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

Chapter 141 Are you trying to bargain with me?
Where is Li Yi?

Wen He had just stepped into the Liangyi Hall when he looked up but did not see Li Shimin's figure. The voice came from behind him.

He was startled and turned around abruptly, only to see Li Shimin, who had changed into a beige casual outfit, walking in from outside the hall.

“He’s dead. He committed suicide.” Wen He lowered her head, glancing at Li Shimin’s expression out of the corner of her eye.

Seeing that his expression remained calm, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Er wanted a living one, but he brought back a dead one instead. Will he be punished for this?

"Where's the body?"

"It's in the Forbidden Garden."

"Hand it over to the Ministry of Justice. You... never mind. Tomorrow, let Xu Jingzong go to the Prince of Yan's residence to confiscate his property. You don't need to go with the Hundred Cavalry."

Li Shimin sighed deeply.

Wen He was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, thinking to herself, 'Does Li Er mean I should withdraw from the Hundred Riders?'

"You're reluctant to give it up?" Seeing that he didn't speak, Li Shimin asked with a smile, "Didn't you think before that being free of official duties would be a carefree life?"

"It's not that I'm reluctant to part with it, it's just a bit sudden," Wen He said, touching his chin as he added, "But it's fine this way, I've been working myself to death lately."

After he finished speaking, he stretched lazily, but suddenly felt a sharp gaze shooting at him, so he quickly became more subdued.

"I am not letting you join the Hundred Cavalry, not because I want you to step down, but because there are some things that are inconvenient for you to do. However, the training of the Hundred Cavalry and the public affairs still need to be handled by you. I cannot find anyone I can trust."

Wen He didn't believe a single word of this explanation.

Having watched so many historical dramas in his previous life, he still knew the saying that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger.

"Your Highness, no, Your Majesty."

We're used to calling each other that, so it's a bit strange to suddenly change it.

Fortunately, Wen He reacted quickly and changed how she addressed him.

"Your Majesty, actually my abilities are quite average, and my skills are limited..."

Are you trying to bargain with me?

Before he could finish speaking, Li Shimin interrupted him.

This is clearly denying him the right to refuse.

Seeing his cold face, Wen He wanted to refuse, but she didn't have the courage at the moment.

He could only force a laugh and say he dared not.

He who knows the current affairs is a hero.

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction and said.

"Alright, you've had a long morning. I've had a bath prepared for you. Go and wash yourself thoroughly, then come with me to the Taiji Palace in a bit."

"Oh, do we still need the Taiji Hall?"

Wen He was puzzled. Wasn't the coronation ceremony already over?
"Of course, the ceremony will continue. Did you think it would end so easily? I only took the time to meet with you because I still have to go to the ancestral temple to pay respects. It's very complicated and tiring."

He appeared helpless, but Wen He knew that he was secretly overjoyed.

He had finally waited for this day.

He became the de facto emperor of the Tang Dynasty.

However, he had a hard day; he only managed to eat a quick bite of bread before leaving in a hurry.

Fortunately, Wen He didn't have to go with him.

His official rank was too low and his noble title too humble; being allowed to enter the Taiji Hall to observe the ceremony was already a great favor from Li Shimin.

But he didn't care.

Before leaving, Li Shimin asked one more question with some concern: "Don't disappoint me today about the things I entrusted to you before."

"Your Highness, no, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will certainly take care of it for you."

Wen He subconsciously gave him an "OK" sign.

Li Shimin couldn't help but chuckle, so he mimicked the gesture, then laughed loudly and walked away.

Right after having dinner at the Liangyi Hall.

Gao Yue personally led him to a side hall to bathe and change into court robes. When he came out, Gao Yue had already left.

"The eunuch has accompanied His Majesty to the ancestral temple. I will wait here for the county magistrate."

"Okay, I'm done."

Wen He yawned, not taking it to heart.

As we arrived at the Taiji Hall, before even going inside, we saw many familiar faces standing outside.

Those who had met him before at the Qin Prince's residence all came up to greet him.

Duan Zhixuan came over specifically, put his arm around his shoulder, and said in a low voice, "His Majesty sent someone to deliver an imperial decree to me, that I will accompany you to Jingzhou this time, leading two thousand cavalry." "That's it?"

Wen He didn't expect Li Shimin to be in such a hurry.

"Besides General Duan, who else is there?" Wen He asked curiously.

But Duan Zhixuan shook his head.

"It seems that they were notified individually, and they were to depart in two days. Not many people know about this."

"I see."

Wen He understood that Li Shimin was worried that the news would be leaked in advance and cause unrest.

And it is very likely that it will be opposed.

Despite the Tang Dynasty's apparent strength, just like in the early Han Dynasty, many people feared the nomadic tribes of the north.

Especially in the Central Plains after the chaos of the Five Barbarian Invasions.

There used to be a saying that one Han Chinese was worth five Hu tribesmen, but we haven't heard of it in recent years.

Therefore, Li Shimin was well aware that he needed a victory to prove the strength of the Tang Dynasty and his own wisdom and prowess.

At this moment, the Turks came to him of their own accord, which was equivalent to giving him a great gift.

Wen He bid farewell to Duan Zhixuan and walked into the Taiji Hall.

At this moment, the retired emperor, Li Shimin, and officials of the third rank and above were not present. Most of those remaining here were vice ministers from various departments or generals of the Sixteen Guards.

The highest rank was county duke, and the official positions were mostly around the fourth rank.

So the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

They were all chatting when Wen He came in.

When he entered the Taiji Hall, he suddenly felt like a crane standing among chickens.

After all, everyone here is in their thirties or forties, while he's just a ten-year-old kid.

Meeting their gazes, Wen He smiled gently and nodded politely to everyone, whether she knew them or not.

From afar, Xu Jingzong, who was chatting and laughing with the Yan brothers, turned around and noticed him. He said something to the Yan brothers, and the three of them walked over together.

Seeing this, Wen He went to a corner and waited for the three of them.

"Young master, how are you?"

"Brothers Yan and Brother Xu..."

Wen He changed her address after being prompted by Xu Jingzong's glance at her as "Master Xu."

He was on friendly terms with the Yan brothers, Yan Lide and Yan Liben. If Xu Jingzong were to respond to his address of "Sir," he could forget about ever getting closer to the Yan family again.

"Everything is in order."

Wen He smiled and glanced at Xu Jingzong, who quickly shook his head.

He knew Wen He was asking him whether he had told Li Yi about it, and he certainly couldn't make that mistake.

“Young master, you don’t need to speak in riddles. We have all guessed it. Just now, the Emperor Emeritus was furious and stripped Luo Yi of his surname Li, and ordered the Imperial Clan Court to remove him from the clan.”

Yan Liben chuckled.

Now it was Wen He's turn to be surprised.

"It's been announced already?"

“Otherwise, on such an occasion as today, the dignified Prince Yan has not shown up. If he doesn’t speak up, rumors will spread. It’s better to speak up and let Luo Yi be condemned by everyone.” Yan Lide spoke with great admiration.

He admired Li Shimin.

Wen He couldn't help but admire Li Er's boldness.

If such an event had occurred on the day of the coronation, anyone else would have certainly tried to cover it up.

Unexpectedly, he made no attempt to hide it.

Yan Lide stroked his long beard and said earnestly.

"However, this matter will still have an impact. After all, there are still so many foreign envoys here today. So, tonight we must save face for His Majesty."

He gazed at Wen He with exceptional solemnity.

"Don't worry, nothing will go wrong." Wen He knew what he meant.

Only by making those foreign envoys aware of the strength of the Tang Dynasty can they be made to overlook Li Yi's affairs.

Although this is just a superficial matter.

But if even that's gone, those foreign lands will start to stir.

(End of this chapter)