Chapter Fifty-Five: Growing Ever More Appealing

Princess Taiping emerged from the imperial palace, her mind burdened with vexation over Li Dan’s indecisive, ambiguous, and baffling response.

In matters of discerning human nature, Princess Taiping prided herself on surpassing both Li Dan and Li Longji. It was precisely because of this acuity that she always held the upper hand amid the chaos, consistently able to outmaneuver Li Longji.

When Li Dan initially yielded the throne to Li Longji, the Taiping faction grew anxious. Yet Princess Taiping keenly perceived that Li Dan’s abdication was not sincere; rather, he recognized the fierce rivalry between uncle and nephew and understood that Li Longji’s power was far weaker than hers. As the son of Wu Zetian, Li Dan had grown up in hardship, painfully witnessing one brother after another eliminated by their mother, nearly extinguishing their entire family line. He cherished familial bonds deeply, unwilling to harm his own sister, yet loath to see his son suffer humiliation. Between son and sister, the son naturally held precedence. Thus, with some reluctance, he handed over the throne, hoping to support Li Longji, who thereby became emperor of the Tang dynasty.

Princess Taiping seized upon Li Dan’s lingering resentment, persuading him, in his capacity as retired emperor, to intervene and reverse the tide of defeat.

Li Dan had long favored Li Longji, leaving Princess Taiping with few options—after all, this was a choice between his own son and his sister, and few would choose the sister. It was only when Prime Minister Liu Youqiu attempted a military plea that Princess Taiping decisively used the opportunity to implicate Li Longji.

Li Dan, who had survived Wu Zetian’s ruthless reign and dismantled the power of the Wu and Wei clans through cautious wisdom, was no ordinary man. He discerned that Liu Youqiu’s intentions were not aligned with his own. Yet if Liu succeeded, Princess Taiping’s dominance would be absolute, and Li Dan would lose his freedom, much like Li Yuan before him. Li Longji’s “military plea” crossed a line for Li Dan, shifting his favor from son to sister.

Taking advantage of the momentum, Princess Taiping urged Li Dan to depose and enthrone anew. According to their plan, as soon as Li Longji left Chang’an on a northern inspection tour, they would carry out the deposition. But when the moment arrived, Li Dan wavered again.

Such petty hesitation vexed Princess Taiping. Yet she could not press too hard for fear of backlash; she had to seek another path.

Returning to her residence, Princess Taiping learned that Lu Cangyong and Pei Min had requested an audience.

She paused, asking, “Did they come together?”

The steward respectfully replied, “Lord Lu arrived first; Young Master Pei came later. Lord Lu waits in the East Guest Hall, Young Master Pei in the West Guest Hall.”

Princess Taiping considered briefly, then said, “Send them to the West Guest Hall.”

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When Princess Taiping arrived at the West Guest Hall, Pei Min was leafing through *The Art of War*. This ancient treasure left by the ancestors was vast and profound. Pei Min had struggled to comprehend it in the twenty-first century, but now, immersed in Tang culture, he gradually understood its meaning, savoring each word and phrase. He only noticed her entrance when she stepped inside, hastily rising to greet her.

Princess Taiping took the seat of honor and gestured for him to sit beside her, her phoenix-like eyes fixed on him. “With your demotion after the Ministry of Personnel’s review, have you decided where to go?”

Pei Min nodded. “Your Highness, I have indeed made up my mind. The Ministry of War suits me best; I intend to serve there.”

She glanced at the *Art of War* in his hands and smiled. “Starting at the Ministry of War—your ambitions are not small.”

Pei Min quickly shook his head. “Princess, you misunderstand. It is determination, not ambition. A soldier who does not aspire to be a general is no good soldier. I am still young; if I do not strive now, how can I justify these precious years? There is a poem, is there not? ‘Why should a man not wield the Wu hook and seize fifty mountain passes?’ Being able to study at the Ministry of War will surely benefit my future.”

“‘Why should a man not wield the Wu hook and seize fifty mountain passes!’” Princess Taiping clapped her hands with delight. “A fine verse, but do you know who wrote it?”

“Li…” Pei Min’s tongue slipped, intending to say Li He, but recalling that Li He, the ‘Poetry Demon’ of Emperor Dezong’s time, was born fifty years later, he shifted quickly, “I composed it myself, inspired when I met Grand Commander Xue some years ago.”

“Is there a sequel?” she inquired.

Pei Min forced himself to continue, “Please ascend the Lingyan Pavilion for a moment; which scholar would not become a marquis?”

“Why should a man not wield the Wu hook and seize fifty mountain passes! Please ascend the Lingyan Pavilion for a moment; which scholar would not become a marquis.”

Princess Taiping’s gaze burned into Pei Min. “Since our Tang dynasty’s founding a century ago, from the first top scholar Sun Fu Jia until now, few have matched your talent. Young, capable, and resolute—truly remarkable. Very well, as you say, I will inform the Ministry of Personnel to arrange your transfer to the Ministry of War. Minister Guo Yuanzhen is close with Xue Ne; through this connection, you will thrive there.”

Pei Min touched his nose, thinking: What in Chang’an could possibly be hidden from you?

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Princess Taiping was quite pleased that Pei Min had come to her residence today. With her influence, she knew well that a figure like Xue Ne had entered the capital. Though Xue Ne was a commoner, he was the eldest son of the famed general Xue Rengui and one of the most distinguished military veterans at court. Who would dare treat him lightly? Aside from aristocrats like Cui Xuandao and Li Sijing, few dared disrespect him.

Xue Ne had only stayed an hour after arriving in the capital before personally visiting Pei Min, even lodging at his residence that night—a clear sign of his patronage. With Xue Ne’s connections, securing Pei Min a position at the Ministry of War was effortless. Yet Pei Min had not forgotten to inform the Princess, showing he did not regard her as a stranger—making her all the more favorably disposed toward him.

Leaving Princess Taiping’s residence, Pei Min hastened toward Ximing Temple.

Originally the mansion of the Sui dynasty’s powerful minister Yang Su, Ximing Temple occupied a quarter of Yankan Ward in Tang Chang’an, boasting over four thousand rooms—a vast monastery indeed.

Pei Min had learned that the treacherous monk Huifan was recently residing there, living a reclusive existence.

His ability to endure stemmed from but one reason: healing. Venereal disease was not incurable, but complete recovery was arduous; relapse was common. Only a master of great skill could eradicate it. Sun Simiao was a polymath in medicine, versed in internal, external, and even pediatric care; his *Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold* contained cures for venereal diseases, and tales of his healing prowess were widespread.

Thus, Huifan’s first thought was Liu Shenwei, though he never imagined this would stir trouble.

Huifan had just applied his medicine, legs propped high on supports, lamenting the curse of his affliction and his months-long abstinence from meat, bitterness welling within.

As he wallowed in self-pity, a servant suddenly announced that Pei Min sought an audience.

At the mention of “Pei Min,” Huifan’s eyes snapped open wide as if flaming, nearly bursting with rage.