In the impression of many people, it seems that princesses from all dynasties have lived relatively ordinary and even somewhat sad lives. From birth, despite their luxurious clothing and food, they are often used as political chips to win over their courtiers when necessary. The princesses of the Tang Dynasty seemed to be more “crazy” than those of other periods. Many of them had great ambitions for power and had more stories passed down. For example, Princess Gaoyang, even though she already has a son-in-law, why would she still be with a monk?
Princess Gaoyang, the 17th daughter of Li Shimin, is intelligent and well liked. Married to the second son of Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, Fang Yi’ai, and the couple is not harmonious. Later, he had a private meeting with a monk from Huichang Temple and Xuanzang Gaozu to debate. Years later, the incident occurred and the debate was executed by beheading, and all the maidservants around Princess Gaoyang were put to death. Later, when Li Zhi ascended to the throne, Princess Gaoyang began to have fun with monks. Three monks and Taoists urged Princess Gaoyang to overthrow Li Zhi and rebel, and were executed at the young age of 27.
There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world. Princess is the best job in the world, without having to compete for power like princes, either you eat me or I eat you; There is no need to resort to all means like the concubines to snatch the only man in the harem, and most people have to remain widowed for life; The princess only needs to eat and drink in the palace, and shout out loud and clear. However, as they enjoyed the honor and wealth brought by the royal family, they had to share the risks and crises of the royal family, and if necessary, use it as a political bargaining chip to exchange peace on the border and win over the loyalty of favored courtiers. Raising a princess for a thousand days, using a princess for a while, yes.
Princess Gaoyang had to accept such a fate. She was the seventeenth daughter of her father, Emperor Taizong of Tang. She was naturally lively and displayed her passionate personality without reservation, and was the most favored among all the daughters of Emperor Taizong of Tang. Gaoyang is as proud as flowers. However, Princess Gaoyang was still betrothed to the second son of Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, Fang Yi’ai. Marriage is not about people, but about family background. Fang Xuanling was a great contributor to the Lingyan Pavilion, and Emperor Taizong of Tang married Princess Gaoyang to his son out of admiration for him.
Unfortunately, Fang Yiai is very different from his father, who is known for his knowledge and talent. He is uneducated and lacks skills, only possessing brute force. In addition to anger, Princess Gaoyang has not accepted her husband since their wedding day. However, passionate people always encounter troubles. She encountered the debate monk while hunting in the territory. This is their first love. At that time, the princess was 16 years old and the debater was 21 years old. Young people make mistakes, can even God forgive them?
It’s ridiculous that the last love of the groom’s house is like a loyal good dog, guarding the door for them outside. In return, the princess specially gave two young and beautiful maidservants to Fang Yi’ai.
In history, there were many empresses, queens, and monks who engaged in sexual activities, such as Empress Wu Zetian and Empress Dowager Hu. As the officials know, those monks are just sex slaves of the queens, with despicable character and a corrupt reputation. The argument is not valid. Debaoji was the high footed monk Xuanzang, the most renowned scholar monk in Chang’an City, who translated the “Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang Dynasty”.
Among the nine translators of Da De’s works, he is the youngest at the age of 26 and has translated the most scriptures. As a great virtue, his name has been immortalized alongside Xuanzang. Of course, talent does not necessarily prove a person’s character, but it can certainly increase a person’s value and weight. This is enough to show that young Gao Yang is not greedy for lust, but genuinely admires.
Eight or nine years have passed like this. I was chosen to translate the sutra for the opportunity to escape from my own emotions, and I haven’t seen Gao Yang again for a long, long time. However, he was hiding the jade pillow gifted by Gao Yang, which was stolen by a thief, and his affair with Gao Yang was exposed to the world. Emperor Taizong of Tang was furious and immediately issued an edict to execute the debater by beheading. The noble debate, amidst the gloating onlookers of the common children, welcomed the most polluted and tragic way of ending life.
Death is here, love is there. Gao Yang, who has been grieving to the point of madness, lives out of inertia. After the debate, Princess Gaoyang’s teenage lyrical era came to an end. Not recognizing love, giving up the soul, forgetting pursuit, indulging in carnal desires, believing in power, and believing that it’s better to live than die.
Half a year later, her most beloved father passed away, and she didn’t shed a single tear, not feeling sad at all. My younger brother Li Zhi became the emperor, and Gao Yang became even more free. She began openly accepting other monks as her face, causing chaos in the Spring Palace, and even condoning and trusting them, planning a palace coup. The Fang brothers betrayed Princess Gaoyang, and she ultimately perished.
The debate is my pride, but the love of the house is my shame, “said Princess Gaoyang. At that time, the debate was dead, and she was no longer proud.
