Chapter Fifty-Two: Night Banquet at the Eastern Palace

Time slipped by, and noon had passed in a blink.

Li Shimin departed with his family, and when the emperor had gone, Cheng Yaojin and the others also took their leave. Before leaving, they each handed Li Kong, their young nephew, some New Year's money.

This year, they were generous. The most gave him several dozen strings of cash, the least still a dozen or so. According to them, after the New Year, Li Kong would come of age, so this would be the last time they gifted him New Year's money; it was only right to give more.

Yet Li Kong felt no hint of joy. Not only did this money mean little to him now, but Li Shimin's attitude left him thoroughly vexed.

He had just tried desperately to convince Li Shimin of the richness of Shanxi's coal resources, but the emperor simply refused to believe him. What could he do?

Li Shimin hadn’t opposed him opening a coal mine, but neither did he support him. Without imperial backing, such a lucrative resource was impossible to develop successfully at this time; even if Li Kong was the son of Duke Li Ji, he’d likely be killed by rivals.

As a member of the “cherish life” club, Li Kong resolved: if Li Shimin wouldn’t believe him, then he’d give up. Let the coal slumber underground for a few more centuries, benefiting future generations.

But it was truly frustrating. To think of the vast wealth lying before him, yet he lacked the means to turn it into reality—this feeling nearly suffocated him.

“Master, the Crown Prince just sent a servant with an invitation for tonight’s banquet at the Eastern Palace.” As Li Kong was brooding, the maid Cui Zhu approached and handed him a gilded invitation.

Li Kong was momentarily stunned before taking it. He was familiar with the Eastern Palace banquets: Li Jiancheng had done this in the past, inviting the younger generation, the emperor's tacit approval. The purpose was simple: to help the Crown Prince establish authority and charisma among his peers, so that when he ascended the throne, he wouldn’t be overwhelmed.

Although the emperor approved, it wasn’t unchecked. Every year, the Eastern Palace night banquet had secret observers appointed by the emperor, reporting everything that happened. It was the emperor's way of monitoring his son; otherwise, if the Crown Prince plotted rebellion during the banquet, chaos would ensue.

“Alright, I got it. Go on with your tasks.” Li Kong glanced at the invitation, confirmed the time, then tossed it back to Cui Zhu, lazily leaning against the swing, continuing his melancholic reverie.

Cui Zhu smiled at him, saying, “Master, you should prepare yourself. Tonight’s guests are all children of court officials; you represent the entire Duke of England’s household.”

Li Kong sat up, squinting. “I represent only myself, and nothing more. Understand?”

Cui Zhu was taken aback by his words, but soon she laughed and nodded. “Alright, I’ll go get busy then!”

With that, she turned and swayed her slender waist as she left the courtyard. Li Kong watched her departing figure, rubbing his chin, his gaze growing colder.

Li Ji had performed well today, but that still didn’t allow Li Kong to fully accept him. In fact, Li Kong wasn’t sure he'd ever truly accept the reality of having an ancient father.

Yet Cui Zhu’s words forced him to confront a truth: in everyone’s eyes, he was Li Ji’s son. Unless he started his own family and career, wherever he went, he would always represent Li Ji’s reputation, not his own.

He didn’t know how long he sat there. When a snowflake suddenly landed on his brow, he jolted up from the swing. Raising his eyes, he saw countless flakes descending, reminiscent of meteors striking the earth.

With the snow’s arrival, the ground grew slightly warmer, but Li Kong knew it was only because the snow absorbed the cold from the earth. When the snow melted, all the stored chill would rush into the air at once—a true test of bodily endurance.

He tugged at his fur coat, newly tailored for the year. It was quite comfortable; not as warm as a down jacket from his previous life, but good enough to ward off the chill.

The snowfall was abrupt and fierce, quickly obscuring all visibility in less than fifteen minutes. Large flakes drifted down, settling and solidifying into a thin layer of ice on the ground.

As more snow fell atop the ice, it began to accumulate rapidly. He moved his foot, leaving a clear footprint in the snow.

“Good heavens, must I attend a banquet in this dreadful weather?” Li Kong was agitated. He’d never had much interest in gatherings of noble offspring, and now he truly wanted to give up and return to Li Chengqian. But considering the latter’s status, he thought better of it; he didn’t want to leave a bad impression.

More importantly, he couldn’t be sure that these noble youths wouldn’t plant harmful ideas in Li Chengqian’s mind. He was intent on shaping Li Chengqian into a legendary ruler—if that was ruined by some petty schemers, he’d die of frustration.

As for switching his support to someone else? Even if Li Kong had the courage, he couldn’t fathom the character of Li Shimin’s other sons. Not even Li Zhi, whom he knew best from his previous life, inspired much confidence.

Meanwhile,

Eastern Palace.

After Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun returned, Li Chengqian led his palace officials to pay respects, then dismissed them all home. Only then did he instruct the palace maids and attendants to prepare for the evening banquet.

The imperial kitchen was already bustling, producing delicacies from land and sea, kept warm in special places. Thanks to the hundred thousand strings of cash sent by Li Kong this year, the Eastern Palace could finally afford extravagance. This time, Li Shimin personally allotted Li Chengqian five hundred strings for the banquet, which delighted him for a long time.

Last year, the Eastern Palace night banquet had only eighty strings, granted by Li Shimin with reluctance. Remembering those bleak scenes, Li Chengqian felt endless admiration and gratitude for Li Kong.

Inside the Zixia Hall of the Eastern Palace, the vast main chamber held dozens of tables, with scores of palace maids busy at work. By the time Li Chengqian entered, the place was spotless.

He gazed at the scene with satisfaction, feeling the urge to boast, then turned to an attendant. “How long until the banquet begins?”

“Your Highness, one hour remains!”

“Go, hurry them up. Their courage grows by the day, making me wait—how outrageous!” Li Chengqian laughed, then turned to leave. It would be chilly tonight, so he needed to put on another layer.

Just then, from the distant gatehouse, a voice rang out, “Young Master Du, Young Master Fang have arrived! Please, come in…”