Chapter Sixty-One: The First Battle Upon Entering the City

Li Duozuo advised, “My lord, the use of the Inner Guard is entirely at your command. Though the Inner Guard has long been despised by the world, it is not without merit. In the days of Empress Wu Zetian, she instituted the bronze casket for secret denunciations, and the Inner Guard scoured the land for traces of court officials. It is true that this bred widespread fear and resulted in many false accusations and wrongful convictions, but it also purged many corrupt officials and traitorous ministers. On the whole, the achievements of the Inner Guard outweigh its faults. My lord must not discard this sharp tool for fear of choking on a morsel.”

Li Chongjun replied, “Very well, I’ll follow your advice in this matter for now.”

Li Duozuo rejoiced, “Thank you, my lord.” As the others had already gone far ahead, Li Duozuo, now at ease, removed his mask to reveal his true face. Yet his real visage was haggard and worn, the mask hiding only a few years of age.

At this moment, Zilan already knew that her eldest senior brother, Li Jiu, was in fact Li Chongjun, the Prince Yixing and imperial son of the reigning dynasty. Yet instead of joy, worry settled deep in her heart. Raised on the tranquil slopes of Tianshan, she was unaccustomed to the turmoil of palace life and felt an unease at what awaited her. She feared that Li Chongjun might one day take more consorts and leave her neglected. In Zilan’s eyes, Li Chongjun was still her beloved senior brother, not some imperial scion. If she could choose, she would much rather live in seclusion with him on Tianshan, far from the world’s strife, than enter the grandeur of Daming Palace in Chang’an.

Yet her love for Li Chongjun was deep, and she would not let her own sentiments spoil the grand designs of her beloved. So she walked on in silence, head bowed.

Chang’an lay but a few hundred li from Luoyang, a journey of several days at their leisurely pace. When they finally arrived, Zilan was awestruck by the city’s magnificence. Never before had she entered so great a metropolis, where the streets teemed with carriages and throngs of people. How could there be such bustle on Tianshan? Her attention was especially drawn to the silk shops and cosmetics stores—those treasures so beloved by women—that she could hardly move her feet. Spinning from one marvel to the next, her eyes finally settled on a white jade comb, and delight shone in her gaze.

Though barely the size of a palm, the comb was smooth as congealed fat and lustrous as fish jelly, flawless in color and radiance. Clearly, it was an item of great price, displayed solemnly in a glass box by the shopkeeper to show that his wares surpassed all others. Few could afford such a luxury, so it served mainly as a sign of the shop’s quality.

Seeing her interest, Li Chongjun approached the shopkeeper. “Proprietor, let me see that comb.”

The shopkeeper, a native of Chang’an well used to wealthy merchants and prone to snobbery, regarded the three, noting their plain dress. He assumed Li Chongjun was a country scholar come to take the exams, accompanied by family and servant. Languidly, he replied, “Sir, that comb is steeply priced—at least two thousand taels of silver. You say ‘let me see it,’ but if you were to break it, not even selling your house would cover the loss. If you wish to buy a comb, look at these wooden ones instead. Five copper coins each, pick as you like.”

With that, he jerked his chin toward a pile of wooden combs strewn on a bamboo mat by the door.

Zilan was utterly shocked. She’d never imagined such a small comb could cost so much. In many places, a mu of good land fetched only three or five taels of silver—a comb like this could buy a town! Hastily, she tugged at Li Chongjun’s sleeve, whispering, “Such an expensive thing is beyond our means. Let’s go.”

The shopkeeper sneered, “See, what can bumpkins from the countryside possibly know? Just now you wanted to see it, but even a touch would cost you ten taels. In my opinion, sir, even if you sold this little lady, she wouldn’t fetch ten taels!”

Li Chongjun’s anger flared. He had not intended to cause trouble, but the shopkeeper’s words were beyond insulting.

Li Duozuo quickly stepped forward and whispered, “My lord, to quarrel with such a cur would only elevate his station. Leave him to me.”

With that, he drew a gold ingot from his robe and weighed it in his hand. The shopkeeper, recognizing its high purity and knowing it would fetch over three thousand taels of silver, immediately changed his tune, smiling obsequiously. “Sir, you truly hide your worth! Forgive my earlier rudeness, I hope you’ll be magnanimous.”

He hurried to retrieve the white jade comb, presenting it to Zilan with both hands, all the while bowing apologetically. Yet Zilan, still trembling with anger, had lost all interest in the comb.

She was about to voice her outrage when a languid, delicate voice interrupted, “This white jade comb is truly exquisite. I’ll take it back for the Princess—she’ll surely love it.” As she spoke, a fair hand reached out and took the comb from the shopkeeper.

Zilan turned to see a young woman of noble bearing, accompanied by a maidservant.

The shopkeeper’s face lit up with fawning delight. “Ah, Miss Chonglin, no wonder I felt the day was auspicious! Your presence brings luck to this humble shop.”

Miss Chonglin did not so much as glance at the others. She instructed, “Wrap the comb carefully and have it sent to my residence.” The shopkeeper replied eagerly, “At once, miss.”

Zilan, indignant, protested, “How high-handed! Even in shopping, there should be some order. Why not ask if others want it before claiming it for yourself?”

Miss Chonglin snorted coldly, turning to the shopkeeper, “Who are these people, to address me so rudely? Throw them out at once!”

The shopkeeper, all false deference, replied, “They must be upstart countryfolk, thinking a little silver makes them important. I’ll see them out right away!” He turned, barking, “Out with you! Do you wish to offend the daughter of the Wu family from the Prime Minister’s residence? Out!”

He moved to shove them aside.

Li Duozuo stepped forward, seizing the shopkeeper’s wrist and snarling, “You blind cur! Wu Sansi has long since been stripped of his office and cowers at home in disgrace. Yet his daughter still dares flaunt the title of Prime Minister—are you courting death?”

With a single-handed wrench, the bone of the shopkeeper’s wrist cracked audibly. The man howled in agony, “You dare! When my master returns, he’ll have your skins flayed!”

Li Duozuo sneered, “And who is your master, that he’s so powerful?” The shopkeeper could only groan, but the maidservant retorted, “He is General Du Guwei of the Right Guard! You’ll pay for this outrage!”

Li Duozuo laughed heartily. “So my old shadow Du Guwei is now a general! Very well, I’ll have him crawl to me on his knees!”

He snatched the jade comb from Miss Chonglin’s hand, crushed it to fragments, and turned to Zilan. “Forgive me, madam. This white jade comb has now been sullied by the hand of a criminal’s daughter and is unfit for your use. I have destroyed it.”

He flung the shattered jade at Chonglin’s face. Used to commanding deference as the daughter of the disgraced Chancellor Wu Sansi, Miss Chonglin had never suffered such humiliation. She nearly fainted with rage, trembling as she pointed at Li Duozuo, “You... you... How dare you!”

When they first entered the city, Li Duozuo had already informed the Right Guard at the gate that His Highness Prince Yixing, Li Chongjun, was arriving. Now, as the commotion grew, a troop of armored soldiers approached. The shopkeeper, spotting his supposed savior, screamed, “Master, help!”

The officer at the head was indeed Du Guwei. Yet he ignored the shopkeeper’s cries, dropped to his knees at a distance, and shuffled forward to kowtow before Li Chongjun. “Your Highness Prince Yixing, your humble servant apologizes for his tardy welcome!”

Miss Chonglin and the shopkeeper stood stunned.

Li Chongjun said, “Rise.”

Du Guwei bowed gratefully. “Thank you, Your Highness.” He stepped aside respectfully.

Li Duozuo greeted him, “You’ve improved much these past years.”

Du Guwei hurried to salute. “It was only through your recommendation that I have come so far.”

Li Duozuo asked, “Is this shopkeeper your servant?”

Du Guwei replied, “Yes, General. He has always been diligent in his duties—”

Li Duozuo interrupted, “Diligent indeed! Daring to insult His Highness. Are you trying to bring disaster upon yourself by keeping such a servant?”

Du Guwei blanched. Quick-witted, he drew his saber and declared, “I will execute this servant at once to atone for my crime!” The shopkeeper wailed for mercy.

Zilan, kind-hearted despite her anger, could not bear to see the man killed. She pleaded, “Let it be. He did not know us and meant no real harm. His broken wrist is punishment enough.”

Li Duozuo smiled, “Madam, your compassion spares this fool.” Then to Du Guwei, “But this man’s foul mouth may yet cause trouble. Remove his teeth and cast him out of Chang’an!”

Du Guwei signaled his soldiers, who seized the shopkeeper, tilting his face skyward.

Li Duozuo said, “No, don’t have your men do it. You do it yourself!”

Du Guwei obeyed, taking a metal rod and, with a heavy swing, shattered the shopkeeper’s teeth in a spray of blood and saliva. The wretch collapsed, unconscious, and was dragged from the city like a dead dog.

When the matter was settled, Li Duozuo cast a cold eye at Miss Chonglin. “Let alone your father, a deposed chancellor—even the current prime minister must bow before His Highness. Be gone, or I’ll have you imprisoned for grave disrespect!”

Miss Chonglin stood dazed, but her maid was quick and pulled her away at a run. The crowd escorted Li Chongjun and his party toward the imperial city.