Chapter 14 Li Jiancheng's Poisonous Scheme and Wang Yi's Intrusion into the Palace
Li Jiancheng was no ordinary man. In numerous political maneuvers, he astutely sensed the attitude of the "Fairy Wang" by his father's side, which seemed to subtly favor Li Shimin. Whether it was defusing slanderous accusations against him or offering seemingly neutral but actually beneficial advice on key issues to solidify the Prince of Qin's position, these actions deeply unsettled the Crown Prince's faction. Recalling the cold rejection he received when he tried to curry favor with Wang Yi, while Li Shimin was able to maintain some contact with her (although not frequently on the surface), the resentment of being ignored and the jealousy towards Li Shimin in Li Jiancheng's heart grew like a poisonous vine.
Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, was known for his ruthlessness. Seeing his elder brother's inner turmoil, he seized the opportunity to fan the flames: "Elder brother, that woman's origins are unknown. She spreads rumors and favors the second son. Staying by Father's side will ultimately be a major threat. Since she considers herself superior and doesn't respect us, the second son shouldn't be able to get close to her either! Why not… let Father take her in! First, it will eliminate any possibility that the second son might use her to influence Father; second, once she becomes Father's woman, her life, death, honor, and disgrace will all be in Father's hands. Will she not restrain herself? Third, if Father obtains this 'divine possession,' he might be greatly pleased and rely on elder brother even more." Li Yuanji's calculations were extremely cunning. He both neutralized Li Shimin's potential allies, placed Wang Yi under more direct control, and pleased Li Yuan.
Li Jiancheng was persuaded. This was indeed a cunning scheme that killed many birds with one stone. He knew that his father's reliance on and growing appreciation for Wang Yi was not merely a matter of trust in a physician. The woman's aloof and refined demeanor, and her extraordinary insight, were an irresistible temptation for any powerful man, and his father was no exception. He simply refrained from speaking openly due to her status as a "celestial master" and his own imperial reserve.
So, on one occasion when Li Yuan's headache had eased and he was in a better mood, Li Jiancheng, taking advantage of a greeting, dismissed his attendants and, under the pretext of worrying about his father's health and consolidating the "divine connection," subtly suggested: "Father, the Fairy Wang's medical skills are divine, and her insight is extraordinary, which is beneficial to Your Majesty's health and even the fate of the nation. However, she is ultimately a person beyond the mortal realm, and her long stay in the palace without a formal title may cause controversy and damage her reputation. In my humble opinion, it would be better for Your Majesty to grant her a formal title and bring her into the harem. In this way, the Fairy can stay by Your Majesty's side and take good care of you; Your Majesty, with such a good companion, can also stay safe and sound and enjoy the blessings of the mortal realm. This is a win-win situation and also shows our royal family's sincerity and respect for the divine connection."
Upon hearing this, Li Yuan was somewhat taken aback, even instinctively wanting to rebuke the Crown Prince for his abrupt remark to the "Immortal Master." But before he could speak, certain suppressed thoughts deep within his heart began to grow wildly like weeds. Wang Yi's beauty, intelligence, mystery, and the comforting and dependable companionship she provided, had long surpassed the typical doctor-patient or ruler-subject relationship. For an emperor, possessing the most beautiful women in the land was commonplace, let alone such an extraordinary woman. The Crown Prince's suggestion seemed to have opened a door to his long-held, vague desires, providing a seemingly legitimate reason.
He hesitated for a moment, not immediately objecting, but slowly said, "Fairy Wang... is probably not an ordinary woman, and may not be willing."
Seeing his father's interest, Li Jiancheng sneered inwardly, but his expression became even more earnest: "Father, you are the Son of Heaven, the ruler of the world. To serve you is a blessing for any woman, and it is also a bond that strengthens the connection between our Great Tang and the overseas immortals. Fairy Wang is a woman of great virtue, concerned for your health and the fate of the Tang Dynasty. She must understand your good intentions. Moreover, granting you a title is the greatest respect and protection you can offer." He deliberately elevated the matter to the level of "strengthening the connection with the immortals" and "for the sake of the nation's fate," completely blocking Li Yuan's path of refusal under the pretext of "respecting personal wishes."
Li Yuan was tempted. Rationally, he knew this might cause some ripples, even affecting Wang Yi's state of mind while she was "treating" him. But once emotions and desires (including possessiveness over beauty and control over the "divine connection") were aroused, they were hard to suppress. He weighed the pros and cons: having Wang Yi meant he could have this unique "health care" and spiritual comfort for a long time, completely sever her possible unsettling connections with the outside world (especially Li Shimin), and satisfy his secret desires as a man. It seemed the advantages outweighed the disadvantages. As for Wang Yi's own wishes... in the face of imperial power, especially in the eyes of an emperor who believed he had bestowed the highest "favor," they seemed less important.
"Let me... think about it some more." Li Yuan did not agree immediately, but Li Jiancheng understood the softening in his tone.
A few days later, Li Yuan formally presented this decision to Wang Yi. It wasn't a discussion, but an announcement. He expressed his "favor" of taking her as a concubine in a seemingly gentle but actually unquestionable tone, and mentioned the reasons given by the Crown Prince for "stabilizing the celestial connection" and "legitimacy."
Wang Yi felt as if she had been doused with ice water, instantly chilled to the bone, followed by an absurd numbness. She had traversed a thousand years, using her wisdom to navigate the complex relationships between emperors and their sons, striving to avoid the most unbearable predicament, yet ultimately she was still swallowed up by the most brutal and fundamental rules of feudal imperial power. Li Jiancheng's revenge and Li Yuan's personal desires, under the guise of "favor," appeared so naked and repulsive.
But she did not lose her composure, did not weep, and did not even show excessive anger. After the extreme shock and absurdity came a rapidly cooling rationality and a surging instinct for survival and maneuvering. She knew that a direct and vehement refusal would not only be ineffective before imperial power, but could also bring immediate disaster.
She slowly knelt down, her voice still calm, yet carrying an unprecedented distance and resolve: "Your Majesty's great favor fills me with trepidation. However, I am a cultivator from overseas, and my sect has strict rules. Until my cultivation is complete and my primordial yin is depleted, I must maintain a pure yin body for at least ten years before I can successfully establish my foundation and continue to refine longevity elixirs for Your Majesty, and glimpse deeper into the Dao. If I break this rule, not only will all my previous efforts be in vain, but I also fear divine retribution, a shortened lifespan, and harm to Your Majesty's health. This is not an excuse; it truly concerns the foundation of my cultivation and Your Majesty's long-term well-being. I beseech Your Majesty to understand."
These words were a desperate gamble born of her quick wit. She elevated her reason for refusal from "personal unwillingness" to the levels of "discipline of her sect," "the fundamentals of cultivation," and "concerns for the emperor's long-term health and longevity." She knew perfectly well what Li Yuan cared about most—his own health, longevity, and the unseen "blessings of heaven." She tied her "right to use" her body to Li Yuan's core interests, setting up a seemingly reasonable (for the ancients) yet mysteriously taboo-tinged temporal barrier.
Li Yuan was stunned. He hadn't expected Wang Yi to offer such a reason. Looking into her calm yet resolute eyes, and hearing the words about "divine retribution" and "loss of blessings and longevity," his desires were dampened. He did indeed yearn for Wang Yi, but he feared even more that it would jeopardize his most cherished health and destiny. Especially when Wang Yi mentioned "continuing to refine elixirs of longevity" and "peeking into the deeper Dao of Heaven," the temptation was immense for him.
"Ten years... must it be like this?" Li Yuan asked hesitantly, his tone no longer as resolute as before.
"Ten years is the minimum time limit for Foundation Establishment, an ironclad rule of our sect, witnessed by heaven and earth." Wang Yi raised her head, her gaze clear yet unfathomable. "If Your Majesty insists, I dare not disobey Your Majesty's command. However, from then on, my foundation will crumble, and I will lose the ability to refine elixirs and glimpse the heavens, becoming nothing more than an ordinary woman. Moreover, I fear I will be implicated in calamities, which is not what I wish to see. If Your Majesty can allow me to preserve this pure Yin body for ten years, and focus on conditioning, refining elixirs, and praying for Your Majesty, then after ten years... if my cultivation has made some progress, perhaps... we can discuss it again." She offered a vague "future possibility," both a delaying tactic and a way to give Li Yuan a way out and something to look forward to.
Li Yuan was caught in a deep dilemma. The desire to forcibly bring her into the harem and enjoy her immediately clashed fiercely with the allure of long-term health, elixirs, and divine blessings (as well as the fear of potential risks). Ultimately, the latter prevailed. After all, Wang Yi's value lay largely in her "extraordinary" nature. If she were to become an "ordinary woman" because of this, or even bring disaster upon herself, it would be a great loss. Ten years... could he afford to wait? Looking at the woman's aloof and stunningly beautiful face before him, and thinking of the longer-term benefits she might bring, he wavered.
"Very well." Li Yuan sighed, seemingly helpless, yet also as if he had made a decision. "Am I the kind of person who only cares about the present and not the future? Since you have received strict training from your master, concerning the path of cultivation and my well-being, I will grant you this. I will allow you ten years of peace and quiet, to focus on your cultivation and to treat me. You will be given a formal title in the palace, and all your treatment will be excellent. Within these ten years, I will never violate your vows of cultivation. But you must remember to do your utmost and not disappoint my expectations."
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty! Your Majesty's compassion for the hardships of cultivation is boundless; you are truly a wise and virtuous ruler. I will do my utmost to help Your Majesty improve your health, study alchemy, and pray for the prosperity of the nation." Wang Yi bowed deeply, her voice steady, but in her heart was a chilling mix of sarcasm and relief at surviving a calamity. The ten-year agreement was the best outcome she could achieve, a precious respite she had secured for herself and for her possible future.
The news quickly spread through various channels. In the Eastern Palace, Li Jiancheng learned of the outcome. Although he hadn't completely achieved his goal of immediately making Wang Yi his father's concubine to humiliate and weaken Li Shimin, Wang Yi was officially incorporated into the harem system (even with the ten-year agreement, she was nominally Li Shimin's stepmother). Her status was now fixed, which, in a sense, severed any possibility of Li Shimin having any open and normal interaction with her, and also increased the moral and political risks for Li Shimin if he wanted to "get involved" with his father's concubines. He had barely achieved part of his goal, and waited with a cold smile to see Li Shimin's reaction.
Upon hearing the news at the Prince of Qin's residence, Li Shimin flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table, sending splinters flying. He instantly understood Li Jiancheng's treacherous scheme, and felt a chill and fury at his father's agreement. Wang Yi! The woman he considered a powerful ally, who quietly held a special place in his heart, had been forcibly imprisoned in this way! A ten-year agreement? He knew it was merely a delaying tactic by Wang Yi in her desperation, but for these ten years, she would live under the guise of his father's concubine, in a more tightly controlled and complex inner palace, her situation even more delicate and dangerous.
"Li Jiancheng! How dare you!" Li Shimin's eyes blazed with murderous intent. Never before had his hatred for the Crown Prince been so genuine, and his determination to eliminate the Eastern Palace's power so unwavering. At the same time, his concern and pity for Wang Yi, as well as his admiration and "admiration for strength" stemming from her ability to remain calm and resourceful despite being in dire straits, and to secure a glimmer of hope for survival, reached their peak. She had once again proven her formidable mental fortitude and resourcefulness.
"Your Highness, please calm down," Fang Xuanling said in a deep voice. "Master Wang's response this time was excellent. He bought time for the ten-year agreement. Now, the most crucial matter is imminent." He glanced meaningfully at the Xuanwu Gate on the map.
Li Shimin took a few deep breaths, forcibly suppressing his turbulent emotions. He knew Xuanling was right. Wang Yi's fate was like the last straw, making him realize that retreat and hesitation would only lead to death, not only for him, but also for those he cared about. He had to act quickly!
"The plan is to be moved up!" Li Shimin's voice was resolute, carrying a chilling edge. "The details of the Xuanwu Gate incident must be re-analyzed to ensure absolute success! At the same time," he looked sharply at his trusted confidant in charge of the secret operation, "the original plan to receive Master Wang must be adjusted immediately based on the new situation! Her identity has changed, so the operation must be even more covert and swift! Remember, I want her to leave there unharmed! This is a direct order!"
"Yes!" the crowd answered resolutely.
Inside Ningyun Pavilion, Wang Yi dismissed the palace servants and stood alone by the window. The night was as dark as ink, and the palace lanterns were dim. She stroked the white jade bracelet that Li Shimin had once given her (which she had always carefully hidden), and thought of the black jade hairpin she had also carefully concealed. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions. The wheels of history were indeed stubborn, and individual efforts sometimes seemed so insignificant in the face of enormous structural forces. But she did not despair. The ten-year buffer period was a variable she had created for herself. And outside the palace, that man… he would never sit idly by.
“Li Shimin,” she murmured to herself, her gaze piercing through the palace walls, seemingly fixed on the direction of the Prince of Qin’s residence, “your time is running out. This play is about to reach its climax. Let me see just how far you can go.” Her eyes regained their calm and sharpness, just as they had when facing her strongest opponent at the negotiating table. Now that she was completely involved, she would use all the rules and wisdom to survive, and… influence the outcome as much as possible.
In early June of the ninth year of the Wude era, a storm was brewing, dark clouds looming over the city. All the love, hate, schemes, ambitions, and struggles were about to erupt and be settled in the breathtaking moment at Xuanwu Gate. Wang Yi, a soul from the future, forced into the shackles of the imperial harem, silently awaited the storm that would change her and alter history, with her wisdom and resilience far beyond her time.
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