Contents
Chapter Twenty-Four: The Tigress
Overview
After escaping forced tributing, Wu Zetian recognizes they must sway frontline strategists before the Sages sanction their deaths. She attempts to win over Princess-General Dugu Qieluo but is met with hostility and violence when Qieluo accuses Zetian of intruding into Yang Jiang’s mind. The failed outreach hardens divisions and heightens urgency.
Summary
In the wake of their battlefield defiance, An Lushan is furious but constrained by Chief Strategist Zhuge Liang’s support. Wu Zetian realizes that Central Command answers to the Sages and that senior frontier strategists can still justify tributing her and Li Shimin. She resolves to change influential minds quickly.
Spotting an opportunity as Dugu Qieluo and Yang Jiang must relocate to the Tiger Cage bunkers when qi-exhausted, Zetian arranges a meeting in the communal showers by tipping the attendant with a jade necklace from Yizhi. She approaches Qieluo, who sits apart with the White Tiger’s spinal brace still attached, signaling her status and readiness.
Zetian introduces herself respectfully, but Qieluo insists on her full title and responds with cold suspicion. When Qieluo notices Zetian’s bruised face, she shows no concern and accuses Zetian of trying to curry favor. The confrontation sharpens as Qieluo orders Zetian to stay away from her partner, Yang Jiang, claiming she saw Zetian in his head during the battle link.
Angered by the accusation and Qieluo’s fixation on Yang Jiang, Zetian pushes back. Qieluo explodes, slamming Zetian’s head against the wall and hurling a slur before leaving. The attempt to forge an alliance with the White Tiger’s pilot collapses, leaving Zetian injured and the political and personal rifts deeper as the threat of tributing persists.
Who Appears
- Wu ZetianProtagonist; seeks to sway strategists, arranges a meeting with Dugu Qieluo, and is assaulted during the confrontation.
- Dugu QieluoPrincess-General of the White Tiger; confronts Zetian with jealousy over Yang Jiang and attacks her in the showers.
- Yang JiangQieluo’s partner; offstage focus of conflict as Qieluo claims Zetian appeared in his battle link.
- An LushanFrontier commander angered by Zetian and Li Shimin’s defiance; restrained by Zhuge Liang’s support.
- Zhuge LiangChief Strategist whose backing limits An Lushan’s retaliation, buying time for Zetian.
- Gao YizhiProvides the jade necklace used to bribe the shower attendant for access to Qieluo.
- Shower attendantAuntie who alerts Zetian to Qieluo’s arrival after accepting a jade necklace.