In a moment of anger, Li Longji stripped her of her title and expelled her from the palace, disregarding their decades of marriage. Because of Consort Wu Hui, Li Longji never appointed another empress. If his beloved could not be empress, no one else would be.
Consort Wu Hui had one son and two daughters: Princess Xian Yi, Prince Shou Li Mao, and Princess Tai Hua. Li Mao was Yang Yuhuan’s other half, the original wife brought over by the Eight Great Bridges. When Li Mao loved, he loved deeply and passionately, becoming a complete wife-lover, constantly caring more about Yang Yuhuan than himself.
After arriving at Huaqing Palace, Yang Yuhuan had nothing to do. She went horseback riding, a social fashion for women in the Tang Dynasty and especially popular among upper-class women. The lively Yang Yuhuan chose a strong, tall white horse, entirely snow-white with a bright red collar around its neck.
But more beautiful than the horse was Yang Yuhuan, with her black hair neatly combed back, revealing a plump yet exquisite face. She wore a white narrow-sleeved short jacket, a deep green floor-length skirt, pointed-toe boots, and a deep green cape draped over her shoulders.
Yang Yuhuan rode enthusiastically along the forest path.
The docile white horse suddenly neighed, rearing up with its white mane flying wildly. Yang Yuhuan tilted her head back, laughing, then kicked her feet and waved her whip, calling out playfully: “Giddy up!”
The white horse obediently galloped away.
The wind rushed past her ears.
Yang Yuhuan felt extremely comfortable.
Riding, she felt as free as an immortal. Autumn was approaching, the sky exceptionally clear, with a couple of light clouds drifting slowly. Completely absorbed in her horseback joy, she forgot she was in the Emperor’s domain and should be alert.
She didn’t notice the group of people approaching, or that the lead person was wearing imperial robes.
The white horse suddenly panicked, bolting towards the crowd.
Yang Yuhuan was terrified, clutching the reins and repeatedly calling “Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!”
The horse ignored her and continued charging.
In her panic, someone from the crowd suddenly rushed forward, grabbing the reins. The horse, intimidated, gradually calmed down.
Yang Yuhuan, pale-faced, gasped heavily.
People surrounded her, including her mother-in-law Wu Huifei.
Wu Huifei said: “Yuhuan, how improper! Quickly thank the Emperor!”
The Emperor?
Yang Yuhuan was terrified again, almost falling off her horse. Her heart, just returned to her chest, leaped out again. Barely composing herself, her first reaction was to dismount and kneel before this supreme figure she had only heard of but never seen, not daring to raise her head or even breathe.
She stammered: “Em-Emperor, forgive me! Thank, thank you, Emperor!”
Li Longji spoke kindly: “Rise.”
Wu Huifei added: “Yuhuan, get up. The Emperor does not blame you.”
Yang Yuhuan’s voice was melodious: “Thank you, Father Emperor.”
Quickly recovering her composure, she secretively glanced at her father-in-law, the current Emperor Li Longji.
Li Longji looked at his daughter-in-law.
Li Longji was momentarily stunned.
What is a heavenly beauty?
What is a nation-toppling charm?
This is it.
Li Longji, as the dignified monarch of a nation, with three thousand beauties in his harem, now feels like a frog in a well. Truly, how could there be such a beautiful woman in this world? A beauty so stunning that she doesn’t seem real, but as if she stepped out of a painting.
Seeing Li Longji staring intently at Yang Yuhuan, also stunned by her beauty, Wu Huifei couldn’t help but feel pleased, and asked with a smile: “Your Majesty, how does the Princess of Shou look?”
Li Longji smiled slightly: “She looks a bit like you back then.”
Wu Huifei was even more delighted, humbly saying: “How could I compare to the Princess of Shou?”
Li Longji said: “Both of you are rare beauties in the human world.”
Wu Huifei asked: “Your Majesty, do you like her?”
Li Longji said: “Of course, the Princess of Shou is our daughter-in-law, how could I not like her?”
Wu Huifei laughed softly, looked at Yang Yuhuan, reached out and affectionately took her hand, lovingly smoothing her disheveled hair with a motherly tone, and reproachfully said: “Look at you, all sweaty. What if you had fallen if the Emperor hadn’t rescued you?”
Yang Yuhuan stuck out her tongue.
At this moment, dusk had arrived, illuminating the sky.
The golden evening light fell on Yang Yuhuan, making her look heavenly in the halo, her eyes sparkling extraordinarily, like a soul-capturing light beam that mesmerized.
Li Longji was stunned.
The eunuch Gao Lishi standing beside Li Longji watched silently, his small eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
Wu Huifei truly lives up to her surname, inheriting the genetic traits of her aunt Wu Zetian, including her wit and cunning. She is a strong-willed woman who will not give up until she achieves her goal. Unable to succeed through straightforward means, she opts for underhanded tactics. To ensure her beloved son becomes the crown prince, her crucial task is to eliminate Crown Prince Li Ying.
How could she decisively get rid of Crown Prince Li Ying?
Wu Huifei understands that this is a life-or-death game requiring careful strategy. One misstep could lead to failure.
She begins by softening the ground, spreading rumors subtly.
Today, Wu Huifei claims that Princess Xian Yi has entered the palace, spreading rumors that the Crown Prince is greedy, fond of plundering people’s wealth, living in luxury and debauchery.
Tomorrow, she claims the Crown Prince is addicted to pleasure, indulging in excessive desires, questioning his ability to be a good ruler.
The day after, she employs an even more dramatic tactic, using tears. She alleges the Crown Prince threatened to make her life miserable once he ascends to the throne.
Li Longji, hearing these repeated claims, can no longer distinguish truth from falsehood.
When truth and falsehood blend, even the false can seem true.
Li Longji is considering whether to depose the Crown Prince.
Wu Huifei, afraid of prolonged uncertainty, takes action. With one stroke, she not only eliminates the Crown Prince but also conveniently removes his potential successors – Prince Ao Li Yao and Prince Guang Li Ju.
They deserve their misfortune.
Handsome and seemingly dignified, they have pig-headed brains, acting without forethought and lacking any sense of caution.
A city-wide rumor suggests they, along with the Crown Prince’s wife’s brother Xue Su, were hiding troops and planning a palace coup.
Originally a baseless rumor, it should have been dismissed. But these fools fail to correct the rumor and seem to inadvertently confirm it. They walk right into the carefully prepared trap.
A few eunuchs with a fake imperial decree cause confusion. They claim: “There are thieves in the inner palace. Immediately mobilize troops to protect the palace.”
Confused, they don armor, mobilize the Eastern Palace guards, and march into the imperial palace. Finding no thieves, they instead become the accused traitors. They are charged with plotting to murder the ruler and usurp the throne.
Crown Prince Li Ying, Prince Ao Li Yao, Prince Guang Li Ju, and their alleged conspirator Xue Su ultimately fall victim to Wu Huifei’s poison.
Wu Huifei is cruel, but not completely heartless. Her remaining conscience torments her. She dreams of the princes coming to claim her life. Eventually, she falls ill, becomes mentally unstable, and dies.
One wonders if she ever sought forgiveness from the princes she destroyed.
During the period of her illness, Yang Yuhuan often visited the palace.
Yang Yuhuan’s child was born – a chubby son. Ironically, the birth coincides with the execution of the three princes.
