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Chapter 120: Peach and Plum
Outside the city, many friends and relatives from Chang'an had come to welcome them. Li Jian Cheng stood there, pale-faced and sorrowful, staring blankly at the towering walls of Chang'an. Some of the softer-hearted among them had already begun to shed tears.
They approached to offer their condolences, saying, "Old Matriarch lived a long life. His Majesty has also issued a decree, allowing for Madam Wang's burial rites to be conducted with the utmost respect."
Yet that was not enough; in the future, a mausoleum worthy of a Queen would need to be constructed to truly honor her memory.
Li Jian Cheng knelt on the ground, weeping uncontrollably, and was eventually helped into the city. The onlookers along the way sighed, remarking that Li Langjun was still the same Li Langjun.
Inside the Li Mansion, everyone wore mourning attire, but their expressions were already numb. His three younger brothers, sisters, and brothers-in-law were all present.
After greeting his family, Li Jian Cheng hurried to pay his respects to his grandmother. The Dugu Clan's wish was to wait for Li Jian Cheng's return before proceeding with the burial. He bowed deeply and said, "Grandson has returned."
Seeing this, members of the Li Clan began to weep. The sound of conch shells from Monastic Daoism filled the mansion; as the eldest grandson of the main branch of the family, Li Jian Cheng could not focus solely on his own grief.
He rose and adjusted his coarse mourning garments before stepping forward to receive condolences from friends who had come with him. He remained busy until nightfall when the guests finally departed. He still had to muster his strength to keep vigil.
At his side knelt fourteen-year-old Li Shimin, who offered his brother a piece of bread. Meanwhile, Li Yan at the front said, "If you truly cannot hold on any longer, go rest for a while. Your grandmother will not blame you."
Li Jian Cheng replied, "You are young and strong; it is no trouble for you. Father has lost quite a bit of weight; please take care not to let Grandmother worry about you in the afterlife."
Li Yan shook his head, unwilling to speak further. Having lost his father at a young age, he shared a deep bond with his mother. Although he no longer felt the initial pain as intensely, he still wished to show as much sincerity as possible.
Li Xuanba advised him gently, "As the ancients say, one should eat for three days and bathe for three months after a death. Life goes on; do not let grief consume you. Brother, you should rest for a bit; come back later in the night to take over for Father."
Li Shimin chimed in with similar encouragement: "We are all taking turns keeping vigil. You traveled day and night to get here and still have to entertain guests during the day; please rest for now."
After soothing his younger brothers, Li Jian Cheng finally went to rest for two hours in the early hours of the morning.
As dawn broke, activity resumed at Li Mansion. They invited geomancers to assess burial sites and choose an auspicious day for interment. Naturally, they would first consider Duke of Tang's burial site since a place had already been reserved there for Old Matriarch, waiting for her to join her husband after her passing.
Now they needed to check if there were any changes in feng shui; if not, they would select a good date soon since they had already delayed for quite some time. The geomancer wisely chose one of the nearest auspicious dates.
During this time, they began reorganizing Old Matriarch's burial items once more. As the eldest grandson, Li Jian Cheng added several personal belongings from his childhood to accompany her in her final resting place.
Li Yan and Li Jian Cheng were at the ancestral temple, performing rituals for their ancestors, informing them of a recent death in the family and requesting the Ancestral Spirits to provide protection and blessings.
Li Jian Cheng made a special trip to the temple and Daoist shrine to invite Venerable Monks to conduct a grand ceremony lasting forty-nine days, to increase blessings and eliminate misfortunes for his grandmother.
After several rituals on an auspicious day, they finally laid the Dugu Clan to rest safely.
Li Yan and Li Jian Cheng formally reported to the court, resigning from their official positions due to Filial Mourning. The emperor graciously approved their request. Li Yan still held the title of Duke of Tang, while Li Jian Cheng returned to being an ordinary citizen overnight.
A few days later, Dan Xiongxin and Qin Shubao were about to return to their posts. Li Jian Cheng came specifically to see them off and took out the Minister of War's order: "Goguryeo is not a good place. There is an opportunity for merit under Qi County Magistrate Zhang Suduo. I will remove your court orders, so you can go directly to your new assignments."
The two looked at the order and realized that not only were they directly reassigned under Zhang Suduo, but their ranks had also been elevated.
Dan Xiongxin had come to understand Li Jian Cheng's character and abilities quite well, so he was not too surprised. However, Qin Shubao was utterly shocked. He had seen how busy Li Jian Cheng had been these days and did not expect him to take the time to arrange their futures amidst his many responsibilities.
As the two prepared to express their gratitude, Li Jian Cheng waved his hand and said, "There’s no need for such formalities between us. I am not very familiar with County Magistrate Zhang, so I cannot guarantee he will be accommodating. You can take this letter along as a trial."
"If you feel unwelcome or find it difficult to achieve merit, do not worry. Just send me a letter, and I can arrange something for you."
The two exchanged glances, then disregarding Li Jian Cheng's objections, solemnly bowed deeply: "We will not disappoint your Lord's kindness."
In the Year of Daye Nine, the emperor took some time to return to Chang'an and summoned Li Yan and Li Jian Cheng. He began with warm conversation.
But suddenly he asked, "Have you heard the recent children's rhyme circulating among the people? It speaks of Peach and Plum gaining the world, Great Swan circling Yang Mountain, twisting through flower groves—do not speak carelessly; who says it is allowed!"
"Who does this Peach and Plum refer to?"
The father and son hurriedly knelt down, feeling a prickling sensation under the emperor's gaze. Li Jian Cheng replied, "Such children's rhymes predicting omens appear every year. When Han Wang raised his banner, there were those who compiled papers claiming that children would become emperors based on such rhymes.
Yet Your Majesty’s might swiftly quelled the Suppression of Rebellion; thus these so-called predictions are unworthy of belief!"
Yang Guang leaned back against the dragon throne, murmuring to himself, "It's Li again. Wasn't there something like this a few years ago? The True Monarch, Muzi Gongkou, ruling the world, bringing great joy to the realm."
Li Yan replied, "I remember that was during the Wei-Jin period. Muzi stood for Li, Gongkou for Hong. It was said that the Supreme Old Lord would descend to establish a nation and bring peace to the people. Yet all these years, with various dynasties vying for power until the Predecessor Emperor unified the realm, we still haven't seen any sign of Li Hong. Clearly, it was all just rumors."
After a moment of silence, Yang Guang laughed heartily, "I certainly believe you and your father, but I can't say the same for other members of the Li Clan. In your opinion, who do you think harbors ill intentions?"
Li Yan explained, "My father and I have been in mourning and have not stepped out of our residence for several months except for today’s summons from Your Majesty. We truly have no knowledge of the sentiments within the court."
In his heart, Li Yan felt grateful for his mother's protection; otherwise, given the emperor's suspicious nature, their situation today would have been perilous, making it unlikely they could navigate through this easily.
After leaving, both father and son remained silent. They exchanged a glance and hurried back home, instructing the doorman not to open the door for anyone except on imperial orders.
At this moment, they could not afford to make any moves. Meanwhile, inside the palace, the emperor pondered over this matter until deep into the night. He dreamt of a flood submerging Chang'an and Luoyang, with water rising into his sleeping quarters, startling Yang Guang awake.
The concubines by his side quickly comforted him and ordered someone to light candles. The emperor furrowed his brow in thought for a long time before muttering, "Peach and Plum... gaining the world... Great Swan circling Yang Mountain... Great Swan... Flood?"
Suddenly he spoke up, "Isn't Li Min's childhood name changed to Hong'er?"
………
(End of Chapter)
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