The rebellious grandson of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty: Please, Your Majesty, be called Cro

Chapter 124 Li Xiang: Are you sure you want me to recite a poem?

"May Your Majesty be well."

The entire royal family bowed in unison, offering their greetings in a solemn and orderly manner, echoing throughout the magnificent Liangyi Hall.

Li Er looked relaxed today, with a rare air of ease in his eyes. It was clear that the sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple had gone smoothly, and he was quite pleased to have heard the flattery and praise from the imperial relatives and nobles along the way.

The emperor's usual cold and dignified demeanor had faded considerably, and even his steps as he ascended the throne were much lighter and more relaxed than usual.

"Haha, you may dispense with the formalities and take your seats. I am perfectly at ease!"

Li Shimin raised his hand in a loud voice, his tone gentle and easygoing, displaying the amiable demeanor of a family banquet. He slowly stepped onto the imperial steps and landed steadily on the central dragon throne, his posture upright and his bearing dignified. Chu Suiliang and other close ministers who had arrived with him also bowed and sat down in order, each taking their place.

After the emperor was seated, Li Shimin raised his hand and gently patted the seat.

Two soft sounds rang out, and the musicians and performers who had been waiting outside the hall entered in unison. The elegant music, clear and refined, began to play, perfectly suited to the court music used in ancestral temple ceremonies. The soothing and solemn melody instantly silenced the quiet chatter that had just taken place in the hall, perfectly embodying the imperial protocol for this private banquet of the royal family.

Palace attendants filed in, their steps light and graceful, carrying exquisite food tables, gilded wine vessels, seasonal fruits, and delicacies, which they arranged before each table. Jade platters were laden with delicacies, and goblets were overflowing with fine wine. The palace was brightly lit, the gilded lights reflecting off the food, creating a scene of imperial grandeur.

The clan members took their seats according to their rank and status, and no one dared to chat idly anymore.

Prince Wei, Li Tai, sat upright in the highest princely position. When he raised his eyes, a gentle and proper smile always graced his lips. He frequently glanced at Li Shimin on the throne, appearing as a filial and gentle man with a broad mind, deliberately displaying the demeanor of a crown prince.

Li Shimin's gaze swept over the assembled clansmen. Looking at the flourishing Li family before him, a hint of satisfaction appeared in his eyes. He slowly spoke: "In midsummer, we worship our ancestors to express our gratitude for their protection, which has brought us peace and stability year after year and tranquility throughout the land. Today, let us not discuss court etiquette or official business, but only our kinship. My lords, please feel free to drink and chat as you please."

Everyone raised their glasses in praise, expressing their gratitude for the divine grace.

As the wine flowed freely, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly lively. The solemn and dignified temple music was withdrawn, replaced by light and lively Hu Xuan tunes. A group of Western Region dancers, dressed in narrow-sleeved silk skirts, filed into the hall, silver bells hanging from their waists, twirling and dancing to the rhythm, their skirts billowing like blooming flowers, their figures light and graceful.

King Li Tai of Wei, seated at the head of the table, saw that the emperor was very pleased and the banquet was in full swing.

He was always adept at seizing such opportunities to win the emperor's favor and showcase his talent. He immediately put down his wine cup, stood up, and bowed, saying, "Father, today the Midsummer Ancestral Worship Ceremony has been successfully completed. The country is at peace, relatives are gathered together, songs and dances are performed, and the grandeur of this prosperous age is evident."

Your Majesty, I believe that such an auspicious occasion should not be without poetry. Why don't we accompany our wine with poems, praising Your Majesty's virtuous rule and celebrating the peace and prosperity of the Tang Dynasty, thus enhancing the enjoyment of the meal?

The princes and young men of the imperial clan all echoed their agreement, their faces beaming with pride. Today was the perfect opportunity to curry favor, and with the emperor in such a good mood, everyone wanted to leave a good impression on Li Shimin by composing poems in praise of him.

"What the King of Wei says is absolutely right!"

"Let us compose poems to praise His Majesty's diligence in governing and love for the people, so that our Great Tang Dynasty may prosper year after year!"

Li Shimin was also greatly pleased and instructed everyone to compose poems at will.

"I'd like to offer a humble suggestion, so I'll start by composing a poem," Li Tai said. He then immediately composed a poem.

He was already known for his literary talent, and this poem must have been polished in private for a long time. When he recited it aloud, it immediately won applause from the audience, and everyone praised the King of Wei for his outstanding talent.

Li Tai looked smug and bowed humbly to the crowd, unaware that Li Shimin, sitting at the head of the table, was looking at him with a complex expression.

Once the King of Wei had begun, the talented members of the royal family at the banquet rose one after another to compose poems on the spot.

Although his poems could not compare to those of Prince Wei, Li Tai, they were still elegant and refined, each word praising the emperor's virtues and the prosperous Zhenguan era. Some praised the emperor's diligence in governing and accepting advice, some celebrated the peace and stability of the country and the well-being of the people, and some congratulated the harmonious relationship within the imperial family and the longevity of the imperial reign.

Li Shimin leaned back on his throne, listening with a smile, nodding in approval from time to time.

The others listened attentively, occasionally raising their glasses in agreement. The hall was filled with a refined and cultured atmosphere.

Li Shimin was also immersed in the joy and happiness of this grand banquet. His gaze swept across the table, passing over the princes, princesses, and members of the imperial family one by one, his expression gentle and warm, until he reached a corner of a side table, where his phoenix eyes narrowed.

He spotted two figures sitting right next to Princess Chang Le's seat.

Li Xiang stood tall and straight. While others listened attentively to his poetry or raised their cups in toast, he did not even look up. He was eating a leg of lamb with his mouth full of oil, showing no restraint whatsoever.

Beside him, Li Jue appeared reserved, his eyes revealing a timid and hesitant demeanor, standing out starkly from the other members of the imperial family who were dressed in fine clothes and exuded an air of arrogance.

The joy in Li Shimin's eyes subsided slightly, a complex emotion that was barely perceptible passing through them.

Alas—those two grandsons, Xiang'er, though rebellious, ultimately suffered. Outside the palace, they probably never again tasted such delicious food as at a royal banquet.

And then there's Jue'er—after all, he's so young, he's really suffered—

The lineage of the deposed crown prince remained a thorn in his side.

"Brother, the food in the palace doesn't taste as good as the food our own brother makes!" Li Jue quietly approached Li Xiang and whispered.

"Yes, you bet! The imperial chefs in the palace are cooking pig swill! What a waste of such good ingredients." Li Xiang tore off a piece of lamb leg.

This braised mutton dish is quite good. After all, with this kind of barbecue, as long as you put in enough spices, it can't be too bad.

Spices were a precious commodity in the early Tang Dynasty.

"Don't sip it slowly, eat it all, and pick the expensive ones. This is the only dish you can actually eat; the rest are just bland and tasteless shoddy stuff."

"Let's find a chance later and pack up a few portions to take back. Hmm, I wonder if we can manage to get a few pounds of spices—"

Tsk tsk tsk, I heard that Li Er can only eat such expensive dishes made with spices during festivals. On ordinary days, he can only eat pig feed made by the imperial chefs. How pitiful.

The two brothers ate with their mouths full of oil and whispered amongst themselves, which made them appear even more vulgar, uncouth, and ill-mannered to the group of royal family members who were reciting poetry in a refined manner.

Princess Gaoyang's beautiful eyes darted around, and as another member of the imperial clan finished reciting his poem, amidst cheers from the hall, she suddenly rose, bowed gracefully to the throne, and said sweetly to Li Er, "Father, today all the members of the imperial clan have displayed their talents, a truly magnificent occasion. It's just a pity that there is still one prodigy of poetry from Chang'an who hasn't put pen to paper yet."

"Oh?" Li Er had always doted on this daughter. "A prodigy in the poetry world of Chang'an? I have no idea who he is? Who is Gao Yang referring to?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Yang's lips curled into a sly and mischievous smile. She abruptly turned to the side, her gaze falling on Li Xiang, who was busy devouring yet another lamb leg: "Naturally, it's my good nephew—the imperial grandson Li Xiang!"

"Some time ago, at the farewell ceremony at Ba Bridge, Xiang'er's words, 'Do not worry about having no friends on the road ahead, for who in the world does not know you,' spread throughout Chang'an overnight, possessing the potential to become a timeless masterpiece. Even I, a princess confined to my chambers, have heard of it."

"Such a magnificent scene today, wouldn't it be a shame if Xiang'er didn't compose a poem?"

She raised her beautiful eyebrows defiantly at Li Xiang.

Li Xiang paused for a moment, then put down the lamb leg in his hand with amusement.

"Is Aunt Gaoyang sure she wants me to compose a poem?"

This woman should know that I'm a professional at writing anti-revolutionary poems, right?

Could it be that they want me to recite a rebellious poem and then be humiliated and kicked out of the Taiji Hall?

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