Chapter 259: The Imperial Concubine’s Banquet

Dusk was approaching. It was still early spring, and darkness fell soon. Lights had already been lit inside Huaqing Palace. Two palace maids, carrying lanterns, led Li Qingan ahead.
“General Li, please come this way!”
Within the vast complex of Huaqing Palace, Li Qingan had taken countless turns and passed through numerous doors. His head was spinning from all the twists and turns. The two maids were taking him to bathe and change. As a warm, humid breeze hit him, they pushed open a door.
“General Li, we’ve arrived!”
It was a hot spring room with dim lighting. A huge white jade screen divided the room in two. Inside the bathing area, two beautiful palace maids were waiting to assist with his bath. They had received instructions in advance—upon seeing Li Qingan enter, they immediately stepped forward and bowed slightly. “General, please change your clothes!”
It wouldn’t have been a problem if they had served him in such a graceful manner, but having these unfamiliar maids attend to him made Li Qingan feel very uncomfortable. He nodded and said, “I’ll do it myself. You may leave.”
“Yes!” The two maids blushed slightly and stepped behind the screen. Li Qingan glanced around the bathing area. Behind the screen was a lotus-shaped bath filled with steaming water. Bubbles rose from the surface, and the water was crystal clear. Water flowed out of a small channel outside the bath. Some kind of fragrance filled the air, creating a strong sweet scent throughout the room.
After traveling thousands of miles and arriving in Chang’an without rest, Li Qingan was extremely tired. He quickly took off his military uniform and jumped into the bath. The scalding water covered his shoulders, soothing every pore in his body. He even closed his eyes in comfort.
Suddenly, he felt two delicate hands applying a cool, smooth liquid to his shoulders and neck. Startled, he realized two women were standing behind him. They were dressed only in thin undergarments, their bodies as fair as sheep-fat jade, faintly visible through the steam.
“General, this is Hundred-Flower Dew personally prepared by the Imperial Concubine, mixed with dragon’s blood grass juice. It’s excellent for relieving fatigue. The Concubine said you’ve traveled thousands of miles and are exhausted, so she ordered us to take good care of you. Please relax, and we’ll help you loosen your muscles.”
Though uncomfortable, there was no need to panic—this was part of their duties. Li Qingan decided to relax and enjoy the maids’ service.
…
After bathing, drying himself off, and putting on clean new robes, Li Qingan felt refreshed. The two maids also combed his hair for him before smiling charmingly and leaving.

“General, please follow me! Your Majesty and the Empress are already waiting,” said an old eunuch with a smile at the door.
“Very well! Lead the way.”
Two palace maids carried lanterns ahead, while the old eunuch guided Li Qing’an to the Bai Cao Hall where the meal was served. Guards stood all around the hall, and groups of eunuchs and maids busily carried dishes in. Once inside, the hall was as bright as day, filled with the sounds of music. A group of dancers was performing gracefully. Above the jade steps stood a large table laden with various delicious delicacies. Today, Li Longji was hosting Li Qing’an for a family meal. Instead of setting up another table below the steps, Li Qing’an dined at the same table as Li Longji and Yang Guifei. This was also one of Li Longji’s ways to win over his ministers—fewer than ten ministers had ever been allowed to dine with him.
Dozens of palace maids served at the side. Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan sat at the head of the table, while a woman in palace robes with updoed hair sat at the lower end. She was facing away from Li Qing’an and seemed somewhat familiar.
When Li Longji saw Li Qing’an approaching, he said with a smile, “General, feel free to act casually. This is a family meal, not a court meeting—there’s no need to follow strict etiquette.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Empress!”
Li Qing’an bowed slightly and smiled. He then nodded slightly at the woman beside him but was suddenly stunned. He had thought she was one of Li Longji’s concubines, but it turned out to be Yang Huahua.
Yang Huahua wore a faint smile as she bowed slightly to Li Qing’an. “General, it’s been a long time since we last met.”
Li Qing’an also smiled. “Indeed! It’s been almost two years. Third Lady, you look even younger and more beautiful.”
Yang Huahua covered her mouth and laughed. “There’s no such thing as being young anymore. I’m already old.”
After the incident in the Imperial Study of Daming Palace, the relationship between Yang Yuhuan and Yang Huahua had become cold for some time. It was only after their elder sisters intervened that the two sisters reconciled, and Yang Yuhuan forgave Yang Huahua for the harm she had caused her, treating her affectionately as before. After that incident, Yang Huahua became much more cautious, not daring to seduce Li Longji easily anymore. She stayed mostly indoors. But as the Yang family regained power, Yang Huahua became more ostentatious again. She invested in business, opening over a dozen large shops in Chang’an—money changers, jewelry stores, silk shops—involved in any profitable business.
She had come to Huaqing Palace three days ago for a visit and happened to encounter the banquet for Li Qing’an today. After Li Qing’an was imprisoned last time, Yang Huahua’s hatred toward him had faded significantly. Over time, Li Qing’an’s image in her mind gradually blurred. Although she still felt some regret, it no longer stirred much emotion in her.

“How long does General Li plan to stay in Chang’an this time?”
“There’s no fixed time yet; he might stay longer this time.”
At that moment, Yang Yuhuan beside him smiled and said, “General Li, please sit down first. Let’s talk slowly.”
A eunuch prepared a cushion for Li Qing’an, who sat down. Scanning the room, he still didn’t see Gao Lishi, and he realized that Gao Lishi must have lost favor.
“General Li, you’re back this time to formally marry Mingyue, right?”
No matter when, women are most concerned about such things. Yang Yuhuan had been paying close attention to this matter. In her view, Li Qing’an was already 28, and Mingyue was 19—their marriage could no longer be delayed.
A hint of jealousy flashed in Yang Huahua’s eyes as she said, “General Li, Miss Mingyue is the second most beautiful woman in Chang’an after the Imperial Concubine. You leave her alone in the capital—aren’t you worried about trouble?”
Li Qing’an looked at her disdainfully and replied, “Madam, you’re joking. Mingyue is a gentle and proper person. I have no worries. There’s a saying among the Sogdians: ‘Flies never land on flawless eggs.’ It may be crude, but it makes sense. What do you think, Madam?”
Yang Huahua sensed Li Qing’an’s sarcasm and grew angry. Gritting her teeth, she retorted, “What if someone tries to break that egg?”
“Then we’ll have to see if my sword agrees!” Li Qing’an replied coldly.
Li Longji’s expression changed slightly before disappearing again. He laughed and said, “Let’s not talk about these unpleasant things. Come! Let’s drink.”
A maid immediately poured wine into Li Qing’an’s cup. Li Qing’an picked up the cup, stood up, and said, “Today, I am honored by Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine to enjoy a family banquet. I will always remember Your Majesty’s kindness. I hereby raise a toast to Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine—may Your Majesty remain healthy and live a long life, and may the Imperial Concubine stay young and beautiful forever. I drink first!”
He downed three cups of wine in one go. Li Longji and the others applauded. They also each drank a cup. After drinking, a blush appeared on Yang Yuhuan’s beautiful face. With a delicate laugh, she said, “General Li still hasn’t answered my question! Are you here to get married?”
Li Qing’an smiled and replied, “Your Majesty, Mingyue has been waiting for me for years. It’s time I gave her a proper status. I indeed intend to marry her this time. If possible, I would also like to invite Your Majesty and the Imperial Concubine to the wedding.”
Yang Yuhuan was excited and quickly pushed Li Longji, saying, “Your Majesty, let’s go to General Li’s wedding!”

Li Longji stroked his beard and smiled, “Good! If conditions permit, we will definitely go then.”
“General, why didn’t you invite me?” Yang Huahua asked sourly.
“Hehe! If the Third Lady is willing to grace us with her presence, of course I welcome her. I’m just afraid she might be too busy and have no time.”
“What am I too busy for? It’s just running a small business. Besides, even if I’m busy, how could I miss the General’s wedding? I will surely bring a generous gift then.”
“Very well! Once a date is set, I will definitely give the Third Lady an invitation.”
The atmosphere at the banquet became lively as everyone drank a few more cups. Suddenly, Li Longji remembered something and said with a smile, “During the last battle at Shibao City, you once provided a recipe for Thunder Bomb. Last month, An Lushan asked me for it, saying it was a powerful weapon against the Khitans. I remember it was tucked inside a book back then, but now I can’t find it. Since this weapon is beneficial to the Tang army, why don’t you copy another one for An Lushan?”
Li Qing’an’s heart skipped a beat. An Lushan had already thought of gunpowder—what a ruthless man! He quickly replied, “Your Majesty, the recipe for Thunder Bomb is quite complex, and I can’t even remember it. I’ll go look for it when I return. However, this substance goes against the balance of nature. I suggest avoiding its use as much as possible. If the Tang army uses it, it will be difficult to win over the Khitans’ hearts in the future. In my opinion, when dealing with other tribes, kindness and education should take precedence over violence. Moreover, if this secret is leaked and used against the Tang army by those tribes, it will be a loss outweighing any gain. I think we should proceed with caution. Please reconsider, Your Majesty.”
Li Longji had only asked casually; he didn’t really take gunpowder seriously. Partly because he had never seen its power, he couldn’t imagine it. On the other hand, as an emperor, he was more concerned with the outcome of wars rather than the process. Li Qing’an’s suggestion of kindness and education suited his taste. He nodded and smiled, “I was merely repeating An Lushan’s request. If you think it’s inappropriate, you don’t have to give it. I won’t force you.”
Although Li Longji had only mentioned it casually, Li Qing’an’s heart was now on high alert. Gunpowder had already caught the attention of some ulterior-motived people. If they couldn’t get it from Li Longji, they would turn to him. It seemed he needed to pay close attention to this matter and make arrangements in advance.