Chapter 210: The Noble Consort Intercedes

“Clang! Clang!”
The harsh sound of chains jingling woke Li Qing’an from his sleep. He opened his eyes slightly and faintly saw a woman standing outside the bars. His first reaction was that it must be Mingyue, but then he realized that was impossible—Mingyue had already been there once. Who could it be?
“Li Qilang, it seems you’re doing quite well!”
The woman’s voice was cold, laced with mockery. Li Qing’an yawned and closed his eyes again.
“Li Qilang, don’t you want to beg me?”
In the dim light, Yang Huahua’s smug smile appeared.
“What are you doing here?”
Li Qing’an slowly opened his eyes again and sneered, “In such a stinky prison, how dare you, a delicate noblewoman, come here? Aren’t you afraid it’ll spoil you?”
“I’m not afraid! Seeing you suffer makes me extremely happy—so happy! You know, I never drink liquor, but yesterday I broke my rule and had three cups because I was just too happy.”
Yang Huahua smiled like a beautiful serpent, her face glowing with an indescribable radiance. This was the first time in her life she had tasted the joy of self-respect. Before now, this man had only brought her humiliation and contempt. Today, he was now a prisoner.
She stepped forward, crouched down, and said with a smirk, “Crawl over and beg me, and I’ll intercede with the emperor to set you free. How about that? A deal?”
Li Qing’an glanced at her disdainfully and lazily replied, “Who do you think you are? That you can influence the power struggles in the court? You overestimate yourself, madam. Go away! Your presence is ruining my appetite for breakfast tomorrow.”
“You!” Yang Huahua was furious. She stood up abruptly. “Li Qing’an, just wait and see! I’ll show you how long you can keep talking big.”
With a huff, she stormed off in anger.
Li Qing’an yawned again, turned over, and closed his eyes, soon falling into deep sleep.
……
While Li Qing’an slept soundly in the dim prison, in the magnificent Xingqing Palace, the Tang Emperor Li Longji was restless. He had never felt so lonely as he did today. Without Gao Lishi by his side, everything became inconvenient. Those eunuchs and maids were nowhere near as attentive as Gao Lishi. For example, without Yu Huan by his side, he felt an unbearable discomfort and loneliness. Gao Lishi would have brought Yu Huan back immediately without needing orders, but these eunuchs just stood there stupidly, waiting for his command.

Li Longji couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. As for Gao Lishi, he could endure his involvement in the matter of deposing or restoring the crown prince. But without Yu Huan by his side, he felt his life had become utterly dull.
“Hurry and bring the Imperial Concubine back to me!”
At last, Li Longji’s roar was heard in Xingqing Palace.
…
A curfew had been imposed in Chang’an, and the streets were empty, with hardly any pedestrians. Only the footsteps of the Jinyu Guard patrolling the streets could be heard in the distance. Then, the gates of Xingqing Palace opened, and dozens of palace guards rushed out on horseback, heading straight for Xuanyi Fang. In moments, they arrived there. The lead guard shouted loudly, “We come by the Emperor’s orders—open the gates quickly!”
The gatekeeper, frightened, hurriedly opened the gates. Dozens of guards and eunuchs rushed in and headed toward Yang Guozhong’s residence inside the district. They soon reached the main gate. Yang Guozhong, having already been informed, rushed out to greet them in panic.
The lead eunuch, Yu Chaoen, stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Minister Yang, by the Emperor’s orders, we are here to bring the Concubine back to the palace.”
Yang Guozhong, who had been tense all day, suddenly felt relieved. This was great news—if the Concubine lost favor, their Yang family would be ruined.
“Eunuch Yu, wait a moment. I’ll go invite the Concubine right away.”
Yang Guozhong rushed inside at full speed, passing through several doors until he reached the Golden Pavilion where Yang Yu Huan was temporarily staying. Just then, her personal maid came out. Yang Guozhong, out of breath, said, “Hurry and tell the Concubine that the Emperor has sent people to bring her back to the palace.”
The maid quickly turned and went back inside. In the room, Yang Yu Huan sat by the lamp, staring blankly at its flame. She was recalling her life in her youth, when her father was still alive and their family was wealthy. She had lived carefree days, discussing her future husbands with her third sister. Nearly twenty years had passed, and she had become the most noble woman in the Tang Dynasty. Yet she felt as though she had lost something most precious—though she couldn’t define what it was. Over the years, this feeling had grown stronger. She felt like a moth trapped in a spider’s web, surrounded by invisible strands that choked her and left her powerless to resist. She couldn’t help but think of the story she had heard just a few days ago: Li Qingan, in a fit of rage, sent troops against the Göktürks and shot dead the Göktürk prince who tried to seize her. This story filled her with longing.
“Concubine!” The maid’s urgent voice interrupted her thoughts.
“What is it?”
“The Emperor has sent people to bring you back to the palace.”
“Tell them I won’t go!”
“But Concubine…”
The maid was very troubled. Seeing the Concubine’s firm tone, she could only sigh and turn to leave.
“Wait!” Yang Yu Huan called out to her.

The maid turned around, looking at the empress with surprise. Had she changed her mind? Soon, she was disappointed again. Yang Yuhuan took a pair of scissors from the table, cut a lock of her hair, and handed it to the maid, saying, “Take this back to the emperor. He will surely understand.”
“Your Majesty!” The maid knelt down.
“Hurry!” Yang Yuhuan ordered sternly, “Did you hear me?”
“Yes!” The maid wiped away her tears and rushed out the door.
…
In Xingqing Palace, Li Longji stared blankly at the lock of Yang Yuhuan’s black hair, remaining silent for a long time. He remembered how Yang Yuhuan had been forced to become a nun in the past, cutting a lock of her hair for him and saying, “As I enter the monastic life, I hope you will bring me back soon.” The same scene unfolded again today.
Li Longji panicked. His life could no longer go on without Yang Yuhuan. If she became a nun again, wouldn’t that be tantamount to killing him?
At that moment, the forty thousand beauties in the harem were forgotten by him, as were the pleasures of his secret affairs in the imperial study. He had only one thought: whatever it took, he must bring his beloved back.
“Prepare the carriage. I will go in person to bring her back.”
The gates of Xingqing Palace opened again. Nearly a thousand guards surrounded Li Longji’s imperial carriage as it headed toward Yang Guozhong’s residence.
It was a major event for the emperor of the Tang Dynasty to visit a minister’s home, whether recorded in official histories or unofficial tales. Months in advance, the minister would start making preparations, followed by repeated inspections by the eunuch department. Just one visit by the emperor’s consort had cost the Jia family nearly half of their wealth—let alone the emperor’s own visit.
But tonight, Li Longji’s visit to Yang Guozhong’s residence was done in great haste and could only be considered a personal matter. Li Longji waited anxiously in the night wind.
Inside Yang’s residence, Yang Yuzhu, Yang Yupai, as well as Yang Guozhong and his wife Pei Rou, all tried to persuade Yang Yuhuan.
“Fourth sister, the emperor is coming in person to bring you back. This is something he has never done before, showing just how much he favors you. Please stop being willful.”
“Fourth sister, arguments between husband and wife are common. To become a nun over such a trivial matter is overreacting. The prosperity of our Yang family depends on you. Our ancestors are watching over you. Even if the ancestors are far away, you should at least think of your late father! He still hasn’t received any posthumous honors. That would be unfilial on our part as his daughters!”
With Li Longji’s humble attitude and his siblings’ earnest pleas, Yang Yuhuan’s determination gradually crumbled. Finally, she remembered her promise to Mingzhu to save Li Qing’an, which she still hadn’t fulfilled. Since it was a promise made to someone else, how could she just walk away?

Helplessly, Yang Yuhuan could only sigh and say, “Very well! I’ll go back then.”
The Yang family rejoiced wildly, and Yang Guozhong rushed out frantically, shouting, “Hurry up and get ready! The Empress is returning to the palace!”
Li Longji’s entourage outside the palace had been waiting in the night wind for nearly an hour. Hearing this news, they cheered immediately. Li Longji also beamed with joy and quickly ordered, “Prepare to let the Imperial Concubine board the sedan chair.”
Dozens of eunuchs and maids busied themselves, laying out long carpets wrapped in yellow silk on both sides. Hundreds of guards protected the area tightly.
After about fifteen minutes, a soft sedan chair brought out Yang Guifei, who had been away from the palace for half a day. The guards shouted, “Long live the Empress!”
Surrounded by a crowd of palace maids, Yang Yuhuan, who had remained silent with her head bowed, finally stepped out of the sedan chair. She lifted her long skirt and slowly climbed onto the imperial sedan chair. Li Longji rushed forward excitedly, saying, “I’m sorry for making you suffer.”
Yang Yuhuan felt a slight sadness and bowed gracefully, saying, “It is my fault for making Your Majesty wait in the wind.”
“No fault! No fault!”
Overjoyed, Li Longji took Yang Yuhuan’s hand and said, “Let’s talk about this back in the palace.”
The imperial sedan chair slowly turned around, and surrounded by a thousand guards, it headed toward Xingqing Palace.
…
Early the next morning, an imperial edict was issued from the Imperial Study in Zichen Hall. Li Qing’an, the governor of Beiting, had used troops without the emperor’s approval and should have been executed for his crime. However, considering it was an unintentional mistake, his punishment was mitigated. He was removed from his positions as governor of Beiting, commander of Beiting, guest of the crown prince, governor of Tingzhou, and governor of Xizhou. He was demoted to governor of Liuzhou, with Gao Xianzhi, the governor of Anxi, acting as his replacement temporarily.
When the edict reached the Ministry of Personnel, Wei Jiansu, the newly appointed vice minister, found it extremely difficult to handle this demotion. Although Li Qing’an had been removed from three positions, he still held the title of Censor-in-Chief, a third-rank position. It seemed somewhat inappropriate for him to hold such a high title while serving as a governor in a lower province like Liuzhou.
Struggling with what to do, he thought the emperor must have overlooked something, so he immediately went to Yang Guozhong, who was also newly appointed minister of personnel, and told him about this oversight.
Yang Guozhong remained silent for a long time. If Li Qing’an didn’t have the title of Censor-in-Chief, he would be at the lower end of the fourth rank, allowing them to deal with him freely. But since he still held that title, dealing with him fell under the emperor’s authority. Though it was a minor detail, it was extremely delicate.
Although Yang Guozhong guessed it might be the emperor’s deliberate decision, he was still dissatisfied. Maybe it was indeed an oversight. He decided that no matter what, he had to try.

Yang Guozhong hurried to the Zichen Hall, handed in the memorial in his hands, and after waiting for a while, Li Longji issued an order: Li Qingan’s position as Censor-in-Chief would be retained, and his transfer should be arranged promptly so he could leave the capital the next day to take up his post.

At noon, under the bright sunlight, Li Qingan, who had been imprisoned for two days and nights, stepped out of the dungeon. The glaring light made it difficult for him to open his eyes. Pei Min, the deputy head of the Dali Temple, rushed forward, bowed, and said with a smile, “Congratulations, Lord Li, on your freedom!”

Li Qingan replied, “Thank you, Deputy Pei, for taking care of me these past two days. I will always remember your kindness.”

“You’re too kind, Lord Li. I merely fulfilled my duties. Master Gao’s carriage is waiting outside the gate. Please, come on!”

The two walked toward the gate. Pei Min whispered, “I heard that Master Gao has also been dismissed. The emperor ordered him to return home to retire. Alas! Even Master Gao has been removed from his position. It’s only a matter of time before we lower-ranking officials are dismissed too. I can’t sleep at night!”

Li Qingan smiled gently and said, “Don’t worry, Deputy Pei. Once the news of the crown prince’s deposition is officially announced, this purge of the crown prince’s supporters will come to an end.”

“I hope so!” Pei Min sighed, and the two left the gate.

A carriage belonging to Gao Lishi’s residence was already waiting outside the Dali Temple prison. When butler Luo saw him come out, he immediately stepped forward and said, “Lord Li, my master is waiting inside the mansion. Please get in the carriage.”

Li Qingan nodded silently, feeling somewhat moved. Though the old man himself had been dismissed, he still remembered to come and pick him up. Such loyalty was truly warm amidst the ruthless power struggles.

“Thank you!”

He got into the carriage. Pei Min stood on the steps, bowed, and said, “Lord Li, you’re heading to Liuzhou, a long journey. Please take care of yourself.”

“Please take care too, Deputy Pei!”

The carriage set off, leaving the Dali Temple and heading rapidly toward Gao Lishi’s residence.

Sitting in the carriage, Li Qingan watched the people coming and going on the streets. Everything seemed calm, just as it had been three days ago. The fierce struggles at the heart of the Tang Dynasty’s power structure had not affected the lives of ordinary people. But in reality, the situation in the Tang Dynasty had undergone a huge turn in those three days, with far-reaching consequences. Li Qingan sighed inwardly. With the position of crown prince vacant, the entire court and society would soon be plunged into another even more ruthless power struggle.

The carriage gradually slowed down as it approached Gao Lishi’s mansion. Li Qingan seemed to hear someone shouting in the distance, “The general is back!”

The voices grew louder as someone rushed toward them. “The general is back!”

Li Qing’an opened the car window and was instantly stunned. All around the carriage—front, back, left, and right—there were hundreds of strong young men, each dressed in white robes, running alongside his carriage with expressions of extreme excitement; many even had tears in their eyes. They were his three hundred personal guards.

Li Qing’an’s nose tightened suddenly, and tears welled in his eyes. Having survived the Chiling Battle, these three hundred guards had always stayed by his side through thick and thin.

The carriage came to a stop. Li Qing’an opened the door and stepped out. The three hundred guards immediately fell silent, all looking up at him expectantly.

Li Qing’an took a deep breath, bowed deeply, and said loudly, “Brothers, I have been demoted to the governor of Liuzhou. The journey there is thousands of miles long, and it’s uncertain when I’ll be able to return. I wish to give each of you a generous sum of money so that you can pursue your own paths. This is my heartfelt gift—please accept it!”

The three hundred guards remained silent. Then, Jiang Xiaonian, the camp commander, stepped forward and said, “General, whether it’s Beiting or Liuzhou, we’re willing to follow you. Please take us with you.”

“We’re willing to follow you!” they shouted in unison.

“Good! Very good!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Li Qing’an said loudly to them, “Since you haven’t abandoned Li Qing’an, I will never let you down either. Come with me.”

……

At dusk, in Gao Lishi’s study, Gao Lishi prepared a table of wine to bid Li Qing’an farewell.

“Qilang, are you setting off tomorrow?”

“Yes! The Ministry of Personnel handled the procedures swiftly; everything was done by afternoon. We must depart before dawn tomorrow.”

In just two days, Gao Lishi seemed much older. The energetic and capable eunuch was gone; now sitting across from Li Qing’an was an old man in his seventies. He took a sip of wine and smiled faintly. “Guess why the emperor wants you to leave right away?”

Li Qing’an pondered for a moment and said, “I guess it has something to do with the imperial concubine!”

“Smart!”

Gao Lishi clapped his hands in laughter and gave a thumbs-up. “You’re right. I heard the concubine interceded for you. If I’m not mistaken, the emperor agreed to her more demanding conditions. But since the Eastern Palace incident isn’t resolved, he can’t spare you easily, so he demotes you to Liuzhou. He’s also afraid the concubine will find out, so he hastens to send you away. I understand his thoughts better than anyone else.”

Li Qing’an raised his cup and asked, “Then, what does Elder Gao think the severity of this Eastern Palace incident will be?”

“It won’t be anything mild!”

Gao Lishi sighed and said, “Since he even demoted me, I know he’s determined this time. None of the key members of the crown prince’s faction, except you, will escape with a good outcome.”

Li Qing’an gave a bitter smile and said, “Being exiled to Liuzhou—what’s the difference from being banished? Is this even a good outcome?”
“Do you know? Lu Huan, the governor of Yangzhou, has committed suicide in prison.”
Li Qing’an was shocked—Lu Huan was dead.
“Why?”
“Lu Huan had a fierce character. He prided himself on his integrity throughout his life, so he preferred death to admitting his guilt of accepting bribes. He hanged himself in prison last night.”
Li Qing’an looked gloomy. After a moment, he asked, “What about Du Gu Hao Ran?”
“Du Gu Hao Ran is a member of the imperial family. His fate is slightly better—he’s been demoted to the magistrate of Xunyang County. Once a high-ranking official, now reduced to just a county magistrate! Alas! The supporters of the crown prince are either dead or exiled. This time, the crown prince is truly in danger.”
Gao Lishi sighed deeply. “But I’m not willing to give up. I must help the crown prince return to the Eastern Palace.”
“Mr. Gao, with your ambition, I’ll do my utmost to assist you!”
The two drank a few cups of wine. Suddenly, Gao Lishi remembered something and quickly took out a memorial from the box beside him, handing it to Li Qing’an with a smile. “This was submitted by the Imperial Clan Affairs Office, requesting that Du Gu’s eldest daughter be granted the title of Princess Mingyue. I intercepted it for you. Since the Göktürk prince is dead, it seems Princess Mingyue’s title will never be realized.”
Li Qing’an was overjoyed and quickly thanked him, “Mr. Gao, your kindness is immense. I will repay you someday!”
“Ah! What’s there to repay for such a small thing? Back when you played polo for me, I thought you were a remarkable young man. Perhaps it’s fate that brought us together! Now that we’ve both been exiled, we share hardships together. Come! Let’s drink another cup.”
“Mr. Gao, I toast to you.”
The two drank a few more cups. At that moment, butler Luo rushed over and reported, “Master, someone at the gate wants to see General Li.”
“Who is it?”
“It’s Lady Du Gu!”
……