Chapter 133: The Jade Dew Sea Pearl

Li Xiaogong’s sudden question left Lu Xin quite at a loss. Why would a high-ranking Prince of the Commandery care about his marital status? Although Lu Xin did not understand Li Xiaogong’s intentions, he certainly could not reveal that his actual age was only eleven. At this age, a normal child had not even reached maturity.

Feeling helpless, Lu Xin had to force a smile and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. This commoner has no marital engagements. For now, I only wish to focus on my training under my master and have no thoughts regarding matters of romance."

"Hahahaha, very well. Since ancient times, it has been said that even heroes struggle to pass the trial of beauty. Emperor Xin of the Shang Dynasty was like this, and so was the Overlord Xiang Yu. Those who can overcome the trial of beauty are truly divine beings. You Taoist Yin-Yang masters often say that the union of man and woman is the most potent poison in this world. Yet, I happen to love drinking this very poison; I am truly a worldly man, ah hahahaha..."

Li Xiaogong turned his head and laughed heartily, but his eyes remained fixed on the three princes sitting beside Li Shimin, as if his words were not meant for Lu Xin at all. Seeing this, Li Chunfeng curled the corners of his lips and patted Lu Xin on the shoulder, signaling him not to overthink it.

Meanwhile, the Turkic Princess Ashina Nami began to take her seat. Her place was to the left of Li Shimin, almost in a straight line with the three princes. The remaining Turkic soldiers all stood behind the princess, with no seats provided.

Before the banquet began, Li Shimin first delivered a few congratulatory remarks, honoring the top three scholars of the new imperial examinations. He then expressed his expectations for the officials, speaking with such passion and eloquence that it was highly stirring. Finally, Li Shimin formally announced that the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty had accepted the marriage alliance proposal from the Turkic Jieli Khan. He declared that during this banquet, Princess Ashina Nami would be allowed to choose a prince who suited her fancy to be her husband, as a gesture of the Tang court’s open-mindedness and respect for the Turkic nation.

Li Shimin’s words were immediately met with cheers from the Turkic delegation. On the Tang side, although a few veteran officials felt it was inappropriate, influential figures like Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling raised no objections, so no one else dared to step forward. With a shout from the chief eunuch beside Li Shimin, eighty-one beautifully dressed dancers entered the hall. The banquet began amidst a flurry of music and dance.

Because they were hosting the Turkic princess, the court had specially prepared several Turkic delicacies. There were over a dozen kinds of wine alone. As the Emperor of the Tang, Li Shimin naturally wanted to use every means to demonstrate the wealth and strength of the Tang Dynasty before the Turks. However, as an outsider with no formal ties to the court, Lu Xin could not bring himself to eat and drink freely.

Looking at the scholar not far away, he saw that the third-place finisher was eating with great gusto, stuffing his mouth with meat and fish as if he were a starving ghost who hadn't eaten in three days. Although Lu Xin felt a bit embarrassed, he had known the man for a while and didn't find it strange. If not for the bit of talent stored in his belly, the scholar would be no different from a common street thug. Yet, this genuine character was exactly why Lu Xin was willing to befriend him.

How a person appears on the surface can never replace their true heart. Just like Tu Chengli—he might look cowardly, shabby, lecherous, greedy for money and food, and long-winded, but he was actually very kind-hearted and possessed a strong sense of justice. Perhaps at first glance, you might think he was a scoundrel and want to stay away from him, but after getting to know him, you would find that being with such a person is very reassuring and comfortable. In contrast, some people appear righteous and noble, "worrying before the world worries and enjoying only after the world enjoys," yet behind the scenes, they commit every evil act and scheme against everyone.

"Sigh, once one enters the court, though it may be a life of fine clothes and spirited horses, and 'seeing all the flowers in Chang'an in a single day,' the future holds only intrigue and deception. Brother Tu, I hope you can always hold true to your original heart and enjoy smooth sailing!"

Reflecting on this, Lu Xin couldn't help but raise his cup of mare’s milk wine toward the scholar and take a sip. He felt a wave of heat rush into his throat, the rich fragrance permeating his nose. But just as he set down his cup and prepared to eat some fruit, his heart gave a sudden jolt. He felt an incredibly sharp gaze fixed upon him. Looking up, about twenty meters away, Lu Tingfang, sitting opposite him, was peering over the shoulder of Zhangsun Wuji, observing him with a very complex look in his eyes.

Since the brothers had parted ways at the Hongwen Hall, this was the first time their eyes had met again. One was the top scholar of the dynasty, a master at the seventh level of the Guanxu Realm or higher; the other was merely an unknown commoner in plain clothes. Lu Xin did not know why the cousin who had once doted on him had turned into his current self, but he was no longer the naive, tearful child he used to be.

***

After the two stared at each other for a moment, neither showed any change in expression. Shortly after, the music in his ears gradually faded, and the dancers withdrew one by one. Li Shimin gave a dry cough, and the entire hall fell silent instantly.

"My dear officials, since I ascended the throne, although the world has been stable, there has been no shortage of voices of opposition. The powerful clans of various prefectures, the remnants of former dynasties' vassal kings, and even factions within Taoism and the demonic sects all want to take my head and destroy my Tang Dynasty..."

Li Shimin’s sudden remarks instantly left the ministers below in utter panic. Zhangsun Wuji immediately stood up, his face changing drastically as he trembled and said, "Your Majesty’s literary brilliance and martial achievements make you a peerless hero who conquered the world on horseback. Without Your Majesty, there would be no peace and prosperity for our Tang Dynasty. The common people in all the prefectures would not have peaceful lives. Your Majesty is a wise ruler who will surely make the four corners of the world submit. If anyone dares to harm Your Majesty, they are merely wicked, rebellious subjects, not worth worrying about."

Zhangsun Wuji spoke with great indignation, his gaze shifting toward the Turkic delegation multiple times as he spoke. Li Shimin naturally understood what Zhangsun Wuji was worried about and waved his hand, laughing heartily.

"I understand what Fuji is worried about, and you officials need not be alarmed. I was merely caught up in the wine and wished to share a few heartfelt words with you. Although there are Turkic envoys present, the Third Princess is soon to be my daughter-in-law, making us one family, so there is no need for such taboos. In truth, which ruler throughout history has not had enemies? Take our old rival, Jieli Khan; haven't we fought for so many years? But there are no eternal enmities in this world. As long as we, monarch and subjects, are of one heart, work diligently, and make our people strong, why should we fear that our Tang Dynasty will not last for generations and cause the world to submit?"

"Your Majesty is wise and brilliant; we are willing to sacrifice our lives and guts for Your Majesty, never refusing to die for the cause."

No sooner had Li Shimin finished speaking than the ministers rose one after another to offer toasts, flattering him profusely. Seeing this, Li Shimin was naturally very pleased, his expression becoming even more joyful. Anyone who wasn't foolish could hear the subtext in his words; they were clearly meant for the Turkic delegation. Moreover, this shrewd emperor meant far more than that.

"Alright, alright, all of you may be seated. Some things happened in Chang'an last night, and I presume some of you have heard of them. Fortunately, the fate of our Tang Dynasty is not yet exhausted, and we have been aided by many experts to turn danger into safety. Today, I wish to personally pour wine for two people to express my gratitude."

As he said this, Li Shimin stood up from his seat and walked down from the high platform holding a flagon of wine. He first headed toward Zhangsun Wuji, and upon reaching him, whispered a few words to Yuan Tiangang and poured him a cup. Then, Li Shimin walked toward Lu Xin and his master, spoke a few words of thanks to Li Chunfeng, and filled his cup as well. The emperor’s gesture instantly triggered discussions among the officials. For the emperor to personally pour wine—none of those present had ever received such honor.

"These two immortals are masters of Taoism with supreme magical powers. If not for their help last night, the people of Chang'an would likely have faced a dire fate. Today, I wish to appoint these two as the Imperial Preceptors of the Tang Dynasty, reward them with a thousand taels of silver, and confer upon them the titles of Marquis of Protecting the State and Marquis of Pacifying the State. Furthermore, they shall jointly oversee the Bureau of Astrological Divination and remain in Chang'an, ready to be consulted. My purpose in doing this is to tell the world that although our Tang Dynasty honors Confucianism and respects Confucius, the court also respects Buddhism and Taoism. I wish to create an enlightened and prosperous age. Do any of you have any objections?"

"Your Majesty is a ruler of great talent and vision who knows how to employ the right people. I shall certainly follow Your Majesty, dedicating my life to your service until my dying breath."

Zhangsun Wuji was the first to voice his approval of Li Shimin’s decision, followed immediately by Prime Ministers Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, who rose to praise him. Seeing that these three had no objections, how could the other ministers dare to say a word of dissent? They stood up one after another, shouting, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Watching this scene, Lu Xin could not help but feel a sense of shock. Even Li Xiaogong, standing before him, looked quite surprised.

The title of Imperial Preceptor was not something just anyone could obtain. Although it carried no official rank or real power, it was a position that even the emperor had to respect. Moreover, Li Shimin had not only placed Yuan Tiangang and Li Chunfeng in charge of the Bureau of Astrological Divination but also conferred titles upon them, showing his clear intent to recruit them. A marquisate was at least a third-rank title in the Tang Dynasty, which was already very high.

"Master, what kind of place is this Bureau of Astrological Divination?"

"It is a sub-bureau established by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices in the suburbs of the capital, responsible for the arts of divination. The Emperor's move is deeply calculated."

"Then, Master, what do you mean?"

"Hahahaha, the Emperor’s word is final; what I mean is not important. What is important is what the other one is thinking."

Li Chunfeng took a small sip of wine, his eyes bright like torches as he looked at Yuan Tiangang across the way and smiled faintly. Lu Xin did not understand what his master was planning, but with so many people around, he could not ask further. Seeing that there were no objections to his decision, Li Shimin returned to his seat, looking very pleased. He exchanged a few words with the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, then smiled and cast his gaze toward the Turkic delegation.

"I have long heard that Jieli Khan has a troop of elite soldiers called the 'Wolf Totem.' Everyone among them is brave and skilled in combat, possessing masterful sword techniques. Today, I wonder if you might let me see them?"

"Since Your Majesty wishes to see their blade work, General Ale, why don't you perform for His Majesty?"

Faced with Li Shimin’s request, Princess Ashina Nami seemed to have anticipated it long ago, turning to look at the Turkic general behind her almost without hesitation.