101 Truth and Illusion

The venerable Master Jikong bowed her head respectfully, her fingers ceaselessly turning the prayer beads. Suddenly, the string snapped. Beads scattered across the floor. She hastily bent down to pick them up, but Lady Yuzhen said, “There’s no need to gather them. Let what falls remain fallen. The old must depart for the new to arrive. When it’s time to let go, do not cling.”

Master Jikong’s hand froze in midair. She hesitated for a moment but, disregarding Yuzhen’s words, she collected the scattered beads from the floor. “When prayer beads break, bloodshed follows. Princess, you must be most cautious in all matters and never careless.”

“Summon Gulidu. I want to know when the palace will be completed,” Yuzhen commanded. Master Jikong withdrew from the chamber.

Behind the door, Chen Yage’s palms were slick with cold sweat. She wondered whether Princess Yuzhen had truly renounced the world. If ties to the mortal realm could not be severed, why sacrifice the most precious years of a woman’s life at the altar of Buddha?

“Come out,” Yuzhen called sharply. Chen Yage was filled with anxiety, torn between remaining hidden or stepping forth. Yet she thought that if she went out, Dujuan could safely remain concealed behind the screen. She mustered her courage, but just as she was about to step out, Li Bai and Du Fu appeared, emerging from behind the bed.

Li Bai looked composed, while Du Fu seemed somewhat uneasy. Seeing that both were unharmed, Chen Yage felt a measure of relief. She was about to leave her hiding place behind the screen when Li Bai shot her a warning glance, signaling her to stay put.

“What brings you two here?” Yuzhen sipped her tea, her tone cool.

“We stumbled into Your Highness’s secret passage while evading the men in black. We beg your forgiveness,” Li Bai replied with a bow. Du Fu bowed his head as well.

“When did you discover my identity?”

“The moment the soldiers headed to Xu Wu Nunnery.”

“If that is so, why do you not fear me?”

Rather than anger, Yuzhen’s interest was piqued by Li Bai’s ready response. “Since Your Highness was able to set aside her rank to live in Xu Wu Nunnery, you are not one easily bound by status. Besides, after entering the Buddha’s hall, what Your Highness seeks is a pure land, not the empty trappings of fame.”

“Insolence!” Yuzhen snapped. “I do as I please. Who are you, a mere commoner, to pass judgment on me?”

“Please, Your Highness, do not be angry. Brother Li meant no offense,” Du Fu said humbly, lowering his head even further.

“Your Highness, Gulidu has arrived,” Master Jikong announced, entering at just the right moment to relieve Li Bai and Du Fu’s predicament, though it only heightened the danger for Chen Yage and Dujuan.

Gulidu was one of the chief commanders responsible for constructing the palace, subordinate to An Lushan, the main overseer. Gulidu was in his early thirties, with refined features, more scholar than soldier.

“Your servant greets Your Highness. Are you unharmed? The fire at Xu Wu Nunnery broke out and your servant was late to protect you. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness,” Gulidu said, bowing.

A faint smile played at Yuzhen’s lips as she thought to herself, “He learns of news swiftly. It seems there were quite a few involved in setting the fire.”

“It is nothing. You may rise. I have summoned you today to inquire about the palace. I have heard you are conscripting large numbers of young men from all around to fill the ranks. Is this true?” Her tone was sharp—she was every inch the imperial princess.

Gulidu did not deny it. “His Majesty has decreed the palace must be completed within three months. Two months have already passed, leaving but one. Lacking enough laborers, we had no choice but to resort to such measures.”

To exploit the people and enrich themselves, yet speak with such lofty justifications—there are few good men among officials, Chen Yage fumed behind the door.

Yuzhen continued, “Among these conscripted men, is there one named You Huan?”

“Yes. He attempted to escape a few days ago but was recaptured and is now held in the military camp.”

“Why keep him there?” Yuzhen asked, puzzled. “To my knowledge, he is neither officer nor soldier—merely a man you seized for labor. Since he is unwilling to help build the palace, why not let him go home?”

“I’m afraid that’s not possible. He was sent by Wang Zhiguo. Moreover, Master An will not release him.”

“What do you mean by that? Who is Wang Zhiguo, and why won’t Master An release him?”

Li Bai and Du Fu listened on in silence, while Chen Yage, who under other circumstances would have burst out, remained uncharacteristically steady.

“Wang Zhiguo is Lord Yang’s maternal uncle. He asked Lord Yang to have Master An keep an eye on You Huan, as well as a woman named Dujuan, who managed to escape a few days ago.”

So that’s how it is, Chen Yage thought. No wonder Wang Zhiguo paid no heed to Xu Yushi—he has powerful connections backing him, emboldening his arrogance.

“So, all of this was Lord Yang’s design.” Yuzhen clenched her sleeves. “Tell Master An to release these people. Say it is my command.”

“This... I fear it may be...” Gulidu hesitated, his head hanging low.

“Must I go in person to secure their release?” Yuzhen raised her voice.

When Gulidu still did not answer, Yuzhen flung her sleeve and strode out. Li Bai and Du Fu did not follow her. “Aren’t you going to meet your friend?” she asked.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” they replied in unison.

Never had they expected Yuzhen to help them find You Huan. They began to wonder if they had misheard behind the bed, and that Master Jikong had not been referring to them.

Once Yuzhen and her retinue had departed, Chen Yage emerged from behind the door, but Dujuan was nowhere to be seen. She checked behind the screen—no one. A sense of foreboding grew within her.

She searched the room several times, still finding no sign of Dujuan. Resolving to join Li Bai and Du Fu and continue their search together, Chen Yage left the chamber, only to discover that she was not in Xu Wu Nunnery at all. Instead, she found herself in a mansion far grander and more opulent, with gardens in full bloom and towering trees. The grounds bustled with people, far more than ever seen at Xu Wu Nunnery. Evading notice as best she could, Chen Yage made her way toward the rear gate.

Suddenly, a voice sounded behind her. She quickly concealed herself in a clump of flowers. Peering through the leaves, she saw a soldier hurrying by, carrying a woman over his shoulder. As he drew closer, Chen Yage clearly recognized the woman as Dujuan, who had vanished from the room earlier.

A thousand questions raced through Chen Yage’s mind, but Dujuan’s safety was paramount. If she were recaptured, who knew what fate awaited her?

Chen Yage followed the soldier closely. The man seemed nervous, glancing about frequently. Chen Yage began to suspect that he was not one of the palace construction soldiers—otherwise, why act so furtively when detaining an escapee?

As she observed, she noted that the soldier was not taking the main path but instead wound his way through overgrown trails. A sinister thought crept into her mind—could he intend to harm Dujuan? The possibility made Chen Yage quicken her pace, determined to follow.