Chapter 44 Wang Yi's Methods
Inside Qixia Garden, candlelight flickered. Wang Yi sat alone at his desk, the Xuan paper before him filled with dense analyses and plans. Although Consort Yang's conspiracy had been thwarted, it served as a wake-up call—in this cannibalistic palace, the favor and trust of Li Shimin alone were far from sufficient.
"A large-scale immersive reality show?" She chuckled self-deprecatingly, tapping her fingertips lightly on the table. "If you go too far with a game, people can die."
Indeed, when she first arrived in the Tang Dynasty, she did arrive with an almost playful, relaxed attitude: to acquire the genes of the greatest emperor of all time and produce outstanding offspring; to have a love affair with this legendary emperor that transcends time; and to experience a truly immersive historical experience. Modern knowledge, medical skills, and even cleverly disguised technological devices—she thought she could handle it all with ease.
But Consort Yang's treacherous scheme brought her to her senses. This wasn't a game; there were no saves or restarts. One wrong step, and it would be utter ruin. Li Shimin's love was undoubtedly deep, but the heart of an emperor is as unfathomable as the sea; today's trust doesn't guarantee tomorrow's steadfastness. When the evidence was irrefutable and public opinion was overwhelming, even Li Shimin might not be willing to risk everything to protect her.
“It’s time to build our own defenses.” Wang Yi’s eyes sharpened in the candlelight.
She first analyzed her existing resources:
1. Medical skills – this was her most valuable asset. Empress Zhangsun and Emperor Li Yuan both needed her treatment, which was the foundation of her position in the palace. However, this also became her weakness; if anything happened to someone she treated, she would be the first to suffer the consequences.
2. Li Shimin's favor and trust - currently stable, but needs to be carefully maintained and should not be relied upon excessively.
3. The identity of "Guardian of the Nation True Man" - Her Taoist identity gave her a certain transcendent status, but it also made her seem mysterious and suspicious.
4. Limited palace connections – Only a few palace servants serving in Qixia Garden were completely loyal to her, and most of them were from the lower ranks.
“We need to expand our network, but we must be cautious,” Wang Yi pondered. Directly befriending powerful officials and imperial relatives would be too conspicuous and easily arouse Li Shimin's suspicion. Her gaze fell upon the inner palace.
Step 1: Repair the relationship with the legitimate princes and princesses.
The children were Empress Zhangsun's darlings, but also Li Shimin's Achilles' heel. Yang Guifei's schemes were so insidious precisely because they exploited the children's affection for their mother. Wang Yi had to change his image in their eyes.
She meticulously prepared gifts: for Crown Prince Li Chengqian, she gave him a set of improved physical fitness exercises (combining modern sports science with the name of Taoist health preservation techniques), along with hand-drawn illustrations; for Prince Wei, Li Tai, she gave him a batch of rare book copies (using the system database), covering astronomy and geography, which suited his interests perfectly; for Princess Chang Le, she gave her a set of specially made sachets and skin care products (containing no drugs, pure natural plant extracts), which had the effect of calming the mind and beautifying the skin; and for Prince Jin, Li Zhi, she gave him educational toys and enlightenment books.
Each gift was accompanied by a short handwritten note, written in a sincere tone: "The misunderstanding the other day caused Your Highness/Princess some distress. I have prepared this small gift to apologize. I wish Her Majesty the Empress a speedy recovery."
The timing of the gift-giving was also important. She chose to send the gift to the Lizheng Hall by palace servants from Qixia Garden when Li Shimin was visiting the Empress. She conveyed the message: "Master Wang said that he dared not disturb the Empress's rest, so he sent his servants to deliver these little trinkets for Your Highness and the princesses, hoping to bring some comfort to Her Majesty the Empress during her illness."
This gesture was both humble and polite, and it showed Li Shimin her thoughtfulness. Sure enough, upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression softened, and he said to the children, "Master Wang is very kind."
Although Li Chengqian and others did not immediately reconcile after receiving the gifts, their hostility noticeably lessened. Li Tai, in particular, was captivated by the rare books; Princess Chang Le's sleep did improve after trying the sachets, and her opinion of Wang Yi began to change.
The second step: Develop "eyes" and "ears" within the palace.
Wang Yi did not rush to bribe high-ranking palace servants, but instead started from the bottom.
On one occasion, he chatted with Li Shimin and deliberately used the mute servant to express how difficult life was for palace servants.
Touched by this, Wang Yi suggested that in his spare time he could lead the apprentices of the Imperial Medical Academy to treat the palace women in shifts. This would not only demonstrate Li Shimin's benevolence but also prevent the possibility of illnesses being concealed and eventually developing into serious illnesses or even epidemics.
Of course, this also provides an opportunity to train the apprentices of the Imperial Medical Academy, giving them more experience to treat the nobles in the palace.
Not everyone was qualified to be called an imperial physician. Ordinary concubines or palace maids were lucky if their apprentices could examine them; most of the time, they would just tough it out on their own when they got sick.
In the palace, there were only about a dozen or so imperial physicians who could actually be used.
Li Shimin naturally wouldn't stop him, which gave him the opportunity to interact with the lower-ranking palace servants.
She used the opportunity of treating minor ailments and pains for palace servants to bestow favors upon them. An elderly palace maid in charge of laundry suffered from severe rheumatism, and Wang Yi gave her a specially made ointment, which relieved her years of suffering; a young eunuch's sister was seriously ill and had no money for treatment, and Wang Yi secretly provided financial assistance.
"I will never forget your kindness!" The old palace maid knelt down and kowtowed.
"It was nothing." Wang Yi helped her up, his tone gentle. "Surviving in the palace is not easy, neither is it for you or me. If you hear any rumors that are detrimental to the Empress or the Emperor Emeritus, you can tell me. This is not to ask you to betray your master, but to prevent anyone from framing you and harming the innocent."
She chose people who were inconspicuous but held key positions in the palace: those in the laundry department could hear gossip from the palace; those in the imperial kitchen could know the food trends; those in the miscellaneous service responsible for delivering items could see the comings and goings of people from the palace... These people were of low status and not easily noticed, but their information networks were vast.
Wang Yi did not demand their loyalty, only the exchange of information—she provided medical assistance and some money, and they provided valuable information. This loose relationship was safer.
Step 3: Use medical skills to build a wider network of gratitude.
Wang Yi began "accidentally" treating the chronic illnesses of some low-ranking concubines and elderly palace women. These women, lacking favor and power in the palace, were often overlooked, and a minor ailment could easily develop into a serious one. Wang Yi's intervention was a timely help for them.
A concubine who had been out of favor for many years suffered from severe migraines. Wang Yi relieved her pain with acupuncture and herbal medicine. The concubine was moved to tears, saying, "I have no way to repay your kindness."
"We are sisters in the palace, there is no need for thanks." Wang Yi smiled. "It's just that in this deep palace, having one more friend means one less feeling of coldness."
She asked for nothing in return, but these people naturally remembered her kindness. They may not have power, but sometimes a word or a glance can convey important information.
Step 4: Secretly investigate Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng's former subordinates.
Wang Yi began collecting information on people who had been in contact with Consort Yang through the newly established information network. She had a clever eunuch from Qixia Garden "accidentally" strike up a conversation with Consort Yang's former palace servants to extract information.
"Was there anything unusual about Consort Yang before she committed suicide?"
"I heard she's met people from outside the palace..."
"Whose household are you from?"
The clues were fragmented, but Wang Yi gradually pieced together some names: several mid-level generals who were not given important positions after the Xuanwu Gate Incident and harbored resentment; one or two civil officials who had a past relationship with Li Yuanji and were now holding sinecure positions in the court.
She didn't alert them, but secretly memorized their names. At the same time, she began to research their backgrounds, family relationships, and political stances.
Step 5: Prepare a "protective charm" for yourself.
Wang Yi knew that the strongest shield was to make everyone understand that touching her was touching the emperor's interests.
She proposed a "long-term medical observation plan" to Li Shimin: to establish complete health records for Empress Zhangsun and Li Yuan, recording their daily body temperature, pulse, diet, and reactions to medication. She explained, "This will allow for precise monitoring of changes in their conditions, timely adjustments to the treatment plan, and easier detection of abnormalities."
Li Shimin naturally agreed. The deeper purpose of this plan was to completely link the health of the Empress and the Retired Emperor with Wang Yi's treatment. Anyone attempting to harm her would have to consider whether it would affect the treatment of these two crucial patients.
Furthermore, she "inadvertently" revealed to Li Shimin that her sect possessed a secret technique that required long-term practice to maintain; if the practice was interrupted, her medical skills would be greatly diminished. This implied that she needed to maintain her freedom and safety in order to continue serving the Empress and the Retired Emperor.
A month later, the hidden pieces that Wang Yi had laid out began to show their effect.
One day, an old palace maid from the laundry department secretly reported: She heard from a palace maid in Chengxiang Palace (the residence of a concubine who had a relationship with Consort Yang) that a few days ago, someone from outside the palace sent a message mentioning "Prince Cao" (Li Shimin bestowed the title of Prince Cao after Li Ming was brought to the palace) and "former subordinates".
A few days later, a young eunuch from the imperial kitchen mentioned that a certain eunuch serving Prince Cao had been having private dealings with a general outside the palace.
Wang Yi carefully recorded this information, but was in no hurry to act. She was waiting for an opportunity—an opportunity to both eliminate the threat and further consolidate her position.
The opportunity came soon.
Empress Zhangsun's condition continued to improve under Wang Yi's meticulous care, much to Li Shimin's delight. He decided to hold a small banquet in the palace to celebrate. Wang Yi was naturally among the invitees.
At the banquet, Li Shimin was in high spirits and praised Wang Yi highly. The attitudes of the princes and princesses towards Wang Yi also softened noticeably, with Princess Chang Le even taking the initiative to speak to her.
However, Wang Yi noticed that Prince Cao, Li Ming, was sitting alone in a corner, looking depressed. This young child had just lost his mother and was in an awkward situation because of her "crimes." Although Li Shimin pitied him, he must have felt the coldness and indifference of human relationships in the palace very deeply.
Adding to the potential influence of Li Yuanji's former subordinates, the child's mind is most volatile at this time. If a different perspective is introduced when he cannot distinguish which side is right and which side is wrong, it may have a surprising effect.
Midway through the banquet, Wang Yi excused herself to change her clothes and left. In the corridor, she "accidentally" encountered Li Ming, who was lost in thought.
"Your Highness, Prince Cao," Wang Yi greeted softly.
Li Ming looked up at her, a hint of wariness in his eyes, along with a complex mix of emotions beyond his years. He knew this woman was one of the suspects in his mother's "death," even though his father had declared her innocent.
"Master Wang," he replied curtly.
Wang Yi didn't say much, but took out a small sachet from his sleeve: "This is a calming sachet, the same one given to Princess Chang Le. If Your Highness has trouble sleeping at night, you can place it by your pillow."
Li Ming was stunned and didn't answer.
“Your Highness,” Wang Yi placed the sachet on the railing, his voice calm, “there are many troubles in the palace, but children should not bear the sins of adults. Your mother chose her path, and your path is still long.”
She paused, looking directly into Li Ming's eyes: "Someone wants to exploit your identity and experiences to achieve their goals. You need to be careful."
After saying that, she nodded slightly and turned to leave.
Li Ming watched her retreating figure, then glanced at the sachet, a struggle and contemplation flashing across his youthful face.
Wang Yi knew that this child could become a weapon in the enemy's hands, or it could become the key to breaking the deadlock. She had planted a seed; whether it would sprout remained to be seen.
Back at the banquet, Li Shimin was chatting and laughing with his children. When he saw her return, his eyes were full of warmth: "Wang Yi, come, sit next to me."
Wang Yi sat down obediently, but her mind was clear. The game had escalated, and she was shifting from passive defense to proactive planning. Li Yuanji's former subordinates, the undercurrents in the palace, the prince's inner turmoil... all of these were pieces on the chessboard.
As the player holding the chessboard, she not only had to win this game, but she also had to win it beautifully.
As the banquet ended late at night, Li Shimin escorted her back to Qixia Garden. Under the moonlight, he held her hand and said, "Seeing Chengqian and the others talking to you today, I am very pleased."
“Your Highness and the princesses are all very filial people.” Wang Yi nestled against him. “The misunderstanding the other day was also because of concern for the Empress.”
"You are always so understanding." Li Shimin sighed softly, pulling her into his arms. "The matter of Lady Yang... has wronged you."
Wang Yi looked up and gazed into his eyes in the moonlight: "As long as Your Majesty trusts me, I will not feel wronged."
This statement is seven parts sincerity and three parts calculation.
Li Shimin was moved and lowered his head to kiss her. This kiss was deeper than before, filled with guilt, tenderness, and a stronger possessiveness.
From an angle unseen by Li Shimin, a cool, sharp glint flashed in Wang Yi's eyes.
The game continued, but she was no longer the player who only knew how to enjoy the thrill. She wanted to control the game and eliminate everyone who wanted her out first.
The night in the Tang Dynasty was still long. And Wang Yi's game of chess had only just begun.
Inside the Lizheng Hall, the aroma of medicine wafted through the air. Empress Zhangsun leaned against the couch, her face still pale from illness, but her eyes were clear and her breathing steady. Wang Yi had just finished administering acupuncture to her and was packing up his medicine chest.
Only the two of them were inside the hall; all the palace servants had been dismissed to the outer room. This was a time that Wang Yi had deliberately chosen—Li Shimin was busy with court today, and the princes and princesses were all studying and practicing martial arts, making it the perfect opportunity for a deep conversation with the Empress.
"Your acupuncture skills are becoming more and more exquisite," Empress Zhangsun said softly, her voice gentle. "I have indeed felt much more relaxed lately."
"Your Majesty's health has improved, which is my good fortune." Wang Yi closed the medicine box, but did not immediately take her leave. She raised her eyes and looked directly at Empress Zhangsun, her gaze clear and solemn.
Empress Zhangsun noticed her unusual behavior and sat up slightly: "Does the Master have something to say?"
Wang Yi took a deep breath, took out a thin piece of paper from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, please take a look."
The note contained a concise and clear analysis, listing many suspicious points in the Yang Guifei incident: how the palace maid was bribed, the flaws in the forgery of the handwriting in the secret letter, the coincidence of the timing of Yang Guifei's "suicide," and the vaguely visible presence of certain court officials behind the events. Finally, Wang Yi highlighted the core issue in a small line:
"This plan kills three birds with one stone: harm the Empress, smear the True Man, and sow discord between the Emperor and his son. All they want is the position of legitimate heir or illegitimate heir."
Empress Zhangsun's expression gradually turned serious. She took the note and read it carefully, her fingers tightening slightly. As the Empress of the Tang Dynasty, she was by no means an ignorant palace woman who was naive about power struggles; she simply presented herself as kind and gentle, and did not easily reveal her sharpness.
"Does His Majesty know about these things?" she asked.
"Your Majesty knows part of it, but there are some details that I dare not speak of," Wang Yi said frankly. "Your Majesty is merciful and mindful of past relationships, and since Consort Yang is dead, you are unwilling to delve into the matter. However, I believe that the person behind the scenes has not been eliminated, and the root of the problem remains."
Empress Zhangsun remained silent for a long time before placing the note on the table: "Why did you tell me all this, Master? You could have reported it directly to His Majesty."
"The crux of this matter lies primarily with Her Majesty and the Princes and Princesses," Wang Yi's voice was calm yet firm. "Why did these rumors specifically reach the Princes' ears? Why create discord between them and His Majesty? Because those behind the scenes know that the bond between His Majesty and his legitimate children is the most solid foundation of the Eastern Palace. If this foundation were to crumble..."
She paused, then continued, "Your Majesty, think about it carefully. If His Highness the Crown Prince becomes estranged from His Majesty because of the rumors, if the Prince of Wei and the Prince of Jin become suspicious of their elder brother because of this, if the princesses no longer believe that their father can protect their mother... what will become of this family?"
A flicker of pain crossed Empress Zhangsun's eyes. She remembered the angry and hurt looks in the children's eyes that day, Chengqian's stubbornness when questioning his father, and Lizhi's red, tear-filled eyes.
"They dare..." The Empress's voice remained gentle, yet it carried a chilling undertone.
“They have already dared.” Wang Yi looked directly into her eyes. “Consort Yang is just a pawn; the one who holds the pawn is still in the shadows. My preliminary investigation shows that many of these people have connections with the former Prince Qi and the former Crown Prince Yin. Their resentment from the Xuanwu Gate Incident has not yet subsided.”
She placed another, more obscure list on the table—without specific names, only some clues pointing to them: "These people are now either in idle positions or hold some military power. On the surface, they are obedient to His Majesty, but in reality, they are waiting for an opportunity to act. They support Prince Cao not because they are truly concerned about the child, but because they value his special status—he is both His Majesty's own son and in an awkward position due to his mother's mistakes, making him easy to manipulate."
Empress Zhangsun picked up the second list, her fingertips icy cold. She certainly knew those former subordinates. After Li Shimin ascended the throne, to stabilize the court, he didn't exterminate them, but instead granted them sinecure positions and generous salaries as a sign of leniency. Little did she expect that this mercy would become the root of disaster.
"What do you think their next move will be?" Empress Zhangsun asked.
“Two possibilities,” Wang Yi analyzed. “First, they may continue to sow discord within the imperial family, creating more conflict between His Majesty and the Crown Prince, or even instigating a struggle between the princes. Second… if the Empress recovers her health and the Eastern Palace is secure, they might take desperate measures.”
She didn't explicitly state what "taking a desperate gamble" meant, but Empress Zhangsun understood—it meant palace coups, assassinations, or even a military coup. The shadow of the Xuanwu Gate Incident never truly dissipated.
"His Majesty is benevolent and does not wish to bring up the past, much less to wage war against his brothers and former subordinates again." Empress Zhangsun sighed softly, "I understand his good intentions."
“I understand,” Wang Yi nodded. “Therefore, Your Majesty cannot intervene in this matter.”
Empress Zhangsun looked up at her, a sharp glint in her eyes: "What does the True Person mean?"
"I dare to ask Your Majesty to mobilize the power of the Changsun family," Wang Yi said, enunciating each word clearly. "There is no need for open confrontation, only covert restraint. Investigate these people's weaknesses—corruption, dereliction of duty, forming cliques—any legal and compliant reason to remove them from key positions. At the same time, strengthen the protection of the Eastern Palace to ensure the Crown Prince's safety."
She paused, then spoke even softer: "Your Majesty, if I may speak disrespectfully—His Majesty is the ruler of the world and must consider the overall situation. But you are first and foremost a mother, the mother of Chengqian, Qingque, Zhinu, and Lizhi. It is only natural for a mother to protect her children."
These words struck the softest spot in Empress Zhangsun's heart. Her gaze shifted from gentle to resolute, a fierce determination akin to that of a mother protecting her cubs.
"You must have put in a lot of effort to investigate these matters, right?" Empress Zhangsun suddenly asked. "You risked His Majesty's suspicion to inform me... Besides the Crown Prince and the princes and princesses, are there any other reasons?"
Wang Yi frankly replied, "Yes. I also need to protect myself. If it weren't for Your Majesty's clear investigation into Consort Yang's matter, I would probably be imprisoned. Since the person behind the scenes could harm the Empress and smear me, there's no guarantee that it won't happen again. As a Taoist woman, I have no roots or foundation in the palace. Relying solely on Your Majesty's protection is not a long-term solution."
She knelt down and bowed solemnly: "I am speaking frankly today, not only for Your Majesty and the Princes, but also to find a way out for myself. If Your Majesty does not abandon me, I am willing to act as Your Majesty's eyes and ears and continue to investigate this matter. And Your Majesty... would you be willing to provide a protective umbrella for me and for the Eastern Palace?"
Silence fell over the hall. Only wisps of smoke rose from the incense burner.
After a long while, Empress Zhangsun slowly reached out and helped Wang Yi up: "Please rise, Your Excellency."
She grasped Wang Yi's hand, a hand that was warm and strong: "You're right, I am a mother first and foremost. If anyone tries to harm my child, I will never stand idly by."
A glint of wisdom flashed in her eyes: "I will handle this matter. Although the Changsun family doesn't wield power, they can still protect their own grandson. As for the Immortal..."
The Empress smiled slightly, her smile still gentle, but with a hint of deeper meaning: "You saved my life and were so devoted to Chengqian and the others. How could I let you risk your life alone? From now on, you will not only be His Majesty's 'Guardian of the Nation,' but also an honored guest of my Lizheng Hall. If anyone in the palace dares to speak ill of you again, I will be the first to object."
Wang Yi felt relieved, knowing that the plan was more than halfway complete: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"However," Empress Zhangsun changed the subject, "this matter requires careful consideration and should not be rushed. Those former officials are deeply entrenched in the court, and we must proceed slowly. You, sir, continue your investigation in secret, but remember to protect yourself. If you discover anything, come directly to me; there is no need to go through His Majesty."
"I understand."
Empress Zhangsun released her grip, leaned back on the couch, and regained her usual gentle demeanor: "Speaking of which, Chengqian has been practicing martial arts with extra diligence lately, saying that he wants to strengthen his body so that he can protect me in the future. Was the martial arts technique he is using taught by a master?"
Wang Yi nodded: "It is a health preservation method passed down from my sect, slightly modified to suit Your Highness's age."
"You are very kind, Master." Empress Zhangsun's eyes were full of affection. "That child is stubborn, but he is kind-hearted. The other day he told me that he had misunderstood you and wanted to find an opportunity to apologize to you."
"Your Highness is so filial, I am deeply grateful."
The two chatted for a while longer before Wang Yi took her leave. As she walked out of the Lizheng Hall, she felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
The pieces have been placed, the game has begun. Empress Zhangsun, historically renowned for her virtue, will reveal a previously unknown side of herself for the sake of her child. And Wang Yi, finally, has found his first true ally in this deep palace—an ally with power, wisdom, and shared interests.
On his way back to Qixia Garden, Wang Yi encountered Li Shimin, who was leaving court.
"Just came from the Empress's?" Li Shimin naturally took her hand. "How does the Empress look today?"
"Your Majesty is in good health and even chatted with me about His Highness the Crown Prince's studies." Wang Yi smiled. "His Majesty has a good son and a good wife."
Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes were filled with tenderness: "Yes, I have Guanyinbi, Chengqian and the others, and you... It is a blessing from heaven."
He pulled Wang Yi into his arms and whispered, "Come to the Liangyi Palace tonight to keep me company? I've been busy with state affairs lately, and I'd like to hear your voice."
"I obey your command." Wang Yi nestled against him obediently, but her mind remained calm.
Tonight, she will be by Li Shimin's side, speaking gently and soothingly to ease his weariness after a long day. Meanwhile, Empress Zhangsun is probably summoning her brother, Zhangsun Wuji, to discuss how to subtly eliminate those threats to the Eastern Palace.
One bright, one dark; one soft, one hard.
Wang Yi looked up at the sky of the Tang Dynasty, a clear, deep blue. In this game, she was no longer alone. And those enemies lurking in the shadows probably didn't know that they were about to face not only the emperor's thunderous wrath, but also a mother's resolute counterattack.
The river of history continues to flow, but some tributaries have quietly changed course. Wang Yi knew that from this day forward, the landscape of the Tang court would undergo subtle yet profound changes due to her intervention and Empress Zhangsun's awakening.
And she, in this grand game, finally transformed from a pawn that could be discarded at any moment into a player capable of influencing the course of the game.
The road ahead remains arduous, but at least she is no longer empty-handed.
Night fell, and the inner chamber of the Liangyi Hall was warmly lit by candlelight. Li Shimin, having removed his court robes and dressed only in his everyday clothes, leaned against the couch. Wang Yi knelt behind him, skillfully massaging his shoulders and neck. The hall was filled with her specially made calming incense, its fragrance elegant and soothing.
"Today in court, the debate over the reform of the Grand Canal system is raging again." Li Shimin said with his eyes closed, his voice weary. "Fang Xuanling advocates stability, while Wei Zheng advocates reform. They each have their reasons, and it's exhausting to listen to them."
"The affairs of state are heavy, Your Majesty has worked hard." Wang Yi replied gently, his fingertips precisely pressing on the tense acupoints on the emperor's body. "However, with the assistance of Chancellor Fang and Chancellor Du, Your Majesty will always find a way to balance things out."
Li Shimin held one of her hands and gently stroked it: "I feel most relaxed here with you."
Wang Yi nestled close to him and casually asked, "By the way, Your Majesty, about the matter of Consort Yang a few days ago... has the follow-up been investigated? I still feel uneasy, afraid that someone is still watching the Empress and His Highness the Crown Prince in the dark."
Li Shimin paused slightly, then said nonchalantly, "Yang is dead, and the palace servants involved have been dealt with. This matter... is now closed."
Wang Yi clearly heard the perfunctory tone in his voice. Sure enough, Li Shimin was unwilling to delve into the past dealings with Li Yuanji's former subordinates, perhaps out of consideration for old friendships, or perhaps to avoid further turmoil in the court.
Wang Yi did not press further, but instead sighed in agreement: "Your Majesty is benevolent. However... the way His Highness the Crown Prince rushed into the Lizheng Hall that day and pointed his sword at me still makes me feel a little scared."
She felt Li Shimin's body stiffen.
“Chengqian is a bit impulsive,” Li Shimin said in a low voice. “I have already admonished him.”
"No, I don't blame Your Highness." Wang Yi raised her head, her eyes glistening with tears. "I'm just... envious."
"Envious?" Li Shimin asked, puzzled.
"I envy Her Majesty the Empress." Wang Yi's voice was soft and sincere. "His Highness the Crown Prince knew that pointing his sword at the Emperor's favorite concubine was a great disrespect, yet he still rushed in. Why? Because he saw his mother's illness flare up and was extremely anxious, disregarding all the rules and etiquette. This pure heart, this love for his mother... I was both moved and heartbroken when I saw it."
She buried her face in Li Shimin's chest, her voice muffled: "I can't help but wonder, if my child had survived back then and grown up, would he have protected his mother like His Highness the Crown Prince protected His Majesty the Empress?"
These words, like the softest thorn, precisely pierced Li Shimin's deepest, most painful old wound. That child who died young remained a hidden scar between him and Wang Yi.
"Wang Yi..." Li Shimin hugged her tightly, his voice hoarse, "It is I who have wronged you."
"It's not Your Majesty's fault." Wang Yi shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I was merely... merely moved by the sight of the Crown Prince's filial piety towards the Empress. But then I thought, how malicious are those who spread these rumors? They are exploiting this mother-son bond to sow discord between Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, and between Your Majesty and the Empress..."
She raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears, and looked at Li Shimin: "Your Majesty, do you think His Highness the Crown Prince would believe those rumors? It's because he loves his mother dearly and can't bear to see her in any danger. This is commendable filial piety, but it was used by others, causing a rift between father and son. If Your Majesty hadn't been so discerning this time, how far would the Crown Prince's resentment towards Your Majesty and his hatred towards me have accumulated?"
Li Shimin's gaze gradually deepened. He recalled the day Chengqian questioned him with red eyes, and the doubt and disappointment in the eyes of his children when they looked at him.
Wang Yi continued softly, each word striking a chord in Li Shimin's heart: "I remember Your Majesty once said that when you were young in Jinyang, although the Emperor Emeritus had high hopes for you, he was often doubted by the slander of others. How much injustice did Your Majesty suffer in those years? If there hadn't been so many people whispering in the Emperor Emeritus's ear, and if there had been more honesty between father and son, would... many things have been different?"
She left it at that, without mentioning the words "Xuanwu Gate," but how could Li Shimin not understand the implied meaning? The memories of being suspected by Li Yuan and ostracized by his brothers flooded his mind, bitter and unspeakable.
"Now Your Majesty is a father," Wang Yi said softly. "His Highness the Crown Prince shows His Majesty great respect and love. This father-son bond is a blessing that many people would rather die for. Yet, some people insist on destroying it... Today they dare to spread rumors to sow discord between father and son; tomorrow they will dare to do even worse. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the Tang Dynasty. If his position is shaken, the court will inevitably be in turmoil. This time it's just rumors, but what about next time? If they subtly influence the Crown Prince in ways that Your Majesty and I cannot perceive, leading him astray, or causing him to develop disloyalty towards Your Majesty... then how will Your Majesty face the consequences?"
She could feel Li Shimin's body becoming increasingly tense.
"The deposed crown prince?" Wang Yi's voice was as soft as a sigh. "Once it comes to that, no matter which prince succeeds to the throne, will Chengqian... still be alive? Your Majesty, you know better than anyone the pain of father and son killing each other."
"Enough!" Li Shimin sat up abruptly, his eyes swirling with a complex mix of emotions—anger, lingering fear, pain, and a deep-seated dread.
Wang Yi immediately knelt up and bowed her head to beg for forgiveness: "I misspoke, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
Li Shimin looked at her slightly trembling shoulders, took a few deep breaths, and slowly reached out to help her up: "It's not your fault... What you said were things I should have thought about but didn't think deeply about."
He pulled Wang Yi into his arms, his voice hoarse: "It was my carelessness. I always thought Chengqian was still young and the Eastern Palace was secure, but I forgot how many eyes were watching that position from the shadows."
Wang Yi nestled against him and continued to speak softly: "In fact, Your Majesty sensed the danger earlier than I did. After these days of treatment, I have discovered that although Your Majesty's body is weak, your will is strong and you are by no means easily defeated. Your Majesty may not be completely unaware of those people's schemes."
“Guanyinbi…” Li Shimin frowned.
“Your Majesty, honesty is the most important thing between husband and wife.” Wang Yi looked up at him, her eyes clear. “If the Emperor Emeritus and Your Majesty had been more honest with each other back then, perhaps many tragedies could have been avoided. Now that Your Majesty and the Empress are deeply in love, there should be no concealment under the guise of ‘protection.’ Anyone who harms the Crown Prince is harming the Empress’s precious child. The Empress has the right to know and the right to use the power of the Changsun family to protect her child.”
She paused, her voice softening further: "I say this not to sow discord, but simply because I do not wish His Majesty to bear all the pressure alone. The Empress is the mother of the nation and the mother of the Crown Prince. Letting her know the truth and let her work together with His Majesty is better than letting her worry about her child while she is ill, unaware of the danger lurking around her."
Li Shimin remained silent for a long time, his fingers unconsciously stroking Wang Yi's hair. The only sound in the hall was the crackling of the candlelight.
“You’re right.” He finally spoke, his voice regaining its imperial composure. “I was wrong. I always wanted to keep all the storms out, but I forgot that Guanyinbi was never a weak woman who needed my complete protection.”
He looked down at Wang Yi, his eyes filled with admiration and deeper emotion: "Wang Yi, you always think of things I wouldn't even consider."
"I am merely... an outsider with a clearer perspective." Wang Yi lowered her eyes. "Moreover, I also have my own selfish motives. Only when Her Majesty the Empress is well and His Highness the Crown Prince is secure can the harem be at peace. I... also wish to stay with His Majesty for a few more years in this peace."
These words, though only half true, were most likely to move Li Shimin.
"I understand." Li Shimin gently kissed her forehead. "Tomorrow, I will go to the Lizheng Hall and have a good talk with Guanyinbi. As for those hiding in the shadows..."
A cold glint flashed in his eyes: "I will not allow them the opportunity to harm my family."
Wang Yi felt reassured, knowing her goal had been achieved. She had ignited Li Shimin's anger; now, it was up to the emperor and empress to work together to eliminate any potential threats.
She not only did a favor for Empress Zhangsun (reminding her that Li Shimin would come to have a frank talk), but also deepened Li Shimin's image of her as "virtuous, wise, and devoted to him," while also reinforcing her own vulnerability and sense of "needing protection."
Killing three birds with one stone.
As night deepened, Li Shimin fell into a deep sleep. Wang Yi, however, kept his eyes open, staring at the top of the tent.
She knew that from tomorrow onward, the power structure of the Tang Dynasty would undergo subtle changes. Empress Zhangsun would officially step from behind the scenes to the forefront, using the power of the Zhangsun family under the pretext of protecting the Crown Prince. The good days for those former subordinates of Li Yuanji were probably coming to an end.
Throughout this turmoil, Wang Yi consistently stood on the moral high ground of "considering the harmony of the imperial family, father, son, husband, and wife," and regardless of who ultimately won or lost, she always acted with integrity and justification.
The moonlight streaming through the window into the hall created a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
Wang Yi slowly closed her eyes. She was getting better and better at this game. Next, she needed to consider her next move—for example, how to prevent the ten-year-old Cao Wang Li Ming, in his awkward position, from becoming a victim of the next conspiracy.
After all, that child also carries Li Shimin's blood.
And her daughters will also have to live in this palace in the future. It's always good to have one more controllable variable.
The night is still long, and the game of chess continues. The hand holding the pieces is becoming increasingly steady.
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