Chapter 142: Attending to the Imperial Attire (Part Two)

At the end of March, Empress Wu personally arrived at the South Gate of the Divine Capital, Changxia Gate, to receive the Buddhist Master Shenxiu with a kneeling ceremony. She welcomed him into the palace to inaugurate the Wu Zhou revolution through Buddhism, a merit to the state worthy of elevating over Taoism. Monks and nuns were ordered to line up before the Taoist priestesses, and officials and commoners alike were instructed to show deep reverence.

Master Shenxiu opened the platform for preaching, with Empress Wu seated among the audience. Nobles and ministers of the Divine Capital, from high-ranking officials to minor clerks, all accompanied him. The crowd surged like a swarm of bees; the assembly hall was packed, with no room to spare.

The master’s face was gaunt and lean, white eyebrows drooping to his cheeks. He bore no arrogance despite Empress Wu’s honors, nor did he feign humility before the courtiers’ flattery. His opening words were a quote from Quan Ce: “What great dispute is there between Buddhism and Taoism? The sages have never held divided hearts.” He insisted that both Buddhism and Taoism are paths for those beyond the secular world, with no true superiority between them. He urged sincere cultivation to benefit the people, reform customs, and guide others to goodness, warning against meddling in court politics or accumulating wealth and ambition. He focused on explaining the three precepts against greed, anger, and ignorance. At once, he announced the dismissal of Master Yijing, the abbot of Famen Temple, from the Buddhist order. With a grand vow, he declared he would never return to the Divine Capital in this life.

His sermon was plain and unadorned, lacking esoteric complexity. Empress Wu’s expression remained indifferent, and the packed hall fell utterly silent.

When Master Shenxiu finished, he vanished without a trace, never to be seen again.

Later, for reasons unknown, Empress Wu granted Quan Ce a mansion, two hundred thousand strings of coins, and a thousand sets of brocade robes.

Yet this favor was envied by none. The mansion was clearly designed to the rank of a marquis’s estate. Quan Ce’s contributions, both overt and covert, were considerable; even his sister had been ennobled as a first-rank princess. Yet he himself held only a seventh-rank official title. The Empress gave him a grand residence but no official rank—like a knife thrust into his heart.

Alongside Quan Ce’s reward came honors for Wu Youji, the husband of Princess Taiping: he was promoted from General of the Left Guard to Prince Ding. Among the Wu clan’s noble kin, only Wu Chengsi, Prince Wei, and Wu Sansi, Prince Liang, held princely titles on par with him.

By contrast, Quan Ce’s status appeared insignificant. The court and officials were puzzled, sensing subtle implications. Quan Ce was the steward of Princess Taiping’s household, while Wu Youji was her husband; both favors seemed to be expressions of the Empress’s affection for her daughter.

Princess Taiping’s residence became bustling with visitors; daily, scholars and officials in purple and crimson robes came in droves.

As the honored symbols of favor, Quan Ce and Wu Youji flanked Princess Taiping, accompanying her in receiving dignitaries. The newly appointed Vice Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion, Li Zhaode, arrived; so did Di Renjie, Doulu Qinwang, and Lou Shide. Numerous lower-ranking officials also called, such as Court Attendant Gao Jian and Hanlin Academician Cui Shi.

Gao Jian frequently entered and stayed overnight at Princess Taiping’s mansion, even more than Quan Ce. He was well known as her favored consort. Understanding the situation, he greeted Wu Youji politely but withdrew promptly.

Princess Taiping admired Cui Shi greatly, praising him often and inviting him, “The young lady will hold a literary gathering in two days at the Hongdao Temple in Xiuwen Lane. Scholars from all directions will assemble. If you have leisure, please join us.”

“An honor I would gladly accept,” Cui Shi responded readily, his words carrying a hidden meaning as his almond-shaped eyes flickered coquettishly over the princess.

Quan Ce turned away, lifting his gaze beyond the heavy curtains and broad corridor to the courtyard where early summer’s pure white magnolia bloomed in lush clusters.

Once Cui Shi departed, Wu Youji quietly slipped away as well. Quan Ce stared after him in a daze. His uncle, the newly minted Prince Ding, could neither openly muster troops nor possess the broad magnanimity to remain indifferent. Aside from evasion, he seemed to have no better choice.

“Darl, what do you think of Cui Shi?” Princess Taiping feigned indifference, as if not seeing, and asked about another man with amusement.

“Academician Cui hails from an illustrious family, with noble blood, handsome features, and refined literary talent—a rare gentleman as pure as jade,” Quan Ce replied without a trace of sarcasm.

Princess Taiping smiled, pursing her lips. “Compared to you?”

“Far inferior,” Quan Ce bowed his head modestly.

She rose, smoothing his robes with a jade hand. “Do not belittle yourself. It is not merely aunt’s partiality. Though he is outstanding, there is not a single aspect in which he surpasses you.”

Quan Ce smiled shyly, saying nothing further.

Princess Taiping draped an arm around his back, resting her head on his shoulder in silence for a long moment. “The young lady’s literary gathering is not suitable for you. On the second day of next month, the Empress will perform the Fengshan ceremony on Mount Song. Aunt will take you along.”

Quan Ce found the tone childishly coaxing, somewhat exasperating. The princess’s schemes were ones he wished to avoid at all costs. He murmured, “Your commands shall be obeyed.”

Seeing his calm, unruffled demeanor, Princess Taiping suddenly felt displeased. She pushed him away sharply, frowning, “Have you nothing better to do? Sitting here dazing—go away at once!”

Quan Ce had grown accustomed to her capricious moods. Hearing the scolding, he hurried off. He had not returned home for several days and planned to visit his mother.

“My son, I went to see the gifted mansion. It is new, not the old residence, with exquisite decoration in Jiangnan style. After some tidying, it will make a perfect new home for you,” Princess Yiyang rambled. Her former melancholy and resentment had faded, replaced by serene grace.

“Mother, people say once a man marries, he forgets his mother. I wish to remain by your side longer to fulfill my filial duty and not marry too soon,” Quan Ce shamelessly coaxed. In this Divine Capital, Rui Lai’s real estate ventures had yielded dozens, if not hundreds, of properties; a wedding house was no longer an unattainable dream like in his previous life.

Princess Yiyang laughed brightly, poking him. “My son grows older, his reputation spreads, yet he is still more spoiled than Chichi.”

Quan Ce laughed foolishly, utterly unashamed.

“Big brother, Chichi wants something delicious…” Speaking of Chichi, the plump little girl was always greedy for food and knew her brother’s habits well. If he had been away for a few days, he would surely bring her treats upon returning.

Behind her followed Fu Qu, her attendant. Her twin buns had been undone and replaced by a married woman’s riding knot. She wore a powder-blue ruqun, her brows and eyes full of charm.

Quan Ce smiled warmly, intending to tease his gluttonous little sister, but meeting her clear eyes and radiant face, he relented. He picked her up, sat her on his lap, and brought out the snacks and sweets he had brought from Princess Taiping’s residence. Not daring to hand them to her directly, he gave them to her chief maid, mindful that too many sweets and cold foods at once would harm her health.

Princess Yiyang and Fu Qu watched as Quan Ce gently and patiently coaxed Chichi, their eyes smiling softly.

The family was enjoying a harmonious moment when urgent footsteps sounded outside.

A voice called out, “Master, news from the Luoyang Prefecture Office: Mr. Wang of the Wang family has been arrested for official misconduct by the constables.”

Wang Hui? Quan Ce was startled, clutching Chichi as he stepped outside. “What offense? Who was involved?”

“My subordinate investigated: Mr. Wang was involved in a fight at the Yuelai Inn. The other party was Wang Tongjiao, the imperial tailor.”

Hearing this, Quan Ce relaxed slightly.

Brawls among officials were commonplace, occurring from time to time; the matter should not be serious.