Chapter Fourteen: Two Women at Odds

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Why did Gao Buyi only recite the first half of the poem? Because, at that time, the humiliation of Jingkang had not yet occurred, and the Xiongnu still existed. If the latter half were spoken aloud, the border, which had just quieted, would surely erupt in flames again.

He suddenly retched—the wine was too much, and on top of that, Shangguan Peihui had dragged him along at such a brisk pace that Gao Buyi could not help but vomit.

Shangguan Peihui kept patting his back. After a long bout, Gao Buyi managed, “Hui’er, next time, please be more careful. This old body of mine can barely take your torment.”

Supporting him, Shangguan Peihui’s face was flushed, but she still asked curiously, “Your Majesty, what is the second half of your poem?”

“Do you want to hear it?”

She nodded.

“I won’t tell you.”

Nearly pushing him into the Qujiang Pool, Shangguan Peihui was left fuming. At this, Gao Buyi slowly recited:

“The shame of Jingkang is yet unavenged. The hatred of subjects, when will it be extinguished? Drive the long chariot to breach Helan’s pass. With heroic spirit, feast on the flesh of the Hu invaders when hungry, and drink the blood of the Xiongnu when thirsty, laughing. Wait to restore the old rivers and mountains, and face the imperial palace once more.”

Shangguan Peihui was savoring the lines, about to speak, when Gao Buyi stopped her: “Ask nothing. At this moment, I am a patient—no, a drunken man. Beware I do something beastly to you.”

At this time, Chen Xuan and Wang Sizhong arrived, bringing with them Gao Thirty-Five and Du Zimei, both supporting the thoroughly inebriated Li Bai.

As soon as they met, Gao Buyi asked, “Well? Was the scene sensational?”

“Sensational is an understatement! It was an uproar! Sir, you are truly divine. That line, ‘Wait not in idleness, till your hair turns white in vain regret!’—it rings in the ears! Now the whole of Qujiang Pool is singing your poem, and I believe it will soon spread throughout the Great Tang!” exclaimed Du Fu, his voice trembling with excitement.

“Indeed. My temples are already flecked with white, yet my lofty ambitions remain unfulfilled. Vain regret!” Gao Thirty-Five echoed with feeling.

“Hahaha! ‘Han banners smoke in the northeast, Han generals leave home to crush the remnant foe.’ Gao Thirty-Five, why do you lose heart?”

“Elder, you even know my poem?”

“Haha! If you wish to serve your country, why fear lack of opportunity? Standing before you are Wang Sizhong, Commander of the Four Garrisons, and Chen Xuan, Grand General of the Northern Imperial Army. I understand your aspirations. Tomorrow, you will accompany General Wang to Hedong and realize your ambitions.”

“Really?!” Happiness came so suddenly.

“General Wang, show him your general’s seal.”

Wang Sizhong produced the general’s seal he carried with him. Gao Thirty-Five, seeing it was genuine, promptly knelt. For two mighty generals to serve at one’s side—who else but the emperor could command this?

“Haha! Rise. Tomorrow, you will serve as a fifth-rank captain under General Wang. When you have earned your merits, I will make further arrangements!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

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Gao Buyi then turned to the hopeful-looking Du Fu. “You will go to the Ministry of Works for now, as an assistant secretary. Show me your talent. As for Li Bai, see him home first. I will summon him another day.” The two thanked the emperor on Li Bai’s behalf, and Gao Buyi nodded with a smile, sending them on their way.

Then, turning to Wang Sizhong, he asked, “Is your household settled?”

“Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. We are ready to depart at any time.”

“Good. Fifty thousand Divine Strategy Troops set out in light order five days ago. They should reach Zhenzhou tonight. Tomorrow, I will issue the garrison rotation order in court. At dawn, you are to take the imperial edict and set out for Zhenzhou. Here is my golden warrant—you are authorized to act at your discretion. Whoever stands in your way, you may act first and report later!”

“I obey!” Wang Sizhong accepted the golden warrant, turning it over to see the words “As if I were present.” His heart pounded; only a trusted confidant would be granted such authority.

Wang Sizhong continued, “As you commanded, I have sent secret orders for the Hedong and Shuofang garrisons to assemble at the designated locations. They will be ready before midnight.”

“Very good. Go home and spend time with your family. Tomorrow, I won’t see you off. As for Gao Thirty-Five, let him train hard; the honor of his ancestors will be gloriously upheld.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I take my leave.”

“Hui’er, just look at those people rowing boats on the lake in this freezing weather. If they catch cold, it’s no laughing matter.”

“Don’t worry, Your Majesty. These boats usually have stoves on board.”

Thus, Gao Buyi at last fulfilled his wish of boating on the lake.

The water was crowded with boats of all sizes, filled with ladies laughing and chattering. Wrapped in fur, Gao Buyi stood at the prow, admiring the scene, when suddenly a voice called out, “Father! Mother, look, Father is here too!”

“Hush! Lower your voice. Your mother sees him.”

Gao Buyi looked up to see the Fourteenth Prince, and beside him, a stunning beauty.

“That is Consort Mei,” Shangguan Peihui quickly informed him. Watching the Fourteenth Prince’s lavish pavilion boat draw near, Gao Buyi frowned, a little annoyed. Frugality! What of the promised frugality? That boat was practically a floating palace.

Sensing his displeasure, Shangguan Peihui whispered, “It’s rented. No one would spend money to keep such a large boat.” Gao Buyi’s expression softened.

Then he thought—Consort Mei had just escaped suffering; perhaps some extravagance on her son’s part was not too much.

But before he could board Consort Mei’s boat, a more ostentatious three-story vessel came alongside. Gao Buyi knew the evening was over; it was the Yang sisters’ boat, all four together.

Looking from side to side, Gao Buyi could only awkwardly wave to both boats, and in the end, boarded neither. Clearly, there was no harmony between the two women. Best to withdraw before things got ugly, so he had his own boat rowed away.

The Fourteenth Prince glared angrily at Consort Yang. His men had spotted Xuanzong at the Qujiang Tavern, and the boats on the lake had been arranged specifically so his mother and the emperor could be reconciled. Who could have predicted the four Yang sisters would so thoroughly disrupt his plan?

A mere child, Consort Yang paid him no mind—simply giving Consort Mei a challenging look. But Consort Mei, ever serene and uncontentious, made no response.

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Aboard Consort Yang’s boat, Lady Guo stared at the receding figure beside the emperor and asked, “That woman with His Majesty—is she Shangguan Peihui?”

“What woman? Wasn’t that a handsome youth?” mused Lady Qin, a hint of daydream in her tone.

“Are you only interested in handsome youths?” teased Lady Han.

Consort Yang nodded, “It was indeed her.”

“The Shangguan family was destroyed by us in the past. We can’t let this girl succeed,” Lady Guo said, eyes gleaming with wolfish intent.

Consort Yang said nothing, merely nodded. In her heart, she understood, but how to act?

Once ashore, Gao Buyi felt a headache coming on—half from the wine, half from the harem. A flock of females, and he alone the only male. Palace intrigue was the daily norm; if there was no strife, that would be abnormal. Why? Because none dared contend with him, so they could only turn on each other. What could he do? His head ached.

Lying in the carriage, his head pillowed on Shangguan Peihui’s plump thigh, Gao Buyi found no comfort; the more he thought, the worse he felt. Suddenly, he opened his eyes. Shangguan Peihui, who had been gently massaging his temples, paused and looked at him.

“Hui’er, is there still a palace belonging to the royal family at Qujiang Pool?”

“There is one, the Yichun Palace. It was a gift from you in years past to Consort Yang, so it has not been sold.”

“Which consort? Consort Yang or Consort Mei?”

Shangguan Peihui’s mind went blank; she’d forgotten. “Consort Yang.”

Hearing it was Consort Yang, Gao Buyi’s headache worsened. She was not easy to deal with.

He continued, “Is the Hot Springs Palace still in royal hands?”

“It is. Every year, you and Consort Yang spend eight or nine months there, so no one dares to sell it.”

Gao Buyi nodded and closed his eyes again, thinking to himself, “I must visit the famous Huaqing Palace of later generations.” And then he drifted into sleep.

This Hot Springs Palace was none other than Huaqing Palace, later known as Huaqing Pool. Before the Tianbao era, it was called Hot Springs Palace; after Tianbao, it was renamed Huaqing Palace.