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Chapter 259: Four Years
On New Year's Day of the Fourth Year of Taiping, everyone, young and old, dressed in their finest attire, took turns to pay their respects.
After rising early, Li Jian Cheng led his Queen and their children to greet the Retired Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
Prince Jin and Consort Qin had already arrived. Li Xuanba currently had only one daughter named Li Hui, who was granted the title of Princess Shouguang.
Li Shimin had a son named Li Gaoming, who was the Crown Prince of Qin. At just two years old, he was the same age as Shouguang and still wobbled when he walked.
Li Yuanji had visited yesterday; today, only the Yang Clan was present, along with a newborn baby in their arms named Li Kuiyi.
According to Li Yuanji's character, he felt no guilt towards the common people; he simply felt remorse for Aunt Chen, who had raised him—Chen Shanyi.
Li Chengzong, already able to run and jump, touched this and that with great delight.
"On this auspicious day, may all things be renewed! I wish for the Retired Emperor's health and longevity!"
"Good, good, good! No need for formalities."
Li Yan appeared very pleased after receiving his grandchildren's greetings. After all, having so many descendants to bring joy to his life was indeed a blessing.
Despite their differences, Li Yan's affection for Li Chengzong was genuine and far surpassed that for his other grandchildren.
The Dou Family could not stay long; Li Jian Cheng pulled his son inside to pay respects. The health of the Dou Family had declined since winter began, and even the imperial physician was at a loss—most likely they would not survive until spring.
Life and death are natural processes; even as an emperor, there is little one can do but accept fate.
"Grandmother," Li Chengzong joyfully bounced to her side and placed his chubby little face in her slightly withered palm. "Why haven't you gotten up yet?"
The Dou Family smiled as she felt her grandson's smooth skin. "Grandmother is tired and wants to rest a bit longer. Zong'er, have you eaten breakfast? I had someone prepare Flower-Pressed Goose Cake for you."
Flower-Pressed Goose Cake is a rice cake folded repeatedly into the shape of a flower, filled with goose meat.
"I want to eat! I want to eat!"
Li Chengzong got up, eager to play, and had not eaten much. He bounced around and immediately called out for food, prompting a nearby palace maid to hurriedly bring out the prepared pastries.
In addition to the goose cake, there were also lotus root powder osmanthus sugar cakes, osmanthus cakes, translucent rice cakes, and cherry yogurt. Only after Li Chengzong finished selecting did Dou Family instruct the Court Lady to distribute the remaining treats to the other grandchildren.
Throughout her life, she had never been one to hide her favoritism; she had always favored her Eldest Son, and thus favored her eldest grandson as well, indulging him greatly.
"Mother, you still need to take the medicine from the imperial physician. When spring arrives, I will take you on a southern tour. Jiangdu Palace is excellent; you can rest there."
Dou Family smiled and agreed, "Alright, I've never been there in my life."
At this moment, Courtiers gathered at the palace gate, waiting to enter for the morning audience. In the city, temples, Buddhist monasteries, ceremonial halls, and Great Qin Temple, as well as the fire-worshipping Zoroastrian shrine and the Mani religion's Great Cloud Bright Temple were crowded with people. The faithful merchant caravans of Barbarians were holding grand ceremonies.
Meanwhile, families among the common folk gathered together, setting off firecrackers and exchanging peach wood charms. Women prepared Yuan Yang Meatballs, Five Spices Platter, and Malt Candy.
Yuan Yang Meatballs are meatballs made from lamb and chicken, while Five Spices Platter consists of cured meat seasoned with Sichuan pepper and soy sauce. Malt Candy is made from malt sugar.
Those with good wine at home had already started drinking Tusu Wine and Pepperwood Wine. After all, since the emperor issued a prohibition on alcohol, ordinary people had no place to obtain wine and dared not brew it privately.
Only during festivals when all prohibitions were relaxed could they openly enjoy a drink.
…………
The palace gates swung wide open. Under the guidance of officials from the Ministry of Rites, the Courtiers, adorned with jade hairpins and purple sashes bearing gold insignia, awaited the emperor's arrival in the Supreme Harmony Hall. Dressed in a newly embroidered dragon robe, Li Jian Cheng entered in a royal carriage through the west gate and took his seat facing south at the Imperial Throne.
Fu Baolang arranged the Imperial Jade Seal and other items in order, including congratulatory tablets from various Vassal States and Courtiers.
On this day in court, besides the Courtiers and foreign envoys, there were also descendants of Confucius represented by Bao Sheng Hou, as well as the Duke of Jie and the Duke of Xun.
Zhou Chan Sui and Sui Chan Tang represented the Legitimacy, and thus it was natural for the imperial family of the previous dynasty to attend the ceremony, signifying the rise and fall of nations, and the continuation of legacies.
Liang Junwang Xiao Cong stepped forward to represent the people in congratulating the emperor. He removed his shoes and knelt, placing his sword on the ceremonial table. "Yuan Zheng Shou Zuo, Renewed Blessings. I humbly pray that the Peaceful and Martial Emperor may enjoy eternal blessings from Heaven."
"Rise!" the emperor commanded.
Then he led the courtiers in bowing, "On this auspicious day of the new year, we come to pay our respects to Your Majesty, wishing My Emperor a long life and eternal reign!"
The emperor replied sternly, "The celebration of your new position is shared with all of you."
The courtiers bowed again before rising to dance, each displaying their own grace. Li Jian Cheng suppressed a smile as he quietly watched his subjects perform.
The civil officials were somewhat orderly in their movements, while many of the martial men who were less skilled in dancing resorted to merely clapping their arms and kicking their legs, creating a lively atmosphere.
Once the dance concluded, the emperor decided to bestow rewards upon the officials, granting each of them two liters of wine.
This was a common gift for everyone, and all were eagerly awaiting the emperor's subsequent reward of Cypress Leaves.
The Cypress Leaves were ordinary yet significant; they symbolized resilience against winter’s chill and carried a fragrant essence that promised longevity. They were meant to bless those who received them with long life, not merely through fragrance but through deeper meaning.
As cypress trees shed their leaves later in the season, they represented wishes for longevity. The Cypress Leaves embodied both defiance against frost and snow and a sense of purity and vitality, indicating the emperor's hope that his ministers would remain loyal to state affairs.
Receiving Cypress Leaves was a mark of imperial favor; those who obtained them were surely held dear in the emperor's heart.
Amidst the anticipation of all the ministers, the emperor granted Cypress Leaves to Duke of Wei Li Jing and British Duke Xu Shijie.
This was within everyone's expectations; had King Li Shimin or Duke Ping Zhang Hutan been present, they too would likely have received a piece of Cypress Leaf.
However, what surprised everyone was that the emperor also bestowed Cypress Leaves upon Yangdu County Duke Li Mi and Zhangqiu Duke Du Fuwei.
The implications behind this gesture prompted deep contemplation among those present. Naturally, Li Mi and Du Fuwei were quite moved by this honor, especially Du Fuwei, who was nearly brought to tears.
A piece of Cypress Leaf held in the palm is as light as a feather, but when it falls upon the family, it becomes as heavy as a mountain.
Many vassals could not help but feel a surge of excitement; it seemed that as long as they were willing to serve, His Majesty would not hold past grievances against them.
Meanwhile, the court meeting continued in an orderly manner, with various officials and Vassal States presenting local specialties as Tribute, along with offering Auspicious Signs.
Due to the Emperor's strict orders, Auspicious Signs were only permitted to be presented at this time, and they were merely for good fortune, without any requirement for authenticity.
Thus, the Auspicious Sign resembling a pig covered in gold foil, the Golden Qilin, made its appearance, and the Emperor gladly accepted it.
Following this, the Emperor led the Courtiers to worship at the Heaven and Earth Ancestral Temple and reviewed the troops alongside the Envoy of the Vassal State. After performing formal greetings to the assembled officials, he returned to review the military in a colorful procession at the Hall of Radiant Splendor before retiring to the Forbidden Camp, dispersing left and right as banners fluttered in the wind.
After the military review came the banquet. The Emperor, though frugal, did not skimp on today’s feast. Thus, there were numerous dishes on the table, with eight delicacies changing frequently. The banquet was lavishly adorned with music and dance performances that were graceful and enchanting.
The Outer Domain Emissaries took turns presenting songs and dances to Your Majesty in a display of flattery. Nothing could better demonstrate the Ming Emperor's formidable authority than such a magnificent victory.
……………
(End of Chapter)
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