Chapter 68 The Eastern Palace's Predicament and the Bitter Scheme
After Li Tai left the capital for his inspection tour, Princess Wang of Wei visited Qixia Garden less frequently. However, each time she came, her speech always carried a subtle yet undeniable certainty. Wang Yi could tell from the subtle changes in her eyes and brows that this princess held great anticipation for her husband's trip.
“Master, the King of Wei wrote to me the other day, saying that he saw the old course of the Yellow River after it changed course in Shandong, which is of great benefit to the research on the changes in the water system in the ‘Kuodi Zhi’.” Wang said gently while sipping his tea. “He also said that local officials are very supportive of compiling local chronicles and have provided a lot of ancient books and local chronicles.”
Wang Yi replied calmly, "His Highness Prince Wei is rigorous in his scholarship and personally conducts on-site investigations; this spirit is commendable. It is also the duty of local officials to support education and culture."
Wang smiled slightly and then changed the subject to health and wellness, as if it had just been a casual remark. But Wang Yi knew in his heart that this seemingly casual conversation concealed the confidence of the Prince of Wei's household—Li Tai's popularity in the local area and his harmonious relationship with officials were definitely not good news for the Crown Prince.
What worries Wang Yi even more is the internal power struggles within the Eastern Palace.
Since Wu Meiniang discovered and reported that Zheng Liangdi's brother had been associating with officials of the Prince of Wei's mansion and that Lu Liangdi's father had been having a pleasant conversation with Li Tai at the poetry gathering, Li Chengqian had become more vigilant, but to little avail.
When Consort Zheng was summoned by Li Chengqian for questioning, she looked aggrieved: "My brother and the officials of the Prince of Wei's mansion were just chatting by chance, and had no other intentions. If Your Highness does not believe me, you may summon my brother to ask him."
Lu Liangdi was even more direct: "My father and His Highness Prince Wei discussed poetry and literature, which is a refined affair for scholars. Does Your Highness intend to interfere in even this?"
Li Chengqian was speechless, and since he couldn't really punish them for it, he could only feel frustrated inwardly.
In contrast, after Li Tai left the capital, the concubines in the Prince of Wei's residence not only did not cause trouble, but became even more united. Lady Wang managed the household affairs, and the concubines and attendants each performed their duties, keeping the residence in perfect order. They would occasionally visit the palace to pay their respects, but their words and actions were always proper and never overstepped the bounds of propriety. Unlike the concubines of the Eastern Palace, they did not have to conceal their family's dealings with the Prince of Wei's residence.
During a flower-viewing party in the palace, Wang Yi witnessed Consort Cui from the Prince of Wei's residence walking side by side with Wang Shi, the two conversing in hushed tones, their expressions intimate and natural. Meanwhile, at the Eastern Palace, Consorts Zheng, Lu, and Xiao, though also present, were noticeably distant, each conversing with familiar concubines and rarely interacting with each other.
This stark contrast made Wang Yi sigh inwardly: Li Chengqian was indeed inferior to Li Tai in managing his household and uniting the women of the home.
Wu Zetian also noticed this problem. Once, in Qixia Garden, she said to Wang Yi with great concern, "Master, I feel more and more lately that the Eastern Palace is like a plate of loose sand. Consort Zheng only cares about her own family, Consort Lu only manages the accounts, Consort Xiao only reads poetry and books, and the Crown Princess is pregnant and needs to rest... Apart from me, there is no one who sincerely plans for Your Highness."
Wang Yi looked at her: "Where do you think the problem lies?"
“In my opinion, the problem lies with Your Highness,” Wu Meiniang said bluntly. “Your Highness is either too biased or too distant towards the concubines, failing to make them truly feel that ‘all prosper together, and all suffer together.’ Therefore, they only care about themselves and not the overall situation of the Eastern Palace.”
That's a very insightful point. Wang Yi nodded: "You're right. But this isn't just Your Highness's problem; the families of those concubines also bear responsibility. They sent their daughters to the Eastern Palace more for the title of Crown Princess or Consort than for genuinely supporting the Crown Prince."
She paused, then continued, "On the other hand, the Prince of Wei's residence is well-managed. His Highness the Prince of Wei understands that only when the residence is doing well can they do well. Moreover, Princess Consort Wang is a capable woman who can keep the inner quarters in check and get everyone to work together towards a common goal."
Wu Meiniang pondered for a moment: "Master, how should the Eastern Palace be changed?"
“Difficult,” Wang Yi shook his head. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. The current power structure in the Eastern Palace is the result of many years of development. The Crown Princess comes from a prestigious family but is gentle and difficult to control; Consorts Zheng, Lu, and Xiao each have their own backgrounds and are difficult to subdue. Only you…”
She looked at Wu Meiniang and said, "Only you truly came from the bottom, without any family to rely on, and could only depend on the Crown Prince. Therefore, you are the most loyal and hardworking."
Wu Meiniang smiled bitterly: "But my strength alone is ultimately limited."
“So you need help,” Wang Yi said. “Not those concubines with family backgrounds, but newcomers who can be trained, or… changing the minds of the existing concubines.”
How to change it?
After pondering for a long time, Wang Yi slowly said, "Perhaps we can start with 'common interests.' Let them understand that only when the Crown Prince's position is stable and the Eastern Palace prospers can they and their families benefit in the long run. If the Crown Prince loses power and the Eastern Palace collapses, they will not fare much better."
She looked at Wu Meiniang: "You can try to have a deep conversation with them, not as the Crown Prince's concubine, but as sisters, as fellow concubines of the Eastern Palace. Tell them how many eyes are watching the Eastern Palace, and how the Prince of Wei's mansion is eyeing them covetously. If the Eastern Palace is not united, sooner or later it will give others an opportunity to take advantage of it."
Wu Meiniang nodded: "I'll give it a try."
"In addition," Wang Yi added, "you can ask His Highness the Crown Prince to communicate more with the concubines, not just to show them favor, but also to let them understand the political situation and the challenges facing the Eastern Palace. Only when they understand will they value them and unite."
After this conversation, Wu Zetian began her efforts.
She first met with Zheng Liangdi and had an open and frank talk.
“Sister Zheng, I have come today not as a concubine of the Crown Prince, but as a fellow sister of the Crown Prince,” Wu Meiniang said sincerely. “Do you know how many people in the court are keeping an eye on the Crown Prince’s palace lately? And what moves are being made by the Prince of Wei’s residence?”
Zheng Liangdi initially dismissed it, saying, "Sister, you're overthinking it. His Highness the Crown Prince's position is secure, and His Majesty values him highly..."
“Sister,” Wu Meiniang interrupted her, “His Highness Prince Wei is now touring the regions, making friends with officials, and his prestige is growing daily. His Queen Consort is adept at navigating the palace, and his concubines are on good terms with other palaces. In contrast, we in the Eastern Palace are suspicious of each other over trivial matters. What will be the result if this continues?”
Zheng Liangdi remained silent.
Wu Meiniang continued, "I know that my elder sister and brother's interactions with the officials of the Prince of Wei's residence may just be ordinary social interactions. But what will outsiders think? They will say that the Zheng family is playing both sides, being disloyal and unjust. Is this really a good thing for my sister and for the Zheng family?"
These words struck Zheng Liangdi's weak spot. Her expression changed, and she said in a low voice, "What my sister says is true. I've misunderstood."
Wu Meiniang took a different perspective during her conversation with Consort Lu.
“Sister Lu is shrewd and calculating. She should understand one principle: when investing, choose stocks with potential and stick to one’s goals,” Wu Meiniang said. “Since you’ve placed your bet on His Highness the Crown Prince, you should support him wholeheartedly. If you’re indecisive, you may end up losing on both fronts.”
Lu Liangdi was a clever woman and understood immediately: "My sister is right. My father's discussion of poetry with the Prince of Wei was indeed ill-considered. I will remind Father."
As for Consort Xiao, Wu Zetian approached the issue from the perspective of "raising children".
"Sister Xiao is well-versed in poetry and literature, and should know how many palace tragedies in history stemmed from internal strife," Wu Meiniang said. "Now that you are pregnant, you must think even more about your child's future. Only when the Eastern Palace is stable and His Highness the Crown Prince's position is secure can our child have a bright future."
Xiao Liangdi, being gentle in nature, was moved by these words: "What you say is true, sister. I will pay more attention in the future."
After several conversations, the relationships among the concubines in the Eastern Palace noticeably improved. Consort Zheng began to actively assist Wu Zetian in handling domestic affairs, Consort Lu became more attentive to accounting, and Consort Xiao began to focus on the education of the Eastern Palace's children.
Li Chengqian noticed the change and was very pleased, so he relied on Wu Meiniang even more.
"Meiniang, how did you transform them?" Li Chengqian asked curiously during one evening dinner.
Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I just wanted them to understand that the Eastern Palace is a unified entity, where everyone prospers or suffers together. Only when His Highness is well can we prosper; only when the Eastern Palace is stable can our families endure."
Li Chengqian sighed, "You're right. I was negligent before, focusing only on state affairs and neglecting the inner quarters. From now on, I will spend more time communicating with them and letting them understand the situation of the Crown Prince's palace."
Seeing the changes in the Eastern Palace, Wang Yi felt somewhat relieved. But she knew that this was only the beginning, and the real test was yet to come.
Li Tai's inspection tour continued, from Shandong to Henan, and from Henan to the Jianghuai region. In each place he visited, he engaged in in-depth exchanges with local officials, investigated public sentiment, and collected data. He not only accumulated rich material for the *Kuodi Zhi* (Records of the Land), but also built a wide network of connections in the process.
News kept pouring back to Chang'an, some from people arranged by Wang Yi, and others from within the court. Overall, Li Tai's trip was very fruitful, and his prestige greatly increased.
What alarmed Wang Yi even more was that Li Tai offered many "constructive suggestions" during his inspection—regarding improvements to local water conservancy, the promotion of agricultural technology, and the optimization of commercial management. These suggestions were all pragmatic, demonstrating his concern and consideration for the national economy and people's livelihood.
Li Shimin was very pleased when he saw these reports and praised Qingque several times in court: "Qingque not only completed his academic investigation, but also gained a deep understanding of the local conditions and put forward many good suggestions. This is the responsibility that a prince should have."
These words put Li Chengqian under even more pressure. Although he was overseeing the country in Chang'an and handling daily government affairs, his performance seemed rather lackluster compared to his younger brother's "outstanding performance" in the provinces.
Wang Yi noticed Li Chengqian's anxiety and took the opportunity to comfort him: "Your Highness, governing a country is like cooking a small fish; it cannot be rushed. It is good that His Highness Prince Wei is conducting inspections in the provinces and offering suggestions. However, it is equally important for Your Highness to handle daily government affairs in Chang'an and ensure the stability of the court. Moreover, Your Highness's agricultural improvements, cement projects, and development of maritime trade are all tangible achievements, which His Majesty and the court officials have witnessed."
Li Chengqian nodded: "What you say is true. But I still feel... it's not enough."
“Your Highness,” Wang Yi said solemnly, “the struggle for the crown prince position is not something that can be accomplished in a short time or in one place, but rather a long-term accumulation and test. Your Highness has the title of the eldest son of the legitimate wife, the support of the Empress, and years of experience in handling state affairs. These are all things that Prince Wei cannot match. As long as Your Highness proceeds steadily and does not make any major mistakes, your position will be unshakeable.”
These words gave Li Chengqian confidence. He took a deep breath: "I understand. Thank you, Master."
However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease.
Just as Li Tai was about to conclude his inspection tour and prepare to return to the capital, unexpected news arrived—Li Tai had caught a cold in the Jianghuai region and fallen ill.
When the news reached Chang'an, Li Shimin was very worried. He immediately dispatched the best physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat Li Tai and ordered him to suspend his trip and recuperate.
Upon learning this, Wang Yi became suspicious. Li Tai had always been in good health, so why would he suddenly fall ill? And especially at the very end of his inspection tour?
Through her connections in the Imperial Medical Bureau, she learned more details: Li Tai's illness was indeed serious; he had a persistent high fever and a persistent cough, requiring rest. Strangely, local officials were unusually concerned about the Prince of Wei's condition, not only providing him with the best accommodations and medicines, but also coming to visit him one after another, bringing mountains of gifts.
What alarmed Wang Yi even more was the rumor that Li Tai, despite his illness, continued to work, reviewing the manuscript of the "Kuodi Zhi" and meeting with local officials, demonstrating a spirit of "dedication to the utmost." These rumors circulated widely in the region, causing the King of Wei's prestige to rise rather than fall.
"Is this a ruse, or is he really sick?" Wang Yi wondered to himself.
Regardless of whether it's true or not, this matter is more beneficial than harmful to Li Tai. If it's a genuine illness, he can gain sympathy; if it's a fake illness or an overreaction to a minor ailment, he can still cultivate an image of diligence in governance.
On the other hand, Li Chengqian, although dutifully overseeing the country, lacked such "dramatic" opportunities to perform.
Wang Yi realized that this sibling rivalry had extended beyond a mere contest of political achievements to a deeper level of image building and the struggle for popular support.
She had to help Li Chengqian come up with a solution.
After careful consideration, Wang Yi suggested to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, His Highness the Prince of Wei has fallen ill in the provinces. His Majesty is worried, and the court officials are concerned. As his elder brother, Your Highness should show your concern. You can petition His Majesty to have the Imperial Medical Bureau send additional physicians to him, and at the same time, send medicine and gifts of comfort in the name of the Crown Prince."
Li Chengqian frowned: "Do we still need to send him something?"
“Your Highness,” Wang Yi said patiently, “this is not a gift for the Prince of Wei, but a message to the court officials and the people of the world—that the Crown Prince is benevolent and cares for his brother. This will not only demonstrate Your Highness’s magnanimity, but also offset the sympathy the Prince of Wei gains due to his illness.”
Li Chengqian understood: "Alright, let's do as the real person says."
As expected, when news spread that Li Chengqian had requested additional medical officers and sent gifts of comfort, it was met with widespread praise from the court and the public. Everyone said that the Crown Prince was benevolent and had deep brotherly affection.
Li Shimin was also pleased: "Chengqian did the right thing; this is how brothers should be."
This move can be considered a comeback.
But Wang Yi knew this was only a temporary measure. The real showdown would take place after Li Tai returned to the capital.
Three months passed in the blink of an eye. When the autumn wind turned the ginkgo leaves in Chang'an yellow, Li Tai ended his inspection tour and returned to the capital.
He had lost some weight, but was in good spirits. He brought several cartloads of local chronicles, geographical data, and reports on local conditions, and gave Li Shimin a detailed account of what he had seen, heard, and thought during his trip.
At the court assembly, Li Tai's report was clear, logical, and insightful, winning the praise of all the officials. Even the usually prudent Fang Xuanling nodded in approval: "Your Highness Prince Wei has indeed gained a deep understanding of the local situation during this trip, and your suggestions are very insightful."
Although Li Chengqian was pleased with his younger brother's performance, he couldn't help feeling a pang of bitterness. He had been acting as regent for three months and had handled countless government affairs, yet none of his achievements were as "shine-worthy" as his brother's single inspection tour.
Wang Yi saw this and knew that he had to make Li Chengqian see his value.
She compiled a detailed report on Li Chengqian's achievements during his regency—how many memorials he handled, how many problems he solved, how many projects he promoted, how many people he stabilized—and shared it with Li Shimin and his court officials through appropriate channels.
At the same time, she suggested to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, Prince Wei has brought back a wealth of local information, which is a good thing for the compilation of the 'Kuodi Zhi'. Your Highness can take the initiative to propose using this information to improve the promotion plan for agricultural reforms in various places and optimize the planning and layout of water conservancy projects. This will not only demonstrate Your Highness's ability to apply what you have learned, but also transform Prince Wei's achievements into practical political achievements."
Li Chengqian's eyes lit up: "Great idea!"
Thus, at the first meeting to compile the "Kuodi Zhi" after Li Tai returned to the capital, Li Chengqian made this suggestion: "The materials collected by Qingque during his trip are extremely valuable. They are not only useful for compiling the local gazetteer, but also have reference value for various practical matters of the court. We can organize and classify these materials and provide them to the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Agriculture to improve various policies."
This suggestion was practical and efficient, and it received unanimous approval from the participants. Even Li Tai had to admit that his brother's considerations were very thorough.
After the meeting, Li Tai said to Wang Yi in private, "Master, my brother seems to have changed a lot lately. He is now more thorough in his thinking."
Wang Yi smiled: "Your Highness the Crown Prince has always been very thoughtful, but perhaps he didn't express himself well enough before. Now, with more experience, he is naturally more mature."
Li Tai nodded, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
Looking at the seemingly harmonious but actually turbulent relationship between the two brothers, Wang Yi sighed inwardly: This struggle will probably continue for a long time.
What she needs to do is to maintain balance in this long game, continue to protect those who need protection, and continue to push this era forward.
As night deepened, Wang Yi stood by the window of Qixia Garden, gazing at the starry sky.
The three daughters in the modern world should be asleep by now, right? Do they know that their mother is experiencing such turbulent changes in another time and space?
"When you grow up, Mom will tell you all of this," Wang Yi murmured to herself.
Then she returned to her desk and continued dealing with the endless tasks.
The game of chess continues, and she will never stop.
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