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

Chapter 318 The Last Day of the 9th Year of Wude

Chapter 318 The Last Day of the Ninth Year of Wude (Part 2)
"Greetings, gentlemen. I am the Palace Attendant."

Although Wen He was a beat slower, she immediately followed Li Daozong's actions and bowed in greeting.

He looked at Yuwen Shiji's purple robe and jade belt and pondered to himself.

Is this a promotion?
Although the Palace Attendant was not a centrally important position, he was in charge of palace rituals and utensils, and was very close to the emperor, which shows that he was highly favored by the emperor.

However, he remembered that it seemed that not long afterward, Yuwen Shiji would be transferred to Puzhou as the governor due to illness.

The excuse of "illness" always feels like a pretext.

It must be for some other reason.

After saying this, the two men stepped aside without prior arrangement, making way for the three senior officials.

Feng Deyi glanced at Wen He, nodded lightly, and then cupped his hands to Li Daozong, saying, "Greetings, Prince Rencheng." Before he finished speaking, he strode towards the depths of the main hall.

He had only taken a few steps when a number of officials surrounded him, bowing and offering compliments.

Wen He glanced at him.

This old guy doesn't seem to live much longer.

Yuwen Shiji frowned slightly, a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of disgust flashing in his eyes, but it vanished in an instant, unnoticed by anyone around him.

"Why hasn't Wenxianzi gone to the East Palace to teach these days?"

Xiao Yu stepped forward, speaking in a friendly tone as if he were a long-lost friend, and began to chat with Wen He.

"I've been busy with trivial matters lately and have neglected it."

Wen He quickly replied.

"However, His Highness the Crown Prince has not fallen behind in his studies, so please rest assured, Lord Xiao."

As the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, it was Xiao Yu's duty to inquire about Li Chengqian's studies.

Li Chengqian is still young, and apart from Wen He, no other scholars have been formally established in the Eastern Palace. Therefore, Xiao Yu pays special attention to Wen He.

"Jiaying needs to work harder."

Xiao Yu lowered his voice, his tone becoming more serious.

"I have heard that in the past few days, some court officials have submitted memorials to recommend scholars for the Crown Prince."

"But what about Kong Yingda, Yu Zhining, and the others?" Wen He asked with a smile, her tone calm and even.

Xiao Yu was taken aback by what he heard. His hand, which was stroking his beard, paused abruptly, but he quickly recovered.

His Majesty must have secretly informed Wen He, otherwise how could this young man know so clearly?
Having figured this out, he nodded: "Since you know them, you must also know that His Majesty has politely declined, but... His Majesty seems to intend to let Yu Shinan enter the Eastern Palace."

Wen He wasn't surprised by this.

Since Li Shimin already knew Li Chengqian's future trajectory, he naturally would not allow Kong Yingda and Yu Zhining to enter the Eastern Palace.

Even Wei Zheng would likely have little chance of getting close to the Crown Prince.

As for Yu Shinan...

Wen He pondered this carefully in her heart.

This person is naturally calm and persistent in his studies. In his early years, he was one of the eighteen scholars of the Prince of Qin's mansion. He had known Li Shimin, the emperor, for many years and knew him very well.

Historical records describe him as possessing five exceptional qualities: virtue, loyalty, erudition, literary talent, and calligraphy. Although he appeared timid and frail, he was extremely resolute and dared to speak frankly and offer advice, earning him the deep respect of Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin).

The appointment of such a person, who possesses both seniority and prestige, as well as the ability to be both firm and gentle, to the Eastern Palace is a fitting arrangement. It can both silence the criticisms of the court officials and prevent the young Li Chengqian from feeling oppressed.

But... I wonder if this person is easy to get along with?

"Yu Shinan was quite talented and open-minded, unlike Kong Yingda who was rigid."

Yuwen Shiji chimed in from the side, clearly quite familiar with Yu Shinan.

"It seems His Majesty also does not want the Crown Prince to be overly constrained."

Xiao Yu chuckled and said, "Speaking of which, this person was recommended by His Majesty through the Palace Attendant."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Shiji smiled calmly: "The talent of Lord Yu is known to all in the court and the public. Recommending talented people is simply his duty. As for Wen County Boy, you have been with the Crown Prince for a long time. If Lord Yu really enters the Eastern Palace, the two of you will have to cooperate well."

Wen He cupped his hands and said, "If I could receive guidance from Lord Yu, it would be my great fortune, and I will certainly do my best to cooperate."

He knew in his heart that Xiao Yu's special reminder of this matter was both a gesture of goodwill and a reminder.

The matter of the Crown Prince is sensitive and cannot be taken lightly.

Yuwen Shiji's words, on the other hand, sounded more like advice from an elder, conveying a sense of goodwill.

"Thank you, Lord Xiao and Lord Yuwen."

Wen He sincerely thanked them, and the two nodded with smiles before heading into the Taiji Hall.

"Are these two trying to curry favor?" Li Daozong said meaningfully, stroking his beard, after Yuwen Shiji and Xiao Yu had walked away.

"Given my status, I am not someone who would warrant special favor from two high-ranking officials."

Wen He smiled and waved her hand, but she knew perfectly well what was going on in her mind.

Xiao Yu's reminder and Yuwen Shiji's advice just now clearly carried the implication of making friends.

Li Daozong scoffed: "What do you know? The Xiao and Yuwen families have only produced a few people who have risen to the sixth rank through family connections in their younger generation. They don't even have anyone who can support their families. How can these two old guys not be anxious?"

He paused, glancing at Xiao Yu's retreating figure in the distance.

"Especially the Xiao family, it was only because Xiao Yu held on that they didn't completely fall into ruin. If they don't find a promising successor to help them, there won't be anyone to support them in the future."

This is true.

Back in the Sui Dynasty, the Xiao family was incredibly powerful, producing an empress who was a model of virtue for the entire nation. Now, however, they have to rely on Xiao Yu to hold the court aloof. It's truly a sad state of affairs.

Wen He thought of Empress Xiao, who was far away in the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and was still urging her son-in-law to do things in the name of "Great Sui," and couldn't help but shake her head inwardly.

Later unofficial histories claim that Emperor Taizong of Tang and she had a romantic affair.

But that seems unlikely.

Empress Xiao is already quite old; surely Emperor Li Er wouldn't be that thirsty?

"Why are you two standing here?"

As they were talking, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui walked side by side, both dressed in purple robes and with steady steps.

Wen He quickly bowed and paid his respects, while Fang and Du first bowed to Li Daozong.

These endless rituals of bowing and praying are truly exhausting.

"It's stuffy inside, so the king and the little one can enjoy some fresh air here."

Li Daozong said casually.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were already used to his unruly nature. After a calm smile, Fang Xuanling glanced around and asked in a low voice, "I wonder how the matter that the magistrate of Gaoyang mentioned earlier is progressing?"

"Reporting to Minister Fang, we can start casting the bait once the Japanese delegation has left."

Wen He also lowered her voice and replied.

Fang Xuanling stroked his beard, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes: "Very good, very good."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Fang and Du turned and walked into the hall.

As soon as they left, Li Daozong came over and patted Wen He on the shoulder: "This Fang Xuanling looks gentle, but he's more cunning than anyone else. Little one, stay away from him in the future, lest he sells you out and you're still helping him count the money." "I don't think you're a good person either."

Wen He raised an eyebrow, deliberately changing the subject.

"Where are my pony and the land deed? How many days has it been?"

Li Daozong choked, then touched his nose sheepishly and said, "Tomorrow, I'll definitely deliver it to your residence tomorrow!"

"It's weird if I believe you."

Wen He rolled her eyes, and just as she turned around, she bumped into someone.

Before he could even retract his eye roll, it was interpreted by the other person as a blatant provocation.

"Humph!"

Changsun Wuji snorted coldly and glared at him with displeasure.

What did the boy mean by looking at me like that?
I haven't settled the score with Chong'er yet!

'Is this person mentally ill?'

Wen He muttered to herself that she hadn't provoked him at all.

Changsun Wuji flicked his sleeves forcefully, his dissatisfaction written all over his face, and strode past the two of them without even bothering to glance at them again.

"What's wrong with him? Why is he throwing a tantrum?"

Li Daozong was also completely baffled.

Wen He pursed her lips: "Who knows?"

"Jiaying."

As soon as he finished speaking, several more acquaintances walked over.

Wen He quickly composed herself and respectfully stepped forward to bow.

Those who arrived were Li Jing, Yan Lide, Liu Dewei, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, and Dou Jing, the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.

It's quite unusual that these people came together.

"We just finished our official business at the Ministry of Personnel and came here together."

Li Jing seemed to see through his confusion and offered a brief explanation.

Wen He smiled awkwardly and exchanged pleasantries with the others.

Seeing that there were many people inside the hall, they didn't go in immediately, but chatted in the corridor instead.

Before long, a palace attendant came and announced that the time had come.

The group then followed their respective attendants to their designated locations.

Among the group of people, Wen He was the closest.

It was only a few steps away.

It was located in a corner at the back of the main hall, not the very last, but still quite far from the main seat.

He had just sat down when a soft laugh came from beside him: "You've arrived early, County Magistrate Wen."

Wen He turned her head and saw that it was Duan Zhixuan.

He was also wearing a bright armor today, which looked a bit inferior to Li Daozong's, but it seemed to be a new model.

"Greetings, General Duan," Wen He said with a cupped-hand salute and a smile.

After exchanging greetings, the two took their seats.

"It's been a while since I last saw you, County Magistrate seems to have grown taller." Duan Zhixuan looked him over curiously.

Upon hearing this, Wen He was overjoyed and asked to confirm, "Really?"

He also felt that he seemed to have grown taller.

He and Duan Zhixuan had indeed not seen each other for a long time, since the Battle of Huizhou, when the latter had been in the army.

Wen He hasn't even attended court meetings during this period; he's either at home or with the Hundred Cavalry.

Duan Zhixuan's words instantly dispelled Wen He's frustration at being forced to attend the banquet, and she even took the initiative to chat with Duan Zhixuan.

Shortly after.

Suddenly, a burst of drumming and music rang out outside the Taiji Hall.

Then came a deep, resonant horn sound.

Outside the gate, a group of palace maids carrying lanterns entered the main hall with small, quick steps.

at the same time.

A loud voice rang out.

"The Emperor Emeritus has arrived!"

In an instant, everyone in the hall stood up and bowed.

Many people lowered their heads, their faces showing surprise.

They never expected that the Emperor Emeritus would actually come today.

But for the high-ranking officials such as ministers and ministers in the front positions, there was no surprise at all.

This means that the Emperor Emeritus's attendance at today's banquet must have been with His Majesty's permission.