Chapter Twelve: The Schemes of Duke Zhou and the Crown Prince's Outburst

On the broad avenues of Chang’an, narrow lanes converge; blue oxen, white horses, and seven-spiced carriages abound. The jade imperial chariots crisscross the noble mansions, and golden whips stream endlessly toward the homes of the marquises. Dragons bear jeweled canopies under the morning sun; phoenixes trail silken tassels glowing in the evening haze. Silvery threads a hundred feet long vie to entwine the tall trees, and flocks of graceful birds call together among the blossoms. Butterflies and bees frolic by a thousand gates, verdant trees and silvered terraces radiate a myriad hues. Covered walkways and lattice windows entwine in joyful union, twin towers and tiled roofs spread like phoenix wings. … Only the southern mountains’ cassia blooms, flying back and forth, brushing against the hem of one’s robe.

This is the opening of “An Ancient Air of Chang’an,” a lengthy seven-syllable poem by Lu Zhaolin, one of the Four Literary Masters of Early Tang, painting a vivid scene of Chang’an’s splendor.

The mansion of Duke Wu Min of Zhou exemplified the heights of luxury: towers joined in succession, flying eaves casting shade from the sun. A troupe of dancing girls was performing the “Huteng Dance,” most of them women from various Hu tribes. This was nothing unusual—the “Huteng Dance” originated in Sogdiana, and its performers were mostly Hu people from different lands who had drifted to Chang’an. Originally, it was danced by men, but later Hu maidens took up the performance, which evolved into the Withered Branch Dance and the Whirling Hu Dance. This was a renowned, vigorous dance, praised for its strength and beauty by Tang poets like Bai Juyi, Yuan Zhen, and Li Duan.

Of course, there were also female performers. The key was that, under the coercion of Helan Min’s household strongmen, every performing Hu girl, including the musicians, wore only the thinnest of gauze—almost nothing at all. Their movements retained the original vigor, but the spectacle was one of heaving breasts and undulating flesh, a scene of wanton indecency.

In truth, ever since Li Zhi and Empress Wu left Chang’an, Helan Min, as the sole heir of the Wu family, had been running rampant in the capital. He began by forcing palace courtesans from the music academy to perform lascivious dances for him. Soon bored, he turned to the renowned brothels, compelling various prostitutes to entertain him. One of Chang’an’s three most famous courtesans, the pure songstress Guiyan of Phoenix Tower, was forced into disgrace by him.

This virtuous songstress returned to the Phoenix Tower and fell gravely ill. Though it was against her will, her reputation plummeted overnight. Fortunately, Helan Min soon tired of these courtesans’ shallow games and shifted his attention elsewhere, allowing the other two famed courtesans—Xiangxue of Fragrant Pavilion and Hualiu of Soul-Departing Hall—to escape his clutches. Helan Min himself became enamored with Hu maidens and their exotic allure.

The fascination with foreign charm—he was utterly taken.

Yet to bring the famed Huteng Dance to such depravity, there was no one in the realm but Helan Min who could conceive of it.

Helan Min was watching with rapt interest when his adviser, Zhang Bangyan, approached quietly and said, “My lord, I have a matter to report.”

Helan Min waved his hand, and the dancers and musicians, as if granted amnesty, hurriedly escaped.

Zhang Bangyan said, “I have inquired into that matter. The Emperor has indeed issued an imperial edict, which so frightened the Crown Prince that he couldn’t eat dinner.”

“What do you make of it?”

“I don’t know the details, but it’s said that His Majesty’s anger stemmed from a remark the Crown Prince made: ‘Those who are not of our kind must have hearts different from ours.’ The Tang Dynasty is a melting pot of many peoples, with frequent intermarriage and many Hu tribesmen serving as high officials and generals in the court. Even the imperial family has strong Xianbei blood. His Majesty’s fury is understandable.”

“Nonsense! Others might not know, but do I not? My uncle is gravely ill, and Aunt handles the affairs of state. Naturally, the ministers resent bowing to a woman’s authority. Now that the Crown Prince is coming of age and enjoys a fine reputation among the court and the people, he has survived a grave illness and is even recovering from his old ailments. Even Liu Rengui, that martial man, now praises the Crown Prince. So, given these circumstances, what do you think will happen?”

“You mean Their Majesties fear the ministers will follow Emperor Taizong’s example and force them to relinquish power?”

“Of course. If you were an official, would you willingly obey a woman’s command?”

“Then why doesn’t His Majesty simply depose the Crown Prince?”

“He can’t bear to,” Helan Min sneered, “so, dissatisfied, he issued a strange edict. Don’t take it too seriously.”

“But the Crown Prince is truly beloved by the people. Just days ago, when word spread that his old illness was healing, many commoners offered incense in thanks to the gods. Even the young lady of the Yang family has been visiting the Eastern Palace often of late.”

The young lady of the Yang family! Greed flashed in Helan Min’s eyes. Palace courtesans, private prostitutes, Hu maidens—lowly women all, lacking the flavor of a true lady. And that young lady was a rare beauty.

Seeing Helan Min’s expression, Zhang Bangyan grew worried and said, “My lord, she is the Crown Princess.”

“So what?” Helan Min scoffed. He knew the matter was troublesome, but the more complicated, the more delicious the prospect. Propping his chin, he mused, “Bangyan, tell me, if the Crown Princess were to come to my mansion of her own accord, what would happen?”

It would be adultery. If Helan Min admitted fault, the Empress’s family would be exiled, leaving him as the sole male relative—a necessary connection for the imperial in-laws. Besides, it would be a scandal, perhaps quietly hushed up. The Yang family’s daughter would never marry the Crown Prince, and her family’s prospects would be ruined. Helan Min himself would not suffer greatly.

But Zhang Bangyan replied coolly, “My lord, that would not do. Though she is peerless in beauty, Chang’an is not without women of similar charm. To do this would harm others without benefit to yourself.”

“Suppose I simply dislike the Crown Prince?” Helan Min shot up, not truly angry at Zhang Bangyan, but reminded of his own sister, Lady of Wei.

Zhang Bangyan, bound in service, could only say, “Then let me devise a proper plan.”

What to do? Since his master was bent on having the young lady, he would have to arrange things to minimize the aftermath. Yet it was a headache—should Helan Min really take the Crown Princess, it would be a resounding slap to the face of both the Crown Prince and the entire Tang royal house. The scandal would not be small.

He pondered for a long while, growing increasingly uneasy. But Helan Min was presently headstrong; to dissuade him now would only fuel his resolve. Better to wait until he cooled before advising further.

…

Li Wei was studying in the academy.

After a night of worry, he had slipped back into a resigned routine—whatever would be, would be. He had not seen his parents, so their intentions were unknowable. In any case, learning took time.

The lecturer, surnamed Wang, was explaining the classics when a palace maid surnamed Liu hurried over from the Eastern Palace’s inner quarters. Seeing Li Wei engrossed in his studies, she dared not approach and stood at a distance, anxious and uneasy.

Lecturer Wang was not a pedant; he paused at once and said, “Your Highness, someone from the inner palace seeks you.”

Li Wei turned and, noting the maid’s distress, walked over. “What is it?”

“Your Highness, please return quickly. Steward Cao is flogging Biyer. If you don’t come, she’ll be beaten to death!”

The inner palace had its own hierarchy, the only system truly under the Crown Prince’s command. The highest rank belonged to the Crown Princess, followed by the concubines of second and third rank. Then came the female officials: the chief stewardess, the chief of ceremonies, and the chief of provisions. The chief of provisions oversaw food, medicine, and gardens; the chief of ceremonies handled discipline, sewing, and storage; the chief stewardess managed documentation, keys, investigations, and punishments. All were sixth-rank, but the chief stewardess, being closest to the Crown Prince, held the most power.

Li Wei was not well acquainted with Steward Cao—he only remembered her as a square-jawed woman in her twenties, not unattractive.

He did not know what had happened, but though Li Wei was mild-tempered, he had his limits. Biyer was his one weakness! Hearing this, he immediately said to Lecturer Wang, “I must excuse myself.”

“Go, then,” Wang replied with a smile.

Li Wei did not wait for a reply. He dashed all the way back to his chambers, arriving just in time to see Steward Cao lashing Biyer with a soft whip, blow after blow. Biyer’s thin spring dress was torn in places, and her face bore two bloody welts.

With a few long strides, Li Wei seized the whip from Steward Cao’s hand and demanded coldly, “Why are you beating her?”

Steward Cao was startled—how had Li Wei found out while absorbed in his studies? Yet, as chief stewardess with dozens of servants under her, she replied at once, “Your Highness, this morning I saw swallows nesting on the palace roof. They are birds, without sense, and soil the palace gates daily. So I ordered their nest removed. But this maid, emboldened by your favor, dared to defy orders. To uphold palace rules, I punished her.”

Li Wei turned. The pair of swallows had nearly completed their nest; below it stood a long bamboo ladder, source unknown. The swallows, sensing danger, circled low, chirping anxiously, unwilling to leave to forage.

Li Wei strode forward and kicked the ladder down, then shouted, “Yes, I favor her. Stewardess, tell me: when I lay unconscious, who stayed day and night to watch over me? When I was unwell, who fed me soup and medicine? When I was lost in despair, who offered comfort? Was it you? Was it any of you?”

He cast a cold eye over Steward Cao and the crowd of assembled maids and eunuchs.

Though they thought the Crown Prince kind—and kindness often meant weakness and easy prey—he was still the heir apparent. At his anger, all lowered their heads in silence.

“Do you know the story of the swallows? They fear the cold and fly south in autumn, yet they are loyal to their home. Next year, they return to their old nest. If you don’t believe me, mark these swallows when autumn comes; as long as you do not frighten them, they’ll nest here or nearby next spring. Even beasts are so, how much more so people? You wretches are worse than beasts!”

“So, my illness was once incurable, but through my efforts, I am recovering. Now, seeing Biyer favored for her loyalty, you set this trap—destroying the swallow’s nest to lure Biyer into error, then beating her to death. Such hearts deserve death! Such hearts deserve death!”

He exposed Steward Cao’s malice on the spot!

Indeed, it would not have been unusual for a lowly maid to be beaten to death in the palace. Li Wei had heard of many such cases. Until now, unable to protect himself, he had turned a blind eye.

“Your Highness, you wrong me. I only followed palace rules.”

“Palace rules? Palace rules allow you to neglect your master? To deceive and defy?” Li Wei, even more incensed by her protest, raised the whip and lashed her repeatedly.

Stunned, Steward Cao cried, “I will report this to the Emperor!”

This was a grave taboo. In this era, a servant’s first loyalty was to their master, then to their family, lastly to the realm.

Yet Li Wei suspected Steward Cao dared act so only because of the imperial edict his father and mother had issued.

But was it really so? In the end, the cause of Li Hong’s death was unclear, but it seemed that even as he was dying, his title as Crown Prince was not revoked. Even if he erred, it was out of filial piety, not a grievous crime.

“Beat her to death!” He handed the whip to a burly eunuch, ordering with disgust.

The eunuch hesitated, but seeing Li Wei’s dark expression, had no choice but to obey. Steward Cao began to beg for mercy.

Li Wei then turned to the chief physicians, striking each three times across the face. “Did you enjoy watching the show?” he snarled.