Chapter Nine: Father, You Are Unjust

“You’re just paying lip service. In truth, most emperors whose subjects praise them to their face are actually foolish rulers. Why? Because a wise ruler doesn’t care about empty words; he’s too busy working, feeling even that there’s not enough time!”

“Your servant would not dare!”

“Haha! Get up! Didn’t I just say so? Don’t kneel at every turn—after all, a man’s knees are as precious as gold.”

“Your servant is a woman.”

“Ah—well, very forthright, Hui’er. From now on, I’ll allow you, and only you, to praise me as a wise ruler to my face. If anyone else says it, I’ll give them a beating. It’s practically an insult.”

“Why is that?” Shangguan Peihui asked softly.

Gao Buyi looked at her and smiled. “Because our Hui’er is beautiful and has a lovely voice.”

“Your servant is uneasy. However, Your Majesty, the Imperial Consort has already sent people several times to greet you—”

Before Shangguan Peihui could finish, Gao Buyi cut her off, “I know you mean well, but Hui’er, you must remember never to be anyone’s mouthpiece, understood? And as for this matter, there are still things I haven’t quite figured out. If she asks again, just say I’m thinking of her. During the Lantern Festival, any concubine in the harem who wishes to leave the palace and reunite with her family may do so, but nobody is to cause any trouble. Speaking of which—there’s something else.”

Gao Buyi paused, then continued, “Go and tell the concubines in the harem, tell them it’s by my order: those who have never served in my bed and who previously had lovers, let them come to me quietly, and I will restore their freedom.”

“What?”

“What do you mean, ‘what’? This matter must be kept secret, not spread around—I still have my pride. Tell them that there is only one day—tomorrow. After that, I will not recognize the request. Go quickly, and this includes the palace maids.”

Shangguan Peihui was ushered out of the main hall by Gao Buyi. Even after leaving, she was still dazed, unable to make sense of it all—she could only shake her head and smile wryly as she headed toward the harem.

In truth, Gao Buyi should have handled this personally, but Emperor Ming of Tang was such a notorious lecher that every beauty he selected, if not a national enchantress, was certainly not ugly—some curvaceous, some slender—no man could resist. Gao Buyi feared that if he saw too many of them, he might regret his decision.

That’s why, when he released all the palace maids before, he kept his distance.

Gao Buyi was now quite pleased with himself. This move of his was probably unprecedented, past or present. He did it for his own sake, knowing well enough the stories of palace intrigues in the Tang dynasty, as revealed by unofficial histories—he had no intention of wearing a cuckold’s hat.

Gao Buyi took a turn around his bedchamber and addressed the maids standing inside, “It’s the same for you. If any of you have someone you love, let me know—I’ll set you free, and openly too. But don’t cause trouble; the necessary principles must not be abandoned, or the law will deal with you harshly.”

Seeing the broad smiles on all their faces, Gao Buyi nodded in satisfaction.

To his surprise, the next day, over thirty concubines came to ask for permission to leave the palace—what a hidden danger that was, what a sin!

It was only because he had let the palace maids go before that these concubines dared to come forward; otherwise, who would have had the nerve? Even so, those who came were filled with anxiety.

Gazing at the assembled beauties before him, Gao Buyi cleared his throat. “You have courage. I admire you.”

At his words, all the concubines stared in astonishment at Shangguan Peihui, but she herself was bewildered, casting a confused look at the emperor—the atmosphere felt entirely wrong.

“Don’t be afraid. Let me finish. You have the courage to pursue true love, and I admire you for that. But, I suspect many of you haven’t seen your lovers in a long time. Love, you see, is not always reliable. So let me warn you in advance: if you return home only to find things have changed, don’t hang or strangle yourselves. You must let go.”

The women exchanged glances, unsure.

Gao Buyi smiled. “Let me be clear: if anyone attempts suicide, I will have your entire family imprisoned and executed. This is not a threat—should the worst happen, and my words prove true, you may return to the palace if you wish. The palace is vast, and without people, it feels lifeless. But of course, I’d prefer to see you find true love or stay by your parents’ side. Now then, the officials from the Office of the Imperial Clan are waiting outside to process your release. You are free.”

Upon hearing they could leave, the women’s hearts were finally at ease, and they knelt to thank the emperor for his grace.

A few more came later, seven or eight in total, and Gao Buyi granted each request without exception.

“Hui’er, do you think any of them will commit suicide?” Gao Buyi asked worriedly. This was, after all, a feudal society where such tragedies were common, so he had issued strict warnings, hoping to prevent a happy event from turning into a tragedy. After all, nothing is more fickle than the human heart.

“They probably won’t,” Shangguan Peihui replied, though not entirely certain, as she had never experienced such matters herself. Nevertheless, seeing Gao Buyi’s upright conduct, she couldn’t help but look at him in a new light. Unconsciously, she said, “Your Majesty is a good man.”

“Oh? Since when was I not a good man? Still, to be given a ‘good man card’ is a rare thing—this calls for a toast! Come, Hui’er, let’s play a round of hand chess. You must give me a ten-stone handicap. Whoever loses must remove a piece of clothing—no cheating!”

“Your Majesty is not a good man.”

“You see? They say women are fickle—I never believed it until today.”

Ever since discovering that Shangguan Peihui was not only skilled in martial arts but also a master of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and even capable of composing poetry and lyrics, Gao Buyi had felt that Heaven had not treated him unfairly. As a result, he had developed a new habit: whenever no one was around, he would tease her—not with his hands, but verbally, though he never tired of it.

“Your Majesty, the Fourteenth Prince requests an audience,” a palace maid came to report.

“Hm? Who is that?” Gao Buyi was puzzled, but straightened his dragon robe and sat upright on the throne. “Let him in.”

“Yes—”

Soon, a child of about ten entered. Though his clothes were fine, he was thin and frail, clearly malnourished. “Your son greets Father.”

“Rise. What brings you here?”

“I am here to seek justice for my mother.”

“What has happened?”

“Father, you have shown grace to all the women in the palace—why have you neglected my mother?”

“What do you mean by that?” Gao Buyi looked at Shangguan Peihui, who bent down and quietly told him about the situation in the Cold Palace.

As he listened, Gao Buyi’s gaze drifted, admiring the spring scenery before him. Shangguan Peihui noticed his distraction, hurried through her explanation, blushed, and quickly retreated to her place, evading the wolfish gaze.

Gao Buyi, unfazed, replied, “How could such a thing happen? It is inhuman. Someone! Issue a decree: all those in the Cold Palace are to be pardoned and released.”

Hearing this, the Fourteenth Prince was overjoyed. “Thank you, Father! Your son thanks you on behalf of Mother!”

“Go on, then—personally fetch your mother and reunite.”

The Fourteenth Prince left happily, while Gao Buyi shook his head. “Children are the best—so pure.”

Shangguan Peihui stole a glance at Gao Buyi, who was once again studying his maps.