Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty

Yuanying wasn’t aware that there was a huge fight in court because of him while he was busy exploring Taihe palace with Yan Lide. This palace had Zhongnan mountain at its back with a stream pouring out from the middle of the mountain. In the morning, clouds gather looking like they are shinning and in the afternoon when the sun is high, a band of misty clouds fill the mountainside. Such breathtaking scenery!

Yan Lide is an expert in renovation so improving Taihe Palace is not a hard task. He put all his effort to fulfill Li Yuanying’s wish for a tall building. It must be tall, big and must be able to capture all the beauty of Taihe palace. To fulfill all these requirements, he is restricted to only a few areas for construction.

Yan Lide worked hard nailing down a location and then prepared a construction blueprint for the young prince.

Seeing the blueprint, Yuanying was satisfied and then increases his demands. I want tiles with drawings, pillars with carvings. No worry about money as long as it’s done perfectly!

“If it’s like this, it’ll cost lots of money.” Yan Lide replied with a frown.

“Just for this building. We discuss the rest another time. It won’t be that much of money. I’ll borrow the best craftsmen from the manpower department to guide the county’s craftsmen. Since we are teaching them a useful skill, I believe they will be very keen to learn. As for the designs and drawings, I’ll pass them as jobs to poor students. That way they can earn some money while studying.”

Yan Lide didn’t say more since the young prince has his own plans.

“Oh, oh! I want to name this building “Prince Teng’s Building” once it is completed. Doesn’t it sound cool?!”

Yan Lide’s face twitch and he is not sure if he should share his thoughts.

As if his initial thoughts were not scary enough, Li Yuanying shares even more shocking ideas: “ I’m going to invite the elders from Hu County to have a meal and see if anyone is keen on having some pavilions named after their family and have it carved onto said places. Of course if they don’t name it well. I will not allow it even though they paid much money!”

Yan Lide was stunned. Who renovates palaces like this?

This boy is only planning to renovate a model building as the showroom. The rest of the pavilions will be left to others. If people are not fooled then that’s fine, but for those who buys into his vision, don’t they have to renovate following Prince Teng’s example? If you do a poor job as compared to Prince Teng’s showroom, wouldn’t you be looked down upon and others would say that you are doing it halfheartedly?

Seeing Yan Lide motionless like a rock, Yuanying asked: “What’s the matter? Are my thoughts bad?” He then snickered. “Heh. Brother works hard everyday for the country and people are not even willing to help renovate one building? My brother worked in vain!”

“Of course not. People will be more than willing to. If it is so, I will donate for the renovation of one building too.”

Yuanying instantly looked overjoyed. “Oh my, how can that be? You have been running around and contributing so much already. There is no reason that you have to contribute in cash too! Big Yan, don’t worry! I will create a pillar at Prince Teng Pavilion and include all your deeds onto it!”

Yan Lide didn’t know if he should be touched or to cry at this moment. Looks like he is going to be dragged into this “forceful donation” episode. All he can do now is to wait and see if Li Yuanying really have the ability to turn misfortune into opportunity and complete the project!

Let’s do this! Since it is also time for a branch of Feng Thai Restaurant to be opened at Hu County, Yuanying invited all the elders according to custom for a meal. As the invited guests were many, the whole restaurant was filled to the brim.

Cheng Xin came too. Since this is the grand opening of a new branch, she prepared a proper performance for it. Just as Yuanying thought one of the performers were familiar, she walked towards him and gave her respect.

“Greeting Your Highness.”

Oh, isn’t this Su Qi Niang? He smiled at her and asked: “So how is working at Feng Thai Restaurant. Are you happy?”

Qi Niang smiled like a spring flower: “It’s great.” She has a proud character and once she became a free person, she wanted to take control of her own destiny. Su Da Lang’s family treated her well but it wasn’t the life she wanted. She tried to assimilate and accept the quiet life but it was not for her as she wanted so much more in life.josei

“Oh I heard that your highness is engaged. Congratulations!”

“Thank you! Thank you! When I have my wedding ceremony I’ll send you an invitation.” Although it has been several months since his engagement, Yuanying  still gets happy when someone brings it up.

Su Qi Niang returned to work with Cheng Xin after sending her greetings while Yuanying also returned to his team to see if they needed help. Since this is a big gathering, there were many issues to take care of; everything from security to sitting positions. Taking the opportunity as Wu Mei and the gang was working hard, Yuanying sneaked toward Wei Shu and asked if she is tired, the list is so long are your hands tired, do you need a massage?”

“Such playfulness!” (Wei Shu)

“With my future wife, why should I be serious?!”  After saying this, he shared his encounter with Su Qi Niang with her.

“Has she become more beautiful?”

Sister Shu’s words sounded sour ^[1]hint of jealousy. He replied with a big smile: “Yup, she is even more beautiful. Her eyes are black and shiny!”

As he finished his sentence, Wei Shu pinched him softly.

Yuanying silently hummed in joy that his sister Shu is only willing to pinch him gently!

“I’m lying. I didn’t pay attention to her looks. I have my future princess already, why do I care what others look like. I’ve always been surrounded by beautiful people so it’s nothing special!

Since Wei Shu is still a young teenager she didn’t have complicated thoughts yet. Hearing Yuanying’s explanation she accepted it and told herself that she shouldn’t create gossip out of others. It’s fine if it’s just a conversation between them but what if others were to hear this? It will damage a lady’s reputation.

Yuanying as usual didn’t think that deeply. It’s a shame that Sister Shu only shows slight jealousy. She should do it more often, she looks so adorable!

After a quick chat, Yuanying dragged Wei Shu along to meet the elders.

These are peaceful times in Tang. During such days of peace, ladies from prominent families hardly joins any ublic gatherings. Seeing Prince Teng escorting a lady, most elders were surprised. It is just that Li Yuanying does things so naturally that the whole of Hu County had accepted that they had 4 ladies running important posts and quickly accepted them.

The opening performance from Cheng Xin is exciting and everyone was enchanted by it. Many shook their head according to the rhythm  and clapped according to the beats. Truly Prince Teng is extraordinary as the rumors said. Just look at the performance or the dinner party, these aren’t ordinary everyday things.

Very quickly the elders got a taste of not just good music and dance but also Li Yuanying’s shamelessness.

Yuanying ensured that the crowd was in high spirits before he took the stage for a quick speech. He shared his pain about Taihe Palace; saying that it pained him to be born so late that he wasn’t able to spend more time with his late father. Seeing the palace now, it is in such ruins that even the tiles have been stolen. He is not even able to spend time in Taihe Palace to reminiscence about his late father. Is this how a great county should be like? Of course not! Bad people has spoilt the reputation of Hu County!

In order not to let others look down on our Hu County, we need to do something! Yuanying shared that he had a brilliant idea after painstakingly pondering for many days. He is prepared to repair a building in the palace and rename it Prince Teng Pavilion. After it is done, he will invite the Emperor to visit it!

Then came the climax of his speech. Does everyone want to meet the Emperor? Do you want to leave a good impression to his Majesty? Do you want him to remember your name or your clan? Now is your chance! All you have to do is donate some funds to sponsor the renovation project and have your initials carved onto your sponsored areas. Of course, naming is important. If it is bad, we reject it and if you feel forced to fund this, we reject it too.

When the time comes, we will get the Emperor Li Er to host the ceremony at Prince Teng Pavilion. Who wouldn’t want such glory? Everyone wants it! Are you enticed? If yes, let’s take action!

The elders were speechless.

But Li Yuanying had no shame too. He stood smiling on stage waiting for a reaction. At times like this the people planted into the crowd play an important part. Someone started clapping and cheering and soon everyone started to follow. The atmosphere became lively and everyone praise His Highness for being wise and coming up with such a great idea!

Only Li Yuanying dares to make such promises. The Emperor is not someone that can be invited on a whim but only his youngest brother dares to boast about such things. And so, Prince Teng had open his mouth and say that this was for the sake of Hu County’s reputation and no one is being forced to pay.

What else can the villagers say? They can only expressed that this message will be convey to people who have money.  

The boy was happy and continue to boast about how big and grand his “Prince Teng Pavilion” will be built. He then emphasized on the carvings designs and wall paintings. The he pointed out a few families that have agreed to this project, like the Yin family!

Yuanying said with a smile that families like the Yin is prepared to sponsor and that he will not force others if they faced  difficulties. Let’s leave this opportunity to those who can afford it!

With this, people no longer think that Li Yuanying is a young and cute Prince. What kind of prince is he? Someone asking for debts from Hell! The Yin family is really cowardly. They got exposed for their scandal and now they still responded to the culprit with a smile!

Of course, Yuanying knows that he can’t just take and not give back. Seeing the gloomy look on the elders he threw them a candy: “I recently got a batch of melon seeds that is rumored to grow bigger than a human head.  Big, bright red, sweet and juicy. But I’m not sure if it’s true yet. I’ll need your help to add this when you pass the message: When it’s time for harvesting, I will hold an appreciation party for those who has contributed. Then we can all have a taste of this melon and give them priority to the seeds for planting. They say that sacredness creates value. This melon will not be available elsewhere in the near future so I think it can be considered as a rarity.”

When the village elders heard this, they immediately became energetic again.

His Royal Highness is someone understanding. If you get onto his good books, he will surely share unique treasures with you in the future. Didn’t he already generously trained several groups of grape growers and taught the people of Hu County his unique grape growing secrets for free?! If they handle this well and establish a good relationship with him, wouldn’t the Prince include them in future projects?

Let’s not talk about the future too much. Just this round and big melon is a good opportunity! If only Hu County grows this and no where else, and when the young Prince shares this with the Emperor, it would be a hit and many would visit to get a taste of it!

The most important thing is that they can meet the Emperor and try to please him!

Thinking like that, everyone sincerely expressed that they would urge people to participate in funding the palace renovation.  If there is an unscrupulous descendant who is unwilling to pay, we will whack them!

Notes from the author:

Young Prince:Bullseye! ! ! !

References

↑1hint of jealousy