The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 244 Filigree Inlay
By the Taiye Lake, Dongyang finished taking care of the deer and then came to see the cotton.

The quality of these cottons is not very good, some are very white, and some are yellowish.

Dongyang was very curious and also lay on a pile of cotton. It felt really good.

Li Chengqian ordered: "Dongyang, remember to cover it with silk cloth. The fine cotton wool is not good for breathing."

She spread the silk cloth on the cotton, and then placed it on the back of the chair, sat down, leaned back a little, and then nodded with satisfaction.

Ning'er selected some cotton of better quality, put it in a cloth bag, and then took out an exquisite hairpin.

There is an exquisite golden flower on this hairpin, with very little gold edging and the whole thing made of copper, but it is exquisite in appearance.

She handed over the hairpin and said, "I heard that the princess had the hairpin ceremony. Please accept it."

Dongyang took the hairpin and said in surprise, "Sister Ning'er, this is too expensive."

"Take it. Ning'er also made one for Li Zhi." Li Chengqian lay down and whispered, "You went to Mount Li for the winter hunt. Ning'er learned the craft from the grandmothers in the palace and worked hard day and night to make it."

After hearing His Highness' explanation, Ning'er lowered her eyebrows and said, "This golden thread was given by His Highness the Crown Prince."

Dongyang was very happy holding the hairpin in her hand. She was not old enough to use it now, but it was clear how much she cared for him. She shook her head and said with a smile, "Thank you, Sister Ning'er."

Ning Er said softly, "I'm afraid Her Royal Highness the Princess won't like it."

Dongyang pulled her arm and said, "Sister Ning'er and I are estranged. There's no need to be so polite."

The two of them were laughing and talking in low voices, mostly about girls' topics.

Ning'er made two hairpins, one for Lizhi and one for Dongyang. These two were the only sisters in the East Palace who performed the coming-of-age ceremony.

The golden flowers on the hairpin are very delicate. They are made patiently every night using the filigree inlay technique she has learned. Without jewels on it, it does not look luxurious. The workmanship is small and delicate, which makes it look simple.

It takes a lot of effort to learn this kind of palace handicraft, and it was Ning'er who had her fingers frozen red on a cold winter night.

There was no intention to please her, but it was about the children's feelings. Ning'er had taken care of them and brought them up over the years. She took care of their daily lives when they were young and knew their physical conditions. Now that the two princesses have had their coming-of-age ceremony and can comb their hair, she is particularly happy.

This close relationship has made them sisters long ago, and this hairpin has even more meaning.

Considering her status, it was in accordance with the rules and etiquette for her to make a hairpin for the princess.

Like Lizhi, Dongyang is relatively simple in his daily life and will not wear gold or silver unless it is an important occasion.

When the sun went down and it was no longer so warm, Li Chengqian collected the cotton here. In fact, it was a little late when it was sent from the Western Regions to Guanzhong.

A large part of them have not been preserved well and have turned yellow, some have even turned black or moldy, and some have even been infested with insects.

It needs to be dried for a while and cleaned before use.

More and more bad cottons were selected, and Li Chengqian wanted to curse again, because all these cottons should have been good.

After drying the cotton, Li Chengqian packed up some of the cotton that was still in good condition and returned to the East Palace.

Li Yuan walked aside and said, "There is still a lot of cotton. Have you arranged for your mother to take it?"

"Well, grandson will not consider growing cotton in Guanzhong. It would be a pity to waste the good land in the Western Regions."

On the day the emperor returned, it was not known whether His Majesty was unhappy during the winter hunting in Mount Li, or whether His Majesty had important things to arrange as soon as he returned.

On the night of his return, he summoned Fang Xuanling, Duke of Zhao, Vice Minister of the Secretariat Cen Wenben, and Assistant Censor Zhang Xingcheng.

In the Xingqing Hall, four people sat beside the emperor, looking at the rolls of files in their hands.

Duke Zheng sat aside, seemingly supervising the emperor.

It was the rest season, so it was quite unusual for the emperor to summon so many ministers.

Minister of Rites Li Baiyao walked into the hall and said in a loud voice: "Your Majesty, Jingzhao Prefecture wants to congratulate Your Majesty on Guanzhong's surviving the heavy snowstorm. Can you lift the curfew? We haven't celebrated the Lantern Festival for many years."

The voice echoed in the hall, but there was no response for a long time.

Li Shimin looked at the file in his hand with a rather unhappy expression. He let out a heavy breath from his nose and whispered, "The curfew in Chang'an City will be lifted for three days. Starting tomorrow, Jingzhao Prefecture will host the Lantern Festival."

"Here."

Li Baiyao bowed and looked at everyone in the hall who were also silent, then slowly retreated.

Until late at night, the bright moon hung in the starry sky and the Xingqing Hall was still brightly lit.

Li Shimin took a sip of hot tea from time to time and looked at Duke Zheng beside him with a frown.

Duke Zheng was leaning against a pillar, seemingly asleep.

Come to think of it, Duke Zheng is already old. Li Shimin gave a look to the eunuch beside him.

A eunuch hurriedly brought a cloak for Duke Zheng to cover himself with, and lit a stove next to him to prevent him from catching a cold.

Li Shimin put down the file in his hand, closed his eyes and rubbed his eyebrows and said: "How is it?"

Chang Sun Wuji said sternly, "Let me think about it."

The hall fell silent again, and everyone continued to flip through the files.

The next day, just after dawn, Jingzhao Prefecture arranged the Lantern Festival.

The weather was fine today. Li Chengqian and Li Ji took Xiao Sizi for a walk along the Wei River. This time they did not go to Xianyang Bridge to fish, but came to Weinan.

Little Sizi walked beside his brother, looking at the scenery of Guanzhong after the snow. There was still a lot of snow left on both sides of the official road.

Breathing the air here, she felt a little happy again. It was very comfortable to walk quietly like this.

"I heard that your majesty and the ministers of the Fang family were busy until late at night and were discussing again early in the morning."

"Well, I know."

Li Ji asked, "Some people in the court and the public are wondering if His Majesty was displeased by the actions of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince during the winter hunt."

Li Chengqian put the fishing line into the river, took out a stool and sat down, saying, "Sizi, let the fishing line go."

"Mingda understands." She put the fishing line into the river and sat with her brother.

A brother and sister, one big and one small, sat by the river. Li Ji glanced around and ordered the soldiers to guard them.

Li Chengqian took out the ceramic cup, took a sip of tea, and said, "General, don't worry about what's said in the court. Maybe someone is dissatisfied with me for sending troops out of the city when I was guarding Chang'an. But if I argue with them about these trivial matters, it will make the crown prince look too petty."

Li Ji replied: "Your Highness, moving troops out of Chang'an is not a small matter... but it's not a big deal either."

Li Chengqian smiled calmly and said, "Let them talk. It is his duty to supervise the behavior of the crown prince."

"Your Highness is right."

Mingda was still wearing a blue Taoist robe, with his hands supporting his chin, and said, "Brother, when can I wear clothes made of cotton?"

"Wait a little longer. Mother has asked the maids in the palace to do it."

She also took out the small ceramic cup she carried with her, uncorked it and took a sip of the warm tea.

"Sizi, calm down."

"Yeah." She put down the cup, calmed down and looked at the water.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I once met an old farmer, a very powerful old farmer."

Mingda listened to his brother's story with some curiosity. "He only needs to look at the speed of the river, taste the water, and eat a few fish to know whether the sediment in the river is more or less than in previous years."

"really?"

“That’s a pretty impressive skill.”

"That's really awesome."

"In fact, the rivers flowing eastward in Guanzhong are closely related to silt. As the silt at the bottom of the river increases, the water level will rise. When a flood comes, it will submerge villages and fields. For Guanzhong, controlling water is also controlling silt."

Mingda listened to his brother's words, and his mind gradually calmed down. He felt the smell of earth brought by the wind and watched the flow of the river.

The only sound by the river was the quiet wind, which blew past clothes and made thundering sounds.

Li Ji looked into the distance and said, "Your Highness, Xu Jingzong is here."

Li Chengqian just caught a fish. He unhooked the fish and put it into the fish basket.

When the man came closer, Xu Jingzong dismounted and said, "Your Highness, I have something important to report."

"what's up?"

"Young General Chu Mo, Young Master Du He, and Young Master Chang Sun got into a fight with someone."

"A fight?"

"That's right, Your Highness, don't worry, the person is fine, he was just taken to the Dali Temple."

"what happened?"

Xu Jingzong, who was originally busy preparing for the Lantern Festival, just put down what he was doing, let Yan Qinli arrange everything, and hurried to report.

The curfew in Chang'an City has been lifted, which means Chang'an will be very lively tonight.

Many people celebrated the festival under the emperor's order. Chang Sun Chong, Li Jingheng, Cheng Chumo, Du He, Li Chongyi and Li Dejiang were the most prominent children of the rich and powerful today. When they walked together, they looked like the Six Talents of Chang'an.

However, from what Xu Jingzong continued to say, the six talented men were now imprisoned in the Dali Temple, and they might not be able to celebrate the Lantern Festival this time.

It was because someone wanted to impeach Yan Qinli for beating a village chief to death. Originally, the matter was planned to be dealt with at the beginning of this year. According to expectations, my uncle said that it would only be a matter of deducting a few years' salary.

Jingzhao Prefecture had the power to punish and could arrest criminals. As long as there was solid evidence, it would be okay to arrest a village chief.

The bad thing is that the process was wrong. The person should have been taken to Jingzhao Prefecture first, then handed over to the court for review, and then handed over to the Dali Temple for investigation.

This is the normal procedure for re-conviction.

This matter is not a big deal. Yan Qinli killed a village chief to eliminate harm to the people and he also received the support of the villagers.

Liu Rengui even killed a county lieutenant. The officials of the Tang Dynasty were always fierce.

Therefore, this matter is not something that Yan Qinli should worry about. As he was a meritorious official who had made outstanding contributions in controlling the snowstorm, it is appropriate to deduct a few years' salary from his merits and demerits.

But today at noon in a tavern, Cheng Chumo, Du He and the other six handsome men couldn't stand anyone talking about how bad the prince's disciples were.

That's why a fight broke out, and they were captured by Li Keshi, the Right Guard General who was on patrol.

There is another thing here, that is, Li Dejiang is the second son of Li Weigong, and Li Keshi is the younger brother of Li Weigong.

When he was caught, Li Keshi, Li Dejiang's uncle, beat him up again.

The family education in Li Weigong's family was very strict. For example, the eldest son Li Dejian was a gentle and elegant scholar. Now he is traveling outside, and no one knows where he went after he went to Zhongnan Mountain.

Li Dejiang was also a sensible child. He did not participate in the fight, but was still arrested.

Now these people have been taken to the Dali Temple and become the six handsome men in prison.

The matter has come to your majesty's desk. Xu Jingzong does not want to get involved in such matters, but the troublemakers include two of the Crown Prince's Right Generals and Master Du He.

Li Chengqian said with emotion: "This Lantern Festival is really lively."

Xu Jingzong smiled awkwardly and nodded: "Yes, yes."

"It's all over for you, go on with your work."

"My minister retire."

Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince seemed not to want to get involved, so Xu Jingzong did not dare to say much. It was enough to let the Crown Prince know, and after paying his respects to General Li Ji, he rode away.

By the Wei River, Li Chengqian was still fishing.

An hour later, a man came on a fast horse. It was none other than Li Keshi of the Right Guard.

Li Ji asked, "Guest Master! Why are you here?"

Li Keshi looked to be in his early forties. He said in a clear voice, "Your Majesty has ordered that Cheng Chumo, Li Jingheng and others were involved in a street fight and will be detained in the Dali Temple for half a month to reflect on their actions. This has implicated the Right Marshal of the Eastern Palace. I have ordered you to report this to Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian picked up a baked Hu pancake from the fire nearby and handed it over, saying, "Thank you, General, for coming to inform us."

Li Keshi took the Hu Bing and lowered his voice and said, "We no longer care about the few censors who were beaten, but it is the Lantern Festival, and the children of the nobles have to be punished to avoid dissatisfaction and to prevent others from causing trouble."

"I understand. Father is wise. This is what should be done. Let them spend the Lantern Festival in prison."

Li Keshi put the hot Hu pancake into his arms and bowed, saying, "I will take my leave."

Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and said, "Thank you for your help."

The other party came again on a fast horse.

After a while, Li Chengqian had just sat down to fish for a while when another horse came over. "Isn't today the Lantern Festival? What's going on? They come one after another."

The man was Du Zhenglun, who reported: "Your Majesty ordered me to deliver the news that cotton can be made into clothes. The Queen has arranged for three hundred women to weave winter clothes. According to the instructions, everyone wears a mask while working."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Now it has been proven that cotton can be used to make clothes. Du He has done a great job."

Du Zhenglun said: "Your Majesty knows that this matter was arranged by His Highness and has nothing to do with Du He."

"Ok?"

"Master Du He was interrogated by Sun Fujia at the Dali Temple and confessed that the Crown Prince asked him to arrange for Murong Shun to inquire about the cotton matter."

Li Chengqian sighed, "Father has many capable people under his command, and the origin of the cotton is ultimately related to the Eastern Palace."

"There is another thing. After Master Du He was arrested and imprisoned, his brother Du Gou cried in front of the Dali Temple and asked the Dali Temple to let him in."

Li Chengqian asked, "You are also a member of the Jingzhao Du family, so why don't you plead for Du He?"

"I have done my duty and am exhausted."

"That's right. If you help Du He to intercede, it will inevitably make father think too much."

"Think too much?"

"Yes."

Du Zhenglun suddenly smiled, but it was a forced smile. "I'll take my leave."

Li Chengqian's fishing pleasure was disturbed several times and he no longer had the heart to sit by the river.

(End of this chapter)