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In the court, both civil and military officials harbored their own agendas. While the military generals felt jealousy towards the Xu Zhen, they no longer held any hatred. In contrast, many civil officials sought to curry favor with Changsun Wuji and could not help but look down on the Xu Zhen, with the Censor often quick to criticize.
The Sovereign advocated for frugality and lamented his parents' kindness, unwilling to trouble the people or waste resources for his own birthday. Yet at this moment, someone dared to present a gift to the Sovereign, which was akin to flattering him inappropriately. Many civil officials were naturally eager to see the Xu Zhen make a fool of herself.
Li Shimin was well aware of his ministers' thoughts. He had personally promoted the Xu Zhen, despite numerous warnings from the Censoring Imperial Historian and other officials. Now that the Xu Zhen had been caught in a misstep, it was only natural for her to face some criticism.
He did not worry that the Xu Zhen would become arrogant or complacent; she had long passed his tests. However, that was not enough. As an emperor, one must balance kindness and authority. If he were to unconditionally protect the Xu Zhen, it would ultimately harm her.
With this in mind, Li Shimin no longer hesitated and led the civil and military officials out of the palace towards Zhuque Avenue. The Imperial Guard sprang into action, and many concubines followed along.
Li Mingda was called to Li Shimin's side. The Emperor could not help but admonish his daughter, but Li Mingda pouted and turned away in anger!
Li Shimin found it amusing yet inappropriate to scold her in front of all the officials, so he decided to wait until they reached the celebration site to properly teach her a lesson.
However, upon arriving at Zhuque Avenue, everyone was taken aback!
The vast Zhuque Avenue was bustling with people on both sides, already cordoned off by the Imperial Guard. In the center of the street were hundreds of banquet tables filled with elderly guests!
"What is going on here? Wasn't this supposed to be a celebration for the Sovereign's birthday? Why are there so many old folks invited to feast?" The officials were astonished, and Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu looked particularly grim.
Li Shimin's eyes lit up as he turned to Liu Shuyi, the Deputy Minister of Rites, and asked, "What is happening here?"
"This..." Liu Shuyi stammered and fell silent but cast a questioning glance at Li Mingda beside the Sovereign. The latter was still sulking angrily!
Li Shimin did not want to put Liu Shuyi in a difficult position. Seeing his beloved daughter turning her back on him in frustration made him chuckle helplessly. He called for the Xu Zhen and asked her about it.
" Xu Zhen, please explain."
The Xu Zhen bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, this is Countess Guisi's intention, called the Longevity Feast; knowing that you cherish people's lives and are boundlessly kind and filial, she arranged for the Ministry of Rites to set up a banquet inviting all the elderly citizens of Chang'an City in your name so that our Tang people can respect their elders and honor their parents..."
Hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes misted over. A father knows his daughter best; Li Mingda had always been well-educated, gentle, and considerate. He had wondered why she would do something so extravagant this time; it turned out she had such thoughtful intentions. This unique Longevity Feast truly moved Li Shimin.
It is said that reaching seventy years of age is rare; during the prosperous Tang Dynasty, people lived comfortably with an average lifespan of around fifty years. In some foreign lands, life expectancy was only thirty or forty years. Inviting all elderly citizens from Chang'an City was no easy feat. Looking at those at the banquet tables, they weren't served delicacies but were nonetheless smiling joyfully.
"Sister Si... I misjudged you," Li Shimin said affectionately as he apologized to Li Mingda. However, she turned with red-rimmed eyes and replied, "Father, you think of your grandparents; don't I think of you every day? If everyone in the world should honor their elders, why can't your daughter show you her filial piety too?"
Li Shimin felt a surge of deep affection upon hearing his daughter's words. He took Li Mingda's hand and stepped out of the dragon carriage, surrounded by many people, and walked up to the high platform set up in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate to accept the admiration of the masses on Zhuque Avenue.
Many elderly citizens and people lining the streets knelt down upon the emperor's arrival, praising the Sovereign's benevolence and filial piety. The atmosphere was filled with cheers, and Li Shimin felt elated, more satisfied than if he had feasted on delicacies or drunk Jade Liquid and Jade Nectar!
Li Zhi did not expect Xu Zhen to come up with such a unique idea. He had already sent someone to the Ministry of Rites to inquire about it and heard that Xu Zhen was going to host a hundred banquets, which led him to believe she would be extravagant. To his surprise, she invited carefully selected elderly commoners instead!
They ultimately did not possess the same level of thoughtfulness as Xu Zhen and had never considered that a royal banquet could include commoners. This allowed Xu Zhen to pass another test successfully.
The Sovereign, feeling unwell and unable to endure too much exposure to the wind, returned to the palace after accepting the people's worship. In a good mood, he invited civil and military officials to Liangyi Hall for a banquet, intending for it to be modest yet celebratory.
The officials were naturally delighted. Li Zhi presented a plate of oranges to the Sovereign as a congratulatory gift—neither extravagant nor lacking in auspicious meaning. Li Shimin was greatly pleased, and many officials were inspired to present thoughtful small gifts as well, keeping them low-key and simple. The military officers offered small items collected from battlefields, all sourced from foreign lands, which were both novel and showcased Tang prestige. Meanwhile, the scholars presented poetry or engaged in calligraphy and painting on the spot.
Li Shimin felt invigorated, welcoming everyone with joy. With his daughter by his side, he shook off his illness; his cheeks flushed, making him appear much younger!
After presenting the oranges, Li Zhi cleared his throat twice. The officials sensed he had something to say and quieted down. Li Zhi discreetly glanced at Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu before speaking loudly.
"Thanks to Countess Guisi and General Xu, we have witnessed a meaningful birthday celebration today. I propose that we raise a glass in honor of General Xu!"
The officials enthusiastically echoed his sentiment, raising their cups from afar. Xu Zhen pretended to panic and hurriedly stood up to toast everyone in return. After thanking Li Zhi, she drank it all in one go, leading to applause and a joyful atmosphere at the banquet.
After finishing his drink, Li Zhi jokingly said, "General Xu is a pillar of our nation—not only renowned for his military achievements but also rumored to be skilled in Illusion. On this auspicious day, why not demonstrate some of your abilities to celebrate His Majesty's birthday? What do you all think?"
Everyone was delighted by this suggestion and began chattering excitedly in agreement. Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu exchanged glances and smiled at Li Zhi with newfound respect because they all understood that Illusion was not mere sorcery; it required prior preparation. Now that Xu Zhen was dressed in her crimson robe, she must have been caught off guard. If she refused Li Zhi or resorted to some unrefined tricks, it would only lead to embarrassment.
Li Jue understood the underlying dynamics and was about to rise to excuse Xu Zhen when Li Shimin joyfully interjected: " Mr. Xu, I know you possess extraordinary skills; today you need not hide your talents any longer so that they may broaden their horizons!"
On the surface, Xu Zhen lamented her predicament but felt relieved internally; fortunately, she had prepared herself for this moment; otherwise, she would have truly embarrassed herself.
Seeing Xu Zhen agree, all activities at the banquet came to a halt. The performers on stage made way as Xu Zhen slowly ascended the platform. After pondering for a moment as if considering what performance to give,
Noticing her serious expression and hesitation, Li Zhi secretly rejoiced at the thought that he might finally see Xu Zhen face some difficulty.
However, he did not remain happy for long before Xu Zhen spoke up: "Though I have some understanding of Illusion, my arrival was rather sudden; it's difficult for a skilled artisan to work without materials. When I entered earlier, I noticed some flower pots outside; may I borrow them?"
Li Shimin was in high spirits, waving his hand and saying, " Mr. Xu, if you have any requests, feel free to ask. If it helps, let the little one dance a tune for you, hahaha!"
Everyone laughed heartily. Tang Feng, being open-minded, casually remarked that even among common folk, nobility did not fuss over trivial matters. The current Sage had once danced publicly, which became a cherished story.
Li Zhi chuckled shyly, while Xu Zhen repeatedly declined. Seizing the opportunity, Li Chunfeng said, "Let me fetch that flower pot for General Xu!"
Xu Zhen cupped her hands in salute and said, "Then I will trouble Doctor Li."
Li Chunfeng walked outside the hall and saw a row of flower pots placed on either side of the entrance. Due to the cold winter, the flowers and leaves had all fallen off, leaving only bare branches. After inspecting them for a moment, he chose one and carried it back inside, discreetly wiping away the white ash from the rim of the pot.
Xu Zhen placed the flower pot in front of her and removed the dead branches inside. She then approached the Sovereign and said, "I have been poor since childhood and have never tasted an orange until today. I wonder if Sovereign could grant me an orange seed?"
Li Shimin was puzzled by Xu Zhen's request but grew increasingly curious. He selected a plump orange seed and had a palace maid deliver it to her.
After receiving the seed, Xu Zhen buried it in the soil of the flower pot. Then she sat cross-legged behind the pot and began to sing from the Zoroastrian scriptures.
The others were confused as the entire hall fell silent. Xu Zhen's voice was melodious and enchanting; even the musicians were astonished. The atmosphere quickly became strangely mystical, as if divine sounds were purifying hearts and souls.
"Remarkable! Look quickly!"
"My goodness! That's Green Shoots!"
With everyone's exclamations, a stubborn green sprout broke through the soil and appeared in the center of the flower pot. Li Shimin leaned forward slightly, gazing intently at the Green Shoots!
It was as if time accelerated around Xu Zhen; the Green Shoots rapidly grew branches and leaves, becoming lush in no time. In just a short while, it had grown into an orange tree that reached knee height!
Li Zhi and Changsun Wuji suddenly stood up, their eyes filled with disbelief as they murmured, "How... how is this possible!"
Old General Wei Chi Jing De stared blankly at Xu Zhen sitting cross-legged as if he were witnessing a celestial being descending to earth!
Once the orange tree reached half a person's height, Xu Zhen slowly stood up, plucked a handful of tender orange leaves from it, and scattered them towards the astonished crowd with a smile, saying, "Everyone can verify this."
The people eagerly grabbed the leaves and tore them apart; a special citrus fragrance wafted through the air—it was indeed real orange leaves!
Xu Zhen stood empty-handed, lightly reaching for the Orange Tree, and surprisingly pulled out an orange from thin air. She slowly turned around and presented it to Li Shimin, saying, "This withered flowerpot is like the shattered earth of the previous dynasty, while Sovereign is this orange seed, allowing our Tang Dynasty to flourish with vibrant life, its branches lush and leaves abundant, making all corners of the world submit. We humbly look up to your grace, day and night hoping for blessings from above for our Holy Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. May Sovereign Dragon Body recover soon and live for another five hundred years!"
Xu Zhen spoke with heartfelt sincerity. Although her flattery was somewhat excessive, it resonated with his Illusion, leaving no discomfort. Applause erupted like thunder, and Li Shimin was overjoyed, accepting the orange.
"Though I toil, you loyal ministers are also the backbone of the nation. Without your literary and martial contributions, how could our Tang Dynasty be so prosperous and strong? Shen Gong ( Shen Guo Gong Gao Shilian) has been ill for a long time, which worries me greatly. Today, I will take this auspicious sign from Mr. Xu to bestow upon Shen Gong. May he recover soon and contribute to our Tang Dynasty once more!"
At that time, Gao Shilian was gravely ill. Sovereign often visited him, and his son Gao Lvxing had returned from Youzhou, keeping vigil day and night. Naturally delighted, Gao Lvxing accepted the orange on behalf of his father and expressed his gratitude.
With Xu Zhen's gesture, the banquet became even livelier. Everyone lingered and reminisced about her magical abilities. Wei Chi Jing De hurriedly caught up with Xu Zhen, seeking her longevity techniques.
Meanwhile, Gao Lvxing shared everything that happened that day with his father. Gao Shilian, moved by the news that Sovereign had bestowed the orange upon him, shed tears of joy. He immediately had his son peel a segment of the orange for him to eat while giving the rest to his son, instructing artisans to melt gold into water and cast it into a golden orange for worship.
Upon hearing about this matter later, Li Shimin laughed heartily, thinking he would personally visit Gao Shilian after the New Year.
However, unexpectedly in January, Gao Shilian suddenly passed away, while Gao Lvxing brought the orange sealed in gold foil to the Eastern Palace!
(Note: The magic trick of growing an orange is inspired by the movie "The Magician," which was also performed during the 2014 Lantern Festival Gala. Whether it can be realized in reality remains a topic for discussion.)
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