The golden age of the Kaiyuan era has come to an end!

"This Black Gold Interlocking Chain Mail weighs twelve jin, six liang, and four fen. It is crafted from over eighteen hundred black gold rings, each linked to the next with absolute sturdiness. In close-quarters combat, it can withstand the forceful strikes of ordinary swords and blades, and from eighty paces away, it can repel shots from a four-stone heavy bow. I bestow this upon you, Yulang, so that it may protect you on the battlefield!"

"Many thanks, Sister!"

There is no martial artist who does not love fine armor, and Li Zhao is no exception.

He unfolded the black gold mail, drew his own fine steel saber, and struck it with full force three times. Upon close inspection, he found not a single scratch; it was truly a treasure of armor. With such protection, he would be far safer while charging into the fray.

"Silk-threaded soft armor like this is worth more than ten thousand gold; I am truly ashamed to accept such a generous gift, Sister."

"Think nothing of it. These two sets of soft armor were left behind by my father. To a woman such as I, they are of no use. It is better to bestow them upon you, Yulang, so you may achieve glory on the battlefield—that is to put them to their proper use."

"Rest assured, Sister, I shall make good use of them and never let these treasures gather dust!"

It is known to all that the Lady Plum's mother was the famed Mei Wuniang, one of the four great Gods of Wealth. While the daughter took her mother's surname, the identity of her father remained a mystery. What kind of man could have conquered the illustrious Lady of Wealth? And having conquered her, why would he refuse to take responsibility or show his face? Had Mei Wuniang’s break from the Jiang family been related to this man?

A burning flame of gossip ignited in Li Zhao’s heart. However, this was the personal business of Lady Plum; if she would not speak of it, he could not force the issue. Yet, one thing was certain: her father was no ordinary man.

"Thank you again for the precious armor, Sister. However, I have come today with three requests, and I hope you might grant them."

"Oh? What are they? Speak freely, Yulang."

"The first is that once I depart for the front, I ask that you help look after Aunt Qing and Yun'er, so they may not be bullied by scoundrels."

In the half-year since Li Zhao arrived in Chang'an, he had devised many clever schemes and achieved great merit, winning many friends but also offending many enemies. Figures like the Jingzhao Governor Ji Wen, the hedonistic playboy of the Prince Ning estate, and the Peerless Master Dugu Junchen—all hated him to the bone and dreamed of vengeance. Li Zhao did not fear them, but he worried that if he left, they might target Aunt Qing or Wu Moyun. This was a danger that had to be guarded against.

"That is easily done. I shall send people immediately to bring Aunt Qing and Yun'er to the Plum Blossom Estate. They shall live here from now on. Even if the court officials were given the courage of bears and leopards, they would never dare to stir up trouble here."

"Then I thank you, Sister!"

"A mere trifle, no need for thanks. What is your second request?"

"I fear there will be many expenses on the Northwest front, so I hope you might lend me a hand with funds."

"Haha, that is even easier. Take this; you may draw upon as much wealth as you require."

As she spoke, Lady Plum produced a white jade token, four inches long, three wide, and half an inch thick. The back was carved with an exquisite plum blossom pattern, while the front bore eight characters: *Prosperous in wealth, gathering jade and gold.*

This was the token of the Master of the Mei family. With it in hand, one could command the Mei family’s shops and caravans across the entire nation—to demand coin, goods, or men. Li Zhao already held the token of the Wang family head, and now, with the Mei token in his possession, he controlled the wealth of two of the great Gods of Wealth, making him the richest man in the world. Of course, Li Zhao was not greedy; he intended to use this vast wealth to accomplish great things. If all went well, the wealth of both families would not diminish, but grow significantly. After all, war is the most expensive undertaking in the world, yet also the most lucrative.

Lady Plum had granted two of his three requests. What, then, was the final one?

Li Zhao hesitated, reluctant to speak, as if this third request were particularly difficult.

"If you have something to say, Yulang, speak plainly. Why be so formal with me?"

"The last request is too difficult; I fear you may not grant it."

"Heh, in life, only death is a true crisis. Say what you will; whatever it is, I shall agree."

"Truly?"

"Truly!"

"You will not go back on your word?"

"I never shall!"

"Very well. The third request is inside this; see for yourself, Sister."

Li Zhao produced a small red lacquered box and placed it before Lady Plum. She opened it, puzzled, and was instantly stunned. Inside lay a pure gold Seven-Treasure Linglong hairpin, inlaid with cat's eye, glass, fine jade, red pearls, amber, giant clam shell, and coral—seven treasures in all. The craftsmanship was exquisite and breathtaking.

A hairpin is typically a common ornament for a woman, used to secure her hair. But in the Great Tang, for a young man to present a hairpin to a young woman held a much deeper meaning: *A single hairpin, a single earring, and one may be companions for life.*

The hairpin had become a token of love. Beneath it lay a sheet of xuan paper inscribed with the poem *Queqiao Xian*:

*Soft clouds drift, stars fly, regret is sent, the silver river is crossed in secret. When the golden wind and jade dew meet, they surpass countless unions in the mundane world.*

*Tenderness flows like water, the tryst is like a dream, how can one bear to look back at the magpie bridge? If the love between two hearts is destined to last, why must they be together morning and night?*

This poem blended lyricism, imagery, and philosophy into one, with a novel artistic conception and a unique approach—it was natural, flowing, subtle, and lingering. More importantly, it was a love poem celebrating the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.

So, Li Zhao’s third request was a confession of love. How would the Lady Plum react?

She sat in a daze, her face flushing like a sunset. Her almond eyes were wide, her cherry lips slightly parted—neither angry nor teasing, filled with seven parts joy and three parts reproach, until she finally lowered her head in silence. She did not take the hairpin or the poem, but she did not push them away either.

Success! To a woman, silence is consent; not refusing is an acceptance. Li Zhao was no novice in matters of the heart and understood the nuance.

"Take care of yourself, Sister. I must take my leave. When I return in triumph, we shall sit under the flowers and the moon to discuss the story of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl again, haha!"

...

On the road back to Chang'an, Li Zhao was in high spirits, humming a children's song... The feeling of being in love was truly blissful!

However, as he passed through a large, desolate forest, he suddenly felt that something was amiss. A soldier’s intuition told him he was being followed by a group with clear ill intent. Who could it be? Xue Song, whom he had just defeated? No, that man was as fierce as a tiger; he would never resort to devious plots. Was it Ji Wen, Li Linfu, Guo Wanjin... or someone else?

No matter. Let them come; he would meet force with force. His military dagger, throwing stars, and nine-holed purple gold flute had yet to taste blood—today would be the day.

Li Zhao sneered and rode into the forest.

"Where did he go?"

"Into the woods!"

"Follow him. Finish him and bring back his head."

"Understood!"

Soon, a group of masked men in black emerged, wielding swords, bows, and crossbows, tracking him into the trees. Moments later, the forest echoed with cries of alarm, screams, and the sounds of clashing steel, until all fell silent.

An hour later, Li Zhao emerged from the woods, completely unscathed, save for the faint scent of blood. Sixteen assassins had been sent to the underworld, and he had learned the identity of the mastermind: the playboy Wei Renzha. Because of his history of kidnapping women, Wei had been under house arrest for months and had only just been released. His first act was to send thugs to take Li Zhao’s life.

Li Zhao was a man who always repaid his debts, but this time he made an exception; there was no need to dwell on a dead man.

The time was right. On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth month of the twenty-ninth year of Kaiyuan, after settling all affairs, Li Zhao left Chang'an with his companions.

Just two days later, while the playboy Wei Renzha was carousing in a brothel, he suddenly began to foam at the mouth, blood poured from his eyes, and he collapsed. He died before any physician could reach him. His sister, the Princess of Ning, was furious, but despite inviting dozens of experienced physicians and coroners to examine the body, they all concluded the same: there were no internal or external injuries, no poison—he had simply died from excess and debauchery.

As he had brought it upon himself, no one could be blamed. The Princess of Ning wept and ceased her investigation. When the news of the playboy’s death spread, the people of Chang'an beat drums and celebrated, ten times more joyous than any festival.

On the twenty-seventh, Li Longji held a banquet in the Xingqing Palace, drinking and dancing with his kin and officials. Halfway through the wine, he issued an imperial decree: beginning on the first day of the first month of the coming year, the "Kaiyuan" era would end, and the "Tianbao" era would begin.

Thus, the prosperous Kaiyuan era drew to a close, and a new chapter of Tianbao splendor unfolded.