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

Chapter 258 This is blatant deception!

"Your subject believes that since I am still young, I should spend my time studying and learning from Father and my teacher. As for other matters, we should wait."

Li Chengqian spoke with utmost seriousness.

Li Shimin had never told anyone about this matter before.

He even suspected that it was Wen He or Xiao Yu who taught him to say those words.

'Why would I develop a grudge against such a crown prince later?'

Li Shimin couldn't help but think of what Wen He had mentioned about Li Chengqian's future, and he really couldn't understand it.

However, when his gaze fell upon Wen He, he suddenly seemed to understand something.

Even he had to admit one thing.

Since Wen He arrived, Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Ke all seem to be different from before.

Li Chengqian, in particular, seems to have undergone the most significant changes.

'With Wen He as a variable, Gao Ming is no longer as subservient to me as before. His outspokenness regarding Changsun Anye was largely thanks to Wen He.'

Looking at Li Tai, he has lost a lot of weight recently and has become much stronger.

Unlike before, it doesn't feel bulky when you walk.

But this kid is getting more and more stingy.

Yesterday, he didn't even give me pork to eat, just as stingy as that brat Wen He.

As for Li Ke...

Although her personality remains the same as before, she still appears very cold.

However, his relationship with Li Tai has become much more harmonious.

Recalling what Wen He had said earlier, Li Shimin now felt immense satisfaction with his decision.

At least this way, his sons could live in harmony and respect as brothers in the future.

This boy from the future is indeed changing the future trajectory of the Tang Dynasty.

'Uh, what's with Li Er's look? Does he think I taught Gao Ming to say these things?'

Wen He sensed that Li Shimin was looking at him somewhat strangely.

He seemed pleased and proud.

Inexplicable.

"It's too early for an engagement. Letting Miss Su come is so you can meet her yourself. The Empress and I will not force you. You're all grown up now and can make your own decisions. You don't need to ask me for help," Li Shimin said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian was taken aback and was somewhat at a loss for words.

At such a young age, he doesn't seem to have learned to make his own decisions yet; his previous actions were merely impulsive.

But Li Shimin's words now left him somewhat at a loss.

Seeing his reaction, Li Shimin did not blame him.

As the crown prince, this was a path Li Chengqian had to take.

Wen He, however, was somewhat worried.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is still young. It is up to you and the Empress to make the decisions. He still needs to study first and needs your guidance. He cannot make decisions on his own."

If we give him the power to make decisions now, what about later?

Li Shimin is open-minded now, but will he become suspicious when he gets old?
Emperor Wu of Han treated Liu Ju well at first, but in the end, it was still a case of "filial piety and parental love".

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's gaze toward Wen He immediately turned somewhat unfriendly.

"Hehe, Jiaying, come here for a moment." Li Shimin suddenly beckoned to Wen He.

The latter didn't understand, but still went over.

As soon as he got close, he saw Li Shimin raise his hand, and Wen He immediately shrank his neck, his slap missing its mark.

"Your Majesty, I'm not that stupid."

Wen He gloated for a moment and then quickly retreated, but Li Shimin was even faster.

He took a quick step and caught up with her.

Upon seeing this, Wen He immediately ran away.

"You brat, stop right there!"

"Your Majesty, a gentleman uses words, not fists. With so many people here, can't you give me some face?"

"Give you face? What about my face? Stop right there, and I'll slap you."

"I do not believe!"

Wen He darted out of Wanchun Palace in a flash. Before leaving, she didn't forget to bow to Empress Zhangsun: "Your Majesty, I'll take my leave now. Please take care of my younger sister for now..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Shimin was already almost in front of him. He suddenly turned around and ran away.

"That brat! He's infuriating me!"

Li Shimin did not chase after them out of the palace.

Otherwise, it would be a laughing stock if word got out that the emperor of the great Tang Dynasty was chasing after a subject all over the imperial city.

"Brother is running faster and faster." The little girl sat in Empress Zhangsun's arms, blinking her big eyes.

"Father can't catch up with Wen He." Li Lizhi, who was also sitting in Changsun Wugou's arms, covered her mouth and whispered.

The two little girls looked at each other and couldn't help but giggle.

"You two mustn't talk about His Majesty," Empress Zhangsun said, unable to suppress a smile. She gently patted the two girls' heads, feigning annoyance.

Consort Yang, who was standing to the side, was so surprised by this scene that she was speechless.

She knew that Li Shimin had a very special relationship with Wen He.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have made a ten-year-old child the teacher of the prince and the crown prince.

But what just happened was beyond her imagination.

This is not how one treats a subject at all; it seems even less respectable than the treatment given to the four sons present today.

"If it weren't for the inconvenience of my long robe today, I would definitely grab that brat and give him a good kick in the butt," Li Shimin said angrily.

That brat Wen He actually doubts me?

Do you really think I'm like Emperor Wu of Han?

He was the fastest runner today.

Hearing that he was going to kick her older brother, Wenrou panicked and quickly said, "No, no, if you kick his butt, he won't be able to sit or sleep." "Yes, yes, Wenrou is right, Father can't kick Wenhe's butt," Li Lizhi quickly echoed.

"But you can hit his hand, hehe."

The two little girls immediately looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

They all knew that Li Shimin was reluctant to really punish Wen He.

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall burst into laughter.

Wen He, who was leaving the palace at the moment, was still upset that she hadn't been able to get a free lunch in the palace.

Gao Yue, who was seeing him off from the palace, kept chattering away, but Wen He couldn't quite make out what she was saying.

Before he knew it, he suddenly remembered the story of Empress Zhangsun weaving wool.

"If the wool is really good, the palace can save some expenses in the future. The Empress loves to weave clothes for His Majesty, so this first wool sweater should be worn by His Majesty."

He was talking to himself.

Wen He suddenly stopped, clapped his hands, and shouted, "How could I have forgotten this?"

"Wha, what?"

His sudden shout startled Gao Yue.

"The Empress suffers from a qi disorder, and animal fur can easily trigger her illness."

"what!"

Gao Yue was taken aback, her expression changed, and she grabbed Wen He's arm: "Is this true? But the Empress wore fur coats in previous years too."

"It's just that it might trigger it, but it might not happen often. But it's better to be safe than sorry."

If Empress Zhangsun were to have an asthma attack while knitting, Wen He felt that Li Shimin would definitely tear her to pieces.

"Yes, yes, then this servant will go and report to His Majesty immediately."

Gao Yue didn't care about Wen He anymore and immediately turned around and left.

"Does animal fur easily trigger respiratory illnesses?"

Inside the Wanchun Palace, Li Shimin and others were having a meal when Gao Yue came to report, which startled him.

He immediately turned to look at the fur coat that Changsun Wugou was wearing.

"Take it off quickly! Someone, go and fetch this brocade robe. From now on, no one is allowed to wear fur coats inside the Wanchun Palace..." Li Shimin immediately became extremely nervous and lost his composure.

Everyone was speechless at the sight.

They had never seen Li Shimin so flustered.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." Empress Zhangsun gently tugged at Li Shimin's sleeve, but the latter remained unsettled until she softly called out, "Second Prince!"

Li Shimin then realized his lapse in composure.

Empress Zhangsun said coquettishly, "What Jiaying said is probably something that might trigger it. I usually wear brocade robes."

Empress Zhangsun was usually very frugal, but today she was seeing her son, so she put on this white fox fur coat.

And this was the only one she owned.

"Mother, it's best to be careful. You should change your clothes first," Li Chengqian said worriedly.

Seeing how nervous the father and son were, Empress Zhangsun had no choice but to nod in agreement.

When Empress Zhangsun went to change her clothes.

Li Shimin couldn't help but feel a little worried.

Although this brocade garment can keep you warm, it is ultimately not as good as a fur coat.

If the weather gets cold, the Empress's constitution might not be able to withstand the cold.

The imperial physician had previously mentioned that burning charcoal for warmth could also cause illness related to qi stagnation.

What should we do?

If Wen He were here, he would definitely say that Li Shimin was too concerned and confused.

Empress Zhangsun is currently in relatively good health and is not so prone to developing qi-related illnesses.

As Li Shimin was thinking, he suddenly heard Li Lizhi and Wenrou speaking softly beside him.

A sudden smile crept onto his lips.

'That brat Wen He will definitely have a way.'

"A solution? What solution? I have no solution. Are we that close?"

Wen He had just left the palace when she was stopped by Li Daozong.

He strongly suspected that this scoundrel was deliberately blocking his way at the door.

"Jiaying, my good brother, please help your foolish brother! This could lead to someone's death!" Li Daozong grabbed Wen He's shoulder and shook him.

These cheesy words gave Wen He goosebumps all over her body.

“Prince Rencheng, please stop for a moment. You’ve made the magistrate of Gaoyang dizzy.”

Even Li Junxian, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore. How could someone ask for a favor like that?

"you shut up!"

Li Daozong roared at him, then stared at Wen He: "As long as you help me this time, I'll give you whatever you want."

"You still haven't given me the little pony you mentioned last time." Wen He rolled her eyes at him.

"Oh, I forgot, didn't I?"

Li Daozong couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

After returning from Huizhou, he forgot about the incident.

Whether this was intentional or not is unknown.

"Alright, it's not your fault about the grain seeds. As for those envoys, they were all sent by Tang Jian. If Your Majesty wants to punish someone, it should be Tang Jian."

Wen He felt that Li Daozong was worrying too much.

Yes, the grain seeds sent from the Ring King have arrived, and have now been delivered to the Court of State Ceremonial.

No one expected that the Ring King would be so audacious.

Half of the delivered grain seeds were already cooked!

This is blatant deceit!

(End of this chapter)