[Romantic Anecdotes of the Tang Dynasty Court] [33] [Author: Xu Xiaotian]

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Chapter Thirty-Three: The First Rain and Dew Fall Where the Flute Sounds; The Second Test of Kindness at the Plain Banquet. Wu Meiniang was indeed a woman of discernment. At that time, Prince Wei was favored by Emperor Taizong, and the concubines in the palace all had secret affairs with him. Several dissolute concubines even secretly formed an affair with him. They were attracted to Prince Wei's youth and beauty, and also wanted to climb the social ladder, hoping to gain some benefit if he became crown prince. Only Wu Meiniang remained cold towards Prince Wei. While the other concubines fawned over him when he entered the palace, Meiniang kept her distance. Prince Wei was a lecherous man, and seeing Meiniang's beauty, how could he not be lusted? He used every means to flatter and seduce her. In Prince Wei's mind, Meiniang was a newly favored concubine, and the Emperor was currently indulging her. If he could seduce her and have her speak well of him to his father, it would be far more advantageous than with other concubines. However, Meiniang's thoughts were completely opposite to Prince Wei's. She herself intended to befriend a handsome young prince, hoping for future favor. But she wanted a loyal and honest young man, someone she could manipulate once he gained favor; she secretly observed Prince Wei, seeing him as a frivolous and treacherous youth, incapable of achieving anything great. Even if he did, she believed he would be a heartless and fickle lover. Therefore, she resolved to avoid associating with Prince Wei, ignoring his tenderness, attentiveness, and gifts. Secretly, Meiniang had her eye on the ninth prince, Prince Jin, Zhi.
Speaking of Prince Jin, he was a kind and honest young man. Although he was the biological son of Empress Wende, he was weak-willed and often bullied by his brothers in the palace. His wife, Lady Wang, was the granddaughter of his grandmother, Princess Tong'an. She was also very virtuous and quiet. The couple lived in the palace and were often ridiculed by the other concubines, but Prince Jin never complained. Only Wu Meiniang would go to Prince Jin's residence to chat with the princess whenever the palace was quiet. The palace servants, taking advantage of the prince and princess's honesty and kindness, provided them with very meager supplies. Entering and leaving Prince Jin's residence, one would find few servants and a desolate atmosphere. The princess herself was mending her clothes, and Prince Jin was personally wiping the windows. Meiniang would then secretly take some silver and silk to help the princess, and also send sixteen of her maids and eunuchs to be at Prince Jin's beck and call. This deeply moved the Prince and Princess of Jin.
Coincidentally, the Prince of Jin fell ill at this time, becoming delirious and confused. He was examined by the imperial physician and given medicine, but his illness lasted for three months. The Princess cared for him day and night, often staying up late into the night, unable to sleep. Later, the Prince's condition gradually improved, and Wu Meiniang frequently visited him. During the day, Meiniang also cared for the Prince in place of the Princess. The Princess would occasionally return to her room to rest, and Meiniang would seize this opportunity to make her move. She observed that the Prince was handsome and honest, and would be easy to manipulate in the future. It's natural that when someone is ill, if someone shows them pity, it's easy to be moved, especially when one is a beautiful woman and the other a handsome man, both young and in the quiet of the day, facing each other in bed—how could they not have impure thoughts? Meiniang then used her seductive charms, and in a moment of passion, they consummated their relationship. Prince Jin, a loyal and honest man, swore an oath on his pillow, vowing never to forget their love in every lifetime. From then on, the two secretly engaged in countless illicit affairs, concealing their secret from the princess.
Coincidentally, Crown Prince Chengqian was deposed and executed, and Emperor Taizong intended to install Prince Wei, Tai, as emperor. However, Wu Zetian, having served Emperor Taizong several times, knew his character well and secretly instructed Prince Jin on how to please his father. One day, Emperor Taizong ordered his princes to practice riding and archery, and invited Prince Jin to join them in the countryside. Prince Jin declined, saying, "It is not what I desire, but only to serve Your Majesty and reside at your side; that is what I truly desire." Emperor Taizong was delighted! He then ordered the Ministry of Works to build a separate residence to the left of Emperor Taizong's sleeping quarters for Prince Jin to move into. From then on, Emperor Taizong secretly harbored the intention to make Prince Jin the crown prince. After Crown Prince Chengqian's plot to rebel was exposed, Wei Wang Tai's scheme to form a clique and undermine the Crown Prince was also soon revealed. Emperor Taizong issued an edict that from now on, if the Crown Prince is not virtuous, any princes who covet his position will be abandoned. Wei Wang was renamed Shunyang Wang and exiled to Yunxiang in Junzhou. Changsun Wuji strongly recommended Jin Wang Zhi as the Crown Prince. Emperor Taizong said, "You advised me to establish Zhinu as the Crown Prince. Zhinu is kind but weak, and will he cause trouble for the dynasty?" Zhinu was Jin Wang's nickname. Changsun Wuji strongly argued that it was not a problem. Emperor Taizong then issued an edict establishing his ninth son, Jin Wang Zhi, as the Crown Prince, who moved into the Eastern Palace.
The Eastern Palace was close to the inner palace, and from then on, the whereabouts of Meiniang and the Crown Prince became increasingly frequent.
The Princess Consort secretly observed them, and on several occasions, she caught them in the act. It was all thanks to Meiniang's clever schemes that the couple had achieved their current status. Although her behavior was improper, he had to turn a blind eye and endure it. Just then, Emperor Taizong suddenly passed away, leaving a will bequeathing the throne to his son, Crown Prince Zhi. The Crown Prince ascended the throne before Taizong's coffin, becoming Emperor Gaozong. Taizong also left a will ordering all the concubines of the previous dynasty who had received imperial favor to leave the palace and
become nuns. Although Wu Zetian was deeply infatuated with Gaozong, she was a concubine of the late emperor and, forced by the will, had no choice but to leave the palace with the other concubines and become a nun. The nunnery where Zetian lived was called the Narcissus Nunnery. Gaozong secretly instructed his eunuchs to provide extra abundance of utensils and food for the Narcissus Nunnery. He also frequently sent trusted eunuchs to bestow rare treasures upon Zetian. The two of them, one in the palace and one outside, were constantly thinking of each other. Emperor Gaozong was consumed by longing for Wu Zetian. Every day after court, with nothing to do, he would sit in the palace, sighing deeply. Although he had six palaces full of beauties and three thousand concubines serving him, they were all ordinary and vulgar, appearing to him like dirt. After ascending the throne, Gaozong, according to custom, immediately appointed his former queen as empress, and also appointed twenty-seven other consorts, including Guifei, Shufei, Defei, Xianfei, Zhaoyi, Zhaorong, Zhao'ai, Xiuyi, Xiurong, Xiu'ai, Chongyi, Chongrong, Chong'ai, Jieyu, Meiren, and Cairen. He also appointed twenty-seven Baolin, Yunu, and Cainu, making a total of eighty-one imperial wives. Although some of these women enjoyed Gaozong's favor, they were worlds apart from Wu Zetian's captivating beauty and alluring charm.
One day, feeling the oppressive heat, Gaozong, accompanied by a eunuch, unintentionally strolled to the long corridor in the imperial garden to cool off. Ancient trees towered beneath the eaves, their dense foliage casting a cool, refreshing breeze. Emperor Gaozong exclaimed how pleasant the breeze was and sat down, leaning against the carved railing.
Just then, a faint sound of a flute drifted from the shade, melodious and captivating. Gaozong left a young eunuch to wait beneath the eaves while he himself followed the sound, parting the flowers and willows. The young eunuch waited for a long time, but the emperor did not appear. The flute music had long since ceased. Looking towards the northwest corner of the sky, he saw a dark cloud suddenly rise, and in an instant, the wind picked up, and the sky was shrouded in black clouds, threatening rain. The young eunuch could no longer resist and followed the path the emperor had taken, searching deeper into the woods. The winding path led to a secluded spot, and we arrived at a grape trellis. A row of hibiscus flowers bloomed brilliantly, and peeking through the blossoms and leaves, we could see two figures, shoulder to shoulder, face to face. One had her hair piled high in a cloud-like bun, her jade shoulders sloping gracefully—clearly a palace concubine; the other was the Emperor himself. The palace concubine pressed her soft face against the Emperor's shoulder, playing a jade flute and softly humming a tune, murmuring something unintelligible.
The young eunuch stood far away outside the trellis, not daring to utter a sound. Suddenly, raindrops the size of beans pelted his face. The rain was heavy and fast, soaking the young eunuch to the bone in an instant. He remained silent, standing stiffly in the rain. Emperor Gaozong and the palace maid sat side by side under the grape trellis, where the shade was dense and the rain was sparse. At the moment, the two were so engrossed in their lovemaking that they did not notice anything. However, the rain became heavier and heavier. Gaozong felt a cold, wet sensation on his shoulders and cried out, "Oh dear!" He grabbed the palace maid's hand and ran like the wind towards Yicui Pavilion.
The young eunuch, soaking wet, followed him into the Yicui Pavilion. The palace maid, seeing the young eunuch looking like a drowned rat, couldn't help but cover her cherry lips with one hand, hiding in the Emperor's arms, giggling. Emperor Gaozong stroked the palace maid's neck and said to the young eunuch, "Go back to your room and change! Summon the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a banquet. I will drink and enjoy the rain in the Yicui Pavilion." The young eunuch acknowledged the order and hurried away. Soon enough, the Imperial Kitchen brought out fine wine and delicacies, including dragon liver and phoenix marrow. Emperor Gaozong slowly drank his wine, admired the rain, and looked at the palace maid. This palace maid was surprisingly beautiful, with fair skin and a slender figure, quick wit, and delicate features. Her brow was slightly furrowed, her lips parted, and her smile was truly captivating. Gaozong asked her name and what her current position was. The palace maid introduced herself as Xiao, nicknamed Yun'er. She had been in the palace for less than three years, assigned by the Inner Palace Secretariat to serve in the Lai Xi Pavilion in the Imperial Garden, and was currently a Liangdi (a concubine rank). Emperor Gaozong, upon hearing this, laughed and said, "Lai Xi, Lai Xi, tonight joy has indeed arrived; Yun'er, Yun'er, tonight I will make love with you." Hearing this, Liangdi Xiao, feeling shy and bashful, quickly knelt down to express her gratitude. Emperor Gaozong reached out and helped her up, sitting her on his lap, and ordered her to play a tune, "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate." At this moment, the rain had stopped, the sky was clear, and the flowers and trees were bright and clean. The melodious sound of the flute drifted from the lush greenery, creating a scene resembling a fairyland.
Looking at the setting sun reflected in the trees, Emperor Gaozong, somewhat intoxicated, was helped by Liangdi Xiao to the Lai Xi Pavilion. That night, Xiao Yun'er, with feigned innocence, graciously offered herself to Emperor Gaozong. Although she was a virgin, her playful and seductive tactics left Emperor Gaozong overwhelmed. Gaozong was deeply enamored and the next day issued an edict bestowing upon Yun'er the title of Consort Xiao, and vacating the Caixia Palace for her residence. From then on, every day after court, Gaozong would retreat to the Caixia Palace, indulging in drinking, singing, and dancing, completely forgetting all the other concubines. While
others were unaffected, Empress Wang, his former wife from their days of hardship in the Prince's household, had become obsessed with women after gaining wealth and power, neglecting the Empress for five or six months. Empress Wang harbored deep resentment, but as the head of the six palaces, she couldn't easily compete for the Emperor's favor with the other concubines. She sent her maids to inquire, and they learned that Gaozong spent every night in the Caixia Palace, seeking pleasure. Consort Xiao, having seized control of the emperor and kept him in her palace, devised various ways to entice him with song, dance, and food. While at her maternal home, Consort Xiao had been skilled at making delicious soup dumplings; now, in the palace, she set up her own kitchen, personally preparing various tasty soup dumplings to serve the emperor. She also imitated the behavior of an ordinary couple, with Consort Xiao acting as the mistress and Emperor Gaozong as the head of the household. They selected beautiful palace maids and eunuchs to act as daughters-in-law, pretending to be a family, enjoying a joyful reunion. Sometimes, Emperor Gaozong would even personally go to the kitchen to cook for Consort Xiao. She also arranged everyday utensils in the palace like a market, selling various goods. The emperor and Consort Xiao, carrying bamboo baskets and disguised as commoners, would go to the market to buy things. In the marketplace, eunuchs, disguised as shopkeepers, deliberately argued with the emperor about prices, mimicking the swearing of commoners. There were also martial arts performers, herbalists, magicians, and food vendors, all creating a noisy and bustling atmosphere. The emperor and Consort Xiao joined in the commotion, laughing and enjoying themselves. Sometimes, Consort Xiao would dress as Chang'e, her light gauze flowing freely. Wearing a white dance dress, she danced gracefully behind the gauze curtain. Behind the curtain, a lantern was used to create a bright moon, which grew larger as it drew closer, illuminating the room. Chang'e danced in the moonlight. Emperor Gaozong, who had set up a banquet outside the curtain, drank wine and watched: he saw Chang'e with her long sleeves and light hem, her dance dress as white as snow, her movements like a dragon in flight. Just as they were engrossed in watching, Chang'e rushed out of the tent and fell into Emperor Gaozong's arms. Ignoring the eunuchs around him, Gaozong embraced Chang'e and went into the tent, while the eunuchs hurriedly retreated. The giggling laughter of Consort Xiao inside the tent carried outside. Such unrestrained and sensual pleasures delighted Gaozong immensely; how could he possibly consider the Empress's loneliness and the jealousy of the other concubines? At this point, the Empress, unable to bear it any longer, instructed the Vice Minister Shangguan Yi to submit a memorial, arguing that the Emperor should cherish his spirit, diligently attend to state affairs, and not indulge in frivolous pursuits and neglect his duties. Gaozong read the memorial, laughed it off, and continued to seek his pleasure.
Empress Wang, seeing no way to dissuade the Emperor from his hedonistic pursuits and genuinely jealous of Consort Xiao's exclusive favor, secretly summoned several concubines to discuss a plan to sow discord between Consort Xiao and the Emperor. Among them was Consort Liu, who was closest to Empress Wang. She was also the eldest in the harem. When she accompanied Empress Wang to the Prince's residence, she witnessed firsthand the Empress's tireless labor, sewing late into the night. Now, seeing the Emperor's coldness towards the Empress, she felt indignant on her behalf. Furthermore, Consort Liu and Empress Wang were exceptionally close, harboring a secret affection. Because Empress Wang had no children, Consort Liu gave birth to a son in the Prince's residence. His name was Zhong, courtesy name Zhengben. He was the eldest of the princes. When Zhengben reached his one-month birthday, a grand banquet was held at the Prince's residence. Emperor Taizong also visited the residence and said to his ministers, "I have just gained my eldest grandson, and today I wish to share this joy with you all." When they were half-drunk, Taizong ordered music to be played in the courtyard, and he danced among the guests. Emperor Gaozong and his ministers also joined in the dance. After the dance, Taizong bestowed many treasures upon the princes. Emperor Gaozong, seeing his father's deep affection for his eldest grandson and considering the low birth of Zhengben's mother, Consort Liu, agreed with Empress Wang to adopt Zhengben as his own son. At this time, Empress Wang's maternal uncle, Liu Shi, also advised her to raise Zhengben as his own son, and Emperor Taizong then bestowed upon Zhengben the title of Prince of Yan. Later, when Emperor Gaozong ascended the throne, Liu Shi, along with ministers such as Chu Suiliang, Han Ai, Changsun Wuji, and Yu Zhining, petitioned to establish Zhengben as the Crown Prince. It is said that a mother's status rises with her son's, and Empress Wang also petitioned to elevate the Crown Prince's mother to the rank of Imperial Concubine. From then on, Imperial Concubine Liu, grateful for her friend's kindness, helped Empress Wang in every way. Now, Empress Wang summoned her concubines to discuss a plan to sow discord between Consort Xiao and Consort Zheng. Also present were Consort Zheng and Consort Yang. After much discussion, they still couldn't come up with a good solution. Just as they were hesitating, Consort Liu suddenly had an idea and said, "Among the late emperor's concubines, wasn't there a Lady Wu? When His Majesty was the crown prince, we lived in the palace together, and we got along very well. Even His Majesty's ability to become crown prince was largely due to Lady Wu's schemes. Back then, His Majesty was also infatuated with Lady Wu, and Your Majesty personally witnessed this several times, didn't you? Now, why don't we secretly summon Lady Wu back to the palace? It's always said that a long separation is worse than a new marriage. Back then, when His Majesty saw Lady Wu, he took care of her and left that lewd Xiao girl halfway aside." After Consort Liu said this, all the concubines agreed that it was a good plan! Empress Wang, however, shook her head and said, "If you keep a tiger out the front door, a wolf will come in the back. My Emperor is indecisive, falling in love with every woman he sees. I'm afraid that Consort Wu is not someone to be trifled with." Her words revealed the truth, leaving everyone speechless, and they dispersed.
Meanwhile, Emperor Gaozong and Consort Xiao's affection deepened day by day, and Consort Xiao was already pregnant. Consort Liu feared that if Consort Xiao gave birth to a son, he might seize her son's position as crown prince, relying on the Emperor's temporary favor. Therefore, she secretly went to see Empress Wang, urging her to quickly implement a plan to bring Consort Wu into the palace. Coincidentally, this was the fourth anniversary of Emperor Taizong's death. In the capital, temples large and small held Buddhist ceremonies to commemorate the late emperor. Emperor Gaozong also personally visited various temples to offer incense and prayers. Arriving at the Narcissus Nunnery, the nuns prepared a vegetarian feast and invited Emperor Gaozong to eat. As Emperor Gaozong picked up a white jade wine cup to drink, he noticed a double-lined seal script character for "charm" carved on it. He immediately remembered that the Narcissus Nunnery was where Consort Wu had shaved her head and become a nun.
He immediately ordered his guards to withdraw and summon the nuns to serve him. Sure enough, four young and beautiful nuns emerged and stood on either side, serving Gaozong his wine. However, Gaozong noticed that none of the four nuns were Wu Meiniang, and he was displeased. He stopped drinking and asked softly where Meiniang was. A clever nun among them replied, "Meiniang is grieving today because it is the anniversary of the late Emperor's death. She has no heart for dressing up and fears that she might offend Your Majesty, so she dares not receive you." Gaozong laughed and said, "I can relieve Meiniang's sorrow. Although it is the anniversary of the late Emperor's death, it is alright for us to meet. Quickly issue an edict to invite Meiniang to see you." A nun received the imperial edict and went to the inner courtyard to summon Meiniang.
Meiniang said that as a widow, she had cut her hair and disfigured herself, and could not offend Your Majesty's eyes, so she dared not see you. How could Gaozong agree? He repeatedly sent edicts, saying that if she did not come to see him, His Majesty would personally come to the inner courtyard. Meiniang could not disobey him, so she straightened her clothes and came out. She walked to the banquet, bowed her head, held the wine pot, poured a cup of wine for Gaozong, put down the wine pot, and turned to leave. Emperor Gaozong stepped forward, reached out and grabbed her sleeve, saying, "Meiniang, Meiniang, is our fate truly over?" As he spoke, tears streamed down his face. Meiniang also lowered her head and turned away, wiping her tears with her sleeve. Gaozong reached out and tightly grasped Meiniang's hand. The two faced each other sadly for a long time. Meiniang sighed and said, "Our past affections are now all a dream. Your Majesty, please rest in peace and do not grieve for a woman of such tragic fate." She tried to pull her hand away, but Gaozong was unwilling to let her go, saying, "Can't we two reunite and fulfill our past dreams?"
"Meiniang shook her head and said, 'My face is already disfigured, and it's impossible for me to regain it. Besides, my son is marrying his father's concubine, which is a matter of status. I beg Your Majesty to spare this withered flower and consider this matter deeply. I will be eternally grateful!
' The more pitiful Meiniang's words were, the more reluctant Emperor Gaozong became to part with her. Seeing her willow-leaf brows furrowed with resentment and her apricot-shaped face filled with sorrow, Gaozong wished he could immediately take her to the palace to rekindle their happy dream; yet seeing that her hair had already been shaved off, it was truly beyond redemption, so he could only bear to leave with tears in his eyes.
Little did he know that the fact that Gaozong had secretly met with Wu Meiniang at the Water Fairy Nunnery was secretly told to Empress Wang by the guards protecting him. Empress Wang then discussed it with Consort Liu. Consort Liu said, 'His Majesty has not forgotten Meiniang. Sooner or later, he will bring Meiniang into the palace. Once Meiniang gains favor, the Empress and I will suffer even more from their bullying.'" In my opinion, it would be better to ask the Empress to secretly bring Meiniang into the palace and raise her there, slowly letting her hair grow back. If that Xiao family maid continues to bewitch the Emperor, we can offer Meiniang to him. If Meiniang gains favor then, the Xiao family maid will lose it. Besides, Meiniang was brought in by the Empress, so she's naturally on our side and will be willing to help us in everything. As the two consorts were discussing this, a palace maid suddenly reported that Consort Xiao had given birth to a prince. Upon hearing this, Consort Liu clapped her hands and said, "This is even more incredible! His Majesty will now spoil that Xiao family maid even more. In three to five years, I'm afraid he might make this little thing the Crown Prince and make that Xiao family girl the Empress." Hearing this, Empress Wang was filled with rage and said, "Fine! Fine! I'll bring Meiniang into the palace and see how long that lowly maid can maintain her favor." "Emperor Gaozong was overjoyed to see that Consort Xiao had given birth to a prince! He named him Sujie. On the day of the full moon celebration, Caixia Palace was bustling with activity as many concubines came to offer their congratulations, laughing and drinking merrily. A banquet was also held for all officials in Hongde Hall. To find out what happens next, please read the next chapter."

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[Romantic Anecdotes of the Tang Dynasty Court] [33] [Author: Xu Xiaotian]

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