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

Chapter 257 Why are you looking at me like that? I'm your brother-in-law!

The next day.

He was then dragged into the palace by Li Tai and Li You.

Their excitement wasn't because going to the palace was fun, but because once they were there, they wouldn't have to do their homework for the day.

Li Ke wasn't that excited; instead, he wanted to stay at home.

"Brother, am I going to the palace too?" Wenrou changed into a high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) and walked over listlessly, accompanied by her maid.

"Yes, His Majesty said he'd take you along. Come and have breakfast."

Wen He brought her a bowl of soy milk.

The little girl was sleepy, her eyelids were drooping.

Despite my drowsiness, I took a big gulp of soy milk.

"Is Xiao Rou going too?" Li Ke asked casually upon hearing this.

Wen He gave him a special look: "You're not happy?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ke shook his head without changing his expression and calmly said...

"No, Mother Consort said she wanted to see Xiaorou, and if she goes to the palace, she asked me to bring her with me," Li Ke said earnestly.

"Then let's see what Xiaorou thinks, but what about the harem..."

"I'll go, I'll go."

Before Wen He could finish speaking, Wen Rou quickly nodded in agreement.

She looked delighted, her little face flushed.

“You guys…” Wen He’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she suddenly felt that something was wrong.

"My mother prepared a lot of delicious food for Xiaorou, all of which were new desserts made by the imperial chefs in the palace," Li Ke explained.

"It really is for food."

Wen He shook her head helplessly.

No wonder Xiaorou has gained weight recently.

"You can't eat too much, you know?" Wen He reminded him.

Wenrou blinked gently and nodded vigorously.

A group of people in three carriages arrived outside Xuanwu Gate.

Gao Yue was already waiting there and led them to Wanchun Palace.

"Should I go to the Queen's place too?"

Wen He thought that Li Shimin would summon her to the Liangyi Hall.

Unexpectedly, he was also going to Wanchun Palace.

"His Majesty is on leave today, so he will not be going to the front hall," Gao Yue said with a smile.

Wen He found it strange that Li Shimin would actually give her a holiday.

That workaholic of his, didn't he wish he could spend all year round handling government affairs in the front hall?

Upon arriving at Wanchun Palace, Wenhe heard the sounds of laughter coming from inside.

It seems that there are more than just Empress Zhangsun present.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, His Highnesses Han, Wei, and Chu, along with the Lady of Gaoyang and Lady Wen, have arrived."

Gao Yue went in to report.

Not long after, they heard Li Shimin's voice summoning them from inside.

Upon entering the bedchamber, it was indeed found that Empress Zhangsun was not alone; Li Ke's mother, Consort Yang, was also present.

Li Chengqian and Li Lizhi were also sitting to the side.
The group greeted each other.

Empress Zhangsun then waved to Wenrou.

The little girl glanced at Wen He subconsciously.

"The Empress loves you, so you don't need to look at that brat. Come here quickly," Li Shimin said with a kind smile.

The little girl wasn't asking Wen He's opinion; she was just a little scared.

Hearing Li Shimin say this, he stopped looking at Wen He, smiled and walked towards Empress Zhangsun, giving her a proper curtsy.

"There's no need for such formalities. These rules are just for show. We're family, so there's no need for them."

Empress Zhangsun smiled gently, and the little girl blushed and nodded obediently.

'What family?'

Wen He sensed a hidden meaning in Empress Zhangsun's words. He suddenly turned to look at Li Chengqian.

Could it be that Li Shimin really intends to strengthen the family ties by bringing Wenrou into the Eastern Palace?

What a joke, don't even think about it.

If that's the case, he'll arrange a marriage for Wenrou tomorrow.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, Xiao Rou is still young and doesn't understand the rules of the palace. Moreover, she has a mischievous personality and is not suitable for the palace."

His words were veiled, but the meaning was quite clear.

Li Shimin immediately glared at him and said with displeasure.

"You brat, the Empress likes your sister, are you not happy about that?"

"Jiaying is reluctant to part with her, but don't worry, I only regard Xiaorou as my own daughter. What do you think, Sister Yang?" Empress Zhangsun asked Consort Yang.

Wen He was immediately confused.

Perhaps I'm overthinking it.

"Yes, I love her too. If I could have a daughter like that, I would wake up laughing in my dreams." Consort Yang covered her mouth and smiled.

This conversation left Wen He completely confused.

Why are you suddenly bringing up the topic of recognizing a daughter?

“Mother, why don’t you let Arou be my older sister? You can make her your goddaughter.” Li Lizhi’s eyes shone brightly.

She was thinking that if Wenrou became her mother's adopted daughter, she could live in the palace.

Then she can play with Wenrou every day.

Empress Zhangsun and Consort Yang exchanged a glance and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright, alright, we still have important business to attend to today."

Seeing that Wen He was pondering something, Li Shimin immediately changed the subject and brought up the matter of wool.

"Jiaying, I'm planning to have the Empress teach the female soldiers how to knit. What do you think?"

"what?"

Wen He was immediately taken aback when her thoughts were interrupted.

Why should Empress Zhangsun teach those female soldiers and their families?

He immediately understood.

Li Er really played a clever trick. As a result, the soldiers were even more grateful to his family.

“Not only me, but also Su Dan’s daughter will be coming. Jia Ying, what do you think?” Empress Zhangsun asked with a smile.

"Su Dan's daughter?" Wen He pondered upon hearing this.

He remembered that Li Chengqian's crown princess was surnamed Su...right, she was Su Dan's daughter.

Empress Zhangsun asked this question, seemingly inquiring about his knitting.

But she was probably asking him about Su Dan's daughter.

and many more!

Did Li Er reveal his true identity to Empress Zhangsun?
Seeing the Emperor and Empress smiling broadly, Wen He was immediately taken aback.

Damn, no wonder Empress Zhangsun asked him that question.

"The Empress is asking you, why aren't you answering?" Li Shimin tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his face smiling, but his words carried a hint of seriousness.

Wen He then realized that the reason he was summoned to the palace today was not just about the yarn.

There's also the matter of the future Crown Princess.

"Jiaying, you may speak your mind freely. There is no need to hold back what you say today," Empress Zhangsun said gently.

Wen He glanced at Li Chengqian and saw that the boy's face was already as red as an apple, and his eyes were also tentatively looking at him.

"Your Majesty and Empress, I believe this matter should be decided by the Crown Prince. If he is willing, then of course it is fine."

In fact, Wen He secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At least, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun did not value gentleness.

Li Shimin disagreed, but Empress Zhangsun thought it made sense. She then looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "Brilliant! Your teacher has said so, what do you think?"

"Mother, sons and ministers..."

Li Chengqian hesitated for a moment, then suddenly looked at Wen He.

Wen He's eyes widened immediately, thinking to herself, 'Holy crap, why are you looking at me like that? I'm your brother-in-law!'

(End of this chapter)