Chapter 86 The Shadow of the Eastern Palace and the Dark Clouds of Noble Families
Wu Meiniang put down the half-checked monthly expense ledger for the Eastern Palace, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the smooth rim of the porcelain cup. The early summer afternoon sunlight streamed through the carved window lattice, casting dappled patterns of light and shadow on the polished floor tiles, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in her heart.
Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the courtyard outside the window. There, a newly appointed concubine, dressed in a light blue palace gown and with a slender figure, was carefully pruning a pot of orchids with two young maids. The woman's movements were gentle, her profile serene, and her lowered eyes revealed a focused and tranquil demeanor... Wu Meiniang's heart felt as if it had been gently pricked by a fine needle.
And that wasn't the only one. There was also Cheng Hui, who was in charge of organizing the books in the study. He always spoke slowly and deliberately, and he was used to thinking things through before speaking. There was also the palace maid who managed the sewing room. Although she was of ordinary appearance, she was organized and fair in her work, and she had a kind of convincing demeanor.
These details might go unnoticed by ordinary people; they might simply think that the new palace maids in the Crown Prince's palace are well-mannered and reliable. But Wu Zetian was different. She had spent countless hours studying and imitating Wang Yi, and was intimately familiar with that deep-seated calmness, rationality, and orderliness. These newcomers, more or less, all carried a trace of that temperament. Although their clothing, manners, and speech differed, and they tried their best to integrate into the Eastern Palace environment, that trace was as clearly visible to Wu Zetian as an ink spot on a blank sheet of paper.
The Crown Prince... as expected, he noticed.
No, perhaps it wasn't a realization, but rather that he could no longer deceive himself and was forced to confront the special feelings he had long suppressed for Wang Zhenren. The Empress's private audience before her death... Wu Meiniang was almost certain that it was that final whispered conversation between mother and son that prompted the Crown Prince's "awakening" and the seemingly "brilliant" response that followed.
He found several "shadows" with similar temperaments and scattered them in inconspicuous corners of the palace. This served to occasionally soothe his restless heart, while using a wider variety of concubines to confuse the situation and avoid giving others cause for criticism… This method was subtle, meticulous, and even carried a cold, calculating edge. This didn't seem like something the impulsive, young Li Chengqian, who had just experienced the pain of losing his mother, could immediately conceive and execute perfectly. It could only be the Empress, his mother known for her virtue and wisdom, who, in the final moments of her life, devised a twisted yet realistic "path to survival" for her son.
Wu Meiniang felt a mix of emotions. On one hand, she felt a secret, almost cold, sense of relief. The Crown Prince had feelings for Master Wang, and she was the one in the Eastern Palace who most resembled Master Wang. This resemblance had long surpassed the initial deliberate imitation; it had become part of her thoughts and actions. As long as the Crown Prince's feelings remained, her position in the Eastern Palace would be further protected by this unspoken yet real connection. Especially after the Empress's death, with Crown Princess Su becoming increasingly ineffective and other concubines, despite their family backgrounds, not receiving favor, her advantage seemed even more pronounced.
But on the other hand, a deeper chill rose from her spine. The Crown Prince's actions were tantamount to playing with fire. To "keep" that forbidden affection in this way seemed safe, but in reality, the risks were enormous. Once someone discovered the truth and connected it to the previous rumors, the charge of "the Crown Prince's moral failings, keeping a substitute to satisfy his personal desires" would be enough to drag him down from his position as heir apparent, and might even lead to more terrible consequences. The Emperor's attitude towards Wang Zhenren was already complex and unpredictable; if he knew that his son had used such methods… Wu Meiniang dared not think further.
What worries her even more is another recent move by the Crown Prince.
Li Chengqian began a covert investigation into the movements of the powerful clans, including the Five Families and Seven Noble Families, before the Empress's death. He conducted himself with extreme secrecy, employing hidden agents—people even Wu Zetian hadn't fully grasped—who seemed to be either left behind by the Empress or secretly cultivated by the Crown Prince himself, and who were unrelated to the mainstream of the court. They gathered seemingly scattered information: the whereabouts of a certain aristocratic scion at a specific point in time, unusual personnel exchanges at a certain residence, veiled discussions in certain poetry gatherings and literary collections, and even seemingly unrelated commercial transactions and land transfers.
Wu Zetian pieced together this outline by checking some irregular expenditures of the Eastern Palace (such as "supporting poor students" and "rewarding hermits in the mountains") and the occasional words the Crown Prince uttered to her when he was extremely tired or deep in thought.
“The powerful families… are deeply entrenched, and their intentions are unfathomable.” One late night, Li Chengqian was reviewing memorials until his eyes were bloodshot. Suddenly, he put down his pen, looked at the flickering candlelight, and said something abruptly, his tone cold and filled with hatred.
Wu Meiniang was changing his tea when she heard this, and her hand trembled almost imperceptibly. She understood that the Crown Prince was blaming part of his mother's death on the powerful families who had fueled the rumors and spread gossip. Especially those high-ranking families who had close ties with the Prince of Wei, or those who had played a dishonorable role in the rumors.
This terrified her. To be an enemy of the powerful clans? The mere thought was enough to suffocate anyone with even a modicum of political common sense. These were behemoths, spanning centuries, with their disciples and former officials spread throughout the court and the countryside, controlling vast cultural resources and economic lifelines. Even His Majesty, with his great talent and ambition as Li Shimin, could only employ strategies of suppression, division, and exploitation—promoting the imperial examination system, elevating those from humble backgrounds, and gradually eroding the privileges of the powerful clans—rather than daring to openly break ties with them. The fall of the Sui Dynasty, to some extent, was due to its infringement upon the fundamental interests of powerful clans like the Guanzhong clique.
If the Crown Prince had indeed uncovered some "evidence," given his current state of suppressing immense grief and anger, and his increasingly obsessive and restrained behavior, what might he do? Would he present the evidence to His Majesty? Would His Majesty, for the sake of the Empress, completely break with the powerful families? Wu Meiniang wasn't sure. More likely, the Crown Prince would take matters into his own hands, retaliating in a more covert and drastic manner.
That would be catastrophic. Once the Crown Prince and the powerful clans clashed openly or semi-openly, regardless of the outcome, the Crown Prince's position would be under unprecedented threat. The powerful clans might unite to resist the Eastern Palace, even stirring up a movement to depose the Crown Prince in court. Prince Wei, Li Tai, would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to create trouble. And His Majesty… how will he choose between maintaining the stability of the empire and seeking revenge for his wife? Even if His Majesty intends to protect the Crown Prince, can he withstand the pressure of a collective backlash from the powerful clans?
At that time, Wu Meiniang, and the entire Eastern Palace, will be swept into a raging storm, their fate uncertain.
"Consort, is there anything wrong with the accounts?" The female official standing beside her gently reminded her when she noticed that she hadn't started writing for a while.
Wu Meiniang regained her senses, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and said calmly, "It's alright, but some figures need to be checked again." She picked up her pen and marked on the ledger, her movements still steady, but her heart was in turmoil.
What should she do? Try to dissuade the Crown Prince? In what capacity should she try? Would the Crown Prince listen? Especially since it involves the Empress's death, the Crown Prince's inner turmoil is probably deeper than anyone else's.
Tell the Emperor? That would be tantamount to betraying the Crown Prince and putting himself in danger as well. If the Emperor knew that the Crown Prince was secretly investigating aristocratic families, would he praise the Crown Prince's filial piety and courage, or would he think that the Crown Prince was reckless, lacked a sense of the bigger picture, or even intended to incite turmoil in the court? Given His Majesty's current mood and complex attitude towards the Crown Prince, it is truly difficult to predict.
Or… tell Master Wang? The thought flashed through her mind, but she immediately dismissed it. Wang Yi was currently in dire straits, barely able to protect herself, and would never want to get involved in any sensitive matters related to the Crown Prince. Moreover, if she knew about this, it would probably only make her avoid the Crown Prince even more, and she might even take some actions to protect herself, which could provoke the Crown Prince.
After much thought, I still couldn't find a solution.
For the first time, Wu Zetian felt utterly powerless. With her intelligence and the wisdom she had acquired by imitating Wang Yi, she navigated the palace intrigues with ease, even keenly sensing the Crown Prince's hidden thoughts and dangerous movements. Yet, she found herself utterly powerless to influence the course of events. She was like someone standing on the deck of a giant ship heading towards a reef, clearly seeing the danger ahead but unable to change course. Even her cries for warning might be drowned out by the sound of the waves or choked by other treacherous individuals on board.
She could only observe more cautiously and serve more carefully, while secretly strengthening her control over the personnel and information within the Eastern Palace. At the very least, she needed to ensure that she could detect the signs before the storm arrived, and perhaps... she could find a glimmer of hope for herself and Li Chengqian (although her feelings for him were equally complicated).
Outside the window, Bi Yi Feng Yi had finished pruning the orchids and was gently and attentively wiping the dust off the leaves with a soft cloth. Sunlight shone on her lowered neck, outlining a soft arc.
Wu Meiniang withdrew her gaze, her heart turning icy cold. Were these seemingly harmless "shadows" merely a source of comfort for the Crown Prince, or a ticking time bomb that would one day explode? And when and how would the Crown Prince's covert investigation of the aristocratic families drag the Eastern Palace and even the entire Tang Dynasty into such a predicament?
The cicadas' chirping suddenly became noisy, as if foreshadowing an upcoming, more intense and chaotic uproar. The afternoon in the Eastern Palace remained calm, but Wu Meiniang knew that beneath that calm, shadows were growing and dark clouds were gathering.
Summer in Chang'an, beneath the surface of a somber atmosphere of national mourning and the undercurrents of power struggles, quietly slipped deeper. Li Chengqian's supposedly discreet investigation was not without its traces in the eyes of those behemoths who had entrenched themselves in Guanzhong and Shandong for centuries. The tentacles of these powerful clans had long since penetrated the very fabric of the empire, weaving a vast and intricate information network from palace eunuchs to county clerks, from academy heads to merchant managers. They investigated the "clean-background" newcomers in the Crown Prince's palace; they monitored the Crown Prince's seemingly unconventional expenditures—ostensibly for "supporting the poor" and "rewarding hermits"—and they recorded the Crown Prince's occasional sharp comments about the aristocratic families' ways.
As fragmented clues gradually pieced together, pointing to evidence that the Crown Prince was secretly collecting, and may have already obtained, some evidence regarding the close ties between certain aristocratic families and the Prince of Wei's residence before and after the Empress's serious illness, and even their involvement in spreading rumors, the core members of the major aristocratic families did not react with panic, but with a cold laugh mixed with contempt and vigilance.
"A mere child, still grieving the loss of his mother, yet already eager to show his claws?" An elder of the Cui clan of Boling, recuperating in Chang'an, stroked his beard in a secluded room of his villa on the outskirts of the capital and said calmly to a few trusted advisors, "His heart is despicable, but his actions are foolish. Even Li Erlang (Li Shimin) dares not completely break ties with us, so what makes him, a crown prince who hasn't even fully secured his position, think he can?"
“Exactly,” another aide chimed in. “The Crown Prince and His Majesty are of the same ilk, both desiring to suppress powerful clans and promote the common people, who are not of our kind. Sooner or later, a conflict is inevitable. The current conflict is merely a result of the death of Lady Changsun, which has provoked him to act prematurely. As far as I am concerned, it is simply a matter of whether to plan calmly or respond hastily.”
“However, since the Crown Prince has already made his move, if we do nothing, wouldn’t that be a sign of weakness and make us a laughingstock?” The representative of the Zheng family of Xingyang said in a deep voice. “Moreover, the things he’s investigating… although mostly unfounded, if we let him dig deeper, we might uncover some real things, which would ultimately be detrimental to His Highness Prince Wei and to us.”
“Of course we can’t let him have his way.” Elder Cui’s eyes flashed with a sharp light. “Doesn’t the Crown Prince want to investigate? Then let him investigate. But the ‘results’ he finds out… are not up to him.”
A counter-offensive and retaliatory campaign against the Crown Prince's palace was quietly launched amidst the tacit understanding among the powerful families. Their methods were not brutal assassinations or direct attacks on the court—those were too crude and easily backfired. They chose a more subtle, long-lasting, and more suited-to-their-status approach: shaping public opinion and controlling resources.
First, the shadow of the "Crown Prince's lack of filial piety" was quietly resurfaced, only this time cloaked in a more "reasonable" guise. A highly respected scholar, in a private gathering, "heartbrokenly" lamented: "The Crown Prince is the foundation of the nation and should demonstrate filial piety, brotherly love, and benevolence to the world. The Empress's recent death and excessive grief, to the point of emaciated state, are certainly pitiful expressions of filial piety. However, excessive indulgence in personal grief, neglecting moral cultivation and learning, and even frequently altering the rules of the Eastern Palace and adding palace women during the national mourning period… this is likely contrary to the Empress's frugal and benevolent virtues, and not a blessing for the nation!" These words, seemingly out of concern, actually implied that the Crown Prince's recent emaciation, silence, and the taking in of new concubines were all signs of "lack of moral cultivation" and "disobeying his mother's teachings."
Secondly, rumors began circulating among some upright and moderate officials about the Crown Prince's "impatient nature and lack of tolerance." These rumors claimed that the Crown Prince lacked patience with subordinates who held differing opinions when handling government affairs, sometimes even resorting to harsh words; and that he punished some officials who failed in their duties too severely, showing no mercy. These rumors, partly true and partly false, amplified the Crown Prince's inevitable anxiety due to immense pressure as a flaw in his character.
Meanwhile, powerful families began to exploit their monopoly in the cultural sphere to marginalize or distort some of the policies and ideas advocated by the Crown Prince. When the Crown Prince suggested adding practical subjects such as mathematics and law to local schools, the literary leaders controlled by these families wrote articles criticizing him, emphasizing "a gentleman is not a tool" and "virtue is fundamental," implying that the Crown Prince valued skills over morality, thus undermining the foundation of education. When the Crown Prince wanted to implement a stricter system for evaluating officials, they spread arguments that "harsh laws disturb the people" and "disregard the plight of the common people."
On the economic front, some merchants closely associated with powerful families began adopting a "non-violent non-cooperation" attitude towards certain projects and procurements handled by officials under the Crown Prince's name or trusted confidants—either by offering inflated prices, delaying delivery, or using inferior materials. While this didn't cause huge losses, it was enough to reduce the Crown Prince's efficiency, add countless troubles, and subtly send a signal: without the cooperation of powerful families, many of the Crown Prince's ideas would be impossible to implement.
These actions, like a light drizzle soaking clothes, are invisible yet chilling. They don't directly attack the crown prince's position, but they gradually erode his reputation, weaken his influence, and increase the obstacles to his governance. More importantly, they successfully cultivate an image in the minds of some in the court and among the public that of a crown prince who is "extremist, impatient, and possibly morally flawed due to the loss of his mother," thus laying the groundwork for a possible future deposition or replacement.
The ultimate goal of all this was, of course, to support their true pawn—King Li Tai of Wei.
In the study of the Prince of Wei's residence, Li Tai looked at the summary presented by his advisors regarding the recent discussions about the Crown Prince in court and among the public, and a long-lost smile, tinged with smugness and sinister intent, appeared on his face.
“Crown Prince…you’ve handed the knife to me yourself.” Li Tai snorted. “The Cha family? They’re not worthy! Now they’ve gotten themselves into a mess, saving me a lot of trouble.”
"Your Highness," the trusted advisor whispered, "the powerful families have sent word that since the Crown Prince has taken action, they will naturally retaliate. Now that the Crown Prince's reputation has been damaged, it is a good opportunity for Your Highness to consolidate your position and expand your influence. They suggest that Your Highness should hold more literary gatherings to recruit talented individuals, and especially demonstrate respect for classical texts, rites, and music, in contrast to the Crown Prince's 'eagerness for quick success and instant benefits.' At the same time, you should appease and reward those officials in the court who are uneasy because of the Crown Prince's 'strict scrutiny.'"
"Furthermore," another advisor added, "the newly recruited palace maids in the Eastern Palace recently... though they are well concealed, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever. Especially that concubine in green, her demeanor... humph. Although this matter cannot be spoken of openly, it may serve as a hidden blade, waiting for the opportune moment to deliver a fatal blow to the Crown Prince."
Li Tai's eyes gleamed. The support of the powerful families bolstered his confidence, and the flaws revealed by the Crown Prince himself gave him even more hope. He could almost see the coveted position of Crown Prince beckoning to him.
“Do as they say,” Li Tai decided. “The literary gathering must be elegant, the guests must be discerning, and they must demonstrate their family’s scholarly tradition and my profound understanding of the sages’ teachings. As for those officials… you go and carefully consider their interactions, but be sure to keep it secret. As for the Crown Prince…” He paused, a cruel smile appearing on his face, “keep an eye on them and gather enough information. This weapon will be used at the most crucial moment.”
He walked to the window, gazing towards the palace. His father, the Emperor, was despondent over his mother's death, and his patience with the Crown Prince seemed to be dwindling. The Crown Prince himself was making frequent mistakes, drawing discontent from powerful families and criticism from both the court and the public. This was truly a godsend!
"Li Chengqian," Li Tai murmured to himself, "how long can you hold onto your position as crown prince? Your mother dotes on you, and your father protects you, but in the end, the world... must be won through strength and cunning!"
The Prince of Wei's actions were immediately launched. A series of literary gatherings, ostensibly to "commemorate the sages" and "discuss the meaning of the classics," were held on the banks of Qujiang Pool and at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain. Li Tai personally attended, exchanging poems with renowned scholars and Confucian masters, displaying refined manners, quoting classical texts, and demonstrating great enthusiasm and "profound" insights into rites and music education, thus earning considerable praise. At the same time, he secretly intensified his efforts to win over officials in the court, especially those of lower or middle rank who were of humble origins, fearful of the Crown Prince's recent "harsh" approach, or uncertain about their own future, promising them money, women, or future official positions.
For a time, the area in front of the Prince of Wei's mansion seemed to have regained its former bustling activity, even more so than before the Empress's death. In contrast, the Eastern Palace was deserted, and the Crown Prince's brows were etched with an increasingly deep melancholy.
Wu Meiniang observed all of this with a cold eye, her worries growing wildly like weeds. The Crown Prince's investigation had clearly angered the powerful families, provoking a fierce yet covert counterattack. Meanwhile, Li Tai seized the opportunity to manipulate things, his prestige rising daily. With this ebb and flow, the Eastern Palace's situation became increasingly precarious.
She tried to subtly suggest to Li Chengqian that they should postpone the investigation into the aristocratic families and focus their efforts on stabilizing the court and restoring their reputation. But Li Chengqian only glanced at her with his increasingly empty and cold eyes and said indifferently, "The Empress Dowager's regrets cannot be ignored. What is there to fear from petty villains?" The obstinacy and hatred in his tone made Wu Meiniang swallow all her words of advice.
She knew that the Crown Prince had gone down a dead end. The pain of losing his mother, the insults of rumors, the hatred of aristocratic families, and the helplessness in the face of his own emotions were all intertwined, pushing him down a path of increasing isolation and danger.
Within Qixia Garden, Wang Yi, through her own channels, naturally sensed the subtle shifts in the political climate and the increasingly fierce power struggle between the Eastern Palace and the Prince of Wei's residence. She became even more determined to stay away from the center of the maelstrom, rarely venturing out except for necessary official duties and audiences with the Emperor. However, when she occasionally overheard palace servants discussing what elegant literary gathering the Prince of Wei had held or which official the Crown Prince had reprimanded, she would gently put down her book, glance towards the Eastern Palace, and a complex, indescribable emotion flash through her eyes.
Li Chengqian's path seems to be narrowing. Meanwhile, Li Tai, with the support of powerful families, is pressing forward relentlessly.
This struggle for the throne, ignited by the lingering influence of Li Yuan's legacy and exacerbated by the death of the Empress, is gradually evolving beyond internal royal conflicts with the intervention of powerful clans, transforming into a broader and more far-reaching political game. The number of pieces on the chessboard is increasing, and the game is becoming increasingly treacherous and unpredictable.
In the height of summer, Chang'an was sweltering and windless, as if an even larger thunderstorm was quietly brewing on the horizon.
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