Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty: Please say long live His Majesty

Chapter 341: Brotherly Friendship and Respect, Undercurrents (Part )
In the Liangyi Hall, the Ruibin bell rang softly.

Li Chengqian stood in the hall, followed by Changsun Xiang and Lai Heng, who toasted to the ministers in the hall together with him.

The first day of the first lunar month is the grand court session.

After the grand court session, the emperor held a banquet. The crown prince and the kings toasted to all the officials on behalf of the emperor, thanking them for their hard work over the past year.

This has been a common practice over the years.

But now Li Tai is gone.

……

Li Chengqian had just toasted Sun Fujia, who was promoted to Imperial Censor today, and his eyes glanced lightly outside the hall.

Li Zhi toasted the ministers on behalf of the emperor outside the hall.

When Li Chengqian was in the palace, the people he toasted were all high-ranking officials of the fifth rank and above in the court.

Li Zhi was outside the hall, and the people he toasted to were all officials from the ninth to fifth ranks in the court. There were more of them, and their ranks were lower.

Li Chengqian glanced to the other side.

The emperor sat high on the imperial couch, and in front of him stood the young Li Xiang, Li Chengqian's eldest son.

While the emperor was enjoying the wine and delicacies, he was also joking and teasing Li Xiang, and letting him enjoy the wine and delicacies as well.

For some reason, Li Chengqian had a special feeling.

The emperor must have had other intentions when he named Li Xiang the crown prince this time.

It doesn't mean using Li Xiang and Li Jue to win over the Hebei nobles.

If that's the case, one Li Jue is enough.

Li Chengqian couldn't help but think of Li Xiang's grandson's tutor, Yang Xingbiao, the former Chang'an County Magistrate.

Yang Xingbiao's wife was from the Huainan Zhu family. Although her family background was not very high, it was not much different from the Yuanwu branch of the Hongnong Yang family.

In other words, the emperor appointed Li Xiang as the crown prince simply to win over the Hongnong Yang family.

While Li Chengqian was toasting everyone, he was thinking in his mind.

The Hongnong Yang family is now divided into two groups in the Tang Dynasty.

One is King Wu Li Ke, whose mother is Yang Guang's daughter.

One is Prince of Jin, Li Zhi. His princess consort is the great-granddaughter of Prince of Guan, Yang Xiong, the cousin of Wu Meiniang, and the great-granddaughter of the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Yang Sidao.

Of course, the Hongnong Yang family, not to mention the lineage of Yang Xiong, even the lineage of Yang Da, the great-grandfather of the Princess of Jin, did not have a very close relationship with Li Zhi.

Therefore, the relationship between Yang Sidao and Li Zhi was also average.

Although Wei Ting died, he was not implicated in the rebellion of his son-in-law, Prince of Qi Li You.

Both he and Yan Lide proved with facts that even if your son-in-law is plotting a rebellion, as long as you are not involved, you will not be implicated.

Many officials in the court knew that Li Chengqian strongly supported Yan Lide becoming the Minister of Revenue.

He is the father-in-law of Li Tai, the King of Wei.

Therefore, although the Yang family had some support in the struggle for imperial power, their support was not strong.

Now, Yang Xingbiao's family has also been implicated.

Although he is only Li Xiang's tutor now, it is natural for him to become Li Xiang's chief secretary in the future.

It is even possible that his daughter would marry Li Xiang as his concubine.

The emperor is still trying to drag the Hongnong Yang family into the water, and then...

Li Chengqian suddenly calmed down, raised his head, and then walked forward to toast everyone with a gentle expression.

……

Before we knew it, the banquet finally came to an end.

Li Chengqian returned to the table somewhat drunk.

The kings on the right looked at Li Chengqian with smiles on their faces.

The kings were the last people Li Chengqian toasted to. They were also members of the royal family and the emperor's own people.

To a certain extent, all the ministers in the palace and the provincial governors throughout the country were helping the royal family to govern the world.

At this moment, the emperor's voice rang out from behind Li Chengqian: "Alright, my dear ministers, let's call it a day."

The ministers, who were all somewhat drunk, all stood up without hesitation, including Li Chengqian and Li Zhi, and all bowed and said, "Your Majesty, we respectfully bid you farewell."

"Yes!" The emperor nodded gently, looked at Li Xiang beside him, and said with a smile: "My dear grandson, how about going with Grandpa?"

The young Li Xiang subconsciously looked at Li Chengqian not far away.

Li Chengqian nodded calmly. Li Xiang then looked at the emperor and nodded bewilderedly, "Okay!"

The emperor took Li Xiang's hand and walked down from Li Chengqian's side. He didn't even look at Li Chengqian, but just kept looking at Li Xiang with a smile.

Only when the emperor's figure disappeared at the door of the side hall did the ministers in the hall breathe a sigh of relief.

Those who were originally a little drunk now looked a little more sober.

Not many people cared about the fact that the emperor took Li Xiang to the harem.

He was just a grandfather taking his eldest grandson out to play.

Especially today is the first day of the Lunar New Year.

After the banquet, nothing else happened.

"Brother Emperor, congratulations." Li Zhi's voice sounded behind Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian turned around calmly, then smiled faintly and said, "Child, congratulations to you."

"I wonder when Xiang'er's enthronement ceremony will be held." Li Zhi bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "After Xiang'er's enthronement ceremony is over, I will go to Jingzhou."

"That depends on what the emperor says." Li Chengqian raised his head and looked towards the harem with a calm expression. After regaining his composure, he looked at Li Zhi and said, "In any case, this time won't be too long."

"Yes!" Li Zhi nodded in agreement.

"As for Zhinu, when you arrive in Jingzhou, your most important task will be to stabilize the area and address the people's livelihood." Li Chengqian paused, then continued, "What your father is most concerned about is actually this year's autumn grain. We need a good harvest after autumn, and we need to collect as much tax as possible without disturbing the people... I'll leave everything to Zhinu."

"I will definitely do my best." Li Zhi bowed slightly, and the moment he lowered his body, his face turned completely cold.

"That's good." Li Chengqian looked up at the ministers, nodded calmly and said, "My lords, go back and rest early... You have all drunk a lot, so be careful on the road. Also, please bring it to your homes for me, and wish you a happy new year." "Your Highness, wish you a happy new year." The ministers immediately bowed seriously.

Li Chengqian nodded and strode out of the hall.

After Li Chengqian's footsteps gradually disappeared, Li Zhi stood up, nodded gently to Changsun Wuji and others, then walked towards the kings, said a few words, and left together.

Only then did Fang Xuanling stand up slightly and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Turning sideways, Fang Xuanling looked at Changsun Wuji. Changsun Wuji gave a helpless smile, then bowed and walked out of the hall first.

None of us is a fool. The emperor's sudden affection towards the crown prince today must have his own plans.

The Prince of Jin only made a slight attempt, but the Prince immediately fought back fiercely.

If Jingzhou has a good harvest this autumn, it would be fine. But if the harvest is not good, the prince will inevitably complain to the emperor.

It seems like everything is peaceful and the brothers are friendly and respectful to each other, but in fact there are turbulent waves beneath the surface.

……

East Palace, Cheng'en Hall.

Li Chengqian was sleeping soundly on the couch, occasionally snoring softly.

At some point, Li Chengqian was awakened by the sound of footsteps coming and going.

He didn't open his eyes, but said calmly: "Xiang'er is with the emperor, my beloved concubine, don't worry."

Su Shu, who had been pacing back and forth in the hall, walked to the edge of the bed with a serious expression and sat down. She looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "Your Highness, why did your father bring Xiang'er to the harem?"

"Father is Xiang'er's biological grandfather. On New Year's Day, what's wrong with asking him to play together for a while?" Li Chengqian took a deep breath, then opened his eyes and looked at Su Shu.

"But Father has drunk quite a bit today. Right now, he should be resting on his bed like Your Highness. How could he have the energy to play with Xiang'er?" Su Shu glanced outside the palace, then said solemnly, "The palace gates are about to be locked. If Xiang'er doesn't come back, he'll have to spend the night in the palace."

Outside the window, the sun has set and the stars are falling into the sky.

Even the sound of the evening drum had already quickly and thoroughly resounded.

Li Chengqian reached out and held Su Shu's wrist. Just as he was about to say something, a burst of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall.

Su Shu couldn't help but stand up, but Li Chengqian was still lying on the bed motionless.

Xu An carefully entered the palace, then bowed to Li Chengqian and Su Shu and said, "Your Highness, Crown Princess, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has just issued an order that the Crown Prince stay in the palace tonight... In addition, His Majesty has issued an order that tomorrow, the Crown Prince and the Crown Prince will accompany Your Majesty in offering sacrifices to heaven and earth."

Su Shu was a little slow to react.

Li Chengqian raised his hand slightly and said, "Okay, you can go down."

"Yes!" Xu An bowed to Li Chengqian, then bowed to Su Shu, and then retreated.

Su Shu finally reacted at this time. She turned to look at Li Chengqian and asked, "Your Highness, did you know that your father wanted to keep Xiang'er overnight?"

"Hmm!" Li Chengqian clapped his hands beside the pillow. Su Shu gave Li Chengqian a displeased look before lying down beside him.

Li Chengqian hugged Su Shu and whispered in her ear, "Not just today. In the future, I'm afraid Xiang'er will stay with you frequently. I'll personally teach him the art of governing a country. Of course, at the same time, I'll also be entrusted with more government affairs."

"Isn't this a hostage?" Su Shu couldn't help but look up.

Li Chengqian was slightly stunned, then smiled and said, "That's not wrong."

……

Yi Qiu Palace.

Zheng Shuang'er was sitting on the carpet, playing something with three-year-old Li Jiu.

Wei Wei sat aside, smiling as she hugged her one-year-old son Li Shan.

Zheng Chu and his daughter Lu Yue stood beside him.

Familiar footsteps were heard from outside the hall. Zheng Shuang'er and Wei Wei looked at each other and quickly stood up.

Li Chengqian calmly walked into the hall. Everyone in the hall immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hands, then walked over and picked up Li Jiu, saying, "Everyone, stand up."

"Yes!" Everyone stood up.

Li Chengqian took out a handful of Ruyi coins from his pocket and handed them to Zheng Shuang'er, saying with a smile, "This is what the emperor gave me today. My beloved concubine, tie it up with a red string and let Sanlang wear it."

"Yes!" Zheng Shuang'er smiled sweetly and took the Ruyi money.

Li Chengqian waved to Wei Wei, who then came to his side with a sweet smile, handed her a handful of Ruyi coins, and said, "I've been to all the halls before, and I knew you were here, so I came last."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Wei Wei hugged Li Shan and bowed slightly.

Li Chengqian smiled, then took out another handful and handed it to Zheng Chu across from him, saying calmly, "There are still a few left. I'll give them to you and your daughter."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Zheng Chu and his daughter Lu Yue bowed together.

Li Chengqian turned to look at Zheng Shuang'er and said, "After offering sacrifices to heaven and earth with my father tomorrow, I will go to Duke Zheng's mansion to apologize to my father-in-law."

"Don't worry, Your Highness. Father knows what's going on." Zheng Shuang'er nodded with a smile. Every year on the second day of the first lunar month, Li Chengqian would go to Duke Zheng's mansion to meet Wei Zheng. Everything had become a routine.

Li Chengqian turned to look at Wei Wei and said seriously, "When we return home tomorrow, my beloved concubine, please take Wu Lang with you so that his grandfather can also meet his grandson."

"Yes!" Wei Wei nodded vigorously, looking excited.

After Wei Wei gave birth to Li Shan, her mother Pei came to the palace to see her, but Wei Zheng did not.

Wei Zheng’s current health makes it difficult for him to even leave the house, so he will take the children back to visit tomorrow, the second day of the first lunar month.

Li Chengqian looked at Zheng Shuang'er again and said, "My beloved, let Wei'er rest in Yiqiu Palace today."

"Yes!" Zheng Shuang'er nodded, but her eyes involuntarily looked at Zheng Chu.

Normally, when Li Chengqian came to Yi Qiu Palace, Zheng Chu would accompany him to sleep with him, but today Wei Wei was here, so naturally she had nothing to do.

Zheng Chu smiled faintly, his expression a little sad, but also calm.

She knows her identity.

Raising his head, Zheng Chu looked at Li Chengqian calmly.

At this time, Li Chengqian happened to look up at Zheng Chu, with a meaningful smile on his lips.

For some reason, Zheng Chu's face turned red.

(End of this chapter)