Chapter 76: The Blood Robe (1)

The Lady of Guo State cast a disdainful glance at Yang Zhao beside her, feeling a wave of disgust.
In this world, nothing can penetrate flattery. Her cousin’s actions truly embodied that old saying.
Gently lifting a jade cup to her lips, Yang Huahua felt a faint sense of sorrow wash over her.
“Third sister, what are you thinking about? Here, let your brother toast you.”
Praised by Li Longji, Yang Zhao was filled with pride. In high spirits that night, he drank three cups of fine wine, his pale cheeks turning red from the alcohol.
“Why bother with all these trivial things? Yang Zhongcheng, haven’t you owed me enough? If you really want to repay me, what can you use? Can you even afford it?”
Yang Huahua showed no gratitude and simply poured the wine from the cup into her mouth.
Upset by the Lady of Guo State’s remarks, Yang Zhao felt his neck burn with heat, and his drunkenness vanished instantly. But out of courtesy, he forced a smile and said, “Third sister, if your brother has done anything wrong to you, I apologize here.”
After saying that, he tilted his head back and drained the wine in one gulp. Pushing the cup toward Yang Huahua, he sighed, “After all, we’re family. Any grievances should be resolved within our clan. Never let outsiders take advantage of us. Besides, wasn’t Hui’s marriage a grand affair? Look—which young man could be so fortunate as to marry into the imperial family?”
With pride in his voice, Yang Zhao glanced toward the throne where Crown Prince Li Hen sat.
Had he not said those words, it might have been fine, but upon hearing them, Yang Huahua’s expression changed instantly. “Oh, so I should thank my brother? You truly are a hero for finding such a good wife for Hui!”
Whenever this topic came up, Yang Huahua was filled with anger. That so-called Lady of Yong’an County acted arrogantly in Yang’s household, relying on her status as the crown prince’s daughter and ignoring Hui completely. Did she really think she was still in the Eastern Palace, that she could act recklessly in Yang’s household? Even her own father, Li Hen, had to stop and bow to her, addressing her as the Lady of Guo State. What right did that wretched girl have to be so presumptuous?
Out of consideration for Hui, she couldn’t go too far, but who would have thought that girl would be so insensitive!
Hearing the subtle insults in Yang Huahua’s words, Yang Zhao realized he had crossed a line. He quickly apologized, “I was wrong, I was wrong—is that not enough? You always have such a temper, sigh.”
It was an imperial banquet, and Yang Huahua didn’t want to create tension and embarrass themselves in front of others. Waving her hand, she said, “Forget it. Consider it as if I owe you from my past life!”

Seeing the Lady of Guo State take the initiative to reconcile, Yang Zhao immediately beamed with joy: “I told you! My third sister has the patience of a prime minister—how could she worry over such trivial matters?”
“I’ll write a memorial next month to secure a position as a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel for Hui’er. The child is getting older—how can she stay at home forever?”
Feeling guilty, Yang Zhao naturally wanted to compensate Yang Huahua with an official position.
“In that case, I thank my brother on my end.”
Yang Huahua symbolically bestowed a blessing before ignoring Yang Zhao further. If she truly wanted Hui’er to enter officialdom, not to mention a minor position in the Ministry of Personnel, even a position as deputy head of one of the nine ministries could be easily obtained by her with a little effort—why did she need Yang Zhao to play the good guy?
Yang Zhao smiled brightly before pulling his body back.
Taking a piece of roasted deer meat and putting it in his mouth, Yang Huahua lazily glanced at the Lady of Han State to her right and suddenly remembered something important. The Lady of Han State’s daughter, Han Er, was now of marriageable age and was asking for help in finding a husband!
Although Yang Huahua couldn’t wield power in the court like those men, she had her own skills in arranging marriages. With the emperor, Li Sanlang’s approval, she had the authority to choose marriages for the imperial family’s members. Princes, princesses, and noblewomen all needed her consent if they wanted to get married. As for the beauty or talent of the bride or groom, it naturally depended on how much money they offered.
Similarly, if any daughter or son from a high-ranking official family wanted to marry into the royal family, they too needed Yang Huahua’s approval.
Han Er being her niece, she naturally couldn’t be treated as an ordinary case. Even if the Lady of Han State didn’t ask, Yang Huahua would still do her best to help. But her mother had always wanted her to marry into the royal family, which gave Yang Huahua a headache.
After arranging so many marriages for those imperial descendants, didn’t she understand the sorrow that came with marrying into the royal family? Once inside the palace walls, one was cut off from the outside world—what else aside from that? Isn’t her fourth sister, Yu Huan, the best example?
Everyone only saw that she enjoyed the emperor’s favor and was the most beloved in the harem, but did they know her hardships and helplessness?
The emperor had so many sons and grandsons that he probably couldn’t even remember their names. With ten prince’s residences and a hundred grandsons’ courtyards, the high walls separated the imperial family from the ordinary world—were those vast palaces any different from prisons? (Note 1) Moreover, those imperial princes and grandsons were of noble birth and inevitably had to deal with three concubines, four maids, and twelve ladies-in-waiting, constantly scheming with those beautiful and famous women—was it really worth it?
And yet, so many people still wanted to marry into that world—how annoying!

Seeing Yang Huahua approaching her, Lady Han Guo stepped forwardactively and said, “Third sister, I’ll have to trouble you with Haner’s marriage.”
Just what one expects!
With a bitter smile, Yang Huahua replied, “Sister, what are you saying? Why be so formal among family members? Aren’t you afraid outsiders will laugh?”
Lady Han Guo waved her hand and said, “Even blood brothers keep accounts clear. Besides, Haner has high aspirations—ordinary men surely won’t satisfy her. I’m afraid you’ll have to put in a lot of effort, third sister.”
“Oh? Does Haner have any favorite suitor?”
Yang Huahua became interested. Cui Han seemed so carefree usually, but it turned out she had such high standards.
Lady Han Guo was delighted. It seemed the third sister really cared about Haner’s marriage. She covered her mouth and lowered her voice, saying, “Haner has high standards. She says ordinary men won’t do—she wants to marry a true hero.”
“Oh? That makes things difficult. What defines a ‘true hero’? Are you trying to tease me, sister?” Yang Huahua said indifferently as she popped a grape into her mouth.
“Sigh, I’ll just tell you plainly. Haner has her eye on Prince Guangping.”
Seeing Yang Huahua growing impatient, Lady Han Guo spoke directly.
“Him?”
Yang Huahua was shocked. She glanced at Li Chu, who sat next to the crown prince. Upon closer inspection, Prince Guangping was indeed outstanding among the imperial princes. Handsome, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and the crown prince’s eldest legitimate son—surely he had captivated countless noble daughters. Most importantly, even the current emperor, Li Sanlang, highly praised him, saying he resembled himself in his youth!
Among all the current princes and imperial descendants, who else could earn such praise from the emperor?
But he was already over twenty-two—probably had a lover by now.
“Prince Guangping has already reached marriage age. Do you really think he’s still single?” Yang Huahua asked with a faint smile, expressing her concern.
Lady Han Guo lowered her voice and said, “Don’t worry about that. I’ve already investigated. Prince Guangping has great ambitions and doesn’t want to be tied down by a woman too early. So despite being of marriage age, aside from two concubines, he still has no legitimate wife.”
“Oh?”

Yang Huahua was somewhat tempted. As a woman, she certainly understood the advantages of marrying an outstanding man. Han’er was her own niece, and she had no reason not to think of her best interests. Yet, as a daughter of the Yang family, if she were to marry, it had to be as the principal wife—even if her husband was a prince or prince’s son. If the King of Guangping already had a principal wife, then no matter how persistent her elder sister was, she would not agree. But since he still hadn’t taken a principal wife, it was worth giving it some thought.

“Mm, let me take care of this. I’ll surely satisfy my sister.”

Yang Huahua agreed right away. When it came to marriage, as long as she wanted to do something, there was nothing impossible.

People all lament the emptiness of the world, but who can truly let go of it?

Under the moonlight, by the cold river, there’s a feast with red sleeves; in green robes, one walks through the lotus garden. Delicate brows turn toward the red peonies in envy, as a strand of black hair binds their fates together.

Princes bring beauties with them—together they form pairs both at home and abroad. Who wouldn’t envy such love? Who wouldn’t be jealous of such a perfect match?

By the cold river, amidst fireworks, drinking wine and warming the beloved—truly a great joy in life. But what did any of this have to do with her? She, Yang Huahua, had sacrificed so much for the Yang family—what had she gained in the end? As a woman, stepping forward to mediate—was it worth it?

Looking back, where was her scholar in green robes?

The entire Daming Palace, all of Chang’an, and even the whole Tang Dynasty were enveloped in harmony. The dragon’s breath incense from the Mingde Hall wafted out of the incense burners, bringing coolness with each breath, refreshing the heart and soul. The Rainbow Robes dance before the Mingtang was dazzling and colorful, each step presenting a new scene and hue, captivating the heart and mind.

The emperor was virtuous, the officials were united, the descendants were filial, and nations from all over came to pay homage—what a prosperous and thriving Tang Dynasty!

Yet none of this concerned Yang Huahua.

She only knew that far away in the Tang Dynasty’s borders, there was a place where the person she cared about was fighting bloody battles against the Tibetans to defend their homeland.

It was a fierce struggle, a life-or-death battle.

While lovers enjoyed feasts and banquets, the war in Longyou was intensifying.

Was that little troublemaker doing well?……

Note 1: The Ten Princes’ Residence: A large mansion where Emperor Xuanzong’s older sons lived after being granted princely titles. It was located east of Anguo Temple in Chang’an. The Hundred Grandsons’ Courtyard: A residence built by Emperor Xuanzong for his grandsons. According to “Old Book of Tang: Biography of Prince Liang,” “As his grandsons grew up, another courtyard, the Hundred Grandsons’ Courtyard, was built outside the Ten Princes’ Residence.”

Note 2: Li Chu: Later known as Emperor Daizong of Tang. His original name was Chu, later changed to Yu. His concubine was Cui, daughter of Lady Han of Korea. However, due to his longing for Shen Zhenzhu, he never took a formal wife. Thus, although Cui was his principal wife, she could only hold the title of concubine.