Chapter Sixty-Seven: Mastermind Behind the Scenes

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On the northern side of Chang’an stood the Princess’s mansion. In a study, a noblewoman of graceful maturity paced back and forth, her brows tightly knit in concern. This was none other than Princess Taiping, youngest daughter of Wu Zetian.

Her features bore a striking resemblance to Wu Zetian in her youth. While Wu Zetian lived, she would often include her daughter in the discussion of secret affairs, each time warning her sternly that palace rules were strict and nothing must be let slip outside. Thus, Princess Taiping gradually cultivated a disposition both shrewd and cautious, sparing in speech and adept at intrigue.

The young man accompanying her was her son by her late husband Xue Shao, named Xue Chongjian. Unable to restrain himself, Xue Chongjian asked, “Mother, just now Wu Sansi came to pay his respects and asked you to act as matchmaker for him. I think you must not agree to this under any circumstances.”

“Oh?” Princess Taiping replied, “And why is that?”

Xue Chongjian explained, “Mother, you have many siblings, but to this day only you have remained unscathed. The rest have all suffered ill fortune—some exiled, some driven to their deaths. I believe this is because you have kept your distance from the factional strife of the court. Why, then, would you muddy your hands for the sake of a villain like Wu Sansi?”

Princess Taiping smiled faintly. “Do you know why Wu Sansi insists that I be the one to act as matchmaker?”

Xue Chongjian said, “No doubt the Wei family and Wu Sansi have long had intentions toward one another. Wu Sansi seeks to use the Wei family to regain power, while the Wei family wishes to rely on Wu Sansi to restrain Zhang Jianzhi. It’s nothing more than mutual exploitation. So whoever acts as matchmaker, the Wei family will agree. Wu Sansi’s request to Mother is, on the surface, to have a noble royal relative propose the match and raise his standing, but in truth, he wants to drag you into their schemes.”

Princess Taiping nodded approvingly. “Good child, you truly have grown, and my teaching has not been in vain. When your birth father was falsely accused of treason, I pleaded bitterly with my mother, but... alas, I could not save him. Later, I had no choice but to remarry Wu Youji at the Emperor’s command. Although I know how sordid and ugly these intrigues are and wish to shield you from them, you were born into this family, closely bound to the imperial house. To remain untouched is nearly impossible.

That is why, whenever I discuss affairs with trusted ministers, I always have you attend. First, so you can form ties with court officials; second, so you can learn to weigh matters and adapt to change. You are indeed clever. Your analysis of this business is thorough.”

Xue Chongjian asked in surprise, “If you know Wu Sansi is scheming, why agree? You have always disliked the Wei family.”

Princess Taiping gave a wry smile. “What you have realized, the Wei family and Wu Sansi have long anticipated. Wu Sansi is my mother’s nephew; your stepfather Wu Youji and Wu Sansi are of the same clan. Even if I refuse, others already see me as part of the Wu faction. Besides, if I refuse, they will simply find someone else. I would only earn their enmity for nothing. Your stepfather is modest and virtuous—he’d make a fine lifelong companion in an ordinary household. But he was born into the Wu family, and such virtues are useless in the treacherous world of officialdom. If we end up with formidable enemies outside and no strong allies within, this mansion will be hard-pressed to maintain its peace.”

Xue Chongjian said, “You are right, Mother. But if those two families become in-laws, their power will only grow, and you may find yourself oppressed by them. I worry for you.”

Princess Taiping replied with a smile, “There is an eternal principle in the world, and that is change. All things are in flux. Zhang Jianzhi and his kind are hardly toothless; do you think they will sit idly by as the Wei family grows stronger? Do not forget Prince Wei, who watches like a tiger. Beyond the rushing current, there is always still water. When their struggle reaches its height, we shall simply watch and wait.”

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Xue Chongjian said, “Mother, your guidance is wise. Speaking of Prince Wei, cousin Li Longji mentioned him to me not long ago, saying that he is valiant, handsome, and frank of heart—a rare hero.”

Princess Taiping laughed. “Your cousin is a man of deep calculation, though outwardly straightforward. My mother once secretly remarked of him, ‘His strategies surpass ten thousand armored men,’ though he does have a playful streak, especially his fondness for acting. Imagine—a prince obsessed with the antics of street performers! It is both amusing and exasperating. As for Prince Wei…”

She paused, reflecting. “In terms of talent and valor, he is indeed outstanding. But he lacks understanding of intrigue and strategy. What the future holds for him is hard to say.”

Xue Chongjian asked, perplexed, “If he excels in both learning and martial prowess, why do you speak thus of him?”

Princess Taiping explained, “Victory in war lies in strategy, not in mere courage. If such a man were a general, he might win great conquests; as a scholar-official, he could bring peace to the realm. But the way of a minister is very different from that of a ruler. If he aspires to the throne, such talents will avail him little.”

Seeing Xue Chongjian’s confused look, Princess Taiping smiled. “Think, child. Zhang Liang, gentle as a woman, orchestrated the fall of mighty Qin from behind the scenes; Han Xin, once humiliated, drove the Overlord of Chu to his death at Gaixia; Zhuge Liang, who never donned armor, helped Liu Bei carve out a third of the empire. What these men relied on was neither valor nor learning, but strategy.

In contrast, King Zhou of Shang could compose poetry and play the zither, and subdued many wild chieftains with force; Emperor Yang of Sui made the realm rich and mighty, and led a million troops to distant campaigns. In terms of talent and martial prowess, none could surpass them. Yet what became of them? King Zhou perished in flames at Lütai, Emperor Yang’s head was sent to the frontier—both died in disgrace, cursed in history to this day.”

With a look of deep regret, Princess Taiping said, “It is a pity. Prince Wei knows nothing of the arts of kingship, yet fate has made him the legitimate heir, the natural choice for crown prince. He does not know how to yield; I fear disaster is close at hand. As for Longji—though mischievous, he possesses the spirit of Taizong: meticulous in planning, decisive in action. He will achieve great things.”

She turned to Xue Chongjian. “Remember this, child: stay close to Li Longji in the future. Towards Li Chongjun, be respectful but keep your distance, lest you be drawn into his troubles.”

Xue Chongjian replied, “I will remember, Mother.”

That day, Li Xian came to the empress’s chambers, troubled and downcast. Lady Wei greeted him, “Your Majesty, what has happened at court today to weigh so heavily on you?”

Li Xian sighed, “Today Zhang Jianzhi and his faction pressed me again—they want me to kill Wu Sansi and name Prince Wei as crown prince. Wu Sansi is my cousin; how could I bear to kill him? Though I still resent what happened in the past, I cannot bring myself to do it. As for the crown prince’s position, I wish to keep it for our own son. Alas!”

Lady Wei exclaimed in anger, “How outrageous! To dare threaten Your Majesty! They rely on their role in your accession and grow ever more arrogant. What do they want—treason?” She stepped behind him, wrapping her arms around him and murmured, “You still think of us, even after all our hardships. Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Li Xian sighed, “You have endured so much for me; now that I rule all under heaven, I ought to give you a lifetime of joy. But this business with Zhang Jianzhi gives me a headache every time I think of it.”

Lady Wei said, “When soldiers come, we send generals; when floods rise, we build dams. Why not find someone to shield you from their assaults?”

Li Xian replied, “Most of the court is now filled with Zhang Jianzhi’s protégés. Who could stand against them?”

Lady Wei answered, “You could employ Wu Sansi. If you appoint him as Chancellor, he will surely hold Zhang Jianzhi and his ilk in check.”

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Li Xian flared up, “Does Wu Sansi not know what he did to my family? That I haven’t killed him is mercy enough, and now he wants to be Chancellor? How shameless!”

Lady Wei soothed him, “Calm yourself, Your Majesty. You often compare yourself to Yao and Shun, famed for their magnanimity. Why not extend that to Wu Sansi? Besides, Wu Songxun has already asked for our daughter’s hand, and I have agreed. We will soon be in-laws. If Wu Sansi becomes Chancellor, he will surely do all he can to support you.”

Li Xian’s expression softened. “But Zhang Jianzhi will certainly oppose it.”

Lady Wei smiled. “Do not worry, Your Majesty. Someone has already devised a clever plan for you.” She ordered a servant to summon the guest.

Soon, Wu Sansi hurried in and, upon seeing Li Xian, prostrated himself. “Your humble servant Wu Sansi greets Your Majesty. May you live forever!”

Faced with Wu Sansi, Li Xian seemed at a loss, uncertain what to say. It was Lady Wei who reminded him, “Your Majesty, please offer him a seat.” Li Xian came to himself and quickly gave the order.

Wu Sansi declared, “Your Majesty bears no grudges and has chosen to employ me again. I will sweep away the wicked from your presence, and serve your interests to the death!”

Within the borders of Suzhou, at Clearwater Fortress. The fortress now lay in ruins, its former residents relocated, leaving nothing but waist-high weeds and the crumbling shells of houses. Now and then, startled crows flew up from the beams, cawing harshly into the sky. Lan Wutong and Lin Qingli stood waiting outside the fortress from a distance.

Li Chongyuan and Ma Beifang pushed through the undergrowth, following the memories of years past to the remains of the old Shunfeng Inn. The inn had long since collapsed into rubble. They stood for a long time in the empty courtyard, memories of the bloody assault by black-robed assailants vividly returning to them.

Ma Beifang walked slowly to a corner and said in a choked voice, “It was here that my father died protecting me, shot by one of those men in black.” He drew a butterfly-shaped throwing dart from his robe, polished bright from years of handling. “I have never forgotten my father’s murder. If his spirit watches over me, may he aid me in avenging him!” Li Chongyuan glanced around the courtyard. “That night, you, I, and Huang Shan were trapped here, like lambs awaiting slaughter. Had it not been for Master and Senior Brother arriving in time, we would have perished.”

The pair stood in silence for some time. At last, Li Chongyuan said, “Let’s pay our respects at their graves.” Ma Beifang nodded.

Skirting the inn, they reached an open area behind, where four uneven mounds could be made out. Strangely, traces of burnt offerings could be seen before the graves of the Huang couple, Ma Jinbiao, and the two servants, Afu and Agui. Fruits and incense had been placed at the tombs.

The two wondered aloud, “Could someone have come to pay their respects?” Bewilderment filled their eyes. They had no kin in these parts, and no one even knew they were buried here—who, then, would come to offer sacrifice?

Ma Beifang took incense and paper from his bundle, and paid homage at the graves of Ma Jinbiao and the guards of the Shunfeng Escort Agency. Li Chongyuan honored Afu and Agui, who died saving him. Together, they offered respects at the grave of Huang Shan’s parents. Afterward, they dried their tears, forced themselves to leave, and departed in sorrow.