Chapter 88 The Balancing Techniques of the Crown Prince
The atmosphere in the Eastern Palace underwent a subtle yet profound change due to the shift in Crown Prince Li Chengqian's strategy. The oppressive tension of the past, almost to the point of breaking down, had not completely dissipated, but had transformed into a more restrained and purposeful calm. Li Chengqian remained the taciturn and gaunt Crown Prince, reviewing memorials until late at night and speaking concisely when summoning officials. However, the occasional glint of calculation in his eyes and the suppressed yet still burning obsession deep within them made those who knew him understand that something had changed.
He relied heavily on Wu Meiniang. This reliance wasn't based on indulgent romantic feelings, but rather on a cold-blooded trust and manipulation. Wu Meiniang knew his secret, knew his unspoken feelings for Wang Zhenren, yet instead of showing any rejection or admonition, she accepted and even assisted him in handling the complex situations arising from this relationship—whether it was arranging for those palace maids with "special" temperaments or deciphering Wang Yi's letter that changed his thinking. Between them, beyond being husband and wife in name, they were more like allies bound by shared secrets and interests, "comrades-in-arms" walking side-by-side in the treacherous palace.
Li Chengqian even vaguely sensed that Wu Meiniang's attitude towards Wang Zhenren was far from a simple imitation or exploitation. It was a mixture of admiration, reverence, and even some profound emotion that he himself could hardly define. This discovery stirred a strange resonance within him, as if he had found someone in this cold Eastern Palace who could understand the deepest, most hidden corners of his heart. Although he knew that this "understanding" might also be shrouded in Wu Meiniang's own ambition and calculations.
However, this "reliance" and "resonance" must be strictly confined to the public eye, and limited to official duties and planning. The inner courtyard of the Eastern Palace is no longer as simple as it used to be. With the arrival of illegitimate daughters or legitimate daughters from collateral branches of several prominent families, such as the Li family of Zhao County, the Li family of Longxi (a branch that was at odds with the Wang family of Taiyuan), and the Cui family of Qinghe (a branch that had a grudge against the Cui family of Boling), as concubines and ladies-in-waiting, the air here has become mixed with more complex scents.
These women were all of extraordinary birth; even those born to concubines from collateral branches represented families whose power and potential influence should not be underestimated. They brought with them lavish dowries, shrewd maids, and the overt or covert expectations of their families. The structure of the Eastern Palace instantly transformed from a relatively simple "Crown Princess and Favored Concubine" model into a miniature court, rife with intricate power struggles and tests of authority.
Li Chengqian was keenly aware that he could no longer devote so much time and emotional resources to Wu Meiniang as he had before. That would disrupt the delicate balance he had painstakingly cultivated by introducing these noblewomen, prematurely revealing his true inclinations and potentially backfiring on him. Therefore, he deliberately distanced himself from Wu Meiniang within the harem. During the day, he would still summon her for discussions, listening to her opinions on palace affairs and even some political developments (Wu Meiniang was indeed perceptive in these matters), and his words often showed him considerable reliance on her. However, in the records of his nightly visits, Wu Meiniang's name appeared much less frequently, showing no significant difference from the other newly arrived concubines.
As for Crown Princess Su, the wife personally chosen for him by his mother, who had long since fallen out of favor and whose personality clashed with his, her value in Li Chengqian's eyes now lay only in two aspects: first, she was chosen by the Empress, and easily deposing her would invite criticism and damage his image as a "filial son"; second, she had borne him a daughter, a princess, but still of legitimate blood, which might be useful in certain situations. More importantly, Su's very existence was like a piece of meat hanging in front of all the noblewomen who coveted the position of Crown Princess, visible yet unattainable for them. They could only desperately try to impress him, the Crown Prince, hoping for a possible future opportunity. If Su were to "die of illness," the vacant position of Crown Princess would inevitably trigger an even more frantic struggle among these women from different noble families, disrupting the balance he had painstakingly maintained and possibly even spilling over into the court.
Therefore, although Lady Su's life remained lonely and her situation awkward, at least for the time being, apart from her personal safety and endless neglect, there were no other threats. Li Chengqian maintained a superficial respect for her, providing her with the necessities befitting a Crown Princess, and that was all.
His energy and favor were precisely and evenly distributed among the newly arrived daughters of prominent families. He studied their family backgrounds, learned about their fathers' and brothers' positions and inclinations in court, and even used them to convey vague political signals or obtain less-than-secret information from within the families. In their presence, he displayed a moderate gentleness and respect befitting the crown prince, and his occasional rewards and care were handled with perfect tact, ensuring that no family felt excessively neglected, nor that any family harbored unrealistic fantasies.
However, this was not enough. The marriage alliance was only the first step, establishing an initial bond of interests and political tacit understanding. To truly bind these aristocratic families firmly to his cause, especially to ensure they stood firmly on the side of the Crown Prince when faced with the attempts to win them over by Prince Wei, Li Tai, and even to become his strongest spear and shield in the face of potential future storms, he needed deeper bonds and more inseparable ties of interest.
Offspring.
Li Chengqian's gaze swept over the palace lanterns hanging in his bedchamber, painted with pomegranate patterns symbolizing many children and abundant blessings. These women from noble families had been in the palace for some time, and he had intentionally increased the frequency of his summons, especially those from more influential families or those more crucial to his current strategy. He needed them to conceive as soon as possible and give birth to princes or princesses carrying the bloodlines of both families.
A child carrying his blood and that of a certain aristocratic family is far more significant than an ordinary imperial heir. It will be the strongest umbilical cord, tightly connecting that family to the Eastern Palace and the future throne. At that time, even if it's just for the child's potentially unattainable yet not entirely impossible future (such as becoming the crown prince, or even the emperor), that family will do everything in their power to protect Li Chengqian's position as heir apparent and to suppress any force that might threaten that position, such as Prince Wei, Li Tai.
What could the Prince of Wei offer these aristocratic families? Nothing more than empty promises of future benefits, a "pie in the sky" painted in the sky in the struggle for something that didn't originally belong to him. High risk, uncertain return. What Li Chengqian could offer, however, was a tangible, ongoing "real investment" that could bring even more astonishing returns—a grandson of the emperor who carried their family's blood and was only one step away from the throne.
How did the Li family rise to power? Wasn't it by seizing opportunities, accumulating strength, and ultimately conquering the world? These aristocratic families, with their millennia-long lineage, possess a thirst for power and an instinct for it that is second to none. Even a hint of showing importance or expectation towards their offspring, even a mere suggestion, is enough to ignite a raging fire of ambition within these families. The throne, the position of crown prince—there can only be one. But what if their grandson has the opportunity? Why shouldn't the "merit of supporting the emperor" and the "honor of being a maternal relative" fall upon their own family?
With children, these aristocratic families would no longer be merely temporary allies bound together by the exchange of interests; they would become a community of shared interests, where prosperity and adversity were intertwined. Externally, they would become his sharpest weapon and strongest shield against his political enemies (especially the Prince of Wei and his backers). Internally, these families, also vying for the sole position of "supreme relative of the empress," would naturally form a system of checks and balances and competition. They needed to unite to protect the Crown Prince, ensuring their own sons had a chance, while secretly vying for his favor and paving the way for their own princes. This dynamic balance was precisely what Li Chengqian needed most—to leverage their strengths while preventing any single family from becoming too powerful and threatening his authority.
In the stillness of the night, Li Chengqian stood alone by the window of his study, gazing at the towering palaces of the Eastern Palace. This place was no longer merely his residence and a place to handle state affairs; it was a meticulously constructed arena of power, an experimental ground that attempted to win over and control the ancient aristocratic families bound by his bloodline.
He recalled Wang Yi's words: "Plan slowly," "Endure for now." Yes, he was enduring—enduring the urge to get close to Wu Meiniang brought on by his complex feelings, enduring his disgust for the Crown Princess Su, and even enduring his dealings with those noblewomen he perhaps had little genuine affection for. He was plotting, plotting for a more secure position as heir apparent, plotting to have enough power to realize certain ideas when he truly ruled the world in the future—whether it was to fulfill some kind of consolation to his mother, or… something else.
He also thought of Wu Zetian, the woman who shared his secrets and burdens. He knew he owed her, both as a husband and as an ally. But for now, he could only bury this debt and that inexplicable emotion deep within himself. He had to play his game of the Eastern Palace game ruthlessly and precisely.
Summer was drawing to a close, and the night air carried a hint of early autumn coolness. Li Chengqian pulled his robes tighter, his gaze regaining its firmness and sharpness. News of the daughters of the noble families was imminent. He needed to quicken his pace, binding as many noble families as possible to the Eastern Palace's cause in the most secure way possible before the Prince of Wei could react and find a new breakthrough.
The lights in Qixia Garden had long been extinguished. In her own side hall, Wu Meiniang removed her hairpins and ornaments before the mirror. The woman in the mirror was still beautiful, but her eyes were more profound and unfathomable than ever before. She knew the Crown Prince's schemes, understood his coldness, and even…to some extent, approved of his methods. In this vortex of power, emotions were the most luxurious and the most dangerous thing. All she could do was continue to play the roles of "ally" and "wise wife," consolidating her irreplaceable "practical" value in the Crown Prince's heart, while silently waiting, perhaps also silently plotting her own future.
Beneath the surface of calm, the nights in the Eastern Palace see an undercurrent of ambition regarding offspring, power, and family aspirations. Everyone is searching for their place and their next move in this increasingly complex game of chess.
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