Chapter 136: The Imperial Will Is Hard to Defy; Foreign Melodies Ease the Heart

"What nonsense are you talking about? If you have not had your grand wedding ceremony, how could Xian have his?"

This was an undeniable fact. Even if he were to marry first, the second prince, Li Xian, had not yet wedded. No matter how the sequence was arranged, it could never fall upon the third prince. Li Wei furrowed his brow with a distressed expression and said, "Mother Empress, she is simply too young."

"What do you mean, too young? Many girls from good families entered the palace at a very tender age to accompany and wait upon the royals. Besides, Shangguan Wan'er is not old either."

"But, but..."

"Hong'er, what is the meaning of this!" Wu Zetian grew somewhat displeased, her voice sinking as she spoke. "Hong'er, you are becoming increasingly willful. Within the Eastern Palace, you dote on Jiang Bi'er and Shangguan Wan'er, and this Empress has tolerated it. As for the matter of the Crown Princess, when Yang Sijian's daughter proved lacking in virtue, you insisted on showing leniency, and once again, I tolerated it. Now, I am having a maiden from a respectable family enter the Eastern Palace to wait upon you, so why do you refuse? Can it be that you truly hold neither me nor your Imperial Father in your eyes?"

Pressed by such a weighty accusation, Li Wei had no choice but to submissively reply, "This son dares not."

In truth, this excuse was quite far-fetched. What harm could a six-year-old little girl possibly do, let alone scheme to become a malicious empress? Wu Zetian failed to understand his state of mind, assuming that because Xu Jingzong had recommended her, her son was simply being resistant. Therefore, she continued, "Your retinue of maids in the Eastern Palace is far too meager. The Master of the Heir Apparent's Household is acting out of good intentions; do not measure the heart of a gentleman with the yardstick of a petty person. Moreover, as for the Master, never speak against him again. He has performed numerous services for your father and me, even if you remain unaware of them. Solely in terms of a subject's loyalty, not a single official can match him."

"Yes," Li Wei replied, finding nothing more to say. Was he supposed to argue that Xu Jingzong was no loyal subject and intended to murder her son? Where was the proof? As for his mother's assertion that Xu Jingzong was a gentleman, he simply let it pass by his ears as idle wind.

Wu Zetian added, "Let her enter the Eastern Palace first. When the time comes for your grand wedding, I will personally bestow upon her the title of Consort of Virtue."

"Mother Empress, but she is only six years old."

"What of it? It is not as if I am asking the two of you to consummate the marriage; it is merely to establish her status. In many households, children have their ranks determined even before they are born."

Li Wei could find no argument to counter this.

Yet, upon reflection, he realized he was trapped between a suspicious father, a ruthless mother, and now, a Consort of Virtue who had a high probability of turning into a treacherous empress. What a wretched plight! And the worst part was that he could not even voice his grievance. If he were to discuss this with Di Renjie and the others, they would undoubtedly raise both hands in approval, crying, "Your Highness, you must agree! She is a Wei from Jingzhao!"

At this thought, he felt too devastated even to weep.

Bi'er used her delicate hands to wash his entire body, asking softly while she worked, "Did the Empress summon you just now only to make things difficult for you again?"

The Crown Prince's expression had turned quite grim upon his return. That Empress was truly something—she was his mother, after all, so why must she treat her son with such harshness? Of course, this thought remained securely bottled up inside, for she dared not voice it aloud.

"No, she merely found a six-year-old Consort of Virtue for your lonely lord."

"Oh? Whose daughter is she?" Although it was not unheard of for wives and concubines to be merely six years old, why would the Empress personally intervene to bring such a young girl into the palace?

"I am not entirely sure. She comes from the Wei clan of Jingzhao. I hear she is talented and quite pretty."

"Your Highness, this is a joyous occasion," Bi'er said happily.

This foolish girl! Not only was this not a joyous occasion for him, but it might not bode well for any of them either. Should he try to mold her from a young age? But recalling history, the third prince had treated this peerless child beauty quite well, and what had been the result? Was he destined to resort to whips and melting wax in the future?

Originally, the inner palace was peaceful enough. Although the number of inhabitants was somewhat large, his status as the Crown Prince meant he lived in constant anxiety, so these modest comforts were well deserved. Jiang Bi'er was utterly loyal to him, and he trusted her above all others. Shangguan Wan'er was developing splendidly, full of gratitude and admiration for him, even if she was still rather young. Di Renjie's two adopted daughters, owing to their backgrounds, were unlikely to cause contention. As for the three daughters of Xu, Yang, and Pei, there was a slim chance they might all manage to enter the Eastern Palace, though the probability was small, particularly for Xu Li. Even if they all did arrive, they would likely do no more than throw petty tantrums.

On the whole, it was a harmonious inner court.

Why on earth must this woman be thrust into the mix? Thinking of this, he even felt a momentary urge to skin Xu Jingzong alive.

The Shangyang Palace had not yet been built, and the western side of the imperial precinct remained the West Garden, featuring fewer structures and more abundant vegetation. The two sandbanks beneath the Tianjin Bridge were quite sizable, attracting numerous birds and beasts. At night, night herons would occasionally fly overhead, uttering desolate cries.

A long, shrill cry swept across the skies above the palace, causing Li Wei to shudder. He stood up and said, "Bi'er, you shall keep me company tonight."

"Your Highness..." Bi'er was so pleasantly surprised she was rendered speechless.

He pinched her little cheek and said, "Do not let your imagination run wild. You are merely keeping me company; nothing more will happen."

Though she felt a trace of disappointment, she thought it was still better than nothing. In the past, whenever she saw the Crown Prince sleeping with the little princess, she had felt a strong pang of envy, though she had never voiced it. Wondering what it would feel like to fall asleep nestled in the Crown Prince's arms, she said excitedly, "This maidservant will go make the bed."

In the distance, Shangguan Wan'er watched with eager, longing eyes.

She knew a little—though not much—about the fact that after spending the night sleeping near the Crown Prince, one's relationship with him grew closer. Li Wei beckoned to her and said, "Wan'er, you come along as well."

The bed was certainly large enough; two little girls plus a lean version of himself would never feel cramped, and even adding three or four more young maidens would not crowd it.

Indeed, nothing improper happened, but as he hugged Bi'er from behind, his hand slipped inside her garments. Her budding