Chapter 306 Hostages
After Li Tai received the imperial edict from the court allowing him to open a government, he was overjoyed. However, he was very worried when he heard that there were many voices in the court opposing him opening a government.
Princess Pu suggested to Li Tai that in order to show that they had no intention of disloyalty, he should send his two sons, Li Xin and Li Hui, to Chang'an as hostages.
In the winter of December in the 23rd year of Zhenguan, the carriages of Li Xin, the eldest son of Li Tai, the Prince of Pu, and Li Hui, the second son, the Prince of Xin'an, drove slowly into Chang'an.
This was the first time he had returned to Chang'an since Li Tai was exiled, but he returned to Chang'an as a hostage.
This was the last month of the 23rd year of Zhenguan. Starting next year, the new reign would be changed. When
he opened the curtain of the carriage, he saw heavy snow falling outside, and the whole city of Chang'an seemed to be wrapped in silver.
On freezing cold days, there are fewer people on the streets. People stay at home when they have nothing to do. It is warmer and more comfortable to turn on the heater than outside.
Li Xin and Li Hui tightened their silk cotton coats filled with a thick layer of cotton. They put their hands in their sleeves, but they still felt cold.
"Brother, do you think we will have a good time in Chang'an this time?" Li Hui said worriedly.
After all, their father once competed with the current emperor for the position of crown prince. Could the current emperor forget what happened?
Li Hui was worried that Li Chengqian would settle the score later and blame his father's mistakes on them, so their trip to Chang'an would be dangerous.
"Don't talk nonsense. No matter what, the current emperor is still our uncle. If he wants to embarrass us, no matter where we are, the result will be the same." Li Xin put down the curtain and said to Li Hui.
He was also worried that Li Chengqian would settle accounts with them later, but what's the use of being afraid, the whole Tang Dynasty belongs to him.
Since it has come, we should make the best of it!
It is a blessing, not a disaster. If it is a disaster, it cannot be avoided. Anyway, it is a knife to stick your head out, and it is also a knife to shrink your head. It is better to be open and honest.
The carriage stopped at the gate of the palace. Li Xin and Li Hui got off the carriage, and an eunuch hurriedly came to greet them.
"Prince, Prince, His Majesty is waiting for you two in the two Yi Halls. Please follow me." The eunuch saluted and said, then turned around to lead the way.
Li Xin and Li Hui followed the eunuchs closely and headed for the Liangyi Hall. No one spoke on the way. After
entering the Liangyi Hall, Li Xin and his brother met their ninth uncle, Jin Wang Li Zhi, their third uncle Li Ke, their sixth uncle Li Yin, their eldest uncle's Li Xiang and three brothers, Li Jue and Li Sujie.
The three brothers of the third uncle's family, Li Ren, Li Wei, Li Kun, and Li Yan, the three brothers of the sixth uncle's family, and several brothers of the ninth uncle's family.
Li Xin felt indescribable joy when he saw Jin Wang Li Zhi.
After all, at first, he, Li Xin, had the best relationship with this uncle who was a few years older than him.
"Meet the third uncle, the sixth uncle, and the ninth uncle!" Li Xin and Li Hui saluted Li Ke and the other two.
Li Ke nodded as a response, while Li Xin ignored them. When Li Tai was favored, he often bullied his younger brother.
Li Zhi smiled and said, "You've worked hard on the way! Please take a seat! His Majesty will be here soon."
"Yes!" Li Xin responded, and exchanged greetings with several cousins.
"Prince, please come in!" The eunuchs led them to their seats and sat down, and then quietly waited for Li Chengqian to arrive.
"His Majesty is here! Your Highnesses are here!" As soon as Li Xin and the other two sat down, the eunuchs' shouts rang out outside the Liangyi Hall.
Everyone hurriedly stood up and bowed to greet Li Chengqian and his concubines Su and Xiao who walked in from outside the hall.
Li Chengqian planned to wait until the next year to change the reign title, and then officially confer the title of Empress Su on Lady Su and Consort Xiao on Lady Xiao.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you! I have met the two princes!" Li Ke and others hurriedly saluted.
Li Chengqian and Lady Su came to the throne and sat down, while Lady Xiao sat aside.
"No need to be polite, just stand up! Everyone, please take a seat!" Li Chengqian said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The emperor spoke, and everyone thanked him and sat down.
It was snowing heavily outside the Two Ceremonies Hall, and it was extremely cold, but it was very warm inside the Two Ceremonies Hall, as if it was a completely different world from the outside.
"Xin'er, Hui'er, you two have been sleeping in the open air all the way, and I'm afraid you have suffered a lot! You have been away from Chang'an for so many years, and now that you are back, have you adapted to the environment of Chang'an?" Li Chengqian said with a smile.
Li Xin is the oldest among his nephews and nieces, only three years younger than Li Zhi.
Although Li Tai is fat, he is the most mature among his brothers. Li Chengqian has not tasted the taste of women yet, but he has become a father.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am not that delicate. I can adapt to any environment. Chang'an is better than other places, so I can adapt better." Li Xin replied.
"Don't be nervous. Today's banquet is not only a family banquet, but also a banquet to welcome you two brothers."
"Since you are back in Chang'an, you can stay here without worry. No matter what, you have returned to your hometown."
"The Wei Palace where your father Li Tai used to live is still empty. You two brothers can move back! I am worried that you will not be used to other places." Li Chengqian said with a smile.
Although he looked like an uncle to his nephew, Li Xin and his brother remained alert and did not burst into tears after hearing his words.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Li Xin bowed hastily to express his gratitude.
"Don't just stand there, let's raise our glasses to welcome Xin'er and Hui'er, and drink a little." Li Chengqian picked up the wine glass on the table, which was still steaming.
Everyone raised their glasses and drank with Li Chengqian. With Li Chengqian's persuasion, the family dinner went smoothly.
"Xin'er is eighteen years old this year, right? Is he married? Whose young lady is he betrothed to?" After three rounds of wine and five dishes, everyone was half full. While everyone was chatting about family matters, Li Chengqian asked Li Xin a question.
"Your Majesty! I am just eighteen this year, and I will be nineteen after this year. When I was in Taizhou, my father had already chosen a marriage for me." Li Xin said.
"Oh! Which young lady is it that can catch your eye? Have you gotten married?" Li Chengqian said with a smile.
"It is the daughter of my aunt Princess Linchuan, my cousin Zhou. She got married last year, and the matter has been reported to the court." Li Xin said. "
Why didn't you bring your prince's
concubine with you when you returned to Chang'an this time? I haven't seen this niece for a long time!" Li Chengqian said. "This time when I came to Chang'an, I couldn't be filial to my father and mother, so I let her stay with my father and mother to fulfill my filial piety for me, so I didn't bring her with me." Li Xin said.
"Your Majesty! Now that Hengshan King Li Xiang is quite old, it's time to talk about marriage!" Li Zhi suddenly said.
He interrupted the topic that Li Chengqian and Li Xin were talking about and turned the topic to Li Xiang. Li Zhi and Li Xin really have a deep uncle-nephew relationship.