Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 465 Li Zhi's Little Chess Partner

When they arrived at a pavilion in the courtyard of the Lizheng Hall, they saw Princess Taiping sitting in the pavilion, reading a small booklet.

In January, the spring chill was still in the air, and the cold winds were relentless. Fearing that she would catch a cold, the eunuchs and palace servants had no choice but to place a screen next to the pavilion to shield her from the wind.

Li Hong hadn't seen his sister for a few days, so he went over to say hello.

"Sister, how have you been these days?"

"It's alright, but what about my brother?"

“I’m fine too,” Li Hong replied.

Princess Taiping nodded, then buried her head in the book again, without rising to greet him.

Her behavior was very rude, but Li Hong was gentle and usually doted on his younger sister, so he wasn't angry, just found it strange.

"Sixth Brother, what is Fourth Sister looking at?"

Li Xian curled his lip and said, "Chess record."

Li Hong asked in astonishment, "She's so young, how can she understand chess notation?"

Li Xian pulled him aside, chuckled, and said, "Brother, don't underestimate our little sister. Although Mother often argues with her, she always says behind her back that Lingyue is most like her. Lingyue is indeed smart and extremely interested in chess. It's not surprising that she could read chess scores at the age of four."

Li Hong was taken aback and said, "But she's a girl, and so young, how could she be interested in playing chess?"

Li Xian laughed and said, "Of course it's to please Father and be his chess partner."

"Chess partners? What's that?"

"They're chess opponents, that's what my father said. Once, my fourth sister played a game with him, and he praised her for her great progress, saying she was almost becoming his little chess partner!"

"That's right." Li Hong nodded, looked up at Princess Taiping, and seeing that her face was a little pale, said, "It's so cold. Even if you want to look at the chess score, you should go inside. Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"

As he was speaking, he was about to go over and persuade her to come inside, but Li Xian stopped him.

"Brother, don't go. It's no use trying to persuade me."

"Why?"

Li Xian muttered, "That little girl is cunning. She's deliberately sitting here looking at the chess manual, hoping Father will see her and praise her. If you go over to persuade her, you'll only ruin her plans. Do you think she'll listen to you?"

Li Hong chuckled and said, "It seems my little sister has really grown up."

Li Xian glanced at him and said, "At such a young age, she already has a dozen tricks up her sleeve. Apart from her parents, I doubt anyone will be able to control her in the future!"

Li Hong laughed and said, "It's not that exaggerated."

Seeing that he didn't take it seriously, Li Xian thought that after her parents passed away, it wouldn't be her who would be disciplining her in the future, so why bother? Therefore, she stopped trying to persuade him.

"Brother, do you know what I'm most looking forward to right now?"

"what?"

Li Xian laughed and said, "I'm just looking forward to my little sister growing up quickly so she can stand up to Mother in the future. Hehe, then there will be a good show to watch!"

Li Hong said irritably, "What kind of talk is that? Aren't you just trying to stir up trouble?"

Li Xian glanced at him and said, "Stop pretending to be so serious. Don't you want to take a look?"

Li Hong said seriously, "I don't want to watch. If they start arguing, I'll definitely stop them." He strode towards the main hall.

Upon entering the hall, they found no trace of Wu Meiniang. After asking the palace servants, they learned that Wu Meiniang had prepared a new dish that day and was directing the people in the side hall to cook it.

Li Hong then asked, "When will Father arrive?"

The palace attendant replied, "Your Highness, Supervisor Zhang has already gone to fetch him and should arrive shortly."

Normally, even if Li Zhi came to the Lizheng Palace for a meal, Wu Meiniang would wait patiently and would not send anyone to call him.

Today is different, because tomorrow is the Lantern Festival, so tonight's meal is like a family feast, which is why Li Hong was also invited over for a reunion dinner.

Li Zhi has been very busy these past few days.

He is very busy every January.

Fortunately, Li Hong has become increasingly capable recently, allowing Li Zhi to delegate more government affairs to the Eastern Palace and share the burden with his son.

Before dusk, Li Zhi finally finished processing the imperial edicts that had been sent over that afternoon.

Tomorrow is the Lantern Festival. As is customary, Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) will hold a court banquet to entertain his officials. Therefore, the annual reunion dinner will be eaten in advance.

In the first few years, Li Zhi would turn the reunion dinner into a family banquet, where everyone would eat together.

But he later realized that if there were too many people, a family banquet would be no different from a palace banquet, and he couldn't possibly take care of everyone.

Therefore, he would eat separately during this family reunion dinner, which actually made the atmosphere of a family dinner more festive.

Tonight is the family banquet at Lizheng Hall. After leaving Ganlu Hall, he strolled towards Lizheng Hall.

As I was walking, I heard shouts coming from beside me.

Turning his head, he saw that it was Princess Gao'an and Princess Yiyang calling him, with Princess Yiyang carrying a food box in her hand.

"Your Majesty, will you be having breakfast at Xunfeng Palace tomorrow morning?" Princess Gao'an asked as the two women approached.

Li Zhi said, "Yes, we will dine at the Empress's place tonight, at the Consort's place tomorrow morning, and at the Virtuous Consort's place at noon."

Princess Gao'an said happily, "Then I'll sleep at Aunt Zheng's place tonight, and I can have breakfast with Father tomorrow morning!"

Princess Yiyang added, "Tomorrow at noon, I will also go to Penglai Palace to have lunch with Father."

Li Zhi said, "Very good."

Princess Yiyang opened the food box in her hand, inside which was an exquisite glass dish with a stack of square green pastries.

"Father, this is a sweet osmanthus glutinous rice cake that I made. Please have a piece."

Li Zhi picked up a piece, took a bite, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. He then put the remaining half into his mouth, chewed for a moment, and a rich and smooth taste spread in his mouth.

"Hua'er, did you really make this?" Li Zhi asked with an incredulous expression.

These pastries taste even better than those made by the palace servants in the Imperial Kitchen.

Princess Yiyang said softly, "Yes, this is what my mother taught me to do."

Princess Gao'an muttered, "My mother taught me too, but unfortunately, I can't make it taste like my elder sister."

After listening, Li Zhi remained silent.

Consort Xiao was able to win Emperor Gaozong's favor not only because of her beautiful appearance, but also because she was skilled at making pastries, an ability that even Wu Zetian could not match.

Li Zhi ate in silence, and before he knew it, he had finished the entire plate of pastries.

"Hua'er, with your skills, you could easily open a shop in the city," Li Zhi remarked.

Princess Yiyang was quite pleased and smiled, "Since Father likes to eat this, I will make some extra for Father to enjoy at noon tomorrow."

"Then I'll eat a little less this morning and have a big meal at noon!" Li Zhi said with a smile.

“Father, how could you do this?” Princess Gao’an said discontentedly, “Tomorrow, Aunt Zheng will surely prepare a carefully prepared meal. If you eat less, she will be very sad.”

Li Zhi said helplessly, "Alright then, I'll eat a little more in the morning."

"That's more like it." Princess Gao'an was finally satisfied.

After parting ways with his two daughters, Li Zhi continued toward the Lizheng Hall. Just as he passed through two moon gates, he saw Princess Taiping sitting in a pavilion, holding a small booklet in her hand.

Li Zhi was very curious and stepped forward to ask, "Yue'er, what are you doing here? Aren't you cold?" Princess Taiping jumped down from the small brocade stool, came over and grabbed Li Zhi's big hand, and said with a smile, "Grandpa, I'm looking at a chess score and also welcoming Grandpa!"

Seeing that her little hands were cold, Li Zhi picked her up and said with a smile, "It's cold, so just wait for me indoors from now on. Don't get sick."

He carried Princess Taiping into the main hall, where he saw the four brothers Li Hong, Li Xian, Li Xian, and Li Dan.

Li Hong and Li Xian were playing backgammon, while Li Xian and Li Dan watched from the sidelines, acting as their advisors.

When the four men saw Li Zhi approaching, they all came over to pay their respects.

Li Zhi walked to the round table and sat down, asking, "Where is your mother?"

Li Xian smiled and said, "Mother is preparing the meal in the side hall."

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Sit down and talk."

The four men, led by Li Hong, sat down next to Li Zhi in order of age.

"Hong'er, are you still managing to keep up with your busy schedule?"

Li Hongdao: "It's alright."

Li Xian quickly interjected, "Father, you underestimate my elder brother. He handles government affairs very quickly. When I went to call him at noon today, he had already finished."

"Hong'er, is it true?" Li Zhi asked in surprise.

Li Hong's face flushed slightly, and he lowered his head and nodded.

Li Zhi laughed and said, "It seems you've really grown up. When you're a few years older, I'll be able to relax."

Princess Taiping squirmed in Li Zhi's arms and mumbled, "Ye ye, today is the family reunion dinner, so please don't talk about politics!"

Li Zhi laughed and said, "Very well, let's not talk about politics today. What do you want to talk about?"

Li Xian said, "Father, it's been a long time since you took us to the Hot Spring Palace."

He was only two or three years old when he went to the hot spring palace, just as his mind was maturing, and he was filled with nostalgia and longing for these memories.

Li Dan added, "Seventh Brother has at least been there a few times, but I've never been!"

Princess Taiping said with a pitiful expression, "Yes, all my brothers and sisters have been there, only Yue'er and her brother haven't. Poor Yue'er!"

Li Zhi said helplessly, "I went there before to treat my headache, and that's why I took them with me. Now that my headache is cured, there's no need for me to go anymore."

"Then you can take us to play too!" Princess Taiping said coquettishly.

A voice suddenly came from the doorway: "Yue'er, you're almost five years old now. Even if we go to the hot spring palace, you should soak in the hot spring with me."

Everyone looked up and saw Wu Meiniang leading a group of palace servants in, each carrying a tray.

Li Zhi put Princess Taiping down and let her and the other princes pay their respects to Wu Meiniang, while Wu Meiniang paid her respects to Li Zhi.

After the formalities were completed, the family sat around the table. Princess Taiping wanted to snuggle up to Li Zhi, but Wu Meiniang picked her up and placed her on a raised chair.

Princess Taiping said discontentedly, "She's only four years old, why can't she soak in the hot spring with her father?"

While ordering the palace servants to set out the meal, Wu Meiniang said indifferently, "According to palace rules, girls cannot take a hot spring bath with their fathers after the age of three."

Princess Taiping snorted, "Then I won't soak with Father. I'll massage Father's hands after he's finished soaking?"

Wu Meiniang glanced at her and sneered, "With your thin arms and legs, what strength could you possibly have to serve anyone?"

Princess Taiping, unable to win against her mother, pretended not to hear her mother's mockery and said to Li Zhi, "Father, can you take Yue'er to the Hot Spring Palace?"

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Mei Niang, it's been quite a while since we've been to the Hot Spring Palace. How about we take the children there for three days in February when we're less busy?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xian jumped up from his chair and cheered loudly, overjoyed. Li Dan and Li Xian also cheered in unison.

Although Li Hong was somewhat calmer, his eyes were still shining.

On the contrary, Princess Taiping, who had offered her opinion, remained the calmest, staring at Wu Meiniang with her large eyes wide open.

She knew very well that her father always respected her mother's opinion, and if her mother objected, the matter would be difficult to succeed.

Wu Meiniang thought for a moment and said, "It has indeed been a long time since I went to the Hot Spring Palace, and I have no objection. However, since we are going, the Noble Consort, the Virtuous Consort, the Third Prince, and the Fourth Prince will definitely go with us. The palace cannot be left unattended for so long. Why don't Your Majesty accompany them for three days, and I will accompany them for two days, and then I will return to the palace first."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Alright, let's arrange it that way then."

Because he was to have breakfast at Xunfeng Palace the next day, Li Zhi sat in Lizheng Palace until 9 PM before heading towards Xunfeng Palace.

On the way, he stopped by Ganlu Palace to see if anything was wrong.

As it turned out, they actually ran into Wang Jishan, who was waiting there, at the Ganlu Palace.

"Minister Wang, what brings you to see me so late?"

Wang Jishan cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I think Sisyphus should also attend the Lantern Festival banquet tomorrow."

For the past two years, the Inner Territory has been preparing for the restoration of the Tocharian Kingdom. The current Tocharian king has completely embraced the Abbasid Caliphate and is impossible to turn against.

On Xue Niang's advice, the inner guards found a branch of the Tokharistan royal family that had been exiled near the Amu Darya River.

Only one descendant survived from that line, named Sissis, who made a living by herding sheep.

Last March, Peroz and Xue Niang sent people to bring him back to Chang'an, where he has been staying at Mo Jia Xuan.

Next, they sent people to find many descendants of Tocharian nobles.

These nobles, unwilling to submit to the Abbasid Caliphate, resisted and were uprooted by the Abbasids, with only a few descendants surviving.

These noble descendants are now living in dire straits. Hearing that the Tang Dynasty intends to support Sissis to ascend the throne, they are naturally willing to take a gamble and support Sissis in order to restore their noble status and regain their glory.

With Sisis and this group of people, the Tang Dynasty will finally have a legitimate reason to wage war.

A few days after meeting with Gar Tongtsen, Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) met with Sissis, bestowed upon him the title of King of Tokharistan, and granted him a gold seal, jade tally, ceremonial staff, and other tokens, as well as a mansion.

Having obtained an official title bestowed by the Tang Dynasty, Sissis requested permission from Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) to also bestow titles upon all the noble descendants who followed him.

Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) did not bestow official titles upon them in the Tang Dynasty, but instead granted Sissis the power to appoint his own officials.

Sissis immediately bestowed titles upon all his nobles, including three prime ministers, five generals, and even his sheep, horses, and dogs, who accompanied him, were given the titles of Sheep General, Horse General, and Dog General.

This matter spread throughout the court and the public, causing a great deal of ridicule. Many Tang Dynasty officials felt that Sissis was unreliable and had doubts about supporting him.

Wang Jishan was furious and confronted Peroz and Xue Niang, questioning why they hadn't tried to dissuade Sissis.

The two were also helpless. Sissis had a strange temper and insisted on bestowing titles upon the animals. If they disagreed, he would threaten to go back to herding sheep.

Wang Jishan then decided to use the court banquet the next day to allow Sissis to have more contact with Tang Dynasty officials and salvage some of her reputation.

Li Zhi didn't seem to care much about this matter.

The restoration of Tocharian kingdom was only triggered by Sissis and others; the key lay with Pei Xingjian.

Pei Xingjian had been preparing for this for more than two years, and now that Tibet had agreed to betray them, the situation was currently in the Tang Dynasty's favor.

Therefore, he didn't care too much about letting Sissis attend the court banquet; he was just worried that Wang Jishan might make things worse.

"My lord, I can grant your request, but I fear he might make a fool of himself at tomorrow's banquet, which would spoil the fun."

Wang Jishan said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have made arrangements. Tomorrow, Sisyphus will honestly toast the officials of our Great Tang Dynasty and will not cause any more trouble."

Li Zhi waved his hand and said, "If that's the case, then let him come."

Wang Jishan agreed and took his leave.

(End of this chapter)