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After speaking, Li Yuanji took out one hundred taels of silver and handed it to Li Jiancheng. "Elder Brother, this is for you."
"Fourth Brother, what is this for? Is this a New Year gift for me?" Li Jiancheng genuinely did not understand.
"No, it’s too late for New Year gifts! This is from Miss Dan Bingbing," Li Yuanji quickly clarified.
"She gave this to me? Why? Fourth Brother, did you go to Qunfang Garden again? This isn't fair to my sister-in-law!" Li Jiancheng exclaimed, recalling Consort Qi Yang. This Fourth Brother, who was the least attractive, had married the most beautiful wife. How could he still go to Qunfang Garden?
Li Yuanji was unaware of Li Jiancheng's thoughts and said, "Elder Brother, this one hundred taels is the betrothal gift. She forgot to give it to you last time and asked me to bring it this time. I went to Qunfang Garden just to play Mahjong; there was no other intention."
"Oh, the betrothal gift from last time? It's rare for Miss Dan Bingbing to remember. Then I won't be polite and will accept it," Li Jiancheng said as he took the silver, thinking that it was a good excuse to seek out the beauty again and try to bring her into the Eastern Palace.
"Elder Brother, let's talk about Father Emperor's order for me to go to Jiangnan! What do you think Father Emperor means by that?" Li Yuanji shifted back to the previous topic.
"Fourth Brother, can't you see what's going on? Father Emperor isn't targeting you; he's targeting Li Shimin. There have been so many poems praising Li Shimin circulating recently, both openly and subtly. How could Father Emperor not be wary of him? Sending Li Shimin to Jiangnan means he will be cut off from military affairs. This way, if Li Shimin wants to stir up trouble, he won't be able to. Father Emperor just wants you to accompany him," Li Jiancheng explained without holding back. Perhaps this Fourth Brother was just pretending not to know; he was too lazy to play along.
"Oh, I see! So what should I do?" Li Yuanji asked again.
"Just enjoy the scenery with your Second Brother along the way. Once you reach Tanzhou, stay for a month or two before returning. After all, Father Emperor didn't specify how long you need to stay in Tanzhou," Li Jiancheng replied.
"Yes, Father Emperor didn't say. But the journey is quite far; by the time we return to Chang'an, it will probably be three or four months later," Li Yuanji noted.
Li Jiancheng nodded. "That time is necessary."
"Elder Brother, should I do something about Li Shimin on the way?" Li Yuanji probed.
"Absolutely not!" Li Jiancheng waved his hand. "Since Father Emperor has ordered you both to go out together, he expects you both to return together as well. If one of you doesn't come back, what will Father Emperor think of the other?"
"That's true!" Li Yuanji seemed willing to accept his elder brother's advice. In truth, he didn't dare harm Li Shimin on the way. First, he might not even be able to kill him. Second, if they went out together and something happened to Li Shimin, would Li Yuan let him off?
Li Jiancheng understood his thoughts well enough and responded accordingly. If Li Yuanji truly dared to harm Li Shimin on the road, then Li Jiancheng would actually welcome it.
"Elder Brother, I will take my leave now. This visit was mainly to deliver silver to you," Li Yuanji said.
"Alright then; please thank Miss Dan Bingbing for me! I almost forgot about the betrothal gift," Li Jiancheng replied without trying to keep him.
"Sure, before I leave, I'll convey your words!" Li Yuanji promised.
"I'll see you off when the time comes!"
...
During these days without court duties, Li Jiancheng stayed home playing Mahjong with everyone or researching how to improve the Repeating Crossbow in the workshop. He had his own plans regarding Dan Bingbing and intended to wait until Li Yuanji left before making contact.
Soon, Lantern Festival arrived. On this day in the Tang Dynasty, it was also known as Shangyuan Day and was a significant holiday. To celebrate this occasion, from the thirteenth day of the first month onward, curfews in Chang'an City were lifted for three days. The night of Shangyuan was particularly lively.
At the emperor's behest, various festive decorations such as the Lamp Wheel, Lamp Tree, and Lamp Tower were set up in the palace, adorned with exquisitely crafted and stunning Hua Deng.
After dinner, Li Yuan took the consorts to enjoy the singing and dancing performances under the lanterns. The performances were presented by selected singers from the palace, who wore floral crowns and resplendent garments. One act followed another, captivating the audience.
In contrast, Li Jiancheng's Eastern Palace could not compare to the grandeur of the royal palace; he had no desire for such extravagance. However, certain essentials were still necessary. For instance, he arranged for singing and dancing on the second floor without building a separate stage.
In the courtyard below, an incense table was set up with seasonal flowers, drinks, and food—small fragrant pastries were being baked in the stove. Li Jiancheng sat at the table with Consort Li and Zheng Guanyin, drinking while enjoying the sounds of Silk and Bamboo from above and watching the graceful movements of the Maiko.
Of course, drinking and enjoying performances were just the first half of the Lantern Festival night. After finishing their drinks, Li Jiancheng took Ma Qiang and Niu Fu out to fully experience the Great Tang Night City!
Upon exiting the Eastern Palace gates, he found the streets bustling with people admiring the lanterns. To his surprise, among the throngs of people were many young and beautiful women. Some of them clearly belonged to affluent families, rarely seen outside but now appeared everywhere during this festival.
It seemed that the Lantern Festival represented a rare liberation for women in ancient times; even noble ladies could venture into the streets. Li Jiancheng felt as if he had returned to modern times, thinking that Lantern Night in ancient times, at least during the Tang Dynasty, was undoubtedly one of the most romantic and delightful nights.
He wandered until late before returning home. After all, he did not have to attend court. In fact, other officials also did not need to attend on this day of the sixteenth day of the first month; otherwise, how could Lantern Night be so lively?
After a night of festivities, Chang'an City appeared particularly quiet on the morning of the sixteenth day. Indeed, after such a night of revelry, who could rise early?
However, Li Jiancheng was up; he had no choice but to rise as he needed to bid farewell to his two younger brothers.
The farewell took place at South Gate. Since Li Shimin and Li Yuanji were heading to Jiangnan, they naturally had to depart from South Gate.
Li Jiancheng stood outside South Gate with two guards waiting. Soon after, two horses galloped toward him. On horseback were none other than Li Shimin and Li Yuanji. The sound of their hooves echoed sharply in the quiet morning.
Seeing his elder brother standing there, Li Shimin and Li Yuanji reined in their horses and jumped down.
"Elder brother, it's so cold; you came to see us off?" Li Shimin spoke first with a look of gratitude.
"Yes! Elder brother is truly generous!" Li Yuanji chimed in.
"How could I not see off my younger brothers on their journey?" Li Jiancheng replied.
"Have you both taken your leave from Father?" he asked.
Both nodded simultaneously. Li Shimin answered, "Yesterday afternoon, we went to Tai Chi Palace to bid farewell to Father."
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