Chapter Seventy-Five: Night Banquet (Part Four)-The Glory of the Tang Dynasty(Wolf with a Dog's Tail)

Although it was not the imperial carriage that arrived, the entire Wu family, young and old alike, did not dare treat the occasion lightly. After all, the two Li brothers, though young in age, bore lofty titles—two princes arriving together was no trivial matter. To be lacking in proper etiquette would at worst be laughable, but should these brothers take offense, the consequences could be far more severe. Thus, upon learning of the imminent arrival of the Li brothers, Wu Weiliang and Wu Huaiyun dared not delay for even a moment. They hurriedly gathered the whole household, lining up at the main gate of the Gong family estate, craning their necks in anticipation. Before long, the fluttering of banners could be seen in the distance as a grand procession approached. The Wu family straightened up, spirits lifted, but what happened next left them all dumbfounded—the procession halted about three hundred paces from the estate, stopping in the middle of the road without moving forward for quite some time.

“Elder brother, what does this mean? Why have they stopped?” Wu Huaiyun, unable to contain his impatience, tilted his head in annoyance and grumbled when he saw the princes’ retinue inexplicably come to a halt.

“Wait,” replied Wu Weiliang coldly. Though he remained outwardly calm, he too was uneasy, not understanding what the Li brothers intended. But as the head of the household, he had to set an example, maintaining a composed façade. When Wu Huaiyun started to complain, Wu Weiliang’s face darkened immediately, his tone icy.

“Wait? How much longer are we to wait? When will this end?” Wu Huaiyun muttered discontentedly, but when he caught his elder brother’s cold gaze, he dared not say more, sullenly fixing his eyes on the distant retinue.

“Seventh brother, is this really appropriate?” Meanwhile, the Wu family waited anxiously, but even Li Xian, seated by his brother’s side, was growing restless. It had been Li Xian’s idea to stop midway—Li Xian himself didn’t quite understand the reasoning, but had gone along to save face for his brother. He hadn’t expected the delay to last so long, and at last, he voiced his confusion.

“It’s nothing. Mother instructed only that you and I should come as the vanguard; she gave no further instructions. It is for us to decide as we see fit. Besides, there is still time before Father arrives—waiting a while longer is no matter.” Li Xian was anxious, but Li Xian remained unhurried, laughing easily and replying in a leisurely manner. In his view, the estate ahead was a nest of trouble. If Empress Wu truly intended to act tonight, and the brothers entered too soon, they might be accused of collusion. While serious implication was unlikely, minor blame would be hard to avoid. To be safe, it was best to keep their distance. As for how the Wu family might feel, Li Xian cared not at all—what did the thoughts of those already doomed matter? Besides, even if Empress Wu had no plans for tonight, it hardly mattered; both Wu brothers were already deeply resented by her, and Li Xian didn’t fear offending them. Letting the Wu family wait was no great hardship, and he saw no need to explain further.

“Seventh brother, you really are mischievous. Very well, I’ll indulge your antics this once.” Seeing his brother so at ease, Li Xian could only shake his head in exasperation, but unwilling to let such a trivial matter sour their bond, he stopped asking questions and let Li Xian take the lead.

“Governor Wu Weiliang of Shizhou (and Wu Huaiyun of Zizhou) respectfully welcomes Prince Lu and Prince Zhou!”

The Wu family could wait no longer. With a stick of incense already burned away and the princes’ retinue still unmoving—without even sending a messenger—the Wu brothers were forced to step forward themselves, calling out loudly to request an audience.

“Haha, Sixth Brother, here they come. We might as well go down to meet them; we wouldn’t want anyone saying we princes are putting on airs.” At the sound of the Wu brothers’ greeting, Li Xian chuckled, teasing lightly.

“You really are impossible.” Li Xian, hearing his brother’s nonchalant tone, could only laugh in exasperation. Yet he did not contradict him, instead lifting the carriage curtain. A waiting young eunuch rolled it up, and Li Xian, bowing, stepped gracefully down from the carriage. Li Xian shrugged and followed, all smiles.

“Your humble servants Wu Weiliang (and Wu Huaiyun) greet Prince Lu and Prince Zhou.”

Though the Wu brothers were filled with confusion and dissatisfaction, in the presence of two princes, there was no room for insolence. Seeing the brothers alight, they hurried forward, bowing respectfully.

“Uncles, there’s no need for such formality. Please rise,” Li Xian replied with courteous ease. Though they were related by blood, there had been little contact over the years, and Li Xian, due to Empress Wu, had no fondness for the Wu family. Still, the occasion demanded polite words—he raised his hand in a gesture of goodwill.

“Thank you, Your Highness. The wind is cold—might Your Highnesses enter the estate for a rest? Allow us to extend our hospitality,” suggested Wu Weiliang, not daring to question the reason for their delay, but probing gently with a smile.

“You are too kind, uncle. Father will arrive soon; to go in and out would be inconvenient. If we were to be remiss in His Majesty’s presence, it would not do. Better that we wait here,” Li Xian interjected before Li Xian could respond, politely declining the invitation.

“This…” The reasoning sounded plausible, but in fact, it was not. They were still some distance from the estate—there was no precedent for welcoming the emperor halfway like this. It seemed nothing more than an intentional slight to the Wu brothers. Wu Weiliang’s temper flared, but he dared not protest openly, his eyelids twitching as he turned to Li Xian.

“Well, Seventh Brother makes sense; let’s do as he says,” Li Xian affirmed, trusting his brother’s judgment and unwilling to contradict him publicly.

“Your Highnesses, this is most improper. We are still far from the estate—how can we greet His Majesty here? If we are found at fault, the consequences would be dire!” Wu Huaiyun, long simmering with anger, could not hold back, his face flushed as he protested.

“If my uncles find this spot too far, then please, feel free to greet His Majesty at the estate gates. I have no objection,” Li Xian replied with a light laugh, paying Wu Huaiyun’s discontent no mind.

“How dare you…” Wu Huaiyun, hot-tempered as ever, was incensed by Li Xian’s retort. Regardless of rank, he opened his mouth, ready to erupt.

“Brother, restrain yourself!” Wu Weiliang, seeing matters spiraling, hurriedly scolded him into silence. Ignoring his brother’s scowl, he bowed deeply to the princes, apologizing, “My brother’s temper is rash, but he means no harm. Should he have caused offense, I beg Your Highnesses’ forgiveness.”

“No need, uncle. All are concerned with the proper welcoming of His Majesty; differing opinions are only natural. In my view, if my uncles believe it best to greet His Majesty at the estate, so be it. Please do as you see fit,” Li Xian, having played the villain, now graciously relented—but still refused to move closer to the estate, much to the Wu brothers’ dismay.

“If Your Highnesses insist, then I must comply. Might I remain here to greet His Majesty with you?” Wu Weiliang, seeing no alternative, yielded, requesting tactfully.

“Very well, uncle, we’re grateful for your company.” Li Xian glanced at Li Xian, who gave a barely perceptible nod. Smiling, he accepted. Wu Weiliang, resigned, quietly instructed Wu Huaiyun to return to the gate and oversee matters, while he remained at the princes’ side, forcing himself to join in their company. Thus, a most peculiar scene unfolded—the welcoming party was split in two, disconnected and awkward, as though two unrelated groups were gathered for the same purpose, each acting independently.

“The Emperor arrives!”

Before long, several young eunuchs galloped from afar, loudly clearing the way. Soon after, a gilded imperial carriage, escorted by a host of Yulin guards and several luxurious coaches, came slowly down the avenue toward the Gong family estate. The Emperor, Empress Wu, and their retinue had arrived!