Chapter 253 Xiang'er, your heart is in turmoil (asking for monthly tickets)

The grandness of the closing ceremony naturally attracted attention within Chang'an.

Especially "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Coat" and "Auld Lang Syne", both of which sparked lengthy discussions.

But then again, few people plan to learn "霓娘裙羽衣曲". Most people are curious about "友而成为恋恋" and even want to learn it well.

After all, the higher the tune, the fewer harmonies there are. This is exactly the truth.

Li Xiang did not hide anything and directly released the music score and lyrics of "Auld Lang Syne".

In Chang'an City, anyone can now hum a few lines of "Drinking together, singing together, and friendship lasting forever."

Xiao Yourong's focus was on "Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Coat". She was naturally gifted and had profound attainments in singing and dancing. She could learn how to dance almost after watching it once.

I originally planned to give Li Xiang a dance at night, but Li Xiang ended up sneaking into Pei Xueqing's room.

Xiao Yourong was really angry, but there was nothing she could do about it, because she was not the main wife.

In fact, it would be even more perfect if she could dye her hair blonde.

Golden retriever loser...

The gift that Li Xiaoxiang prepared for Pei Xueqing was naturally the silk stockings that he had asked someone to develop before.

Of course, ahem, Li Xiang’s personal XP is still very normal.

Pei Xueqing's legs are long and straight, so white stockings are more suitable for her. Therefore, Li Xiang prepared white stockings for her.

"This...how do I wear this?" Pei Xueqing held the two over-the-knee socks, bit her lip and looked at Li Xiang.

She always felt a little ashamed to dress like this, hi...

"Just wear it like that. Come, let me help you." Li Xiang came over with a smile and started to help Pei Xueqing put on socks.

"I'll do it myself." Pei Xueqing stopped Li Xiaoxiang and sat aside.

"You have to roll up this sock first, like this." Li Xiang demonstrated the movements, trying to make Pei Xueqing understand the principle.

Pei Xueqing naturally understood. She rolled up the over-the-knee socks, stretched the sock opening, slowly inserted a slender, jade-white foot into the socks, and then slowly pulled the socks up along the round, jade-like feet and slender, straight calves, all the way to the jade-white thighs.

"Like this." Li Xiang couldn't help it any longer. He swallowed hard and fastened the buckle on his socks.

"Okay, I understand." Pei Xueqing pushed Li Xiang's hand away and continued to repeat the above actions.

Li Xiang sat nearby and watched with great interest.

It must be said that for Pei Xueqing's legs, white stockings are the most suitable.

White stockings have higher requirements on leg shape and body shape, and any slight flaws will be magnified.

But when worn on Pei Xueqing's legs, it made her slender and graceful legs look even more flawless.

Li Xiaoxiang stretched out his hand and placed it on her legs.

The touch of silk is different from later materials. It is extremely smooth, and has a warm feeling that nylon stockings do not have.

But then again, her skin isn't as delicate as Pei Xueqing's.

After all, it's just a visual impact.

"It's not dark yet." Pei Xueqing gave Li Xiang a white look.

"It's okay, don't worry." Li Xiang said with a smile, his hands still touching Pei Xueqing's legs dishonestly.

I just touched it, what's wrong?
Li Xiang can be said to be justified.

"Speaking of the court meeting tomorrow, do you think Second Uncle can get the job done?" Li Xiang's hand was already holding one of Pei Xueqing's little feet.

"Do...what to do?" Pei Xueqing's feet were caught and her face suddenly turned red.

In ancient times, women's feet were an extremely private area, and even their husbands were not allowed to play with them easily.

Therefore, women from wealthy families would wear skirts that covered their feet.

Even though Pei Xueqing and Li Xiang had such a good relationship, they would still feel shy if they were caught by the feet for a moment.

"Of course it's about the Turks." Li Xiang shook his head and said, "Before, Ashina Yun asked Jingren to tell me that Li Simo wanted to submit to the Central Plains. I told you about this."

"Brother, the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics..." Pei Xueqing said with a faint smile.

"I didn't ask you to interfere in politics. I just wanted to help you relieve stress." Li Xiang's hands did not stop.

Pei Xueqing subconsciously shrank his legs and said to Li Xiang, "Since Second Uncle has already promised my brother, I believe he will not break his promise. For a wise king like him, breaking his promise is the most taboo, so you don't have to worry, just wait for the news."

"What you said makes sense." Li Xiang said with a smile: "My second uncle has always been very virtuous."

"You..." Pei Xueqing laughed and reached out to rub Li Xiang's head.

"Chang'an is getting hotter and hotter. We have to think of ways to cool it down." Li Xiang suddenly said.

It’s not surprising. It’s the third month of the lunar calendar, which is already May according to the solar calendar.

In about forty days, it will be the summer solstice. How can Chang'an not be hot?

"If you calm down, you will feel cool. Xiang'er, your heart is in turmoil." Pei Xueqing was flipping through the book quietly, with a smile on her lips.

"Don't you know why I'm so confused?" Li Xiang snorted, but pressed his face into Pei Xueqing's arms.

"According to previous years, Grandpa will take people to escape the summer heat in a few days." Li Xiang continued, "In previous years, they would go to Jiucheng Palace. I see that Cuiwei Palace has been built recently. This year, they will most likely go to Cuiwei Palace to escape the summer heat."

Summer vacation was not only the privilege of the Qing emperors; the emperors of the Han and Tang dynasties also enjoyed this activity.

The emperors of the Han Dynasty usually went to Ganquan Palace to escape the summer heat.

The construction of Ganquan Palace began during the reign of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and was completed and expanded during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. During the Jianyuan period, it was expanded and had a circumference of 19 li and 120 steps. It had 12 palaces and 11 platforms. The bricks were designed with flowing water patterns, and there were seal characters on the tiles. It was named after Ganquan Mountain, and was called "Ganquan Palace."

The dragon and the pig have a common language in some aspects, and they are worthy of being called "Qin Huang and Han Wudi".

Tang Zong: Bah, is Zhao Da, who bullied orphans and widows, worthy of being compared with me?
Although it is named Ganquan Palace, it is actually many palaces connected to each other, including Gaoguang Palace, Changding Palace, Zhu Palace, Tongtiantai, Yingfeng Pavilion, Luhan Pavilion, Chuxu Pavilion, etc. The total area is larger than eight Forbidden Cities.

Think about it, the emperor is there, and you let him spend the summer in just one house, so is it time for them to live there?
The emperors of the Tang Dynasty had three palaces: the Jiucheng Palace left over from the Sui Dynasty, the Cuiwei Palace built by Li Shimin, and the Huaqing Palace built by Li Longji on Mount Li.

Jiucheng Palace was built in the 13th year of Kaihuang, supervised by You Pushe Yang Su. The famous architect Yuwen Kai was the Inspector General of the Imperial Household, responsible for the design and supervision. It was completed in March of the 15th year of Kaihuang.

In the 17th year of Zhenguan, because the Taihe Palace in Zhongnan Mountain was located in a cool place and could relieve the summer heat, Li Shimin sent people to rebuild it and changed its name to Cuiwei Palace. This was also one of the butterfly effects caused by Li Xiang. According to history, it should have been in the 21st year of Zhenguan that Li Shimin came up with this idea.

As for Huaqing Palace, its construction began in the 18th year of Zhenguan. It was originally called "Tangquan Palace". Later, Li Longji expanded it several times and renamed it Huaqing Palace.

The "Huaqing Pool" in the famous poem "In cold spring, one is granted a bath in the Huaqing Pool, and the warm water washes the fat" refers to the Huaqing Palace.

As a capable emperor, building a temporary palace was not a big deal.

Some unknown creatures always use "Li Shimin also built palaces and engaged in large-scale construction" to defend Emperor Yang of Sui. This kind of thing is no longer stupid, it can only be said to be stupid and evil. Lao Li: How many countries do you destroy when I destroy them?
In the early years, Li Shimin usually went to the Jiucheng Palace of the Sui Dynasty to escape the summer heat. After the Cuiwei Palace was built in the late Zhenguan period, he lived in the Cuiwei Palace at the foot of Mount Zhongnan to escape the summer heat.

From then on, Old Li came to Cuiwei Palace every summer until he died of illness in Hanfeng Palace in the 23rd year of Zhenguan.

Thinking of Cuiwei Palace, Li Xiang felt nervous.

According to history, his good grandfather would die of illness in four years.

Although he was determined to become the emperor, he was not in a hurry to ascend the throne.

It would be good if Aung could live two more years. On the one hand, he couldn't bear to let Aung go, and on the other hand, he wanted Aung to be his undercover for a few more years... no, to be his helmsman for a few more years.

Thinking of this, Li Xiang felt a little disappointed.

Pei Xueqing, sensing her husband's change of mood, stretched out her arms, hugged Li Xiang in her arms, and asked softly, "What's wrong, Xiang'er?"

"It's okay, I just feel that time flies by so quickly." Li Xiang smiled and wondered when he should ask Lao Sun to give Grandpa a physical examination.

"Yeah." Pei Xueqing didn't ask any more questions. He reached out and stroked Li Xiang's head to calm his emotions.

Li Xiang closed his eyes comfortably and felt sleepy unknowingly.

When he opened his eyes again, it was already early morning of the next day.

Sister Pei was still sleeping beside him, with one of her arms resting on him.

Li Xiang tiptoed to get up, but unexpectedly woke up Pei Xueqing who was sleeping soundly.

"Awake?" Li Xiang asked with a smile.

"Yeah." Pei Xueqing replied with a faint smile: "How can I sleep well when you move so much?"

"It's still early, let's sleep a little longer." Li Xiang turned his head to look out the window. It was just getting light outside.

He opened the bed curtains and walked out of bed in his slippers.

Bed screens are similar to mosquito nets and are used to prevent mosquitoes.

Although the Tang Dynasty's imperial palace itself has an insect repellent effect, Li Xiang still feels uncomfortable. In order to prevent any ignorant insects from crawling onto his body, he asks someone to build a mosquito net.

Li Chengqian once laughed at him for being a sissy because of this incident, and then a giant spider crawled on his face that night.

From then on, Li Chengqian kept quiet and even followed Li Xiang's example by covering his bedspread with a mosquito net.

Mosquito nets originated in the Spring and Autumn Period. Duke Huan of Qi once used this thing, so the technical aspect is not a problem.

In fact, Li Chengqian’s harem has also been using mosquito nets, but Li Chengqian has always used this method to show his manliness.

Li Xiang uses mosquito nets to keep away mosquitoes on the one hand and spiders on the other.

Arachnophobia is one of the eight major phobias, so there is no need to feel inferior because of your fear of spiders.

The morning court time in the Tang Dynasty was generally between five and seven o'clock, but now it is just after four o'clock.

People are usually tired after attending court, so most of them go home to rest. There is a saying called "returning to sleep", which is said to come from this.

In fact, Li Xiang could not attend the morning court on normal days, but this time, because he had to deal with Turkic affairs, Li Xiang had to get up early and prepare for the court.

Li Xiang had a simple breakfast. He just asked the kitchen to fry two eggs with goat milk, add a slice of breakfast meat, and four pieces of fried steamed bread.

Of course, it only looks luxurious, but in fact, compared with the emperors of the Qing Dynasty, his home is already very simple.

So everything is afraid of comparison. There is no harm without comparison.

Pei Xueqing didn't sleep much. After washing up, he sat next to Li Xiang and had breakfast with him.

As the eldest wife, I have to observe etiquette. There was no activity last night, so of course I had to get up and have dinner with Li Xiang.

"Your Highness, it's time to set off." Fubao's voice came from outside.

"I understand." Li Xiang picked up the handkerchief to wipe his mouth and said to Pei Xueqing, "I'm going to court, sister."

"Yeah." Pei Xueqing nodded in response with a smile on her face.

Li Xiang turned around and left the hall like a gust of wind.

Since today is the first day of April, this grand court meeting will be held in the Taiji Hall.

The Wude Hall is not too far from the Taiji Hall. After walking for about ten minutes, we arrived at the Taiji Hall.

Seeing that Haodaer came so late, Li Chengqian cleared his throat.

"Aye." Li Xiang bowed to Li Chengqian.

"Well, don't come so late next time." Li Chengqian said after controlling his emotions.

Li Xiang: …

Lao Deng, are you showing off to me?

"I will follow my father's teachings." Li Xiang bowed again with a good temper.

"Okay, it's time for the morning court session. Follow me and don't get lost." Li Chengqian said to Li Xiang.

Li Xiang took a deep breath. What else could he do? Just follow.

In the grand court meetings of the Tang Dynasty, people did not stand in a line, but everyone had their own seats.

Standing in shifts is a regulation that came into effect after the Song Dynasty. Before that, people had to sit during court sessions.

The rule in the Tang Dynasty was that civil officials were on the left and military generals were on the right, standing in front and back according to their ranks.

Li Chengqian's seat was at the lower right side facing the emperor, and Li Xiang, as the crown prince, naturally sat at the lower left side facing the emperor.

This is also set up to reflect the noble status of the two generations of successors.

The three generations of grandparents and grandchildren all sat facing the court officials.

The drum sounded and the whip was blown three times. The court officials first paid homage to Li Shimin, then the Crown Prince Li Chengqian, and finally the Crown Prince Li Xiang.

It was also the first time for Li Xiang to participate in such a grand court meeting, and he felt it was a bit fresh.

No wonder everyone likes to be an emperor, this feeling is really... too wonderful and spicy!
The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Rites still reported first. At this time, the Ministry of Civil Affairs had not yet been changed to the Ministry of Revenue to avoid the taboo of Li Shimin. The rule set by Li Shimin was that the characters "Shi" and "Min" could be used, but the connected "Shimin" needed to be avoided.

The issues reported by the Ministry of Rites were nothing more than the problems with the foreign envoys after the sports meeting, which were not a big deal after all.

After the court affairs were discussed, Li Simo was the first to leave.

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report to you!"

(End of this chapter)