Under the clear and refreshing autumn weather, a flock of wild goose flew south.
Fu Rou walked towards Lizheng Palace. She was slightly inattentive. She heard Xinnan say that Sheng Chumu was about to set off on his journey today morning. Although Empress Zhangsun had given her a token to leave the palace, something happened to the Crown Prince the previous day. In a fury, the Emperor had locked him up in the Imperial Prison and the entire court had been shaken. At a time like this, as a Siyan, how could she leave the palace?
Sun Tan was crying and pleaded for the Crown Prince. Zhan Xuanzhi, who had always been strict with the Crown Prince, was also against the imprisonment. Zhan Xuanzhi also mentioned that Prince Zhou should be removed from the investigation team. The Crown Prince was not part of the investigating team and should not have appeared in front of Hong Yide but everyone’s attention was on Prince Zhou. They all believed that there was a conspiracy. However, this made the Emperor even angrier. It was clearly the Crown Prince acting on his own will yet Prince Zhou had been implicated. Only Prince Zhou was aware that this may not be as simple as Hong Yide’s revenge. He recommended Fang Xuanling to take over the interrogation and the Emperor agreed.
Empress Zhangsun personally begged the Emperor to let the Crown Prince go but the Emperor resolutely rejected her. He felt that the Crown Prince’s recent behavior was too disappointing. Empress Zhangsun then asked the Emperor if he wanted to dispose of the Crown Prince. The Emperor actually fell silent. It was rare that the relationship between the Emperor and Empress became frosty.
Fu Rou believed that Sheng Chumu would eventually understand her need and stubbornness to gain her own freedom properly was all for their lifetime of happiness. She even thought that it was the right time for him to leave. Ever since the Cangshan Mountain incident, she had an unknown intuition that an invisible whirlpool was growing bigger and bigger. If he was gone, at least she did not need to worry that he would be involved in it. It was a kind of blessing.
When Fu Rou entered Lizheng palace, there was no one else around. Even Wei Song was absent. Empress Zhangsun was seated by the window. She held a book in her hands but her gaze was looking out and her heart was far away. Fu Rou did not make a sound as she waited on quietly.
After a long while, Zhangsun sighed softly. “Do you know what book I am holding?”
“History of the Sui Dynasty.” When Fu Rou entered, she caught sight of the book title.
“Sui Wendi established the Sui Dynasty and brought down the Chen Kingdom. He attacked the Turkic ethnic group and was named Sage Khan. He saw the Spring and Autumn Annals as well as the ancient books of the Han Dynasty were destroyed during the war and gave an Imperial edict to request for books. With every book donated, he would give a set of tough silk fabric. Therefore, the Sui Dynasty collected a lot of books and had about three-hundred and seventy thousand books. Under his rule, the Sui Dynasty’s territory expanded and consisted of over seven million households. Fu Siyan, what do you think of the founding emperor of the Sui Dynasty?”
“He had military might as well as intellect. He was a leader of great influence.”
“The country was rich and powerful, why did their dynasty come to an end after two generations?” Zhangsun liked that Fu Rou was very knowledgeable and could have deep conversations with her.
“Because Emperor Yang of Sui was cruel.” Everyone knew this. “Emperor Yang of Sui caused the citizens to suffer. An uncountable number of people lost their families because of him.”
“You are wrong. That was Sui Wendi’s mistake” Zhangsun shook her head. “Think about it. Who was Sui Wendi’s first Crown Prince?”
“Yang Yong.” Fu Rou recalled what was written in the book. “Yang Yong was Sui Wendi’s first son. He was an eager learner and talented in poetry and speech . His personality was generous, warm and genuine. The book also wrote that he supported his kin and was sincere to his ministers. He was part of the military and helped build a strong foundation for the country for about twenty years. From what I can tell, his ability and experience in leading the country was pretty good.”
Zhangsun praised, “Alas, you are an avid reader. In the harem, I am afraid that no palace lady can answer as well as you do. Yang Yong should have been the Sui Dynasty’s second emperor. However, his younger brother, Yang Guang, was greedy and cruel. In front of his father, Sui Wendi, he was pretentious and tried to get on his good side. He continuously conspired against Yang Yong, resulting in Sui Wendi slowly disliking his eldest son. Eventually, Sui Wendi issued a decree to dispose of Yang Yong as the Crown Prince. He then gave the Crown Prince position to Yang Guang. Yang Yong felt indignant and wanted to meet Sui Wendi to tell him of the injustice. However, Yang Guang always stopped him. Eventually, Yang Yong had no choice and in order to see his father for one last time, he climbed up a huge tree and shouted for Sui Wendi. When Sui Wendi heard Yang Yong shouting from a tree, Yang Guang’s confidante, Yang Su, took the chance to defame Yang Yong. Yang Su claimed that Yang Yong had fallen into despair and was possessed by a demon. Sui Wendi believed him. Until the very end, Yang Yong never had the chance to meet Sui Wendi and explained his grievance. After Sui Wendi passed on, Yang Guang inherited the throne. The first thing he did was to kill Yang Yong. That was how the Sui Dynasty’s previous Crown Prince was eventually killed.”
Fu Rou exclaimed, “Father and son were tied by blood yet they could not even meet. Yang Yong is too pitiful.”
“Is Yang Yong the only pitiful one?” Zhangsun sighed. “The numerous citizens were pitiful. At that time, the Sui Dynasty was rich and powerful, inviting all sorts of merchants and unique items. Their grain storage had so much reserves that it would last them for years. All these were destroyed after they landed in Yang Guang’s hands. If Sui Wendi could have been more resolute and protected his Crown Prince, Yang Yong, and not listen to defamation, Yang Guang would not have become the Crown Prince. The world would then not have the cruel Emperor Yang of Sui. More than that, its people would not have fallen into such a tragedy. The position of Crown Prince is not just a household matter, it concerns the entire world and the future of Great Tang. At this very moment, Great Tang’s Crown Prince is imprisoned, yet, I can only read the History of the Sui Dynasty and feel distressed.”
Fu Rou persuaded her. “Your Majesty, the Emperor is a wise ruler.”
“No matter how wise someone is, there are times where they are confused and need someone to give them advice. However, now he does not even want to listen to me. He simply thinks that I am covering up for my son. An overprotective mother will have failures for sons.” Zhangsun knew that she could not speak hastily. If not, it would produce the opposite of what she wanted.
“Then…” Fu Rou paused. “Let him be the one that comes.”
“This is a national affair, who dares to say more? Even if they dare, they will not be able to convince the ruler of the world.”
Sun Tan and Zhan Xuanzhi were ordered to be dragged out of this morning’s court assembly by the Emperor.
“Maybe, there is someone.” Fu Rou thought of something.
Zhangsun’s gaze was hopeful. “Who?”