Li Shimin's sudden disappearance put Fang Xuanling under tremendous pressure.

After all, the envoys from various countries had been led into the palace, waiting to pay homage to His Majesty, but His Majesty had suddenly disappeared...

However, this was no challenge for Fang Xuanling. He had helped Li Shimin handle state affairs for many years and had long since developed a thick skin.

"Ladies and gentlemen, His Majesty the Emperor will be here in a little while. Please enjoy the Kucha song and dance!"

Fang Xuanling's words made the King of Kucha very happy. The fact that the Tang Dynasty could use their Kucha songs and dances at such an important banquet was enough to prove their status in the Tang Dynasty.

When the other vassal states saw that the performance was the Kucha dance, they immediately became dissatisfied.

"Our Silla dance is also quite good, so why can't we Silla people dance!"

"Our Baekje dances are graceful and beautiful. At such a banquet, our Baekje dancers should perform for His Majesty the Emperor of Tang!"

Fang Xuanling wanted this effect; his goal was to make them argue with each other and forget the fact that His Majesty had been delaying their audience.

Although Fang Xuanling stabilized the situation, he would still occasionally step out of the main hall and gaze towards the direction of the Prince of Qin's residence.

"Where did His Majesty go? Was he perhaps reminiscing about the retired Emperor?"

After abdicating, Li Yuan lived in the Prince of Qin's residence for a long time.

Of course, by then it had already been renamed Da'an Palace.

In fact, the name "Qin Prince's Mansion" was just a habitual way of referring to it by these veteran officials of the Zhenguan era. The official name of the current Qin Prince's Mansion should be Hongyi Palace.

Just as Fang Xuanling was thinking of finding someone to visit the Prince of Qin's residence, he happened to see Yuchi Jingde walking over, dressed in flamboyant attire.

"Duke of E, you look quite well in your clothes today!"

"Yeah?"

Yuchi Jingde had a great fondness for fine clothes. Ever since he was reprimanded by Li Shimin a few years ago, he had become lazy and idle, rarely attending court or participating in politics. He spent his days locked up at home, either summoning alchemists to concoct elixirs or showing off his luxurious clothes everywhere.

Hearing Fang Xuanling praise his clothes, Yuchi Jingde was so pleased with himself that he immediately chuckled and walked over.

"My wife also said this outfit suits me, I didn't expect that Mr. Fang would think so too, hehehe!"

"The Duke of E is tall and imposing, with a dignified appearance; he looks good in anything!"

"By the way, His Majesty just went to the Prince of Qin's residence. If the Duke of E has some free time, he might as well go and take a look, and tell His Majesty that the envoys from the outer vassal states are still waiting to pay their respects!"

Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jingde immediately replied nonchalantly.

"Hi!"

"What's wrong with making a bunch of foreign envoys wait a little longer? They wouldn't dare to rebel!"

"No... the main problem is the negative impact. It will make other vassal states think that our Great Tang does not respect them..."

"respect?"

"Respect is earned on the battlefield, not by flattering them!"

"A bunch of cowards, cowards on the battlefield, yet they get caught up in trivial matters!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuanling felt his face flush. Who was this old bear cursing? Could it be him?

"Just tell me if you're going or not, stop with all the nonsense!"

"go!"

"It just so happens that I haven't been to the Prince of Qin's residence for many years. I might as well take a stroll with His Majesty, hehehe!"

Looking at Yuchi Jingde, who resembled a bear, Fang Xuanling felt that this man was unreliable. What if they failed to find His Majesty and then lost this old bear as well?

...

Standing before the Prince of Qin's mansion once more, Li Jue finally felt its imposing grandeur and solemnity, even sensing an awe-inspiring and inviolable power that made him afraid to approach.

"I shouldn't be recognized. Last time I came here with Old Li, nobody recognized me..."

Li Jue spent a while mentally preparing himself before nervously approaching the guards standing at the door.

"Brothers, you've worked hard. I am Li Zhong, a man from Xianyang County. I wish to send something to my father-in-law, Li Dechong. I wonder if you two brothers would be willing to..."

Before Li Jue could finish speaking, the two guards widened their eyes.

"You are Li Zhong?"

"ah?"

"Please come in quickly!"

"Old Li instructed us long ago that if you come, he would take you inside to wait for him, and he will be there soon!"

"oh!"

Hearing them call him "Old Li," Li Jue mustered his courage and went inside. But without Old Li's company, he felt uneasy, fearing the guards might suddenly change their attitude, pull out chains and shackles, and shout to arrest him, the fugitive!

Just as Li Jue was feeling uneasy, Old Li Tou ran in, covered in sweat.

"Big grandson, you've finally come to see me! Hahaha!"

Seeing that Old Li had instantly relaxed, Li Jue then presented the gift he had brought.

"Uncle Li, this is the birthday cake I made for you. If you think it's too sweet or greasy, give it to your aunt. She'll definitely love it, hehe!"

"Birthday cake?"

"Where is this custom from?"

"This custom is not native to the Central Plains, but rather a tradition that originated in the wild and uncivilized lands of the Western Regions. However, this item has a good meaning, symbolizing completeness and sweetness, so it was specially made to congratulate Elder Li on his long life!"

"oh?"

Li Shimin, curious, opened the lid upon hearing this, but upon seeing the exquisite cake, he jumped up with joy.

"Did you make this?"

"This was made especially for you, I hope you won't find it unpleasant..."

"Such beautiful pastries...I have never heard of them before, nor have I ever seen them before!"

"You must have put a lot of thought into making this, right?"

Li Jue nodded shyly upon hearing this.

"Um!"

"The main problem is that ghee is hard to come by. There aren't many cows that can produce milk in Xianyang. Even if there are one or two milk-producing cows, it's not enough to feed their own calves. People won't sell to others even if you offer them money."

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