Chapter 90: Four Months

A Hangover.

Of the three men in the family, only Liu Ertiao had to go back to the private school the next day and so could not drink much. Liu Yitiao and Old Honest Liu, however, drank themselves thoroughly senseless.

There was a saying to the effect that among Chinese people, most relationships were forged at the wine table. Liu Yitiao found it profoundly true. After one round of drinking, Old Liu clutched Liu Yitiao’s head and praised him over and over: “Yitiao, good son! Yitiao, good son!” Liu Ertiao covered his mouth and snickered at the sight. Liu Yitiao shot him a vicious glare, then helped him carry Old Liu back into the room and leave him to Madam Liu He’s care.

After that, the two brothers returned to the table. Liu Yitiao drank; Liu Ertiao ate.

In ancient times, liquor came in cloudy and clear varieties, and also differed in strength and intensity. Even the strongest spirits rose no higher than thirty proof or so, and all were brewed from rice and grain. They tasted mellow and sweet, with the fragrance of rice, and counted as a rather fine drink.

Clear wine, however, was expensive, affordable only to wealthy households and the sons of officials.

So naturally, what the Lius were drinking was the very cheapest cloudy wine. Its strength was generally only a little over ten proof, and it often still held dregs. Drinking it felt much like drinking the fizzy beverages of former days—fragrant, sweet, easy on the tongue. One cup followed another, and there was scarcely any need for dishes to accompany it. Half a jin, a full jin and more could go down the throat, yet still fail to topple a man.

Liu Ertiao stared in astonishment from the side. He had seen men who could drink, but never anyone who drank the way Liu Yitiao did. Of the two jin of loose wine they had bought, nearly one and a half had been poured straight into Liu Yitiao’s belly cup after cup. Yet even now, he still seemed perfectly fine, still lifting his chopsticks to pick at the food as though nothing were amiss.

“Big Brother, so your capacity for drink is this good. I truly never noticed before,” Liu Ertiao said admiringly as he picked up a bite of food and chewed. “Compared to Father, yours already counts as oceanic.”

“What does a little brat like you know? This? You call this wine?” Liu Yitiao’s eyelids and chin were already twitching as he spoke; at last the force of that jin and more had begun to rise. Shaking his head, he said to Liu Ertiao with lofty disdain, “Wait... wait till someday your brother here brews you a real jar of fine liquor. Then I’ll let you see what true strong drink is, what it means to have three bowls and still stride over the ridge!”

Huff... huff... huff...

At last even Liu Yitiao could not withstand the delayed strength of the cloudy wine, and collapsed onto the table, fast asleep.

Watching him, Liu Ertiao shook his head. Why was it that everyone who got drunk loved to spout nonsense? Old Honest Liu was like that, and so was Liu Yitiao. Really. Fortunately, unlike Old Honest Liu, Liu Yitiao merely boasted and talked big when drunk; he had no habit of grabbing people by the head. Thinking this, Liu Ertiao took another mouthful of food before rising to drag Liu Yitiao back into the room.

Silence.

The Hall of Established Governance lay utterly still.

After Empress Zhangsun asked that question, the two of them sat facing one another without a word. Zhangsun Wuji kept his head lowered, his thoughts unsettled, not knowing how best to answer. He knew well that this younger sister of his had been quick-witted and intelligent since childhood, and after more than twenty years of cautious life in the deep palace, ordinary lies could never deceive her.

“I know,” the Empress said at last, breaking the silence. “Director Wang may not dare tell me these things, nor dare tell the Crown Prince or the princes, perhaps not even His Majesty. But he would certainly tell you, Duke of Qi. He needs someone who can preserve him in the future, and aside from Elder Brother, there is no second choice.”

“So, Elder Brother, please tell me—how much time do I have left?” Empress Zhangsun straightened herself, her cheeks flushed, her breathing light and uneven, and looked at Zhangsun Wuji with eager intensity. She needed to know. To her, this was of utmost importance.

“Sister!” For the first time that day, Zhangsun Wuji addressed her not as Empress, but as sister. His eyes reddened as he cried out, “You... why must you torment yourself like this?! You—”

“Elder Brother, do not be angry.” The Empress’s own eyes had reddened too. “I know my life will not be long, but I truly wish to know roughly when my final limit will come. I beg Elder Brother to tell me truthfully.”

“And what would knowing change?!” Zhangsun Wuji rose and paced two steps back and forth before speaking in a low, heavy voice. “Some things are fated. No matter how hard you strive, I fear you still cannot alter them in the slightest. Why put yourself through this?!”

At his words, a faint smile appeared on the Empress’s pale face. “Elder Brother, you know that I have never believed in destiny. If Heaven had feelings, Heaven itself would grow old. In the end, many things still depend on oneself. If you never try, how can you know for certain that success is impossible? I do not ask Elder Brother to help me. I ask only that you tell your younger sister how much time I have left.”

“Four months.” Turning his back to her, Zhangsun Wuji spoke in pained tones. “At most, you have four months left.”

“Four months?!” Empress Zhangsun collapsed weakly back against the couch and said mournfully, “So there are only four months left. I had always thought I had at least a year. It seems I was too greedy.”

“Elder Brother,” she said again, sitting upright once more and looking at him, “I wish to ask one thing of you, and you must promise me. Otherwise, even in death, my heart will know no peace.”

Zhangsun Wuji wiped at the corner of his eye, turned around, and said to her, “Whatever it is, say it. If it is within my power, I certainly will not stand aside. Even if I must risk my life, I will see it done for you. I will not disappoint you.”

Empress Zhangsun nodded in comfort. At the crucial moment, one still had to rely on one’s own kin. In a soft voice she said to Zhangsun Wuji, “After I die, Qian’er will surely be pushed aside by others. He may even face the danger of being deposed. I do not ask Elder Brother to openly aid him; after all, you must still consider the entire Zhangsun clan, and I do not wish to drag you down. What your younger sister asks is only this: when you can, please look after Qian’er a little more for my sake. If he should lose power, then at the very least preserve his life. That child has suffered bitterly since he was young and has borne no small share of hardship with me. In all my life, the one I have wronged most, and the one I cannot set my heart at ease over, is him. So I beg Elder Brother to grant this.”

“Sister, set your mind at rest,” Zhangsun Wuji said, standing solemnly as he gave her his word. “Qian’er may be the Crown Prince, but more than that, he is my nephew. No matter what becomes of him in the future, I will do all I can to preserve him. I will never let his life be endangered.”

“In that case, your younger sister thanks Elder Brother in advance.” Empress Zhangsun let out a long breath and reclined sideways on the couch, murmuring to herself, “Four months... four months... I have only four months left...”

As she murmured, she gradually fell into a deep sleep.

Seeing this, Zhangsun Wuji shook his head and sighed softly, then withdrew with light steps.

After he had gone far away, Empress Zhangsun opened her eyes once more, sat up from the couch, and said to herself, “Only four months remain. I fear it may already be too late. Alas.”

“Xiao Dezi!” the Empress called toward the outside.

A delicate-featured palace attendant entered with a bow, saluted the Empress, and said respectfully, “What command does Your Majesty have for this servant?”

“Xiao Dezi,” Empress Zhangsun said, lightly waving her right hand, “go to the Department of State Affairs and invite Lord Fang, the Left Vice Director, to come here for a talk. Mm, and bring the Crown Prince here as well.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Xiao Dezi bowed again, then retreated bent at the waist and hurried straight for the Department of State Affairs.