Chapter Sixty-Two: The Wrath of Wu Sansi

With a loud crash, a porcelain vase shattered in the Chancellor’s study within the heart of Chang’an. Wu Sansi, seething with fury, hurled objects about with the rage of a cornered tiger. The maids and servants outside stood rooted in fear, their faces pale.

Wu Songxun and Wu Chonglin stood by, helpless. Wu Chonglin’s tears fell like rain, delicate and mournful, while Wu Songxun’s face was grim as he surveyed the fragments of precious bronze and pottery, his heart aching.

Only when the study was in complete disarray did Wu Sansi finally stop, panting heavily. He threw himself into a chair, his bloodshot eyes glancing at Wu Chonglin, who stood in the corner. “My dear daughter,” he growled, “that scoundrel dared to speak insolently to you, which is a direct challenge to me, Wu Sansi! Stop your crying—I'll find an opportunity to take that boy’s life!”

Wu Songxun stepped forward. “Father, calm yourself. Those wretches aren’t worth your anger. Why not send someone to find out where they're staying? I’ll take some guards and finish them off.”

Wu Sansi snapped, “You know nothing! Who do you think Du Guwei is? He knelt from afar before that man! When the old man ordered punishment for the manager, Du Guwei didn’t say a word—he just did it. Du Guwei is fiercely protective of his own; clearly, these people are no ordinary lot. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t care, but times have changed. We must investigate thoroughly before making any move.”

His anger flared again, and he bellowed, “I told you both to keep a low profile and avoid trouble, but you never listen! I’ve held power for years—though I have many loyal followers, I have just as many enemies. This time you were merely humiliated, but if you'd fallen into the hands of true foes, you might have lost your lives!”

At that moment, a servant cautiously entered, smiling obsequiously. “Master, please do not be angry. We’ve learned from the eyes in the Right Guard that the young man is His Majesty’s son, the Prince of Yixing, Li Chongjun. The old servant is the former Inner Guard General, Li Duozuo. As for the young woman, she appears to be Li Chongjun’s junior disciple.”

“Are you certain?” Wu Sansi roared. “If you’re wrong, you’ll pay with your life!”

The servant immediately dropped to his knees. “I dare not lie, master. Du Guwei himself said so, and he instructed his men to serve His Highness the Prince of Yixing with utmost respect. He even said Li Duozuo was his superior in the past and treated him well. There can be no mistake.”

Wu Sansi waved him away irritably, and the servant scurried out as if pardoned from death. Wu Sansi muttered with a savage expression, “When the father was in trouble, the son hid in the rivers and lakes. Now the father is the emperor, and the son comes running to claim favors. Where in the world is there such good fortune? Even if the emperor consents, his stepmother won’t! At a time like this, instead of keeping a low profile and biding his time, he arrives in the capital flaunting his power—offending the Wu family, no less. Let's see how he meets his end!”

“Father, that old man Li Duozuo is truly hateful. He smashed the white jade comb and flung it at my face. You must kill him to avenge me!” Wu Chonglin sobbed.

“Li Duozuo is no ordinary old man! He was once a general of the Inner Guard. Years ago, your great-aunt sent him to assassinate Xu Jingye. It was rumored he died in failure, and his family was handsomely rewarded in compensation. Now he returns alive and well. He can never escape the crime of faking his death! What puzzles me is that he’s usually so cautious—why would he provoke the Wu family before he has even settled in? That’s not like him. Ah, I see—it must be that after years in hiding, he doesn’t recognize you, and when he realized who you were, it was too late to back down. He also knows I’ve been dismissed from office, so he simply went along with it. He has always been ruthless, yet he let you go unharmed. Clearly, he still fears me.”

Wu Sansi began to smile. “That’s fine. He doesn't want to become our enemy, and at the moment, I can’t act against him. This gives us both a way out.”

Wu Chonglin was distraught. “So you won’t avenge me? I was bullied and you dare not speak up—how can you call yourself Chancellor? Brother, that white jade comb was meant for me to give Princess Anle!”

Wu Songxun hung his head, unable to speak. Wu Sansi sneered, “What do you know? Is the Wu family so easily bullied? In time, I’ll have that man torn to pieces. But Li Duozuo is but a brute—the real threat lies with those around him. Leave this to me to handle. You may go.”

Wu Chonglin stamped her foot in frustration, let out a sob, and ran from the room. Wu Sansi turned to Wu Songxun. “Go buy the finest women’s ornaments and deliver them to Li Chongjun. I’ll write a letter for you to take as well.”

Wu Songxun objected, “Father, they should be grateful we don’t cause them trouble, yet you want to—”

Wu Sansi sighed. “You’re still young. You don’t understand—court politics isn’t about momentary advantage, but about securing the family’s fortune for generations. I’ve seen many rise to unthinkable power, only to end in ruin. Remember Zhangsun Wuji? He was unmatched in arrogance—investigating treason, he killed princes and princesses alike. Even Emperor Taizong pleaded for mercy in vain. But when my aunt rose to the throne, one decree and the Zhangsun family was annihilated. Where is that illustrious house now? Never act rashly in matters such as these.”

Wu Songxun bowed. “Yes, Father. I will remember your teachings.”

In the Yixing Prince’s mansion, officials from the Ministry of Rites were painstakingly instructing Zilan in the nine-fold kowtow required for audiences with the Emperor and Empress. Li Chongjun and Li Duozuo, long accustomed to such ceremonies, needed no such rehearsals. But for Zilan, who had never experienced such formalities, every movement mattered—even where to place her hands during kneeling, how to arrange her skirts. The ritual master repeatedly reminded her never to raise her eyes without imperial command. By midnight, Zilan finally grasped the basics, though she longed to escape the constraints of the palace and return to the snowy peaks of Tianshan.

The next morning, a palace maid brought breakfast. In Tianshan, breakfast was a simple affair of flatbread, rice, pickles, and broth. Here in Xianghe Hall, dozens of dishes were arrayed—golden duck, chicken and mushroom soup, carp stew, sesame cakes, glutinous rice pastries—so many that Zilan’s eyes danced with wonder.

As the eunuch presented the dishes, he did not withdraw but instead knelt by her side and recited each dish’s name in a loud, clear voice. When he finished, Li Chongjun waved him away and the eunuch retreated, bowing deeply. Zilan’s stomach growled—she quickly picked up her chopsticks and reached for a fragrant piece of beef brisket. The ritual official at her side immediately dropped to his knees, pleading, “Madam, you must not forget the rites!”

Zilan was puzzled. “Aren’t these dishes for me to eat?”

The official replied respectfully, “The food is for Your Highness and Madam, but before you begin, you must wait for His Highness’s signal.”

Zilan laughed, “My senior brother dotes on me—he’d never deny me food. No need to wait; I’m starving!”

Li Duozuo discreetly leaned in, whispering, “Madam, you mustn’t. These dining protocols are not only royal rules, but also for your and His Highness's safety. I beg you to observe the ritual.”

Resigned, Zilan set her chopsticks down. “Fine, fine—Your Highness, please give the order to start!”

Li Chongjun could only smile wryly. Li Duozuo clapped his hands, and two attendant eunuchs stepped forward. Each took an ivory and a silver token from a sandalwood box, inserting them into each dish in turn, then inspected the results carefully. One eunuch announced, “Your Highness, all the dishes and soups are safe. May Your Highness and Madam enjoy them in good health.”

Li Chongjun nodded. “Let Zilan and Li Duozuo join the feast. They may be seated.” Li Duozuo quickly fell to his knees. “Thank you, Your Highness.” He glanced at Zilan, who simply sat there, so he tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “You must kneel and give thanks!”

“What?” Zilan cried, then grew indignant. “On Tianshan, I served him every meal and washed his bowls—he never thanked me! But now, in his own house, he puts on all these airs. If I don’t give thanks, I won’t get to eat? I shan’t tolerate such treatment. I’m going back to Tianshan!” She stood to leave, but the ritual official knelt in her path, bowing repeatedly.

Li Chongjun, helpless, rose and said, “Don’t be upset, junior sister. It’s just procedure. If you don’t do it, you’ll embarrass yourself at future palace banquets. In daily life, it’s unnecessary. You’ll get your meal even without giving thanks. All right, everyone, let’s eat.”

Li Duozuo solemnly kowtowed and then sat on the soft stool provided by a servant.

Zilan sat down in a huff, grabbed her chopsticks, and went for the brisket again. The ritual official, barely on his feet, knelt once more. “Madam, you mustn’t!”

Zilan nearly lost her temper. “What now? Am I not allowed to eat at all?”

She was tempted to ignore him and stuff the brisket into her mouth. What could the official do—snatch it from between her teeth? But seeing his white hair and trembling figure, she relented, dropped her chopsticks, and sighed. “Fine, do as you will.”

“Thank you for your grace, Madam,” the ritual official said, bowing deeply. “If Madam desires a dish, simply indicate it with your eyes. The attendants will serve you.”

Zilan stared at the brisket like a puppet. The attendant, quick-witted, used ivory chopsticks to place the beef gently on her golden plate. Zilan opened her mouth expectantly, but nothing happened. The attendant knelt by her feet and said, “I dare not directly serve you, Madam. Such a breach of protocol would bring death upon me. Please forgive me.”

Zilan sighed, “If I serve myself, you stop me. If I wait for you, you do nothing.”

Li Chongjun could no longer contain his laughter.

Zilan shot him a glare, then picked up the beef herself and finally took a bite—only to find it had gone cold.

After much awkwardness, breakfast was at last over. The ritual official began another lesson on how to take leave.

Just then, a eunuch entered and announced that Lord Wu Songxun, Grand Master of Ceremonies, requested an audience. Li Chongjun had been amused by Zilan’s clumsy attempts at etiquette, but his expression darkened at the message. Li Duozuo whispered, “Your Highness, though Wu Sansi has been dismissed, the Wu family still has many powerful allies. It’s best you see him and decide your course.”

Li Chongjun frowned. “If you wish to avoid enmity, why did you humiliate Wu Chonglin the other day?”

Li Duozuo replied, “Forgive me, Your Highness. Had I not curbed her arrogance, Wu Sansi would have looked down on us, and your prestige would have suffered. With Wu Sansi sending someone to call on you now, regardless of their motives, he has lost face among the court. Many will flock to your side in loyalty after today.”

Li Chongjun snorted, “What use are such opportunists?”

Li Duozuo counseled, “Your Highness, pure water holds no fish; a flawless man finds no friends. Now is the time to build your following.”

Li Chongjun waved him off. “Enough. Admit him.”

He sent Zilan to the back hall.

Soon, Wu Songxun entered with two eunuchs, each carrying a chest. From afar, Wu Songxun prostrated himself. “Your Highness, this unworthy minister Wu Songxun begs your pardon. My sister, Wu Chonglin, did not recognize Your Highness and gravely offended you. My father, Wu Sansi, has punished her severely and asks Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

He gestured, and the eunuchs opened the chests, revealing jade ornaments and jeweled pendants. “Your Highness, my father, distressed at his failure to welcome Your Lady properly, sends these ornaments as a token of respect. Please accept them.”

Seeing Wu Songxun’s humble demeanor, Li Chongjun’s mood brightened. He smiled. “There’s no need for such ceremony. Servants, bring tea and have him seated.”

Wu Songxun knelt and thanked him, a smile blooming on his face.