Before the dust settled, Yang Yuhuan’s heart remained uneasy.
In Li Longji’s life, he had two “bad habits,” one of which was beautiful women. In his seventy-seven-year-long life, only Wu Huifei, Mei Fei, and Yang Yuhuan left footprints and shadows in his world.
Li Longji’s first wife, the original queen surnamed Wang, arrived first and occupied the primary position, but she couldn’t get a taste of Li Longji’s affection. Their arranged marriage lacked emotional foundation, and when she was middle-aged, their relationship completely broke down, leading to her divorce.
Wu Huifei could truly captivate Li Longji’s soul completely. Unfortunately, she died at forty. Li Longji had planned to love his concubine eternally, but Wu Huifei didn’t give him the chance.
As for Mei Fei, she couldn’t achieve eternal love with Li Longji, only helplessly experiencing what she once had.
Who told her to be inferior to Yang Yuhuan in everything? Defeated, she could only blame herself for being useless, a fish that would never turn over.
Li Longji was rich in emotion and obsessed with women. His obsession had a particular characteristic: he didn’t practice free love, but loved one relationship at a time. In each relationship, Li Longji was completely sincere, giving not just his body, but his heart, instantly elevating from love at first sight to deep passion.
Yang Yuhuan was a lucky woman. There’s a saying: A man’s life is about conquering the whole world, while a woman only needs to conquer one man. Li Longji was a man conquered by Yang Yuhuan. With her beauty and passion, she easily captured Li Longji’s heart.
Though Yang Yuhuan was full-figured, it didn’t prevent her from being musically talented, able to sing and dance. They were perfectly matched.
Li Longji was a musical genius. He was not only familiar with musical rhythms but also researched music. He would often run to conduct musicians’ rehearsals. If any musician slightly slacked or made a minor mistake during performances, they couldn’t escape Li Longji’s extraordinary hearing or keen eyes.
Li Longji’s musical obsession even extended to court meetings.
During audiences with ministers, his fingers would constantly move up and down on his abdomen, with a strange expression. While ministers reported state affairs, he would merely close his eyes slightly, responding with “Mm-hmm-hmm.” No one knew if he was listening. He was immersed in his own world, intoxicated and entranced.
Yang Yuehuan, before becoming someone’s wife, had been living in her uncle’s home since her father passed away early. Her uncle treated her very well, as if she were his own daughter. In the Yang household, there was a servant girl who had been a dancer in her youth and was very skilled at dancing. Yang Yuehuan caught her doing this and persistently asked to be her student.
After just one month of learning, Yang Yuehuan’s dance skills surpassed those of the servant girl. The servant girl was astonished, feeling inferior. Indeed, there are always greater talents, and the servant girl realized she was nothing compared to Yang Yuehuan.
Some people are simply born with extraordinary talent. This talent is innate, something others can only envy.
Yang Yuehuan’s understanding and expressiveness of music deeply impressed Li Longji.
When Li Longji saw his masterpiece “Feathered Garment and Rainbow Skirt,” Yang Yuehuan, out of boredom, spontaneously created a dance to accompany it. What started as a casual performance turned out to be a perfect match, with her ethereal, graceful dance seamlessly blending with the music.
Later, the great poet Bai Juyi was fortunate to witness this and was amazed, even composing a poem: “Floating and turning, light as snow, gracefully moving like a startled dragon. Hands drooping like willows, trailing clouds about to form.”
To celebrate Yang Yuehuan’s “rebirth,” Li Longji issued a decree in the Phoenix Garden of the Great Ming Palace, conferring the title of Imperial Consort on her.
Yang Yuehuan merely swept past with an indifferent gaze, an indifferent expression, and an indifferent smile, brushing aside the man she once deeply loved and his wife in the crowd.
Now, she was just Emperor Li Longji’s concubine, the woman Li Longji loved.
Li Longji deeply loved Yang Yuehuan, shamelessly lavishing “thousands of affections” upon her to an unprecedented extent. He loved her so much that he indulged day and night in pleasure; loved her to the point of neglecting morning court, refusing to see ministers, leaving state affairs to decay, transforming from a wise ruler to a foolish one, supporting treacherous officials and causing the prosperous Tang Dynasty to decline.
Finally, Li Longji descended to becoming a ruler who “loves beauty but not the kingdom.”
Yang Yuehuan’s family also rose to prominence through her connections. Her aging father Yang Xuanyan was posthumously granted the title of Governor of Ji Yang and ennobled as Duke of Qi; her mother Lady Li was granted the title of Lady of Longxi; her uncle Yang Xuangui was appointed as Chief of Imperial Sacrifices and Grand Gentleman; her elder brother Yang Ge became Assistant Supervisor of the Imperial Household; her cousin Yang Ke became Imperial Son-in-law; her three sisters were each granted lady titles and were given residences in Chang’an, allowing them to enter and exit the palace as female officials.
Yang Yuehuan proved to the world that daughters can also bring honor to their family.
Li Longji hesitated: “She hasn’t committed any serious offense, just writing poetry out of boredom to express her inner frustration. If I were to have her executed, what would people say?”
Yang Yuhuan was unwilling to let Mei Fei off so easily. Since she was spared from death, she must still be punished. This is what they say about a good woman not letting go of a grudge. Yang Yuhuan thought for a moment and said viciously: “Have Mei Jing move to the East Palace of Shangyang. Isn’t Mei Jing fond of peace and quiet? The remote East Palace of Shangyang is perfect for her. And from now on, the Emperor is not allowed to see her again.”
No seeing, then no seeing.
Mei Fei is just an outdated piece of clothing.
While Yang Yuhuan is the intimate “little cotton jacket”.
Li Longji hurriedly nodded repeatedly: “Good, as my beloved concubine wishes.”
Yang Yuhuan’s face, so beautiful that even flowers would blush and lower their heads in shame, finally showed a slight smile. She said: “That’s more like it!”
Li Longji never expected that being near Yang Yuhuan would turn him into a mischievous old child.
Yang Yuhuan was a hedonist with no interest in politics. Even if a knife were held to her neck, she would never become a second Wu Zetian. Really, what’s good about being a politician? No, Yang Yuhuan didn’t like that. With nothing to do, she preferred dancing, singing, playing instruments, and enjoying life, living each day drunk on wine.
One day, with nothing to do, Yang Yuhuan mysteriously asked Li Longji: “Your Majesty, I’ve thought of a very fun game. Do you want to play?”
Hearing about a fun game, Li Longji’s eyes lit up: “What game?”
Yang Yuhuan gave him a wild glance, half-smiling: “Your Majesty, first say if you want to play. If you say yes, I’ll tell you the game.”
Li Longji quickly said: “Play! Of course, play!”
Yang Yuhuan giggled: “Your Majesty, you must keep your word.”
Li Longji nodded vigorously: “A ruler’s words are not to be taken lightly.”
Yang Yuhuan added: “Your Majesty, you must not get angry.”
Li Longji nodded again: “I won’t get angry.”
As long as Yang Yuhuan was happy, what did it matter if he became a pig or a dog?
During the Spring and Autumn period, the King of You set beacon fires to tease the princes just to make his beloved Bao Si smile, even risking his entire country.
