Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 379: Imperial Palace New Year's Eve Dinner

Back to the daytime of New Year's Eve today, the palace was also bustling with activity, and the atmosphere was festive and busy everywhere.

In the imperial kitchen, the imperial chefs were like skilled craftsmen, concentrating on preparing the New Year's Eve dinner, and every step of the process was done with the utmost care.

The head of the imperial kitchen looked serious and directed everyone in an orderly manner.

"For this auspicious dragon and phoenix dish, the chicken should be the freshest three-yellow chicken, stewed until the skin is crispy and the meat is tender. For the dragon, use fresh sea bass, steamed at the precise temperature to achieve its tenderness and smoothness."

His voice echoed in the steaming imperial kitchen, and his chefs immediately took action.

Several young eunuchs were walking hurriedly around, carrying fresh fish and shrimps that had just been taken out of the ice cellar.

Other eunuchs were busy presenting rare ingredients that were tributed from various places, such as bear paws from Liaodong and bird's nests from the South China Sea, to the imperial chef for inspection.

In the pastry room, the palace maids carefully prepared various exquisite pastries.

With their dexterous hands, they transform glutinous rice flour, red bean paste, red dates and other ingredients into uniquely shaped snacks such as Jade Rabbit Cake and Ruyi Pastry.

The Jade Rabbit Cake is as white as snow, as if a real jade rabbit is lying quietly on the plate, while the Ruyi Pastry is golden in color, symbolizing good luck and good fortune.

At the same time, the layout of the palace was also in full swing.

Officials from the Imperial Household Department directed the eunuchs and palace maids to hang red lanterns and post Spring Festival couplets.

Those Spring Festival couplets were all written by the Hanlin scholars in the palace. Their strokes were vigorous and powerful, and they were full of beautiful wishes for the New Year.

The emperor and his concubines strolled in the imperial garden, looking at the lights and decorations everywhere and smiling with satisfaction.

"Today is New Year's Eve. The palace must be bustling with activity, so that all the nobles and the common people can feel the joy of the new year."

The concubines responded one after another, and laughter and joy echoed in the imperial garden, interweaving with the busy scene, together playing the prelude to the New Year.

The palace was busy and festive on New Year's Eve.

Posting Spring Festival couplets is a common thing, but in the imperial palace, there is no room for carelessness.

The Imperial Household Department had already arranged the writing and preparation of Spring Festival couplets, but now the palace maids in charge of posting them were in trouble.

A young palace maid anxiously searched the storeroom, muttering, "I clearly remembered putting it here, how come it's gone?"

The warehouse is filled with various festive supplies, silks, satins, and palace lanterns. The clutter reveals a sense of disorder after the busyness.

Another older palace maid was also extremely anxious. As she was rummaging through the box, she said, "Don't miss the auspicious time. If we are delayed, we will all be punished."

The two searched the warehouse upside down, but still couldn't find the Spring Festival couplets.

At this moment, the young palace maid suddenly slapped her head and said, "Could it be that they were put somewhere else after the last inventory? I seem to have heard Eunuch Liu say that they wanted to move it somewhere else."

The older palace maid's eyes lit up: "Quick, go look in the side room next to the hall. There used to be a lot of miscellaneous items piled there."

The two hurried to the ear room, and as soon as they opened the door, they saw rolls of red paper piled up in the corner.

The little palace maid rushed over and unfolded it. She saw that it was the same couplet that was going to be posted in the Qianqing Palace.

"Finally found it!" She breathed a sigh of relief.

The two of them held the Spring Festival couplets and trotted back to the Qianqing Palace.

At this time, the eunuchs in charge of posting the couplets had been waiting for a long time. When they saw the couplets, they quickly climbed up the ladder and carefully posted them.

The first couplet reads "Auspicious colors fill the courtyard, the auspicious light of the Phoenix Palace condenses into morning dew", and the second couplet reads "Gentle breezes fill the hall, the beautiful air of the Dragon Tower reflects the spring clouds". The fonts are vigorous and majestic, complementing this majestic palace.

After pasting the Spring Festival couplets, the palace maids and eunuchs looked at the brand new palace with gratified smiles on their faces, and the New Year atmosphere in the palace became more and more intense.

The warm winter sun shines on Chang'an City, covering the earth with a layer of golden color.

Li Shimin, dressed in black sacrificial robes and with a solemn expression, led the empress, princes, and princesses to the imperial mausoleum to pay homage.

A group of people, with carriages and horses, moved slowly along the avenue.

The sounds of horse hooves and wheels intertwined, raising clouds of dust.

Li Shimin sat upright in the carriage, his eyes deep, his thoughts seemed to drift to the past, and the achievements and struggles of his ancestors emerged in his mind.

Arriving at the imperial mausoleum, everyone got off the bus one by one. The mausoleum was solemn and majestic, with towering pines and cypresses, and the cold wind rustled the branches and leaves.

Li Shimin walked in front, followed by the empress, princes, and princesses, who entered the mausoleum one after another.

In the sacrificial hall, the altar is filled with delicacies, flowers and fruits, and the air is filled with fragrance.

Li Shimin washed his hands first, picked up the incense and candles respectfully, lit them and inserted them into the incense burner. He bowed deeply and whispered, "Ancestors, today is New Year's Eve, and I, Shimin, lead my wife and children to pay homage. Under your protection, the Tang Dynasty is prosperous and the people are safe. However, I dare not slack off and must work hard to govern the country and protect it." His voice was full of affection and determination.

The Queen also stepped forward, her expression pious, and silently prayed: "May our ancestors bless the Tang Dynasty with good weather and good harvests, and may my family be safe and healthy."

The princes and princesses burned incense in turn with solemn expressions, expressing their respect for their ancestors and their expectations for the future.

After the sacrifice, Li Shimin led everyone to circle the imperial mausoleum.

He paused to gaze at the tombstone, then spoke earnestly to the princes and princesses beside him, "The imperial mausoleum holds the foundation of our Great Tang. You must remember the hardships your ancestors endured in establishing our country, and dedicate yourselves to serving our country in the future."

The princes nodded firmly, and the princesses' eyes were full of solemnity.

On the way back, the sky gradually darkened and the afterglow lengthened everyone's shadows.

This visit to the mausoleum is not only to commemorate the ancestors, but also to pass on the responsibility and mission, so that the royal family will be in awe in the new year and work hard for the prosperity of the Tang Dynasty.

When Li Shimin and his entourage returned to the palace from the imperial mausoleum, night had already fallen. The palace was brightly lit, the imperial kitchen was steaming hot, and the sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner was ready.

Everyone moved to the magnificent banquet hall, which was decorated magnificently with bright red lanterns hanging high and golden brocade draped down, showing the majesty and joy of the royal family everywhere.

The eunuchs from the imperial kitchen filed in and presented exquisite dishes to the table.

The table was filled with delicacies. In the "Dragon and Phoenix Appearing Together", the golden roasted chicken had crispy skin and tender meat, and the steamed sea bass was fresh and fragrant; the "Peace and Prosperity in All Seas" was made up of shark fin, sea cucumber and other items.

The soup is rich and the ingredients are smooth; and the exquisitely shaped "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" dim sum is so lifelike that you can't help but eat it.

Li Shimin sat in the main seat, with the empress beside him, and the princes and princesses sat in order.

Li Shimin looked at the table full of delicious food with a pleased smile on his face. He said, "Today is New Year's Eve, a time for family reunion. Don't be restrained, enjoy yourselves."

Everyone raised their glasses and drank the New Year's wine together, and then started to eat the delicious food.

During the banquet, the princes discussed their views on state affairs and the princesses shared interesting stories, creating a warm and harmonious atmosphere.

Li Shimin looked at his children, his heart filled with joy. He turned to the empress and said, "Now that the Tang Dynasty is prosperous and the people are well, we have such sensible children. It is truly a blessing."

The Queen smiled and nodded, "This is all thanks to Your Majesty's wisdom. May the Tang Dynasty prosper even more in the new year."