The Glory of the Tang Dynasty

In the summer of the fourth year of Jinglong of Emperor Zhongzong of the Great Tang, the weather was stiflingly hot and rainless. Drought had begun to reveal itself in Guanzhong, Henan, and other regions. Urgent memorials from various prefectures and counties flooded the imperial court like snowflakes. In his anxiety, the emperor buried himself in state affairs for days on end, never leaving the Shenlong Hall. Exhausted to the limit and beset by the oppressive midday heat, he continued to labor over his desk, sweat streaming down his aged and haggard face, almost losing himself in the work. The sight of the emperor, so frail and drawn, was almost unbearable. At last, the chief eunuch Gao Miao, who had been standing by in attendance for some time, could no longer watch in silence. With a look of concern, he cautiously approached and reminded him softly, “Your Majesty, it is nearly noon. You should take your meal.”

“Oh.”

Emperor Zhongzong, Li Xian, his hair now white, looked up in a daze at the sound, revealing a face gaunt to the extreme. His eyes were lifeless as he glanced at Gao Miao, responding with a vague grunt. He rubbed his temples, lips moving as if to say something, but at that moment, he caught sight of a palace maid entering, carrying a tray. He paused, watching her inquisitively.

“Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, seeing that you are weary from state affairs, has personally steamed these cakes for you. She asks that you taste them,” the maid announced crisply as she stepped gracefully before the dragon desk, bowed, and raised the tray a