L.F-Hist.Novelist Chapter 35 Li Shimin Arrives
Chapter 35 Li Shimin Arrives
Inside the flower hall, candlelight flickered quietly, and delicacies were laid out on the tables. The aroma of wine mingled with the fragrance of the dishes, permeating the space between the beams and pillars.
Today's event was not a formal court banquet; it was merely a private gathering of Cheng Yaojin's former subordinates and meritorious officials. The solemn etiquette of the Zichen Palace had been shed, giving it a more relaxed feel, like old friends meeting for the first time.
The two of them talked back and forth like children bickering, neither willing to give in.
Qin Shubao shook his head helplessly, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "You old fellow, you've always been like this."
Whenever we get something rare and valuable, we always hide it away, afraid that we'll find out how and steal your opportunity.
"That's absolutely right!" Yuchi Gong immediately chimed in, indignant. "You recently acquired a batch of top-quality Shu brocade, the patterns and designs of which are unparalleled in the world, and you kept it from me for three whole months."
I searched every shop, big and small, in both the east and west markets for almost half a month, but couldn't find a trace of it. They're clearly deliberately hiding it from me!"
"Tell you? With your tendency to snatch anything good, if you knew the secret, would you really leave me even a fraction?"
Cheng Yaojin spoke with righteous indignation and full of confidence: "Years ago, when we were dividing up the spoils of war, I took a fancy to a scimitar belonging to a Turkic general. I loved it so much."
This knife is of rare design and its blade is incomparably sharp, and what happened? You fucking snatched it faster than anyone else!
"I was the one who first fell in love with that curved sword!"
"I was the one who reached out and touched it first!"
"I was the one who charged into the enemy lines first and killed that Turkic general!"
The two men each held their own version of events, reminiscing about their past experiences on the battlefield, and argued endlessly, making the flower hall lively.
Fang Xuanling slowly raised his hand and gently mediated, "You two should stop arguing for now. That Turkic general was neither killed by Jingde nor was it thanks to Zhijie."
He then looked at Qin Shubao with a gentle smile, "It was Shubao who dealt a heavy blow with a long-range arrow, making him the first to achieve merit."
Qin Shubao shook his head slightly, his expression humble: "Xuanling, you're mistaken. My arrow only hit the guard next to me. The commander of the scimitar was knocked off his horse on the spot by Li Yaoshi with his horse spear."
Fang Xuanling remained unfazed, stroking his beard and chuckling, "In that case, it seems you two are fighting over someone else's war relics. There's no need for either of you to make fun of the other."
His words made everyone clap and laugh, and the tense atmosphere instantly dissipated.
Changsun Wuji's lips also curved slightly. He sat quietly, watching the conversation and laughter at the banquet. The restraint and seriousness of the court disappeared without a trace at this moment.
Laughter and conversation filled the flower hall, the aroma of wine lingering in the air, creating a lively atmosphere. Suddenly, a hearty laugh echoed from outside the courtyard, accompanied by steady footsteps that approached from afar and entered the flower hall directly.
"Cheng Zhijie hosted a private banquet, gathering a group of noble and old friends, and deliberately kept it a secret from me without sending anyone to inform me. Isn't that a bit too biased?"
Upon hearing the voice, everyone at the table straightened up, immediately stood up, straightened their clothes, gathered their sleeves, and bowed in greeting.
Li Shimin was dressed in a black casual robe, with a jade belt loosely tied around his waist, lacking the solemnity and weight of imperial court attire.
He walked slowly into the flower hall alone, without any servants or guards. His steps were casual and unhurried, not like an emperor's arrival, but rather like an old friend visiting for a leisurely gathering.
"Why would His Majesty travel incognito in person?" Cheng Yaojin hurriedly stood up, clutching the wine jar, a simple, honest smile plastered on his face. His mind, however, was racing, and he quickly offered a conciliatory remark.
"Today, this old minister is simply having a small gathering with old brothers. The food and wine are simple. I originally planned to send someone to the palace later to invite Your Majesty to join us for a drink, but I did not expect Your Majesty to arrive first. This is truly unexpected."
"Stop with these insincere pleasantries," Li Shimin said with a laugh, then walked straight to the main seat in the flower hall and sat down comfortably.
His gaze swept across the table laden with food and wine, immediately locking onto the wine jar clutched tightly in Cheng Yaojin's arms, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"What treasures are you hiding in your bosom? I just reached the alley entrance when I smelled this wonderful fragrance, it's so enticing that I can't move my feet. Quickly pour me a bowl, let me have a taste."
Cheng Yaojin's face stiffened slightly, and he subconsciously hugged the wine jar in his arms even tighter, his face full of heartache and reluctance, but he dared not show the slightest sign of disobedience.
Li Shimin was not in a hurry to force or coerce him. He calmly tore off a piece of roasted lamb leg and savored it slowly. He then picked up a piece of braised beef shank with his chopsticks, picked up a cup of ordinary homemade wine from the table, and drank it all in one gulp.
Setting down his wine cup, the casual smile on his face faded slightly, replaced by an air of imperial composure. He looked directly at Cheng Yaojin, his tone leaving no room for refusal: "Stop hiding it. Pour me another bowl, and I'll take this jar of secret brew from your arms."
Cheng Yaojin was filled with heartache and reluctance, but with the emperor's command at hand, he dared not disobey in the slightest. He could only grit his teeth, carefully take the wine jar, and pour a full bowl for Li Shimin.
The clear wine reflected the candlelight in the hall, its glow warm and gentle, while the rich and invigorating aroma of the wine wafted over and slowly spread across the table.
The flower hall fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes were fixed on the bowl of wine, as well as on Cheng Yaojin and Li Shimin.
From this moment on, a private banquet hosted by an old nobleman quietly entered the emperor's sight and mind.
Li Shimin picked up the blue-and-white porcelain wine bowl, first bringing it to his nose for a gentle sniff. The mellow and smooth aroma of the wine seeped into his lungs, neither harsh nor dry, but clear and not bland.
He took a small sip, the wine flowing down his throat and slowly washing over his taste buds. He closed his eyes and savored the taste for a long time before finally swallowing.
His brows slowly relaxed, a contented smile spreading from his eyes. His imperial majesty quietly faded, leaving only the heartfelt joy of a connoisseur of fine wine.
The hall fell silent for a moment. Those present were all old ministers who had followed him for half their lives, and they all knew that His Majesty was an expert in wine. At this moment, everyone put down their cups and chopsticks, their eyes secretly fixed on the wine bowls, waiting for his judgment.
"Good wine." Li Shimin opened his eyes, his tone sincere and without a trace of perfunctoriness.
His gaze then shifted to Cheng Yaojin, his eyes gleaming with a shrewd, knowing look and a hint of mockery. He spoke calmly, "Zhijie, tell me honestly, where did you get this jar of fine wine?"
Cheng Yaojin's heart tightened slightly. He knew perfectly well that he absolutely could not reveal a single detail about Wang Zhihuan's farm.
These old brothers are all sharp-eyed and greedy. Once they learn that there is such a reclusive talent who brews fine wine, they will definitely rush to visit him.
At that time, he wouldn't be able to enjoy the fine wine alone, and even the local sages would be disturbed.
The thought flashed through his mind in an instant, but he showed no sign of anything amiss on his face, and casually made up an excuse. "Your Majesty, the other day I was strolling around the East and West markets when I happened to come across a foreign merchant walking the streets and alleys. I inadvertently smelled the aroma of wine in a jar, and on a whim, I bought it."
Li Shimin smiled faintly, his gaze fixed on him, and asked slowly, "Foreign merchants? What is your name? Which market in Chang'an are you staying in? If I find something to my liking, I can have some found."