The Leisurely Life of the Prince of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 128 The storm suddenly arises
Soon Cheng Chumo came up, holding a wine jug and bowing, "Your Highness."

Li Chengqian said: "Chu Mo, you are here too."

Cheng Chumo smiled awkwardly and said, "My father asked me to bring a girl back home, but these girls treated me like a thief."

Du He clicked his tongue and said, "Your Cheng family is like this, so am I."

Cheng Chumo asked seriously, "Does Master Du He have any interest in this?"

Du He sighed, "It's hard to choose a future wife at first sight."

Li Chengqian nodded in agreement and said, "What Du He said is correct. If someone falls in love with someone at first sight, they are probably attracted by their beauty or have bad intentions."

Hearing this, Du He and Cheng Chumo both laughed.

Ning'er was very surprised. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince rarely acted so relaxed in front of outsiders except in the East Palace.

Li Chengqian noticed that there were many young people gathered in a waterside pavilion. He thought it was none of his business and didn't want to get involved, but he happened to see his younger brother, Li Ke, in the crowd.

Li Ke, who was originally playing with a group of children of powerful nobles, noticed the gaze behind him. He looked back with something in his heart. He was holding an arrow ready for throwing into a pot, and also a handful of copper coins.

This look back made people stunned and stunned.

"It's time for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wu to vote!" a young man nearby cheered.

Li Ke could not hear these words. He was stunned on the spot. He was awakened by the noisy cold wind and bowed quickly, saying, "Royal brother."

The pavilion immediately fell silent, and everyone looked at the person of the same age in front of them.

Brother? His Royal Highness the King of Wu’s brother? Which brother?
Thinking about it again, who else could it be that could be so respectfully accompanied by Master Du He and General Chu Mo?
Thinking again, who else could the person in front of me be other than the prince?

"Hua La." The young men in the water pavilion stood up one after another respectfully, not daring to make a sound.

Li Ke hesitated and said, "Brother, do you want to play too?"

Li Chengqian turned his head away and said, "I don't understand these things, you guys continue playing."

After saying this, the prince walked to the other side.

Li Ke no longer had the heart to play. He dropped the arrow and copper coins in his hand and hurriedly followed his brother.

Just a look can send chills down one's spine.

This is enough to show how terrifying this Crown Prince is. This is definitely not an expression that someone of his age could show.

Even after the prince walked away, these people were still standing in the water pavilion with their bodies bent, and it took a while before they relaxed a bit.

Li Ke didn't dare to play anymore. One look from his royal brother made him no longer dare. He had no choice but to follow behind and be as obedient as possible. Even if his royal brother asked him to jump into the lake, he would do so without hesitation.

The emperor now is different from before, who among his younger brothers and sisters dares to disobey him?
As long as the emperor gives me a look, I will be as obedient as a little lamb.

When the disturbance at the waterside pavilion subsided for a while, someone came to inquire about the situation, and the news spread like a spider web.

Many women from powerful families looked over in haste. Some found Du He and His Royal Highness the King of Wu, and then saw the current Crown Prince of the East Palace.

"So he is the Crown Prince." A fifteen-year-old girl looked around and whispered, "He looks very different."

"That's right." The equally infatuated woman said, "I noticed him as soon as he came in. This extraordinary man is indeed the prince."

Perhaps due to long-term exercise and years of archery training, the prince has a very good physique, with a straight back and upright posture.

……

More and more people were talking about the prince, but Li Chengqian could no longer see them as he entered a pavilion.

This is the rear of Qujiang Lake, and there are guards led by Yuchi Gong watching over it. Even though it is so bustling outside, it is still very quiet here.

Li Chengqian walked into the pavilion, stepping on the fallen leaves.

Du He and Chu Mo could only stand outside the pavilion. They sat on the ground, drinking wine and enjoying the curious looks from all around.

Li Ke followed his brother up the wooden stairs.

At the corner of the stairs, the emperor brother suddenly stopped, and Li Ke also stopped and said, "Imperial brother, I will not play this kind of game anymore."

"It's okay. It's okay for you and me to have some fun at your age."

Hearing this, Li Ke still lowered his head, looking as if he admitted his mistake.

There is nothing that can be done about it. Even if His Royal Highness the Prince of Wu still wants to play, after what happened today, no one dares to play with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wu.

Especially when His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said casually, you guys continue playing.

These words are like falling into an ice cellar.

The prince is a person who likes to spoil the fun. Now many people in Qujiang Lake are talking about the prince who hurriedly passed by, and many people missed the chance to meet this prince.

There were just more rumors that the prince was aloof and strict.

Li Chengqian continued to take Li Ke to the second floor of the pavilion, where his father, mother, uncle, and younger brothers and sisters were all there.

"Your son greets his father, the emperor, and his mother, the empress. Your grandson greets your uncle."

Li Ke also bowed and said, "Ke'er greets his father, the emperor, his mother, and Duke Xu."

Li Shimin said calmly: "Sit down by yourself."

"Yes." Li Ke stood aside like a guard after hearing that. He didn't dare to sit down at all.

When her son sat down, Empress Changsun whispered, "Walked around?"

Li Chengqian sat there in distress and said, "Well, I walked around."

"Have you seen it all?"

"Just a quick glance."

Empress Changsun asked with a smile, "Do you like any of them?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "Let's not talk about whether I have a crush on someone. It's too late to see me hiding."

The queen covered her mouth and laughed, "You have been away from your peers for too long."

Li Chengqian was embarrassed: "I really... don't know how to choose a woman."

Gao Shilian pursed his lips and stroked his beard, saying, "When the prince is one or two years older, he will be able to choose."

"What my uncle said is true. My grandson is still young and is far behind his peers in some aspects."

The queen smiled and poured a bowl of tea for her son. "Don't take it too seriously. They all think that your mother is here to find a princess for you. Originally, your mother asked you to relax with the children. Finding a wife for your son is not something that can be found with just a few words or by meeting her once or twice."

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea, nodded and said seriously: "I quite agree with what your Majesty said."

Fearing that her son would be in trouble, the queen consoled him, "Don't worry, you are the crown prince. Those wealthy families are vying to marry their daughters to the East Palace."

Li Chengqian nodded, "I will be cautious."

Although this child is not good at talking and does not have many friends, he is a very reassuring child. The more such children are, the simpler they are.

The Queen was still very satisfied with Cheng Qian's reply. If Cheng Qian really said at this time that he had taken a fancy to someone's daughter, that would be a real headache.

Li Chengqian glanced at his brothers and sisters and said, "Is Qingque not here?"

Gao Shilian lay on his side, enjoying the pat on his back by his little grandson, Li Zhi, the Prince of Jin. He closed his eyes and said, "Wang Gui said that Qingque is busy compiling the Comprehensive Geography these days and will probably not come here."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, "Really?"

With a smile on his face, Gao Shilian arranged Wang Gui to live in the Prince of Wei's Mansion. This was the best arrangement the prince had ever made, and the prince's uncle was very pleased.

But when he thought about this grandson who wanted to be emperor and would have to compete with his father in the future, he became worried.

Li Shimin suddenly said, "If Cheng Qian is free, please go visit the pharmacist on my behalf."

"My son, I know."

"Ah."

The father and son had a brief conversation.

Li Chengqian thought about the meaning of his father's words, most likely Li Jing was going to withdraw from the court. In fact, now... General Li Jing has rarely attended court since the fourth year of Zhenguan. It is said that he fell ill after returning from the northern expedition to the Turks. But as the crown prince, he only met the general once.

Soon, there were frequent footsteps coming from the bottom of the building, and bowls of dishes were brought up.

My younger brothers and sisters were already starving.

Empress Changsun whispered, "Your father made special arrangements. He said he must wait for you to arrive before eating."

Li Chengqian nodded secretly.

The food here is very good, including venison, bean sprouts, lamb, radish, and stewed bones.

Li Zhi put a lot of bean sprouts and a few pieces of meat in his bowl, then sat on the balcony holding the bowl and the cake.

Soon, Li Shen also sat over, and the two brothers sat together to eat.

The two little ones ate while watching the lively scene below.

Li Chengqian was eating radishes stewed with bones and asked, "Father, the Tibetan delegation is coming."

Li Shimin nodded, "I heard about it."

After saying just two sentences, he noticed the look in his mother's eyes. Li Chengqian understood what she meant and did not say anything else, because his mother meant that they could not discuss the affairs of the court today.

Gao Shilian watched the secret rivalry between the father and son in front of him with a smile, and said slowly: "It's a pity that your father doesn't like playing cards. It's also good for the three of us to play cards together."

Li Shimin shaved some mutton with tendons attached from the sheep bones and put it into Xiao Sizi's bowl.

The little sister doesn't know how to use chopsticks, and her mother doesn't allow her to eat with her hands, so she has to be fed by her mother.

Li Chengqian took out a wooden fork from his waist and handed it to her, saying, "Let my sister try this."

At the quiet dinner table, little Sizi took a small wooden fork in his hand, poked it into the meat, lifted the meat with the fork, and then opened his mouth to put it in.

Seeing this scene, His Majesty and Duke Xu both laughed.

The atmosphere in the building also improved. Little Sizi chewed the mutton with her not-so-strong teeth, and her cheeks bulged.

For her, being able to eat a piece of meat by herself was a very fulfilling thing. After that, she didn't care whether she could finish it or not, and just poked the food everywhere with a wooden fork.

After the meal, the emperor and the queen wanted to take little Sizi back first.

Gao Shilian wants to take a short rest here.

After seeing off his father and mother, he also let his younger brothers and sisters go back first.

Li Chengqian put his hands in his pockets and looked at his uncle who was eating persimmons with great enjoyment.

"Did the emperor also talk to my uncle about the pharmacist?"

Gao Shilian was stunned and looked at his grandson suspiciously.

Li Chengqian explained: "I didn't have any spies around my father, so I guessed it myself."

Gao Shilian finished eating a persimmon, wiped his hands and said: "I told you, I told this old man how to arrange the generals. The generals under Li Jing are all capable of taking charge."

As he was talking, Du He hurriedly came up and said, "Something happened!"

Li Chengqian was startled and asked, "What happened?"

"Something happened to Xu Yushi, the top-ranked Jinshi in this year's imperial examination. He was assassinated."

"died?"

"The man is not dead, but his arm was stabbed by the criminals. The Dali Temple has sent people to investigate. He was targeted as soon as he left Qujiang Pond. Fortunately, someone discovered him, so the criminals didn't have time to kill him."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, suddenly opened his eyes, and said in a deep voice: "What a courage!"

Gao Shilian whispered, "Did Master Xu Yu have a grudge against someone?"

Du He explained: "We will probably find the murderer tonight."

"Master Xu Yu, did you see clearly who the murderer is?"

"It is said that the other party is masked."

Li Chengqian sat cross-legged and thought. Ever since the imperial examination was implemented with anonymous names, he had gone against all odds, and there had always been discussions among the people.

It is rare for Xu Yushi to be the top of the list of Jinshi.

Now people come to visit Qujiang Lake Garden, and as soon as they go out, they are ambushed and almost lose their lives.

"I really like this world more and more."

No longer interested in visiting the garden, Li Chengqian said, "Uncle, I will go back first."

Gao Shilian was still nodding while leisurely eating persimmons.

After leaving Qujiang Pond, General Li Ji was waiting there. "I learned that someone was trying to assassinate me, so I arranged for someone to do it."

The carriage was surrounded by imperial guards wearing armor, with swords on their waists and holding bows.

Li Chengqian ordered: "Leave a few behind to protect your uncle."

Li Ji replied: "Your Highness, rest assured. Chang'an City has been put under martial law. His Majesty has arranged for people to protect the guests of Qujiang Pond."

Less than half a year after the imperial examination ended, someone dared to assassinate the top-ranked Jinshi. What a courage!

At night, Li Chengqian was not sleepy, but waited for news in the East Palace.

A lantern swayed towards the East Palace, and the person holding the lantern said a few words to Ning'er in front of the East Palace gate.

After a while, Ning'er walked into the prince's bedroom and saw the prince standing barefoot at the window. She frowned and said, "Your Highness, be careful not to catch a cold."

"Has the assassin been caught?"

"Someone from Lizheng Palace sent a message saying that the assassin committed suicide."

"Death warriors." Li Chengqian sighed, "What did the Dali Temple say?"

Ning Er replied, "Your Majesty has ordered the Dali Temple to investigate thoroughly."

The next day, the martial law in Chang'an City had just been lifted and it was dawn. There were few pedestrians on Zhuque Street in the morning.

A group of Tibetan envoys entered Chang'an. They ate meat and wine in a tavern. After they were full, they walked to the Suzaku Gate.

Li Baiyao brought officials from the Honglu Temple to meet him.

The leader of this delegation was none other than Sambuza, one of the Tubo ministers and an old acquaintance.

Leading everyone into the Honglu Temple, Li Baiyao said with a smile: "It has been a year since we last saw this Tibetan envoy."

Sambuza replied: "I heard that you Tang people have had many exchanges with people from the Western Regions."

The officials of the Honglu Temple and the Tibetan envoys sat down.

Li Baiyao replied: "That's all normal interaction."

Sambuza asked sternly, "Why didn't you give Tubo the trade documents?"

Seeing the other party's bad face, Li Baiyao slammed the table and said, "It was you Tubo who broke your promise first!"

Sang Buzha slammed the table and stood up, more aggressive than Li Baiyao, and said in fluent Guanzhong dialect: "It was your Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace who asked the Prime Minister to withdraw his troops in order to plot against him! He was plotting against us Tubo! It was all your trap!"

The Eastern Palace asked the Tubo Prime Minister to withdraw troops from the Western Regions?

In my impression, although not many people knew about this matter, the exchanges between the two countries have always been handled by the Ministry of Rites, and I, the Minister of Rites, still remember that it was His Majesty who asked the Crown Prince to arrange this matter.

In other words, it was not the Crown Prince but the current Emperor who designed the position of Prime Minister of Tubo.

Not only did Your Majesty design the Prime Minister of Tubo, but he also designed the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace?
Li Baiyao thought for a long time and realized that he had discovered something extraordinary.

No matter what conspiracy or overt scheme one may say, the first one to betray the emperor is the Prime Minister of Tubo, and he must be killed.

Li Baiyao said angrily: "Don't be so presumptuous! This is the Honglu Temple of the Tang Dynasty!"

(End of this chapter)