My name is Chang An, your name is Gu Li

"It's just a title, but my mother and I don't want it." Chang An said, "Even if I lose the title and the qualification to take the imperial examination, I can still benefit from my father's official position."

Li Ying smiled bitterly. Of course, she knew that Chang An was not joking. If Zhang Jiazhen really spoke rudely to Gu Li or did something he shouldn't do, Chang An would definitely take action - either verbally or physically.

And no one could stop him. At most, Chang An and his wife would be dismissed from their titles, and Zhang Jiazhen would be dismissed from his position as prime minister, and the quarrel would end in a bad mood. And Chang An would definitely not suffer any loss in the process.

Because according to his father's personality, Chang'an's actual value is much greater than Zhang Jiazhen. Especially last time when Li Longji received the secret report from the city of surrender, he was originally worried, but when he went to visit Dingkang Marquis's mansion in disguise, he was so happy that he even ate two more bowls of rice that night.

Besides, the title of nobility is not the same as the position of prime minister. According to Chang An's ability, he can earn it back quickly. On the other hand, if the position of prime minister is really like this, Zhang Jiazhen will never be able to touch the position of prime minister in his life.

"Marquis Dingkang is truly... a man of extraordinary courage." Yang Shu also figured out the cause and effect, then broke out in a cold sweat and said awkwardly.

Li Ying also sighed and said, "If that's the case, then I'm relieved."

"In that case, our affairs have been arranged, so I'll take my leave now." Li Ying stood up and said, "Eunuch Cheng will come to pick you up at noon tomorrow, so save your stomach for our palace banquet."

Chang An also stood up and said, "I will. Your Highness, take care."

"Chang Yonghe, you don't need to see me off."

After watching Li Ying leave, Chang An thought for a while, then turned to Gu Li and said, "Mother Gu, let's pack up and go to the East Market later."

Gu Li didn't ask why, just nodded.

......

At 9:00 the next day, in Xingqing Palace, Li Ying dressed neatly and solemnly. As soon as she got dressed and walked out of the palace gate, she saw her elder sister Li Keer and another woman who was also dressed gorgeously approaching.

"Sister." Li Ying bowed to Li K'er and the woman.

Li Keer smiled and helped Li Ying up, saying, "Today is your fourteenth birthday. First of all, I wish you a happy birthday. From today on, you can study with the teacher."

"Thank you, sis."

"You only care about your elder sister and don't care about your second elder sister?" At this time, the woman next to Li Ke'er spoke up. Although her tone was a little unhappy, her face was still doting.

"Hello, Second Sister." Li Ying smiled and bowed to the woman and greeted her.

This is Princess Changfen, the second child in Li Longji's family: Li Siqing. After hearing Li Ying's greetings, she smiled even more and said, "Happy birthday, brother. I have prepared some gifts for you in my palace. I will have someone bring them to you after the opening banquet is over."

"Thank you, Second Sister."

"Now that we know we're meeting, which sister would you like to say hello to first?" Li Siqing deliberately said at this time.

Li Ke'er didn't want to spoil the fun and said directly: "Then you should pay respect to Siqing first in the next two days."

"That's pretty much it."

Li Siqing was very happy at this time, and then waved her hand and said, "Let's go, let's go to the main hall first and pay a visit to father."

Li Ying and Li Ke'er nodded and followed Li Siqing to the main hall. At this time, Li Longji was sitting in the highest seat, and next to him was Li Ying's mother, Concubine Zhao Lifei. When he saw Li Ying coming up, Li Longji smiled and said, "You're here?"

"Greetings, father." Li Ying led the way, followed by the two princesses, and they bowed to Li Longji.

"No need to be polite," Li Longji said with a smile, "and today is your birthday, just be casual. Tell me what you want, as long as it's not excessive, I can satisfy you!"

Li Ying scratched his head at this time, and said a little embarrassedly: "Father, you also know what this child wants."

Li Longji smiled, exchanged glances with Concubine Zhao Li, and then said, "I still say that, at least wait until the next Spring Examination is over, otherwise it will be neither legitimate nor justifiable, and no one will be convinced."

When Li Ying heard this, she knew her father agreed, so she bowed and said, "Thank you, father."

Li Ke'er and Li Siqing were somewhat confused by the "encrypted conversation" between the father and son. Until Li Longji allowed the three siblings to take a seat, the two princesses pulled Li Ying aside and asked:

"What were you talking about with father just now? What birthday gift did you want? We are all confused."

Li Ying smiled, glanced at Li Ke'er and said, "This...sisters, I can't tell you about this."

Li Siqing was immediately unhappy and asked, "Why not?"

"Because if this matter is revealed now, the court will be in chaos. At least it cannot be told before next spring examination, otherwise my father and I will not be able to live in peace." Li Ying looked in the direction of Li Longji and found that he was talking to Concubine Zhao Lifei at this time, so he lowered his voice and spoke.

Li Ke'er and Li Siqing looked at each other at this time, and quickly gave up the idea of ​​asking. Since Li Ying said that this matter was about the court, and the two of them were in the harem, naturally they could not ask more.

Then the three of them sat down according to their rank and began to wait for the guests. The first one to arrive was Prime Minister Zhang Jiazhen.

Then came several of Li Longji's brothers and sisters, including Prince Qi Li Fan and Princess Yuzhen. After almost all the guests arrived, the most obvious seat, the seat opposite the crown prince Li Ying, was still empty. This was the seat that even the crown prince's three teachers had not taken, and the person who should have sat down had not yet arrived.

When it was time for lunch, Eunuch Cheng came running in and said, "Your Majesty, Marquis Dingkang and Lady Zichuan have arrived."

Hearing this, Yuan Qianyao and Zhang Jiazhen had different expressions, one was surprised, the other was astonished. Now the seats were full, leaving only one seat facing the prince. Needless to say, this seat must be reserved for the Dingkang Marquis.

"Xuan."

So, Eunuch Cheng brought Chang An and Gu Li in from outside the palace. After the couple came in, they were about to kneel down to pay their respects, but Li Longji interrupted them and said:

"You two don't need to perform formalities. It's almost noon. Please take your seats immediately."

Chang An and Gu Li were both a little surprised, and then Eunuch Cheng came forward and extended his hand to guide them, "Marquis Dingkang, Madam, sit over here."

And that seat was just opposite Li Ying, after a moment of hesitation, Chang An took Gu Li and walked up. But when he was about to sit down, Chang An looked at Zhang Jiazhen on the right side of the seat, frowned slightly, and simply let Gu Li sit on the left, and he sat on the right side near Zhang Jiazhen.

When Concubine Zhao Li on the stage saw this, she asked, "Marquis Dingkang, the left is the honorable seat, you are sitting in the wrong seat."

Chang An raised his hand to salute and said, "My Lady Li, in my family, my wife is the most respected, so it is reasonable for her to sit on the left."

When Concubine Zhao Li was about to say something else, Li Longji pulled her under the table, and she stopped talking. Although Li Longji didn't know why, he didn't get any reward for his two major contributions, so he acquiesced to Chang An's behavior, which was barely a little tolerance for him.

Zhang Jiazhen, who was closer to Chang'an, was also somewhat dissatisfied and was about to explode, but he held it back. After all, he was in front of the emperor now. If he spoke, someone on the other side would definitely retort him. If he couldn't win in front of the emperor, it would be a huge embarrassment.

I glanced at Chang An secretly and found a long box next to him. I didn't know what was inside. He was sitting upright, not even his face was visible to me.

At this time, Li Longji said: "Today is the birthday of my prince, so I have specially set up a banquet here to entertain you all."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, long live my emperor!"

Everyone responded, and then Li Longji waved his hand and said, "Today is just a lunch banquet, and the prince's birthday banquet will be held later in the evening, but everyone should not go hungry."

"Someone come! Serve the food!"

At the command, many graceful palace maids carried dishes into the palace, and then the same dishes were placed on each table. Chang An and Gu Li looked at the food on the table, wondering which one the other could eat.

Following Li Longji's announcement, today's opening banquet began. As soon as the banquet began, the three princes' teachers took their teacups and drank from each other. Chang An waved behind him and ordered:

"Give this box to His Royal Highness, and tell him that it is a gift from me to His Royal Highness."

The maid nodded and took the box directly. After a brief inspection by Yang Shu, she handed it to Li Ying. When Li Ying saw what was inside, she was stunned for a moment, and then her eyes were filled with uncontrollable ecstasy.

Yuan Qianyao then slightly passed Zhang Jiazhen and asked Chang An, "Friend Chang, isn't the birthday banquet in the evening? Why do you want to give the gift to His Highness now? I'm afraid it will ruin the atmosphere."

Chang An shook his head and said, "Master Yuan, my wife needs to take medicine in time after dinner, and His Majesty only allowed me to attend the opening banquet, not the birthday banquet. Therefore, I am not shameless to participate, so I will give the gift to His Highness first."

Yuan Qianyao nodded and said, "You are thoughtful too."

Chang An turned his head back to the original direction and continued to eat his simple meal with Gu Li. Suddenly, Li Longji's voice came:

"Marquis Dingkang, when do you plan to take part in the Spring Examination?"