Chapter 26: Ups and Downs (IV)

“Innocent, Yanji!”
Seeing his two friends enter the mansion, the young man quickly got up to greet them.
“Brother Kuo, since Gao Xiuyan is so heartless, don’t blame us for being unkind! He thinks his actions are flawless, but we’ll make sure he’s caught red-handed—then let’s see how he can deny it.”
Zhang Xiaolangjun wasn’t one to suffer losses. Upon learning that Gao Xiuyan had ties to the Tubo people, he set out that very night for the Tongwu Camp stationed outside Chang’an, intending to gather his troops and attack Gao Xiuyan’s residence. It was only thanks to Zhou Wucai’s persuasion that he calmed down.
“Gao Xiuyan now has Li Linfu’s backing, so he must feel invincible. Besides, he’s the General of the Jinwu Guard and Deputy Governor of Longyou, commanding a large army. His residence must be heavily guarded… I’m afraid…”
Li Kuo shook his head, expressing his concerns.
“Whoever walks by the river will get their shoes wet. I already have a way to make him stumble badly!”
Zhou Wucai shook his head and smiled mysteriously.
“You fat idiot, just tell us your plan quickly! Your brother is getting desperate here.”
Zhang Yanji glared at Zhou Wucai, urging him impatiently.
“Sigh, mortals… Mortals like you will never understand the thoughts of a genius like me. Well, never mind…”
Seeing Zhang Yanji’s urgency, Zhou Wucai played the aloof for a moment.
“You, you fat idiot… Brother Kuo, look at him…”
At a loss, Zhang Yanji turned to Li Kuo for help.
Li Kuo smiled slightly and said, “Wucai is just sharp-tongued but kind-hearted. He means no harm. You should tell him.”
“Brother Kuo is sensible. Come here and listen!”
Zhou Wucai nodded in satisfaction and waved at Li Kuo.
“Well, this matter needs to be handled slowly. We can’t rush it. We…”
“A brilliant plan! A truly brilliant plan!”
Li Kuo clapped his hands in approval. Acting this way, Gao Xiuyan surely wouldn’t notice.
With a slight twitch at the corners of his mouth, Zhang Yanji reluctantly spread his palms. “I didn’t expect you, you fat idiot, to actually be quite skilled.”
“Do you know how pigs die?”
“From overeating?”
“From stupidity!”
Zhou Wucai curled his lips and sighed.
“Hey, you fat idiot! Stop!”
Three days later, the sky over Chang’an was filled with various clouds—many, but not chaotic. Under the clear sky, the people of Chang’an got up, washed up, and started cooking, beginning their day just like their ancestors had done.

If Chang’an City were compared to a chessboard, then each district would be a chess square, with various pieces falling into them to form a unique and extraordinary game. Among the most dazzling squares, aside from the eastern and western palaces, was Qujiang Pond in the southeast corner of the city.

Today, the four gates of Qujiang District were under strict security, with flags fluttering along the roads. Not far from Qujiang Pond, the Furong Imperial Garden welcomed the emperor’s presence, marking the height of the Tang Dynasty!

Emperor Li Longji, along with his concubine, crown prince, other princes, and trusted officials, went to Furong Garden for a leisurely outing. After the grand court session in Daming Palace, the wars in Longyou were temporarily put on hold. Over these days, Li Longji had been deeply concerned about the wars in Longyou, working tirelessly. After rewarding the soldiers and reviewing the memorials, he could finally take some time to rest and regain his strength.

How could such an important event fail with the emperor in attendance? The palace messengers had already arrived at Furong Garden in advance, taking care of everything from arranging soldiers for defense to arranging the flower beds.

The weather had been pleasant and sunny these days. Delighted by such beautiful weather, the emperor decided to hold a small javelin throwing competition. It would allow his subjects to relax their tense nerves and rest properly, and it would also fulfill Yang Yuhuan’s wish to see how much better her shooting skills had become.

“Your Majesty, if I win first, how will you reward me?”

Yang Yuhuan wore a blood-red ruqun today, making her figure even more curvaceous. A sapphire-colored ribbon slipped down from her chest and was casually tied at her back, adding to her alluring charm.

Li Longji was stirred by Yang Yuhuan’s sweet words. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Whatever you say, Yuhuan, that’s how I’ll reward you. Isn’t even my body yours?”

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuhuan’s face turned red immediately. She covered her face with her sleeves and said, “Third Brother is such a bad boy, knowing exactly how to tease me.”

Li Longji pulled Yang Yuhuan into his arms and said, “Isn’t that exactly what you like about me?”

“Third Brother…”

Yang Yuhuan’s breathing became faster, and her face turned even redder.

“Your Majesty, let’s go to the banquet first. The elders are waiting.”

Seeing this, Gao Lishi stepped forward at the right moment and cleared his throat gently.

“Hmm, I know.”

Li Longji released Yang Yuhuan, smiled awkwardly, and strode toward a pentagonal pavilion by the lake.

At this time, the lotus flowers in the pond were in full bloom, their fragrance spreading far and wide. With their green leaves floating on the water, they presented a truly magnificent sight. Upon seeing this, Yang Fei couldn’t help but become enchanted: “Sanlang, when the lotus flowers are in full bloom, they seem hardly inferior to peonies.”

Li Longji glanced at the pond and said, “The great scholar Sanlu once praised them, saying, ‘I weave lotus leaves into garments and gather hibiscus flowers to make skirts. Though they may not know me, my heart remains true to their fragrance!’ Lotus flowers are pure and untainted, truly rare.” (Note 1)

After a brief pause, Li Longji smiled and said, “Yet these lotus flowers are too proud, refusing to mix with mud and sand. Little do they realize how few things in this world can exist without even a trace of impurity. I prefer peonies—they are noble in nature and brightly colored. Most importantly, they know propriety and know when to advance or retreat!”

Hearing this, Yang Fei pouted and said, “Your servant will not argue with Sanlang. You are so learned and talented, well-versed in both ancient and modern times, always quoting the ancients to outshine me.”

“I realize my mistake. Please forgive me, my love!”

Li Longji curled his finger like a musician and sang softly in a theatrical tone. Though his voice wasn’t loud, Yang Yuhuan heard it clearly.

“Pfft, Your Majesty really has a good mood!”

Yang Fei swayed her silk sleeves, scattering a delicate fragrance into the air.

The pavilion by the lake wasn’t large, capable of holding only forty or fifty people. The guards, maids, and eunuchs alone took up thirty spots, so aside from Li Longji and Yang Yuhuan, only a few trusted ministers and favored princes were allowed inside.

A light rain had fallen recently, alleviating the heat. The moisture rising from the lake made the air not too stifling. Yang Fei leaned against Li Longji as she carefully peeled a lychee.

“Your Majesty, let me feed you.”

“Good, good!”

Overjoyed, Li Longji leaned forward and sucked the smooth, egg-like lychee into his mouth.

“My love, you’ve peeled this lychee just as I like it. Excellent!”

Yang Yuhuan pouted and said, “It’s indeed a wonderful thing, but no matter how good it is, eating too much of it becomes boring. Now my mouth is full of sweetness; I really want to try something different.”

“Well…”

At her words, Li Longji was momentarily at a loss. All the food in the palace was prepared by the imperial kitchen, and outsiders had no say in it. So though each meal was exquisite, eating it repeatedly inevitably led to boredom. The preparation of fruits and desserts followed fixed recipes, and since the people in the palace favored sweet foods, more sugar was added to them.

Seeing Li Longji’s furrowed brows, Crown Prince Li Heng held up a food box and said, “Father, I happen to have a box of plums brought by the servants. Thinking of how you work tirelessly on state affairs day after day, I didn’t dare eat them myself, so I prepared them for you. Since Mother dislikes sweet foods, perhaps these sour plums might refresh her.”

Li Longji nodded and smiled. “It’s rare to see such filial piety from you, Heng. Don’t overwork yourself in the Eastern Palace. After all, you are the heir to the throne of our Tang Dynasty. If you lack anything in terms of food, clothing, or other necessities, just tell Yuan. I will never let you suffer.”

After all, he was his own flesh and blood. Though he had often been wary of him in the past, at this moment, Li Longji truly felt moved.

“I thank Father for your kindness,” he said.

Hearing this, Li Heng knelt on the ground, tears welling in his eyes.

“Bring it here,” Li Longji ordered loudly, waving his hand.

Someone took the food box from the crown prince’s hands and placed it on the stone table in front of Li Longji. The eunuch who tasted it picked up a plum with a bamboo stick, put it in his mouth, chewed slowly, and, seeing nothing amiss, nodded at Li Longji.

“Yuhuan, you may eat now,” Li Longji said, waving at Yang Yuhuan with a slight smile.

Yang Yuhuan picked up a bamboo stick, pierced a plum with it, and put it in her mouth. As soon as the plum touched her tongue, she felt a refreshing coolness.

“Your Majesty, these plums are sweet with a hint of sourness—quite delicious,” she said.

After a pause, she smiled gently at Li Heng. “Heng, you’ve thought of everything.”

Note 1: From “Li Sao”