Chapter 8: Li Shimin Arrives
Page (1/3)
In the Two Instruments Hall, Emperor Taizong of Tang had just finished discussing affairs with his ministers and was now reviewing memorials sent from various regions. Only matters of great importance reached his desk—requests for disaster relief from afflicted areas, reports of rebellions, and the emergence of heterodox cults.
“Your Majesty, it’s getting late. It’s time to dine,” Wang De gently reminded Emperor Taizong.
“I’m not hungry right now. I’ll eat later. Wang De, tell me, why is it so difficult for me to be a good emperor? Every year there are disasters. The Taozhou Qiang tribe has rebelled and aligned with the Tuyuhun. Even officials from noble families oppose my decrees. Do they think I dare not act against them?” Emperor Taizong sighed, troubled.
“Your Majesty, this old servant is not well versed, but I know that Your Majesty works diligently and tirelessly,” Wang De replied cautiously, mindful that eunuchs were forbidden from political affairs by ancestral decree.
“Enough with the flattery, Wang De. You’ve been saying the same thing for over a decade and it no longer feels fresh. You can’t even compare to Li Shen,” Emperor Taizong waved his hand dismissively, but upon mentioning Li Shen, he continued, “Wang De, what news have you found regarding Prince Shen?”
“Your Majesty, I have an update. Prince Shen began elementary school at age four and this year entered the Imperial Academy. The instructors there say he studies diligently and is clever, though somewhat reserved and fond of quiet. He never joins the other noble children in mischief and prefers reading miscellanies,” Wang De reported.
“Anything else? How did his miraculous healing method come about? The Imperial Medical Office still doesn’t understand the principle. The man had ceased breathing for fifteen minutes—no acupuncture, no medicines—and yet was revived. It’s comparable to immortal arts; some even call it sorcery,” Emperor Taizong pressed.
“I’ve inquired. After classes, Prince Shen stays in the Great Fortune Hall. I asked the servants there. They said he spends all his time reading except when greeting Consort Wei and during meals. It’s said Consort Wei had the Wei family send many books to the palace for him—very diverse in subjects,” Wang De answered honestly.
“Hmm, word of this should have spread beyond the palace by now. Keep a close watch. Do not let ill-intentioned people exploit this,” Emperor Taizong instructed.
“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I’ve already had positive news released in Chang’an and set people to monitor for any rumors. At the first sign of trouble, we will trace the source and notify the Imperial Guards immediately,” Wang De assured.
“Good. Handle it. Such matters are only an auxiliary measure and won’t last long. Let’s take a walk. I’m feeling a bit hungry now,” Emperor Taizong said.
“Your Majesty, shall we go to the Lìzhèng Hall?” Wang De asked. This was Empress Zhangsun’s chamber, adjacent to the Great Fortune Hall.
“No, not Lìzhèng Hall. To the Great Fortune Hall,” Emperor Taizong decided.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will make arrangements,” Wang De replied.
-------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Li Shen was arranging chairs in the front hall.
“Shen’er, what are you doing? I heard you removed all the platforms?” Consort Wei’s voice came from outside.
“Mother, look at this wonderful thing. We won’t have to kneel all the time anymore. You won’t have aching legs,” Li Shen said excitedly. Consort Wei was tall—historical records note her height at 1.9 meters.
Li Shen originally doubted it, but after transmigrating, he believed it. He thought Consort Wei might be even taller than 1.9 meters. Her legs were longer than his, so kneeling was uncomfortable.
Consort Wei entered the front hall and looked around. All the platforms had been removed. Instead, there were stools resembling Hu-style chairs.
“Mother, come try it,” Li Shen said, pulling Consort Wei to sit in the grandmaster’s chair at the center’s main seat.
Consort Wei sat and looked around, feeling the armrests and leaning back. “Hmm, not bad. Quite comfortable.”
“If you find the chair cold, mother, we can have servants make cushions to put on it,” Li Shen added.
Page (2/3)
“Shen’er, where did you learn about these tables and chairs?” Consort Wei asked.
“I read about them in an ancient book. Kneeling makes my legs sore and numb. I didn’t want to kneel anymore, so I had these made,” Li Shen replied. Ancient wisdom from half the Analects to govern the world, he thought, this one book might just govern the realm.
“You’re so clever, my son. Alright, it’s almost time to eat. Go wash up,” Consort Wei praised.
At that moment, a eunuch was brought over and bowed to Consort Wei and Li Shen.
“Consort Wei, Chief Steward Wang sends word that His Majesty will arrive shortly. Please prepare to welcome the Sage.”
Li Shen was surprised. Why was Emperor Taizong coming? Oh right, wasn’t there supposed to be a reward? Could it be he was delivering it personally? That would be quite an honor.
“Hmm, I understand.”
“Mother, is Father coming to deliver the reward?” Li Shen asked curiously.
“Shen’er, do you really think you have that kind of influence to have the Emperor personally deliver gifts? The rewards were sent when you left,” Consort Wei glanced sideways at him.
“I also think I don’t have that ability,” Li Shen replied seriously. Besides, it wasn’t worth making a trip for fifty strings of cash. He had thought fifty thousand gold was a lot, but Lan Yuer later told him fifty thousand was just fifty thousand coins. He calculated and found it to be only fifty strings. How stingy.
Seeing her son answer so earnestly, Consort Wei was inwardly exasperated.
“Alright, get ready and clean up. Li Shen, you should wash and change quickly. Go to the front gate to greet His Majesty,” Consort Wei urged.
Li Shen hurried off to wash and change.
In the Great Fortune Hall, everyone stood at the entrance. Soon a group arrived, led by guards who first entered to inspect the environment. Li Shen recognized this.
“Greetings, Your Majesty,”
“Greetings, Father,”
“Greetings, Sage,”
The group bowed respectfully as Emperor Taizong approached.
“Hmm, no need for formalities. Consort Wei, I will dine with you today,” Emperor Taizong said.
“It is my honor, Your Majesty. Please,” Consort Wei replied hastily.
“Hmm.”
Emperor Taizong entered the Great Fortune Hall first, with Consort Wei following closely behind. A group of palace maids and eunuchs carried food boxes. Emperor Taizong’s meals typically came from the Ministry of Public Works, while the Imperial Kitchen prepared food solely for the harem.
Consort Wei led Emperor Taizong into the side hall. Upon entering, both were stunned. The platforms and small tables previously used for dining were gone. In the center stood a large round table surrounded by Hu-style stools.
“What is this?” Emperor Taizong asked curiously. He could guess from the style but didn’t know the name.
“Father, this is a table. Those stools are chairs for dining,” Li Shen quickly explained.
Page (3/3)
“Oh? This is novel. Wang De, bring the food,” Emperor Taizong ordered.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Wang De responded, signaling the palace maids to open the food boxes and lay out the dishes on the table. Originally, three separate tables were prepared, but now everything was on this one.
“Father, please take the seat,” Li Shen pulled out a chair for Emperor Taizong.
Emperor Taizong sat and leaned back. The chairs had no armrests on the sides. He felt them and found them quite comfortable.
“Hmm, not bad. Indeed more comfortable than kneeling. Come, Consort Wei, you both sit and dine together.”
Consort Wei sat on the left, Li Shen on the right. Emperor Taizong picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.
Li Shen, having worked all afternoon, was hungry and ready to eat.
“Li Shen, where did you get these tables and chairs?” Emperor Taizong asked.
“Father, I had them made in the Imperial Workshop,” Li Shen replied.
“I mean, where did you learn about these tables and chairs?” Emperor Taizong pressed.
“Your Majesty, I saw them in an ancient book. My aunt often has leg pain from kneeling too long, so I had these made so she wouldn’t have to kneel so much,” Li Shen answered. He could only call Consort Wei “aunt” in front of the Emperor.
“Hmm, filial piety,” Emperor Taizong praised.
Li Shen then had Dongmei fetch another pair of chopsticks to serve as communal chopsticks. He used them to place a piece of fried meat on Emperor Taizong’s plate.
“Father, eat more meat.”
In his previous life as a modern person, Li Shen cherished the feeling of eating together as a family. But in this era, meals were usually served separately. Sitting together to eat was a way to bring people closer.
Emperor Taizong stared at the meat on his plate, stunned. He had never experienced this kind of dining before. Meals were always eaten separately. This was the first time his children served him food, and it gave him a subtle, profound feeling.
“Your Majesty,” Wang De reminded him softly.
“Enough. This is the palace, and he is my tenth son,” Emperor Taizong said. By protocol, unfamiliar utensils were not to be used. Wang De reminded him, but Emperor Taizong was savoring this moment of familial affection and did not suspect Consort Wei of poisoning.
Afterward, Consort Wei imitated the practice, using communal chopsticks to serve Emperor Taizong. The meal proceeded with wine, the scene one of tender paternal love and filial devotion, harmonious and joyful.
Note: In palace customs, children of concubines refer to their biological mother as “aunt” and to the principal wife as “mother.” This can be verified in historical records.