[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [90]

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Chapter Ninety: The Heinous Emperor Yang's Tragic End, His Ugly Demeanor Revealed, Empress Xiao Survives
. It is said that when Emperor Yang saw De Kan demanding his head, he was terrified and speechless. At this moment, Feng Deyi, a courtier and a favorite of Emperor Yang, rushed in. Emperor Yang was overjoyed to see him, thinking he could save him. Just as he was about to speak, De Yi sneered at Emperor Yang, "Why don't you die quickly to atone for your sins to the world! Even if you are fortunate enough to survive, what face will you have left?" Emperor Yang, greatly disappointed by his words, angrily retorted, "A warrior who doesn't know his place can deceive the emperor and oppress his sovereign, which is somewhat forgivable. But you are a scholar, educated and knowledgeable in propriety, you should know righteousness. How could you also aid a traitor in deceiving the emperor! Think about it yourself, how have I wronged you in the past? Is it right for you to humiliate me today?" De Yi, feeling ashamed after being scolded by Emperor Yang, blushed and withdrew with his head bowed.
At this moment, Linghu Xingda brought Emperor Yang's youngest son, Prince Zhao Gao, into the imperial bedchamber. Prince Zhao Gao was only twelve years old. Upon seeing Emperor Yang, he burst into tears. Emperor Yang also wept, his clothes soaked. Empress Xiao, however, shrank into a corner of the palace, terrified as if in a trance. De Kan then sternly asked Emperor Yang, "How is it?" Emperor Yang replied sadly, "My crime does not warrant death; I still hope for your forgiveness. I wish to live as a commoner, to prolong my days." De Kan coldly laughed, "I did not wish to bear the infamy of regicide, but now that things have come to this, there is no other way. As long as Your Majesty is not dead, the resentment of the people cannot be appeased." Seeing De Kan pressing his father so hard, Prince Zhao Gao wept and said to De Kan, "How dare you coerce my father? Do you not know the etiquette of a subject?" But Pei Qiantong, who was standing to the side, had become impatient. He raised his knife and first killed Prince Zhao Gao. His body fell to the ground, blood splattering on the imperial robes, and Empress Xiao immediately fainted. After killing Prince Zhao Gao, Qiantong intended to kill the emperor as well. Seeing his young son murdered, Emperor Yang knew his own life was in danger. He turned to Qian Tong and said, "An emperor has his own way of dying; there's no need for reckless violence. Quickly bring me poison, and I will take it myself." Qian Tong shook his head, saying, "The poison is not ready; I cannot comply." He then handed the blade to Emperor Yang, saying, "Your Majesty, commit suicide!" Emperor Yang refused. Qian Tong raised the blade to strike, and Linghu Xingda also stepped forward to force the emperor.
Emperor Yang then untied his own handkerchief and gave it to Xingda, saying, "I wish for a complete corpse." Just as Xingda was about to put the handkerchief around the emperor's neck, Empress Xiao, who had just woken up, saw that Emperor Yang was about to be strangled and rushed forward, crying and trying to stop him. Qian Tong raised the blade to stop her. Fearing being stabbed, Empress Xiao dared not step forward and watched helplessly as Xingda forcefully strangled the handkerchief. Thus, a tyrannical and depraved emperor breathed his last. He reigned for thirteen years, dying at the age of fifty, fulfilling the will of Heaven by passing away on a silk scarf.
After the rebels killed Emperor Yang, they informed Yuwen Huaji. Huaji then addressed the crowd, saying, "The foolish ruler is dead; a new emperor should be established. The former Shu King Xiu is still imprisoned and has recently been brought to Jiangdu. Why not welcome him to be the new emperor?" The crowd, upon hearing Huaji's words, all disagreed. They clamored, "A weed must be eradicated at its root! How can we reinstate the Shu King and invite disaster?" Without waiting for Huaji's orders, they immediately searched for Yang's royal relatives, capturing and killing them indiscriminately, regardless of age. Those killed included Shu King Xiu, Qi King Lai, and Yan King Tan; all of Yang's relatives perished.
Only the emperor's nephew, Qin King Hao, son of Emperor Yang's brother, Qin King Jun, whom Emperor Yang had once ordered to inherit the title, and who had a close relationship with Zhiji, was spared thanks to Zhiji's protection. The rebels also killed Imperial Censor Pei Huan, General of the Left Guard Lai Huo'er, Grand Historian Yuan Chong, General of the Right Guard Yuwen Xie, Thousand-Cattle General Yuwen Xiao, Duke of Liang Xiao Ju, and others.
These included officials favored by Emperor Yang and those resented by the rebels; more than a dozen ministers were killed. Pei Ju, the Palace Attendant, was a favorite of Emperor Yang, yet he alone escaped punishment. This was because, while accompanying the emperor to Jiangdu, he had suggested to the soldiers to collect widows and virgins for distribution, thus winning their favor. Furthermore, when Hua Ji entered the palace, he greeted him with a bow, thus saving his life.
Former Grand Master of Ceremonies Su Wei also went to congratulate Hua Ji, who was overjoyed and treated him with great courtesy, regarding him as an elder statesman. Upon hearing of Su Wei's arrival, all the officials rushed to offer their congratulations. Only the Attendant Gentleman Xu Shanxin did not attend. Hua Ji, angered by his apparent opposition, immediately dispatched knights to Shanxin's home, where they captured him and brought him to the court. When asked why he hadn't offered congratulations, Shanxin replied, "You are a subject of the Sui Dynasty, and I also receive a salary from the Sui. How could I possibly offer congratulations after the emperor's execution?" Hua Ji was speechless and ordered his men to release him. Shanxin stormed out without a word of thanks.
Hua Ji, still enraged, said, "This man is too arrogant; he must not be allowed to live." He then sent his men to capture Shanxin again, behead him, and send his body far away for burial. Shanxin's mother, Lady Fan, was ninety-two years old. She stroked the coffin without weeping, but sighed, "To die for one's country in times of crisis, he is worthy of my son!" Having said this, she leaned on her cane and lay down, refusing food for several days, and then died. Both mother and son were revered by later generations.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Huaji proclaimed himself Grand Chancellor, in charge of all affairs of state. He appointed his brother Zhiji as Left Minister, Shiji as Palace Attendant, and Pei Ju as Right Minister. Sima Dekan and Pei Qiantong, among others, were also granted titles and rewards, which need not be detailed here. As dusk fell, the rebels returned home in high spirits. Yuwen Huaji, now idle, became ambitious and, accompanied by several close retainers, went to inspect the palace. Upon reaching the main palace, he found a group of women surrounding Empress Xiao, all weeping. It turned out that Empress Xiao, inside the palace, had wept bitterly over Emperor Yang's body after his death, before being driven away by the rebels and fleeing into the inner palace, where she joined the palace women in their weeping.
Yuwen Huaji immediately asked loudly, "What are you all crying about here?" Empress Xiao looked up and saw Yuwen Huaji, thinking he had come to kill her, and was terrified, turning away. Yuwen Huaji, seeing her pale face and trembling sleeves, felt a deep pity for her. Looking at the women around him, all with disheveled hair and tearful eyes, he said with pity, "His Majesty is tyrannical, hence his violent death. It has nothing to do with you, so don't panic." The beauties, hearing Hua Ji's words, looked at each other, none daring to speak. Only Empress Xiao, the mother of the nation, managed to remain calm and softly replied, "General, please sit. Our lives hang by a thread. We beg your mercy and grant us our lives." While Empress Xiao answered sweetly, Hua Ji was secretly observing her, marveling at how Empress Xiao, though over forty, looked as youthful as ever, with her delicate features and fair skin, a feast for the eyes! Hua Ji's initial entry into the palace was ill-intentioned, but now, under the lamplight, seeing Empress Xiao's beauty, a wicked thought arose within him. He stepped closer and said to Empress Xiao with a smile, "Your Majesty need not grieve too much. Anyone who dares to be disrespectful and insult Your Majesty will be severely punished!" Empress Xiao hurriedly thanked him.
Hua Ji then approached Empress Xiao, smiled, and said softly, "If you do not despise me, I wish to share wealth and honor with you." Upon hearing this, Empress Xiao blushed, appearing even more pitiful. Hua Ji reached out and tugged at her sleeve. Empress Xiao hurriedly said, "General, please respect me. I, your widow, have already conveyed your wishes." As she spoke, she became extremely shy. Hua Ji laughed heartily, released her sleeve, and turned to his attendant, saying, "Quickly go to the imperial kitchen and bring wine and food to calm the concubines' nerves!" The attendant obeyed and left. The other palace maids and concubines, seeing the scene between Empress Xiao and Yuwen Huaji, were all much more emboldened and no longer as panicked as before.
Hua Ji knew that Emperor Yang had many favorites and that the sixteen ladies of the imperial garden were all peerless beauties, so he longed to feast his eyes on their beauty and enjoy their company. Then, Wen Yan asked Empress Xiao, "Are all the ladies of the Sixteen Gardens here?" Empress Xiao nodded and said, "They are all here, except for Xie Xiangwen, the head of Qiyin Garden, and Liu Xiufeng, the head of Yifeng Garden. Upon hearing of His Majesty's murder, they hanged themselves." Hua Ji stamped his foot and sighed, "What a pity! Two beauties died unjustly. It's all my fault for not coming to comfort them sooner. They were probably suffering, but I am a person who cherishes beauty and would never make a beauty suffer." Empress Xiao said, "And Zhu Guier, the head of Renzhi Garden, died a very tragic death!" Hua Ji asked in surprise, "How did she die?" Empress Xiao said, "In the bedchamber, she angered..." "General Sima was killed by him." Hua Ji said angrily, "De Kan is so heartless, it's a real sin!" Hua Ji then asked Empress Xiao, "Is there a beautiful woman here who can read celestial phenomena?" Empress Xiao said, "Yuan Ziyan? She left a letter last night and disappeared. I don't know where she went." Hua Ji sighed, "I'm really unlucky, I've missed another extraordinary woman!" Hua Ji then said, "The others are probably still here. Would Your Majesty allow me to summon them all for a drink?" Empress Xiao said, "If you wish to see them, how dare this widow refuse!" Saying this, she immediately sent palace maids to summon them separately.
After a long time, the wine and food were laid out, but only Zhang Liqing, Wang Guizhi, Li Qing'er, and Fang Zhenniang came. The others all feigned illness and did not come. Hua Ji was very displeased, but he did not show it. Empress Xiao had already discerned some of the situation and, fearing he might become angry, quickly said, "They are deeply afraid of the Emperor's power and truly do not know the General's kindness. The next day, when the widow conveys her message to them, they will all come to apologize." Hua Ji was overjoyed and said, "Your Majesty's words are very true! They did not know my true nature!" As he spoke, his gaze swept over Wang Guizhi, Fang Zhenniang, Li Qing'er, and Zhang Liqing, scrutinizing them thoroughly before they all sat down. The six of them drank for a while, initially feeling ashamed, but later forgot about it and chatted freely. They even mistook Hua Ji for Emperor Yang, without any distinction between them. Taking advantage of Hua Ji's cheerful mood, Empress Xiao gently said to him, "General, because the Emperor is tyrannical, you have eliminated violence for the people; this is a matter of righteousness even at the cost of family ties, and it is not wrong."
Why not establish a descendant of the Yang family as emperor, thus demonstrating selflessness and honesty? Hua Ji said, "Of all the Yang family relatives still alive, only Prince Qin Hao remains. Tomorrow, we should establish him as emperor!" Empress Xiao rose and thanked him, saying, "If the general can do this, his illustrious name will spread even further." Wang Guizhi also laughed, "Now I see the general's loyalty and righteousness; it is all for the country!" Hearing the flattery, Hua Ji was even more delighted, and his arrogance became uncontrollable. Empress Xiao and the others also displayed their ugly side.
Several palace maids, watching coldly from the side, were almost bursting with anger, secretly cursing their shamelessness. Other palace maids, forgetting their former mistresses and thinking of currying favor with the new ones, vied to pour wine for Hua Ji. Hua Ji's cup was empty, and he gradually became drunk. His gaze darted between Empress Xiao and the other four women, growing more and more fond of them, wishing he could embrace them all.
While he was lost in thought, suddenly the curtain was lifted, and a person rushed in, heading straight for Hua Ji's seat, and... A three-inch dagger flashed, aimed straight at Hua Ji's chest. Hua Ji, though initially suspicious of a woman darting close, hadn't anticipated this attack. Seeing the dagger, he cried out in alarm, hastily stepping back. In his panic and haste, he and his chair fell. Luckily, as he leaned back, he kicked the woman's wrist with his boot, the dagger clattering to the ground. Hua Ji's men rushed forward and seized the assassin. Empress Xiao, helping Hua Ji up, said in a trembling voice, "Xue Ye'er, how dare you! You dared to assassinate the general! Quickly apologize to the general, and I might spare your life!" Ye'er glared and said, "If I cared about my life, I would be like you, forgetting all shame, coming here to serve wine, wishing I could kill the traitor and avenge my lord! Now that I'm captured, kill me if you will, no need for further words!" "Hua Ji, having calmed down somewhat, angrily asked Empress Xiao, 'Is her name Xue Ye'er? How could she be so rude!' Empress Xiao, already weeping after Ye'er's sharp rebuke, could only nod when Hua Ji asked her, 'Yes, she is the head of Jizhen Garden.' Hua Ji, hearing that she was also a lady, carefully examined Ye'er. Seeing her angry yet beautiful, he felt a pang of pity. He clicked his tongue and said, 'Your virtue and integrity are admirable, but the emperor is tyrannical, and death is deserved. I have done this to rid the people of tyranny, and you must reconsider. I hereby pardon you, and invite you to drink with me!' Saying this, he was about to gently pull her hand away.
Ye'er shouted, 'Traitorous words are only good for fooling shameless people. I do not want to listen to you. Kill me quickly. Who needs your forgiveness, you traitor!' Seeing Ye'er calling him a traitor repeatedly, Hua Ji's anger flared, and he also cursed, 'You vile woman, how can you be so ungrateful!'" Ye'er sneered, "I was originally ungrateful. There are those who know right from wrong, who would accompany a traitor like you!" Empress Xiao and the other five women, stung by Ye'er's words, were enraged and wished her dead. Empress Xiao angrily said to Hua Ji, "Ye'er is so disrespectful, why haven't you executed her yet!" Hua Ji, already furious, was further pressured and immediately ordered his servants to drag Ye'er out and execute her. Truly: Aspirations unfulfilled, hatred difficult to avenge; a beautiful woman's fierce spirit surpasses that of a man.
To find out what happens next, please read the next chapter.

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[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [90]

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