From the first year of the Tianshou era, Luoyang was designated the \u201cDivine Capital.\u201d
Since I came to the Daming Palace, my imperial grandaunt has spent more than half the year at Taichu Palace handling state affairs. According to Wan\u2019er, after the sacrificial incense offering at the Fengxian Temple this time, the Emperor will reside at Taichu Palace year-round, and naturally all of us grandchildren will move to Luoyang with him.
\u201cYiping,\u201d I said, sitting in the carriage as I took the tea she handed me, \u201cstarting next year you and I will be living in Taichu Palace.\u201d
Yiping smiled at me.
\u201cThe maid has always heard Yidu talk about Taichu Palace and how it is\u2014finally I have a chance to see it.\u201d
I drank the hot tea, wrapped my robe tighter around myself, and made a few casual remarks with her about Luoyang.
When I was young, I once accompanied my father, the king, on a trip to Luoyang. I was too small to remember much, but over the past two years since entering the palace, I\u2019ve often heard Wan\u2019er speak of it, and gradually some curiosity has grown.
When Imperial Aunt ascended the throne, she built the Seven Temples of the Wu clan, and last year she even relocated a hundred thousand households from across the provinces into Luoyang City. Everything seems to be preparing for what is, in effect, a move of the capital.
The Li dynasty has its capital at Chang\u2019an; Imperial Aunt\u2019s actions are meant to make Luoyang the capital of the Wu dynasty.
Taichu Palace, Taichu Palace\u2014its name carries the sense of the Wu Great Zhou\u2019s founding, of the opening of heaven and earth, the beginning of all things.
By afternoon, Yidu came to deliver a message: the emperor had grown somewhat fatigued from riding and had summoned the princely lords and princesses to disembark and accompany him for a short rest by the banks of the Jishui River.
I answered and, after straightening myself slightly, stepped down from the carriage.
From afar by the Jishui River, I saw the imperial grandaunt in a bright yellow dragon-embroidered robe chatting with Wan\u2019er. Beside her stood several princes and princesses, palace maids and eunuchs carrying censers and pheasant-feather fans, following at a respectful distance.
As I approached and bowed, the imperial grandaunt was speaking about Ouyang Tong.
She only gave a slight nod to indicate I should rise, then turned back to Wan\u2019er and said,
\u201cSince Lai Juncheng has already made his testimony, grant Ouyang Tong death. Remembering that his father Ouyang Xun once received high praise from Taizong, reduce the punishment to one person and spare the nine clans.\u201d
Wan\u2019er agreed and offered more flattering words.
I made a point of staying at the back of the group, pulling my cloak tight, when someone lightly tugged my sleeve.
I turned hurriedly.
It was Li Longji.
He stared at me intently, his beautiful phoenix-like eyes full of puzzlement and thought, then shifting into comprehension.
I gave him a wink.
\u201cYong\u2019an greets the Prince of Linzi.\u201d
He murmured,
\u201cThat day you were an ugly palace maid with blotchy makeup; today you look like a princess.\u201d
I glanced at him sideways and snorted.
Today the young prince wore a purple brocade robe with a black outer cloak, looking as pretty as a delicate beauty.
A spark of memory struck me.
Father had once mentioned it\u2014when our imperial grandaunt ascended the throne, he had disguised himself as a woman and performed Changming Nu, stunning all the officials.
I couldn\u2019t help laughing softly.
\u201cYong\u2019an often hears the uncles talk about the Prince of Linzi dressing as a woman to sing Changming Nu. Though just a child, you already outshone the Great Ming Palace.\u201d
Li Longji flushed red.
\u201cHow can I, a proud prince, be spoken of like a woman?\u201d
I motioned for him to lower his voice.
\u201cYou\u2019re overthinking it. Yong\u2019an means you\u2019re naturally talented\u2014your imitation was vivid. You were the highlight of that banquet.\u201d
He glanced sideways, then smiled.
\u201cIf you\u2019d seen that feast, you probably wouldn\u2019t say that.\u201d
He lifted his chin.
\u201cMy eldest brother played a jade flute that night. People still sing about it.\u201d
I followed his gaze.
Li Chengqi stood beside the imperial great-aunt, emerald brocade beneath a moon-white cloak, seven parts dashing, three parts restrained elegance.
The Emperor smiled.
He returned it with a slight nod.
I stared, lost for a moment\u2014until the Emperor suddenly looked over.
Wan\u2019er and Li Chengqi also turned.
Our eyes met.
Flustered, I quickly looked away.
\u201cPrincess Yong\u2019an, Prince of Linzi,\u201d Wan\u2019er said, \u201cthe Emperor orders you forward.\u201d
We stepped up and bowed.
When we rose, the Emperor asked,
\u201cLongji was born in Luoyang\u2014have you been to the Guozijian?\u201d
\u201cI\u2019ve passed by many times,\u201d Li Longji replied, \u201cbut never entered.\u201d
The Emperor nodded, then turned to me.
\u201cYong\u2019an, have you heard of it?\u201d
I nodded.
\u201cWhen I was young I heard Mr. Xie speak of it. Most jinshi come from Chang\u2019an and Luoyang. It\u2019s a sacred place students across the realm aspire to.\u201d
The Emperor smiled.
\u201cDon\u2019t speak like that old pedant. What else?\u201d
I thought briefly.
\u201cI\u2019ve heard there are students from foreign lands as well.\u201d
I glanced at Wan\u2019er.
\u201cSister Wan\u2019er said people from Silla and the Abbasid Caliphate study there, using Zhou characters and reading Zhou books.\u201d
The Emperor nodded.
Wan\u2019er is right.
He then instructed Li Chengqi to take the younger siblings to visit someday.
From then on, the Emperor spoke endlessly about last year\u2019s examinations.
Li Chengqi answered flawlessly.
Wan\u2019er listened, occasionally adding remarks.
After walking awhile, my hands reddened painfully from the cold.
Eventually I returned to the carriage.
Yiping handed me a warmer.
\u201cThe Emperor really has stamina.\u201d
I complained softly.
Moments later, a eunuch delivered hand balm.
Inside was a silver gilt box, scented with jade bamboo.
Joy rose quietly in my heart.
The next morning, Li Longji came early.
\u201cWe\u2019re going to the Guozijian today.\u201d
I sighed.
Only eight years old, yet already speaking like a crown prince.
Before leaving, I applied the ointment.
The fragrance lingered on my fingertips.
By the palace gate, Li Chengqi and Li Longji waited.
Inside the carriage, tea steamed.
Li Chengqi placed me by the brazier.
Li Longji said,
\u201cElder brother prepared this because he worries you get cold.\u201d
Embarrassed, I made tea.
When I handed him the cup, my fingers trembled\u2014
and hot water splashed onto him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\ud83d\udcd8 The complete novel is available for download in PDF via the link below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n