Chapter 503 You are the prince! Stay in Chang'an

"Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji stood up.

Everyone's eyes were focused, wondering what this uncle of the emperor was going to do.

"Auxiliary machine!" The emperor and empress who were whispering looked over.

"The cold winter snows have passed, and the warm spring breezes have arrived. I, your servant, wish that our Great Tang will enjoy peace and prosperity, good weather, and everlasting prosperity! May our Great Tang Dynasty endure for thousands of years!"

After saying this, Changsun Wuji bowed deeply, then raised the wine jar and drank it all in one gulp.

"May our Great Tang enjoy peace and prosperity, good weather and everlasting prosperity! May our Great Tang Dynasty last for thousands of years!" All the ministers stood up and echoed.

"Good, good!" The emperor was in high spirits. He had drunk quite a bit of sake and was a little tipsy. "Come here, write!"

Xu Zhi hurriedly ordered the eunuch to grind the ink and spread the paper on the table.

The emperor's thoughts flowed like a spring, and he picked up his pen and wrote quickly. Everyone stretched their necks, and he finished writing in a short while.

Xu Zhi read out loudly on the spot:

Banquet for Ministers at Xuanwu Gate in Spring

The beautiful time brings the beginning of the season, and the virtuous spirit brings the fragrant years.

The chariot was parked beside Hualin, and a grand banquet was held in front of Bailiang.

The purple court is full of ornamental pendants, and the red steps are decorated with robes and sashes.

The Nine Yi people prepared jade banquets, and the Five Di people prepared jade feasts.

Sing songs to entertain the guests, and play music to the sky.

Green wine floats in the clear cup, and elegant music plays on the red strings.

I, the ruler of Guangdong, am a king of ten thousand nations, yet I am ashamed to be governed by my own people.

Perhaps you can maintain your integrity, humble yourself and seek out talented people.

This poem was written impromptu, describing the grand and lively scene of the banquet where all the ministers and the nine barbarians gathered.

The venue is luxurious and elegant without being extravagant or lavish, fully demonstrating the demeanor of a great country.

The poem also expresses the emperor's strong desire to restrain himself, restore rituals, seek talents and stabilize the country.

"Your Majesty is a man of great talent and vision, and your influence is known throughout the world!" All the ministers congratulated him.

The atmosphere reached a climax, and the music changed into a cheerful and bright Huxuan music, and a group of fair-skinned and plump Hu girls came on stage.

They danced rapidly to the sound of cheerful drums, like snowflakes floating in the air, like weeds dancing in the wind, spinning and spinning non-stop.

"Good!" Someone shouted, and everyone cheered.

The emperor glanced at the banquet pool inadvertently and saw his sons and Su Ying huddled together, discussing something enthusiastically, and smiled knowingly.

Looking at the female members of the family, the seats next to those of the concubines and princesses were occupied by the wives of officials, all of whom were adorned with gold hairpins, silver ornaments, hairpins, earrings, pearls and jade, looking luxurious and noble.

Among them was a girl with a delicate forehead and beautiful eyebrows, skin as white as cream, beautiful eyes, and graceful appearance. Even though she was covered in pearls and jade, she still looked like a fairy.

There was a flash of surprise in the emperor's eyes, and he unconsciously exerted force on the queen's hand.

Empress Changsun raised her eyes and followed her husband's gaze. The girl seemed to sense something and turned her head slightly.

Seeing that the emperor and empress were looking at her, she lowered her head shyly.

"She is the daughter of Zheng Renji, a Tongshi official. She is only thirteen years old. What do you think, Erlang?" the queen asked calmly.

"Thank you for your hard work, Guanyin maid!" The emperor's heart was shaken, and he was reluctant to look away.

Empress Changsun smiled, her husband had chosen her. "After the New Year, summon her to the palace. I will inspect her first."

The Tang Dynasty's harem system was not as strict and hierarchical as that of later dynasties, but the standards for selecting concubines were still very strict.

Not only appearance is considered, but also the talent and character of women are emphasized.

When Empress Changsun selected concubines for her husband, she not only considered their background, talent, cultivation, and appearance, but also whether they could complement her husband.

Therefore, the emperor was very fond of the concubines she selected, and often recited poems and composed couplets, which were elegant and interesting.

"Guanyin maid, Changle is already eleven years old. I think Chong'er is a good match. Why don't we choose a date to get married? The Ministry of Personnel should also prepare the dowry as soon as possible..." The emperor reciprocated.

Princesses Changle and Yuzhang gathered together, talking about something. Across the banquet pool, Changsun Chong would steal glances at Changle from time to time.

"Well, I also think Changle and Chong'er are a good match!" Empress Changsun nodded.

The emperor and empress were in perfect harmony, discussing and finalizing two beautiful things.

When Changsun Wuji was forced to resign by his sister, the emperor felt bad and hinted that he would marry his most beloved eldest daughter to the Changsun family to appease this important official.

Changsun Chong was the prince's companion and often met Changle in the Hongwenguan. It was not known whether Changsun Wuji had reminded him of this or he really loved Changle.

In short, everyone can see that Changsun Chong is happy with Changle, but I wonder how much of this is true and how much is false?

In any case, Princess Changle died of illness on August 10, the 17th year of Zhenguan, at the age of 23.

The 17th year of Zhenguan was very lively.

Just after the New Year, Wei Zheng died of illness.

On the sixth day of April, the fifth prince Li You was demoted to a commoner for "treason" and was executed in the Taiji Palace in Chang'an.

Because Hegan Chengji was implicated in the prince's rebellion case, Li Chengqian was dismissed and demoted to Qianzhou.

Princess Changle died of illness soon after, and they had no children for ten years after their marriage.

A series of major events and misfortunes implicated many people, who were trembling with fear and anxiety, but only Changsun Wuji went against the current.

Not only was he not affected by the Crown Prince's downfall, but he was increasingly valued by the Emperor.

Everyone was talking and laughing at the banquet, except for the Crown Prince, who sat below the Emperor and Empress, who seemed unhappy. No one spoke, and he just stared at his brothers who were chatting animatedly.

"Gao Ming! What are you sitting there for? Come over and have a drink!" Prince Lu Li Yuanchang looked up and saw his nephew standing alone.

"Seventh Uncle!" Li Chengqian stood up without waiting for Li Yuanchang to finish speaking. He had been waiting for this sentence for too long.

It was too crowded here, so we just had someone move the table to the side and we sat around together drinking and chatting.

"Master Su, is the world really as big as you say?" The children's eyes widened.

Su Ying drew a picture on the ground with tea, pointed to a small piece and said this was the Tang Dynasty.

How is that possible? We, the Great Tang, have received congratulations from all quarters. We are the hegemon of the world, so how can we only be this big?

"Of course! You see, if we fight westward, we'll pass through the Western Regions, the Arabs, and so on. It's still a long way to go!

To the south, there is a large area between Tianzhu.

To the north, beyond the North Sea where Su Wu grazed his sheep, is the extremely cold North Pole.

"To the east, across the ocean is Japan, and further east, there's even greater territory!" Su Ying said, pointing to the nearly dry map.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Li Chengqian asked, "Master Xiao Su, how did you find out?"

She grew up in Chang'an and had been to Lingnan once. The farthest she had gone was by ship on the inland sea from Guangzhou Port to Quanzhou Port and then to Dengzhou. How could she know how big the world outside was?

"Uh, Your Highness, have you read the Classic of Mountains and Seas?" Su Ying said with a smile.

Li Chengqian nodded, "That's just a myth. Did Master Su really believe it?"

"What else? As the saying goes, there's always a reason for ancient myths. Draw a blueprint based on the descriptions in the Classic of Mountains and Seas.

"Whether it's true or not, I will definitely take a big ship and sail to verify it one by one in the future!" Su Ying said proudly.

"I want to go!" Li Tai's blood boiled when he heard it.

"And me!" Li Ke squeezed forward, fearing that Su Ying would forget him.

"I'm going too!" "I'm going too!" The teenagers were clamoring, attracting the attention of people around them.

"I'll go too!" Li Chengqian became anxious when he saw that his friends didn't take him with them.

"Gao Ming, what are you going to do? You are the prince! Just stay in Chang'an!" Li Tai said jokingly.

Who told you to be the prince? You can only watch us go out and have fun! Hahahaha…

Changsun Wuji frowned. What kind of Lingnan female official was this? She was clearly a clown trying to attract attention and instigating the princes to act recklessly!