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

Chapter 55 Why Does Father Always Look Down on Me
"I'm really fine."

Surrounded by three white-haired physicians, Wen He wore a pained expression.

One person was taking his pulse, another was checking his tongue coating, and yet another was examining his eyelids.

After much suffering, the three physicians, whose combined age was nearly 160, reached a conclusion.

"It's just some general weakness, not typhoid fever."

"Your Qi and blood are somewhat deficient and you should nourish them."

"For those suffering from spleen deficiency, it is advisable to eat more eggs and meat."

After the three doctors finished speaking, they looked at each other and nodded solemnly.

All that these three said, if we were to translate it into a later version, would actually amount to just one sentence.

He was somewhat malnourished.

Is it nutritious?
Having traveled to the Tang Dynasty for so long, apart from having a full meal after arriving at the Prince of Qin's mansion, the two siblings hadn't even had a bowl of thin porridge in the village, and they survived by eating wild vegetables.

If Wen He hadn't made the choice to pledge allegiance to Li Shimin, she and her brother would have frozen to death by the roadside not long after.

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun looked at the brother and sister with a sudden increase in pity.

She took a few steps, hugged Wenrou tightly, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Wenrou was a little surprised by the sudden hug, and she couldn't help but look at her brother in a flustered manner.

Wen He shook her head at her, signaling her not to move.

Judging from Empress Zhangsun's appearance, she must have been moved by the scene.

After her parents passed away, Changsun Wuji and she also suffered a lot.

Fortunately, their uncle Gao Shilian eventually accepted them, and Empress Zhangsun was able to live a life free from want from a young age.

Therefore, thinking of Wenrou, if she hadn't come to the Qin Prince's mansion, she would definitely be all alone.

She knew he would have to live a hard life in the future, so she felt especially sorry for him.

Wen He pursed her lips and muttered to herself, "Actually, I'm quite pitiful too, why don't I... cough, never mind, it's not exactly a good thing either."

Seeing that her mother looked a little strange, Li Lizhi quickly ran over and threw herself into her arms.

"Mother, Lizhi is being good and won't cause any more trouble."

Her sudden remark made Empress Zhangsun burst into laughter through her tears. She gently patted her head and said, "You little girl, and Xiaorou too, you are both girls. You can't run around like those boys in the future, understand?"

The two little girls looked at her, their eyes filled with confusion.

I don't know why Empress Zhangsun would say these things to them.

Wen He didn't understand either, but she vaguely sensed that Changsun Wugou's words seemed to have a hidden meaning.

He hesitated for a moment, just about to ask a question, when the latter suddenly looked at him.

"Young Master Wen, you must enter the palace early tomorrow. How about letting Xiao Rou accompany me and Li Zhi today?"

Under her gentle gaze, Wen He nodded as if possessed and said, "Okay."

But he soon realized it.

"Am I going to the palace tomorrow?"

He was shocked.

Isn't the court meeting tomorrow to discuss the selection of an heir apparent?

What is his purpose in entering the palace?
"Yes, His Highness just sent a decree that you should enter the palace tomorrow morning. He also asked me to prepare an outfit for you. Since it was prepared at the last minute, I used His Highness's clothes from when he was a child. I hope you won't find it offensive."

Seeing his surprise, Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but chuckle.

Upon hearing this, Wen He finally understood why Empress Changsun had come to find her at this particular time.

But he still didn't understand why Li Shimin wanted him to enter the palace the next day.

He couldn't be so foolish as to reveal his identity in front of all the ministers and then have them acknowledge him, could he?
The moment the thought popped into Wen He's head, she put it out of her mind.

It is absolutely impossible.

Even if some people in the court are dissatisfied, they wouldn't be foolish enough to openly oppose Li Shimin in tomorrow's court meeting.

Unless he doesn't want him and his family to live.

But why is that?

This Li Er sent someone to deliver a message, but didn't explain anything clearly, just doing the work of a riddle-maker. Wen He didn't know that at this moment, the riddle-maker Li Er was worrying in the Liangyi Hall.

"Is Father still unwilling to attend court tomorrow?"

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back behind the gate of the Liangyi Hall.

Changsun Wuji and others were there to accompany him.

A eunuch was seen bowing, his face filled with terror.

"Your Highness, His Majesty said that the imperial edict has been delivered to you. Those who deserved punishment have been punished, and those who deserved to be killed have been killed. The bloodshed in the Eastern Palace is too strong and makes him uncomfortable."

"He was afraid that if he went to court, his grandchildren would blame him in his dreams for not being able to save their lives."

After the eunuch finished speaking, he knelt down on the ground with a thud.

He broke out in a cold sweat when he heard these words in the Taiji Hall.

On the way back, he slapped himself hard several times.

I thought it was a good job, but it turned out to be a deadly one.

No wonder those others were trying to avoid it like the plague, while he was the only one who foolishly came out to take the order.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin clenched his fists.

He knew his father blamed him for killing Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's children.

But if they are not killed, how can the Tang Dynasty enjoy peace in the future?

Those treacherous officials and rebels, if they hold their children hostage and oppose me...

In that case, it will be the Tang Dynasty that will be thrown into chaos, and the people will be the ones who die!
“Your Highness, if His Majesty does not arrive tomorrow, then…” Changsun Wuji was somewhat worried that there might be setbacks in the matter of establishing an heir tomorrow.

Li Shimin shook his head calmly.

"Tomorrow, have Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong lead the Left Wuwei and Right Weiwei into the palace for protection. Send someone to invite Pei Ji; he knows what to do tomorrow."

His words were full of murderous intent.

If anyone questions this again tomorrow, countless heads will likely roll.

Li Shimin originally intended to hold a court meeting in the Taiji Hall, but Li Yuan ordered the hall doors to be closed and that he not step outside the hall.

The Liangyi Hall where he was currently located was too small, not even as grand as a side hall of the East Palace.

If the matter of choosing an heir were discussed here, and word got out, how could he have a legitimate claim to the position?
Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling bowed in response and then withdrew to relay the order.

The eunuch wisely withdrew.

Inside the vast Liangyi Hall, only Changsun Wuji and he remained.

“Auxiliary machine, why do you think Father always looks down on me?”

Li Shimin gazed at the distant night sky, his expression somewhat forlorn.

He did not refer to himself as "this king," but rather as "I."

Now he's just like any other kid from an ordinary family, and he longs for his father's approval.

"Your Highness, please don't be like this. His Majesty has just not accepted it yet. When he learns of His Majesty's achievements in the future, he will naturally recognize Your Highness."

Changsun Wuji sighed helplessly in his heart.

He understood Li Shimin's persistence.

But he didn't care. Even if the emperor didn't approve, so what? The current King of Qin was the biggest winner.

Looking at Li Shimin's expression, he couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. With the matter of establishing an heir approaching, he couldn't let His Highness have any wild thoughts.

After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly changed the subject and bowed solemnly to Li Shimin.

"Your Highness, I have some advice to offer."

Li Shimin, who was still marveling at the father-son relationship, was suddenly taken aback.

Looking back at Changsun Wuji, who was looking very serious, he couldn't help but chuckle: "You little helper, never mind, just tell me what's on your mind."

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(End of this chapter)