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

Chapter 42 You, Li Jing!
"I shouldn't be saying these words, but since you, Wen Xiaolang, saved that old scoundrel Jing Junhong, I remember your kindness."

No wonder Chang He was so enthusiastic when he saw me, and even told me about Pharmacist Li's visit.

He must have thought something was about to happen in the palace again.

Or perhaps they felt that Li Shimin was about to settle scores with those who had not participated in the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

But Wen He knew that Li Jing had come here to take over the defense of Jingzhou.

"In that case, why don't I come back in a few days?"

Even Yan Liben thought so.

Wen He nodded in agreement.

He didn't want to go to the palace now, but Yan Liben dragged him here by force.

"Thank you, Lord Lei Ze."

The two bowed to Chang He and turned to leave.

Just then, a palace attendant rushed in from inside the palace gate.

"But was it Wen Xiaolang in person?"

The eunuch was panting heavily. Wen He looked at him and felt that he was familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him before.

"It is I. May I ask who you are, Your Excellency?"

Fortunately, he remembered that eunuchs in the Tang Dynasty were not called eunuchs or grandfathers.

The more polite term was "Zhongguiren," while the more common term was "Zhongguan," or simply "a certain eunuch."

"This servant dares not call myself a noble lady; I am merely someone who takes care of Your Highness's daily needs. My surname is Huang." He looked to be young, around twenty years old. He must have seen Wen He at the Prince of Qin's residence, which is why he recognized him at a glance.

He gave his surname in an attempt to get closer to Wen He.

None of the people around the emperor are simple, let alone Li Shimin's personal eunuch.

"Greetings, Huang Zhongguan." Wen He bowed.

Huang Zhongguan quickly stepped aside, saying he dared not, and then greeted Yan Liben and Chang He before getting down to business.

"Your Highness just sent me to the Prince's residence to invite the young master to the palace. I never expected to see him here. Your Highness summons you to the Liangyi Hall. Please go with me immediately."

He made a gesture of invitation.

Wen He hesitated and glanced at Yan Liben.

"Yan Kuzhi also has matters to discuss with me today. May we come together?"

After all, they came together, and he had left her behind for his own reasons, which made Wen He feel a little embarrassed.

"Of course, of course." Huang Zhongguan dared not offend Yan Liben.

Don't let his current rank of fifth grade fool you; he has the Yan family behind him.

Most of the Ministry of Works were either recommended by his father or were his father's protégés.

He's definitely a second-generation official.

After leaving Xuanwu Gate, we walked towards Liangyi Hall.

Wen He had walked this road yesterday as well. At that time, he was not paying attention to the scenery around him; his heart was pounding with nervousness.

But today I have a different feeling.

It must be said that the scenery at Taiji Palace is indeed beautiful, and the air is fresh.

The lake surface in the distance rippled.

If this were in later generations, it would definitely be a 6A-level scenic spot.

It's a pity that there weren't so many armored soldiers along the way, but rather more women in palace attire; it would have been even more pleasing to the eye.

Upon arriving at the Liangyi Hall, Huang Zhongguan asked Wen He and Yan Liben where they had gone to the side hall.

Before long, palace maids brought out tea and snacks.

Looking at the Sichuan peppercorns floating in the teacup, Wen He felt a chill run down her spine and quickly stopped a palace maid to replace it with a bowl of plain water.

"Young master, you don't like this tea?" Yan Liben asked curiously. He took a big gulp and found it incredibly delicious.

Wen He chuckled dryly twice: "I don't enjoy it. If Yan Zhiku likes it, then drink more."

He pushed his bowl over, and Yan Liben laughed, "Then I'll accept it without being impolite."

Wen He gave him all the snacks that the palace maid brought.

The dry food was really hard to swallow.

After waiting for a while without any movement, Wen He became a little impatient.

He had just stood up when he saw Huang Zhongguan, who had led them in earlier, walking in with small, quick steps.

"Young Master Wen, His Highness summons you."

"okay."

He followed them all the way to the Liangyi Hall.

Looking at the palace before him, he couldn't help but feel disappointed; it was far from the magnificent image he had imagined.

The palace is spacious and magnificent, quite imposing, but it lacks a sense of luxury.

It was nothing like the grand palace he had imagined.

He had wanted to complain about it before at Xianchi Hall, but he thought it was just a place for the emperor to have fun, so it was simple. He didn't expect Liangyi Hall to be the same.

No wonder both Emperors Li Shimin and Li Zhi wanted to build palaces.

Upon entering the palace gate, Wen He saw Li Shimin kneeling upright on the steps below the throne.

To his right are Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Changsun Wuji.

On the left, at the head of the table, sat an elderly man with a dignified appearance and mostly white hair in his bun.

He sat there upright, like a steadfast mountain.

Is this Li Jing?

Wen He recognized the other people in the hall, so the identity of this old man was self-evident.

"This humble subject greets Your Highness."

Wen He was once again incredibly grateful that she hadn't transmigrated to the Qing Dynasty.

Otherwise, he would rather die and be reborn than be forced to kneel down at the drop of a hat.

"No need for formalities, you little rascal, you arrived quickly." Li Shimin pointed at him with a laugh.

He sent someone to fetch Wen He, expecting it to take at least the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but unexpectedly, Huang Chun ran into him as soon as he stepped out.

"It just so happens that Yan Kuzhi wanted to see you, so he dragged me along." Wen He chuckled, but his gaze was fixed on Li Jing.

I wish I could sit next to that big shot later.

A military genius.

Throughout history, how many people have been able to earn this title?

As if he had seen through Wen He's thoughts, Li Shimin actually arranged for him to sit next to Li Jing.

"Wen He".

"Eh."

Wen He, who hadn't even sat down yet, had to get up and face Li Shimin.

"Why did you refer to yourself as a commoner just now? In two days, once the Imperial Secretariat issues its decree, you will be the Viscount of Gaoyang County. From then on, you can address His Majesty as a subject."

Li Shimin seemed to be teasing him on purpose.

Wen He chuckled twice, but was puzzled in her heart.

His last sentence was not "朕" (zhen, meaning "I" or "this king"), but "陛下" (bixia, meaning "Your Majesty").

In that case, his words are somewhat intriguing.

There were indeed two meanings in his words.

One was to tell Changsun Wuji and the others that Wen He would start as a county magistrate in the future, especially with the title of Gaoyang, which was enough to surprise Changsun Wuji and the others.

Didn't they see the disbelief in the way they were looking at Wen He?

Gaoyang, this is the former capital of Emperor Zhuanxu.

Such places could only be granted to members of the royal family.

Even Changsun Wuji did not expect that Li Shimin would treat Wen He as a nephew.

Feeling uncomfortable under their gaze, Wen He naturally understood the meaning of the title and looked up at Li Shimin with an innocent expression.

What he meant was, "Could we get a different one?"

But Li Shimin, who was in a good mood, ignored him and looked at Li Jing instead: "Medicine Master, the one I want to introduce to you is this future magistrate of Gaoyang County of the Tang Dynasty. Don't underestimate him because of his young age. He has made great contributions in exposing Li Yi's rebellion and uncovering the Turks' plot to invade the south."

The second layer of meaning in his words about Wen He was meant for Li Jing.

He made it possible for Wen He to become a subject before "His Majesty" in the future.

As for who His Majesty is referring to, that's up to Li Jing to decide.

Li Jing squinted, and after a long while, his serious expression softened slightly. He stood up and bowed to Li Shimin, saying, "Your Highness, despite my old age, has entrusted me with great power. I am speechless with gratitude. I can only do my utmost to serve the Tang Dynasty. Li Yi is plotting a rebellion. I request Your Highness to grant me 500 elite troops. I will capture him and present him to Your Highness before His Majesty."

You rascal, Li Jing!

Even a novice like Wen He could tell.

While pledging his loyalty to Li Shimin, Li Jing did not forget to pledge his loyalty to Li Yuan.

Is he trying to please everyone because he's worried about Li Yuan's future restoration?
Wen He looked at Li Shimin with some worry, but saw that he was not angry but smiling, and even looked gratified.

"Well done, Pharmacist Li! No wonder everyone says you're meticulous in everything you do. I'm not a suspicious person. As long as someone is loyal to the Tang Dynasty and has rendered meritorious service, I will certainly not let them down."

Li Shimin nodded approvingly.

Seeing this, Wen He could only feel admiration and emotion.

He really is a complete novice in officialdom.

Li Jing's strategy of serving the new emperor without betraying his former master is the kind of loyalty that emperors most want to see.

No wonder you, Pharmacist Li, were able to die a peaceful death.

Li Jing seemed quite satisfied with his performance and was turning around to sit back down.

But then he noticed that Wen Xiaolang beside him was smiling strangely.

Is there something wrong with this child's brain?
"Wen He, how can you be so rude!"

Thank you Chaos Robber for the monthly ticket.


(End of this chapter)