"The dancers from last time had really good figures. I didn't manage to ask for a couple to take back last time. This time, I've got to ask His Majesty, the Heavenly Khan of the Tang Dynasty, for a few."
A rough voice came from outside the door. It was Gar Tongtsen Yülsung of Tubo.
Li Jingyun poked her head out. Sure enough, a burly man was striding towards them, followed by the thin and short Sambhota.
His voice came before he did.
This remark disrupted the solemn atmosphere in the Hanyuan Hall and made it seem a bit comical. Prince Tuchuo wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes without hesitation and stood respectfully to one side.
After Gar Tongtsen Yülsung entered, he first bowed and said, "Greetings to the Crown Prince, the Prince of Wu, and Princess Chengyang. It's been a long time, Prince Tuchuo. You've grown so big. I even carried you when you were a child."
"Ambassador Gar Tongtsen Yülsung, it's been a long time. You're still as glorious as ever," Prince Tuchuo replied with a fleeting smile on his face.
Only then did Li Jingyun suddenly realize that Prince Tuchuo's Mandarin was much better than that of Gar Tongtsen Yülsung and the others. It was as if he had grown up in Chang'an.
He also had a good understanding of the etiquette of the Tang Dynasty. Whether it was Gar Tongtsen Yülsung or Zhenzhu Tongsi Jijin, their etiquette and Mandarin seemed a bit strange, as if they had specially spent half a month learning them in preparation for their mission to the Tang Dynasty.
Zhenzhu Tongsi Jijin and the others soon arrived and sat in their seats waiting for the banquet to begin.
Fang Xuanling, Tang Jian, Wang Gui, Chang Sun Wuji and other officials also came. Even Xu Jingzong showed up. Since the last time he used magic tricks to scare the Turks and Tubo people, his official position had been restored to that of a courtier in the Secretariat.
Finally, Li Shimin and Empress Chang Sun came hand in hand.
Only then did the banquet officially start. The music was like a torrential rain, magnificent. Beautifully dressed dancers entered the arena and danced gracefully, showing off their slender figures.
Li Jingyun didn't care about any of this. She was now thinking about what Prince Tuchuo had just said while looking at the roasted shrimp, soft beef intestine, white dragon soup, shredded mutton, and the Eight-Immortals Plate on her table.
Not to mention anything else, the Eight-Immortals Plate was made by deboning a roasted whole goose and dividing it into eight parts to be served on a platter. It was golden in color and still sizzling with oil. A delicious aroma wafted over.
She was sitting next to Li Chengqian. She didn't dare to pick up her chopsticks until her father did.
After the ministers and envoys had drunk a round of wine, Li Jingyun had already stuffed half of the Eight-Immortals Plate in front of her into her stomach.
Finally, they got down to business.
Prince Tuchuo stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Empress, the Uyghurs would like to do business in woolen sweaters with the Tang Dynasty. I wonder if you could grant us permission?"
"This matter depends on Chengyang's opinion," Li Shimin said with a smile. He put down his wine cup and pointed at Li Jingyun sitting below.
Li Jingyun was a bit unaccustomed to being called out like this by her father. It was only after her elder brother reminded her that she stood up and said, "Of course it's okay!"
Since the Turks and Tubo people had both agreed, there was no reason to reject the Uyghurs.
Moreover, the Uyghurs had suffered from a snow disaster, and Li Jingyun felt pity for them.
"I wonder what the price will be?" Prince Tuchuo then asked.
"One woolen sweater costs thirty wen, the same as in the Tang Dynasty. But you'll have to provide the people and horses to transport them from the Tang Dynasty to the Uyghur territory," Li Jingyun said, counting on her fingers.
Thirty wen was already a very low price. Of course, she couldn't be the one to bear the transportation costs. She pitied the Uyghurs for their misfortune, but she couldn't let the female workers under her lose money.
As soon as she said this, the expressions of Zhenzhu Tongsi Jijin and the others changed instantly.
Why did they have to pay more than ten times the price for the woolen sweaters? Why could the Uyghurs buy them at the original price?
Was it because they had sent a handsome and young prince? And played the victim?
This damned world that judges people by their appearance!
Zhenzhu Tongsi Jijin especially wanted to curse. His face was red with anger. The Uyghurs had suffered from a snow disaster, but so had they, the Turks!
Just because Khan Tung Yabgu had written in his letter to Li Shimin that the snow disaster was under control and the situation was excellent, it didn't mean that they shouldn't be given any aid!
It was all a lie! Tung Yabgu was just a vain and conceited khan who tried to act tough!
My respected Heavenly Khan of the Tang Dynasty! Please see the truth clearly!
Zhenzhu Tongsi Jijin was cursing in his heart, but he still had to force a smile on his face. His smile was terrifying.
"I, on behalf of the Uyghur people, thank the princess for her kindness," Prince Tuchuo bowed again. Looking at Li Shimin's expression, he became even more greedy. "Your Majesty, Your Highness the Princess, the Uyghur people have suffered a great deal. I wonder if the Tang Dynasty could send some people and money to help us?"
He should have asked Li Shimin this question, but at this moment, his eyes were fixed on Li Jingyun.
Li Jingyun blinked her eyes and didn't know how to answer. Her elder brother pressed her hands down and shook his head at her, signaling her not to say anything or agree.
She immediately swallowed back all the words that were on the tip of her tongue.
Li Shimin was sipping his fine wine and smiling without saying a word. Just by looking at his expression, it was impossible to tell what was on his mind.
No one responded to this remark. Instead, Tang Jian, who was drunk and staggering, stood up. He was Li Shimin's regular supporting actor in his acts, a golden supporting actor.
"Prince Tuchuo, you've come from afar. Maybe you don't know that we have a very powerful Taoist priest in the Tang Dynasty. His magic skills are superb. How about inviting him to perform for you, Prince?" Tang Jian stumbled as if he was about to fall.
Two charming palace maids on either side quickly grabbed him.
"Okay! Go and invite Taoist Priest Gong Wenlin!"
Wang De answered and went down to invite him.
Before the priest arrived, a gorgeous and majestic phoenix descended from the sky. Its cry was light and pleasant, which shocked everyone. It flew around Li Shimin, who was sitting at the main seat.
This phoenix was extremely beautiful. As soon as it appeared, it attracted everyone's attention. Its shiny feathers seemed to sparkle in the sunlight, more precious than the most expensive gems.
Another Vermilion Bird, covered in bright red feathers and with extremely long tail feathers, came to the side of Li Chengqian and Li Jingyun. It affectionately rubbed its head against Li Chengqian's hand.
"Wow!"
Li Jingyun was completely mesmerized. This Vermilion Bird had bright and sharp eyes. She even wondered if Taoist Priest Gong Wenlin really had extraordinary abilities and was very familiar with these divine birds and beasts in the sky, and had invited them down to let them have a look.
Another Azure Luan with blue feathers walked around everyone. When it came in front of Gar Tongtsen Yülsung, he was still a bit scared and subconsciously leaned back. The painful memory of the last time was deeply engraved in his bones.
Prince Tuchuo even dared to touch the feathers of the Azure Luan. They were as smooth as the best silk in the world and cold to the touch. The Azure Luan snorted and seemed a bit unhappy, but it didn't do anything to Prince Tuchuo and just left on its own.
Everyone was immersed in the shock of these divine birds and beasts.
At this time, the door was opened. "At my command, the divine beasts return to their cages and the spiritual birds return to their nests."
After Gong Wenlin said this, the three divine birds disappeared. Gong Wenlin walked up with a steady gait, bowed slightly and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty and Your Highness the Empress."