uneasy look, he sighed. "Don’t be fooled by grandmother’s restrictions; she's much more resourceful at home than I am. Even mother often indulges her. If someone encourages her to follow me out, heaven knows what she’ll do... Let’s not linger in this busy spot. Let's wait at a Huji wine house near the north gate of Jishan Ward. It's a two-story place, run by the Duke of Huo’s household slaves. The dancers from Kucha aren’t extraordinary, but because you can see the palace gate from there, it’s very popular. I barely managed to book it!"

Du Shiyi knew Cui Jianxuan was quite the local in Luoyang and followed his lead. They rode west into the ward through the north gate and soon spotted the two-story wine house. It rose above the ward wall, facing the Right Side Gate—clearly, such an enterprise couldn’t be established by money alone.

As expected, since they brought no servants, the doorman tried to block their entry, but when Cui Jianxuan mentioned his surname, the doorman's attitude changed instantly, smiling as he ushered them upstairs to a screened-off place with a perfect view across the Luo River to the palace gate. Cui Jianxuan promptly dismissed the server with a bad mood, and the two drank in silence for a while. He mentioned he’d investigated several households and learned that Dou Shilang had indeed kept his word, visiting each one. Seeing Du Shiyi relax, Cui Jianxuan stretched lazily with a sigh.

"Unfortunately, it’s taboo to inquire about palace affairs. We can only wait!"

"Who says we must wait?"

As this voice came from outside, Du Shiyi turned to see a young man enter, hands behind his back. If he hadn’t already seen this disguise, he’d have been utterly confused by this youth, who so resembled Cui Jianxuan.

Cui Jianxuan, seeing the newcomer, first stared in shock, then slapped his forehead and lamented, "Why did you still sneak out!"

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After saying this, he realized he’d been too soft and quickly raised his head, scolding fiercely, "Didn’t grandmother forbid you? And you dare come to such a place, full of all sorts!"

"I’ve been transcribing the Buddhist scriptures for Master Puji these past days, so starting today I’m no longer restricted. You just didn’t know," Lady Nine replied, triumphant, looking at her stunned brother and then, half-smiling, added, "As for coming here, I’m just waiting for someone. Lüchan and Yunqiao are outside, the carriage’s at the ward gate. I’m not like you, sneaking out on a whim." Seeing Du Shiyi frown thoughtfully, she drew out her words, "Eleven brother probably doesn’t know, today is the day the noble lady enters the palace."

At this, Du Shiyi was moved, and Cui Jianxuan immediately understood. Though there were some twenty or thirty princesses between Chang'an and Luoyang, only two regularly entered the palace: the Princess of Golden Immortals and the Princess of Jade Truth, both sisters of the emperor by the same mother. Lady Nine had once followed the Princess of Jade Truth in the An Guo Taoist temple in Zhengping Ward, east of Dingdingmen, gaining her favor and even visiting Chang'an, entering the palace and meeting the empress and consorts. He leapt up, overjoyed, "Can you find out about the audience in the Xuanzheng Hall?"

Lady Nine’s gaze flickered as she looked at Cui Jianxuan, neither agreeing nor refusing, and Du Shiyi, after some thought, stood and solemnly bowed to her. Seeing her surprise, he earnestly said, "Lady Nine, Master Lu has received several summonses but always declined politely. He came to the capital with no intention of serving, only to return to Mount Song. Master Lu has greatly enlightened both me and Eleven brother, so we worry deeply about his audience with the emperor. If you could accompany the noble lady into the palace to find out, I would be endlessly grateful. If you ever need anything, I will do all I can!"

Lady Nine looked at Du Shiyi’s grave face for a long moment, then burst out laughing. Seeing Cui Jianxuan also bow without a word, she raised her chin, "Alright, I won’t tease you. The noble lady’s carriage should arrive soon; I must go wait. I can’t promise you anything—if she doesn’t go to the Xuanzheng Hall, I can’t find out. If she does, I’ll help you. But don’t forget, you owe me a favor!"

With that, she laughed as she turned and floated away. After a while, Du Shiyi peered downstairs and saw Lady Nine just leaving the wine house, skipping like a child, then, sensing something, looked up and met his gaze, flashed a triumphant smile, and sauntered out the gate.

As she departed, Du Shiyi and Cui Jianxuan noticed the ox cart parked near the ward gate—they had only focused on the palace gate before and missed it. As the cart moved, it joined a convoy coming up Dingdingmen Avenue at Xingjin Bridge, then entered the Right Side Gate. The two exchanged glances, and Cui Jianxuan murmured, "Let’s hope this time Lady Nine can truly help..."

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