Chapter 64 A skillful hunter often appears as the prey...
Li Shimin's interpretation of the name "Shimin" made Yang Guang laugh.
After all, an emperor surrounded by flattery sometimes needs a bit of harmless frankness and candor to lift his spirits.
"Then tell me, was the silk leaf on this poplar tree my own creation? Was it modeled after the colorful trees in the palace and Tongyuan City?"
Everyone thought that the young man would please the emperor simply by saying "yes," so why not? No one expected that Li Shimin would answer without hesitation, "Not entirely."
Li Yuan was already feigning exhaustion, rubbing his forehead, plotting how to apologize to the emperor and protect himself; Changsun Qingjing complained that her husband couldn't just repeat his prepared remarks verbatim; Yu Shiji secretly chuckled, wondering how a nobleman like Tang Gong, who always followed the rules and dared not cross the line, could have raised such a frank and fearless young master; Yuwen Xiao, on the other hand, was eagerly anticipating this arrogant scoundrel who had once humiliated him and who considered himself a virtuous gentleman would make a grave mistake before the emperor…
Yang Guang, who was in high spirits, wanted to find out more: "I'd like to hear your explanation."
Low-level flattery is basically just showing how loyal one is to the country.
Medium-level flattery is nothing more than explaining how one's family members have devoted themselves to the country under the emperor's influence.
The highest form of flattery is probably this kind of effusive flattery that conveys the feeling that the entire Tang family is wholeheartedly devoted to serving the country, and that Li Chen is both tender-hearted and heroic.
Yang Guang stood there stunned, seemingly moved to his core by the prophecy of the drooping poplar tree and by his own magnificent poem.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. My son spoke nonsense and disturbed and offended Your Majesty. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness." Li Yuan seized the opportunity to kneel and beg for forgiveness.
"Please rise, Lord Tang." Yang Guang helped up his cousin, whom he had misunderstood for many years, and said sincerely, "How could I have known that even a hundred-foot poplar cannot compare to the steadfastness of a pine! Only today do I realize that even a hundred-foot poplar still needs your steadfastness."
Yang Guang greatly admired the wise and virtuous ruler in Li Shimin's story, who could inspire loyal ministers, virtuous women, and ambitious young men to dedicate themselves to the country with a simple act of raising his sleeves and shouting.
It turns out that all of this was just a half-real, half-fictional, and brilliant performance by Li Shimin. The despicable and ingenious aspect of the performance was that he controlled the rhythm entirely, and he was in control of both the bitterness and the laughter. Everyone else was only entitled to be immersed in it, but had no idea where the plot would go.
Absurd yet perfect!
Having escaped danger, Changsun Qingjing breathed a sigh of relief, only to meet Li Shimin's sly gaze once more, which seemed to hold a hint of yearning for praise. She pursed her lips and lowered her head, remaining silent.
Princess Hanoi clearly captured the delicate and tender affection, or tacit understanding, that the young couple exchanged glances on both occasions, or even something else unspeakable, something she had never experienced and that she disliked.
She couldn't stand the fact that everyone's attention wasn't on her, just as her father couldn't stand the incompetent bureaucrats not carrying out their wildly imaginative decrees.
She had already unknowingly removed her veil, intending to amaze the boy and embarrass the girl.
However, she was completely wrong. In the eyes of that young couple who were so in sync, she was practically irrelevant. The turmoil, arguments, and jealousy she had imagined never happened.
Her radiant beauty and magnificent attire had always been the princess's invincible weapons. But now, those same weapons had plunged headlong into a crevice between rocks and a pile of withered grass, leaving her utterly dejected.
She especially disliked the girl in front of her, dressed in mourning clothes, without any makeup, with her hair in a low bun and only a rough hazel hairpin inserted diagonally in her hair.
The father's willingness to win over his concubines and his suspicion and probing were instinctive of him as an emperor. The mother's dissatisfaction stemmed from her adherence to her own principles. The eldest sister's willingness to be a virtuous and gentle lady was due to her being poisoned by the useless doctrines of Ma Shanggong. Yuwen Xiao's forbearance and willingness to be ridiculed was his duty as the emperor's son-in-law.
She, a princess of the emperor, would never allow the Li family to escape the emperor's test of loyalty so easily. She was determined to make them suffer terribly.
Dressed in a fox fur coat, Princess Hanoi feigned weakness and pleaded with her father, Emperor Yang Guang, saying, “Your Majesty has been lingering in the central courtyard for quite some time, unaware of your own strength and health. But my feet are already numb and my hands are freezing. In addition, it’s dark here, and my mother, sister, and I are even more chilly. Father, could you please find a warmer place to chat and reminisce with the gentlemen?”
"My daughter is quite willful and delicate. Please forgive her," Yang Guang said with a smile. "I will not continue my conversation with Lord Tang under the shade of these poplar trees. Does Lord Tang have a warm and cozy hall where my pampered daughter can temporarily find refuge?"
"I have instructed my daughter-in-law to prepare the throne in the main hall. Please, Your Majesty, come and grace us with your presence." Li Yuan breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that his daughter-in-law had done an extraordinary job in dealing with the poplar tree today, and his son had handled the matter skillfully. They had finally passed the emperor's first test with great success.
Princess Hanoi retorted defiantly, "Although the New Year has passed, the main halls of the noble families are still quite cold. It was the same at the residences of the Duke of Xu and the Duke of Wenxi that His Majesty visited before. My mother accompanied you on the journey, and I was afraid that it would be inappropriate for you, so I spoke up. Does His Majesty not care at all for the Empress?"
"Why are you suddenly being so filial today?" Empress Xiao teased. "Don't listen to Princess Hanoi's nonsense, Duke Tang. Just take His Majesty with me to the newly established throne."
Yang Guang, awakened from his self-absorbed reverie by his daughter's gentle questioning, asked Empress Xiao with a hint of unease, "Is the Empress overworked?"
"Your Majesty, I am fine." Empress Xiao did not approve of Yang Guang's attempt to win over and appease the nobles by adding a probing element to the plan.
A monarch's mind is complex and unpredictable, making it impossible to guarantee the simple and pure loyalty of his subjects.
The Queen decisively rejected the Emperor and Princess's proposal.
“Your Highness, there is indeed a place that can meet your needs. It is where my mother, Lady Tang, used to rest, receive guests, and study. Now, it has been converted into your residence for observing mourning for your mother. I wonder if it would be of interest to Your Highness?” Changsun Qingjing asked politely.
“No, no, the place where my son observes mourning is too simple. It is really unsuitable for entertaining guests. Your Majesty, why don’t you rest in the main hall for a while? I will have Shimin and Qingjing find a suitable warm room.” Li Yuan immediately rejected his daughter-in-law’s suggestion.
Yang Guang was unsure whether Li Yuan genuinely felt the humble abode was unfit to entertain guests or if there was another reason, so he simply made a definitive decision: "I think the princess shouldn't be too picky; let's do as Lady Changsun says..."
"It is only because our group has disturbed your thoughts of the Cold Spring that I feel so bad." Empress Xiao glared at Princess Hanoi, her displeasure evident.
"Your Highness, what are you saying? If my wife were alive, she would surely be comforted to know that Your Highness misses her." After saying this, Li Yuan led everyone into a deeper courtyard.
Changsun Qingjing noticed that in addition to the two imperial sons-in-law, there were several guards in black robes following the emperor closely, their expressions solemn, looking around as if searching every brick, tile, and blade of grass in the Tang State Palace for any signs of disloyalty.
Changsun Qingjing suspected that they were soldiers of the rank of Houzheng or Houren, not just ordinary attendants. Pretending to prepare tea and fruit, she called Guoniang and Acai to her side, whispered a few instructions, and then rejoined the emperor's reconnaissance convoy…
Li Yuan, Li Shimin, and Changsun Qingjing invited Yang Guang and his wife to take their seats in the main hall, and then stood by their sides. Changsun Qingjing served the distinguished guests five-colored drinks, newly brewed chilled wine, honey-fried plums, and creamy cheese. For a moment, the aromas of milk, fruit, wine, and medicine, along with the fragrance of benzoin, filled the room, creating a truly warm and inviting atmosphere, as if friends and family were gathered around a fireplace for a nightly chat.
Wang Shangyi summoned a young eunuch to taste the food.
"Disappointing!" Yang Guang flicked his sleeve and dismissed the eunuchs who were tasting the food.
Empress Xiao took a spoonful of ghee from the glass bowl, sipped it lightly, and couldn't help but look around the small pavilion, exclaiming, "The Lady of Tang truly has a high standard of conduct."
Empress Xiao was not entirely clear that it was true that Empress Dou loved Wang Xizhi, loved bamboo groves and clear springs, and was free-spirited and upright, but it was also true that she was beautiful and radiant. When she sat in this room, the walls naturally became more magnificent, and the southern breeze naturally wafted in; she didn't care at all about the simple and serene state of the curtains and desks.
This room is nothing more than an insignificant backdrop behind a glittering piece of jade, or a hidden sachet.
Princess Nanyang also sincerely praised her young daughter-in-law for her filial piety and thoughtfulness in maintaining the original state of her mother-in-law's beloved residence.
Princess Hanoi picked up the lotus leaf cup and gave a slight nod to Changsun Qingjing: "It is indeed newly brewed frozen wine, but it's a pity we came in such a hurry that the wine seems to be under-fermented."
"Before the court official of the Wine Kingdom, I dare not show off..." Changsun Qingjing replied, "Indeed, I was too hasty. I deserve death!"
“However, this wine is still under the jurisdiction of Qingzhou.” Princess Hanoi winked at Yuwen Xiao and Yu Shiji, and the three of them took the lead in offering birthday wishes to the emperor.
"May His Majesty live a long and prosperous life!"
"May the reign of the Great Sui Dynasty be extended forever!"
The people who had just sat down were forced to dance along with the princess.
Yang Guang brushed off the enthusiastic birthday wishes of the guests, but his gaze was drawn to a screen in the room that was neither new nor old.
Author's Note: Erfeng used up all her flattery skills in this one encounter, to the point that she became Qingjing's complete liability [question mark]
It's time for a certain artist to show off their skills.
How can the Li family pass the test?
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