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The courtiers were noisy, but there were few who supported Pang Huang. Yang Jian was well aware that Gao Shan possessed great talent for governance and was loyal to him. For over a decade, he had been knowledgeable about state affairs, contributing to the peace of the realm. He had recommended talented individuals to build the capital and had achieved great feats in pacifying the South and defeating the Turkic tribes. However, considering today's events, was his influence in the court perhaps a bit too high?
After the court session, the emperor stepped out of the grand hall, burdened with thoughts, while Empress Dugu had been waiting there for quite some time. The two exchanged joyful glances as they headed towards their private quarters.
The eunuchs and maidservants nearby could not help but feel genuine happiness; after forty-two years of marriage, the emperor and empress remained devoted to each other, without any favoritism or concubines.
Their lunch consisted of just two bowls of noodle soup, accompanied by roasted lamb and fish stew.
Once they finished eating, Yang Jian dismissed the servants and turned to his wife. “Today, Pang Huang mentioned…”
Before he could finish, Empress Dugu frowned. “Narayana, do you not trust Gao Shan?”
Yang Jian hurriedly replied, “I certainly trust you, Dugu, but…”
“I have already said it; it is merely slanderous words from a rascal who envies him. They probably think Gao Shan has held his position for too long. Hmph, who knows who is behind those words?”
Dugu referred to Gao Shan, whose father Gao Bin had once been an advisor to Dugu Xin, the Grand Marshal of Northern Zhou. Due to his contributions, he was granted the surname Dugu and earned Empress Dugu's trust.
After the establishment of the Sui Dynasty, with the queen's recommendation and trust along with his own talents, Gao Shan managed to hold his position as Chancellor for over a decade. Yang Jian often referred to Gao Shan as Dugu Gong in court, relying on him like an uncle while overlooking several actual brothers-in-law with the surname Dugu.
Yang Jian moved his lips but ultimately swallowed his words. Yet deep within his eyes flickered an uncontainable flame.
Qialo, you seem to underestimate me. I am the emperor, a sovereign who has ruled for nearly twenty years; I am not your puppet pushed forward in court.
But he dared only to voice this thought internally, suppressing his rising agitation. He could no longer distinguish whether his feelings for the queen were love or fear.
His father, Yang Zhong, one of the twelve generals of Northern Wei, had also been a subordinate of Dugu Xin like Gao Shan's father.
In his youth, after a chance encounter with Dugu Qialo, he fell deeply in love and begged his father to seek her hand in marriage. Yang Zhong did not believe their family could welcome such a noble lady but eventually relented under his son's insistence and went to request an audience.
At that time, Dugu Xin was already a Grand Protector and Duke of Wei with a fief of ten thousand households. His daughters were married off to queens and princes alike; Yang Jian himself felt hopeless about his chances.
However, unexpectedly, he gained the favor of his father-in-law Dugu Xin and was able to marry his most cherished daughter, Dugu Qialo. Even after Dugu Xin was forced to commit suicide by Yuwen Hu and the Dugu family fell into decline, he never abandoned his wife because she truly was the love of his life.
He even accumulated power step by step for her, seizing the Nation of the Yuwen Family, killing everyone related to the Yuwen Family and Yue Zhang, along with their descendants, making her the most esteemed woman in the world.
But in the end, it seemed that his entire life had been lived for his wife. Approaching his sixties as emperor, what had he truly enjoyed?
Empress Dugu did not notice anything unusual about her husband, as she had long grown accustomed to it.
Yang Jian stood up and said, "Qialo, I will go check on the memorials. You should take a nap."
Empress Dugu nodded, watching her husband leave with her gaze. However, she did not hurry to sleep; instead, she lay on the couch, propping her head up to read Buddhist Scriptures and Historical Texts. Her mother hailed from the Qinghe Cui Clan, a prestigious family known for its literary heritage.
Thus, she had developed a love for reading from a young age. For decades, she had never put down a book; otherwise, how could she have repeatedly intervened in state affairs without being criticized by officials? It was because her political views rarely went wrong.
Meanwhile, the departing Sui Emperor did not attend to official business as he claimed but stood before a palace maid—a delicate girl like a cold plum in the snow—whose surname was Wei Chi.
Embracing her tender and delicate body, he felt as if he had returned to his youth, his spirit soaring freely like a bird in the sky or a fish in the sea. The emperor indulged in the life he was meant to lead, while the eunuchs and palace maids serving in the hall turned pale with fear, trembling and unsure of what to do.
For decades, they had never imagined this day would come and dared not think about what would happen if the Empress found out. The more timid among them had already begun to shed tears.
...
"Mother." After half a month, Li Jian Cheng finally saw his mother again. The Dou Family had recuperated for over ten days; her complexion had improved significantly but she still could not go out to meet people.
"My son, come here and let me see you." The Dou Family's skin was fair and her beauty stunning; her long black hair flowed down her back with a sheen that could almost be seen in reflection. Her father was Dou Yi, the Divine Martial Duke of Northern Zhou, and her mother was Yuwen Tai's eldest daughter, Princess Xiangyang of Northern Zhou.
Interestingly enough, in this family, grandmother Dugu Clan welcomed Northern Zhou's replacement by Sui Dynasty while mother Dou Family deeply resented the Yang Family for taking away her uncle's realm.
The Dou Family possessed extraordinary gifts; at birth, her hair reached her neck. By three years old, it grew alongside her height and she had an extraordinary memory. Her uncle, Zhou Wu Emperor, cherished her like a treasure and personally brought her into the palace to raise her with great affection.
By six or seven years old, she could advise her uncle on balancing the harem and thus earned great favor from her elders. It was decided that as a daughter of Fengchao, she must never be easily promised to anyone. When Northern Zhou was usurped by Yang Jian, she lamented that she wished she were a man so that she could save her uncle's family from disaster!
Li Jian Cheng knelt before his mother's couch. The Dou Family stroked his head and said, "You've lost some weight; you need to eat more. Whatever you like can be prepared by the kitchen. You practice archery every day; it's important you eat enough."
The mother and son exchanged some intimate words. Li Jian Cheng took this opportunity to mention the letter his grandmother had given him. The Dou Family fell silent for a moment before slowly nodding in response.
This day ultimately was no longer the domain of the Yuwen Family. Since she could not assist her son, she certainly could not hold him back either. Her husband had already been suppressed to such an extent; who knew what would happen after the Empress passed away? While the Queen was still alive, it was essential to draw closer to her.
However, the Dou Family expressed some reluctance, saying, "You are still so young. Even if the Empress shows you favor, it will likely be like your father back in the day—serving as a Bodyguard of the Thousand Cattle, guarding the Emperor day and night, with little chance for advancement in the future."
"If you are willing, then so be it. If not, your mother will think of something else in a few years. Your Uncle is quite favored by the Emperor and should have prospects. If all else fails, you can be content with your title. Your mother's dowry is substantial and will be left for you two brothers in the future, enough to ensure wealth."
"Mother, I am growing up and find it hard to make progress at home. It would be better to let me try my luck."
Li Jian Cheng naturally understood that someone like him, a true-bred Guanlong Noble Son, would never be promoted by His Majesty no matter how he performed. The best he could hope for was a nominal position in the capital to keep him occupied. Thus, his true aim was not Yang Jian.
Instead, it was Empress Dugu; he sought to align himself with Prince Jin. Unfortunately, he was too young, and with Yang Guang's power steadily rising, he had missed his chance to provide timely assistance. However, there were still opportunities for embellishment.
First and foremost, he needed to enter the palace and secure an official position. If his rank was too low to participate in court affairs, he would have to compensate by getting close to those who influenced the Empress. As long as he could connect with people around her, he would qualify for Prince Jin's support.
Only by taking a stand could he have a chance to achieve merit. It was only through contributions that he could seek a good starting point—either by being sent out to establish influence or by entering the military to restore the Li Family's former glory.
Otherwise, remaining trapped in Chang'an would be like a bird in a cage or fish in shallow waters—unable to stretch or thrive for decades. Life is short; how could one endure such stagnation?
If Yang Guang were to govern well, then he would serve as a loyal minister. But if Yang Guang remained as he was, then within ten years chaos would surely ensue across the realm. At that time, when Sui lost its deer, he would undoubtedly pursue it!
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