Chapter 71 The Retired Emperor Awakens and New Changes in the Court
In the early spring of the sixteenth year of the Zhenguan era, a piece of news that shook the court and the public came from Da'an Palace—Emperor Taishang Li Yuan, who had been in a coma for many years, had awakened.
When the news spread, Wang Yi was organizing medical texts in Qixia Garden. A head palace maid rushed in to report, her voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Master, news has come from Da'an Palace! The Emperor Emeritus has awakened! Not only can he speak, but he can even sit up!"
The scroll in Wang Yi's hand fell to the table with a "thud." Li Yuan had woken up? The retired emperor who had been in a coma for many years after suffering a stroke, and whose life had been sustained by her using modern medical knowledge and Tang Dynasty medical techniques, had actually woken up?
"When did you wake up? What were the specific circumstances?" she asked immediately.
"He woke up at midnight last night and was able to eat some thin porridge this morning. All the physicians on duty at the Imperial Medical Bureau rushed over, and His Majesty and the Empress also went," a palace maid reported. "I heard that the Emperor Emeritus is lucid and speaks clearly, and even... he even took the initiative to ask about His Majesty."
Wang Yi's heart skipped a beat. Li Yuan had asked about Li Shimin? The relationship between this father and son had been delicate ever since the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Although Li Yuan had abdicated and become the Retired Emperor, he still couldn't let go of the events of that time; although Li Shimin respected his father as the Retired Emperor, the estrangement between them had never truly disappeared.
Now that Li Yuan has woken up and is asking about Li Shimin, what does this mean?
"Prepare the carriage, I'm going to Da'an Palace," Wang Yi said, standing up.
“But Master…” the palace maid hesitated, “I heard that His Majesty has decreed that, apart from the imperial physicians and close attendants, no one else is allowed to disturb the Emperor Emeritus’s rest.”
Wang Yi paused. Had Li Shimin issued an edict forbidding any disturbance? Why was that?
She hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "Then we won't go. Keep an eye on news from Da'an Palace and report any developments immediately."
"yes."
In the following days, news kept coming from Da'an Palace:
The retired emperor recovered quickly, and was able to get out of bed and walk around on the third day. Although he still needed someone to help him, it far exceeded everyone's expectations.
The retired emperor summoned Li Shimin, and the father and son talked behind closed doors for two whole hours. No one knows what they talked about, but according to the palace servants, after the conversation, Li Shimin's eyes were slightly red, while the retired emperor's expression was calm.
The retired emperor began to summon his former officials—those who had been dismissed, sidelined, or marginalized after the Xuanwu Gate Incident. Surprisingly, the retired emperor did not ask them to do anything for him, but rather advised them to "let go of the past and assist the emperor."
"I am now the retired emperor, let bygones be bygones," Li Yuan said to an old minister who came to visit him. "Erlang (Li Shimin) has had a difficult time governing the country these years. If you are capable, you should lend him a hand, which would also fulfill your relationship as his subject and his ruler."
When these words spread, the court and the public were shocked. No one expected that the first thing the retired emperor did after waking up from a coma for many years was to take the initiative to repair his relationship with the emperor and to persuade his former subordinates to pledge allegiance to the new emperor.
Even more surprisingly, although Li Yuan had regained power, he never summoned Wang Yi—the "Guardian of the Nation" who had saved his life and sustained him for many years.
At first, Wang Yi thought it was an oversight on the part of Da'an Palace, or that Li Yuan had just woken up and hadn't had time to deal with it yet. But half a month passed, and Li Yuan summoned all the physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau who had participated in the treatment and rewarded all the palace servants who had served him, but he didn't mention Wang Yi at all.
This deliberate neglect set off alarm bells in Wang Yi's mind.
She knew why Li Yuan wouldn't see her—because she was Li Shimin's man, a "protector of the nation," and a unique figure of that era. Li Yuan could forgive his son and persuade his former subordinates to pledge allegiance to the new emperor, but he could not accept an "outsider" interfering in the core feuds of the Li Tang imperial family.
Or rather, he was unwilling to display his attitude toward repairing his relationship with his son in front of an "outsider." That was a matter between father and son, a family affair of the Li family, and not for outsiders to observe.
Once Wang Yi understood this, he breathed a sigh of relief. It was better not to see her; at least it avoided embarrassment and prevented him from getting caught up in a deeper political vortex.
However, she soon discovered that Li Yuan's awakening and change of attitude were profoundly altering the political landscape.
First, there was the change in attitude of Li Yuan's former subordinates. For many years, these people had been in an awkward position—unable to gain Li Shimin's favor, yet unwilling to fade into obscurity. Now, the retired emperor personally urged them to pledge their loyalty to the emperor, which was tantamount to giving them a way out and also giving Li Shimin a reason to reinstate them.
Sure enough, Li Shimin began to gradually reinstate some of Li Yuan's former subordinates. Although these were all relatively minor positions, this sent a clear signal: the past was over, and as long as one had the ability and was willing to be loyal, there would be opportunities.
This had a subtle impact on the power dynamics between the two factions at court. Both the Crown Prince's faction and the Prince of Wei's faction were watching closely, wondering which side these "former subordinates of the retired emperor" would side with. Would they form a third force?
Secondly, the repair of the relationship between Li Yuan and Li Shimin had an unexpected impact on the fraternal rivalry between Li Chengqian and Li Tai.
On the twentieth day after Li Yuan awoke, he held a family banquet at Da'an Palace, inviting only Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun, Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and a few older princes and princesses.
At the banquet, Li Yuan looked at his two grandsons and said earnestly, "Chengqian, Qingque, you are both good children, talented and ambitious. But you must remember that blood is thicker than water between brothers. The thing your grandfather regrets most in his life is that he did not handle the relationship between his brothers well back then, which led to... led to many regrets."
He didn't say "the Xuanwu Gate Incident," but everyone present understood.
“Your father has had a tough time,” Li Yuan continued. “He had to govern the country and balance the interests of all sides. As his sons and brothers, you should understand him and assist him, rather than make things difficult for him.”
These words were very harsh, and both Li Chengqian and Li Tai knelt down to receive the reprimand.
"Grandpa Emperor knows that you young people have your own ideas, and competition is normal," Li Yuan said, changing the subject. "But competition must have limits and bottom lines. Remember, you are brothers first, and then ruler and subject. If you damage your brotherhood for that position, even if you get it, you will regret it for the rest of your life."
News of the family dinner quickly spread. Although the details varied, the core message was clear: the Emperor Emeritus was giving his two grandsons a pep talk, hoping they would get along well.
This gave Li Shimin an excellent excuse. He began to openly discuss the importance of "brotherly harmony" in the court, quoting the words of the retired emperor, and demanding that officials from both factions restrain their sharp edges and prioritize national affairs.
Under the dual pressure of the retired emperor's authority and the emperor's will, the factional struggles in the court temporarily subsided. At least on the surface, the Crown Prince's faction and the Prince of Wei's faction became much more polite, and their tone of voice during arguments softened, no longer as confrontational as before.
Wang Yi observed all of this with a detached eye, feeling both moved and wary.
Remarkably, Li Yuan, this former emperor, truly gained profound enlightenment after experiencing life and death. He let go of past grievances, took the initiative to repair his relationship with his son, and even tried to pave the way for his grandchildren to avoid repeating the same mistakes.
The concern is how long this superficial peace can last. While Li Yuan's reprimands were effective, he was, after all, the retired emperor with limited influence. If he were to fall ill again or pass away, this peace based on authoritarian suppression could quickly crumble.
What made her even more uneasy was that although Li Yuan did not see her, he indirectly influenced her through other means.
One day, the Imperial Physician came to Qixia Garden to report: "Master, the Emperor Emeritus summoned me today and inquired in detail about the medical treatments I have received over the years. He especially asked about your 'medical skills of your lineage' and asked many details."
Wang Yi's heart tightened: "What did you answer?"
"As you instructed, Master, it was a secret of our sect and I couldn't go into details," said the Imperial Physician. "But the Emperor Emeritus seemed dissatisfied and asked many questions about your background and lineage. I could only say I didn't know."
Wang Yi nodded: "You did the right thing. If the Emperor Emeritus asks again in the future, answer in the same way."
After the Imperial Physician's Office withdrew, Wang Yi fell into deep thought. Was Li Yuan investigating her? Why? Was it out of curiosity, or suspicion?
She recalled historical records about Li Yuan—this founding emperor, seemingly gentle, was actually meticulous and shrewd. It was already a miracle that he could wake up from his coma; his actions after waking up demonstrated extraordinary political wisdom.
How would someone like that view her as a "national protector"? Would she believe the explanations about her "master" and "medical skills"?
Wang Yi was unaware. She could only be more cautious.
A few days later, an even more unexpected piece of news arrived: Li Yuan took the initiative to request a meeting with Wu Meiniang and Li Xiang.
It wasn't a summons for the Crown Princess, nor for any of the other concubines in the Eastern Palace, but rather a request specifically for Wu Zetian and her son.
When the news reached the Eastern Palace, Wu Meiniang was both overjoyed and apprehensive. She was overjoyed that the Emperor Emeritus had personally summoned her, which was a great honor; she was apprehensive because she didn't know why the Emperor Emeritus wanted to see her alone.
She came to Qixia Garden to ask Wang Yi for advice: "Master, the Emperor Emeritus has summoned me and Xiao Xiang. How should I respond?"
After pondering for a long time, Wang Yi slowly said, "The Emperor Emeritus's move must have a deeper meaning. I guess he wants to see the Crown Prince's eldest son and the Crown Prince's favorite concubine with his own eyes, and also wants to understand the current situation of the Eastern Palace through you."
"Then how should I behave?"
"Just be natural and proper," Wang Yi said. "There's no need to try to please or be overly reserved. The Emperor Emeritus is a smart man and can see through what's real. Just be yourself—a concubine who wholeheartedly assists the Crown Prince and diligently raises her son, and that will be enough."
She paused, then added, "Bring the baby elephant along so the child can pay respects to the Emperor. Children are the most genuine; the Emperor Emeritus should be pleased to see his great-grandson."
Wu Meiniang nodded solemnly: "I understand."
On the day of the summons, although Wang Yi could not attend in person, he learned the general situation through his spies in the Eastern Palace.
It is said that Wu Zetian behaved properly and knew how to conduct herself; Li Xiang, although only three years old, was well-behaved and cute. When he kowtowed to the Emperor Emeritus, his childish voice amused Li Yuan, making him laugh heartily.
Li Yuan asked Wu Meiniang about the situation in the Eastern Palace. Wu Meiniang answered cautiously and appropriately, showing the harmony of the Eastern Palace without being too exaggerated.
After the audience, Li Yuan bestowed gifts upon Wu Meiniang and Li Xiang, and sent a message to Li Chengqian: "The Crown Prince's concubine is virtuous, and the imperial grandson is intelligent; the Eastern Palace is blessed."
These words, when they reached the imperial court, caused another stir. The retired emperor's public praise of Wu Zetian and Li Xiang—did this signify his attitude towards the Crown Prince? Would it influence his views on the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei?
No one knows the answer, but everyone has begun to reassess the status of the Crown Prince, especially the status of Wu Zetian and Li Xiang.
Upon learning all this, Wang Yi's heart was filled with even more complex emotions. Every move Li Yuan made was subtly influencing the political situation and the balance of power in the power struggle between the brothers.
She herself, though deliberately ignored, is still at the center of this vortex.
The peach blossoms outside the window have bloomed; spring has truly arrived. But the tension in Wang Yi's heart has only increased.
Li Yuan's awakening brought temporary peace, but also more uncertainty. This game of chess became more complex and unpredictable because of the involvement of this retired emperor.
She, however, must be more clear-headed and more cautious.
Taking a deep breath, Wang Yi spread out paper and pen and began to analyze the current situation and plan the next steps.
The game of chess continues, and she can never stop thinking.
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