"Huan Lang, how can you be so unhumble?"
Huan She chuckled, and Li Weiying patted his shoulder. "Put me down, you must be tired." Huan She said, "What if you run away if I put you down?" She said, "I can't do anything, only you want me, I'm too busy clinging to you." Huan She said, "Nonsense, you're so clever! At least you tie your hair up beautifully, no one can match you!"
"Huan Lang!" She slipped her hand into his hair and began to play with it.
"Um?"
"Huan Lang, you seized Kehe Dun from Xueyantuo. Aren't you afraid of having to go back to the battlefield and fight against ten thousand men?" Huan She said proudly, "What is there to fear in the death of a true man? I only had too many concerns, which is why you are forced to marry him." She said, "When Father Emperor agreed to the marriage, it was not only to appease Xueyantuo, but also because Lord Qibi Heli had been taken to Xueyantuo by his former rebels. Lord Qibi Heli refused to surrender and even cut off his left ear to show that he would never betray Tang. Father Emperor, who valued talent, sent Cui Dunli, the Vice Minister of War, to negotiate and agreed to exchange the marriage for Qibi Heli." Knowing that Qibi Heli was young, brave, and had made outstanding military achievements, and was also a great contributor to the destruction of Gaochang in the past, Huan She was also filled with regret.
Li Weiying said, "Now that Lord He Li has returned to the Tang Dynasty, Father is angry and wants to find some reason to prevent me from marrying into the Tang Dynasty, and then he will destroy the Xueyantuo. So you..." Huan She hurriedly said, "I understand." She whispered, "Alright, then hurry up."
After walking behind a large rock, Huan She carefully placed her on the ground, took off his fur coat, spread it out, and let her sit down. Li Weiying's eyes sparkled, and Huan She laughed twice, then reached out and unfastened the buttons of her black fox fur coat, tackling her to the ground.
Li Weiying screamed loudly, struggling wildly. Huan She hurriedly released her, and she began to cry. "Weiying! Don't be shy, or I'll be gentle." Li Weiying sobbed, "You barbarian! Who told you to do this?" Huan She sullenly said, "You told me to hurry up." "What did I tell you to hurry up?" Huan She hesitated, "No, it's not that we need to tell the Emperor that we've consummated our marriage, so you can't marry someone else."
Li Weiying was filled with shame and indignation. "I am a princess of the Tang Dynasty. Do you expect me to have sex with you in this wilderness?" Huan She was extremely frustrated. "Then I'll go and kill the Xueyantuo Khan." He wrapped a black fox fur coat around her and was about to get up. Li Weiying hugged him tightly. "Are you leaving again? Huan Lang, don't go. I just want you to bow to me first." Huan She sighed deeply. "I had the order reversed, Weiying. Don't blame me. I've been thinking about this moment for too long." He kissed her cheek deeply, reluctant to part. "Let's bow."
She was both annoyed and amused: "The Zhou Rites stipulate that betrothal is the first step. Did you bring wild geese?" Huan She pounded his chest in frustration, "I often skipped school when I was young and never read that section." He rummaged through his satchel and said pitifully, "I shot two Turkic sparrows on the way here for provisions. You see, they're birds, they can fly too, so it's passable, isn't it? Why don't you take a look?" Li Weiying didn't want to see the bloody bird carcasses and quickly said, "It's passable. Ask my name, ask my surname and date of birth." Huan She gave her a strange look, quite helpless, "Ah, this, what is your surname and given name, my lady? Aren't you five years younger than me?"
Li Weiying smiled and picked out a stone from her brocade pouch, urging Huan She to throw it on the ground. "Auspicious omen, oh my lord, the hexagram is 'Stripping,' unfavorable for any endeavor." Huan She broke out in a sweat, rubbing his hands incessantly. "Weiying, I'm terrified of fortune-telling. You dragged me off to find a spirit stone the moment you did, and Cao Ling gave me the 'Need' hexagram, which was quite frightening. Let's skip this and not consult the oracle." Li Weiying shook her head. "You're marrying a princess, so be careful as a consort." Huan She hesitated. "Which hexagram is considered auspicious?" Li Weiying said, "There are many auspicious hexagrams, but 'Influence' and 'Gradual Progress' are most suitable for marriage." Huan She said, "Alright, take your time. Make sure you get those two hexagrams. I'm not in a hurry." She laughed. "I secretly did it more than ten times yesterday, and it was always 'Influence' and 'Gradual Progress'."
Huan She, furious, leaped up and dashed down the mountain, startling the rocks and pine trees around him. When he returned, he was laughing and embracing her from behind, his stubble-covered face brushing against hers. "Wei Ying, I always said we were a match made in heaven. Alright, the ceremony is complete!" He clapped his hands, holding hers tightly. Li Wei Ying sighed, "Huan Lang, you have to pay your respects: gold, silver, cloth, and tea. Xue Yantuo is offering three thousand horses, twenty-eight thousand sable furs, and an agate mirror. You can't be stingy." Huan She untied a gold and jade thirteen-pronged brocade, gleaming as he rolled it on the snow. "Why didn't you say so sooner, my wife? I have a large sum of money saved up in Jiaohe that I can't spend. Although it's not as extravagant as the Khan's, every penny was earned through my own hard work. As for the cloth, I'll give you my pleated robe." She said, "What about the tea? Tea doesn't change roots, but it will grow into seed. If you want me to be yours forever, tea is indispensable."
Huan She's hand trembled, and he fell silent. Li Weiying sensed his silence and said softly, "Huan Lang, are you angry? I was just joking with you." Huan She tried to swallow back his tears. "I just can't bear to part with you. I want to spend my whole life with you." She intertwined her fingers with his. "Youbo Jialoucha, from the first moment I saw you, it was destined that my life would be entangled with you. Huan Lang, the story of the spirit stone is all a joke made up by Cao Ling, but you wholeheartedly protected me and searched everywhere. When you were blacksmithing at the foot of Tanhan Mountain, you already knew that the so-called spirit stone was just the stone flow yellow used by the Turks for smelting. I read in the book that only when the mine is cold and the fire is extinguished in winter can the stone flow yellow be safely obtained, but you risked your life to climb the high mountain in the summer to take care of me."
She pressed his hand, which was still scarred and rough and cracked from his severe burns, against her heart. "You have given me the heart that loves me most in this world, a heart that will never change. It is more precious than any gold or silver treasure, more steadfast than any tea tree. This ordinary stone has become magical because of you. Huanlang, God will not let us down. We will be together for thousands of lifetimes."
He gave a dry laugh, "Yes." Suddenly, his chest brushed against her back. He quickly withdrew his hand, rummaged in his pocket, and held it out to her. "How about some dried grapes? You grew them yourself, so it'll have to do. Tea can't be grown in Xizhou." She exclaimed in surprise, turning to look at Huan She's swollen eyes. "You went to see that tree?" Huan She picked up a dried grape and chewed it slowly, smiling at her. "If you still don't agree to marry me, I'll go back and grow grapes too."
Her eyes shone brightly as she hooked her arm around Huan She's waist. "Qingqing, there are two more." Huan She's face fell. "Two more?" She pursed her lips. "Set a date. You choose an auspicious day." Huan She's brows relaxed. "Today, of course." She smiled and dodged his outstretched arms, telling him to sit down properly, then walked around to stand behind him. Huan She nervously looked back at her from time to time, afraid she would suddenly disappear.
Li Weiying gently removed his hairpin, letting his long hair fall freely. She picked up a jade comb and softly combed it, watching his stiff, black hair slide between her slender fingers. She combed and combed, carefully removing the grains of sand and bits of grass from his hair, then gathered and tied it high with the hairpin. Huan She closed his eyes peacefully, as if time had flowed back five years to that snowy season when she had tied his hair, forever anchoring her own restless heart.
“Huan Lang,” she said, still holding a lock of his hair. Huan She opened his eyes and looked at her, puzzled. Li Weiying sat on his lap, pulled a lock of her own hair from her temple, untied the crimson tassel from the brocade pouch at her waist, and tied their hair together. “I don’t know anything else, but I can tie hair.” She sighed happily, “I’m so glad I have this skill, so we can become husband and wife.” Huan She wiped away his tears and kissed her red lips passionately, which she responded to fervently.
The icy snowflakes that touched their bodies exploded with a bang, joyfully rushing into the embrace of the north wind to sing wildly together. Several burning yellow stones brushed against the dark night and chased after the sky, turning into brilliant stars, forever gazing at each other, never failing the longing for each other.
(The End; Epilogue in the Next Two Chapters)
Postscript:
Let me explain the whereabouts of a few of the real people involved.
Qu Zhisheng, the last king of Gaochang, surrendered to the Tang Dynasty and was granted the titles of Duke of Jincheng and General of the Left Guard. When Emperor Taizong of Tang died, a stone statue of Qu Zhisheng was buried with him in the Zhaoling Mausoleum. (The leaders of the fourteen countries or tribes conquered by Emperor Taizong were all carved into stone statues to highlight Emperor Taizong's military achievements.)
Qu Zhizhan was appointed Right General of the Martial Guard and Duke of Tianshan County. He succeeded Qiao Shiwang, Guo Xiaoke, and Chai Zhewei (Chai Lingwu's elder brother) as the fourth Protector-General of Anxi and Governor of Xizhou (it is estimated that his eldest brother predeceased him, so his second brother took the position). He also served as General of the Left Valiant Guard. Qu Zhizhan died during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, possibly while serving as Protector-General of Anxi and Governor of Xizhou, which means he died in his birthplace.
Qu Zhizhan's sons were very accomplished, as recorded in historical records. His eldest son, Qu Zhao, loved reading, and his mother even sold her gold jewelry to buy rare books for him. (Based on the fact that Qu Zhizhan died during the reign of Emperor Gaozong in the Linde era, it can be inferred that he was still young when he died. Therefore, when his wife sold the gold jewelry, the Qu family was already a widow with an orphan, and they were in dire financial straits.)
Qu Zhao served as the Minister of Food, in charge of Emperor Gaozong's meals, while his younger brother, Qu Chongyu, served as the Right General of the Imperial Guard and was enfeoffed as the Prince of Jiaohe. (This is strange, as the title should logically have been given to the eldest son, Qu Zhao. Was Qu Zhao already dead at that time? It's possible, as children who love reading often die young.) After Qu Chongyu's death, the hereditary title ended.
Historical records say that these two brothers were quite accomplished; one was skilled in literature, and the other in martial arts, which shows they had a good family upbringing. When I read the historical records about such a book-loving child and such a loving mother who respected knowledge, and how both brothers were quite successful, I thought Qu Zhizhan must have been a wise and virtuous gentleman. That's why the novel portrays him as quite refined and cultured.
As for the descendants of the Qu family, no records can be found. Nowadays, the character "Qu" is often written as "qu" in colloquial terms. In the early 1980s, there was a man named Qu Xiao who gave an excellent speech.
This article happens to feature a string of imperial consorts, including uncles-in-law such as Ashina She'er (Princess Hengyang), Qiao Shiwang (Princess Luling), Yang Shidao (Princess Changguang), and Xue Wanche (Princess Danyang), and brothers-in-law such as Chai Lingwu (Princess Baling) and Du He (Princess Chengyang). Hehe, this is a journey of imperial consorts.
Ashina She'er, the husband of Princess Hengyang, was extremely loyal to the Tang Dynasty and performed numerous meritorious deeds. When Emperor Taizong died, he was so grief-stricken that he requested to be buried alive with him, but fortunately, Taizong's will forbade this, and Emperor Gaozong refused. Ashina She'er died in the early years of Gaozong's reign and was finally buried beside the tomb of Taizong, whom he had devoted his life to repaying. (He can be considered to have died a peaceful death.)
Qiao Shiwang, the consort of Princess Luling, is rarely mentioned in historical records. His name only appears in a few major battles. Later, he served as the first governor of the Anxi Protectorate, indicating that he was also a fierce general. His last official position was only the prefect of Tongzhou, which was probably due to the oppression he suffered from Changsun Wuji or Empress Wu during the reign of Emperor Gaozong.
Xue Wanche, the third of four generals from a family that had produced numerous military achievements and nearly lost his life several times, became the consort of Princess Danyang in the eighteenth year of the Zhenguan era. After marriage, however, he was described as "extremely foolish, causing the princess to feel ashamed and refusing to share a meal with him for several months." Upon hearing this, Emperor Taizong summoned the other consorts to speak calmly with Wanche, even using his sword as a wager. He feigned defeat, pretending not to win, and then took the sword from Wanche. Princess Danyang was delighted and went home with her husband. How could this clever and brave consort be so foolish? Many believe it was because his years of warfare had left him ignorant of marital matters, hence Emperor Taizong's summoning of him for sex education. But why would Emperor Taizong feign defeat in sex education? Could sex be tested on the spot? What was the princess ashamed of? And what was the purpose of Emperor Taizong summoning the consorts for a public contest? Historical records are unclear, but it certainly brought great honor to Xue Wanche. Alas, it remains a mystery.
Xue Wanche was implicated in a rebellion during the reign of Emperor Gaozong. When Prince Wu Ke was killed, Xue Wanche was bound and taken to the execution ground. He took off his clothes and said to the executioner, "Slay me quickly!" The executioner missed with his first blow, but Xue Wanche, ignoring the excruciating pain, cursed, "Why not use more force?" The executioner had to strike three times before finally severing his unyielding head.
Chai Lingwu's mother was Princess Pingyang, the third daughter of the emperor, a remarkable woman who led troops into battle at the age of eighteen. His father, Duke Chai Shao of Qiao, was also from a prominent family and had served as a military advisor to the crown prince of Emperor Yang of Sui. Unfortunately, both Princess Pingyang and her husband died young. Chai Lingwu was also implicated in the rebellion during the early years of Emperor Gaozong's reign. This young prince consort committed suicide in a prison cart, but his body was still mutilated. His elder brother, Chai Zhewei, was exiled. As for Chai Lingwu's wife, Princess Baling, she was no longer protected by her father. Emperor Taizong would never kill his daughter, but her brother, Emperor Gaozong, did not care about his sister and allowed her to commit suicide.
Du He was the second son of Du Ruhui, a prime minister highly regarded by Emperor Taizong. Du Ruhui devoted himself to the cause and died of illness at a young age. Du He married Princess Chengyang. In the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era, he was implicated in the rebellion of Crown Prince Chengqian and was executed. Princess Chengyang, heartbroken and distraught, remarried Xue Guan and had several sons, the third being Xue Shao. Who was Xue Shao? He was the husband of Princess Taiping, daughter of Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu. (Those who have watched the TV series "Palace of Desire" will remember him, though the television adaptation is fictional.)
Xue Shao married his cousin, Princess Taiping, and they had four children in seven years, their relationship must have been very happy. However, the perverse Empress Wu despised the lower social status of Xue Shao's two sisters-in-law and subjected the Xue family's sons to all sorts of humiliation, such as forcing them to become the godsons of her male lovers. The Xue family was also a prominent family, the sons of a princess and the grandson of Emperor Taizong, how could they bear such a disgrace? So they plotted to rebel against Wu, but failed and were killed. Xue Shao was not involved, but he was still beaten a hundred times by Wu and then imprisoned and starved to death. (It is unknown whether Xue Shao's mother, Princess Chengyang, was still alive at this time, otherwise how could she have endured this second loss!) Princess Taiping was confined to the palace by her mother and watched helplessly as her beloved husband died a violent death. Wu then chose another husband for Taiping, selecting her nephew, Wu Youji (unlike the bald, fat man portrayed by Fu Biao in the TV series, he was actually a handsome young man). But Wu Youji already had a wife, which made things easier. Wu Shi had already killed two of her own sons and a daughter, and she had almost killed her remaining two sons several times as well. So Wu Shi simply killed her niece-in-law and forced Princess Taiping to marry into the family. Princess Taiping, cruelly manipulated by such a perverted woman as her mother, probably abandoned her youthful passion from then on, becoming equally cold and ruthless, no longer caring about feelings, and only obsessed with the glory of power.
Speaking of Empress Wu, this twisted woman, the Tang Dynasty did not wrong her, although Emperor Taizong did not like her. Besides his deep affection for the Empress, Taizong initially favored Consort Wei Gui, and later favored Consort Xu Hui. A woman like Wu, who at fourteen had threatened to fight a famous horse with a whip and dagger, was someone Taizong would never have liked. It's unknown how she bewitched Emperor Gaozong, but her ascension to the throne meant the slaughter of countless members of the Tang imperial family, officials, and generals. Many descendants of Emperors Gaozu and Taizong were killed, some were exiled, and the young were forced into servitude in the palace! (Were the men castrated and the women made lowly palace maids? Good heavens!)
Later, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, and his half-brother, Prince Ning, Li Xian, both had mothers who were beaten to death by their mother-in-law, Empress Wu. After Xuanzong ascended the throne, he heard that his cousin, Prince Bin, Li Shouli, could predict the weather with remarkable accuracy. When the emperor inquired, Shouli replied, "I have no special abilities. The reason I can predict the weather is because when I was imprisoned in the palace by Empress Wu Zetian, I was frequently beaten with sticks, leaving thick scars on my back. When it's cloudy, I feel suffocated, and when it's about to clear, I feel more relaxed." Who was Li Shouli? He was Empress Wu's grandson—the son of her second son, Li Xian. His father had been killed by his grandmother, and he was imprisoned in the palace at a young age, frequently beaten with sticks. Alas, such a tragic experience must have often left Li Shouli waking up from nightmares and weeping as he grew up.
Empress Wu was notoriously cruel in politics and military affairs. She employed harsh officials and strict laws, encouraged false accusations, and killed so many high-ranking officials and generals. When the Turks advanced, she lost much territory, and later she couldn't even recruit soldiers. Who would be willing to fight for her? In the end, she raised the banner of the Crown Prince. When the people heard that he was a descendant of the Li Tang dynasty, they responded enthusiastically and finally defeated the Turks.
We don't know Wu Zetian's real name; she certainly wasn't called Zetian, she simply called herself Empress Zetian. But she failed to fulfill the duties of a true empress, instead nearly destroying the Tang Dynasty she had usurped. She had a few minor achievements, but compared to the destruction she caused, the severe harm to the nation's politics, economy, military, and the lives and property of its people, they are negligible. Today, when I see her repeatedly portrayed in novels and films, but looking at those works that blatantly lie, and flipping through history books, I, too, am a woman. What can I praise her for? Praise her for climbing the throne by killing other men and women, and continuing to kill other men and women, including her own relatives—is that supposed to be giving women a voice? There are too many women who have championed women and deserve our writing, but "Empress" makes me want to vomit.
As for Li Shiji (Xu Shiji), the unfounded claim that my classmate has a bad impression of him is a huge misunderstanding. Duke Ying of Ying, Li Shiji, truly made indelible contributions to the Tang Dynasty. However, he, along with Prince Jiangxia, Li Daozong, and the famous general Su Lie (Su Dingfang), were all portrayed as villains by unscrupulous screenwriters in later generations. If these three veteran officials of three dynasties knew this in the afterlife, how heartbroken they would be.
When the King of Qin captured Shan Xiongxin, who had nearly killed him, he was determined to kill Shan. Li Shiji, an old acquaintance of Shan, pleaded for his life but to no avail. "I hope to resign my official post to redeem my friend's life," he pleaded. "No, no," he said. He wept bitterly. Why? He cut a piece of flesh from his thigh and fed it to Shan Xiongxin. With this one sentence, "We are separated forever, this flesh will return to the earth with you. You are my old friend, my good friend, my confidant, but you are my enemy. You are about to be killed, and I cannot die with you. I cut a piece of flesh from my thigh to feed you, so that this flesh will die with you. This is what 'we are separated forever, this flesh will return to the earth with you.' See? This kind of spirit is what the heroes of the Sui and Tang dynasties possessed." (Excerpt from "Li Ao Speaks, Episode 113, August 11th, 'This Flesh Returns to the Earth'")
Throughout his life, Li Shiji fought countless battles, and most of the rewards he received were distributed to his soldiers. When he achieved great feats, he often attributed the credit to others, thus inspiring his men to fight to the death. Before his death, he summoned his descendants and instructed his younger brother, Li Bi, "I have personally witnessed Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Gao Shilian, and others painstakingly build their families, only to have them ruined and destroyed by their descendants. These unworthy children and grandchildren are now entrusted to you. You must carefully guard them. If any of them behave improperly or associate with wicked people, kill them immediately and then report it to the authorities, lest the family be destroyed." He decreed that any unworthy descendants be beaten to death, and his descendants indeed adhered to this family rule, shedding their last drop of blood for the Tang Dynasty. When Wu Zetian usurped the Tang throne, Li Jingye (Xu Jingye), the grandson of Li Shiji, raised an army, but unfortunately failed, and his entire family was executed.
When Emperor Gaozong initially wanted to make Empress Wu Zetian his empress, court officials opposed it, but Li Shiji said it was a matter for His Majesty's family. However, after Xu Jingye's rebellion failed, Wu Zetian not only exterminated Xu's entire family and forbade them from using the surname Li (which had been bestowed upon her), but also had Ying Gong's coffin and corpse mutilated. This woman was utterly ungrateful for the kindness shown to her by others. (Just like Mao marrying Jiang Zemin, or perhaps Peng Dehuai—it's probably Peng, right? Couldn't the Chairman have married a woman? But what was Peng's fate? History always repeats itself.)
The direct descendants of Duke Ying were all slaughtered. Perhaps a very small number of collateral descendants escaped to the lands of the Hu (Tibetan) tribes. In the seventeenth year of the Zhenyuan era of Emperor Dezong of Tang (801 AD), the Tubo (Tibetan) army captured Linzhou, plundering its people and livestock. When a group of prisoners reached Yanzhou, a Tubo general named Xu Sheren gathered several thousand Han prisoners together and said to the monk Yansu, “Master, do not be afraid. I am a fifth-generation descendant of a Han Chinese. Before, Empress Wu Zetian killed members of the Tang imperial family. My ancestor's attempt to establish a righteous cause failed (referring to Xu Jingye), and his descendants were scattered to this desolate land for three generations. Although we have lived here for generations, with soldiers and land, our hearts have always been with our country. However, our descendants have multiplied so much that we can no longer return to Han.” After speaking, he released all the thousands of Han Chinese who were enslaved and destined to die of illness at the hands of the Tubo. (Excerpt from "Twenty-Four Meritorious Officials of Lingyan Pavilion") Their hearts still yearned for the Tang Dynasty, but they could no longer return.
Sigh, I've rambled on a bit. I'll have some free time another day to reread books and write a book called "The Story of the Imperial Son-in-Law of the Tang Dynasty".
Major Events
① The eleventh year of Zhenguan (the fourteenth year of Yanshou)
In the dead of winter, Huan and Li meet and seek survival amidst the perilous sea route.
② The twelfth year of Zhenguan (the fifteenth year of Yanshou)
In early spring, we rested in Dahai Village, climbed Chishi Mountain, visited the capital of Gaochang, and headed north to Tanhan Mountain.
From late spring to early summer, attend the funeral of the special agents, compete in archery with Si Lifa, and forge iron.
In midsummer, he climbed Mount Tanhan twice, obtained a spirit stone, and returned. Heshuo City fell, and Li was captured and taken to Jiaohe.
In early autumn, Qu Zi broke his arm bone.
In late autumn, Li fell into a well and, while bathing for the second time, realized Huan's love.
Winter, brewing tea, hugging a tree
③ The thirteenth year of Zhenguan (the sixteenth year of Yanshou)
In summer, grapes ripen, and wine is made.
In autumn, Qu went to Chang'an.
④ The fourteenth year of Zhenguan (the seventeenth year of Yanshou)
In the spring, Qu Fo Temple was punished with caning, and Qu Li moved to the capital, where he discovered Li's true identity.
On the Qixi Festival, Huan and Li reunite.