Chapter 70: A Grand Banquet at the Hua Residence (III)

Li Qing’an never expected to meet Du Gu Mingyue here. He had long forgotten the blind date ten days ago, but her beauty, like that of a flower in full bloom, remained etched in his mind.
He stepped forward quickly, bowed slightly, and said with a smile, “Miss Mingyue, do you still remember me?”
“Oh! You’re General Li. It’s been so long since we last met.” Du Gu Mingyue smiled faintly, her gaze drifting back to the river.
Seeing that she seemed preoccupied and unwilling to talk, Li Qing’an chuckled and said, “Then I won’t disturb you any longer.”
He bowed and headed toward the bridge. After taking a dozen steps, Du Gu Mingyue called out softly, “General Li, please wait a moment.”
She walked down the bridge gracefully and bowed to Li Qing’an, saying, “General Li, I’m truly sorry about what happened last time. I didn’t know my grandfather had invited you here to drink. I was very impolite.”
“It’s no big deal!” Li Qing’an waved his hand and smiled. “Actually, I was looking for an excuse to go shopping! By the way, I met your sister again in the Western Market.”
For some reason, Li Qing’an rather liked Du Gu Mingzhu, who favored trendy hairstyles. He asked with a smile, “Where’s Mingzhu? Is she here today?”
Du Gu Mingyue smiled subtly and said, “She’s here. She went to the hot springs with a few friends.”
“Then why didn’t you go too?”
Du Gu Mingyue sighed softly, sat down on a large rock, and rested her fair, delicate hand on her cheek. After a while, she suddenly asked, “General Li, is Anxi beautiful?”
“Well…”
Li Qing’an sat down beside her and smiled gently. “Anxi is certainly beautiful. It’s vast and magnificent, with endless grasslands. By the rivers, flocks of snow-white sheep graze leisurely. White clouds resemble hats atop the icy peaks, and those peaks shine like sapphires, like cities in the sky.”
“Cities in the sky!” A look of longing appeared in Du Gu Mingyue’s eyes.
Her mood seemed to improve slightly. She turned to Li Qing’an and said with a smile, “General Li, I actually think you’re quite cultured, not as rude as they say.”
Li Qing’an shook his head and laughed. “I can’t really be called cultured. I can only write letters. I lost my parents when I was young, and my grandfather forced me to practice archery every day; I had no time to study.”
“I see.”
Du Gu Mingyue sighed and said, “General Li, please read more when you have time! Only those with great literary talent can truly make a difference.”

Li Qing’an was annoyed by her tone, which praised literature and belittled martial arts. He said, “Although literature can bring peace to a nation, martial arts can also stabilize it. If everyone in the Tang Dynasty went to study, who would then defend the country from invasions by barbarians? What do you think, Miss Mingyue?”
Du Gu Mingyue smiled faintly but did not refute him. Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she glanced across the pond.
Li Qing’an found this strange and followed her gaze. He saw three people walking through the flowers on the other side of the pond. Two of them were scholars in their forties. Of course, Du Gu Mingyue wouldn’t pay them any attention, so Li Qing’an’s gaze fell on the third person.
It was a valiant young man, about twenty years old, with a handsome face and bright eyes. He wore a brocade robe and a golden crown. He wasn’t paying attention to this side and was arguing loudly with the two scholars.
“My Emperor Taizong once said that the people can carry a boat or capsize it. I think this is a profound truth. If I were to rule the country, I would put the people’s well-being first, ensuring they live in peace and prosperity, and that the world enjoys harmony…”
Li Qing’an smiled faintly. This young man had quite high ambitions. He glanced at Du Gu Mingyue and saw her cheeks flushed with joy; her earlier sadness had vanished. Li Qing’an realized that she seemed to like the young man across the pond…
As the young man walked away, Du Gu Mingyue suddenly stood up and said to Li Qing’an with a smile, “It’s been pleasant talking to General Li. It’s cold outside; I’ll go in first.”
Li Qing’an shrugged and said, “Please, Miss Mingyue!”
Du Gu Mingyue seemed apologetic, but her heart was already elsewhere. She said softly, “General Li, I’m sorry.”
Li Qing’an laughed heartily. “What are you saying, Miss Mingyue? There’s no need to apologize. Go ahead!”
Du Gu Mingyue gave Li Qing’an a charming smile, then walked away lightly.
“Damn it! Even the beauty doesn’t fancy old Li!” Li Qing’an touched the scar on his forehead and chuckled to himself in Li Feiyuanli’s tone.
…
Li Qing’an walked around again. Although the buildings in Yang Huahua’s mansion were magnificent, it was still deep winter, and the atmosphere was gloomy. After wandering for a while, he found it uninteresting and headed back to the main hall.
Just as he reached the steps, someone on them bowed to him. “General Li, please wait.”
It was a man in his thirties, with fair skin and dressed in a scholar’s robe, appearing refined and polite. Li Qing’an remembered him slightly; he seemed to have seen him at the entrance earlier.
“Who are you…”
“I am Cui Ping, an official in the Ministry of Rites. I’ve long heard of General Li’s fame.”

“It turns out to be Cui, the Vice Minister!” Li Qing’an bowed in return with a smile and asked, “Does the Vice Minister need something from me?”
“Nothing special. I’ve long admired General Li. I’d like to invite you to my humble home tomorrow night for some wine. Would you be so kind as to come?”
Li Qing’an pondered for a moment before asking, “What’s the relationship between Cui Qiao, the Right Vice Minister, and you?”
“Cui Qiao is my second uncle.”
Li Qing’an chuckled. “Then fine. If Brother Cui doesn’t mind my intrusion, I’ll definitely be there tomorrow.”
Cui Ping was overjoyed. He quickly took out a folded note and handed it to Li Qing’an, saying, “This is my address. Come anytime tomorrow.”
Li Qing’an took the note and bowed to him, saying, “Very well. I’ll be there at dusk tomorrow!”
…
Ascending the steps, Li Qing’an entered the main hall. That night, Yang Huahua had distributed 2,000 invitations. Including their wives and children, there were at least 4,000 to 5,000 people in total, spread across three halls. The main hall was especially spacious, resembling a grand palace, capable of seating 4,000 people at once. Over 1,000 seating arrangements were already in place—two people per seat—allowing for nearly 3,000 guests. Officials of rank five and above, along with their wives and children, were eligible to sit in the main hall.
Despite having over 1,000 seating arrangements, the hall wasn’t crowded. There was a large open area in the middle covered with expensive Persian carpets. Nearly a hundred dancers were dancing to soothing music.
Li Qing’an’s seat was in the middle. An eunuch led him to his seat. Around him were officials of rank four and their wives and children. The women were all beautifully dressed, with elaborate hairstyles. The hall was warm, so they had taken off their warm coats and scarves, wearing only short jackets and long skirts. These garments were intricately designed, often embroidered with exquisite patterns—truly “layer upon layer of embroidered silk, with golden phoenixes and silver geese woven in.”
The colors were vibrant—red, purple, yellow, and green competing for attention, dazzling the eyes. The noblewomen were well-maintained, with their chests partially exposed, smooth and radiant, giving the impression of half-hidden snow-like skin.
There was still some time before the banquet began, and guests were whispering to each other, filling the hall with soft chatter.
The wooden benches were covered with sable fur, keeping things warm. As soon as Li Qing’an sat down, he suddenly heard a young woman’s voice calling him. Turning around, he saw Du Gu Mingzhu sitting not far away, waving at him happily. The rouge on her face was gone; she wore a double-looped hairstyle, with a light touch of powder, looking bright-eyed, beautiful, and charming.
Although Du Gu Mingzhu was only 14, she was already fully developed, with prominent breasts and a graceful figure, exuding a unique charm.