Chapter 54 Wang Yi's Charm
In the early summer of the eleventh year of the Zhenguan era, in the study of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian was discussing with several officials of the Eastern Palace strategies to deal with the spring drought in Guanzhong. Outside the window, cicadas chirped incessantly, and the atmosphere inside was somewhat anxious.
"Your Highness, the three prefectures of Guanzhong have not seen rain for over a month. If it doesn't rain soon, it may affect the summer harvest," the Imperial Advisor reported. "Should we petition His Majesty to open the Ever-Normal Granaries to release grain to prevent grain prices from rising?"
Li Chengqian frowned in deep thought. Logically, he should release grain to stabilize prices first, but hastily opening the granaries might cause panic, which would be counterproductive. He subconsciously turned his head to look at Wu Meiniang, who was sitting to the side organizing documents.
Wu Meiniang felt his gaze, raised her head, and said softly, "Your Highness, I think we can first allocate some of the stored grain to various prefectures and counties, but not rush to open the granaries. At the same time, we should instruct local officials to closely monitor grain prices, and if the increase exceeds 10%, then gradually release grain to stabilize them. This way, we can make preparations without causing panic."
Li Chengqian's eyes lit up: "That makes sense. In addition, we can order the Imperial Medical Bureau to prepare medicines to prevent heatstroke, in case the drought causes an epidemic."
"Your Highness has considered everything carefully," Wu Meiniang said with a smile.
After the meeting, the officials withdrew, leaving only Li Chengqian and Wu Meiniang in the study. Li Chengqian leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.
"Is Your Highness tired?" Wu Meiniang got up to pour him tea.
"It's alright." Li Chengqian took the teacup and looked at her. "Meiniang, your suggestion just now reminded me of someone."
"who?"
“The Protector of the Nation.” Li Chengqian took a sip of tea. “She is like that too. She can always think of things that others can’t. She is both thorough and pragmatic.”
A complex look flashed in Wu Meiniang's eyes, but she quickly concealed it: "Your wisdom is extraordinary, how could I dare to compare?"
“No need for such modesty.” Li Chengqian waved his hand. “You do have similarities. Not just in intelligence, but also in a kind of… how to put it, a detached attitude. It’s as if the world’s troubles are all under your control.”
These words, spoken casually, touched upon a deep-seated sentiment in Li Chengqian's heart.
He recalled his first real collaboration with Wang Yi: the establishment of the Agricultural Improvement Bureau. At that time, he had just had a conflict with his father because of the Consort Yang incident, and he was harboring resentment and hostility towards Wang Yi.
But Wang Yi had no prejudice against him. She calmly explained the plan, patiently listened to his opinions, and even when he put forward some naive ideas, she did not laugh at them, but carefully analyzed their feasibility.
“Your Highness’s idea is very interesting; we can give it a try,” she always said.
Even when he made mistakes—such as being too hasty in the initial promotion of new farm tools, which caused some farmers to resist—Wang Yi did not blame him. Instead, he helped him analyze the reasons and find solutions.
“Failure is common; the important thing is to learn from it,” she said. “Your Highness is still young; you have plenty of time.”
The feeling of being fully accepted and unconditionally supported was something Li Chengqian had never experienced before.
Before his father, the emperor, he was the crown prince and had to perform perfectly, without making any mistakes.
In front of his mother, he was a son, but also a future monarch, and had to meet the empress's expectations.
In front of the officials of the Crown Prince's palace, he was the master and had to be dignified and decisive, and could not show weakness.
Only in front of Wang Yi could he simply be Li Chengqian—a boy full of curiosity about the world, capable of making mistakes, feeling lost, and experiencing excitement.
After the successful agricultural improvements, he thought the relationship would end. But Wang Yi took him into many more projects—disaster relief coordination, cement research and development, road construction, and even maritime trade planning.
Each time, she gave him enough space to try, to explore, and to make mistakes. Then, when he needed it, she quietly helped him make up for his oversights and correct his course.
This feeling is like... like having a powerful guardian silently supporting him from behind, allowing him to bravely move forward without worrying about falling too hard.
Li Chengqian once wondered why Wang Yi treated him so well. Was it because he was the crown prince? Or because of his father, the emperor?
Later he understood that it wasn't either of those reasons. Wang Yi was kind to him only because he was Li Chengqian. Just as she helped Li Ming only because he was Li Ming, a child in need of help.
This purity both moved and puzzled Li Chengqian. How could there be such a person in this scheming court?
The appearance of Wu Zetian made him feel as if he saw another Wang Yi. The same intelligence, the same composure, the same... reassuring power.
Although Wu Zetian was younger and more capable than Wang Yi, they shared the same deep-seated confidence that "I can solve any problem."
"Your Highness?" Wu Meiniang's voice pulled Li Chengqian back from his reverie.
"Um?"
"You just said that I resemble the real person..." Wu Meiniang carefully chose her words, "Actually, I have always admired the real person. As a woman, she was able to have such influence in the court and the harem, not because of her family background, but because of her true talents and learning. This is what I want to learn."
Li Chengqian nodded: "You can ask her for advice more often. Although she seems aloof, she is actually very willing to help people."
"I will." Wu Meiniang paused, then suddenly asked, "Your Highness and the Immortal... seem to have a very good relationship?"
This question was somewhat inappropriate, but Li Chengqian didn't mind. He thought for a moment and said frankly, "To me, the True Person is both a teacher and a friend. She taught me many things, not only about politics, but also... how to be a better person."
These words were sincere, and Wu Meiniang understood. She recalled her father's words before she entered the palace: "Meiniang, the palace is not like home; there are eyes everywhere, and schemes everywhere. You must be careful."
But after entering the palace, she discovered that at least in the Eastern Palace, there was a different atmosphere. Although the Crown Prince was young, he was open-minded and tolerant; although the other concubines had their own thoughts, they were generally harmonious; especially the Protector of the Nation, although he held a high position, he never used his power to oppress others, but instead offered guidance and help in every way.
This gradually made her lower her guard and begin to show her true self.
Now, hearing the Crown Prince's evaluation of Wang Yi, Wu Meiniang was even more certain of her judgment—this man was indeed extraordinary.
“Your Highness is right,” Wu Meiniang said softly. “The True Person is a rare and good person. I will learn from her and hope to become a useful person to Your Highness and to the Tang Dynasty, just like her.”
Looking at her earnest expression, Li Chengqian felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He suddenly understood why his father was so affectionate towards Wang Yi—in this world full of scheming and self-interest, a pure and powerful person was incredibly precious.
“You don’t have to become someone else,” Li Chengqian said gently. “Just be yourself. I… like you as you are now.”
These words were spoken softly, but Wu Meiniang understood their deeper meaning. Her face flushed slightly, and she lowered her head, saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."
The cicadas continued to chirp outside the window, but the atmosphere inside the study softened. Li Chengqian continued working on documents, while Wu Meiniang assisted him. The two occasionally exchanged a few words, their understanding natural and tacit.
This scene was witnessed by the palace servants who came to deliver the refreshments, and they went back and whispered among themselves:
"His Highness the Crown Prince and Consort Wu are becoming more and more like His Majesty and Empress back then."
"Not only that, don't you think that Wu Liangyuan is very similar to the Protector of the Nation in some ways?"
Now that you mention it, it's true...
It is no coincidence that Wu Zetian resembles Wang Yi.
Wu Zetian glimpsed Li Chengqian's hidden thoughts in a chance moment.
That day, the Crown Prince hosted a banquet for several members of the imperial family. During the banquet, everyone talked about the newly built cement road in the court and praised it highly. A young prince drank a few more cups and said to Li Chengqian with a smile, "Your Highness is really lucky. You have a wise and capable person like the Protector of the Nation to assist you, and a beautiful woman like Consort Wu to accompany you."
Li Chengqian was raising his cup to drink when he heard this and paused slightly. Although it was only for a moment, and although he quickly regained his composure and replied with a smile, "Uncle, you flatter me," Wu Meiniang caught the abnormality in that instant—a hint of panic flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes, and he subconsciously cast an apologetic glance at her.
After the banquet, Li Chengqian, as usual, went to his study to finish his official business. Wu Meiniang, who was serving him with writing materials, casually mentioned, "That Prince seems to greatly admire the Protector of the Nation."
“The man is indeed very talented.” Li Chengqian said without looking up.
"I think so too," Wu Meiniang said softly. "A woman like Zhenren is truly rare in this world. No wonder His Majesty values her so highly and all the officials admire her so much."
Li Chengqian paused, his pen still in his hand. "Yes, such a thing is rare in this world."
The sense of loss in his voice was so faint it was almost inaudible, but Wu Meiniang heard it.
From that day on, Wu Zetian began to observe carefully. She discovered that whenever the Crown Prince encountered a problem, Li Chengqian would subconsciously say, "If the True Man were here, how would he handle it?" Whenever a new policy was implemented in court, Li Chengqian would always compare it with Wang Yi's suggestions from years ago. Sometimes, when he was reviewing memorials late into the night, he would rub his temples and mutter to himself, "The True Man should be resting by now..."
When these details were pieced together, Wu Zetian understood.
Li Chengqian's feelings for Wang Yi went beyond mere respect and gratitude; they also contained a deep-seated admiration that even he himself might not be aware of.
It was a young boy's yearning for a strong, wise, and unconditionally supportive mature woman. It was a longing for freedom and understanding under the strict upbringing of a prince. It was a yearning for a haven where he could relax and be himself in an environment where perfect performance was required everywhere.
Wu Meiniang felt no jealousy, but rather a strange sense of understanding. This was because she herself admired Wang Yi.
That woman, through her own strength, forged a unique path in this patriarchal era. She relied on no one, yet won the emperor's heart, the court's respect, and the people's love. This power was precisely what Wu Zetian longed to possess.
But she also knew that Wang Yi was unique. That was the accumulation of years, experience, knowledge, and wisdom, something that she, a fourteen-year-old girl, could not compare to.
Unless... she becomes Wang Yi's "shadow".
Once this idea takes hold, it grows wildly like a vine.
Wu Zetian began to deliberately observe everything about Wang Yi. Her speech and behavior, her thought process, her way of handling things, even her clothing, appearance, and expressions.
Wang Yi spoke calmly, with focused eyes, and without haste. Wu Meiniang then practiced slowing down her speech and controlling her tone.
When Wang Yi was thinking, he liked to tilt his head slightly and tap his fingers lightly on the table. Wu Meiniang learned this gesture.
When Wang Yi reviewed documents, he would make concise annotations at key points, his handwriting clear and powerful. Wu Meiniang then imitated her handwriting style.
Wang Yi preferred simple colors and understated styles when choosing his clothes, with exquisite details only in the smallest aspects. Wu Zetian, on the other hand, abandoned her original favorite bright colors and opted for pale blue, moon white, and light purple.
She even studied all the affairs that Wang Yi had been involved in—agricultural improvement, cement research and development, road construction, and maritime trade planning—memorizing the key points of those policies and the details of their implementation so that she could naturally cite them when discussing them with Li Chengqian.
All of this was done discreetly and cleverly. Wu Zetian didn't simply copy it; instead, she incorporated her own characteristics while imitating it. After all, she was younger than Wang Yi and could possess the vivacity of a young girl, but she had to replicate the composure and wisdom that lay within her.
The effect is remarkable.
Li Chengqian's gaze towards her became increasingly different. At first, it was admiration for her intelligence; later, it was delighted by her insights; and then... it was a complex tenderness, tinged with nostalgia and satisfaction.
"Meiniang, the way you spoke just now reminded me of someone," Li Chengqian suddenly said after Wu Meiniang made a suggestion about reforming the Maritime Trade Office's tax system.
"Who?" Wu Meiniang asked knowingly.
Li Chengqian smiled but did not answer, though his eyes said it all.
Wu Zetian knew she had chosen the right path. Li Chengqian sought the shadow of Wang Yi in her, and she conveniently provided that shadow. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement—Li Chengqian gained emotional comfort, while she gained status and influence.
But she didn't stop there. Imitation was just a means; the real goal was to surpass.
No matter how outstanding Wang Yi was, she was ultimately her father's concubine, a legend of the previous generation. But Wu Meiniang was destined to become the next legend, to assist Li Chengqian in creating an era even more glorious than the Zhenguan era.
Therefore, she needs to study more deeply. She should not only learn Wang Yi's form, but also her spirit—that strategic vision that is grounded in the present and looks to the future, that political wisdom that balances the interests of all parties, and that ability to integrate modern ideas into ancient practices.
Wu Zetian began to consult with Wang Yi more frequently. She seized every opportunity to visit Qixia Garden, ostensibly to seek advice, but in reality to observe and learn.
Wang Yi was very friendly to her, answering all her questions and sharing his knowledge generously. But Wu Meiniang could sense that Wang Yi always maintained a distance. It wasn't indifference, but a conscious estrangement—she helped you and taught you, but she wouldn't truly open her heart to you.
This sense of distance only made Wu Zetian more fascinated. She wanted to unravel this mystery and truly understand Wang Yi's inner world.
The opportunity arrived in the autumn of the eleventh year of the Zhenguan era. Wang Yi once again went into seclusion, closing the Qixia Garden to visitors.
Wu Zetian keenly sensed that this "seclusion" was different from the past. Wang Yi had made proper arrangements for all the affairs at hand, and reported the progress of various tasks to Li Shimin in detail, even... with the thoroughness of making his final arrangements.
This gave her a strange premonition.
After Wang Yi went into seclusion, Wu Meiniang's position in the Eastern Palace became even more secure. Li Chengqian's reliance on her grew day by day, and he would first listen to Wu Meiniang's opinions on many matters that originally required consultation with Li Shimin or discussion with court officials.
"If the real person were here, would they agree to do this?" Li Chengqian would sometimes ask this question.
Wu Zetian would think carefully and then offer a suggestion that aligned with Wang Yi's logic and was suitable for the current situation.
She became increasingly adept at it. She not only imitated Wang Yi's appearance but also grasped his spirit. She even began to surpass imitation in some aspects—after all, she was younger, more ambitious, and better understood the thoughts and feelings of someone Li Chengqian's age.
On one occasion, Li Chengqian was troubled by how to deal with a group of corrupt local officials. According to the law, they should be severely punished, but the scope of the case was too wide, and it might cause unrest.
After pondering for a moment, Wu Zetian suggested: "Your Highness, we can handle this according to different levels. The ringleaders should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others; those who accomplices should be demoted or have their salaries reduced depending on the severity of their actions; those who were forced to participate can be treated leniently. At the same time, we should select honest and capable officials to take over and rectify official corruption."
This suggestion was both principled and flexible, deeply embodying Wang Yi's essence of "pragmatism and effectiveness." After Li Chengqian adopted it, the problem was indeed resolved smoothly, and he also earned a reputation for "fairness in handling affairs."
Afterwards, Li Chengqian held her hand and exclaimed, "Meiniang, you are truly my wise advisor."
Wu Zetian smiled, but in her heart she thought: This is not only your good advisor, but also the ability of the future empress.
She looked further and further afield. No longer confined to the corner of the Eastern Palace, she looked at the entire Tang Dynasty and the era after Li Chengqian ascended the throne.
What she wanted to achieve was not to become another Wang Yi, but to become a more successful and respected Wu Meiniang than Wu Zetian—a wise empress who used her talent and wisdom to assist a wise ruler, create a prosperous era, and leave her mark on history.
Therefore, she needs to continue learning and growing. Wang Yi's "seclusion" gave her the space to develop independently.
Wu Zetian began to put some of her ideas into practice. She suggested establishing a "Wenhan Pavilion" in the Eastern Palace to collect and organize reports from various regions and public opinion, and to analyze the successes and failures of policies. She proposed improving the evaluation system for officials under the Eastern Palace, emphasizing ability over seniority. She even began to pay attention to Li Shimin's health and the dynamics of the court—after all, the future of the crown prince depended on the emperor's present condition.
She did all of this discreetly and cautiously. Whenever there was a new initiative, she would say, "This is an inspiration I received from a true master," or "This is a small attempt by me to learn from the true master's methods."
This way, she could be both safe and strengthen her relationship with Wang Yi.
Occasionally, when the night was quiet, Wu Zetian would look at herself in the bronze mirror.
The elegant makeup, the simple hairstyle, the calm eyes, the composed demeanor—she's becoming more and more like that person.
But she knew she was ultimately not Wang Yi. Wang Yi possessed an innate detachment, as if he didn't belong to this era or this court. But Wu Meiniang, deep down, was a person of this era, well-versed in court rules, and also possessed ambitions belonging to this era.
"That's fine too," Wu Meiniang said to herself in the mirror. "I'll be myself, just... borrowing your light."
The girl in the mirror smiled slightly, her eyes shining with a deep light beyond her years.
In the winter of the eleventh year of the Zhenguan era, the first snow fell in Chang'an. Wu Meiniang stood by the window of the East Palace, watching the snowflakes dance in the sky, planning for the future.
Wang Yi has been in seclusion for three months, and this period is the best time for her to consolidate her position and demonstrate her abilities.
When Wang Yi emerges from seclusion, she will see a different Wu Zetian—no longer just an imitator, but a virtuous lady of the Eastern Palace with her own style and insights.
Then, perhaps they could truly have an equal dialogue. Perhaps she could ask Wang Yi for deeper advice: How to balance love and power? How to maintain a woman's independence and dignity in a male-dominated world? How... to become a woman not forgotten by history?
Snowflakes fell on the windowpane and melted quickly. Wu Meiniang reached out and caught a few snowflakes, watching them turn into water droplets in her palm.
"Real person, will you be proud of me?" she asked softly.
There was no answer, only the sound of wind and snow.
But Wu Meiniang already had the answer in her heart. She would continue on, following the path opened up by Wang Yi, heading towards even farther places.
The secret hidden deep in Li Chengqian's heart, the emotion she had long sensed but never revealed, would become another card in her hand—not to hurt anyone, but to gain a deeper understanding of human nature, power, and this complex and fascinating world.
The snow outside the window fell heavier and heavier, covering Chang'an City in a blanket of white. Wu Meiniang closed the window, returned to her desk, and continued reviewing the documents of the Eastern Palace.
A new era is dawning, and she is ready.
As for what Wang Yi is doing in seclusion, he's obviously resting. He's been here long enough and misses his daughter very much.
But he can't go back empty-handed; he has to get pregnant again.
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