At that moment, "Stele-Cracking Demon Palm" Yin Li's heart surged with emotion. Never had he imagined he would behold the true countenance of the Imperial Consort herself. It was beyond all hope. Shock and awe shook his spirit. He immediately bowed deeply with clasped hands, his bearing utterly respectful, his voice tinged with reverence:
"Your Ladyship, Your beauty is beyond compare, a vision unmatched beneath Heaven! This humble one has gravely offended—please, I beg Your pardon! I implore Your Ladyship to reconsider the plea of the King of Tibet. Should you consent to meet him, he will surely treat you with the utmost honor and devotion."
His tone was earnest, his gaze sincere—he seemed to mean every word.
It was the seventh month; the blazing sun scorched the earth, the air thick and stifling. Beads of sweat glistened on Yang Guifei's cheeks, her brows faintly creased with exhaustion and resignation. Drenched in fragrant perspiration, she gently wiped her brow, her voice weary yet carrying an innate majesty:
"Let this matter be discussed another time. Yu-nu can bear no more of this oppressive heat. Allow us to depart first."
Though soft, her words brooked no refusal. For she was Yang Yuhuan, styled Yu-huan in her girlhood, known also as Yu-nu, titled Lady of the Supreme Truth.
Yin Li calculated swiftly. With his reinforcements yet to arrive, he could gain no advantage here. He ceased pressing the matter. After a pause, he bowed low:
"As you command! I take my leave."
He raised his hand and signaled. Sleeves swirled, and the black-clad host withdrew. Like receding waves, the band vanished in a storm of dust, leaving silence in their wake.
In ancient China, the Four Great Beauties were renowned: Xi Shi, Wang Zhaojun, Diaochan, and Yang Yuhuan—Lady Yang, also called Yang Guifei. Each was matched with a phrase: "sinking fish, falling geese, eclipsing the moon, shaming the flowers."
The Tang poet Bai Juyi likened her face to lotus blossoms and her brows to willow leaves. Li Bai himself, summoned to compose for her, awoke from wine and beheld her radiance. In rapture he composed his "Songs of Clear Peace":
"Clouds think of her robes, flowers think of her face;The spring breeze brushes the balustrade, dew glistens in brilliance."
Some later speculated Li Bai secretly adored her, that perhaps jealousy from the Emperor—or hidden admiration from the Consort—led to his dismissal. Banished from Chang'an, he resumed a wandering life and wrote "Song of Longing" (Chang Xiang Si):
"Longing in Chang'an…The crickets cry by golden rail, frost chills the mat.A lonely lamp flickers, my longing near despair;I roll up the screen, gaze at the moon, sigh in vain.A beauty like a flower, veiled beyond the clouds…Heaven so high, waters so wide—my soul flies in torment,Dreams cannot cross the mountain passes.Longing in Chang'an, shatters the heart."
Through the centuries, readers debated whether Li Bai's words concealed longing for the Consort. The line "Longing in Chang'an" seemed to point directly to her—the most dazzling woman of that city. Perhaps it was simply the lament of an ambitious poet, yearning for beauty, power, and recognition lost. Perhaps it was the heartache of unspoken love. Such ambiguity only deepened the poem's poignancy, stirring tears across ages.
Once Yin Li had withdrawn, "Crimson-Blood Trueheart" Han Zhen and his wife, Yang Mi, approached and bowed.
"Our thanks to you both for intervening!"
Wu Tong and Zhao Rou returned the courtesy. "We did little. The heat is oppressive—let us move on quickly to find rest."
The party mounted up once more. Han Zhen said with admiration:"Wu young master, your renown is great, and now that I see you, I find it true indeed. This is my wife, Yang Mi."
Wu Tong bowed. "The fame of Han Zhen, Crimson-Blood Trueheart, resounds across the realm. To meet you is my honor. This is Miss Zhao Rou."
Zhao Rou smiled in greeting. "Only days ago we chanced upon Luo Jing, the Tenth Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, and his wife Gulnazar. Now we meet you and Lady Yang—such fortune indeed."
Han Zhen was astonished. "You met the former Master? That is rare fortune! Since I assumed leadership of the Hall, we have never met in person."
Wu Tong replied earnestly, "To meet Master Luo is my lifelong blessing."
At this, Yang Mi spoke softly:"Truly, the river's waves drive ever forward—new generations replace the old. My husband, is this not Heaven's will? Should we not lay down arms and retire into the mountains?"
Han Zhen nodded gravely. "I feel the same. But until this mission is complete, I cannot yet withdraw. Wu young master, where are you bound?"
Wu Tong answered, "I go north to Dengzhou, Penglai County. My elder brother Wu Xun serves there as magistrate."
Han Zhen started in surprise. "What fortune! We too travel there. The world may seem like a play, but surely this meeting is fate."They had long sought a worthy heir to the Hall, one of both virtue and talent, so they might finally retire in peace.
Yang Guifei's beauty once enthralled Emperor Xuanzong, yet it also brought disaster upon the Tang. Zhao Rou, moved by sympathy, exclaimed:
"An Lushan raised rebellion, yet blame fell upon the Consort! They say beauty ruined the nation, but was it her fault to be beautiful? It was the Emperor who succumbed to her charms—he bears the greatest blame!"
Yang Mi sighed, echoing her:"Indeed. It was not the Lady's fault, but His Majesty's. He drowned himself in wine and song, lost in her affection."
Then Han Zhen spoke solemnly:"Wu young master, Miss Zhao—there is a matter I must entrust to you. Speak not of what transpired today. One word too many, and the consequences would be grave."
Wu Tong's expression hardened. "Master Han, rest assured. We shall be discreet. Affairs of the Imperial Court are not to be spread among outsiders."
Hearing this, Han Zhen was deeply moved. This youth is steady and resolute—truly worthy of his reputation. Brave and wise, he would make a future Master of the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness.
Aloud he said:"Wu young master, you are a hero of our time. Affairs of the Inner Court must never be told outside. As Master of the Hall, I can only follow the orders entrusted by the throne. Thus may I remain loyal to court and worthy of the charge placed upon me."