People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1757 Princess Dongyang, the ninth daughter of Emperor Taizong, returns to Beijing

The first year of Kaiyuan, the 30th day of the twelfth lunar month.

New Year's Eve.

The emperor summoned all the kings, dukes, princesses, princesses of counties and their families and descendants, the prime minister and ministers of the court, and all the civil and military officials of the third rank and above in the capital to the Liangyi Hall.

Banquet.

……

Lu Yuan sat in the carriage, holding his wife, Princess He Yu, who was six months pregnant and drowsy, and rushed to Taiji Palace.

Outside the swaying car curtains, there were countless crackling firecrackers, as well as endless laughter and playfulness.

The curfew will be lifted on New Year's Eve.

The people celebrated and the officials had a night banquet.

Countless Jinwu Guards patrolled back and forth in the city, and even a large number of Sixteen Guards soldiers were transferred from the army, for fear that something disturbing would happen on New Year's Eve.

After all, this is the first New Year's Eve since the emperor ascended the throne.

In front of the Duanmen Gate in the distance, there were guards with their bare chests making beautiful iron flowers.

Countless people were watching excitedly on the other side of the moat.

After passing inspection, the carriages went straight into the Taiji Gate.

Under the Tai Chi sect, Lu Yuan carefully helped his wife out of the carriage.

In front, Li Yuangui and Li Xu had already stopped. When they saw Lu Yuan and Li Yu coming over, Li Yuangui looked at them seriously and said, "Talk less today and be careful. If you are not careful tonight, you will get into trouble."

"Yes!" Lu Yuan bowed solemnly. As the West Market Supervisor, how could he not know what happened?

In particular, the East and West trading markets exchanged what they had.

The entire Chang'an, and even the whole world, were extremely concerned about the return to the capital of Emperor Taizong's ninth daughter, Princess Dongyang, Emperor Gaozong's second daughter, Princess Yiyang, and third daughter, Princess Xuancheng.

In particular, the son of Hengshan Prince Li Chengqian, Duke of Weixun Li Xiang, and Ezhou Beijia Li Jue also returned to Beijing yesterday.

As the grandson of Emperor Gaozu, Li Xuan was recommended by the royal family and court officials to inherit the imperial throne and became the emperor.

This means that the throne of Emperor Jingdi's lineage, from Emperor Taizong to Emperor Gaozong, Emperor Zhongzong, and Emperor Suzong, was completely gone.

It is hard to say whether these descendants of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozong will take advantage of tonight's banquet to cause trouble.

Tonight, the entire royal family, as well as all officials above the third rank in the entire Chang'an city, will gather in the Liangyi Hall. If anything happens, it will spread throughout the world immediately.

So, tonight, be careful.

Be careful, be careful again.

At this moment, a carriage suddenly stopped on the side.

Then, Youzhou Governor Dou Huaiqi, Left Guard General Jiang Xia, and Gaoshun County Lady Dou Lin got off the carriage one after another.

Dou Huaiqi was a little surprised to see Li Yuangui, and then he stepped forward and bowed: "Hello, Uncle Wang, why hasn't Uncle Wang come in yet?"

Dou Huaiqi was the consort of Princess Lanling, the nineteenth daughter of Emperor Taizong. There was nothing wrong with him calling Li Yuangui "uncle".

Li Yuangui smiled and nodded, saying, "He Yu is pregnant, so she's a little slow. Let's go in together."

"Yes!" Dou Huaiqi immediately bowed, then followed Li Yuangui and walked towards the Liangyi Hall.

Just after everyone entered the Liangyi Hall, Tang Jianri also appeared in the crowd, and the one leading him was none other than Princess Dongyang.

Next to Tang Jianri was Princess Dongyang’s son Gao Jin.

Looking at the dark palace, Tang Jinri sneered in his heart.

Tonight, it’s not over.

……

Under the Ganlu Gate, lanterns are hung high, making it as bright as day.

Li Xuan and Liu Jinyu supported Ouyang and walked carefully towards the Taiji Hall.

The concubines behind him, as well as Crown Prince Li Zhizhao, Princess Fuchang, and other concubines and children, all went towards the Taiji Hall together.

Standing in front of the side hall door, Ouyang looked at Li Xuan and said with some concern: "Dongyang is back, what are you going to do?"

"She will be settled in Chang'an." Li Xuan shrugged slightly and said, "My son thought about letting the Princess of Dongyang go to Luoyang for settlement, but there are always some sad things in Luoyang, so it's better not to go."

Princess Dongyang's husband is Duke of Shen Gao Luxing, and her son is Gao Xuan.

When Li Xian plotted rebellion, the Gao family was implicated, so Gao Xuan, Gao Shenxing and Gao Zhenxing killed Gao Qi, the then Minister of Food for the Eastern Palace, directly at his doorstep.

Li Zhi had originally let Gao Qi go, but he did not expect that Gao Shenxing, Gao Zhenxing, and Gao Xuan would brutally kill Gao Qi.

They are their biological sons, nephews, and cousins.

Even Li Zhi could not accept this human tragedy, and in the end he had no choice but to demote them and exile them.

"In addition, the Gao family in Bohai has also prepared a residence for them. If Sister Wang doesn't want to stay in the central government, she can go to Hebei." Li Xuan smiled gently.

"Then what about Li Xiang and Li Jue? They are Cheng Qian's sons." What Ouyang was really worried about were Li Xiang and Li Jue.

Ouyang had met the Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Li Xuan shook his head slightly and said calmly: "If they cause trouble, the palace guards will capture them directly and send them to Zhaoling Mausoleum to guard the mausoleum day and night... My son has already warned them in advance."

When I went to Zhaoling, I was ostensibly there to guard the tomb, but it was hard to say how long I could actually live.

"Yes!" Ouyang nodded slightly and walked towards the hall.

This kingdom has already been passed to the Peng Palace, so no one can seize it.

……

"The Saint has arrived, the Queen Mother has arrived, the Queen has arrived, and the Crown Prince has arrived." The eunuch in charge of ceremonies shouted loudly at the side door.

Tang Jianri, followed by Princess Dongyang, Gao Jin, Cheng Zheng not far away, Zhou Jitong and others knelt down together.

Also ahead were Princess Yi Yang, Princess Xuan Cheng, and their sons.

Li Xiang and Li Jue were further back.

Li Xiang was at most a duke. Many more people knelt down in the hall, making a great noise.

Tang Jianri raised his head carefully, his eyes only swept over Crown Prince Li Zhizhao, Prince of Qi Li Zhiming, Prince of Liang Li Zhiyou, Prince of Yan Li Zhichang, and Prince of Ying Li Zhigao.

Tang Jianri's breathing became heavy as he remembered that Prince Peng's virtuous concubine was already pregnant before she entered the palace.

Zhaorong Liu, who entered the palace in October, was also diagnosed with pregnancy last month.

King Peng is really fertile.

But what does it matter if one can have children? Although Emperor Gaozong was not as good as him, Emperor Taizong also had many descendants, but in the end, they all died.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Queen Mother. May you live long and healthy. Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Your Highness. May you live long and healthy..."

A loud bang rang out in the hall. Tang Jianri opened his mouth slightly, but no sound came out.

……

Li Xuan and Liu Jinyu helped Ouyang sit on the right side, and then they sat in the main seat together.

Li Zhizhao sat alone on the left side. Xia'er and Ming'er sat on Li Zhizhao's left. They were both the queen's children.

The other concubines sat on both sides, taking care of their own sons.

Zhao Huan sat with Liu Qiongyu, and Zhao Huan carefully took care of Liu Qiongyu who had just become pregnant.

After Li Xuan sat down, he looked up at the ministers.

On the left are Lu Yuanfang, Wang Dezhen, Yun Hongyin and other prime ministers, as well as generals, generals and the nine temple ministers.

On the right are the King of Han, the King of Huo, the King of Lu, the Grand Princess Huainan, the Grand Princess Qianjin, the Grand Princess Changle and other princes, dukes and princesses as well as their children.

Even the sons of the deceased Princess Lanling, Princess Yuzhang, Princess Linchuan and others, as long as they were recorded in the clan register, Li Xuan called them all over.

Nowadays, all the royal family members who are qualified to appear in front of Li Xuan and in front of the people of the world have come today.

What is interesting is that the princes and princesses of the royal family and the prime ministers, secretaries, generals and generals were sitting completely opposite each other.

In particular, more generals were stationed in the rear, facing Princess Dongyang, Li Xiang, Li Jue and others.

Li Xuan's eyes turned slightly, and he raised his hand and said, "Please stand up and take your seats."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The ministers then slowly stood up and sat down in their seats.

Several plates of exquisite dishes had been laid out, and each person had a pot of wine and a wine bottle.

Li Xuan glanced at Lu Yuanfang and Ouyang Tong, and said with a smile: "On New Year's Eve, the whole country is reunited, but I called all the kings and ministers into the palace to spend New Year's Eve with me, the queen, and the queen mother. I am really ashamed, but I think that such a blessing has not happened for a long time since Emperor Gaozong passed away, so I called everyone here to show the reunion."

The year Li Zhi died, the whole country was in mourning.

Li Xian died in May of the year Li Dan ascended the throne. Although Empress Wu was in power, she had no interest in making trouble after her son died.

Last year, Li Chongzhao disappeared and Li Chongjun ascended the throne on the first day of the first lunar month, making it even more impossible to hold a New Year's Eve banquet.

For three whole years, no one presided over these matters.

Li Xuan said, and everything seemed like an old dream.

After a short pause, Li Xuan said, "Originally, I had invited Prince Xiang and Prince Wei to come tonight, but Prince Wei is not feeling well, so I asked Prince Xiang and the Duke of Xingyang to go to Daming Palace to accompany Prince Wei and Princess Anle. If you want to go later, you can go together after the banquet. Just don't disturb Prince Wei for too long."

"We obey your orders." All the ministers bowed in unison.

"All right." Li Xuan raised the wine bottle and said, "A new year has passed with the sound of firecrackers, and the spring breeze brings warmth to Tusu. Every household replaces the old charms with new ones. Today is New Year's Eve, and it's a rare occasion for the whole country to reunite. Come on, everyone, raise your glasses for the new year and for the whole world."

"For the New Year, for the world, and for Your Majesty!" All the ministers raised their glasses.

……

After a round of dance, the graceful dancers slowly retreated from both sides of the hall.

Li Xuan raised the golden cup in his hand, turned sideways and looked at Li Yuanjia and others sitting on the left side of the hall, raised the cup and said seriously: "Uncle Wang, uncle Wang, and all the aunts, if it weren't for the strong support of the elders that day, I wouldn't be where I am today. All I can do is to repay you by governing a greater prosperous era. Prince, come and toast with me, please!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty." King Han, King Huo, King Lu, Princess Huainan, Princess Qianjin, Princess Changle and other descendants of Emperor Gaozu all stood up and raised their glasses.

Li Xuan finished his glass of wine, then glanced at Li Zhizhao, who was sticking out his tongue because of the spicy taste after drinking a glass of wine. He couldn't help but smile and waved his hand, saying, "Please take a seat, elders."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The kings and princesses then sat down.

Li Xuan continued to raise his glass, looking at Li Jing, Li Ne, Li Xu and the others, as well as Princess Dongyang, and raised his glass and said, "My dear brothers, sisters, brothers and sisters!"

Li Jing, Li Ne, Li Xu and others, including Princess Dongyang, all stood up and raised their glasses: "Your Majesty."

"A prosperous era is difficult to build. It requires the efforts of all royal families in the world, especially our generation, who need to work together." Li Xuan nodded and said, "Now, I and my brothers and sisters will work together."

"We are willing to die for Your Majesty." Li Jing, Li Ne, Li Xu and others, even Princess Dongyang, all responded in unison, then raised their heads and drank the glass of wine completely.

Li Xuan's gaze swept over Tang Jianri, who was the last one to fall, and saw that he had opened his eyes wide with a look of disbelief.

Immediately, as if noticing Li Xuan's gaze, Tang Jianri subconsciously lowered his head.

At this time, Li Xuan said: "My nephews, nieces, and my nephews, now it is your turn to pay respect to me. You must work hard in the future. How high you can reach in the future depends on your own efforts."

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty." Almost all the remaining people on the left stood up.

Also including Tang Jianri.

……

Tang Jianri sat in his seat, his eyes lightly sweeping over Li Jue who was drinking happily with Su Weidao and Su Bao, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Although Li Jue did not inherit the title, he was the legitimate son of the deposed Crown Prince Li Chengqian and the grandson of Wugong Su.

There was also Gao Jin who was talking to the Prince's attendant Gao Chongwen. They were both descendants of the Gao family of Bohai.

On the other side, Princess Yi Yang and Princess Xuan Cheng were huddled next to the Minister of War Xiao Siye and talking about something.

Xiao Siye was a very close cousin of Concubine Xiao Shufei, only three generations away. However, he was already the closest living uncle of Princess Yi Yang and Princess Xuan Cheng.

Tang Jianri's face couldn't help but stiffen. He almost forgot that someone in the court was not without some background.

With their support, would these people still oppose Li Xuan as he imagined?

At this moment, Tang Jianri saw Princess Dongyang stand up and walk towards Li Xuan.

For a moment, his and his ministers' eyes were all on Princess Dongyang and Li Xuan.

(End of this chapter)