bayedsolid Chapter 60 Turmoil
Chapter 60 Turmoil
At the banquet, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, sat in the main seat, drinking fine wine and scanning the crowd with his eyes.
Consort Liu sat beside him, gazing tenderly at the emperor who had unified the world, her eyes filled with deep affection.
"Alas, time waits for no one!" Li Longji said with a sigh after finishing his drink. "These years, my health has deteriorated, and I need strong liquor to fall asleep peacefully."
Li Chengqi and Li Shouli echoed his sentiments. Li Chengqi, quick to speak, said, "Your Majesty, your health is the foundation of the nation. If you are unwell, your ministers will be filled with fear."
Seeing this, Consort Liu gently comforted him, "Your Majesty is in the prime of your life and will surely enjoy good health and a long life."
"Haha, thank you for your kind words, my beloved consort." Li Longji forced a smile, but could not hide the weariness in his eyes.
Li Heng hesitated, opening his mouth several times only to close it again, wanting to offer comfort but unsure how to begin.
Li Mao remained calm, silently observing everyone at the banquet, planning how to make use of them.
At the same time, he pondered that the imperial chefs he had planted had already been smuggling food into his cheap father's meals. In the past, Xianglan had also put slow-acting poison in his strong liquor, and now it was beginning to show results.
Li Longji changed the subject, bringing up matters of the court: "Recently, Tibet has severed its tribute and broken its alliance. What good strategies do you, my esteemed ministers, have?"
Taking advantage of the situation, Li Chengqi stood up and said with great confidence, "Your Majesty, the eunuch Zhao Huicong falsely conveyed the imperial edict, causing Cui Xiyi to launch an attack. This matter has damaged the foundation of our Great Tang Dynasty and is of great importance."
Upon hearing this, Li Mao secretly observed Li Longji's reaction and noticed that he frowned slightly but did not speak immediately.
“Zhao Huicong did indeed overstep his bounds, but he was merely acting on my secret orders,” Li Longji replied coldly, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
The court officials all kept their mouths shut, not daring to express their opinions easily.
Li Shouli took over the conversation and respectfully said, "Your Majesty, please see this clearly. We are willing to go through fire and water to serve you with utmost loyalty."
After a moment's thought, Li Longji turned to Li Chengqi and said, "Zhao Huicong and the others have already paid the price for this matter. I ask your brother to let it go for now."
Li Chengqi was indignant, but he could not vent his anger, so he could only nod slightly and say, "Your Majesty is wise."
"The dignity of the Tang Dynasty cannot be underestimated. I will not tolerate this!" Li Longji's eyes were sharp and his expression was impassioned.
These words were meant to give the court officials an explanation.
Li Yi seized the opportunity to take over the conversation, saying softly, "Your Majesty, today Commander Yuan Liangxian and others have sent good news. I would like to invite my royal brother to join me for a drink."
Li Longji nodded slightly and raised his cup to Li Yi: "Come, my dear ministers, let us share this magnificent view."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Everyone raised their glasses, and the atmosphere at the banquet eased somewhat without them even realizing it.
at the same time.
Beneath the surface of the banquet, undercurrents were quietly surging.
Li Chengqi's eyes flickered slightly as he silently pondered how to deal with the current situation.
He knew in his heart that although Zhao Huicong was disliked, he was, after all, Li Longji's man, and he could not be dealt with rashly.
As the banquet drew to a close, Li Longji suddenly spoke up: "Brothers, consider today's banquet a family affair, so please feel free to speak your minds."
Li Shizhi rose, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty cares for the people's hearts, and the relief plan has already shown results. Your subject is willing to serve as a dog or horse to assist in the administration."
Li Yi echoed, "Your Majesty's merits are immeasurable!"
Li Longji nodded slightly and said with a gentle gaze, "Good governance is the foundation of a nation. What I desire is nothing more than to work hand in hand with my beloved ministers to build a peaceful and prosperous world."
"We are willing to strive together with Your Majesty," the civil and military officials in the hall replied in unison, their voices resounding and inspiring.
Li Mao, meanwhile, secretly observed the crowd, making his own plans.
As time passed, the banquet gradually came to an end. Li Longji was quite drunk and was supported by palace maids.
Li Shouli stepped forward and carefully helped the emperor up.
At this moment, Li Longji's face suddenly turned a little pale, and his brows furrowed slightly as if he was feeling unwell.
"Does Your Majesty wish to rest for a moment?" Consort Liu asked with concern, a hint of unease in her eyes.
"It's alright," Li Longji said with a forced smile, his arm, which he had just raised, falling limply back down.
The atmosphere at the banquet suddenly became awkward as the emperor fell ill. The courtiers stopped talking and looked at Li Longji with complicated expressions.
"Well, it's still early. I hereby decree that everyone should enjoy themselves to the fullest and not leave until they're drunk," Li Longji said calmly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." The civil and military officials withdrew in accordance with the decree, maintaining proper etiquette.
Li Chengqi observed discreetly, frequently raising his wine glass to conceal his gaze.
Li Shouli, Li Shizhi, Li Yi, and others, each with their own thoughts, toasted and drank with those around them.
As the banquet ended, the singing and dancing inside and outside the palace gradually subsided, and the courtiers dispersed with solemn expressions.
At this moment, only Li Mao and a few trusted guards were in his study.
Li Mao sat upright in his chair, his expression calm: "Your Highness, shall we take action tonight?" a guard asked softly.
"Wait a minute." Li Mao put down his wine cup and pondered, "Let's see how Father Emperor will act." He looked around the study and smiled mysteriously.
Just then, the study door was gently pushed open, and Madam Wang quietly walked in, a gentle smile on her face.
"Your Highness, it's late, and you've had quite a bit to drink at the banquet. You should get some rest," Madam Wang gently advised.
"My beloved concubine, I am not very tired yet." Li Mao smiled slightly, a warm feeling flowing through his heart.
But the more Wang acted this way, the more guilty Li Mao felt, and he could only try to find a way to distract himself.
On his way back, Li Longji's thoughts were still in turmoil.
The various remarks made at the banquet displeased him, but he felt helpless about them.
After all, those who raised questions today are all princes of the court, stationed on the frontier, and responsible for maintaining the peace of the Tang Dynasty. We must not offend them without being absolutely certain of our success.
Consort Liu looked at Li Longji and said with a hint of reproach, "Your Majesty has worked hard and should get some rest."
Li Longji gazed into the distance and chuckled softly: "It seems I'm getting old, but before that, there are still many memorials waiting for me to review."
After saying this, Li Longji staggered toward the direction of the imperial study.
The eunuchs accompanying him wanted to help him up, but dared not, fearing that Li Longji, in his drunken rage, would kill them.
As Li Longji walked along the road, he was filled with doubt.
"I am usually able to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk, so why am I already six-tenths drunk after only drinking a little today?"
Xianglan secretly observed Li Longji's every move.
I always felt that I hadn't given enough medicine.
Otherwise, according to His Highness Prince Shou's calculations, today should be the day His Majesty's poison took effect.
Why is there still no sign of it?
Li Longji slowly walked into the imperial study and sat down in front of the desk with a hazy look in his eyes.
"Someone, bring me a bowl of soup..."