Chapter 12 Secret Meeting in the Palace
In the autumn and winter of 624 AD, beneath the surface of grand celebrations and rewards, undercurrents in Chang'an were surging, almost bursting through the ice. Li Shimin returned to court with unparalleled achievements, his prestige soaring. The gates of the Prince of Qin's residence were constantly crowded with carriages and horses, and the number of talented civil and military officials seeking his service was greater than ever before. However, the fear and hostility between the Crown Prince Li Jiancheng and the Prince of Qi, Li Yuanji, also reached their peak. In the court, the attacks between the two factions were almost undisguised, with sharp confrontations at every turn, from personnel appointments and administration to the distribution of military merits. Li Yuan was caught in the middle, his chronic headaches flaring up more frequently, requiring Wang Yi's "Qingxin Zhentong San" (a traditional Chinese medicine formula) and quiet meditation after court sessions to find some relief.
Li Shimin keenly sensed his father's weariness and wavering. He knew that relying solely on military achievements and the support of court officials was insufficient to break the deadlock, and might even invite a more severe purge due to his overwhelming merits. He needed more leverage, a more meticulous plan, and also... a deeper understanding and control over the forces that could influence key figures—especially his father. And Wang Yi was undoubtedly the most unique and elusive link in this force.
He began to consciously and more secretly monitor the movements of Ningyun Pavilion. Not through frequent contact—that would be too conspicuous—but through reliable spies planted within the palace, to learn about Wang Yi's daily life, the details of her interactions with Li Yuan, and even the occasional emotions she revealed. Each intelligence report was like a piece of a puzzle, allowing him to try and piece together a complete picture of this woman: how she soothed the volatile emperor with calm words, how she subtly influenced Li Yuan's views on certain political matters with seemingly casual "health advice" (especially regarding the struggle between the Prince of Qin and the Crown Prince), and her own unwavering, almost icy calmness.
This tranquility stirred not ripples in Li Shimin's heart, but rather a much stronger turmoil. He had seen too many people—enemies, allies, subordinates, relatives—who either revered him, admired him, feared him, or schemed against him. Only Wang Yi seemed to always be separated by an invisible barrier. She saved him from danger, gifted him a map in a secret chamber, and accepted his gifts of gratitude, yet she never showed any dependence, clinging, or the shyness and enthusiasm that an ordinary woman should possess. She was like a deep pool, reflecting his ambition and sharpness, yet she herself was unfathomable.
This feeling of being unable to fully control the situation was an unprecedented challenge for Li Shimin, who was accustomed to controlling the battlefield, the situation, and even attempting to control his own destiny. It also quietly ignited a complex mix of emotions. These emotions included admiration and respect for her extraordinary insight and abilities, pity and curiosity about her composure in perilous circumstances, but even stronger was a growing desire to conquer—he wanted not only to conquer the world, but also to conquer the heart of this woman from an unknown world, seemingly transcending the rules of the mortal realm. He wanted her eyes, which seemed to see into the future, to ultimately reflect only his image; he wanted her cool self-possession to eventually melt for him.
Opportunity arrived unexpectedly. At the end of the seventh year of the Wude era, after a meeting with the Crown Prince, the Prince of Qin, and the Prince of Qi, Li Yuan suffered a severe headache, accompanied by dizziness and vomiting, his condition more serious than before. The imperial physicians were helpless, and the elixirs offered by a sorcerer recommended by the Crown Prince only worsened his condition. In the midst of the chaos, it was Wang Yi who, using a peculiar method of "acupressure" (actually a simplified emergency treatment combined with psychological reassurance) and adjusted medication, gradually helped Li Yuan recover. After this incident, Li Yuan's dependence on Wang Yi reached its peak, almost regarding him as a lifesaver, while simultaneously developing deeper suspicions and dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince's hasty recommendation of the "unreliable" sorcerer.
Li Shimin learned the entire story through his trusted confidants in the palace, including Wang Yi's calm and decisive handling of the crisis, and her gentle advice to Li Yuan: "Your Majesty, your health is crucial to the stability of the nation. You should rest quietly, avoid excessive thinking, and especially stay away from people and things that are eager for quick success and that disturb your mind." Although she did not name names, in that context, this statement undoubtedly deeply touched Li Yuan's dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince's eagerness for quick success and his potential disregard for his father's health in his quest for power.
“She has indeed been helping me invisibly.” Li Shimin said to his confidants in the secret chamber of the Prince of Qin’s mansion, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips. But then, that smile turned into a resolute straight line. “However, her heart is unfathomable, and her strength can be used but not relied upon. The foundation of our grand plan still lies in our own strength and a thunderous strike.”
He decided to take a risk and make a more direct attempt to test and win her over. Not in the manner of a King of Qin towards a palace maid, but in the manner of a man towards a woman who aroused his strong interest and desire to conquer.
In the first month of the eighth year of the Wude era (625 AD), during the Lantern Festival, a banquet was held in the palace, and some palace servants of certain ranks were allowed to view the lanterns in a designated area. Li Shimin cleverly arranged a "chance encounter" during this relatively relaxed opportunity.
Near the relatively secluded plum grove in the Imperial Garden, he dismissed his attendants and waited alone. Sure enough, after a short while, Wang Yi, wearing a plain cloak and accompanied by a young palace maid, slowly approached. She seemed to prefer tranquility and intentionally avoided the noisy main lantern area.
"Immortal Wang has such refined tastes, appreciating the winter plum blossoms alone." Li Shimin stepped out from behind the plum tree, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching the other person's ears.
Wang Yi paused slightly, gesturing for the young palace maid to step back. She turned and met Li Shimin's gaze, showing little surprise, but simply bowing slightly in courtesy: "Your Highness, why are you here instead of attending the banquet in the main hall?"
“The banquet is noisy, but it is not as quiet and fragrant as the plum blossoms here.” Li Shimin took a few steps closer and his gaze fell on her profile, which was illuminated by the dim light of the lanterns. “Moreover, I may meet the person I want to see.”
Wang Yi looked up at him, his eyes calm and unwavering: "Your Highness is joking. People in the palace are not people Your Highness can see at will."
“If it were anyone else, of course it wouldn’t be possible.” Li Shimin took another step closer, so close they could feel each other’s breath. He lowered his voice, his tone carrying an undeniable force, “But you are different, Wang Yi. You have never truly considered yourself one of the people in this palace, have you?”
Wang Yi's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, but she did not back down. Instead, she met his gaze and said, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness? I am now in the palace, serving Your Majesty, and therefore I am a person of the palace."
"Serving His Majesty?" Li Shimin chuckled, but there was little warmth in his laughter; rather, it was filled with insight and challenge. "You stabilized Father's illness with your miraculous skills and subtly guided His Majesty's mind with your words. Rather than serving him, it was more like... manipulation in a certain sense. What are you after? Is it really that ethereal title of 'overseas immortal master'?"
These words were extremely harsh, almost striking at his heart. Wang Yi's expression finally changed slightly, not with fear, but with a cold solemnity as if his bottom line had been touched: "Your Highness, please be careful with your words! Everything I have done is for His Majesty's health. Your Highness should not judge others by your own standards."
"Judging others by your own standards?" Li Shimin's gaze was intense, as if trying to pierce through her calm facade. "Very well, then I will judge others by my own standards this once. You gave me a map, showing me the vastness of the future; you accepted my jade hairpin without refusing; you unintentionally resolved many unfavorable slanders or situations against me in front of the Emperor... Are these all just coincidences? Or are you also making a choice, choosing someone you believe... can lead this Tang Dynasty to the vast future you know?"
He paused, his tone suddenly becoming low and imposing: "And this person, do you see him clearly now? Does he deserve... more 'choices' from you?"
A night breeze swept through the plum grove, scattering a few petals that landed between the two. The faint sounds of banquet music drifted from afar, further emphasizing the tense silence of the place.
Wang Yi remained silent for a long time. She looked at the man before her. He was no longer the young general who had just recovered from serious injuries and was slightly bewildered a few years ago, but the Qin King, a seasoned warrior with unparalleled achievements and a commanding presence. In his eyes, there was ambition, sharpness, and unmistakable admiration, but deeper still, there was a conquering desire she knew all too well—the desire of a apex predator. What he wanted was not just her help, but her complete attention, her approval, and even…emotional belonging.
"Your Highness possesses great talent and strategic vision, and your military achievements are outstanding. You are naturally a dragon among men and a pillar of the nation." Wang Yi spoke slowly, choosing her words carefully. "I am but a humble person with limited knowledge. How dare I speak of 'choice'? My actions are merely in accordance with the times and to the best of my ability. As for the future..." She turned her head slightly, avoiding his overly intense gaze, "Your Highness has your own vision in mind. Why ask someone as unsophisticated as me?"
"A person beyond the mundane world?" Li Shimin suddenly raised his hand and gently brushed away a tiny flower petal that had somehow gotten stuck in her hair, the movement so fast that she didn't have time to react. His fingertips lightly brushed against her temple, carrying the calloused touch unique to a military general. "If you were truly a person beyond the mundane world, you wouldn't be involved in this mortal turmoil, you wouldn't stay by Father's side, and you certainly wouldn't... make me worry so much."
His voice lowered, carrying a rare, almost gentle magnetism, yet its strength remained undiminished: "Wang Yi, these palace walls cannot confine you, and your father's reliance may not be your long-term support. The world will be at peace, but a storm is brewing. When the dust settles, are you willing... to stand beside someone who can truly protect you and realize the blueprint in your heart?"
This wasn't a promise, or even a clear invitation; it was a forceful declaration and an inquiry. He was telling her that he was determined to have it, not only the throne, but also... her.
Wang Yi's heart finally skipped a beat. She saw the undisguised desire in his eyes—desire for power, and also for her. This naked, aggressive infatuation came earlier and was more intense than she had expected.
"Your Highness," she finally took a half step back, creating some distance, her voice regaining its usual coldness, "The night is cold and the wind is chilly. Your Highness should prioritize state affairs and take care of your health. I take my leave."
She didn't answer his question, but her brief loss of composure and retreat had already given Li Shimin some kind of answer. He didn't stop her, but just watched her slightly hurried departure, and in the fragrant night, he slowly clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed it.
"You can't escape," he muttered to himself, a determined glint in his eyes. This test had only reinforced his belief that she wasn't indifferent, but rather that her defenses were extremely high. And breaking through those defenses, like conquering the world, required patience, strategy, and... sufficiently strong power and opportune timing.
After the Lantern Festival, the political situation at court became even more treacherous. Li Yuan attempted to maintain a balance, even intending to have Li Shimin leave Chang'an for Luoyang, tantamount to "dividing the territory," in order to ease tensions. However, this was met with fierce opposition from the Crown Prince's faction, and the plan ultimately failed. Friction between the two sides intensified, with small-scale clashes and rumors of assassinations circulating.
Li Shimin intensified his preparations for the coup. At the same time, his interest in Wang Yi deepened. No longer content with mere intelligence, he began occasionally visiting the vicinity of Ningyun Pavilion under the pretext of inquiring about his father's illness, or using the opportunity of presenting rare medicinal herbs or overseas goods (he deliberately searched for items similar to those Wang Yi had mentioned) to have brief, ceremonial exchanges with her. The topics sometimes touched on medicine and health, sometimes on seemingly casual observations of the world. He always tried to subtly display his ambition, his knowledge, his interest in the world she spoke of, and… that increasingly undisguised, almost aggressive, attention.
Wang Yi's responses always maintained a cautious approach. She wouldn't refuse to communicate, and even at crucial junctures concerning Li Yuan's health, she would convey subtle messages (such as Li Yuan's extreme depression on a particular day, which might be detrimental to someone). But she never overstepped her boundaries, never made any promises. That aloof temperament, under Li Shimin's increasingly ardent advances, seemed to be polished to a more lustrous and alluring degree—like the most fortified city he longed to conquer, knowing the difficulties only fueling his fighting spirit and desire.
Conquering her was like conquering the world—two parallel goals deep within Li Shimin's heart. This emotion, a mixture of admiration, curiosity, desire, and a strong possessiveness, burned fiercely in his chest, yet he controlled it with astonishing willpower, transforming it into more meticulous planning and a more powerful driving force. He wanted to win the empire, and he also wanted to win this extraordinary woman. And he knew that these two things would soon face their final showdown.
The dark clouds over Xuanwu Gate grew ever heavier. And in Li Shimin's heart, his longing for Wang Yi, like vines, tightened and solidified with time and the growth of his ambition. He anticipated that after the storm that would decide everything, he could, in a new and supreme position, pluck that icy flower from the overseas immortal mountain, which he had long considered his own.
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