Chapter 113: The Grace and Wrath of the Sovereign

Winter, October, the day of Gengshen, the emperor ascended to Huaqing Palace.

At Huaqing Pool, shrouded in a faint white mist, a delicate, snow-white, exquisitely curved figure lay softly along the edge of the jade-smooth steps, letting the warm spring water ripple over her body, yet unable to move an inch.

The sage Emperor Xuanzong, naked and lean, gazed with satisfaction upon the unparalleled beauty before him. At sixty-five years of age, he felt immense pride in having completely conquered the foremost beauty of the Tang dynasty.

This time, the elixir he took beforehand was unlike before; instead of feeling sore, tired, and exhausted after indulgence, it refreshed his spirit and invigorated his energy.

“Haha! My grandson Yu’er truly has a heart. Not only did he present me with a plan to increase agricultural yields, giving hope for greater harvests across Tang farmlands, but he also sought out this miraculous tonic as a tribute for me. Such kindness deserves reward! This ‘Spirit-Concealing Pill,’ as it’s called, I hereby bestow it as an imperial tribute.”

The plump and fair Gao Lishi stood nearby, smiling obsequiously. “The sage is wise. This old servant will immediately issue the command to announce it.”

In the resplendent, golden-crowned great hall, Emperor Xuanzong sat high on the dragon throne, sipping fine wine and enjoying song and dance. A slight furrow appeared on his brow, a flicker of weariness in his eyes. This subtle gesture was caught by Gao Lishi, who waved his hand, and the musicians and dancers withdrew.

Princess Yuzhen, who had come to pay her respects, seized the moment. Rising from her seat, she bowed to Emperor Xuanzong on the dragon throne.

“Esteemed brother, your sister has come not only to see you but also to recommend someone for official service. Though young, this person possesses genuine talent and learning. If granted the chance to serve, I believe he will become a capable minister.”

Though familial affection was sparse within the royal family, Xuanzong had always doted on this full-sister. He smiled faintly upon hearing her words.

“Which person does my sister intend to recommend this time?”

“This one is your sister’s junior disciple, a student of the two great masters from Shu—Master Zhao Rui and the unparalleled poet Li Bai. He has mastered the skills of governance and administration, eager to serve the nation and your majesty. I hope you will grant him an opportunity.”

Princess Yuzhen finished, her eyes nervously fixed on Emperor Xuanzong.

“Hahaha! So the person you recommend is Mi Gongtian, the disciple of the Immortal Poet. I heard he took part in the marriage selection for Wang Yuanbao’s daughter and won the contest, marrying her. It seems he does have some genuine skill.

“However, his master’s disciple, who married her, is a source of amusement to me and the favored consort, causing much laughter. During the imperial examinations in classics, this person was arrogant to the point of insulting the Sage of the East. He is talented, but his character is somewhat lacking.”

“Young men with talent often act arrogantly and recklessly. But now that he is married and settled, he should have become more prudent. Moreover, your sister’s admonishments have helped him greatly. I hope Your Majesty will forgive past indiscretions and give him a chance.”

Princess Yuzhen looked at Emperor Xuanzong with earnest pleading.

“Heh! Very well,” Xuanzong finally relented. “Since he devised the method of collecting night-scented flowers and using compost to increase grain yield, let him serve in the imperial household, specifically managing affairs related to Mi Gongtian.”

Princess Yuzhen’s heart sank. How deep was the emperor’s grudge against Li Bai? This appointment would surely tarnish Mi Gongtian’s reputation irreparably.

Her pleading gaze shifted toward the imperial consort beside the emperor, the ever-smiling Yang Yuhuan, radiating countless charms. The meaning was clear: I have offered you this secret, exquisite incense elixir, capturing the emperor’s heart. Now it is your turn to help me.

“Sire, the fragrant elixir I use during my bath was also concocted by the Immortal Poet’s disciple, Mi Gongtian. It seems this young man’s talents extend far beyond his agricultural methods.”

Yang Yuhuan’s coquettish words, delivered with eyes like silk and a tender voice, immediately swayed Emperor Xuanzong. Yet, as he pondered further, his brow furrowed again.

“Sigh,” Xuanzong sighed deeply. “It’s not that I don’t want to give him a good position to showcase his abilities, but no official post in court can be granted without the prime minister Li Linfu’s approval. That makes matters difficult.”

“Is such a small matter truly dependent on Minister Li’s consent?” Yang Yuhuan glared disapprovingly at Xuanzong.

“Alas!” Xuanzong sighed again. “You don’t know—Prime Minister Li Linfu appears affable with a smiling face, but he is extremely strict when it comes to business. Once rules are set, he never bends them. He has twenty-five sons; only three entered officialdom via the imperial exams, while the other twenty-two remain secluded, afraid to make the slightest mistake. It’s difficult to get him to recommend your junior.”

“Brother, didn’t Minister Li praise your sister’s junior’s plan and even promote it across Tang’s provinces and counties? The prime minister is here at Huaqing Palace. Why not summon him and ask his opinion?”

Princess Yuzhen, sensing the urgency—once this chance was missed, future appointments would be nearly impossible—pressed on.

Xuanzong gave his sister a strange look, wondering if this Immortal Poet’s disciple might be yet another secret son of hers and Li Bai. Otherwise, why so concerned? After some thought, he finally agreed and summoned Prime Minister Li Linfu.

“Minister Li, what is your view on this matter?” Xuanzong asked, eyes glinting.

“If he can secure a recommendation from officials in court, I believe he can be appointed deputy director of the Armory Bureau under the Directorate of Works,” Li Linfu replied expressionlessly, revealing nothing of his thoughts.

In Tang’s prosperous era of external victories and internal peace, the deputy director position was a powerless sinecure. It seemed Li Linfu had no good impression of Mi Gongtian. Yet, considering Mi’s father-in-law was the richest man in Tang, Xuanzong believed he understood the prime minister’s true intentions and smiled broadly.

“Very well! If recommended by court officials, let him take the deputy director post.”

Lu Lu, holding a cup of rare herbal tea, idly watched craftsmen renovate the old family mansion. Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, and he sneezed. Gazing vaguely at the sky, he wondered who might be thinking of him. Could it be that, since he had not visited Xi Hua these days, she had begun to miss him?

Late October brought cooler weather.

Tang Xiao Qi, not yet three months pregnant, had just finished watering the herb garden with Lu Lu when two maids hurriedly pulled her inside, fearing she might catch a chill.

Lu Lu shook his head with a bitter smile. These maids who came with Wang Liuli barely respected their young mistress. But it was partly his own fault—he never adopted the stern demeanor of other household heads.

“Master, master, something bad has happened!” Hu Lao Da ran over in a panic.

“What’s so bad? Don’t make a fuss,” Lu Lu’s usual authority surfaced before Hu Lao Da.

“Just now, a few eunuchs from the Daming Palace came to summon the old master to receive an imperial edict. Our Spirit-Concealing Pill has been decreed as an imperial tribute and is henceforth banned from the market. The old master is sighing deeply in his study, and the young madam has gone to visit him. You should hurry and see for yourself.”

Hu Lao Da’s wide eyes fixed on Lu Lu, as if his presence alone could resolve the matter.

“What?” Lu Lu asked in surprise, then began to complain, glaring toward Daming Palace. “This sage! Just because he enjoys his own happiness, he wants to deprive other men of theirs. How tyrannical!”

Hu Lao Da instinctively stepped back two paces. His young master was truly audacious, even daring to slander the sage.

“Don’t worry. The young madam will handle this. Sometimes what seems bad at first can turn out to be a blessing,” Lu Lu said calmly as he leisurely headed toward his grandfather Lu Manman’s study.

“Grandfather, your granddaughter-in-law knows you worry that the Spirit-Concealing Pill can no longer be sold, cutting off the Lu family’s main source of income. Not only is it hard to marry off your disciples, but the whole household’s livelihood is at risk. But since this has become an imperial tribute, doesn’t that prove the miraculous efficacy of our medicine? From now on, the business will only grow better. Rest assured, with me here, all will be well.”

Approaching the study door, Lu Lu caught the voice of Wang Liuli inside and smiled with pride.

Lu Manman’s brow was deeply furrowed, his face nearly dripping with worry. Clearly, Wang Liuli’s words had not comforted him. Seeing Lu Lu arrive, he beckoned him inside.

“There is no one else here now. Lu Lu, do you know why your father fled Chang’an and hid far away in the remote Jinshui Town of Jiangnan?”

Seeing his grandfather’s troubled expression, Lu Lu shook his head in confusion.

“Because your father was careless about medicine, obsessed with concocting aphrodisiac pills. The pills he made were fiercely potent, neglecting any harm to the body.”

Lu Manman paused, glanced cautiously around, then lowered his voice.

“It is said that when the sage first favored the imperial consort, he gave her one of your father’s ‘Red Candle’ pills. Later, Li Mao—the Prince of Shou, whose wife was taken by the sage—did not dare seek revenge on the sage himself but instead targeted your father, blaming his pills for harming his princess.

“Sigh! People are all the same: they kowtow to those they cannot offend but bully anyone weaker than themselves without mercy.

“In this royal family, who isn’t cunning, ruthless, and scheming? When I once prescribed a remedy to Princess Mei after her miscarriage to restore her strength, I was promptly expelled from the Imperial Medical Bureau.

“Now that we have almost no ties to the royal family, our Spirit-Concealing Pill has become an imperial tribute. My fear is not for the family’s livelihood but that calamity might strike us suddenly, and the Lu family could be destroyed without knowing why.”

Having served decades in the Imperial Medical Bureau, the old doctor’s far-sighted words left the astute Lu Lu and Wang Liuli speechless.

“Grandfather, since this matter has fallen upon the Lu family, there is no escaping it. We can only take it step by step. If disaster truly befalls us, I believe the elders at Yuzhen Temple will look after us somewhat. Don’t worry; rest easy. Your grandson will handle everything.”

Having said that, Lu Lu helped support the still-worried Lu Manman back to his room to rest.

“Darling, what shall we do?” Wang Liuli looked troubled, shaken by Lu Manman’s words.

“Do whatever you want. Just because there’s a stone on the path, does that mean people stop walking? You’ve only been married a few days and seem like a different person. Where is the decisive Lu Jiu you used to be?”

Lu Lu showed no concern and mocked Wang Liuli with a sardonic smile.

“Dead!” Wang Liuli’s face darkened; she was angry to hear Lu Jiu’s name again. Swishing her clothes, she stormed off.

A few days later, the old mansion’s renovations neared completion when several unexpected visitors arrived—scribes from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War.

Lu Lu stared blankly at their documents and badges. The hopeful official hopeful had, in a blink, become a Tang military officer, appointed deputy director of the Armory Bureau, responsible for guarding the arsenal. Though the deputy director was a seventh-rank official post, it was essentially a sinecure.

The Immortal Poet’s disciple, Mi Gongtian, had indeed landed a position—but one with little real power.