Chapter Thirty-Eight: Reunion That Falls Short

Late at night, in Shanglin Lane, the residence of Princess Yiyang, a figure clad in a purple brocade robe walked through the corridors, holding an oil lamp in one hand and a knife in the other. His steps were light and silent. The night wind was chill, yet the flame of the lamp did not flicker. The blade gleamed like frost, radiating cold.

The shadows cast by the greenery on either side of the corridor obscured his face, making it impossible to discern his features. He strode directly into an unnamed courtyard, pushed open the main chamber, and approached Quan Ce’s bed, raising his knife to strike.

"Desperate ground, Shazhafu, save me!" Quan Ce cried out, his heart nearly bursting with terror.

"Young master, you’re having a nightmare, wake up!" Daisy, who slept in the outer room, rushed in wearing a robe, lit a candle, and shook him awake.

"Master," Desperate Ground quickly emerged from the shadows, and soon other servants in the courtyard hurried in.

Quan Ce, still shaken, his inner garments soaked with cold sweat, his face washed as if by water, gasped for breath until he steadied himself, his voice hoarse. "It’s nothing, you may go," he said.

The servants dispersed. Desperate Ground did not go far, sitting cross-legged by the door to keep watch.

Quan Ce looked at his back, feeling a surge of courage. In troubled times, survival left no room for hesitation or fear; he could only forge ahead. Guilt was a luxury he could not afford, and he owed his thoughts to those who suffered and died for him. In the operation at Dragon Gate Post, three of the Eight Steeds guards were grievously wounded, and nearly ten of Shazha’s men killed or injured.

"Desperate Ground, I wish to visit the three wounded brothers. Arrange it for me."

Desperate Ground hesitated, then obeyed. "Yes, master." He shook his head lightly; his master was sometimes ruthless, sometimes gentle—quite endearing, really.

The grand feast of the Eastern Capital’s New Year was magnificent. The whole of Luoyang bloomed with splendor; the wealthy and noble thronged the streets. At each entrance to the market districts were incense burners shaped like auspicious beasts, burning precious sandalwood, its fragrance wafting throughout the city and lingering for days. Every hundred paces stood an armored guard in embroidered robes and a monk chanting sutras, wooden fish in hand, their Buddhist verses swirling like mist, as if the earthly realm were a land of the Buddha. Tens of thousands of koi darted through the Luo River. Spring was still cold; the willows had yet to return to life. Each merchant hung copper plaques bearing their shop names, tied with red ribbons, from the branches.

For Quan Ce, the ceremonial duties concerning him were few; he only needed to accompany the procession and stand in attendance.

On New Year’s Day, Empress Wu donned her ceremonial robes and crown, holding the imperial jade as the primary offering. Emperor Ruizong made the secondary offering, and the nine-year-old Crown Prince Li Chengqi the final one. They sequentially worshiped the Supreme Heaven, the three generations of Tang ancestors—Gaozu, Taizong, and Gaozong—then the three generations of Wei, referring to the fief of Wu’s father, Wu Shiyue, and finally the Five Imperial Thrones. After the rites, Empress Wu proceeded to the Zetian Gate, proclaimed a general amnesty, and changed the era name to Yongchang.

On the second day, she received the officials and envoys in the Hall of Light, accepting their greetings.

On the third day, she issued nine edicts in the Hall of Light, requiring ministers to abide by their duties, then hosted a banquet for all officials.

...

Empress Wu used the Hall of Light as a place both to honor ancestors and to administer state affairs, legislating as she saw fit. The grand New Year feast followed Confucian rites, supplemented by Buddhist and Daoist ceremonies, majestic and sacred beyond compare, unprecedented in history and dazzling to every official. Some were overwhelmed by their ignorance, others puzzled by the intentions of the sages, powerless to resist or criticize.

Empress Wu wielded both Buddhist scripture and the blade, vigorously altering customs, punishing the disloyal, her authority growing ever more absolute. The golden road to the imperial throne became smoother by the day.

On the fourth day, Empress Wu summoned the North Guard Feathered Forest Cavalry, Thousand Riders, Thousand Oxen Guard, as well as Hanlin academics, translators, Phoenix Pavilion scribes, and both left and right historians to a special banquet. She then issued sweeping orders for new and increased titles. The Li family’s princes continued the trend of being assigned ever more distant and barren lands, their positions largely reduced to remote appointments, no longer serving as governors among the people. The sole exception was Prince Xu, Li Sujie, who was granted the title Prince of Yu and made Governor of Yu Prefecture, right beside the Eastern Capital.

There was another surprise: Princess Yiyang’s eldest daughter, Quan Luo, was granted the title Princess of Ruyang County. According to Tang custom, the Crown Prince’s daughter was a Princess of the Commandery, a prince’s daughter was a Princess of the County. Ruyang, located in Cai Prefecture, was the stronghold of Prince Yue Li Zhen’s rebellion, and the place where Quan Ce first broke through the city. The significance of this reward was profound.

Li Sujie and Princess Yiyang immediately submitted petitions to decline the honors. Empress Wu refused both, sending court officials to deliver her verbal instructions and encouragement.

Though this command was not particularly serious, Empress Wu delivered it with utmost gravity, leaving Quan Ce no choice but to carry it out. He did not need to visit both residences; his siblings rarely gathered, so they arranged a banquet at Princess Yiyang’s residence.

Official business first, then private affairs. Quan Ce stood at the head, declaring, "Hear ye, Princess Yiyang, Prince Yu, Princess of Ruyang. The state has its proper instruments and established rules. All titles and rewards are granted for merit. Though I rule the world, I have never put private interests above the public. Uphold loyalty and filial piety, abide by your positions, work diligently so that name and deed are matched, and do not let me down."

When the instructions were delivered, Quan Ce quickly helped his elders rise. Little Quan Luo, curled up on the ground, crawled clumsily, and Quan Ce scooped her up in his arms, swinging her gently. "Our little Chichi is now a county princess—four ranks above her big brother."

Quan Luo, her toothless mouth open, giggled sweetly.

"Chichi is truly blessed, having a good brother. If my son hadn’t earned merit on the battlefield, how could such good fortune have come?" This was not spoken by Princess Yiyang, but by Princess Gao’an, who cared only for the happiness of those around her, never for anything else. She played with Quan Luo in Quan Ce’s arms, babbling and laughing.

Everyone took their seats. Quan Ce glanced around, his joy fading. Uncle Li Sujie’s arm was in a sling, wrapped in white gauze. His father, Quan Yi, wore a worried, anxious expression. Cousin Wang Hui’s face was sallow as paper, coughing intermittently and walking unsteadily. Each family had a man suffering, all thanks to him.

With the pillars of the family in poor health, the atmosphere was subdued. Only Quan Luo, Quan Zhu, and Li Sujie’s younger children bustled around their aunt, Princess Gao’an, with laughter and noise.

"Young master, having switched from martial to civil duties, now serving before Her Majesty—can you still adapt?" Li Sujie, with his long face and a distinct crease in his chin, was calm and gentle, lacking the pride of noble birth, always courteous and warm.

"Your child fares well enough with pen and ink, no discomfort," Quan Ce replied, sidestepping the question of serving before Her Majesty.

...

"That Hu Chang fellow, is he a bodyguard of the Eastern Capital Thousand Oxen Guard?" Li Sujie pressed on, not out of suspicion, but curiosity about whether his nephew was involved in the strange events of that night.

"Indeed. He was originally under my command, but we had no personal relationship. After I changed positions, the capital being so sensitive, it wasn’t proper to inquire further," Quan Ce answered carefully.

Li Sujie nodded, asking no more, then turned to Wang Hui. "How is your injury?"

"The leg is healing, but the internal organs are still damaged; it will take months to recover." Wang Hui spoke with difficulty, his wounds severe. "By the way, young master, I recently met Minister Wu, who invited you to his residence."

Quan Ce agreed. Li Sujie frowned, puzzled. Quan Yi explained, "Minister Wu is Wu Youji, Deputy Minister of the Land Bureau—a sincere man, uninterested in power, fond of commerce and investment."

"Even so, he is a member of the Wu family; you should be cautious," Wang Xu advised. "Commerce is a lowly pursuit; do not become too absorbed in it."

Quan Ce nodded repeatedly.

Li Sujie looked at each face in turn, deeply moved. "In days past, living in distant provinces, the bustling cities always seemed insufficient. Now, in the capital, I find the remote regions, though plain and desolate, offer peace and leisure. Human nature is insatiable; who can say whether this is a blessing or a curse?"

"Su Jie, it’s the New Year—don’t dampen the mood," Princess Yiyang, the eldest sister, chided. "It is a blessing to be back. Yu Prefecture is close, easy to visit. If Gao’an moved to the Eastern Capital, it would be even better."

"Yes, yes, I often miss my sister..." Princess Gao’an, holding the sleeping Quan Luo, happily agreed.

"Mm-hmm," Wang Xu cleared his throat and interrupted. "Moving is no small matter. Besides, your nephew serves in Chang’an. If we all leave, he’ll be alone—wouldn’t that be miserable?"

Gao’an’s arched brows drooped, and she pouted, nodding. "True. We must look after young master. Fortunately, the two capitals are not far apart. When young master serves in the Eastern Capital, I’ll come too."

Quan Ce smiled faintly. Wang Xu knew well how to handle Princess Gao’an. He did not wish to leave Chang’an, and surely not just for himself.