[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [100] The End

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Chapter 100: Empress Xiao's Humiliation at the Banquet; Yang's Tragic End at the Buddhist Ceremonies
. The eaves dripped intermittently. In the courtyard, water soaked the purple moss, and the wind whipped at the iron horses; the autumn wind and rain created a gloomy and desolate atmosphere. The bamboo curtain remained unrolled, yet the bright light inside shone through. Empress Xiao, her brows furrowed with sorrow, her face haggard, sat sideways, resting her chin on her hand, sighing repeatedly. Opposite her sat Yuwen Huaji, already drunk and bleary-eyed, yet refusing to stop drinking, relentlessly downing cup after cup.
Suddenly, he slammed his cup on the table, startling Empress Xiao. She glanced at him, only to see Huaji laughing heartily.
Empress Xiao sighed, "At the end of my rope, I've fallen into such a wretched state. What mood do you have left for such revelry?" Huaji's bloodshot, drunken eyes glanced at Empress Xiao, then he raised his cup, drank it all, and burst into another fit of wild laughter. Empress Xiao, knowing he was drunk, quickly said, "Stop drinking! Get some rest!" Hua Ji shook his head and said, "How can I sleep? Unless..." He stopped abruptly, not finishing his sentence. Empress Xiao asked doubtfully, "Unless what?" Hua Ji paused for a moment before smiling and saying, "If I tell you, Your Majesty won't be angry." Empress Xiao said, "Why would I be angry with you?" Hua Ji said, "Really?" Empress Xiao smiled and said, "Who's lying?" Hua Ji said, "Everyone dies eventually, but to be emperor for even a day, even if it means death, I would be content!" Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao knew Hua Ji harbored ill intentions.
Empress Xiao said urgently, "You now hold power above all others, like an emperor. Why cling to a mere title and insist on becoming emperor?" Hua Ji replied, "Though I have gained real power, a mere title must eventually be established." Empress Xiao said, "If you truly become emperor, no one can stop you. You can do as you please!" Hua Ji frowned and said, "But what about that Prince Qin?" Empress Xiao said, "You were the one who installed him, and you will depose him. Can he still resist you?" Hua Ji nodded and said, "That's true, but in my opinion, it's not right to depose him and keep him alive. It would be better to get rid of him and avoid many troubles." Empress Xiao smiled bitterly and said, "Then why bother? Spare his life!" Hua Ji shook his head and said, "That's impossible." Seeing that Hua Ji was resolute and knew there was no way to change his mind, Empress Xiao had no choice but to let him do as he pleased. A night passed quickly, and that morning, Hua Ji ordered his men to poison Prince Qin Hao, and he usurped the title of Emperor Xu, indulging his imperial fantasies. Time flew by, and half a year passed in the blink of an eye. Wei County was then captured by Li Yuan's cousin, Li Shentong, the Prince of Huainan. Hua Ji, along with Empress Xiao and others, fled to Liaocheng. Before they could settle in, Xia King Dou Jiande personally led a large army, with Yang Yichen as Grand Marshal, Fan Yuan as the vanguard, and Xian Niang and Xue Ye'er covering the rear, totaling 60,000 cavalry and infantry. How could a small city like Liaocheng withstand such an attack! With Yichen plotting within, Liaocheng was captured in just a few days, and Hua Ji and Zhi Ji were captured alive.
Empress Xiao and the others naturally could not escape. After Jiande entered Liaocheng and pacified the people, Xue Ye'er wanted to kill Empress Xiao and pleaded with Jiande. Jiande hurriedly said, "This is impossible. Although Empress Xiao has lost her chastity, she is still our mother, and we cannot harm her. Hua Ji and his brothers, however, deserve to be executed. I can handle this myself and avenge them." Ye'er had no choice but to retreat in tears. Fearing that Ye'er might harm Empress Xiao, Jiande sent men to protect her.
The next day, Jiande invited Empress Xiao to the palace. Jiande paid homage to her with the rites of a subject, which shamed Empress Xiao so much that she dared not raise her head. Jiande then ordered the ancestral tablets of Emperor Yang and Prince Qin Hao to be erected, and led all the officials in mourning attire. He first beheaded Yuwen Zhiji and others as a sacrifice, but only Huaji was imprisoned in a cage, intending to take him back to Leshou to be beheaded and displayed to the public. After the sacrifice, a letter arrived from outside the city, sent by Yang Yichen. Jiande hurriedly opened it and read that the letter said the rebels had been captured, his ambitions had been fulfilled, and he would return to his fields to complete his original plan. After reading it, Jiande sighed, "Yang Gong is truly a loyal minister!" General Liu Heita, harboring deep resentment because his sworn brother Gao Shida had been killed by Yang Yichen, said, "Yang Yichen has received great favor from the emperor, yet he has left without saying goodbye, showing utter contempt for our lord. I am willing to lead troops to pursue him, capture him, and bring him back to be punished." Jiande hurriedly replied, "Yang Yichen has already made three promises to me; how can I break my word? I must fulfill his wishes. General, you need not trouble yourself." Heita had no choice but to retreat dejectedly. A few days later, Jiande returned in triumph to Leshou. Jiande was not fond of women, so he sent many of the Sui family's concubines home, leaving only Empress Xiao unaccompanied. He had her housed in a separate room. However, Xue Ye'er and Xian Niang felt resentful because of Jiande's preferential treatment of Empress Xiao. Xianniang then spoke to Empress Cao, who pondered for a moment, then smiled and said to Xianniang, "Although we cannot execute her, humiliating her is sufficient. We only need to do this and that will be enough for her." Xianniang clapped her hands in agreement and went to inform Ye'er, who was also delighted.
That evening, Empress Cao held a grand banquet in her palace to entertain Empress Xiao. Empress Xiao entered the palace as summoned and was greeted by Empress Cao and Xianniang with smiles and great hospitality. After taking her seat, they repeatedly urged her to drink. Empress Xiao, who had initially been frowning and deliberately looking gloomy upon her return, now had her brows unfurrowed, forgetting her sorrow and resentment, and began to chat and laugh with them. Seeing that the time was right, Xianniang gave Empress Cao a wink. Empress Cao understood immediately and asked Empress Xiao with a smile, "Which place has better scenery, Tokyo or Xijing?" Empress Xiao replied, "How can the scenery of Xijing compare to the Western Garden of Dongdu? Within the Western Garden, there are five lakes and sixteen gardens, each with its own captivating beauty." Empress Cao nodded and said, "I've heard that each of the sixteen gardens is presided over by a lady. Is this true?" Empress Xiao said, "Indeed." Empress Cao asked, "What has become of the ladies of the sixteen gardens?" Xianniang continued, "I've heard that some of them have already died for their country?" Empress Xiao couldn't deny it, so she could only say, "Yes." Then she asked, "Which ladies?" Empress Xiao replied, "Lady Xie of Qiyin Garden and Lady Liu of Yifeng Garden both hanged themselves on the day the late Emperor was murdered." Empress Cao and Xianniang exclaimed in unison, "How rare! Such chastity is truly admirable." Empress Xiao continued, "And there was Lady Zhu of Renzhi Garden, who was murdered in her bedchamber for cursing the traitors." Empress Cao said, "Ladies like Lady Zhu, so chaste and virtuous, have added so much glory to the Sui Dynasty!" Xianniang laughed, "But there are also those who have extinguished the glory of the Sui Dynasty!"
Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao was struck dumb, as if by a thunderbolt, unable to speak, her face turning pale then red, then pale again. Empress Cao then asked her, "Anyone else who died for their principles?" Empress Xiao dared not mention Tuoniang's story again. Empress Xiao replied, "No, that's all." Xianniang said, "I heard there was still a Tuoniang, who, in order to harm Hua, was unfortunately exposed, and then a shameless wretch offered her a vicious plan, leading to Tuoniang's tragic death. Is this true?" Empress Xiao wished she could disappear into a hole, but she couldn't say it wasn't true, so she could only nod. Empress Cao then asked, "I heard there was a Lady Xue who danced with a sword, is she still alive?" It turned out that Xue Ye'er and Empress Xiao hadn't met yet, hence Empress Cao's feigned question. Empress Xiao, unaware that Ye'er was also in the palace, replied, "She was banished from the palace after failing to assassinate the thief, and I don't know where she is now." Before she finished speaking, the curtain of the inner chamber was lifted, and a person emerged—none other than Xue Ye'er!
Empress Xiao was stunned, but Ye'er coldly laughed, "I didn't expect to meet Your Majesty here again. This humble servant thought Your Majesty was enjoying wealth and honor, why would you be here?" "Empress Xiao felt even more distressed upon hearing Ye'er's words. She was already annoyed by the sarcastic remarks from Empress Cao and her daughter, Xianniang, and now Ye'er's words made her realize they had planned everything in advance to humiliate her. Enraged, she retorted, 'I am not a coward, but because the late Emperor was murdered and his body lay unburied in his bedchamber, with no one to care for him, I had no choice but to endure humiliation and demand that the traitors give him a proper burial. They then installed Prince Qin, Hao, to succeed to the throne. As a widow, I had no choice but to forgive her.' Empress Cao sneered, 'Your Majesty, you keep calling yourself a widow. Are you referring to Lady Yang or Lady Yuwen? I must ask Your Majesty.'" Empress Xiao was speechless with grief, and overwhelmed with sorrow, she covered her face and wept.
Just then, Emperor Jiande entered the palace and, seeing this, quickly ordered two palace maids to escort Empress Xiao back to her room. He then advised Empress Cao and the others, "She has already suffered enough in her current position.
You need not humiliate her further!" Empress Xiao returned to her chambers, overwhelmed with grief. She had never suffered such humiliation in her life, and the more she thought about it, the more heartbroken
she became. She wept all night, unable to sleep. At dawn, she realized that if she remained here any longer, she could not endure their torment. She had to find a way to escape this place and find peace. After much deliberation, she finally thought of someone: Princess Yicheng, who had married the Turkic Khan Shibi. Empress Xiao then rose and wrote a letter, pouring out her bitterness. After finishing writing, she sealed it tightly and bribed a palace maid to find a reliable person to deliver the letter to the border. Money can indeed move mountains; Empress Xiao spent some gold and jewels, and her letter reached the border.
Princess Yicheng received the letter and told Shibi, requesting that he send someone to fetch Empress Xiao.
Shi Bi readily agreed and immediately dispatched an envoy to Leshou. Upon meeting Jian De, the envoy explained his purpose. Jian De, unable to deal with Empress Xiao and fearing that Xian Niang and others would embarrass her, was delighted that the Turks had sent an envoy to welcome her and readily agreed. He sent someone to inform Empress Xiao to prepare her belongings, while simultaneously ordering Yang Zhengdao to escort and protect her. This was because Zhengdao was the posthumous son of Prince Qi Jian, and thus he was ordered to accompany her to the Turks. Empress Xiao, upon hearing that the Turks had sent an envoy, was not about to delay. She hurriedly packed everything and bid farewell to Jian De. Jian De happily saw her off, leading her directly out of the palace gates. Empress Xiao then joined Yang Zhengdao and the Turkic envoys to cross the border. Upon seeing Princess Yicheng, they embraced and wept bitterly. Shi Bi, however, kept Zhengdao with him. Soon after, he established Zhengdao as the Sui emperor, ordering him to reside with Empress Xiao in Dingxiang. Empress Xiao finally settled down in peace. Now that I have clearly explained Empress Xiao's whereabouts, that's the end of it. Now I must turn my pen to Wang Shichong of Luoyang.
Since driving out Li Mi, he has controlled all the court affairs, and gradually became arrogant and lawless. First, he appointed himself Grand Commandant and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, then he proclaimed himself King of Zheng, receiving the Nine Bestowments. He also harbored deep suspicion towards the powerful ministers Pei Renji and Pei Xingyan. Renji and his son knew that Shichong disliked them and felt very uneasy. Then Shichong broke his promise, disregarding heaven and earth, and had his entire clan exterminated. He abruptly deposed Emperor Tai and declared himself emperor, establishing the Zheng dynasty. He demoted Emperor Tai to Duke of Lu. Renji and his son, after Shichong ascended the throne, were even more terrified, fearing for their lives. They secretly conspired with the Left Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Yuwen Rutong, to assassinate Shichong and reinstate Emperor Tai.
However, this plot was leaked to Shichong. Pei Renji and Yuwen Rutong were then exterminated along with their entire families. Prince Qi, Shiyun, then said to Shichong, "Rutong and the others' rebellion stems from the fact that although the Sui emperor has been deposed, the old power still exists. It's better to eliminate them sooner rather than later to prevent further harm." Shichong, finding Shiyun's words very reasonable, immediately ordered someone to poison Emperor Tai. Emperor Tai wished to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager, but the messenger refused. Emperor Tai pleaded repeatedly, but the messenger only urged him to drink the poison. Emperor Tai
then set up a mat to worship Buddha and Taoism, vowing never to be born into an imperial family again, and then drank the poison. He did not die immediately, and the messenger, in haste, strangled him with a silk cloth. Emperor Tai Tong died in the Eastern Capital, and Emperor You, the deposed emperor in the Western Capital, also died—the two brothers died at the same time, as if fate had deliberately arranged for them to meet the King of Hell in the same year.
Thus, all the descendants of the Yang family who had claimed the throne were wiped out, except for Yang Zhengdao, who was installed by the Turks. The Tang dynasty posthumously honored You as Emperor Gong, and Wang Shichong also posthumously honored Tong as Emperor Gong. Both Emperor Gong reigned for two years. The *Book of Sui* only records Emperor Gong You, not Gong Tong; this was likely written by a Tang official and was inevitably biased. In fact, when Tong was installed in the Eastern Capital, the You in the Western Capital had already been deposed. Considering the Sui dynasty itself, Emperor Huangtai was not entirely absent and should be called an emperor of the Sui dynasty. In total, from Emperor Wen's usurpation of the Zhou dynasty, the Sui dynasty lasted for four rulers and thirty-one years, thus ending its reign. This concludes my book. As for the fates of those heroes who claimed the throne, firstly, it is beyond the scope of this book, and secondly, it has already been recorded in other books, so I need not elaborate.
The End .

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