Chapter 12: Reorganization

As Gao Huan’s cousin, Gao Guiyan knew a bit more.

Empress Dowager Lou originally disliked the current emperor. When Emperor Wenxiang was alive and expected to abdicate to Wei Chan, she remained silent. But when the present ruler succeeded, she sought to obstruct him. Compared to the current emperor, she preferred Princes Changshan and Changguang, both of whom resembled Gao Huan in bearing and had a heroic presence.

In truth, before Gao Yang succeeded, his life within the Gao family had been one of constant rejection.

When Gao Huan was young and had not yet risen to power, although Lou Zhaojun was wealthy, her resources had been used by Gao Huan to forge alliances with heroes. Gao Yang, on the other hand, started with nothing but an empty household.

Moreover, Gao Yang was plain-looking and taciturn, which caused him to be bullied. It was one thing for outsiders to mistreat him, but even his elder brother and younger siblings mocked and teased him. This forced resilience in childhood thickened the walls around his heart, making his later strategy of lying low and biding his time all the more shrewd, and his eventual rise all the more justified.

His elder brother Gao Cheng once pointed at Gao Yang and said to others, “For someone who looks like this to gain wealth and rank, even physiognomy cannot explain it.” Unexpectedly, Gao Cheng’s own death marked the beginning of Gao Yang’s prominence. Aside from lying with his sister-in-law, Gao Yang had no direct way to retaliate against Gao Cheng.

But the younger brothers were different. Gao Jun once loudly scolded the servants for not wiping the snot from Second Brother’s nose—a gesture that might have been concern but which Gao Yang interpreted as humiliation. So last year, he found an excuse to imprison both Gao Jun and Gao Huan in the dungeon and was planning to kill them soon.

Considering the predicament faced by Crown Prince Gao Yin, Gao Yang’s attitude was intriguing. He dared not kill his two full brothers, instead targeting two renowned half-brothers—an action Gao Guiyan did not believe lacked interference from the Empress Dowager.

If Gao Yang were ruthless enough to clear many obstacles for the Crown Prince, Gao Guiyan could admire his boldness and accompany the prince through the ordeal. But if Gao Yang lacked such courage and left the prince to face Princes Changshan, Changguang, and the Empress Dowager alone...

Then Gao Guiyan might just have to sound the retreat.

The others repeatedly waved their hands, denying such thoughts. Whether they truly believed this or simply refused to entertain the worst outcomes was unclear.

Gao Guiyan himself found such pessimism excessive and did not bring it up again, instead continuing to drink.

Among the women, the princesses and consorts chatted casually while holding their children.

Gao Yin couldn’t resist and hugged Gao Wei. Lu Lingxuan smiled and said, “Crown Prince, with your embrace, the young lord will surely be blessed in the future!”

Gao Yin forced himself to suppress the urge to strangle him. Gao Wei was the last ruler of the original timeline and the prime culprit in the fall of Northern Qi!

If his own reversal failed and Northern Qi was doomed to repeat its old path, then killing Gao Wei now would not have been in vain.

But these were mere thoughts. His position was delicate, and unlike Emperor Jing of Han, he lacked abundant resources. If he truly killed Gao Wei, Gao Zhan would cause an uproar. This might not just be a coup but an outright rebellion by the imperial uncle—something Gao Zhan was quite capable of.

Lost in such musings, his grip tightened, causing the sleeping Gao Wei to awaken suddenly and burst into tears, drawing everyone’s attention.

Flustered, Gao Yin hesitated. Lu Lingxuan, a lowly female attendant, dared not snatch Gao Wei from his arms. At that moment, a stunning female attendant gracefully approached from beside Li Zuo’e, calmly took Gao Wei from Gao Yin’s arms, gently soothed him, and then handed him back to Lu Lingxuan.

“Thank you, Madam. The Crown Prince is truly blessed to have awakened the young lord—this is indeed a blessing!” Lu Lingxuan fussed over the child while flattering the Crown Prince, a skill Gao Yin admired immensely.

“Hehe, perhaps the Crown Prince and Prince Changguang are not yet familiar; they don’t recognize the scent. With more closeness, the crying will cease,” the beautiful attendant smoothed things over, not wanting to neglect the Crown Prince. She added, “The Crown Prince’s bearing is extraordinary—the future sovereign. If the young prince can absorb even a fraction of his aura, it will benefit him greatly.”

Li Zuo’e snorted lightly, unable to hide a smile at the corner of her mouth. “You, you—your words are truly silver-tongued!”

The attendant covered her mouth with a soft laugh and briskly returned beside Li Zuo’e, chatting and laughing with her before casting a glance toward the Crown Prince. Her beautiful eyes naturally radiated springtime charm, accentuating her lustrous black hair and delicate features, making her seem like a fairy stepped out of a painting.

Gao Yin couldn’t help but marvel. No wonder Gao Cheng had insisted on marrying this woman, even going so far as to force her husband Gao Zhongmi’s rebellion, which sparked the Mangshan War.

Li Changyi and Li Zuo’e both hailed from the Zhao County Li clan. By seniority, Li Changyi was Li Zuo’e’s aunt, which explained their close relationship. When Yang Yin and others conspired against Gao Yan and Gao Zhan, they informed Li Zuo’e through letters. She showed the letters to Li Changyi, who secretly sided with Lou Zhaojun, raising the defenses of Gao Yan’s faction. Though unassuming, Li Changyi became the stumbling block that ultimately brought down Gao Yin’s faction.

It was not yet time to punish her; she still had use. Gao Yin nodded slightly in thanks.

The banquet continued until dusk. Confirming that the emperor would not come, Li Zuo’e prepared to return to the palace to rest, bringing the family gathering to a close.

Outside the hall, the Empress Dowager Lou’s female attendants still waited. Seeing the Crown Prince emerge, one hurried forward.

“Your Highness.”

“Hm. What gifts did the Empress Dowager send?”

“Ten pairs of white jade, twenty jars of rose-scented ointment, one hundred bolts of brocade, three hundred bolts of silk cloth, fifty thousand coins...” The attendant knelt halfway, holding out the list of gifts. “Also a white-haired celadon Buddha statue and a standing Bodhisattva image. They are all on this list for your review, Your Highness.”

Gao Yin paid little attention to these. He had never cared for such treasures. However, the attendant was articulate and clever, so he was cautious. “What is your name?”

The attendant bowed her head submissively, soft and gentle. “My name is Pu Heyie.”

“You are Xianbei?”

“Yes. My original Han name was Zhou Ye, but the Empress Dowager disliked it and gave me this Xianbei name.”

“How long have you served the Empress Dowager?”

“Three years now.”

Gao Yin nodded. Three years was not long, so she was not one of Lou Zhaojun’s old acquaintances.

By custom, those handling such matters personally, especially when it involved gifts, would be generously rewarded if the sums were considerable. Lou Zhaojun had some elderly retainers, so sending Pu Heyie to receive the reward indicated she enjoyed considerable favor.

Following the attendant to the treasury, his personal attendant Huang Xi directed the servants unloading the goods while Yao Shuang supervised. Gao Yin sat nearby, bored.

These tasks did not require his personal involvement, but to show respect to the Empress Dowager, he had come in person.

In his childhood, Gao Yin had been lenient, partly out of sympathy for Emperor Gao Yang’s cruelty and many killings. He had overlooked minor thefts within the Eastern Palace, allowing the servants to develop bad habits.

This situation now required rectification. Servants stealing pearls reflected ministers stealing the realm. To govern the world, he had to first manage those closest to him, at least controlling the distribution of rewards himself, rather than letting them think stealing was their own skill.

“What is that person doing?” Gao Yin pointed to a servant. All eyes turned to see the man sneaking a piece of white jade into his bosom.

This was utterly unacceptable. He had checked three of the four directions but had neglected his own side—clearly, the servants liked picking on their former master.

Yao Shuang was startled but quickly reacted. “Seize him!”

The man was restrained and brought before Gao Yin. Gao Yin noticed others secretly returning stolen items to the boxes.

The man, surprised at being caught, sniffled and broke down in tears. “Your Highness, I was wrong. I was momentarily possessed by a devil...”

Gao Yin gave a subtle signal. Yao Shuang understood and delivered two slaps swiftly. “This is your reward! You’re not disciplined enough, yet you still steal. And it’s the Empress Dowager’s gift! How bold you are!”