Chapter 8: The Golden Palace (II)

The affairs in the Tang Dynasty’s bureaucracy may seem complex and mysterious, but in reality, they are merely a thin veil that can be easily pierced.
After seeing through Li Heng’s intentions, Gao Xianzhi’s resentment gradually faded. Since cooperation was needed, there was no point in acting like one burdened by deep grievances—after all, everyone was driven by self-interest. In this regard, his stance aligned with Li Heng’s.
Yet, wasn’t it too hasty to take action now?
Glancing briefly at Li Heng, who sat at the head of the table, Gao Xianzhi felt uneasy. Though the crown prince held a lofty status, he lacked real power. By cooperating with him now, might it arouse the emperor’s suspicion?
Moreover, Yang Guozhong was no honest man. Rumors in the court said he had fallen out with the crown prince since becoming prime minister, often arguing with him in public over trivial matters. With the Yang family’s power at its peak, wasn’t it premature to take a stance at this critical moment?
The emperor was already advanced in age. What if something happened one day…
Sigh, the affairs in the court were truly distressing. All he wanted now was to return to Anxi as soon as possible, to avoid dealing with those inscrutable people any longer!
Beautiful songs, pleasant music—working diligently in the office was truly enchanting.
Li Longji had already drunk three cups of fine wine. As he raised another cup filled with liquor to his lips, Yang Yuhuan’s smooth, jade-like hand gently wrapped around his wrist.
“Your Majesty, you’ve already drunk three cups today,” she said.
Her rosy lips parted as she spoke softly, urging him, “The imperial physician instructed that you may drink no more than three cups a day. If you drink any more, I’ll have to punish you.”
In high spirits that day, Li Longji forgot the physician’s warning. Seeing Yang Yuhuan’s shy demeanor, he was slightly surprised before smiling and saying, “Very well! If Yuhuan says I shouldn’t drink, then I won’t. But since the wine has already been poured, it would be a shame to waste it. How about Yuhuan drinks it for me?”
“Your Majesty!”
Yang Yuhuan lowered her head slightly, her cheeks flushing red. “Don’t you know I’m not good at drinking? It seems you don’t care for me at all.”
Her voice grew weaker until it became a faint murmur. Yet Li Longji found her voice unusually enchanting and seductive, stirring his emotions.
By now, his drunkenness was setting in. Ignoring the gazes of the officials in the hall, he pulled Yang Yuhuan close and said, “If I don’t care for Yuhuan, which other concubine in the harem could I care for? Wasn’t what I asked of Yuhuan last night enough?”

Although Li Longji was already in his forties, he was still in good physical condition. With such forceful gripping, he made Yang Yuhuan emit soft complaints.
“Your Majesty, this… this is in the palace…”
Yang Yuhuan was already wearing a low-cut dress that day. After being tormented by Li Longji, the scarf around her chest slipped further down, revealing her smooth, firm, and prominently shaped breasts. Though only Li Longji could see this from that angle, Yang Yuhuan felt extremely ashamed. She struggled to break free from his arms and tightened the scarf around her chest.
“Is Yuhuan still shy?”
Seeing Yang Yuhuan’s girlish behavior, Li Longji became even more aroused. Rubbing his hands together, he said, “It seems Yuhuan still hasn’t found satisfaction. Tonight, I must make it up to you properly!”
“Your Majesty! You act like a naughty child once you’re in bed!”
Yang Yuhuan turned away, refusing to give Li Longji any chance to say more nonsense. He must have drunk too much today—acting like this in the court…
Frustrated by Yang Yuhuan’s uncooperation, Li Longji grew somewhat annoyed. Fortunately, he was in a good mood today and wouldn’t get angry over her shyness. He just coughed a few times and said, “Aren’t you always thinking about your master? Let me give you some good news so you won’t worry all the time.”
“Oh?”
Yang Yuhuan’s eyes lit up. She turned around and asked doubtfully, “Is it my archery master, Li Kuo?”
“That’s right. He made great contributions in quelling the unrest in Hezhong. I’ve granted him a title based on his merits. You heard the imperial edict just now.”
Seeing Yang Yuhuan’s curiosity, Li Longji felt slightly displeased. Tapping his fingers, he said, “Besides that, I also plan to assign him a special task. If he can complete it…”
“Your Majesty, this isn’t really rewarding him—it’s just finding ways to burden my master.”
Yang Yuhuan finally understood what Li Longji meant. She pursed her lips in complaint, “My master has made such great contributions, yet you haven’t even given him a real official position. It’s truly disheartening.”
“Don’t worry, Yuhuan. I haven’t finished speaking yet.”
Li Longji paused and continued, “This task is almost too easy for him; it’s just a formality. There’s a reason why I haven’t promoted him to a real official position right away.”
Shaking his head, Li Longji said, “Recently, this man has risen too quickly. He became a fourth-rank governor at just eighteen. If he rises any further, he’ll only be able to take the position of deputy governor of Anxi.”

“A deputy military governor is just a deputy military governor. Could it be that Your Majesty, who rules over the whole realm, is too stingy to grant such a minor position?”
Yang Yuhuan cast a resentful glance at Li Longji, her words laced with bitterness.
“Look at you—what kind of words are these? Isn’t this done for his own good? Rising to such a high position so early in his career will only harm him. The border troops are different from the imperial guards; promotions are based on seniority. How many veteran generals in Anxi are eagerly waiting for promotion? Once your master goes to Anxi, he’ll trample on them—how much envy will he incur?”
Seeing Yang Yuhuan’s remarks becoming more and more outrageous, Li Longji grew angry. Waving his hand, he said, “You, as a woman, shouldn’t get involved in these matters. I can grant him a position anytime, but he must be capable of handling it. Power is tempting, but not everyone is meant to enjoy it!”
“Your Majesty!”
Fearing Li Longji’s anger, Yang Yuhuan’s heart turned cold. She immediately changed her tone and said, “Your Majesty, Yuhuan realizes her mistake. She shouldn’t interfere in state affairs.”
Though Yang Yuhuan enjoyed the favor of all the concubines, she never interfered in politics. This was why Li Longji dared to trust people from the Yang family, including Yang Guozhong.
It was a rule passed down from ancient times that the harem should not interfere in politics. Although he doted on Yang Yuhuan, it didn’t mean he could indulge her unconditionally. Having witnessed the chaos caused by Empresses Wu and Wei, Li Longji knew well the impact of harem interference on a dynasty’s fate.
The realm of the Tang Dynasty was destined to belong only to the Li family of Longxi.
Anyone who tried to seize the Tang Dynasty’s imperial seal would not be spared by him, Li Longji!