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

After Xiao Shunzi returned, Li Chengqian looked at him and instructed him:

"Xiao Shunzi, gather a few men and come with me."

Xiao Shunzi quickly asked:

"Your Highness, where are we going?"

"Go to the Yue King's Palace."

Li Chengqian had a wicked grin on his face.

"Qingque has been locked up in the manor for so many days. How can I, as his elder brother, not go and check on him?"

After hearing this, Xiao Shunzi began to silently pray for the King of Yue.

Of all those who receive such care from the Crown Prince, has any of them ended up well?

Half an hour later, Li Chengqian arrived at the gate of the Yue Prince's Mansion with his men.

At this time, the gates of the Yue King's Mansion were tightly closed, and two rows of imperial guards stood at the entrance.

Upon seeing Li Chengqian approaching, two imperial guards immediately crossed their long halberds and blocked his path.

"Your Highness, please wait."

The leading Imperial Guard captain, steeling himself, clasped his hands in a fist salute and said...

"By imperial decree, Her Majesty the Empress, the entire Prince Yue's residence is under house arrest, and no one is allowed to visit. Please do not make things difficult for this humble servant, Your Highness."

Li Chengqian stopped and glanced at the captain.

"Anyone? Am I anyone?"

Li Chengqian snorted coldly.

"Besides, Mother dreamt last night that Qingque had lost weight, and she cried so much that she soaked half of her pillow."

I have come today on the Empress Dowager's orders to visit my younger brother.

What? You dare disobey the imperial decree?

The captain was stunned by Li Chengqian's words.

Li Chengqian, too lazy to waste words, simply waved his hand and said, "Xiao Shunzi, kick down the door."

Xiao Shunzi was already used to his crown prince's way of doing things, and without saying a word, he went straight up and pushed aside the imperial guards blocking his way.

Li Chengqian walked in with his hands behind his back, swaggering in.

The imperial guards looked at each other, unsure whether to stop them or not.

Upon entering the Prince of Yue's residence, Li Chengqian looked around.

In the past, the Yue Prince's Mansion was filled with beautiful women and the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments, so extravagant that even Li Shimin was a little envious.

But now this courtyard is so deserted that it's a little frightening.

"Poor child, how did you end up like this?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and walked directly to the study in the backyard.

As soon as Li Chengqian stepped outside the study, he heard a series of "slap slap" sounds coming from inside, followed by Li Tai's screams.

"What is the next sentence after 'Quli' in the Book of Rites? Tell me."

Li Gang's angry shout rang out immediately.

"Grand Tutor... I really don't remember. I'm so hungry I'm dizzy and lightheaded, how could I possibly remember?"

"Snapped!"

Li Gang's answer was straightforward.

"He's ignorant and incompetent. Today, I'm determined to correct his lazy nature."

Li Chengqian walked to the door of the study and peeked inside.

Good guy.

Li Tai, who used to be chubby, now has a visible chin.

He was kneeling on the ground, his hands raised above his head, his palms red and heartbreaking.

Looking at the scene in the room, Li Chengqian began to feel Yunniang's emotions.

A few seconds later, his eyes reddened, and he shouted, "Qingque!"

He then rushed into the study and pulled Li Tai, who was kneeling on the ground, into his arms.

"My dear brother, how did you get so thin? It breaks my heart."

Li Chengqian wailed, tears streaming down his face.

While howling, his hand reached down to Li Tai's waist, grabbed a piece of flesh, and turned it 360 degrees.

Li Tai, who had been sobbing, suddenly burst into tears.

"Ouch!!! That hurts! Big brother, let go!"

Li Chengqian held on tightly, refusing to let go, and continued to twist his hand.

"Qingque, you've suffered so much. The pain is on your body, but it hurts your elder brother's heart as well."

Li Tai struggled desperately in pain, waving his hands frantically:

"Let me go! You're strangling me! Grand Tutor, help me!"

Seeing that it was about time, Li Chengqian released his grip, stood up, and looked at Li Gang, who was holding the ruler and staring blankly.

Li Gang was about to reprimand Li Chengqian for not knowing the rules.

To everyone's surprise, Li Chengqian bowed deeply to Li Gang.

"Grand Tutor, you are truly virtuous! Only a strict teacher can produce outstanding students."

I had heard from the time I was in the Eastern Palace that the Grand Tutor was strict with Qingque, and today's incident proves that his reputation is well-deserved.

"It is truly a blessing for our Great Tang Dynasty and the imperial family that Qingque has the opportunity to be taught by such a great Confucian scholar as the Grand Tutor."

Li Gang was completely overwhelmed by Li Chengqian's barrage of flattery.

"Your Highness is too kind. This old minister was merely acting on imperial orders and fulfilling his duty as a teacher."

Li Gang stroked his beard, his expression softening considerably.

Li Chengqian beckoned to Xiao Shunzi, who handed him a yellowed ancient book.

"Grand Tutor, you work tirelessly day and night, and I truly feel indebted to you. This is a rare fragment of the Book of Han from the previous dynasty that I obtained by chance. I brought it here specifically to present to you, Grand Tutor, and I hope you will not find it offensive."

This book was actually taken by Li Chengqian from Du Ruhui.

Li Gang's eyes lit up instantly when he heard about the rare book.

He eagerly took the book and carefully turned to a page.

"This...this is indeed an authentic work."

Li Gang nodded repeatedly.

"Your Highness has gone to great lengths. This old minister is unworthy of such an honor, truly unworthy of it."

Li Gang said this, but he held the book tightly in his hand.

Seeing how happy Li Gang was, Li Chengqian finally got down to business.

"Grand Tutor, a grand poetry gathering will be held at Qujiang Pool in three days."

I thought that Qingque had been studying diligently for days and deserved a break. Why not let him come with me to broaden his horizons?

Upon hearing this, Li Gang first tucked the ancient book into his robes, then frowned and said:

"Your Highness, you mustn't. The King of Yue can't even recite the entire Book of Rites, and he's also quite unruly."

If one attends the poetry gathering, those scions of prominent families will surely offer their opinions and test one's judgment.

If we can't answer the question, wouldn't we lose face for the royal family?

Li Chengqian had long anticipated that the old man would say such a thing; ultimately, he was afraid that Qingque would embarrass him.

"Grand Tutor, you are mistaken. It is precisely because the poetry gathering is attended by renowned scholars from prominent families that your personal presence is needed to ensure its success!"

Li Gang was taken aback: "This old minister will go?"

"yes.

Grand Tutor, please think about this carefully. Those aristocratic families are usually arrogant and conceited, each of them boasting of their superior talent and learning, and they don't take the poor families or the royal family seriously at all.

You are a great scholar of our time, a literary giant. If you bring Qingque along, you can publicly test the results of Qingque's practical learning.

Secondly, if those scions of powerful families dare to spout nonsense, you can directly quote classical texts and give them a good scolding.

This is a golden opportunity to promote Confucian traditions and suppress the arrogance of powerful families.

Li Gang was suddenly swayed and became somewhat excited.

"Your Highness is right."

Li Gang stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

"I will keep the King of Yue by my side for the next few days and give him a thorough dressing-down. Three days from now, I will personally take him to a banquet at Qujiang Pool."

Li Tai, who was standing to the side, was initially quite happy to hear that he could go out and have fun.

But as soon as he heard that Li Gang was going too, he immediately grabbed the leg of the desk.

"I'm not going, I'd rather die than go."

I'd rather copy books in the mansion.

Going out with this old madman is worse than getting a beating at home.

If he can't compose a poem there, and gets punished with a ruler in front of so many people, doesn't Li Tai have any shame?

Li Chengqian walked over to Li Tai, squatted down, and patted him on the shoulder.

"Qingque, stop fooling around, listen to your older brother."

Li Tai shook his head frantically, saying:

"I'm not going. Don't try to trick me. I know what you're up to the moment you bend over."

Li Chengqian was amused, and he leaned close to Li Tai's ear and whispered:

"Beggar's chicken, whole roasted lamb, braised pork, chilled watermelon, sweet and sour pork ribs."

Li Tai kept swallowing as he listened to the names of the dishes.

He hasn't touched any meat for over half a month.

I dream about eating pork knuckles every day.

"Big brother... is there really meat to eat?"

Li Tai asked in disbelief.

"All you can eat. You can even take home any leftovers."

Li Chengqian said with a smile.

Li Tai immediately loosened the table legs, scrambled to his feet, and shouted:

"Grand Tutor! I am willing to go. I will definitely make a great impression at the poetry gathering and will never let you down."

Li Gang nodded in satisfaction: "This young man is teachable."