A Pawn's Passage

Hearing her name, Qi Xuansu already understood why Huangfu Ji was willing to help.

The Huangfu family was fond of bestowing its last name. Those who bore the last name Huangfu were either members of the family or people with exceptionally close ties to it. For example, Huangfu Zhu considered himself the godson of Huangfu Zhao and now commanded the Southern Palace Guards, making him a figure not to be underestimated.

Masi’s Central Plains name—Huangfu Xi—clearly indicated a deep connection with the Huangfu family, so it made sense that Huangfu Ji would personally step in to help.

Qi Xuansu looked toward Huangfu Ji.

Huangfu Ji said, “Xiao Xi is a princess of the Tawantin Empire.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. Masi was the daughter of Manu Tancha, the Tawantin Emperor.

Masi said softly, “Sage Qi, you may simply call me Huangfu Xi.”

Qi Xuansu did not address her that way. “Princess Masi, let’s not beat around the bush. You have gone to such great lengths, concealing your actions and even asking Daoist Brother Huangfu to assist. I assume the matter is of great importance.”

Huangfu Xi said, “I would not dare conceal the truth from you, Sage. Although this is my first time meeting you, I have long heard of your deeds from others and have admired you for quite some time. Unfortunately, fate denied us a meeting until now. My bold request to see you today is because I seek your help.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “Is it something that Brother Huangfu cannot help you with?”

Huangfu Ji explained on her behalf, “Tian Yuan, you’ve guessed correctly. This is indeed something I cannot help with. As the saying goes, one should fulfill the duties of one’s position. You understand the intentions of the Golden Tower Council. The two of us are each responsible for a separate line of work. Your task is to maintain stability, while mine is to strengthen the foundations. Ideally, our two lines should neither intersect nor interfere with one another. That’s a matter of principle.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. He now had a rough idea that the matter Huangfu Xi wished to discuss was likely related to the cases he was currently investigating. Although Huangfu Ji was the Juesheng Hall Master, he generally did not interfere with affairs on this side, which were entirely under Qi Xuansu’s responsibility. Therefore, Huangfu Xi had no choice but to approach Qi Xuansu directly.

He looked once more at the woman beside him and realized that she was actually quite beautiful. She seemed to have some Central Plains ancestry, and her features carried the graceful charm often associated with women from Jiangnan.

Huangfu Xi straightened her posture and sat very close to Qi Xuansu, close enough that he could hear her breathing.

Qi Xuansu had no choice but to lean back and move closer to Madam Wu instead. After all, Madam Wu was older and not some young maiden. More importantly, Madam Wu was not human.

Huangfu Xi was rather bold. She chuckled and said, “Sage Qi, are you afraid of a weak little woman like me?”

Qi Xuansu did not behave awkwardly like an inexperienced youth, nor did he blush. His expression remained calm, and he offered no reply.

But Huangfu Ji answered on his behalf, “Sage Qi isn’t afraid of women. He’s afraid of Qing Xiao.”

Huangfu Xi asked curiously, “Who is Qing Xiao?”

With a teasing grin, Huangfu Ji replied, “Sage Qi’s Daoist companion.”

Huangfu Xi immediately understood, inwardly labeling Sage Qi as a man who feared his wife.

Qi Xuansu said helplessly, “Qing Xiao’s reputation is intimidating enough. Countless outstanding young talents of the Daoist Order go out of their way to avoid her and dare not get close. Stop adding fuel to the fire.”

In reality, Zhang Yuelu was very reasonable. She neither made unreasonable scenes nor resorted to violence very often. Yet, for some reason, her reputation was always associated with being domineering and overbearing.

For other celebrated female Daoists, there would be at least a handful of admirers and suitors. Yet despite Zhang Yuelu’s immense fame, aside from Li Tianzhen and Wang Danqing, there had hardly been any. From that perspective, her reputation truly was somewhat frightening. It had not been easy for Qi Xuansu to become the exception. If rumors spread that Qi Xuansu was henpecked, then Zhang Yuelu’s reputation would be beyond saving.

Those who walk the righteous path naturally possess an aura of righteousness. The Daoist Order was full of people skilled in deception and impure intentions. Though Zhang Yuelu could not compare to saints, her heart was pure and honest. Thus, there was naturally a dignified authority in her words and actions, all because she stood firmly on the side of reason.

Those who stood at the pinnacle of power achieved everything through inaction. Those who stood at the pinnacle of morality feared nothing.

Therefore, in this world, no one could seize every benefit and occupy the moral high ground simultaneously. Those who tried to claim both ended up with neither and got branded a hypocrite.

Qi Xuansu chose to pursue practical benefits while maintaining his bottom line without putting himself on a moral pedestal. That was why he rose through the ranks so quickly. When he moved against Wang Jiaohe, he did not talk about overall stability or the people of Nanyang. He understood perfectly well that it was simply a life-and-death struggle for power. During debates and official discussions, one could wave lofty banners to strike at opponents. However, there was no need to maintain such pretenses in private.

Zhang Yuelu pursued morality and spoke of ideals. As a result, she gained few tangible benefits and was left battered and weary.

Those who thought Zhang Yuelu was overbearing simply believed that she refused to compromise with the world and lacked awareness of social finesse.

Huangfu Ji raised his wine cup and said, “It’s my fault. I’ll punish myself with three cups of wine.”

Qi Xuansu did not continue discussing personal matters and instead said, “Let’s get back to business. May I ask what Miss Huangfu seeks from me?”

Huangfu Xi replied, “It concerns Unulatu’s alleged attempt to stage a rebellion.”

Qi Xuansu was startled. If he remembered correctly, Unulatu was the Emperor’s first wife, as she had been Crown Princess back when Mandu Tancha was still the Crown Prince. Since Huangfu Xi was a princess, she ought to be Unulatu’s daughter. How could a daughter possibly seek out an outsider to accuse her own mother of treason?

Huangfu Ji immediately explained, “Though the Daoist Order preaches equality, the royal family certainly does not. The emperor has consorts, and Xiao Xi is not Unulatu’s daughter.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “I was judging others by my own standards. I keep thinking in terms of Daoist rules and forget the unique circumstances of the royal family. I was just wondering why Miss Huangfu seemed to have Central Plains ancestry. So that’s the reason.”

Huangfu Ji said, “Xiao Xi’s mother was indeed from the Central Plains and was greatly favored by the emperor. However, she was not a disciple of the Western Daoist Order and had no cultivation. She passed away many years ago. Perhaps because of the emperor’s lingering affection for her, he also dotes on Xiao Xi. Furthermore, because Xiao Xi has Central Plains blood, my father personally named her Huangfu Xi and strongly supports her. As a result, she wields considerable influence at court.”

Qi Xuansu roughly understood the situation. It turned out there was a Princess faction and an Empress faction. Huangfu Zhu of the Southern Palace Guards undoubtedly supported Princess Masi, while Maranga of the Northern Palace Guards supported Empress Unulatu. There was also another commander of the Northern Palace Guards whose stance remained unclear. He might be loyal to the emperor or simply neutral.

From this perspective, the Tawantin Emperor was far inferior to the Great Xuan Emperor. In the Great Xuan Court, no one dared to defy the emperor, nor was there any question of the Imperial Guards supporting any faction because everyone was loyal to the emperor. The Great Xuan Empire had only one sun. Meanwhile, the Tawantin Emperor seemed somewhat incapable of controlling either his wife or daughter, making his status within the royal family rather questionable. While Qi Xuansu could not control Zhang Yuelu or Madam Qi, he could still manage Little Yin.

Qi Xuansu said, “I’ve heard some rumors regarding Unulatu’s alleged rebellion as well. But I’ve always felt they were little more than speculation. Has the situation truly deteriorated to this extent?”

Huangfu Xi explained, “Recently, the Heron Society has been unusually active throughout the city. I sought guidance from a highly respected magus. The only vision he saw was a black sun hanging high beneath a pale sky.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “Who is this magus?”

Huangfu Ji replied, “He’s a Westerner skilled in divination and prophecy. He became entangled in the Holy Court’s internal power struggles and feared being silenced permanently, so he fled to our side and sought protection. The Western Daoist Order has settled him in New Paititi.”

Qi Xuansu voiced his doubts. “Every Shadow Tide leaves behind a black sun. However, I don’t believe this black sun is related to Unulatu. It’s entirely possible that the two sides are actually enemies.”

Huangfu Xi said, “Of course, that’s not all. Sage Qi, you should know that present-day Tawantin is the fusion of three empires: Nojpeten, Nahuatl, and Tawantin. Under the Western Daoist Order’s guidance back then, the Tawantin Emperor married the exiled princess of the fallen Nahuatl Empire, thereby gaining the loyalty of most of Nahuatl’s military forces. He also converted to worship the Nojpeten sun god Kukulkan and accepted the support of Nojpeten’s priesthood.”

Qi Xuansu nodded. “I know.”

Huangfu Xi said, “Unulatu claims that she possesses royal blood from Nojpeten. She has demanded that her family name be incorporated into the royal family’s name, and this proposal has received support from certain ancient gods.”

The last names among Westerners and the indigenous peoples of the Southern Continent tended to be quite long, so adding another family name was not particularly unusual. In the East, however, last names had long since been simplified.

Qi Xuansu fell silent for a moment before saying, “Someone once told me that Unulatu regarded Empress Mingkong as her idol. At the time, I had my doubts. But now, I have no choice but to accept it.”

Anyone well-versed in history would notice that Unulatu’s strategy bore a certain resemblance to the way Empress Mingkong rose to power.

During the Qi Dynasty, a monk wrote a four-volume scripture called the Great Cloud Sutra. In it, Empress Mingkong, who was then still the Empress Dowager, was proclaimed to be the incarnation of Maitreya and destined to become the ruler of Jambudvipa, which was effectively a reference to the sovereign of the mortal world. The Empress Dowager ordered the scripture to be distributed throughout the realm.

Next, the Imperial Censor Fu Youyi gathered nearly a thousand commoners and organized a joint petition urging the Empress Dowager Wu to ascend the throne as emperor and change the dynastic title. The Empress Dowager formally rejected the petition and promoted Fu Youyi afterward.

After that, officials, members of the imperial clan, and the major aristocratic families submitted another petition strongly urging the Empress Dowager Wu to accept Fu Youyi’s proposal. She neither became furious nor granted approval.

Later, the Empress Dowager compelled her own son, the Emperor, to submit a memorial requesting permission to adopt her last name Wu. She graciously approved the request by imperial decree, declaring that whenever emperors changed their last name throughout history, the dynasty’s name also changed. The ministers then petitioned the Empress Dowager to ascend the throne and establish a new dynastic title.

At that point, the Empress Dowager issued an edict changing the dynastic title, personally ascended the throne as emperor, and gave herself the title of Empress Mingkong.

In later years, the Daoist Order criticized Empress Mingkong not because she usurped the Li family’s throne, nor because she was a woman, but because during her reign she openly exalted Buddhism while suppressing Daoism, making her a symbolic figure of the Buddhist faction.

During the Daoist-Buddhist conflicts, her mausoleum suffered extensive destruction. Every structure above ground was razed, and some radical Daoists nearly went so far as to exhume her coffin and desecrate her remains. In contrast, the rulers who had sponsored campaigns against Buddhism were highly revered and celebrated.