The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 7 The Royal Family's Only Tenderness

I thought the royal dinner would be grand, but upon closer inspection, it was not that grand. They just lit a few extra lights and even had a brazier burning outside the hall.

There weren't too many palace maids and eunuchs, but there were quite a few guards.

It is true that the Tang Dynasty was very poor at that time, or rather, it was the emperor who was poor.

It seems that improving the quality of life is urgent, and this is a very tricky issue.

People should at least... live a better life.

Just as he was thinking about it, he saw a girl in a light blue skirt running towards him. She came in front of him and said with a smile: "Royal brother!"

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, then nodded in response.

"Lizhi has been waiting for my brother here for a long time." Princess Changle raised her face and grinned.

Seeing that she looked about thirteen or fourteen years old, Li Chengqian asked curiously, "Are you waiting for me here?"

Li Lizhi put her hands on her hips and said, "Brother, your tone of voice is different from before."

"Hehehe..."

Li Chengqian smiled awkwardly again.

Soon, another group of children gathered around. Li Chengqian watched for a long time and listened to their chattering before he recognized these brothers and sisters.

The child who talked the most to Li Lizhi was Li Zhi, who was about the same age as Xu Hui.

There are also Princess Qinghe, Princess Dongyang, Prince Ji Li Shen, and Princess Linchuan.

In addition to the married princesses, there are also a bunch of princesses and princes in the palace.

Li Lizhi spoke first: "Brother, go see the Queen Mother first. What are you doing standing here like an idiot?"

After that, Li Chengqian was taken by a group of princesses and princes to meet his mother.

Li Lizhi led the way while saying, "Since my brother has recovered, he should come to see my mother earlier. My mother often talks about my brother's illness."

As she spoke, although Li Lizhi was not very old, she had the demeanor of a mistress of the family.

After all, she is the most beloved princess in the palace.

Walking to the back of the Taiji Hall, there was a woman mending clothes. She was dressed luxuriously, but without any expensive gold or silver jewelry.

Noticing the other person's gaze, Li Chengqian was also stunned. This kind of look from a mother looking at her son made his body bow as if instinctively.

Empress Changsun smiled and said, "Come, come closer and let me take a good look."

Li Chengqian instinctively walked closer again. A palace maid brought a stool and he sat down next to his mother.

This blood-related kinship made Li Chengqian feel like a child, sitting on a low stool, next to his mother's lap.

"Well, it seems that you are really better, and your complexion is better." She said earnestly: "Don't go out in the wind and snow again in the future."

Li Chengqian slowly lowered his head and whispered, "I understand."

"Alas..." Empress Changsun sighed and said, "I haven't seen you for half a month. You have changed. You are not as lively as before. You have just recovered from a serious illness and have lost weight."

Li Chengqian raised his head and said, "I will take good care of myself."

Noticing her son's gaze, Empress Changsun said with a smile, "Look at Lizhi and Zhinu, their younger brothers and sisters have grown so tall."

Li Chengqian whispered, "I was negligent in the past."

"It's okay, I have my mother here."

At this point, the maidservant beside her said, "Queen, the time has come. It's time to attend the banquet with His Majesty."

Empress Changsun said, "Chengqian, take your brothers and sisters out first."

"Here."

Li Chengqian nodded in response, stood up and walked out of the hall, and his younger brothers and sisters followed him out.

On the other side behind the Taiji Hall, there is a side hall where you can occasionally hear quarrels.

Li Lizhi said, "Father is arguing with them again."

After coming out, he heard Empress Changsun coughing a few more times in the hall.

When it was time to go to the banquet, Ning Er came quickly with Xu Hui and said, "Your Highness, let's go to Taiji Hall first."

"Yeah." Li Chengqian glanced at the group of brothers and sisters behind him and said, "Lizhi, are all the people here?"

Li Lizhi counted and said, "Everyone is here."

"Let's go."

"Ah."

A group of princesses and princes, about a dozen brothers and sisters. Even though they all look young now, if such a big family can still walk together like this in the future, they certainly cannot be underestimated.

Of course, this strength still requires the unity of brothers and sisters.

Even Li Tai, who was following behind, straightened his back unconsciously.

Inside the Taiji Hall, all the ministers looked at each other with a smile. Li Chengqian and his brothers and sisters saluted them.

The ministers also saluted the princes and princesses.

Under the guidance of the palace maid, Li Chengqian sat down in his seat, which was very near the front. There were a few empty seats in front of him, which should be where more important ministers would sit, but they were still empty.

Most of them were those who were still arguing with the emperor in the side hall.

After a while, another group of people came from the back of the Taiji Hall. They were wearing better official uniforms. Their expressions were solemn, anxious, and helpless.

Soon the palace fell silent, and a eunuch shouted, "Your Majesty, the Queen has arrived! The Emperor has arrived."

This was the first time Li Chengqian met the emperor. He was a middle-aged man with a kind face, and he looked a little fat. He came side by side with the empress, and followed by an old man with white hair and beard.

It seems that it must be Li Yuan.

When all the ministers stood up and saluted, Li Chengqian and his younger brothers and sisters followed suit.

Li Shimin said in a clear voice: "I wanted to hold this banquet after the winter solstice, but it has been delayed until now due to state affairs. I respect you all."

After saying that, he picked up the wine bottle.

The ministers held their wine bowls and said loudly: "Congratulations to the Tang Dynasty, may the Tang Dynasty win forever!"

Li Chengqian also took a sip. The wine tasted a bit sour and not very tasty, but he could barely swallow it.

"Royal brother, royal brother." I heard Li Lizhi calling from behind.

Li Chengqian glanced sideways, "What's wrong?"

Li Lizhi whispered, "Aunt is looking at my brother."

Hearing this, Li Chengqian noticed the gaze from behind. It was a middle-aged woman in bright clothes, about the same age as his mother, and she was looking at him.

Li Lizhi whispered, "She's probably still upset about Zhao Jie."

"is it?"

Li Chengqian smiled in surprise.

Li Lizhi whispered again, "Royal brother did the right thing. We cannot be nepotistic. You are the eldest brother and you should set an example." As she spoke, she distributed a plate of raisins to the younger brothers and sisters behind her, saying, "Eat quickly. We don't get to eat these on weekdays."

Li Zhi took the raisins with a smile, picked up one and took a sip, with a look of satisfaction on his face.

Li Lizhi was a sensible older sister. She helped Dongyang wipe his nose and kept an eye on Li Shen to prevent him from grabbing food.

Li Chengqian withdrew his gaze and thought that with so many brothers and sisters in the family, it would be a bit stressful for him as the eldest brother.

Thinking back to the past, my brothers and sisters in my previous life started working early to share the burden of the family.

And now, I have become the eldest brother of this family.

These younger brothers and sisters always have to be looked after.

Li Chengqian asked: "Beautiful?"

Li Lizhi retracted her gaze and said, "Brother, please speak."

"Have you always brought your brothers and sisters with you?"

Li Lizhi sighed, "My younger brothers and sisters are all taken care of by my mother. She often can't sleep well because my younger brothers and sisters are too noisy."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Well, you are very sensible."

Hearing this, Li Lizhi grinned and said, "Of course."

A group of prostitutes walked into the Taiji Hall, and musical instruments such as sheng and flute started playing. They fluttered their skirts and began to dance.

Li Chengqian looked at Ning'er who was not far away. She could only stand farther away, standing next to Xu Hui.

But the child Xu Hui didn't cry or make a fuss, she just sat there quietly.

There aren't so many spoiled kids here, most of them are trembling with fear.

After the dance, Li Tai stepped forward and said, "I have written a poem today and would like to present it to you, father."

"King Mu has eight horses that can gallop thirty thousand miles a day..."

The poem was basically a painting of eight horses. When Li Tai finished reading the poem, all the officials applauded.

Li Chengqian also had a smile on his face.

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Since you like the Eight Horses Painting so much, I will give it to you."

Li Tai happily bowed and said, "Thank you, father."

Li Chengqian was still smiling and acted very relaxed about it all.

Gao Shilian, who was sitting at the other end, was observing the prince, but did not see any jealousy on his face.

Changsun Wuji asked in a low voice: "Uncle, I'm afraid it's inappropriate for His Majesty to reward me like this."

Gao Shilian stroked his beard and said, "At that time, I asked the prince about how Your Majesty doted on the King of Yue. Do you know what the prince said?"

"Uncle, please speak."

"The prince said that my brother is very talented and quick-witted, and that he, the elder brother, is not as good as him. Moreover, my younger brother is so outstanding, and as an elder brother, I should be proud."

Zhang Sun Wuji said: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is open-minded."

The following banquet was much more relaxed, with the ministers shouting and chatting about interesting things, and some even talked about the battles they had fought on the battlefield in the past.

Li Chengqian watched this scene with great interest. Those present included the great general Li Jing, the military god of the Tang Dynasty, the humble and polite Qin Qiong, the chattering Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Li Xiaogong, Li Daozong, Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Wei Zheng...

Everyone present was a legendary figure.

Just listening to their past events was very interesting. Li Chengqian listened carefully and memorized all these people and faces.

The banquet was in full swing, and by the halfway point, the outside of the hall was already shrouded in darkness.

Many people sitting in the back have left one after another.

"Royal sister, my brother is sleepy."

I heard voices behind me. My younger brothers and sisters all looked sleepy. This is the most noisy age and the critical time for growth. Children at this age are playful, sleepy and greedy.

Li Lizhi asked, "Royal brother?"

Li Chengqian said: "I will take you to rest."

"No need, we have palace maids to escort us, so we won't get lost." After a pause, Li Lizhi asked suspiciously, "Is it because my brother can't sit still here anymore and wants to take this opportunity to leave?"

Li Chengqian nodded upon hearing this.

"I'll go talk to my mother."

After saying this, Li Lizhi didn't care about etiquette and walked quickly towards her father. The queen mother also stood up and left with the princesses and princes.

Li Chengqian walked silently aside, walked out of the noisy Taiji Hall and into the night. It was much quieter then. The noisy sounds in the hall gradually became dim, and could no longer be heard as they went farther and farther away.

A palace maid walked in front holding a lantern, and Li Lizhi followed behind.

Empress Changsun held Li Zhi's hand and walked to the front of the Lizheng Hall, where there was a baby in swaddling clothes, crying in the arms of a palace maid.

She stopped crying only when the queen came.

The queen looked at him fondly and asked, "Is little Sizi hungry again?"

The Lizheng Hall where the empress lived was not small. Inside the spacious hall, there were several small rooms where her younger brothers and sisters slept. Li Lizhi and princesses such as Dongyang and Qinghe slept on the same couch in the same room, while boys such as Li Zhi and Li Shen slept in another room.

I thought to myself, it must be very tiring to take care of so many children in Lizheng Palace.

Empress Changsun said, "It's getting late, Chengqian. You should go back and rest early."

Li Chengqian nodded, and as he walked out of the Lizheng Hall, he was still thinking that the royal family relationship was still warm, at least his brothers and sisters were still in harmony.

If this kind of unity and harmony can be maintained, with so many brothers and sisters, what a powerful family it will be.

As a family, it is important to stay united.

The Queen's health is critical. If something really happens, the family will be broken.

When I returned to the East Palace, Ning'er had already returned. She was waiting in front of the East Palace. When she saw His Highness, she smiled and walked forward, "Xu Changshi has gone back with Hui'er."

"Ah."

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince simply agreed and walked into the palace.

His Highness looked very worried tonight. Ning'er hurriedly followed him and watched him wash up and go to bed.

Compared to the Iljeongjeon, after the construction of the heated kang in the East Palace, it is warmer than any other palace in the imperial palace.

Late at night, the banquet in the Taiji Hall finally ended. At the end of the banquet, the remaining people began to discuss the Hexi Corridor and Tuyuhun.

The Tang Dynasty still has many unresolved issues. Speaking of the Hexi Corridor, it is an important passage leading to the Western Regions from the Tang Dynasty. Both the emperor and the civil and military officials in the court have been coveting it for a long time.

In fact, since the Han Dynasty, the Hexi Corridor has been the territory of the Central Plains. In order to regain this vital place, the court was still hesitating whether to attack the rebellious Tuyuhun. This issue has been debated in the court from autumn to the twelfth month of this cold winter.

After the banquet, Li Shimin returned to Ganlu Palace and saw Empress Zhangsun still mending her clothes. He said, "Chengqian did not speak to me today."

The queen whispered, "I have seen Cheng Qian's recent behavior and saw him again today. This child has changed a lot since he recovered from his illness."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "This is very good. In the past, he was always worried about gains and losses and was easily influenced by others, just like what happened with Zhao Jie."

(End of this chapter)