Chapter 12: Counsel
In the hall sat four: Princess Taiping, her son Xue Chongxun, and two chancellors. All but Xue wore expressions of satisfaction—the princess regal and composed, Dou Huaizhen effortlessly charismatic, Xiao Zhizhong calmly assured.
Princess Taiping had recently returned from exile in Puzhou, her fortunes reversed. With four pro-Crown Prince chancellors ousted—some demoted, others "promoted" to powerless roles—she now controlled five key ministers, dominating court affairs. Though the Crown Prince nominally remained regent, his authority was hollow.
"What of the Crown Prince's movements?" Dou Huaizhen chuckled. "This morning, a petty ninth-rank official named Wang Ju went to Linde Hall to 'thank His Highness' for rescuing him from obscurity…" Dou mimicked Wang's pompous stride, head high and arms swinging absurdly, drawing laughter.
Princess Taiping smiled faintly as Dou's antics escalated. He suddenly hunched, adopting a eunuch's simpering falsetto: "What insolence! Her Highness resides in the rear palace!" Then, shifting roles, he sneered downward: "Her Highness? You mean the Regent Princess Taiping? The realm knows only one sovereign now."
Xiao Zhizhong stroked his beard as mirth subsided. "Sunshine veils storms. Though weakened, the Crown Prince remains dangerous. My visit today concerns this." His gaze flicked to Xue.
"Speak freely," said the princess. "Chongxun is my blood."
Xiao lowered his voice. "The Crown Prince's deadliest weapon remains—the Imperial Guard. General Zhang Wei of the Ten Thousand Cavalry owes everything to him. With Zhang and other Tanglong Coup loyalists still commanding those troops…"
Princess Taiping nodded. "Yet we mustn't overreach. The Crown Prince recalled me from exile seeking détente. We maintain equilibrium because the Emperor fears imbalance—he uses me to check his son, yet dreads another Empress Wu scenario. Push too hard, and His Majesty might crown the Prince to restore stability."
Dou agreed: "The Emperor walks a blade's edge—curbing the Prince's power while protecting him as heir. Our moves must appear legitimate. Remove Zhang Wei, but through proper channels."
When the chancellors departed, mother and son walked through rain-swept corridors. The princess dismissed attendants with a wave. "You wished to speak earlier."
Xue hesitated. "I… didn't want to ruin our dinner. Mother, when did we last share a meal?" His voice thickened unexpectedly.
Sensing gravity, she turned. "You mean to anger me?"
"Quite the opposite." Xue met her gaze. "My counsel is this: Kill the Crown Prince."
A flash of lightning split the sky, followed by a thunderclap that made Princess Taiping start. Xue pressed on, unflinching: "Removing Zhang Wei changes nothing. Empress Wei controlled armies and ministers—yet fell in weeks. Only the Prince's death secures our future."
His conviction stemmed from grim foresight—knowing Li Longji would become Emperor Xuanzong, a ruler whose early reign reshaped history. "The Emperor toys with abdication. Should the Prince ascend, we're doomed. Our fate can't hinge on His Majesty's wavering whims."
Princess Taiping studied her son, thunder rumbling in the distance. For once, she didn't dismiss his words.