Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

After the court session ended.

Li Gang did not leave like the other officials.

He didn't even go to Kong Yingda's residence when Kong Yingda asked him to discuss the matter.

Under Kong Yingda's astonished gaze, Li Gang headed directly towards the inner palace.

Lizheng Hall.

Empress Zhangsun was sitting on a soft couch, looking through the account books sent by the Imperial Household Department.

With her son fighting in Liaodong, she had to reduce the expenses of the harem to provide for her son's needs.

At this moment, the head palace maid, Qiuyue, entered and reported:

"Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Li of the Crown Prince is requesting an audience outside the palace."

Empress Zhangsun raised her head in surprise.

Foreign officials would never easily venture into the inner palace, let alone a great Confucian scholar like Li Gang who valued rules the most.

What happened? Why did this person break the rules and come to our side?

"Quickly, invite Lord Li in."

Empress Dowager Changsun gave the instructions.

"Qiuyue, go brew a pot of Da Hong Pao tea that His Majesty bestowed upon you a few days ago."

A short while later, Li Gang followed Qiu Yue in.

As soon as Li Gang entered, he gave a proper bow.

"This old minister, Li Gang, greets Her Majesty the Empress."

"Grand Tutor, please dispense with the formalities and take a seat."

Empress Zhangsun raised her hand slightly and said very politely.

This was the teacher who had taught her two sons, and a veteran of three reigns; she had to give her the utmost respect.

After expressing his gratitude, Li Gang sat down in the chair, but only sat down about a third of the way, and his manners were impeccable.

Seeing that Li Gang's expression was normal, Empress Zhangsun felt a little more at ease.

She thought something had happened at the front.

"Grand Tutor, did Gao Ming cause trouble in Liaodong? Or did Qing Que displease you?"

When Li Gang heard Empress Zhangsun's question, a kind smile appeared on his face.

If Wang Gui saw this, he would probably point his finger at him and call him a hypocrite.

"Your Majesty is overthinking it. This old minister has taken the liberty of requesting an audience today to offer my congratulations."

"Congratulations?"

Empress Zhangsun was taken aback.

In all these years, when has she ever heard her son's teacher report good news?

Li Gang nodded and exclaimed in admiration:

"His Highness truly demonstrated his talent as a general in Liaodong. He commanded 100,000 troops with ease, ensuring not only strict discipline but also a series of victories."

Li Gang made no mention of the bloodshed at the Taiji Hall, nor of the fact that he had just risked his life to protect the Crown Prince.

He only recounted the positive aspects of Li Chengqian's military achievements in Liaodong.

Empress Zhangsun's face began to smile as she listened.

What mother doesn't love to hear others praise her son?

What's more, the one praising people was the most discerning Confucian scholar of the time.

"Gao Ming used to be a troublemaker, but now he's finally grown up and knows how to share his father's burdens."

Empress Zhangsun sighed with relief, then changed the subject.

"And what about Qingque? This child has been spoiled by me since he was little and has never suffered. Has he caused any trouble for the Grand Tutor?"

When Li Tai was mentioned, Li Gang laughed even more hilariously.

They were absolutely overjoyed.

The veteran actor's acting skills reached their peak at this moment.

"Your Majesty, the old minister mainly wants to talk to you today about His Highness the Prince of Yue."

This old minister has been teaching and educating for many years and has seen many princes and nobles, but those with such perseverance and hard work as His Highness Prince Yue are truly rare.

Empress Zhangsun was completely bewildered.

Perseverance? Hard work and endurance?

What do these eight words have to do with my son who's as fat as a ball?

Could it be that this old man has drunk too much and wandered into the wrong place?

Seeing that Empress Zhangsun did not believe him, Li Gang immediately continued:

"Your Majesty is unaware of the situation. His Highness Prince Yue has been diligently studying every day these past few days. Moreover, upon learning of the food shortage in Liaodong, he voluntarily reduced the amount of food served at the Prince Yue's residence, saying he wanted to save the grain to send to His Highness the Crown Prince. Even though His Highness's stomach was growling with hunger, he didn't utter a single complaint."

In fact, Li Gang would hit Li Tai with his ruler before Li Tai could even open his mouth.

Why is he complaining?

As for the food? Li Gang forced him to lose weight.

Empress Zhangsun's eyes reddened slightly upon hearing Li Gang's words.

She never expected that her chubby son would actually know how to care for his older brother.

"This child... how could he be so foolish..."

Empress Zhangsun picked up a handkerchief and gently dabbed at the corner of her eye.

Li Gang continued with a sigh:

"What pleases this old minister even more is that His Highness the Prince of Yue keeps His Majesty's teachings in mind every day, studying late into the night, saying that he wants to become His Highness the Crown Prince's capable assistant in the future."

The assignments left by your old ministers, Your Highness diligently stayed up until midnight to complete.

The truth is that Li Tai had just gotten into bed when Li Gang splashed a basin of water on him.

You are not allowed to sleep until you finish your homework.

As a result, not long after I fell asleep, it was time to get up and study.

The poor little bluebird is so thin that even its own mother probably wouldn't recognize it.

Empress Zhangsun was overjoyed.

My bluebird has grown up.

They've become sensible.

He has finally shown the responsibility that a prince of the Tang Dynasty should have.

"Grand Tutor!"

Empress Zhangsun stood up excitedly and bowed deeply to Li Gang.

Li Gang was startled by Empress Zhangsun's actions and quickly dodged.

"Your Highness is too kind to this old minister. This is all due to His Highness's inherently good nature."

"The Grand Tutor deserves this bow."

Empress Zhangsun's voice was choked with emotion.

"Qingque's transformation today is entirely due to the Grand Tutor's meticulous guidance."

On behalf of Qingque, I thank the Grand Tutor for his great kindness.

Empress Changsun turned to Qiuyue and instructed her:

"Qiuyue, go to my private treasury and wrap up the two bolts of brocade that were just presented as tribute from Jiangnan, as well as the century-old ginseng sent by Goguryeo, for the Grand Tutor. Also, send five hundred taels of gold to the Grand Tutor's residence."

Empress Zhangsun's extravagant gesture was rare.

But with such a successful son, what's a little reward for the teacher?

Li Gang quickly declined, saying:

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable. Instructing the princes is simply my duty; how could I possibly accept such a generous reward?"

"If the Grand Tutor refuses to accept it, then he is disrespecting me."

Empress Zhangsun's attitude was very firm.

Seeing this, Li Gang could only pretend to be troubled and cup his hands in greeting:

"Then this old minister will humbly accept it. I deeply appreciate Her Majesty's motherly love for the two princes."

After receiving the gifts, Li Gang felt that it was about time.

After he sat back down, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then said in a heavy tone:

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince is fighting valiantly at the front and has suffered greatly."

This old minister feels both gratified and heartbroken.

Empress Zhangsun nodded in deep agreement.

"Yes, ever since Gao Ming went to Liaodong, I have been unable to sleep at night."

Li Gang went along with it, saying:

"Your Majesty is absolutely right. His Highness the Crown Prince has risked his life for the sake of the Tang Dynasty. The entire court and the people of our Tang Dynasty should give him their full support."

We must never let the soldiers who shed blood on the front lines shed tears on the rear.

Empress Zhangsun raised her eyebrows, instantly radiating an aura of majesty befitting an empress.

"Of course. I will be the first to object to anyone who dares to hold Gaoming back at this time."

"Whoever dares to stab our soldiers in the back, I will make them pay the price."

Empress Zhangsun, who is fiercely protective of her children, has already been influenced by Li Gang and is now in a state of mind.

Just as Empress Zhangsun finished speaking, Li Gang's eyes began to redden.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then remained silent.

His face still showed a look of grief and indignation.

Empress Zhangsun's heart skipped a beat.

Everything was fine just a moment ago? How did it change like this in the blink of an eye?

"Grand Tutor, what's wrong with you?"

But what happened in the court? Or is someone really sabotaging Gao Ming behind his back?

Li Gang raised his head, his eyes red as he looked at Empress Zhangsun.

"Your Majesty...this old minister...this old minister truly dares not speak."