inspire-indiana Chapter 47 Anle's Appearance in the 90th Year of the Tang Dynasty
Chapter 47 Anle's Appearance in the 90th Year of the Tang Dynasty
As autumn draws to a close, the Tang Dynasty has enjoyed ninety glorious years.
Princess Anle lived a life of luxury and arrogance, while Princess Changning, Consort Shangguan, and others built luxurious mansions that were even more magnificent than the imperial palace.
Princess Anle was particularly arrogant and once asked Emperor Zhongzong to grant her the Kunming Pool in Chang'an (built by Emperor Wu of Han).
However, King Jungjong felt that it was a base for the people to grow cattails and raise fish, so he did not agree.
In a fit of pique, the princess seized farmland and built "Dingkun Pond," which covered an area of forty-nine li.
The pool was filled with stones resembling Mount Hua and water was channeled to resemble the Milky Way, aiming to surpass Kunming Pool, hence the name "Dingkun".
So it turns out these princesses, like Si Zi, are all daughters of the Li family!
Their father, like Sizi's father, doted on his precious daughter.
However, it seems to have changed a bit now!
In the luxurious palace gardens beside Dingkun Pond in Chang'an, sunlight shines on Princess Anle's gorgeous dress, making the birds and flowers on the dress appear lifelike in the sunlight.
Consort Shangguan and Princess Changning were drinking tea and chatting at a jade table nearby, creating a leisurely atmosphere in the courtyard.
Princess Changning (smiling):
“Anle, you’ve really brought the grandeur of the palace with you. I’ve never seen a princess’s wedding procession that could borrow the Empress’s entourage.”
Princess Anle (proudly):
"So what? I am the Emperor's most beloved daughter. My wedding will naturally surpass all others. Let those ministers see who I, Li Guo'er, am."
Princess Changning (chuckled softly):
"Sister, you must be careful. If you go too far in anything, someone will inevitably become jealous."
Princess Anle (smirking disdainfully):
"I don't care about jealousy. Even Kunming Pool, which my father forbade me to have, I still built 'Dingkun Pool' here, didn't I? Forty-nine miles of water, a rocky mountain like Mount Hua, compared to Emperor Wu of Han's Kunming Pool, what's so rare about it?!"
Princess Anle raised her eyes slightly and pointed to the clear stream flowing into the lake.
"See that? This water is like the Milky Way falling from the ninth heaven, and there are more fish in the pond than in the fields where people grow cattails. Humph!! What I'm going to do will never be inferior to anyone else's!"
Princess Changning (covering her mouth and laughing):
"Sister, I heard that your dress is worth a hundred million! It's so exquisitely woven that the colors look different under the sun and moonlight. We sisters are truly envious."
Princess Anle (turned around triumphantly, her skirt shimmering like rainbows in the sunlight):
"So what if it's a hundred million? What I love, I'll get it no matter the cost!!"
On the 21st day of the 11th month of the second year of Jinglong, Princess Anle's wedding was held as scheduled.
By sheer coincidence, Xiao Sizi and her brothers came to the capital to attend an ultra-luxurious wedding.
Looking at the long bridge beside Dingkun Pond, the golden procession of honors stretched like a dragon, with imperial guards in gleaming armor on both sides, and Prince Anguo escorting them on horseback... the scene was extremely luxurious!
Little Sizi, who had come to join the fun, gritted her teeth and said to Qiu Rongmu and Zi'an, "Tsk tsk tsk! I'm the most beloved little princess in history, even my father, Emperor Taizong of Tang, has never been this extravagant and wasteful!! This is really too much!!!"
Emperor Zhongzong smiled and said:
"My most beloved daughter is getting married today, and she deserves such a grand celebration!!"
Princess Anle (bowing to the Emperor, her eyes shining with satisfaction):
"Thank you for your kindness, Father. Yanxiu is so handsome and refined; he is truly worthy of my status!"
Wu Yanxiu (wearing golden armor, smiling as she bows to the emperor in gratitude):
"Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty. I will certainly live up to your grace!"
The following day, the 22nd, Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, Li Xian, granted a general amnesty.
On the 23rd, Li Xian hosted a banquet for his officials in the Liangyi Hall.
Emperor Zhongzong (raising his cup and smiling):
"Today is a joyous day for peace and happiness. When peace and happiness prevail, the world will be at peace and happy. Let us all celebrate together!"
The assembled officials (kneel and bow): "Long live the Princess! Long live the Prince Consort!"
At this moment, Princess Anle was summoned out of the main hall, her skirt trailing on the ground, radiant and dazzling.
She watched as the ministers knelt in obeisance, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Princess Anle (smiles faintly, her voice cool and aloof):
"From this day forward, remember who I am!!"
Seeing the nobles kneeling before her, Si Zi turned green with anger! She refused to let her two older brothers kneel before her!
Zi'an said, "Stop joking! Do you really think you're some kind of great-grandmother, Princess Jinyang?! We're just playing along now!"
Qiu Rongmu knelt down, hugged Sizi tightly, and comforted her, "There's nothing we can do, Sizi. Our Jin Yang grandma isn't like these little brats!"
Si Zi's lips were pouting high, but her temper wasn't as fiery as it used to be!
The princess's dress was covered in tiny flowers and birds, each one as delicate as a millet seed. The colors changed depending on the angle and the lighting! Sizi came up with a clever plan to trick her.
It is said that Princess Anle was originally married to Wu Chongxun. After Chongxun died, because Wu Yanxiu was handsome and the princess fell in love with him, she chose him to be her husband.
That's just how capricious they are!
Let's see how Great-Grandma Little Sizi deals with her.