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

Chapter 135 When I ascended the throne, I made a bit of a commotion.
"I think what Zuo Shuzi said is right."

Wen He nodded deliberately in a silly manner, imitating the 86 version of Sha Wujing, "Brother, you're right."

"This matter still depends on Your Majesty's decision. I am neither virtuous nor capable; how can I shoulder such a great responsibility?"

Li Shimin shook his head and turned away to avoid the gazes of Changsun Wuji and the others.

Wen He also winked at Li Chengqian: "Look at your father's performance, you should learn from him in the future."

Li Chengqian was completely confused and scratched his head, utterly bewildered.

Seeing this, Wen He glared at him in annoyance.

Unexpectedly, Li Shimin happened to witness this scene.

'What is this brat doing now?'

"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. We will go and request your permission immediately!"

Changsun Wuji immediately stood up. With Li Shimin's words, things would be much easier for them.

The three of them then bowed to Li Shimin, got up, and hurriedly left Wen He's house.

Samurai was left standing there, somewhat at a loss.

His status made it inappropriate for him to request an imperial decree from the Da'an Palace; otherwise, he would certainly be looked down upon by others.

You've only just returned to Chang'an, and you're already so eager to curry favor with the new emperor.

It should be understood that both the Guanzhong Plain and the aristocratic families placed great importance on their public image.

"Ahem, Duke Ying has just returned to Chang'an. He should go and reunite with his family first."

Li Shimin noticed his predicament and took the initiative to help him out.

Upon hearing this, Wu Shiyue was extremely grateful: "Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."

After saying this, he bowed to Li Shimin and was about to leave with Wu Erniang when he noticed that his youngest daughter was not moving.

"Father, I want to stay and play with my two older sisters. You should go back first."

Wu Erniang looked at him and blinked.

Wu Shiyue was taken aback. He hadn't expected that his youngest daughter, who had only been in Chang'an for a short time, had already developed a good relationship with the Crown Prince's daughter.

'As expected of my daughter, Warrior Ge! A fine daughter indeed!'

"Since that's the case, you mustn't act recklessly." He warned him in a feigned manner, then bowed to Li Shimin before turning and leaving.

Li Shimin smiled and looked down at Wu Erniang.

This was the first time he had observed the future empress so closely.

'Such intelligence at such a young age, no wonder that irrational and rebellious son would be captivated by you later.'

"Cough cough!"

A cough interrupted Li Shimin's thoughts.

Suddenly, Wen He appeared in front of him.

"Your Highness, given the current situation, you should return to the Eastern Palace. My temple is too small to accommodate so many great figures."

"You bastard."

Li Shimin knew that Wen He's words made sense.

Changsun Wuji and his group were merely paving the way; the dukes, county dukes, and all the civil and military officials would follow.

They no longer had the merit of supporting the emperor, but no one dared to shirk their duty of persuading him to ascend the throne.

Li Shimin may not know who came to persuade him to ascend the throne, but he most likely knew who didn't come.

This is a major matter concerning one's career.

"Alright, Gao Yue, let's set off. Alas, I have no choice in the matter."

He turned his back, sighed, and walked outside.

But for some reason, Wen He always felt that he seemed very smug.

"Brother, His Highness seems to be very happy."

Wenrou was gnawing on a pig's trotter, her face now smudged with the extra meat.

"Who gave you the pig's trotters? Everyone says you've gained weight recently and should eat less."

Wen He reached out to grab it, but Li Lizhi dodged it and ran behind her.

“Princess, protect me.”

Li Lizhi stood in front of Wenrou with a serious expression, spreading her arms wide and saying to Wen He in a cute but fierce way, "You can't bully people, or I'll have Father spank you."

"You little brat!" Wen He said dismissively, lightly flicking Li Lizhi's forehead before running away quickly.

Li Lizhi was stunned. She reached up and rubbed her forehead, feeling a tingling sensation. For a moment, she didn't know whether to cry or be angry.

"Did he hit me?" the little girl asked, bewildered.

"Yes, he hit you, but he was probably just joking," Wu Erniang explained as she walked over.

"Oh, alright then, it doesn't hurt anyway. But Second Aunt, you know so much! Do you really enjoy reading?"

Li Lizhi looked at Wu Erniang with innocent eyes.

The latter pondered for a moment, nodded, and then shook his head.

"I like to read it, but I don't know many characters, so I can't understand it."

"Hehe, me too."

“Me too, me too. My brother said that people like me are illiterate.”

The three best friends started chatting.

Meanwhile, the three little ones on the other side are about to face Wen He's wrath.

"Where's my pig's head meat?! Who ate it?!"

Wen He grabbed a rattan whip, and Li Ke and Li Chengqian ran away as soon as they saw it.

Not far away, Li Tai was seen holding a pig's head, weeping as he gnawed on it.

"Wow, it smells so good!"

……

The next day.

Wen He was woken up from bed early in the morning by Wen Zhong.

The reason is that Gao Yue arrived very early in the morning.

Before Wen He could finish washing up, she was taken into the palace.

"Ahem, I will be ascending the throne on the 25th of July."

Upon seeing Wen He, Li Shimin coughed lightly and got straight to the point.

Wen He, still half-asleep, lazily bowed to him: "Then congratulations, Your Highness! Long live Your Highness! May you have boundless blessings and live as long as the heavens!"

Li Shimin was so angry he laughed, and raised his hand to slap Wen He on the head, instantly waking him up.

"I ask you, is the gunpowder you made usable now?" Li Shimin asked.

Although Yan Lide reported almost every three days, he never had time to look at it.

"Sure, I asked you to go before, but you wouldn't. Your Highness, you need to walk around more and not sit all day, or your eight-pack abs will eventually disappear."

Wen He knew that Li Shimin was very busy.

The news about what happened in Hebei has spread throughout the government and the public.

Now that the Turks are causing trouble again, Li Shimin is already overwhelmed just preparing provisions and military supplies, so he really doesn't have time to deal with anything else.

"Well, actually, I want to save face, since this time it was indeed a bit rushed."

Li Shimin's eyes flickered.

This can no longer be called a hint; it's practically an explicit statement.

"Then I'll use gunpowder to blow up those Japanese people for you that very day?"

"Snapped!"

Before Wen He could finish speaking, Li Shimin patted his head again.

"I'm talking to you about serious business, don't use this to settle personal scores."

"I wasn't joking with you," Wen He scoffed.

He genuinely wanted to send the Japanese to their deaths.

"I don't need you to kill anyone, I just need you to make some noise, preferably something that lets the foreign lands know about the mighty power of my great nation."

Li Shimin didn't know if Wen He could do it, but he wanted to give it a try.

Wen He rubbed the bridge of her nose to clear her mind.

Li Shimin did not urge him, but waited quietly.

As expected, Wen He did not disappoint him and said, "Alright, let's return gunpowder to its original essence."

(End of this chapter)