Chapter 70: Li Xiaogong’s Reminder (If you’re enjoying the book, please consider adding it to your favorites and giving it a recommendation—your support means a lot!)

Li Shimin could still vividly recall the first time Du Chengfeng entered the palace—the terrifying gaze he had fixed upon the disrespectful eunuch. From that look, Li Shimin sensed a chilling coldness and murderous intent.

No matter how hard he tried to reason it out, Li Shimin could not understand how a young man who had spent his years in a remote mountain village could possess such a fearsome look.

Perhaps it was for this very reason that Li Shimin always felt Du Chengfeng was not someone easily controlled, and there lingered a faint sense of unease in his heart.

Nevertheless, since the Emperor himself had spoken, Li Shimin could only give Grand Steward Gao careful instructions to treat the matter with utmost caution.

With Li Shimin’s words in mind, and knowing Du Chengfeng did not recognize him, Grand Steward Gao now stood up, offered a respectful bow, and apologized. Naturally, he did not press the issue; after all, ignorance is no crime.

“It’s nothing,” Grand Steward Gao said, unconcerned.

With that, he stood, drew out the imperial edict, and solemnly declared in a sonorous voice, “Du Chengfeng, receive the imperial decree!”

Receive the decree? What decree? Was Li Shimin about to compel him into court service? Or perhaps feeling uneasy about the prescription he’d taken, intended to lavish him with reward?

The imperial edict was verbose, and Grand Steward Gao read it out in florid language for several minutes, but Du Chengfeng didn’t really listen. He only caught the conclusion: he was granted the title of County Viscount of the Founding, with a fief of five hundred households, the lands being the Du family village and the neighboring settlement. In addition, he was awarded one hundred pieces of gold—not the one copper coin per “gold” as recorded in history, but a true reward of one hundred taels of gold.

This was a truly generous gesture from Li Shimin; at the dawn of the Tang dynasty, the imperial treasury was far from rich, and for Li Shimin to bestow a hundred taels of gold upon Du Chengfeng showed extraordinary favor—few had ever enjoyed such bounty in those early years.

Learning he had been made a County Viscount by Li Shimin, Du Chengfeng felt little stir within.

Having contributed so much for the Tang, it would have been unreasonable for Li Shimin to show no gratitude at all.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Grand Steward Gao,” Du Chengfeng said calmly as he accepted the decree.

There was none of the exuberant joy that others might expect at such an honor—only a serene composure.

When he had first arrived in the Tang dynasty, Du Chengfeng had sworn before the original soul to bring honor and glory to his family. Now, that wish could be considered fulfilled.

Though he still did not know who this body’s true parents were, and though a County Viscount was the most ordinary of noble titles in the Tang, it was nonetheless a fifth-rank position—no mean accomplishment.

With such a title, Du Chengfeng imagined it would be much easier for him to gain renown in the future.

Du Chengfeng’s calm demeanor surprised Grand Steward Gao, who couldn’t help but look at him with newfound respect.

Indeed, the Emperor’s rare find was no ordinary man; such poise and tranquility were seldom seen in the world.

Li Xiaogong, on the other hand, beamed and said, “Brother Chengfeng, congratulations! To be made a County Viscount at sixteen—such an honor is rarely seen in a thousand years!”

At that moment, a maidservant entered, carrying a tray of freshly brewed spring tea. She gently placed the teacups and teapot on the table and quietly withdrew.

Du Chengfeng personally poured a cup of tea for both Grand Steward Gao and Li Xiaogong, handing the cups to them.

The spring tea had been meticulously crafted by Du Chengfeng from tender shoots he had picked himself; even when steeped simply in hot water, its fragrance was pure and refreshing.

Du Chengfeng raised his cup, blew gently, and took a sip. He looked at Grand Steward Gao and Li Xiaogong, spreading his hands in invitation. “This is spring tea I roasted myself. Grand Steward, Prince, please have a taste. The bitterness comes first, but it finishes sweet and lingers long on the palate.”

Grand Steward Gao and Li Xiaogong glanced simultaneously at the verdant, fragrant tea before them. Imitating Du Chengfeng, they blew on it and each sipped.

At first, the green tea was faintly bitter, but soon a subtle sweetness spread through the mouth, refreshing the spirit and leaving a lasting aftertaste—truly a unique flavor.

Among all the varieties of tea, Du Chengfeng favored this natural green tea above all.

A cup of green tea quenched one’s thirst with its gentle sweetness. Sipping it at leisure, one could feel the fresh breath of nature, and the heart would slowly settle into calmness.

“What wonderful tea!” Li Xiaogong suddenly exclaimed, then took several more hearty sips, his eyes half-closed in bliss.

Grand Steward Gao also savored it carefully; it truly was excellent. He thought to himself: this young man before me differs from the ordinary in all things, and even this courtyard is full of novelty.

The seats they now occupied resembled foreign couches, and the tea-making technique was entirely unlike anything seen before, yet unique in its own right.

But Grand Steward Gao could not linger long at Du Chengfeng’s residence, as he needed to report back to the Emperor. He finished the last sip of tea, looked at Du Chengfeng, and said, “County Viscount of the Founding, I must return to the palace to report, and cannot stay at your manor any longer. The official documents regarding your rewards have already been sent to Hu County, which governs Du family village. You may return there at your convenience to settle the land and fief matters with the county magistrate.”

“Thank you, Grand Steward,” Du Chengfeng replied with a bow.

Grand Steward Gao departed, but Li Xiaogong remained, reclining comfortably on the soft couch, drinking cup after cup of Du Chengfeng’s green tea with great satisfaction.

Du Chengfeng needed no explanation—historically, Li Xiaogong was not keen on power, but he was a great lover of comfort.

This green tea was entirely different from the boiled tea popular in the Tang at the time. Though the tea-making process was more involved, brewing it was simple.

Of course, if one wished to be particular, the art of brewing tea was a study in itself.

“Your Highness, if you truly enjoy this green tea, I’ll have the maid prepare a few pounds for you to take home,” Du Chengfeng offered at last. After all, Li Xiaogong was a prince and had to maintain some dignity. Presumably, he was too embarrassed to ask directly, so he resorted to silent hints, obliging Du Chengfeng to take the initiative.

Li Xiaogong’s face lit up immediately, and abandoning his tea, he moved closer to Du Chengfeng, grinning. “Heh heh, thank you, Brother Chengfeng, for your generosity.” Then, with a slight frown but still smiling, he added, “Brother Chengfeng, is this green tea very rare? Would a few pounds be too little?”

Du Chengfeng could only smile helplessly. “Your Highness, this green tea is extremely difficult to make—ten pounds of leaves yield barely over two pounds of finished tea, and my stores are limited.”

“All right, a few pounds will do,” Li Xiaogong replied, disappointed.

“Your Highness, green tea is not easy to preserve at present, so more would be of little use and likely to spoil. When brewing, just a small pinch per pot suffices—too much will make it bitter,” Du Chengfeng added, seeing Li Xiaogong’s crestfallen look.

Hearing this, Li Xiaogong’s expression eased, and just then the maid returned with a beautifully wrapped box of green tea.

Li Xiaogong accepted the tea without ceremony and prepared to leave for the prince’s manor. As he departed, he turned back and said, “Brother Chengfeng, the Retired Emperor thinks highly of you. In time, I am sure your status will rise ever higher.”