Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 529 A Panoramic View of Mountains and Rivers
After the bestowal of rewards concluded, Li Zhi and his ministers drank and chatted, reminiscing about interesting anecdotes.

Everyone was in high spirits and talked more than usual. The banquet finally ended at three quarters past noon.

The banquet that Emperor Li Zhi held with his ministers was quite mentally taxing, and because he did not take a midday rest, he was already somewhat tired when he returned to the Ganlu Palace.

I originally wanted to rest for a while, but as soon as I entered the door, I saw Princess Taiping's big, blinking eyes.

"Yeye is finally back! Yue'er has been waiting for so long!" Princess Taiping happily pulled on Li Zhi's sleeve and came to the couch.

A chessboard has already been set up on the small table.

Seeing that Princess Taiping was so hopeful, Li Zhi didn't want to disappoint her, so he played a game with her.

The two sat facing each other at the table, taking turns placing a piece.

Time passed quickly, and the void rippled. The two people sitting beside the table had unknowingly changed.

Princess Taiping on the left has grown up into a graceful young woman with a beautiful face. You can vaguely see some resemblance to her childhood self. Upon closer inspection, she also seems to resemble Wu Zetian.

Li Zhi on the right looked a bit older, with a few white hairs on his head and more wrinkles on his face, but his demeanor and bearing were not much different from before.

Before long, the game was decided. Li Zhi threw down the chess piece in his hand and said, "I concede defeat."

Princess Taiping was overjoyed. She pounced on Li Zhi, hanging around his neck, and said happily, "Father, now that I'm giving you a handicap, you can't beat them."

Li Zhi sighed, "Yes, it seems like only yesterday that you asked me to give up two sons to you. Time really flies!"

Princess Taiping also recalled her childhood and said with a smile, "That's right, this set of chess pieces was a birthday gift for my father ten years ago. In the blink of an eye, my father will be turning fifty soon."

Li Zhi asked, "Have your elder brothers all returned to the capital?"

Princess Taiping said, "They've all returned, and they've all prepared gifts for Father."

Li Zhi smiled and asked, "So what gift have you prepared for me this year?"

Princess Taiping blinked and said, "We can't tell Father now. We'll give you a surprise on Father's birthday in three days."

Just then, a beautiful woman in gorgeous clothes walked in. After seeing the scene inside the hall, she raised her eyebrows and said, "Yue'er, how old are you? Still snuggling in your father's arms, don't you know shame?"

The person who arrived was Wu Meiniang. Compared with ten years ago, her appearance had not changed significantly, as if she would never age.

Princess Taiping stuck out her tongue and sat up from Li Zhi's lap.

Wu Meiniang then said to Li Zhi, "Your Majesty, everything is packed. We can set off after the Thousand Autumns Banquet in three days."

Princess Taiping's ears twitched, and she asked urgently, "Setting off? Are you going out to play again?"

Wu Meiniang glanced at her and said, "We are not going on a trip, but rather on a tour of the regions to check the effects of the reform measures implemented in various places."

Princess Taiping exclaimed, "Then I want to go too!"

Wu Meiniang said firmly, "You've reached marriageable age and are ready to get married. You should stay in Chang'an and find a suitable husband. Get married quickly and stop following us around."

Princess Taiping muttered, "I'm not getting married. Father isn't just yours, Mother!"

Wu Meiniang raised her eyelids and said, "What a joke! Your father and I are husband and wife. Do you expect to follow us for the rest of your life?"

"Why not?"

Princess Taiping went over and took Li Zhi's hand, smiled sweetly, and said, "Father said that as long as I don't get married, I can stay in the palace for the rest of my life, right, Father?"

"Ninth Prince, look how much you've spoiled her!" Wu Meiniang scolded playfully.

Li Zhi smiled, patted Princess Taiping's hand, and said, "Yue'er, go and call all your brothers and sisters over. I have something to say to you."

Princess Taiping obediently replied, "Yes." She stuck out her tongue at her mother and quickly left the bedchamber.

She was closest to Princess Gao'an in the palace, and headed towards the princess's residence first.

Princess Gao'an was already in her twenties and should have been married long ago, but she did not want to leave her father too early, so she remained unmarried.

Princess Yiyang, who is a year older than her, had already married and left the palace long ago, and now only Princess Gao'an remains in the princess's courtyard.

As for Princess Taiping, although she often challenged Wu Meiniang, she still lingered in the Lizheng Palace and refused to leave, so Wu Meiniang did not chase her away.

When Princess Taiping arrived at the main hall of the princess's residence, Princess Gao'an was playing the zither.

The lively and energetic Princess Gao'an, nurtured by music in her childhood, has now grown into a well-educated and refined young lady.

Princess Taiping stood aside, not disturbing her, and waited until she finished playing the piece before clapping her hands and praising, "Second sister, you played so well, it felt just as good as Aunt Zheng's."

Princess Gao'an smiled and said, "You're so sweet-talking. So, what do you want? Let me make this clear first, I'm not playing chess with you."

Princess Taiping said, "Father said that all my brothers and sisters should go and see him, as he has something to say."

Princess Gao'an nodded: "Understood. I'll inform my eldest sister. You only need to inform your brothers."

Princess Taiping responded and walked briskly toward the East Palace.

The princes had all established their own residences outside the palace or left the capital to take up their fiefdoms, leaving only Crown Prince Li Hong in the palace.

In recent years, Li Zhi has entrusted most of the government affairs to Li Hong, only intervening in some major national matters.

Therefore, Li Hong is usually quite busy.

When Princess Taiping arrived at Lizheng Hall, Li Hong was reviewing memorials.

She entered the hall through the side gate, tiptoed behind Li Hong, and threatened the eunuchs who saw her with her eyes not to make a sound.

Just as she was about to reach out from behind to cover Li Hong's eyes, Li Hong, without looking up, said, "Third Sister, what do you want with me?"

Princess Taiping paused for a moment, put her hands behind her back, and smiled, "Fifth brother, Father asked me to inform you to come over."

Li Hong then raised his head and looked at her.

Li Hong resembled Li Zhi in his youth, both being refined and cultured. Because Li Zhi constantly urged him to exercise, Li Hong was physically stronger than Li Zhi, and his brows exuded a heroic air.

He knew his younger sister was mischievous and always loved playing pranks, so he observed her eyes to see if she was lying.

"Is it just your father?" he asked.

Princess Taiping said, "My mother is also here."

Li Hong nodded: "I understand, you can go now."

Princess Taiping refused to leave and asked, "Fifth brother, how did you discover me just now?"

Li Hong smiled slightly and said gently, "I could feel that the surroundings had suddenly become too quiet. I'm telling you, Taiping, you should probably tone down your temper in the future, or how will you ever get married?"

Princess Taiping pouted and said, "My brother is here again. He's even more long-winded than Mother. I'm not talking to you anymore." She hurriedly left the East Palace.

The remaining princes all need to leave the palace to be notified.

Princess Taiping rode in a carriage out of the palace through Anle Gate, and her first destination was the residence of the eldest prince, Li Zhong.

Princess Taiping was not very familiar with this imperial brother. After arriving at the hall, she told Li Zhong about the matter and then left in a hurry.

Next, she went to the residence of the Second Prince Li Xiao and went straight to the outside of the hall. Just as she was about to go in, she suddenly heard the voice of her third brother, Li Yong.

Princess Taiping, influenced by Li Xian since childhood, developed a habit of eavesdropping. She did not go in immediately, but stood outside the door listening to their conversation.

"Hmph, those southern barbarians are truly courting death, daring to attack us on their own initiative. General Xue will not tolerate them. So what if we don't use cavalry? My Great Tang's Mo Dao troops will still rout them!" Li Yong said in a booming voice.

"Third brother, I don't understand. Father only ordered the road to be built, so why is the Six Zhao Kingdom so vehement?" Li Lian's voice followed.

"They're acting like thieves with a guilty conscience, thinking we're building roads to attack them. They're incredibly stupid."

"But I remember Father ordered the road construction ten years ago, why are they only starting now?" After this question was asked, there was no response from Li Yong for a long time, it seemed that he didn't know either.

At that moment, Li Xiao's voice rang out.

“I heard that the southern barbarians have a special geography and the roads are particularly difficult to build. In the past, the fact that roads had not been built to Kunming Pool (Erhai Lake) did not have much impact on them, so they dared not take action. Now that an official road has been built that leads directly from Jiaozhou to Kunming Pool, they can’t resist.”

Princess Taiping listened for a long time, but it was all boring war-related topics. She was unwilling to listen anymore, so she stepped into the hall and told him that Li Zhi had summoned them.

Ten years have passed. Li Yong has grown into a robust young man, Li Xiao is a tall and thin scholar, and Li Lian has grown into an extremely handsome young man.

When the three were punished by Emperor Gaozong to kneel outside the Ganlu Palace, the young Princess Taiping brought them food.

Because of this, all three of them doted on this younger sister, chatted with her for a while, and gave her some small trinkets.

Princess Taiping then left satisfied and headed towards the residence of the Sixth Prince, Li Xian.

When they arrived at the Prince Yong's residence, Li Xian was not there. They asked the servants and learned that Li Xian had gone to Li Xian's residence.

That's perfect, we can notify both of them at the same time.

Princess Taiping quickly arrived at Li Xian's residence by carriage and went straight inside.

Upon arriving at the main hall, they found neither Li Xian nor Li Xian in sight. They asked a maid, but the maid hesitated and refused to answer.

"Hmm? You dare not even answer my words?" Princess Taiping asked fiercely, mimicking her mother's manner.

The maid was indeed frightened and said in a trembling voice, "The three princes... are... in the chess pavilion in the backyard."

Princess Taiping asked, "Are they playing chess?"

"No, no..."

Princess Taiping didn't bother asking any more questions and quickly went to the chess tower. As soon as she reached the door, she heard a rooster crowing inside, along with the faint shouts of Li Dan and Li Xian.

"Peck! Peck it quickly!"

Princess Taiping rushed into the room and looked up.

Inside the chess pavilion, there was no Go board in sight, but a wooden platform was set up where two tall roosters were fiercely fighting, their feathers flying everywhere. Li Xian, Li Xian, and Li Dan were cheering them on from the sidelines!
Princess Taiping, hands on her hips, sneered, "Well, how dare you three secretly engage in cockfighting? Have you forgotten how Father punished my second brother for cockfighting back then?"

The three of them were taken aback when she suddenly barged in.

Li Xian was the most timid, and his face turned pale with fright. He hurriedly said, "Little sister, we're just playing secretly. We will never disturb the neighbors with cockfighting. Can you please not tell Father?"

Princess Taiping crossed her arms and laughed, "That won't do, unless..."

"Unless what?" Li Xian asked urgently.

Princess Taiping stretched out a hand, squeezed it, and laughed, "To shut people up, you'll have to offer something."

Li Xian knew she would take the opportunity to make demands. He was used to being blackmailed by his sister, and said dejectedly, "What do you want to say? Go ahead."

Princess Taiping said, "I think the jade belt that Father gave you last year is quite nice."

Li Xian muttered, "I know, I'll send someone to deliver it to you tomorrow."

Princess Taiping looked at Li Dan again, sized him up, and stretched out a snow-white hand.

"Ninth Brother, would you like to have that jade ring on your hand?"

Li Dan has now grown into a cool and aloof young man. Without saying a word, he took off the ring on his hand and handed it over.

Finally, it was Li Xian's turn.

Princess Taiping thought for a moment and said, "Sixth brother, your Liangzhou yellow horse is quite rare. Why don't you give it to your little sister?"

Li Xian smiled and said, "No."

Princess Taiping glared at him with her big eyes: "Brother, aren't you afraid I'll tell on you?"

Li Xian said, "You won't."

"Why not?"

Li Xian laughed and said, "You've already accepted gifts from the seventh and ninth brothers. If you file another complaint, you'll have to return their things. You're so smart, you wouldn't do something so stupid, would you?"

Princess Taiping was taken aback. Li Xian was using Li Xian and Li Dan's possessions as bargaining chips.

Princess Taiping had rarely gotten the better of her brother since childhood, so seeing this, she could only stomp her foot and huff:
"Father has summoned you to the palace for an audience. Hurry up and change your clothes. Mother has a very keen sense of smell; don't let her smell the chicken droppings on you!"

Having finished giving his instructions, he left Li Xian's residence.

The last two people to be notified are the Eighth Prince Li Ren and the Tenth Prince Li Kuan.

Princess Taiping first informed Li Kuan, and then went to Ganlu Palace with Li Ren last.

Of all her brothers, Princess Taiping was closest to Crown Prince Li Hong, enjoyed bullying her seventh brother Li Xian, and admired her eighth brother Li Ren the most.

Li Ren was the same age as her, but he was extremely intelligent. He wasn't as quick-witted as Li Xian, but rather very knowledgeable. No matter what question you asked him, he could answer it.

Moreover, he was very patient. No matter what Princess Taiping asked, he would explain it to his sister slowly and methodically until she understood.

On the way to the palace, Princess Taiping couldn't help but ask him questions.

"Eighth brother, Father and Mother are leaving the capital again for an inspection tour. I really don't understand why they always have to go out?"

Li Ren said in a serious tone: "Over the years, Father has promulgated many new policies, such as setting boundary markers in the north, building cities in the northern desert, developing the textile industry, relocating people to the south of the Yangtze River, increasing rice fields, expanding maritime trade, increasing private schools, and so on."

"My father will not be at ease until he sees with his own eyes whether these policies are being implemented."

"Furthermore, Father has already handed over the affairs of state to the Crown Prince. There is nothing for him to do in the capital. It would be better for him to go out and see the country. This would also be better for his health."

After hearing his explanation, Princess Taiping finally understood.

Before long, the two arrived outside the Ganlu Hall. Before they even entered, they heard joyful and excited voices coming from inside, especially from Li Xian, who shouted the loudest.

Princess Taiping laughed and asked, "What has happened now that makes Seventh Brother so happy?"

Li Rendao: "It must be related to my father's birthday banquet."

The two entered the hall together, where they saw Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang sitting side by side at the head of the table, surrounded by the Crown Prince and a group of princes and princesses, all with smiles on their faces, chatting with them.

Princess Taiping knelt down in front of Li Zhi and said, "Father, Yue'er has completed her mission and has come to report back to you."

Li Zhi smiled and said, "Yes, well done."

Princess Taiping then asked them what they had been talking about earlier, which made it so lively.

Wu Meiniang said, "Xian'er, you were the loudest just now. Come and tell Yue'er and Balang about the arrangements for three days from now."

Li Xian nodded and said happily to Princess Taiping, "Little sister, eighth brother, Father is planning to hold this year's birthday banquet at the Hot Spring Palace!"

Princess Taiping then understood why Li Xian was so happy, because among all his brothers and sisters, Li Xian loved going to the hot spring palace the most.

Three days later, Li Zhi, accompanied by his concubines and children, went to the Hot Spring Palace to celebrate his birthday.

Only his family celebrated his birthday this time; no ministers were invited.

With the blessings of his children, Li Zhi enjoyed a lively and joyous birthday banquet.

The next day, instead of returning to Chang'an, he took Wu Meiniang and the imperial guard and headed towards Tongguan to begin another imperial tour.

(End of the book)

(End of this chapter)