Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 422 Consort Zheng Cuts Her Wrist

The crescent moon quietly set, and twilight enveloped the entire city of Chang'an.

The darkness before dawn did not last long; amidst the crowing of roosters, a ray of morning light slowly rose.

In the backyard of the Duke of England's mansion, Li Ji had already gotten up early and was practicing with a staff in the courtyard.

The people in the Duke's mansion found this very strange.

Li Ji is almost seventy years old this year. He attends court less and less often, but practices martial arts more and more frequently.

He seemed to be tempering his aging body, awaiting the king's summons.

Even Cheng Zhijie and Yuchi Gong, after visiting the Duke of Ying's mansion, advised him not to overexert himself anymore.

With so many young generals in the court, the emperor could no longer send these old generals on expeditions.

But Li Ji always just smiled and remained silent, never changing his mind.

This morning, he practiced for an extra 15 minutes, until he was covered in sweat and panting heavily.

As soon as he stopped to rest, Li Zhen came over with a cloth, wiping his father's sweat as he said:

“Father, I understand your thoughts. If you wish to go to the border, I can request permission from His Majesty. Even that old bastard Cheng Mingzhen has been sent to Yingzhou by His Majesty. If you wish to go, I am sure His Majesty will not refuse.”

Li Ji glanced at him sideways and said indifferently, "Mind your own business and go to the yamen."

Li Zhen had no choice but to change into his court robes and go to the palace to attend to official business.

After resting for a while, Li Ji picked up his fishing rod and prepared to fish for a bit.

He now does three things every day: eat, fish, and practice martial arts.

He had completely abandoned his involvement in court affairs, but he remained concerned about military matters on the border.

He was particularly keen on the situation in Liaodong; he would send people to find out exactly what was going on at the slightest sign of trouble. A map of Liaodong even hung in his study.

Just as the bait was on the hook and the fish was about to be cast, a servant came running in to report that the emperor had arrived.

A glint of light flashed in Li Ji's eyes.

The emperor hadn't visited him in a long time, so his sudden visit must have a reason.

He tossed his fishing rod aside and strode briskly toward the main gate.

Halfway there, they saw a servant leading the way, followed by a refined young man, who was none other than Emperor Li Zhi.

Li Ji stepped forward quickly, cupped his hands, and said, "This old minister pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Li Zhi looked him over for a while and smiled, "It's been a while since I've seen you, Lord Li. Seeing that you are still in good health, I am relieved."

Li Ji, usually calm and collected, was now somewhat impatient and asked, "Your Majesty, has any news come from Goguryeo?"

"No, there is no news from Goguryeo." Li Zhi shook his head.

Li Ji immediately showed a look of disappointment.

Li Zhi continued, "However, I have already decided that regardless of whether Goguryeo changes or not, I will launch a military campaign against Goguryeo no later than next year!"

It is now the seventeenth year of Yonghui, which is 665 AD. In Li Zhi's little notebook, Quan Gai Suwen is the one who kicked the bucket this year.

With his death, his sons would fight amongst themselves for power. Now that Baekje has been conquered, the situation is much better than before.

As long as Li Ji is in command, and following historical tactics of attacking from both sides, Li Zhi believed that he could definitely eliminate Goguryeo.

However, on the other hand, his arrival has caused history to deviate in many ways.

Li Zhi was also unsure whether the time of Quan Gaisuwen's death would change.

If things really have changed, he's not prepared to wait any longer.

The initial waiting was merely to reduce the losses in war, but now that the situation is settled and the arrow is on the bowstring, how can we not release it?

Whether Yeon Gaesomun lives or dies, the war to destroy Goguryeo will begin.

Upon hearing this, Li Ji solemnly replied, "This old minister has been waiting for Your Majesty's summons."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "I have heard about the old general's situation. Please rest assured, since I have promised you, I will never change my mind!"

Li Ji said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Li Zhi then said, "In this campaign against Goguryeo, I plan to use the newly recruited Imperial Guards. Starting tomorrow, the old general can familiarize himself with this army."

Li Ji felt a chill run down his spine and hesitated.

The Imperial Guards were always trained by Xue Rengui. If the emperor was planning to use the Imperial Guards, did he intend to have Xue Rengui as the commander and himself as the deputy?
Li Zhi noticed his doubt and raised his hand, saying, "General, there's no need to worry. You will be the commander-in-chief for this expedition against Goguryeo, and Xue Rengui will be your deputy."

Li Ji took a deep breath and said, "This old minister will do his utmost to help Your Majesty conquer Goguryeo!"

Li Zhi had originally planned to fish with Li Ji for a while, but as soon as he sat down by the lake, Wang Fusheng came to his side and whispered, "Your Majesty, something has happened in the palace."

Li Zhi was slightly surprised. If something happened in the palace, Wang Fusheng could have just said what it was about. Why was he being so secretive?

Looking at Wang Fusheng's expression, which was very serious, there was only one possibility: what happened in the palace was something that Li Ji couldn't hear.

Li Zhi put down his fishing rod, stood up and said, "Lord Li, I have some official business to attend to, so I cannot accompany you fishing today."

Li Ji said, "The affairs of the state are of utmost importance. This old minister respectfully sees Your Majesty off."

After leaving the Li residence, Li Zhi asked what had happened. Wang Fusheng whispered, "Your Majesty, Consort Zheng has cut her wrists."

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment, then exclaimed, "She's dead?"

Wang Fusheng hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please don't worry. Yu Siqin was discovered in time and was saved."

Li Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, his face slowly darkening as he asked, "Why did she suddenly try to take her own life? Was someone bullying her?"

Wang Fusheng said in a low voice, "I heard that it seems to be related to Prince Xu."

Li Zhi frowned and asked, "Erlang? What happened to him?"

Wang Fusheng said, "I am not clear about the specifics either."

Half an hour later, Li Zhi arrived at the west courtyard of Consort Zheng in Chengxiang Palace.

The courtyard was full of people, including Liu Chong'ai and King Wu, Li Ji.

Just as Li Zhi was about to inquire about the situation, he heard a loud "bang"—the sound of a teacup being smashed. Immediately afterward, Zheng Cairen's voice came from inside the room: "Get out! I don't need your treatment, just let me die!"

A royal physician emerged from the house, looking somewhat disheveled.

Liu Chong'ai looked worried and said, "Your Majesty, Sister Zheng has been in a bad mood ever since she was rescued."

Li Zhi looked at Li Ji and said, "Ji'er, what are you doing here?"

Li Ji said, “Reporting to Ninth Uncle, a few days ago, Consort Zheng invited me over to inquire about Prince Xu. I immediately sensed something was wrong with her and worried that she might commit suicide, so I told Aunt Liu about it.”

Liu Chong'ai continued, "After Ji'er told me, I had Yuzhu keep an eye on the west courtyard. This morning, Yuzhu saw the servants in the courtyard guarding the door, looking anxious. Upon inquiring, she learned that the door was locked from the inside."

"They dared not break in, but called out to Sister Zheng from outside. Yuzhu suspected that something had happened to her, so she ordered someone to break down the door. When they went in, they found that Sister Zheng had cut her wrists."

"Fortunately, it was discovered quickly, and I summoned the imperial physician, who managed to save Sister Zheng's life in time."

After hearing this, Li Zhi said in a deep voice, "You all stay outside and keep watch. I will go in and see her."

Li Zhi stepped into Consort Zheng's room, and was immediately stunned upon entering.

The floor inside the room was covered with mutton-fat jade chess pieces, scattered all over the place, along with many torn scrolls. Upon picking them up, they were all sketches, likely drawn by Zheng Cai Ren.

This shows that Zheng Cai Ren had been diligently practicing sketching and Go in order to please herself.

Inside the room, Consort Zheng huddled in the corner of the bed, her face pale, her hair disheveled, her gaze vacant, staring blankly into the void, holding a broken teacup shard in her hand.

Li Zhi slowly walked over, and as soon as he got close, he heard her shrill voice: "Don't come any closer, all of you get out!"

Li Zhi slowly said, "Consort Zheng, it is I." Consort Zheng then slowly raised her head, looked at Li Zhi, her eyes instantly reddening, and sobbed, "Your Majesty, how cruel you are!"

Seeing her like this, Li Zhi felt a pang of guilt.

He knew he hadn't favored Consort Zheng in a long time, neglecting her, which was why she was so agitated.

There was nothing that could be done about it; Li Zhi was so busy with official duties that he often forgot about Consort Liu, let alone Consort Zheng.

Of the three concubines, he favored Zhu Zhenlian the most, because the two had a past together and he always thought of her.

Consort Zheng's face was streaked with tears as she continued her accusation: "It's one thing for Your Majesty to neglect me, but why does Your Majesty also neglect Prince Xu? Do you really despise me that much?"

Li Zhi was taken aback and said, "When have I ever neglected Prince Xu?"

Consort Zheng cried, "His Majesty ignores him, neglects him, and doesn't teach him anything. What is this if not neglect?"

Li Zhi said gently, "You misunderstand. I have not neglected him, nor have I ever disliked you. It is only because Xiao'er has established his own residence that I have been less strict with his upbringing."

Consort Zheng threw down the porcelain shard in her hand, covered her face, and sobbed, "Your Majesty, you don't need to lie to me anymore. I asked the Prince of Wu, and he said that in recent years, Xiao'er has neglected his studies and only indulged in playing. He has not come to the palace to see me and has already gone astray!"

Li Zhi walked to her side and said in a deep voice, "Has he seen you in the future palace?"

Consort Zheng sobbed, "He hates me so much, why would he come to see me?"

Li Zhi sat down by the bed and asked, "Why does he hate you?"

Consort Zheng said softly, "His Majesty's coldness towards him is simply because he dislikes me. Naturally, he hates me!"

Li Zhi sighed and said, "As I just said, I have never disliked you."

Consort Zheng wept and asked, "Then why does His Majesty never come to see me?"

"I should have been here before, shouldn't I?"

“That was eight months ago, eight months and nine days ago! I am disliked by His Majesty and hated by my son. What is the point of living?” Consort Zheng cried loudly.

Li Zhi sighed, "Has it been that long? Alas, I've been too busy with official duties and forgot about it. I'll come to see you more often in the future."

Consort Zheng remained silent for a while, then said in a low voice, "This concubine is not good at serving Your Majesty. I dare not blame Your Majesty for not wanting to come. I only hope that Your Majesty can discipline Xiao'er more. Isn't he Your Majesty's son?"

Li Zhi took her hand, glanced at the wound on her hand, and seeing that the bleeding had stopped, said in a deep voice, "I really didn't know about Xiao'er's matter. Don't worry, I will definitely discipline him properly!"

Consort Zheng hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please don't banish him from Chang'an because of this."

Li Zhi patted her shoulder and said, "I know what I'm doing. You should rest well. I'll have the imperial physician come in to help you recover. You mustn't cause any more trouble."

Consort Zheng lowered her head and said softly, "Yes."

……

Outside Chengtian Gate, the three brothers, Li Xiao, Li Yong, and Li Lian, met again after a long time.

The three, who were originally close friends, felt somewhat awkward upon meeting.

The three of them passed through Chengtian Gate and walked along the palace path to the left of Taiji Hall towards Ganlu Hall.

After a long silence, Li Lian spoke first, asking, "How have you all been lately?"

Li Xiao said indifferently, "It's alright."

Li Yong snorted, "I'm perfectly fine!"

Li Lian then asked, "Do you know why Father suddenly summoned us?"

Li Xiao remained silent.

Li Yong snorted, "Of course it's because Father heard about your misbehavior outside and wants to reprimand you!"

Li Xiao glanced at him and said coldly, "You're not being ridiculous? Then why did Father call you here too?"

Li Yong shouted, "Father wants to ask me about your situation. Humph, whether you get scolded later depends on how I answer."

As they passed through Ganlu Gate, they saw a man standing outside – the Sixth Prince, Li Xian.

Li Xian hurried over to Li Lian's side and said anxiously, "Fourth brother, Father is furious. You'd better be careful later."

Li Lian asked in surprise, "Why is Father angry?"

Li Xian glanced at Li Xiao and said, "Isn't it all because of Second Brother?"

Li Xiao frowned and asked, "Because of me?"

Li Xian didn't explain further, and said to Li Lian, "I've already informed him. Be careful." Then he quickly ran away.

Li Xiao watched his retreating figure and snorted, "Fourth brother, you and sixth brother are on good terms, aren't you?"

Li Lian remained silent.

Li Yong hesitated, then thought for a moment and shut his mouth.

Before long, all three arrived at Ganlu Hall. After announcing their arrival, they entered the hall and greeted Li Zhi, who was sitting on the couch.

"My child meets his father!"

Li Zhi's gaze swept over the three of them one by one, and he said in a deep voice, "Get up, all of you."

All three of them stood up straight.

Looking at the three of them, Li Zhi couldn't help but recall some old stories.

At that time, in order to test the three men's studies, he summoned them to an audience, and the three men stood before him dejectedly, just like they do today.

However, the three children from back then have all grown up now, and Li Xiao is almost as tall as him.

Li Zhi had already sent people to investigate, and it turned out that the three brothers, who used to be close, had become like strangers.

Li Zhi then realized that a free-range approach could be used for ordinary children.

However, if princes are left to their own devices, they can easily go astray.

Princes are born with power and wealth, making them more susceptible to material temptations. If they relax even slightly, they will find it difficult to resist temptations at a young age and develop bad habits of indulging in pleasure!
As it turned out, the ancient model of establishing a residence for princes to educate them was ineffective, so Li Zhi decided to use methods from later generations to educate the three of them.

His gaze first fell on Li Xiao, and he said, "Xiao'er, I heard that you raised a flying general who is invincible in Chang'an. Why don't you bring it over so I can have a look at it?"

Li Xiao's face turned pale, and he lowered his head.

Flying General is a fighting rooster.

At the beginning of the year, Li Xiao built a cockfighting tower in the backyard. It had three floors, with a fighting arena on each floor.

He also held a "Chicken King Competition" in this building. All the participating fighting cocks were first divided into sixteen on the first floor, then into four on the second floor, and finally the champion was determined on the third floor.

General Fei was the champion of the first "Chicken King Competition" at the Xu Wang Mansion.

Li Zhi then looked at Li Lian and said, "Fourth Brother, you're no less capable than your second brother. I heard that last year you earned five hundred strings of cash with a fighting insect called Chu Bawang. Your money-making ability is quite impressive!"

Li Lian also lowered his head.

Li Zhi finally looked at Li Yong, who quickly said, "Father, I have never been involved in cockfighting or insect fighting!"

Li Zhi glared at him and said, "You knew perfectly well that your second and fourth brothers were fooling around, yet you neither stopped them nor came to tell me. What kind of brother are you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yong also lowered his head.

Li Zhi said sternly, "You are all princes of the Tang Dynasty, enjoying wealth and privilege that others do not have. Instead of studying diligently and contributing to the country, you lead the way in cockfighting and insect fighting. You are setting a good example!"

All three knelt down and said in unison, "Father, your children know their sins!"

Li Zhi pointed and said, "Go outside and kneel facing the wall to reflect on your mistakes. Since you have nothing to do, starting tomorrow, I will find you something to do!"

(End of this chapter)