Chapter Forty-Five: Li Shimin's Inquiry

After lunch, the bustle continued. Some were busy preparing the New Year’s Eve feast, others were making offerings for the ancestral rites. In any case, there was not a single idle person in the modest courtyard; even Li Yue’e, mistress of the household, personally took up needle and thread to sew ritual items.

When all was said and done, Li Kong realized he only had three people at his disposal. One was, of course, Cui Zhu—the girl hardly left his side these days. Judging from Li Yue’e’s attitude, it was only a matter of time before Cui Zhu was officially taken into the household as a bedchamber maid, and perhaps, if fortune favored her, she might even become a concubine one day.

Of course, that was merely Li Yue’e’s wishful thinking. Even though everyone in the Tang bureaucracy, openly or otherwise, knew Li Kong was the prince consort to Li Lizhi, the emperor’s beloved daughter, a mother’s heart could not be restrained.

The other two were Laifu, who managed to help while reporting on his tasks, and a young man named Qixi, whose delicate features gave him an almost effeminate air. Fortunately, Qixi’s tastes were normal; otherwise, Li Kong would have had to question his motives for coming here.

Since it was everyone’s first time, the three helpers fumbled with their work. It took them a full hour to paste just four couplets and two door gods. Glancing at the nearly vanished sunlight on the horizon, Li Kong could only feel a sense of exasperated disbelief.

But at last, everything was done. Lanterns were hung, fires lit, and the courtyard finally took on the festive atmosphere of the New Year. The aroma wafting from the kitchen filled him with satisfaction—he had truly settled in the Great Tang.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful! Huh? ‘The crackle of firecrackers bids farewell to the old year; the spring breeze brings warmth into the Tusu wine.’ What a lovely verse! But what exactly are firecrackers?”

“And this one: ‘As the sun rises over a thousand households, new peach wood charms replace the old.’ Such beautiful calligraphy, such heartfelt blessings!”

Their delighted exclamations reached him. Li Kong’s mouth twitched as he turned to see Li Chengqian and Li Lizhi looking around in wonder. He sighed deeply, walked over, and said, “Why have the Crown Prince and Princess come? Is the palace allowing you out at this hour?”

Li Chengqian smiled and replied, “Of course not, but Father has summoned Brother Kong to the palace for something, so the two of us volunteered to come over. Besides, it’s been ages since we last saw you.”

“And me—I really missed Brother Kong too!” Li Lizhi exclaimed, clinging to Li Chengqian’s shoulder. Realizing what she had just blurted out, her face turned crimson and she lowered her head, mortified. How could she have been so bold as to voice her feelings? Would Brother Kong think her shameless? Oh, please no!

Li Kong was stunned. Li Chengqian was dumbfounded. Although everyone was well aware of Li Lizhi’s feelings, she had just brazenly stripped away any pretense. Even if they were among trusted company, who could guarantee that no one would let slip a careless word?

After his initial shock, Li Kong was delighted. It seemed his efforts had not been in vain; the campaign for the Princess of Changle could finally be considered a success.

But just then, Li Ji wandered over, seemingly possessed by some odd impulse, and happened to overhear Li Lizhi’s words. His mind went blank.

Although his own daughter’s marriage to the princess brought him honor, Li Ji had no real confidence in Li Kong. The boy was too unpredictable. What if one day he crossed Li Lizhi and incurred her wrath? What then?

Most importantly, Li Ji had always been uneasy about his sons marrying princesses. In history, none of his sons had ever married a princess; rather, his eldest—no, his current second son, Li Zhen—had married a niece of the Lady of England, herself a member of the Wang clan.

Still, shock aside, Li Ji had no intention of falling out with Li Kong. Besides, he didn’t doubt Li Kong’s ability to handle Li Lizhi—perhaps his family might even gain a legendary virtuous wife in the future.

So, recovering himself, he approached Li Chengqian and Li Lizhi, bowing and saying, “Li Ji pays his respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and to Her Highness the Princess.”

Li Chengqian, ever the little adult, smiled and nodded, “No need for such formality, Uncle Li. We’re only here to escort Brother Kong to the palace; Father has a few questions for him. Nothing more. So we’ll take our leave for now. I’ll come visit again after the New Year.”

Li Ji nodded. “Very well, I’ll stay here and keep watch.”

Taiji Palace.

It was New Year’s Eve. In previous years, there would be no official business by now; Emperor Gaozu would take his consorts and children to the rear gardens to admire the plum blossoms and watch the children crack open dark, purple-black lotus seeds on the ice. These would then be collected and sent to the imperial kitchens for porridge or stir-frying.

But this year, Emperor Taizong had delegated the festivities entirely to Empress Zhangsun, who was now four months pregnant, her belly beginning to show. Fortunately, she still moved about easily; otherwise, the emperor would have had to assign someone else or cancel the event altogether.

At that moment, Emperor Taizong was seated in the Hall of Sweet Dew, perusing a memorial from a Ministry of Rites official. The document contained an exact account of Li Kong’s conversation the previous day with Ashina Zheqi and Xu Tianshou, as though the memorialist had witnessed it himself. According to the official, he had indeed heard it with his own ears.

It was an impeachment letter against Li Kong, listing three major charges of undermining the Tang’s foreign relations: first, imposing inexplicable tariffs to seize foreign resources; second, treating foreign guests with arrogance and rudeness, lacking all decorum; third, accepting so-called deposits, which the official insisted was just a disguised bribe.

Reading the memorial, Emperor Taizong was equal parts amused and exasperated. Never mind whether Li Kong’s actions were right or wrong—the fact was, Li Kong wasn’t even an official, making the impeachment utterly groundless.

Nonetheless, the emperor instructed Li Chengqian to summon Li Kong, for he was intrigued by this business of tariffs—perhaps a new source of revenue was waiting to be tapped.

“Tariffs at a rate of fifty percent? That rascal dares to ask for so much. But it’s fine—if it means stripping those foreigners, the more the better!” Smiling faintly, he set the memorial aside.

As dusk fell, Li Kong finally arrived at the Hall of Sweet Dew, led by Li Chengqian and Li Lizhi. Seeing the emperor in high spirits, Li Kong relaxed—a good mood meant today’s meeting would not be unpleasant.

Yet, to his surprise, the emperor immediately put on a stern face and demanded, “Li Kong, explain to me—what exactly is this tariff? When did you ever mention it to me? Using my name to pull rank—aren’t you bold!”

Li Kong was dumbfounded. Had he walked into the wrong script?