Chapter 77 The True Colors Are Revealed
Taiji Palace, court assembly.
This should have been a routine court meeting, discussing spring planting, border troubles, and the Grand Canal. But the atmosphere was strange from the start. Several usually unremarkable censors and officials had shifty eyes, hesitant to speak. Some officials from aristocratic families whispered among themselves, their gazes towards the emperor's throne less of their usual awe and more of speculation and scrutiny.
Li Shimin sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sharp as he swept over the assembled officials in the hall. His court, though occasionally turbulent, was generally under his control. But today, he sensed something unusual about the undercurrents.
Sure enough, after the Vice Minister of Revenue finished reporting this year's grain reserve budget, and the hall fell into a brief silence, a censor in a green official robe stepped forward. His surname was Zheng, and he came from a branch of the Zheng clan of Xingyang. He was known for his caution and taciturn nature in the court.
"Your subject, Zheng Lian, the Supervising Censor, has something to report." His voice trembled slightly, yet remained exceptionally clear.
Fang Xuanling frowned slightly, and a sharp glint flashed in Du Ruhui's lowered eyes. Changsun Wuji remained expressionless, but his fingers tapped lightly on his official tablet.
"Speak." Li Shimin's voice was unreadable.
"Your Majesty..." Zheng Lian took a deep breath, as if gathering all his courage, "Your Majesty, I have recently heard that some... some unsavory words are circulating in the marketplace, and even... even in some official families, concerning... concerning the virtue of the Crown Prince, and even... concerning the reputation of the Protector of the Nation!"
"Whoosh—"
Despite the premonition, a suppressed gasp and gasps still filled the hall. Many officials looked up sharply at Zheng Lian, then quickly lowered their heads again, their expressions shifting. Some wore expressions of "I knew it" or "It's finally here."
Li Shimin's pupils suddenly contracted, a chill rising from his spine and instantly spreading to every part of his body. His knuckles turned slightly white as he rested his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne. The Eastern Palace? The Protector of the Nation? Words cannot express this?
"Speak clearly! What unbearable words have you uttered? If there is even a single falsehood or slander, you will know the consequences!" The emperor's oppressive aura descended suddenly, and the air in the entire Taiji Hall seemed to freeze.
Zheng Lian's legs went weak, and he almost knelt down, but thinking of the instructions behind him and the possible rewards, he gritted his teeth and stood firm: "Your Majesty, I dare not speak falsely! Rumors are circulating that His Highness the Crown Prince... harbors... harbors improper feelings for the Protector of the Nation, Wang Yi, and relies on him excessively, often interfering in state affairs with personal feelings. Furthermore... it is said that Consort Wu of the Eastern Palace, because of her resemblance to the Protector of the Nation, has received His Highness's special favor, and is... is a substitute! Such remarks damage the Crown Prince's virtue, tarnish the Protector of the Nation's reputation, shake the foundation of the nation, and mislead the people. Although I... I know that these words are presumptuous, for the sake of the country, I dare not fail to report them!"
"boom!"
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck the Taiji Hall. Everyone was stunned by the blatant accusations. The Crown Prince and the Protector of the Nation? A double? Each word was enough to stir up a storm, let alone when strung together!
Li Shimin felt a surge of heat rush to his head, his ears ringing. He looked down at Zheng Lian's face, contorted with fear and excitement, and at the ministers who were either shocked, terrified, or secretly gloating. A violent killing intent clashed with an indescribable sense of absurdity.
Li Chengqian...to Wang Yi?
Those details he had overlooked suddenly flooded his mind: Chengqian's extraordinary trust and closeness to Wang Yi, the unconscious gleam in his eyes when he mentioned her, the fact that his first thought when encountering a problem was to consult Qixia Garden, and even the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace... He had thought it was because Chengqian respected his teacher and Wang Yi was exceptionally capable and selfless...
Wu Zetian...resembles Wang Yi?
Yes, that calm demeanor, the occasional insightful glances, the methodical way she handled things… He initially thought this woman was special, worthy of being sculpted, but he never deeply considered the source of this “specialness.” Now that it has been pointed out, he realizes that traces of it are everywhere!
A burning rage of being fooled and betrayed raged, almost destroying his reason. But then, another, more complex, colder, and more chilling feeling seized him—at this moment, he strangely experienced the feelings Li Yuan had when faced with the "rumors" about him and Wang Yi!
The feeling of being stabbed in the back by your closest relatives and the people you care about most, the rage of having your authority challenged and your dignity trampled, the helplessness and panic in the face of an out-of-control situation... So that's what it feels like!
Li Yuan! Is that you?!
Li Shimin almost instantly identified the mastermind. Only he had the motive, the ability, and the audacity to use such a vicious, despicable, and precisely targeted method to retaliate against Wang Yi and strike at the Eastern Palace!
"Absurd! Shameless!" Li Shimin stood up abruptly, his voice like the clash of metal, filled with thunderous rage. "The Crown Prince respects his teachers and values the Way, and the Emperor is loyal to the country—this is known to all in the court and among the people! Consort Wu is virtuous and intelligent, and the Eastern Palace is harmonious. How dare you use vulgar words from the marketplace to frame the Crown Prince and slander meritorious officials! Zheng Lian, who instructed you to spread rumors and sow discord within the imperial family? What is your punishment?"
When an emperor is enraged, millions will die. The terrifying pressure caused Zheng Lian to collapse to the ground, kowtowing repeatedly: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Your Majesty, please calm your anger! I...I was merely reporting the truth. There are indeed such rumors circulating. I...I am utterly loyal, as the sun and moon can bear witness!"
"Based on facts? What are your so-called facts? Witnesses? Physical evidence? Or are you just relying on a few baseless rumors to slander the Crown Prince and high-ranking officials in court?!" Li Shimin pressed on, his eyes like knives. "As an imperial censor, you should be cautious when reporting rumors. Such baseless accusations and insinuations are no different from framing someone! Guards!"
The palace guards responded and entered.
"Drag this scoundrel away and hand him over to the Dali Temple for rigorous interrogation! I want to see who gave him the audacity to pull such a treacherous trick right under my nose!" Li Shimin's voice was resolute and brooked no argument.
"Your Majesty! I am innocent! Your Majesty—" Zheng Lian's desperate cry was dragged away.
A deathly silence fell over the hall. No one dared to provoke the emperor, who was clearly on the verge of exploding in rage. But the expressions on many people's lowered faces were even more complex. Was the emperor's reaction so intense because he firmly believed in the innocence of the crown prince and the real person, or... was he trying to cover something up?
Li Shimin's chest heaved violently. He knew that merely punishing Zheng Lian was far from enough. Rumors were like a plague; once they began to spread, extinguishing them required a greater cost and more ingenious methods. While swift and decisive suppression could temporarily intimidate, it couldn't silence the public's gossip and might even confirm his "guilty conscience."
He needed to know how much Wang Yi knew, and what Chengqian was really thinking.
"Dismiss the court!" Li Shimin swept away, leaving behind a hall full of officials with their own thoughts.
He did not return to the Liangyi Hall, nor did he summon anyone. He rode straight ahead with a troop of elite imperial guards towards Qixia Garden on the outskirts of the city. The horse galloped, raising a cloud of dust, just like the turbulent emotions churning within him.
Spring was in full bloom at Qixia Garden. Wang Yi sat by the waterside pavilion, watching the koi carp vying for food in the pond, a scroll in her hand, yet she hadn't turned a single page for a long time. She had learned of the turmoil at court through her own channels. What was bound to happen had finally arrived, and in such a disgraceful way, directly to Li Shimin.
Hearing the rapid sound of horses' hooves and the commotion outside the garden gate, she put down her book, straightened her clothes, and stood up calmly.
Li Shimin practically barged in. He waved away all the guards and servants who tried to follow him, and strode alone to the waterside pavilion. The spring sunlight fell on his bright yellow robes, but it couldn't dispel the terrifyingly oppressive aura surrounding him. His eyes were fixed on Wang Yi, his gaze filled with scrutiny, anger, doubt, and something Wang Yi had never seen in his eyes before… a mixture of hurt and questioning.
Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze.
"Your Majesty has come in haste, presumably for today's court affairs," Wang Yi spoke first, her voice calm and unwavering. She even slightly turned her body, gesturing for someone to sit.
Her excessive calmness was like salt sprinkled on the fire in Li Shimin's heart.
"You knew?" Li Shimin's voice was hoarse. He walked into the waterside pavilion, but did not sit down. Instead, he stared intently at Wang Yi. "You knew about these rumors all along? You knew about Chengqian's feelings for you...? You knew that Wu Zetian was favored because she resembled you?"
He bombarded me with a barrage of questions, each word carrying a heavy weight and burning anger.
Wang Yi met his gaze without flinching. "I have heard some rumors recently. As for His Highness the Crown Prince's feelings..." She paused, her tone still calm, yet carrying a knowing clarity, "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is young. It is only natural for him to feel closeness and trust towards elders who guide and help him, and with whom he has no conflict of interest. This feeling may be intense, or it may be ambiguous, but I believe it is more respect than anything else, more dependence than personal affection. I have always remained within my bounds, never overstepping my bounds, nor have I ever given His Highness any improper thoughts. Heaven and earth can bear witness to this."
Instead of directly answering Li Shimin's question about her "thoughts," she defined Li Chengqian's feelings as "closeness and trust," attributing the responsibility to "youth" and "human nature," while clearly distancing herself from the situation. This was the smartest, yet most helpless, answer.
"And what about Wu Zetian?" Li Shimin pressed, his gaze sharp as a hawk. "Did she learn from you voluntarily, or was she instructed to do so? How much did you interfere in the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace?"
"Consort Wu is intelligent and studious. She admires my way of handling affairs and wishes to emulate it; this is her personal choice, and I have never actively requested or hinted at it. As for the affairs of the Eastern Palace," Wang Yi raised her head, her gaze clear and upright, "I am trusted by His Majesty and have been in charge of the Imperial Medical Bureau and overseeing agricultural reforms; all these matters have already taken a toll on my energy. Regarding matters of the Eastern Palace, unless they involve state affairs or His Highness inquires of me, I will never overstep my bounds. Recently, rumors have been circulating, and to avoid suspicion, I have become even less involved in matters of the Eastern Palace; the Crown Princess and Consort Wu can both testify to this."
Her answer was impeccable, acknowledging that Wu Zetian's imitation was a fact while attributing it to personal behavior; explaining that her contact with the Crown Prince was within reasonable limits while also pointing out that she had recently taken the initiative to avoid suspicion.
However, to Li Shimin, who was furious and conflicted, this overly perfect response sounded less like a genuine human response and more like the calculations of a strategist.
"Good, good indeed for staying within one's bounds, good indeed for never overstepping the bounds!" Li Shimin suddenly laughed, a laugh devoid of any warmth, only icy mockery and a deeper pain. "Wang Yi, you are always like this, shrewd and calculating, frighteningly calm. Do you know, today in court, listening to those foul words, looking into the eyes of those ministers, I suddenly understood..."
He took a step forward, no more than a foot away from Wang Yi, and lowered his voice, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "I suddenly understand what Father Emperor felt when he saw the rumors of our 'close relationship' before Xuanwu Gate! The feeling of being stabbed in the back by one's closest relatives and trusted advisors... So this is what it feels like!"
Wang Yi's pupils suddenly contracted. She had imagined that Li Shimin would be angry, questioning, and suspicious, but she never expected that he would connect this matter with Li Yuan back then, and feel such a strong sense of identification and betrayal.
"Your Majesty!" Her voice trembled for the first time, filled with astonishment and a hint of barely perceptible hurt. "Back then, Your Majesty and I were forced into this alliance by circumstances, bound by interests and life-or-death situations! I have never harbored any disloyalty towards Your Majesty! Today's events are entirely different! His Highness the Crown Prince is your son, the heir apparent of the Tang Dynasty. My assistance to him is also my assistance to Your Majesty in stabbing the Tang Dynasty in the back! How can you say we've joined forces to stab each other in the back? Where does Your Majesty place me? And where does Your Majesty place His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Her rebuttal was sharp and forceful, and genuine anger and grievance finally ignited in her eyes. This, ironically, slightly calmed Li Shimin's agitated state of mind.
Yes, it's different. Back then, he and Wang Yi were allies, a union driven by their own purposes and interests. While the rumors were hurtful, they were also, to some extent, a distorted reflection of their relationship. But Wang Yi and Chengqian... Chengqian was his son, and Wang Yi was his man. If there were truly an affair between them, that would be a real betrayal, a complete trampling on ethics, the relationship between ruler and subject, and the relationship between father and son.
Seeing the clear anger and hurt in Wang Yi's eyes, Li Shimin's boiling blood seemed to cool slightly. He suddenly realized how hurtful his words had been. He had transferred his empathy for Li Yuan's actions back then onto Wang Yi, even unwittingly comparing her to Chengqian in that ambiguous and dangerous relationship "he and she had back then."
This wasn't his intention. He came to find out the truth and resolve the problem, not to push her further away.
Li Shimin took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging negative emotions within him, and took a half-step back, creating some distance. His tone remained firm, but the sharp accusation was gone: "I... was merely acting out of momentary anger. There must be a mastermind behind this. Do you have any guesses?"
Seeing his attitude soften slightly, Wang Yi also suppressed her outward emotions and regained her composure, though the turmoil in her eyes had not completely subsided. "To be able to strike at both the Crown Prince and me in this way, and to stir up such a storm in Chang'an without leaving any obvious trace... In my humble opinion, this is not something an ordinary person could do. And someone with both the motive and the ability..." She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already clear.
“The Retired Emperor,” Li Shimin uttered these three words with icy hatred, “There will be no one else but him. He wanted to destroy Chengqian, and he wanted to destroy you even more.”
"I agree," Wang Yi nodded. "The key to this matter lies in dispelling the rumors. Rumors are baseless, yet they are the most hurtful. Your Majesty's punishment of Zheng Lian today is a deterrent, but it is not enough to quell them."
"What good plan do you have?" Li Shimin looked at her. Even in his rage and suspicion, he still subconsciously wanted to hear her opinion. This habitual dependence made him feel restless again.
Wang Yi pondered for a moment, then said, “The rumors stem from two points: the Crown Prince’s ‘excessive’ reliance on me, and the ‘similarity’ between Consort Wu and me. The solution lies in these same points. First, I will further distance myself from the affairs of the Eastern Palace, and will never have private contact with the Crown Prince unless by His Majesty’s decree or in the event of an urgent state affair. I will also maintain my distance in public. Second, I request His Majesty to issue an edict allowing Consort Wu to assist in some of the internal affairs of the Eastern Palace, or to participate in some unimportant activities for officials’ families, giving her the opportunity to showcase her talents and establish an independent image. At the same time, her virtue can be appropriately rewarded to shift the focus. Third, and most importantly—His Majesty and the Crown Prince need to have an open and honest conversation. His Majesty needs to make the Crown Prince understand that the virtue of a crown prince lies in the well-being of the nation, not in personal feelings; the importance of a crown prince lies in the stability of the state, not in personal likes or dislikes. With father and son of one mind, most of the rumors will dissipate.”
Her suggestions were clearly structured, addressing the issue from three perspectives: herself, Wu Zetian, and the relationship between Li Shimin and his son Li Chengqian. This was indeed the most pragmatic and effective solution. The last point, in particular, hit the nail on the head.
Li Shimin remained silent for a long time. To openly discuss "personal matters" with Chengqian? This was more difficult for him to talk about than dealing with a rebellion. But Wang Yi was right; it was necessary. Otherwise, the unresolved issue would remain, and the hidden danger would persist.
"I understand," he finally said, his voice much more weary. "Do as you say. Be careful yourself... Now that the Emperor Emeritus has made his move, he probably won't only have this one trick up his sleeve."
"I understand, Your Majesty, thank you for your concern." Wang Yi bowed.
Li Shimin gave her a deep look, as if trying to discern something more from her calm and expressionless face, but ultimately said nothing and turned to leave the waterside pavilion. His silhouette, bathed in the spring sunlight, appeared somewhat lonely and heavy.
Wang Yi stood there, watching him leave until the bright yellow figure disappeared beyond the garden gate. Only then did his tense back relax slightly, and his palms were already damp with cold sweat.
This confrontation with Li Shimin was more difficult and more... hurtful than she had anticipated. His final words about Li Yuan were like a thorn piercing her heart. So, in his heart, their past cooperation was, in a way, also a knife that could potentially wound him?
She shook her head, casting aside these useless emotions. The most important thing right now was dealing with the crisis. Li Yuan's move was indeed ruthless, hitting almost everyone's Achilles' heel. But now that the true colors were revealed, it was time to face the challenge head-on.
She walked to her desk, spread out the paper, and began writing letters. One was for Wu Meiniang, reminding her to follow the plan, actively showcase herself, and seize any opportunities Li Shimin might offer; the other was for some of her secretly planted agents, instructing them to begin action: investigate, counter, and spread "rumors" unfavorable to Prince Wei, Li Tai, or certain related individuals…
Since we're going to engage in a war of public opinion, let's see who has more cards to play and whose strategy is more far-reaching.
Meanwhile, at the Eastern Palace.
Li Chengqian had learned everything that had happened in the court. His face was pale, and he locked himself in his study, smashing a set of his most beloved porcelain pieces. Anger, shame, fear, and a feeling of being nakedly exposed and displayed to the public almost consumed him.
He wasn't a fool; he wasn't oblivious to the rumors and hints. He simply didn't want to, and dared not, delve into them. What were his feelings for Master Wang? It was admiration, dependence, the only guide in his moments of confusion, a rare ray of warmth and light in this cold palace. Was this feeling pure? He himself couldn't say. But he was certain there was absolutely no impropriety in it! Wu Meiniang… He had initially noticed her because of her familiar calmness and intelligence, but as time went on, he had come to love Wu Meiniang herself!
Why? Why do people always try to speculate about him with the most filthy thoughts, to tarnish the teacher-student relationship and the gratitude he cherishes?
"Your Highness." A palace attendant's cautious voice came from outside the door, "His Majesty...His Majesty has arrived."
Li Chengqian shuddered and abruptly looked up. What was coming had finally arrived. He straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, tried to appear calm, and pushed open the study door.
Outside the garden, dusk was falling, and the city lights of Chang'an were just beginning to illuminate the night. Rumors, like shadows in the darkness, quietly spread through every corner of the city. But new responses had already begun. In the game of chess, the players had all taken their seats; who would be next?
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