Fang Er leisurely wandered around Fang Family Village, accepting toasts from table after table, completely unaware of Li Shimin's schemes against him.
It was a brief lull in the busy farming season. The autumn harvest was in, and the winter wheat had not yet been sown. The Fang Family Village banquet lasted for a full three days.
Three days later, an imperial decree summoned him to Chang'an.
A Grand Audience!
When Fang Er arrived at the Taiji Palace, the eight Grand Supervisors, including Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Jingde, and Qin Qiong, were all present.
Officials from the Three Provinces, Six Ministries, and those ranked fifth or higher in the capital stood in their designated positions.
After a short wait, Li Shimin and his son, escorted by a retinue of Xuanjia Army guards, slowly arrived outside the hall.
"Your subjects pay respects to Your Majesty, and to the Retired Emperor!"
The officials shouted in unison.
Pushing through the crowd and ascending the imperial steps, Li Shimin, the Retired Emperor, sat upon the dragon throne in the Taiji Hall. Li Chengqian could only stand by his side, hands clasped behind his back, with Deng Dengjie flanking him like two bodyguards.
"All rise!"
Old Li's expression was one of profound satisfaction. To have reached such a position as emperor was unprecedented in history.
"In these past few years, I have accompanied An Zhi to other places. You have managed the Great Tang admirably, and my heart is greatly comforted!"
Looking at the assembled officials, Old Li stroked his beard with evident pleasure.
"Thanks to the Retired Emperor's heavenly grace, we are able to fulfill our missions!"
The officials once again responded with a chorus of acclaim.
Li Shimin's gaze swept across the hall. When he saw Fang Er standing in a corner, leaning against a pillar with his eyes closed, his lips twitched several times.
However, thinking of the materials he had had copied two days prior, he dismissed the thought. *Let the boy enjoy a few more comfortable days.*
*Hiahiahihia..........*
Following this, the session proceeded with normal governmental discussions.
Old Li posed questions about governance, and the officials provided answers. The lengthy court session continued from five in the morning until eleven in the morning.
As it was nearing lunchtime, Li Shimin finally cleared his throat and announced the true purpose of the grand audience.
"I have heard that the New Capital has been completed. There are only two months left until the matter of relocating the capital, which was discussed many years ago."
"From this day forth, all government offices, the Three Provinces, Six Ministries, and Twelve Guards shall begin their gradual relocation to the New Capital according to their respective divisions of labor!"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the officials below immediately lit up with excitement.
There was the matter of distributing housing in the New Capital...
But Li Shimin's words were not yet finished. He turned to look at Cheng Yaojin and the others.
"Where are the Eight Grand Supervisors!"
"Your subject is here!"
"I command you to dispatch messengers to inform all surrounding smaller states of our capital relocation!"
"On the day of the grand ceremony, I expect to see the presence of the various kings!"
"Furthermore, I shall hold a military review in the New Capital, bearing witness to the prosperous era of the Great Tang with our supreme military might!"
"Your subject obeys the decree!"
Everyone shouted in unison, followed by more flattery such as "The Retired Emperor is wise."
After the court session concluded, Fang Er was about to head home when he was stopped by a eunuch.
"Duke Anguo, please stay. The Retired Emperor requests your presence in the rear garden for a discussion."
Fang Er: ???
Couldn't this matter be discussed in court?
He followed Eunuch Deng, utterly bewildered, out of the hall and around to the rear garden.
There, a banquet was already set up. Cheng Yaojin and the others had arrived before him.
Not only them, but even Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Yu Shinan, and the wheelchair-bound Du Ruhui were all present!
All were old ministers of the Zhenguan era!
This made Fang Er even more confused. "Father, what do you mean by this?"
Li Shimin smiled without speaking, while Empress Dowager Changsun, seated nearby, patted the chair next to her.
"An Zhi, come quickly. Let your mother have a good look at you."
Fang Er: ???
What in the world?
Why were Cheng Yaojin and the others looking at him with such expressions?
Expectation? Excitement?
This made his heart begin to pound.
*Damn it, did these people plot something with Li Shimin?*
*A Hongmen Banquet?*
*Impossible. Just the day before yesterday, Old Li sent a bunch of wives to Fang Yan. Murdering his in-law so openly doesn't make sense...*
But facing Empress Dowager Changsun's kind smile, he could only brace himself and walk over.
After he was seated, the eunuchs nearby stepped forward to pour wine for everyone.
Li Shimin stood up. "Everyone, it has been a long time since we last drank together!"
"Today, I have kept you all here. We shall not discuss state affairs, but merely family matters. Come, drink this cup to the last!"
"Thank you, Retired Emperor!"
Fang Er rose with the others and returned the toast to Li Shimin.
"The first matter is the marriage between An Zhi and Chang Le!"
Before he could swallow his wine, he saw Li Shimin looking at him with a smile and uttering these words.
This was too sudden, and Fang Er almost choked on his wine!
"Cough, cough, cough!"
He forcefully coughed out the liquid that had gone down the wrong pipe, his face flushed as he looked at Li Shimin.
"Father, can't we discuss this matter in a few years?"
"Chang Le is still too young!"
Li Shimin glared. "Young? How is she young! When your mother-in-law was Chang Le's age, she was already campaigning with me!"
"Therefore, in my opinion, this capital relocation is the most auspicious date!"
"The relocation of the capital, coupled with your and Chang Le's wedding – these shall be the double celebrations of joy for our Great Tang!"
Fang Er was dumbfounded!
Relocating the capital was a matter of national importance. Let alone him being just a Duke, even a prince would not have the right to overshadow the capital relocation!
This was a matter of propriety!
Was Old Li's brain kicked by a donkey?
"Hahaha, Duke Anguo, this is the Retired Emperor's heavenly grace. You cannot refuse it!"
Seeing him frozen in place, Changsun Wuji stood up and raised his wine cup, simultaneously giving a signal to Zhang Gongjin and the others.
"Indeed, indeed. I, old Zhang, am very envious of this favor."
"An Zhi, the Retired Emperor has said it so clearly, why don't you just nod your head?"
"That's right. If you think Chang Le is too young, then marry her first and bring her home. The matter of having children can wait a few more years!"
"..........."
A group of old fellows also stood up. Without exception, they were all urging Fang Er to agree.
Fang Er was somewhat stunned. *Damn it, they've definitely colluded in advance!*
"Father, if you have anything else to say, just say it all at once. This way of doing things leaves your son feeling very lost........"
Li Shimin smiled and tapped the table twice.
Deng Dengjie, standing nearby, moved the plates aside and placed a wooden box on the table.
What was this?
Fang Er curiously looked at the wooden box.