Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 134 Your Highness, please consider the well-being of the people and ascend to the throne.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

There weren't many people who came to see Li Shimin; only Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui, plus a middle-aged man with a plump appearance.

There's no need to guess his identity; he is none other than Duke Ying, Wu Shiyue, the father of Wu Meimei.

Judging from his bloated figure and how tired he looked when he walked, Wen He was not surprised that he would suddenly die of illness nine years later.

"Let's skip it all." Li Shimin gestured for them to stand up, and the four of them stood up together.

Just as Changsun Wuji was about to speak, he saw Li Shimin walking towards Wu Shihuo.

"Duke Ying, you've just returned to the capital. Why aren't you resting? Why are you in such a hurry to see me?"

Li Shimin's kindness made Wu Shihuo feel somewhat flattered.

Although he was not in Chang'an before, he had at least heard some news.

The situation changed overnight, and he was naturally filled with anxiety.

Unexpectedly, at this time, he suddenly received a letter from Li Shimin, asking his family to move to Chang'an.

Samurai was overjoyed.

As the saying goes, there is one emperor and one courtier.

He was worried that he might not be favored by the new emperor, but unexpectedly, a huge windfall fell into his lap.

Because in his view, at this time, Li Shimin suddenly ordered his family to enter the capital.

It is very likely that this was to select a wife for the original heir apparent of the Qin Kingdom, who would later become the crown prince.

If his daughter could really become the Crown Prince, then he would be the future father-in-law of the Tang Dynasty.

He had just arrived in Chang'an and, seeing Changsun Wuji and the others there, wanted to make friends with them.

Unexpectedly, they discovered that Li Shimin was at the Wen residence.

Although he did not know who this newly appointed magistrate of Gaoyang was.

But if His Highness the Crown Prince can personally visit the residence, then this county magistrate must have a promising future.

Don't be fooled by the fact that it's a county magistrate's title, which seems to be the second to last.

But this already surpasses the vast majority of officials in the Tang Dynasty.

And this person actually lives right across from my house.

'Has Madam sent someone to visit before?'

"We should try to maintain good relations with people like this in the future."

Thinking of this, Wu Shiyue shamelessly followed Changsun Wuji and the others in.

"I had no intention of flattering Your Highness by being here. Now that you know, how could I not come to pay my respects? Otherwise, wouldn't that be a breach of the proper etiquette between a subject and a ruler?"

Li Shimin knew that although Wu Shihuo was opportunistic, he was always reliable in his actions.

It's just a pity that he had a wonderful daughter.

If Wen He knew what Li Shimin was thinking at this moment, she would definitely refute him: "No, it's that he has given birth to two good daughters, plus a grandson and a granddaughter."

"You are too kind, Duke Ying. Father often misses you. If you have time, you can come to Da'an Palace to help Father alleviate his loneliness."

Li Shimin smiled.

The words had already explained the current situation to Samurai Go.

He, Li Shimin, is now the true master of the Tang Dynasty, while his father, the emperor, has already retired to the background.

Samurai Go was a smart man and immediately realized that it was time for him to show his loyalty.

"It is a pity that Your Majesty has worked hard for many years and can only enjoy your old age now. However, it is fortunate that there is a Crown Prince who is exceptionally brave, talented and accomplished in both literature and martial arts. This is a blessing for our Great Tang and a boon for all the people."

His words were watertight.

But Wen He felt goosebumps all over her body when she heard it.

"Is this guy sucking up?" Li Tai chuckled in a low voice.

"Don't talk nonsense!" Li Chengqian glared at him and warned.

Li Ke pointed to Wu Erniang, who was standing next to Wen He in front of him, and whispered, "This Duke Ying is Wu Erniang's father. Be careful she doesn't complain to Wu Niang."

"Forehead."

Li Tai, who fears neither heaven nor earth, is most afraid of four people: Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, as well as Wen He and Li Lizhi.

He quickly covered his mouth, hoping that Wu Erniang in front of him hadn't heard.

Even Wen He heard his mutterings, but Wu Erniang seemed to have ignored him.

Wait, why are her eyes red?

"Aye!"

A cry rang out, and Wu Shiyue felt a small figure rush towards him. "You are... Second Mother?"

Looking at his daughter, Samurai Go almost didn't recognize her.

He had been separated from the mother and daughter for two or three months, and Wu Erniang had grown quite a bit taller.

So when he came in, he only thought she looked familiar, but he didn't realize that she was his daughter. He thought she was Li Shimin's daughter.

"Father, your second mother misses you."

Wu Erniang leaned on Wu Shiyue's shoulder, tears streaming down her face.

This left him somewhat at a loss for what to do.

"Your Highness, I have been rude." He was worried that Li Shimin would be angry.

Little did he know, Li Shimin only felt a sense of warmth, and he smiled and said, "It's alright..."

"Cough cough!"

Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and the others who were standing to the side were already getting impatient.

Although victory is assured, Your Highness, shouldn't you also take this seriously?

"Oh, so Fu Ji, Xuan Ling, and Ke Ming also have something to discuss with me?"

Li Shimin asked the question knowing the answer already.

"Your Highness!"

Changsun Wuji and the others solemnly bowed to Li Shimin.

Wen He raised an eyebrow slightly upon seeing this.

He knew the main event was about to begin.

"Now that Your Majesty is ill, as the saying goes, a family cannot be without a head for a day, and a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Now that the Turks are powerful and the country is in danger, we beg Your Highness to consider the well-being of the people and accept Your Majesty's abdication to ascend to the throne."

Say it.

Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui then knelt down and bowed deeply.

Before the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, people rarely knelt or bowed.

Any act of kneeling in worship must be a significant event.

Wu Shihuo was stunned. He hadn't expected that he would run into such a big thing just by coming to pay his respects to Li Shimin.

But there was no time for him to hesitate. He immediately put down Wu Erniang and knelt down to kowtow.

Should we kneel?

Li Tai tugged at Li Chengqian and asked in a low voice.

"I think we shouldn't." Li Chengqian didn't understand either, and looked at Li Ke.

Li Ke, completely unaware of the situation, simply looked at Wen...

"Don't look at me, I don't know anything." Wen He turned her head to look at the sky.

He didn't want to get involved in this.

"Cough cough."

Hearing the commotion behind him, Li Shimin glared at them irritably, signaling them to be quiet.

Then pretend to be surprised.

"Why do you four ministers do this? His Majesty is in good health. How can I presume to ascend the throne? You ministers, do not implicate me in an unjust situation."

Do you think Li Shimin was declining?

No, he was actually telling Changsun Wuji that he did not want to overstep his bounds, and even less did he want to leave behind the infamy of forcing his father to abdicate.

Therefore, you must go and request His Majesty the Emperor's edict of abdication.

"Your Highness, this is indeed His Majesty's intention. His Majesty has issued an edict that the abdication ceremony will be held in the Taiji Hall on July 25th, and will be held concurrently with Your Highness's enthronement ceremony."

Changsun Wuji deliberately raised his voice.

'Well, he's skipped the usual three refusals and directly ascended the throne.'

Wen He muttered to herself, then slowly looked around and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that no one was paying attention to her.

Eh?
I didn't say it this time, which shows I've grown up.

Let's see who calls me a big mouth now.

He was overjoyed, but then he saw Li Shimin's gaze suddenly turn to him, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"It seems that County Magistrate Wen also has something to say."

(End of this chapter)