Chapter 41: The Royal Night Banquet

Hearing Cai Cong complain, Yan Dong snorted coldly and said with a smile, “Whose young lady? Naturally, it’s the little miss of the Yan family. After eating the delicacies you sent, she can’t stomach anything else. She’s nearly starving, and His Majesty commands you to quickly send some fine food over.”

“What’s with this mess? I had no idea! Meng Baolai, hurry and tell the kitchen to prepare a table of dishes that children love, and send them to the Yan residence. Make it quick and make it good!” Cai Cong exclaimed. This was a case of good intentions backfiring—most likely that Yan child ate something delicious and then developed an aversion to other food.

Yan Dong chuckled, “Feeling sorry now? His Majesty told me to ask you, does the Emperor and the Empress not treat you well?” Suddenly, his voice dropped to a whisper, only audible to the two of them, his tone sinister.

“Very well, extremely well. I’m lively by nature, and His Majesty and the Empress are very tolerant with me. The Empress especially is affectionate—every time she sees me, she gives me plenty to eat.” Cai Cong replied without hesitation.

“If they treat you so well, why, when you have delicacies, do you only think of the Yan and Li Gang families? Their poetic gifts are kindness—doesn’t the Empress’s reward count as kindness too?”

He understood now—that’s it, Li Lao’er is feeling unbalanced. Cai Cong immediately realized, and glanced at Yan Dong disdainfully. Did you ever consider, throughout history, who would voluntarily invite the royal family to dine? Your household’s meals are inspected over and over; you taste it, I taste it, and only the leftovers go to the Emperor. Would I dare send it?

But he dared not say this aloud, instead smiling and claiming palace protocols prevented him from delivering dishes. Yan Dong rolled his eyes—what’s the jade token at your waist for?

He understood Cai Cong’s concerns and didn’t press further. Cai Cong ordered the kitchen to prepare eighteen dishes, saying they were for the Emperor and Empress. The kitchen was instantly in an uproar—everyone worked with the zeal of men possessed. Meat had to be cut identically before it could be cooked, vegetables peeled and inspected leaf by leaf for any dirt.

Royal guards from the palace monitored every step of the process, each stage under vigilant scrutiny, fearing anyone might poison the Emperor. Cai Cong paid them no mind, basking in the sun, while Yan Dong watched Lao Jiu cook, interrogating him every time he added a spice. Lao Jiu, clueless, could only reply it was the young master’s instructions.

After half an hour, Yan Dong contentedly carried away over a dozen food containers—after all, the imperial family was large. Dishes tasted by ministers could hardly be left out for the family; important figures must each have their share.

“I, Wu Zhang, will have to write this into our family records—imagine, I’ve cooked for the Emperor and Empress! This is truly a glory for my ancestors!” Lao Jiu was so pleased he hardly knew up from down.

“Me too! I cut the meat, and tended the fire for the brisket stew—just imagine how proud I’ll be telling that!” Ah Jie grinned foolishly. He looked at Meng Baolai now with scorn—yesterday you were so smug, just because Li Lao Xiansheng scolded you? I’ve cooked for the Emperor.

Meng Baolai personally led the delivery to the Yan residence, where Madam Yan received him herself. “Let Madam know, my young master says the young miss hasn’t eaten for days and mustn’t overeat. He specifically instructed a minced meat porridge to whet her appetite before she tries other dishes, so as not to harm her digestion.”

“Thank you for the advice. Please convey my endless gratitude to your young master; I shall repay this kindness in due time. For now, I have no leisure to entertain you all—please forgive any discourtesy.” Madam Yan said with a smile, not minding Meng Baolai’s abrupt departure.

Meng Baolai hastily declined, took his leave, and Madam Yan personally saw them out, watching until they disappeared from sight.

Once they were gone, Madam Yan turned back towards the house. She had barely gone a few steps when a maid came running, laughing and shouting, “Madam, the young miss ate—a big bowl of porridge, three leaves of greens, a fried chicken drumstick and two wings! Now she wants to play!”

“Good, good—tell them to take good care of her. Keep all the other dishes warm for the evening. Whoever dares to steal a bite will face my wrath.” Madam Yan replied, delighted, not minding the maid’s excitement, her face aglow with joy.

The palace was bustling as well. Li Shimin had always seen Cai Cong eat imperial cuisine with only a few casual bites, thinking him shy. Today, hearing two ascetic scholars rave about Cai family’s food, he realized that Cai Cong’s indifference was actual disdain.

Changsun, needless to say, brought along the older princes and favored consorts. More importantly, Li Yuan, the retired emperor who had long roamed the inner palace freely, was also invited by Li Shimin.

Li Yuan no longer had much ambition; the sons capable of inheriting the throne had all been killed by his second son. The Li family’s reputation still needed preserving—no scandal of imperial discord. Besides, if he harbored resentment, what if his second son one day had a fit and ended him with a length of silk? So their father-son meetings were always cordial.

Li Shimin and Changsun personally helped Li Yuan to the principal seat, and only then did the others take theirs. In the Tang dynasty, there were no tables, only small desk-like trays, so everyone dined separately, one tray per person.

Once all were seated, Li Shimin joked, “Father may not know, but a few days ago a little child visited the Yan residence, causing Elder Yan Zhitui’s great-granddaughter to lose her appetite, not eating for three days, nearly starving.”

“Oh! Such a strange affair—the child must be beautiful indeed, yet surely not so much as to cause this? How old is Yan Zhitui’s great-granddaughter? I recall she’s quite young,” Li Yuan perked up. Besides siring children, such romantic curiosities were rare entertainment for him.

“Yes, I recall Elder Yan has only one great-granddaughter, she should be six this year. How could this happen... unless the child His Majesty mentions is Cai Cong?” Changsun grew curious, suddenly recalling and asking through gritted teeth.

“Haha... It is indeed that boy. Father may not know, but our Great Tang boasts a four-year-old prodigy who issued philosophical questions. The Empress and I are very fond of him.

A few days ago, he delivered dishes to Yan Silu and Li Gang, and the two scholars couldn’t forget them. Yan Silu’s granddaughter, because of it, could eat nothing else and nearly starved. Today, I had him present his delicacies, and could not forget Father, so I invited you to taste them.” Li Shimin spoke with a broad smile. He had only this one father left; every opportunity to mend their relationship was precious. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have knelt before Li Yuan, pleading for forgiveness.

“Shimin, you are thoughtful. In that case, I am eager to try them.” Li Yuan replied cheerfully, though inwardly unimpressed. Born to a noble family, dressed in finery from birth, then emperor for nine years—what delicacy had he not tasted?

But this time, he was destined to be astonished. Chinese cuisine only blossomed in the Song dynasty; in the twenty-first century, any passerby has tasted more flavors than Li Yuan ever had—though in terms of rare ingredients, the comparison is unfair.

When the dishes were served, the aroma was enchanting. Li Yuan was surprised, picking up a lion’s head meatball and placing it in his mouth. Instantly, his eyes widened, chewing and swallowing greedily. He slapped his tray and exclaimed, “Delicious!”

He kept reaching for more, prompting laughter from the others as they began to taste the dishes. Li Chengqian, raised with strict etiquette, ate slowly and gracefully even in the face of such unprecedented delicacies.

In contrast, Li Tai and Li Ke, still young and inexperienced, indulged messily, finishing their chicken wings and other morsels quickly, then restlessly eyeing the others, their envy impossible to hide.

“Tai, Ke, come over here—I have plenty left, let’s eat together!” At six or seven, children are purest, even in the imperial family. As the elder brother, Li Chengqian was always protective, seeing their longing and inviting them over.

Strict etiquette governed every action, so Li Tai and Li Ke dared not move without permission. Hearing this, they looked to Li Shimin.

“This is a family meal today, no need for too many formalities. Your brother called you over, go ahead, no need to look at me. Yan Dong, are there more fried chicken pieces? Bring another serving for them.” Li Shimin was in excellent spirits. He had done wrong in the past, and dreaded his sons following his example. Seeing such brotherly affection now, he was filled with joy.

“Thank you, Father!” The two replied happily, running over to eat together with their crown prince brother.

Everyone smiled at the scene, though each heart wondered how long such harmony could last. Li Yuan drained his cup, eyes full of sorrow. His own sons had once been like this—why must brothers later turn against each other?

Drunk, as the moon rose overhead, Li Yuan was escorted away by attendants. As he left, he said to Li Shimin, “Teach your children well. If this scene can endure until their old age, it will be wonderful. Don’t let them repeat my sons’ mistakes—my sons…”

Though he had once cruelly told Li Shimin that his own sons would one day fight as his had, today he revealed a father’s worry for his child.

The others dispersed, leaving only Changsun with Li Shimin. The couple held hands in silence, their hearts quietly comforting one another.