Chapter 34: Trusted Aides (II)

“Yuan Yi, come in!”
Li Longji cleared his throat slightly and picked up the secret report sent by the Eunuch Department.
“Your Majesty, this humble servant believes the Prime Minister is also acting in your best interests…”
Gao Lishi entered through the side door, bowing as he tried to persuade him.
“Hmph, that old fox—how could I not know what he’s thinking?”
Li Longji opened the secret report and began to read it line by line.
“The old Prime Minister still has your interests at heart; it’s just that his methods are somewhat improper. Permit this humble servant to add that, if the court can remain so harmonious today, it’s not only because of your wisdom and prowess but also thanks to the Prime Minister’s great contributions.”
After a brief pause, Gao Lishi smiled and said, “In comparison, the Grand Censor seems rather inexperienced. A few days ago, the Imperial Concubine even asked me to urge you not to dote too much on him.”
Li Longji looked displeased. “Yuan Yi, why are you talking so much today?”
“Isn’t it all for your sake, to plan for your benefit? At my age, what more could I possibly desire?”
Gao Lishi wasn’t afraid and deftly shifted the topic along Li Longji’s lines.
“You old rascal!”
Li Longji shook his head with a smile. “The Eunuch Department reports that Heng has been practicing calligraphy and studying in the Eastern Palace these past few days, staying indoors the whole time. Tell me, what books is he reading?”
Gao Lishi bowed slightly. “This humble servant doesn’t know, but the Crown Prince is kind and filial by nature. I suppose he must be reciting or copying The Classic of Filial Piety to pray for your blessings.”
“If he truly has such filial devotion, then I can rest assured.”
Sighing, Li Longji handed the secret report to Gao Lishi. “Take a look and see who he’s meeting.”
Gao Lishi took the report and, after reading just one line, was shocked. “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince… this…”
“Enough. It’s affected Wei Jian too—he still doesn’t learn from his mistakes, and now it’s involved my Right Minister as well.”
Li Longji’s tone turned icy. “He always complains that I suppress him, but look—give him a little space, and he becomes arrogant.”
Gao Lishi smiled. “The Crown Prince is still young; he doesn’t see things as clearly as he should…”
“Young? He’s already been made a prince—how can he still be young? When I was his age, I had already established the prosperous Kaiyuan era!”
Anger surged in Li Longji, making his beard tremble and causing him to cough incessantly.
“Your Majesty, calm down. This humble servant has spoken wrongly again.”
Gao Lishi patted Li Longji’s back and whispered, “It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault.”
Li Longji waved his hand, slowing down his speech.

“I remember now. That Li Qilang is also from the Eastern Palace, right? Ah, just seeing him makes me feel old. Now it’s the world of the young.”
Li Longji suddenly recalled the first time he met Li Kuo a year ago and couldn’t help but sigh.
Gao Lishi didn’t dare to press further on this topic. With a wry smile, he said, “It’s just a nominal position as a guest of the crown prince—nothing significant. Besides, Your Majesty is at the peak of your life. Aren’t all the subjects in the land still Your Majesty’s subjects?”
“You know how to please me! That Li Qilang is indeed talented and still young. I think I’ll train him—maybe he can be useful for Heng.”
Li Longji gave Gao Lishi a light slap and revealed his plans.
“See? I told you Your Majesty truly cares for the prince.”
It was rare for Li Longji to show such tenderness, so Gao Lishi naturally took the opportunity to encourage him. Aside from everything else, the Eastern Palace had kept sending him boxes of silver over the years without fail. As the saying goes, one should never forget those who helped them. Since it was such an easy task, why not do it?
“You old rascal, stop trying to trick me. Keep things separate. I certainly can’t relax my vigilance around him!”
Li Longji didn’t expose Gao Lishi’s thoughts. After all these years, there were no secrets between them as emperor and subject.
Seeing that Li Longji was in a good mood, Gao Lishi leaned in and whispered, “Your Majesty, Lady Guo has come to the palace as ordered.”
“Oh, my third sister has arrived?”
Li Longji tapped his forehead lightly, his voice tinged with excitement.
“That’s right. Lady Guo has bathed and changed and is waiting for you in the Changqing Hall.”
Seeing Li Longji’s good mood, Gao Lishi added, “She entered the palace through Jiacheng via Mingyi Gate, so no one will see her.”
Li Longji nodded. “And the Concubine?”
“The Concubine has gone to rest. I told her that Your Majesty needed to discuss important matters with the prime minister and that it might be late. So she didn’t ask further.”
As soon as Li Longji brought up the topic, Gao Lishi continued seamlessly—their understanding was remarkable.
“Hmm, then let’s head to Changqing Hall.”
Satisfied, Li Longji nodded and headed outside the hall.
In Changqing Hall, located in the southeast corner of Xingqing Palace, Lady Guo, Yang Huahua, was gazing intently at the mirror. When Yang Zhao came to see her that day, she had a badpremonition, and it turned out to be true.

Why, why, even though he already possesses wealth and power, does he still not leave this poor woman alone? Why, why is he not satisfied with having his fourth sister and still wants to possess her too? Are all men in the world like this—content with what they have while longing for more?
No, no, at least he isn’t, he definitely isn’t…
Yang Huahua’s mind was filled with the image of Li Kuo’s strong figure and his sincere smile…
“Madam, it’s time to use the incense.”
An attendant rudely interrupted Yang Huahua’s thoughts, bringing a censer to her side.
“Give it to me.”
With a soft sigh, Yang Huahua forced herself to smile bitterly. What good was it? It was impossible between them—even if she weren’t the emperor’s wife, it would still be impossible. He wouldn’t look at her, he wouldn’t respect a woman like her…
Yang Huahua had just finished bathing in the palace. According to custom, her clothes needed to be scented. Since the outcome was unchangeable, she gave up resisting, stretched out her arms, and let the maid apply the scent to her clothes.
She found it absurd—what use was scented clothes now? Once the lights were turned off and the curtains drawn, wouldn’t they still be nothing but naked bodies on the dragon bed? The beloved sanctuary of the wise and mighty emperor was nothing more than those few inches between her legs.
The maid brought a golden three-legged censer adorned with taotie patterns and scented Yang Huahua’s clothes thoroughly, from the collar to the sleeves, from the belt to the hem. The fine ambergris spread across her plain clothes, making her feel utterly relaxed.
“Madam, it’s done.”
The maid bowed gracefully to Yang Huahua before retreating.
She didn’t understand. Yang Huahua mocked herself. Seeing her envious expression, she must think she was the happiest woman…
“His Majesty has arrived!”
With the eunuch’s high-pitched voice, the emperor entered the Changqing Hall with steady steps.
“Third sister, I’m here.”
Li Longji entered the inner room and immediately sensed the freshly applied ambergris, taking a deep, satisfied breath.
“His Majesty summoned me to the palace, so I came.”
Although Yang Huahua hid her sorrow, she didn’t try to please Li Longji. Ignoring the emperor of Tang, she simply tucked her hair behind her ears.
“Hehe, third sister, are you saying you didn’t want to come?”

Yang Huahua had just finished bathing, wearing only a layer of sheer gauze over her chest. Through the translucent fabric, her tempting curves could be faintly seen. Li Longji smiled, wrapped his arms around her, and teased her. (Note 1) “I dare not, Your Majesty. You are the ruler of the nation—after all, all lands under heaven belong to the king, let alone just a mere woman like me.”
Not knowing why Yang Huahua was upset, Li Longji spoke cautiously, “How could I have offended you, Third Sister? Please tell me so that I may make amends.”
“How dare I? I am but a common woman; it’s already a great honor to receive the favor of the emperor. How could I dare to complain?”
Li Longji shook his head and said, “You are breathtakingly beautiful, driving me utterly crazy.”
Thinking Yang Huahua was playing hard to get, Li Longji softened his tone and used more affectionate terms.
“I suppose you’ve said similar things to the Imperial Concubine as well?”
Yang Huahua raised her eyebrows, instantly breaking the tender atmosphere.
“Uh, hehe… As the saying goes, women are like feasts—Yuhuan is like braised koi, full of flavor, while you, Third Sister, are like pickled bamboo shoots, refreshing in its own way.”
Li Longji quickly came up with a clever reply, easing the awkwardness.
Surprised by his comparison, Yang Huahua forced a smile and said, “Your Majesty has quite the appetite when it comes to feasting.”
“Isn’t it you who stirs up my appetite?”
Fully aroused by Yang Huahua, Li Longji simply picked her up and carried her toward the bed.
“Ah!”
Suddenly held in the emperor’s arms, Yang Huahua turned pale with shock and cried out.
Gently placing her on the imperial bed, Li Longji smiled. Closing his eyes, he reached for her chest and easily pulled off the gauze covering it.
“Your Majesty, I am the Third Sister of the Imperial Concubine. Can you really do this?”
Yang Huahua’s eyes grew misty as she gasped for breath. With just one word from Li Longji, she would surrender to him.
“For me, women—those who gave birth to me are not suitable, those I’ve given birth to are not suitable, but all others are!”
Pulling back the purple curtains, Li Longji threw himself onto Yang Huahua on the bed.
“Ah, please have mercy, Your Majesty…”
The curtains parted, revealing waves of passion, filling the room with the warmth of spring.
Note 1: Hezi: A type of strapless undergarment that appeared during the Tang Dynasty, exposing the chest and back, with a sheer gauze layer covering it, allowing the undergarment to be faintly visible.