Chapter 360: The Imperial Concubine as a Guest

Li Qing’an pulled back the curtain, and soft light spilled out from inside. In that light, he saw a woman sitting with her back to him on a cushion, bent over writing something. She was dressed in a light yellow Taoist robe, without a Taoist hat, her long black hair cascading like a waterfall over her shoulders.
Hearing the curtain move, she put down her pen and turned around. Her eyes were like deep autumn waters, filled with warmth and a faint blush, accompanied by a charming smile—it was Yang Yuhuan, the Imperial Concubine of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Qing’an was momentarily stunned. Yang Yuhuan now looked nothing like the concubine he remembered. Back then, she had been breathtakingly beautiful, with a beauty that could captivate nations. But now, she appeared thinner, unadorned with makeup or jewelry, without her long sleeves or elaborate dresses. She wore an old-looking Taoist robe, devoid of any grandeur, exuding instead a quiet elegance akin to that of a humble maiden or a fairy from the mortal world. Yet her skin remained smooth and radiant—her innate beauty that could not be changed.
“Well, General Li, don’t you recognize me?” Yang Yuhuan smiled gently. Under the light, her deep eyes held a mesmerizing allure.
“I do recognize you, but… a bit less now.”
Feeling distracted, Li Qing’an apologized with a smile. “Without makeup, the Imperial Concubine seems very different.”
“It’s not just a difference; Yang Guifei is dead now.”
Yang Yuhuan smiled lightly. “I am now Yu Huan, the true practitioner. You may call me ‘True Practitioner’ or ‘Yu Huan,’ but I hope you stop calling me ‘Imperial Concubine’ from now on.”
Li Qing’an nodded silently. He glanced around the room. The furnishings were extremely simple—just a bed, a table, a bookshelf, and a large bamboo chest. Though plain, everything was neatly kept, spotless.
Li Qing’an felt a sense of melancholy. The once luxurious life of Yang Guifei was beyond ordinary people’s imagination, yet now she lived in such simplicity. The stark contrast made him realize that she had truly grown tired of her past life and had become a monk.
Seeing his complex expression, Yang Yuhuan waved her hand and said with a smile, “Please sit down!”

She gracefully stood up, took a cushion from the box, and personally laid it on the ground for Li Qing’an. Li Qing’an stood aside, silently observing every move she made. Although Yang Yuhuan was wearing a Taoist robe, it could hardly conceal her stunning beauty. Every step she took was graceful, and every movement was gentle and delicate. Her slender hands seemed boneless, stirring Li Qing’an’s heart.

Yang Yuhuan poured him another cup of hot tea, holding it in both hands ready to offer it to him. When she looked up, she saw him staring at her intently, her cheeks turning red as if bathed in the glow of dawn.

“Drink your tea!”

Yang Yuhuan handed the steaming cup to Li Qing’an. He then realized what he was doing, cleared his throat twice, took the cup, and sat down.

“Do you live alone? I mean, don’t you have any maids?”

Yang Yuhuan poured herself a cup of hot tea as well, sipped it carefully, her cherry-like lips slightly pouted. She gently blew on the rising steam from the cup, showing a hint of youthful playfulness. Though such a demeanor didn’t match her age, it was completely natural and beautiful.

“I do have a maid, but my zither broke, so Xue Nu went to Chang’an to fix it. She won’t be back until tomorrow.”

Yang Yuhuan glanced at Li Qing’an and smiled again. “How is Mingyue now? Has she become a mother?”

Li Qing’an shook his head and smiled bitterly. “No, I still don’t have any children.”

“You’re in your early thirties—how can you not have children? That’s not acceptable.”

At these words, Yang Yuhuan covered her mouth and laughed softly. Her smiling expression was radiant and enchanting, her eyes like autumn waters, full of charm. This smile intoxicated Li Qing’an, who blurted out, “A single smile from her can bring a hundred charms!”

Yang Yuhuan was initially stunned, then her eyes showed a mix of annoyance and coquetry as she said reproachfully, “General Li!”

Li Qing’an’s face flushed, and he quickly lowered his head to drink his tea. Yang Yuhuan stared at him for a while before sighing softly. “Why have you come to see me?”

“I just wanted to see you!”

“Is that really all? Just to see me?”

A sly smile appeared in Yang Yuhuan’s eyes. “Well, now that you’ve seen me, you can go.”

Li Qing’an also smiled. He quickly put down his cup and raised his hands. “Alright! I admit there’s something else.”

“Tell me! What is it?”

“Have you heard about the Emperor?” Li Qing’an stared at her intently.

“What’s wrong with him?” Yang Yuhuan asked in a soft voice, lowering her head.

“He’s unconscious and in critical condition; he’s still at Cheonggangryeong in Gyeongju.”
A complex mix of emotions flashed in Yang Yuhuan’s eyes for a moment before returning to calmness, as if Li Longji’s affairs had nothing to do with her anymore.
“How? Do you already know?”
Yang Yuhuan shook her head gently. A mocking smirk appeared in her eyes as she said, “I guessed it. I knew he would end up like this two years ago.”
Suddenly, she raised her head and looked at Li Qing’an warily. “Do you want me to go to Chang’an?”
Li Qing’an admired Yang Yuhuan’s intelligence. He replied frankly, “Yes, that was my intention when I came today—to ask you to go to Chang’an with me. But now I don’t want to anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want you to become Yang Guifei again.”
Yang Yuhuan stared at Li Qing’an for a long time. Then she smiled, her cheeks glowing with joy. She slowly lowered her head and said softly, “Do you really not have even a little desire to see me?”
“What do you think?” Li Qing’an smiled slightly.
“I thought you used to be my master. How could a master stand by while his disciple is in trouble?”
Yang Yuhuan pointed outside and smiled. “Those people protecting the temple—were they all sent by you?”
“It seems you know everything. Well! I’ll come to see you in a few days. I won’t disturb your rest. I’ll take my leave now.”
“I’ll see you out.”
Yang Yuhuan stood up and escorted him out. The two walked side by side slowly. Feeling his tall, strong presence surrounding her, she felt a sense of safety. She glanced up at Li Qing’an, who also looked down at her with kind and caring eyes. A warmth surged in her heart as she said softly, “I’m happy that you came to see me.”
Seeing her bright eyes, feeling her full, beautiful body pressed against his, and smelling her faint fragrance, Li Qing’an was once again stirred.
When they reached the small gate, Yang Yuhuan stopped and said softly, “I won’t see you out. You can come to see me anytime.”

Li Qing’an walked out with her, feeling nothing but her beauty as a woman—especially that she was the most beautiful woman in the Tang Dynasty, one of history’s four famous beauties. This special feeling disturbed his mind. At that moment, Li Qing’an suddenly discovered a deep emotion hidden in Yang Yuhuan’s heart, all of which was reflected on her face: the charming dimples on her cheeks, the delicate and beautifully shaped lips, the smile that spread across her face, and the joyful light in her eyes. That indescribable charm left Li Qing’an utterly captivated.

Li Qing’an turned and strode away, while Yang Yuhuan watched him silently.
…
Early the next morning, Chen Xili also rushed back to Chang’an, bringing news that the emperor had fallen into a deep coma at Qinggangling in Qingzhou. This news exploded like a bomb over Chang’an, causing shock throughout the court. It shocked the officials even more than An Lushan’s invasion of Hedong. The news brought both joy and concern. The joy came from the fact that Li Longji’s coma meant a new emperor would ascend the throne, ending the long period of imperial vacancy. Given the diligent performance of the imperial grandson so far, it was possible that the Tang Dynasty might see a revival under such an emperor.

Yet the officials’ concerns were also evident. Several princes held military power in their regions, and Li Longji had not yet managed to deal with them before falling ill, posing a great threat to Li Yu’s claim to the throne. These ambitious princes, who were all Li Yu’s uncles, would they tolerate a young nephew ascending the throne? Moreover, with Guanzhong left undefended, the danger doubled.

That afternoon, the council held an emergency meeting in the government hall in the absence of the right chancellor Yang Guozhong to discuss the accession of a new emperor for the Tang Dynasty. However, no consensus was reached.

Although Wang Gong, Li Yan, Wei Huan, and others strongly advocated for the imperial grandson to ascend the throne immediately, the opposition was stronger. Chancellors such as Zhang Yun, Wei Jiansu, Yang Shenjin, and Chen Xili unanimously stated that, given the emperor’s uncertain condition, it was not appropriate to rush into deciding on a new emperor. Instead, they should wait until the emperor returned to the capital and his condition became clear before making a decision.

As the chancellors split into two factions, the attitudes of the court officials also became clearly divided. Each side had many supporters and opponents. At this time, Li Yu of the Eastern Palace clearly stated his position: he would never ascend the throne until the emperor returned to the capital.

The debate seemed to subside at that point, when suddenly a rumor spread rapidly throughout Chang’an: Li Qing’an was currently in Guanzhong. Many people dismissed this news as untrue. If Geshu Han were in the capital, it would make sense, as Longyou was much closer. But Li Qing’an was the governor of Anxi—how could he possibly be in Guanzhong?

By afternoon, this rumor turned into reality. A force of about three thousand Anxi cavalry suddenly appeared at Chunming Gate, demanding entry into the city. The leader of this force was none other than Li Qing’an, the governor of Anxi.

Although Li Longji had taken away 80,000 of the main Guanzhong troops, he still left 5,000 soldiers to guard Chang’an, responsible for protecting the imperial palace and maintaining order in the city. However, most of these soldiers were old or weak. They might be able to handle ordinary civilians, but they would hardly be able to withstand the formidable Anxi cavalry.

This news plunged all the officials in extreme anxiety. After all, Li Qing’an was a member of the imperial family, following Li Jiancheng. He had concealed his identity for a long time—his motives were obvious. Could his sudden arrival be an attempt to seize the throne of the Tang Dynasty while Guanzhong was undefended?

In the Political Hall of Daming Palace, the prime ministers who had just concluded a meeting in the morning gathered urgently once again to discuss the impact of Li Qing’an’s sudden arrival in the capital.

“My opinion, my lords, is that Li Qing’an likely has no malicious intentions. The fact that he brought only three thousand men shows he has no ambitions. Or rather, he is coming to the capital normally, so there’s no need for such alarm,” said Wang Gong first. To some extent, he was Li Qing’an’s ally in the court. Though this alliance had not yet brought any benefits to either of them, one thing was clear: Li Qing’an also supported Li Yu. At this delicate moment, his arrival would undoubtedly strengthen the position of the Eastern Palace faction.

And those who strongly opposed Li Qing’an entering the city were now Zhang Yun. Zhang Yun had always been a moderate, preferring to act as a peacemaker between Yang Guozhong and Wang Gong. He rarely revealed his true thoughts, like an inscrutable gourd—no one knew what he truly intended. But today, Zhang Yun surprisingly became one of the most firm opponents, because he also understood that this was a critical moment for power distribution, affecting his own interests. Until he clarified his ultimate goals, the only thing he could do was delay, buying himself time to negotiate. That morning, he finally persuaded Chen Xilié to cast his vote in the final decision, allowing them to secure a majority of four to three. Li Qing’an’s entry into the capital would surely reverse their morning advantage. Li Qing’an was also one of the prime ministers and brought three thousand troops with him; he must clearly oppose his entry.

“Prime Minister Wang is wrong, utterly wrong!”

Zhang Yun stood up and vehemently objected, “How does Prime Minister Wang know Li Qing’an has no ambitions? How does he know Li Qing’an is only bringing three thousand men? We haven’t received any news at all, which means Li Qing’an must have a large army. Entering the city at such a critical moment, his intentions are surely sinister. I don’t understand why Prime Minister Wang wants him to enter. Could it be that Prime Minister Wang is colluding with him?”

“Minister Zhang, your words are excessive.”

Li Yan, standing nearby, rose and bowed, saying, “I just want to say a few fair words. If Minister Zhang doesn’t want to hear them, then please refute me!”

He walked to the window, pushed it open, and pointed outside, saying, “I want to ask Minister Zhang—how many troops are left in Chang’an? Five thousand, right? Not to mention that these soldiers are old and weak, easily defeated. Even if we assume they can fight ten to one, with five thousand troops spread across Chang’an’s gates, the imperial palace, Daming Palace, Xingqing Palace, and other places—does Minister Zhang know how many troops guard Chunming Gate? I guess not! Let me tell you: 350. If you don’t believe me, go count for yourself. Can these 350 troops hold off Li Qing’an’s three thousand men? No! According to Minister Zhang, there are even more—tens of thousands. If Li Qing’an really comes with ambitions, can a gate guarded by 350 people stop him?”

Seeing that everyone was silent, Li Yan continued, “Since we can’t stop him, why must we go to war with him? There’s no need to prevent him from entering the city. Let’s sit together and discuss this matter. Perhaps these three thousand people could even become a valuable force in defending Chang’an. This is my suggestion; everyone may consider it.”

At that moment, Wei Jiansu spoke up, “I support Ambassador Li’s opinion. It’s impossible for us to stop Li Qing’an. So, let’s simply invite him in and ask him in person what he really intends to do in Chang’an.”

“I agree too!” Chen Xili also raised his hand. His wealth and family were in Chang’an, and he was worried that if Li Qing’an got angry, he might target them first upon entering the city.

Seeing that two of his supporters had already backed out and Yang Shenjin was still hesitating, Zhang Yun realized that the situation was lost and that Li Qing’an’s entry into the city was inevitable. He nodded and said, “Alright! Let’s go ask the crown prince. If he has no objections, then we’ll open the gates to welcome Li Qing’an in.”

In the Eastern Palace, the crown prince Li Yu had just learned that Li Qing’an had arrived in Chang’an. His worried heart suddenly relaxed. He hadn’t expected that most people in the Council of State were against his immediate ascension to the throne. Their reasons seemed valid—the emperor’s condition was uncertain, and it would be better to discuss it after he returned to the capital. But when would the emperor return? According to the latest reports from his father, the three armies were still stuck in Qingzhou and unlikely to return soon. If things dragged on and Guanzhong remained unguarded, could Prince Li Liu of Bashu lead his army to the capital? What about Prince Li Mao of Xiangyang? Would he miss such an opportunity? Even An Lushan, who had seized Hedong and shown ambitions to rule independently, might take advantage of the situation to attack Chang’an.

The answers to these questions were simple: they would surely use various excuses to march on Chang’an. Therefore, Zhang Yun’s opposition to his ascension was likely aimed at buying time.

This made Li Yu extremely anxious, but he still had to show that he was unwilling to ascend to the throne for now. Now that Li Qing’an had arrived, the anxious Li Yu saw a glimmer of hope. Li Qing’an’s arrival was an opportunity to change his fate.

At that moment, a eunuch rushed into the inner hall and bowed, saying, “Your Highness, the prime ministers have arrived and are waiting outside.”

“Ask them in!”

Just as the eunuch was about to leave, Li Yu waved his hand and said, “No need. I’ll go see them myself.”

He put on an outer robe and hurried outside. At the steps, the seven prime ministers of the Council of State stood in a row. Seeing him come out, they bowed together and said, “We pay our respects to Your Highness!”

“Ministers, is there any urgent matter?”

Wang Gong stepped forward with a smile and said, “We have been discussing whether to allow Li Qingan to enter the city. Everyone’s opinion is largely aligned now; we would like to hear Your Highness’s view as well.”
“What! Li Qingan is still outside the city?” Li Yu was shocked. He quickly asked, “So what is everyone’s opinion?”
“We believe Li Qingan can be allowed to enter Chang’an, but the key issue is whether his three thousand cavalry can enter as well. Please decide, Your Highness.”
To be honest, Li Yu was also a bit worried about Li Qingan’s army. If Li Qingan entered the capital alone, it would be good for him, but with three thousand cavalry, it made Li Yu feel slightly uneasy. After all, he knew Li Qingan’s background—his imperial grandfather had insisted on killing him precisely because he feared Li Qingan might try to seize the throne someday.
Li Yu shared this concern and was conflicted about whether to allow Li Qingan’s army into the city. Suddenly, he noticed a cold smile on Zhang Yun’s lips and immediately realized that if Li Qingan truly intended to seize the throne, who could stop him?
“I decide to go personally to Chunming Gate to welcome Li Qingan into the capital. All ministers, please join me.”