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

Chapter 13 That boy came from over a thousand years in the future.
Changsun Wuji was uneasy. He glanced at Wen He, asking with his eyes if he had said anything.

But the latter held his head high, feigning innocence, as if he hadn't understood his gaze at all.

After walking for a short while, he deliberately lagged behind a few steps and walked alongside Wen He.

"I heard that Young Master Wen is going to teach the three young princes?"

"His Highness the King of Qin saw that we were about the same age, so he just asked me to play with them. It was nothing to teach them."

Wen He laughed it off.

However, he remained cautious.

The incident had only occurred less than two hours ago, yet Changsun Wuji received the news so quickly.

He also reminded Li Shimin that walls have ears, but he himself had quite a few spies in the Prince of Qin's residence.

I just don't know if Li Shimin knew about it.

"I see. But young man, you must be careful with your words and actions. There are some things you should say and some things you shouldn't say."

Changsun Wuji gave him a warning look.

Wen He smiled, cupped her hands and bowed to him to show that she understood.

Seeing this, the former nodded in satisfaction, stroked his beard and was about to walk forward when he heard Wen He behind him say lightly, "But if His Highness asks, I cannot not tell."

Changsun Wuji paused, frowned, and turned his head in surprise.

Wen He's words didn't seem particularly special; they were simply saying that he dared not disobey the King of Qin.

But after his threat, Wen He said those words, and upon reflection, Changsun Wuji suddenly felt his hair stand on end.

He glared at Wen He, about to ask a question, when suddenly Li Shimin's voice called to him from ahead.

"Auxiliary Machine, what brings you two chatting so happily?"

"Ah, Brother Changsun is looking for me..."

“Your Highness, I learned that you have appointed Wen Xiaolang to teach the three princes, so I would like to test his knowledge.” Changsun Wuji interrupted Wen He first.

Seeing this, Wen He simply smiled and nodded.

"what?"

Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling exchanged glances, then looked at Wen He with surprise, scrutinizing her closely.

The boy looked to be no more than eight or nine years old, dressed plainly, and had no special features.

He was clearly just an ordinary child from an average family.

How could Your Highness be so absurd as to allow such a young child to teach the three princes?

"Your Highness, isn't this a bit too frivolous? The Crown Prince's situation is of utmost importance," Du Ruhui advised with displeasure.

Among the eighteen scholars of the Qin King's mansion, only he dared to show such disrespect to the Qin King.

When the King of Qin ascends the throne in the future, that prince will become the crown prince.

The education of the crown prince was extraordinary; even a great Confucian scholar would find it difficult to handle, let alone a mere child.

"They were just playmates, not teachers."

Seeing that Li Shimin was somewhat embarrassed, Wen He stepped forward and laughed it off.

Du Ruhui glared at him unhappily.

"How dare you interrupt when I'm speaking to His Highness!"

"Uh, this won't work either?"

Wen He was stunned.

Du Ruhui's temper is too much!

"Kemin, alas, never mind. I will explain to you after we finish our meal. I was actually waiting for you to come so I could tell you about this matter."

Li Shimin gave Changsun Wuji a long look and complained that he shouldn't have brought this up at this time.

Changsun Wuji bowed to him with a bitter expression, admitting his mistake, but inwardly he was overjoyed.

This matter has finally been smoothed over.

However, His Highness clearly didn't want me to ask any further questions, which means that this brat must have mentioned something about the future.

What could be so daunting to His Highness?

……

Today's breakfast was specially arranged by Empress Zhangsun.

It's called breakfast, but it's not just plain porridge and vegetables.

People in the Tang Dynasty ate two meals a day, which were considered regular meals. In addition, they had special snacks in the morning and afternoon.

Of course, these were all wealthy and powerful families. For ordinary families, having a bowl of wheat porridge for two meals a day was already considered quite good. "Brother, sob sob sob."

When Xiao Wenrou saw Wen He, she immediately rushed into his arms.

The little girl was terrified in the unfamiliar environment.

Wen He originally intended to comfort her for a while, but when she saw the delicious food, the little girl immediately forgot herself and began to eat heartily.

It ate so much that its little face turned into a mess.

Wen He didn't care about anything else. He had been starving for so long and was already very hungry. He picked up a chicken leg and stuffed it into his mouth.

The way the brother and sister ate left the three little ones and the little girl Li Lizhi completely stunned.

"I want one too! I want one too!" Li Lizhi excitedly pushed away the nanny behind her, wanting to imitate Wen He, but was stopped by Changsun Wugou, who was taking care of her.

"Yes, Mother."

"No."

"Guanyinbi, indulging once won't cause any major harm." Although Li Shimin was a nobleman, he spent most of his time in the army and didn't care much for these formalities.

Empress Zhangsun nodded upon hearing this, not wanting to offend Li Shimin in public, but she still did not allow Li Lizhi to learn the rudeness of Wen He and the others.

"Ahem, I'm just a country bumpkin, I'm sorry to have made you all laugh. It's just that I was locked up by someone all night and I was really starving."

Wen He wiped her mouth with a silk cloth handed to her by a servant and bowed to Li Shimin, who was sitting at the head of the table in the distance.

However, he showed no self-awareness and still held a piece of mutton with alternating layers of fat and lean meat in his hand.

"It's alright, a man should be carefree."

After saying that, Li Shimin also grabbed a piece of mutton, took a big bite, and said to Du Ruhui, "It has been many years since I have been so carefree. Chang'an City is good in every way, but there are too many restrictions. I, the Prince of Qin, am really living a stifling life."

He laughed.

It seems like they are complaining about the rules.

But the smart people present knew what he was talking about.

After the banquet ended, Empress Zhangsun led the children away first. Wen He, holding her younger sister's hand, also wanted to leave, but was stopped by Li Shimin.

After everyone had left.

The front courtyard of the Qin Prince's mansion was completely surrounded by the Xuanjia Guards.

"Have you eaten your fill?" Li Shimin asked Wen He, sitting at the head of the table.

His seemingly random question made Changsun Wuji's expression somewhat awkward.

"Your Highness, this was my fault, and I will certainly apologize to Young Master Wen in the future."

He knew that His Highness the Prince of Qin's sudden question was an attempt to mediate his imprisonment of Wen He.

Wen He licked her lips: "Your Highness, please rest assured, I am not a petty or vindictive person."

"That's good." Li Shimin nodded with a smile, then continued, "Then don't frighten Fuji again in the future. He is my future important minister. Don't let him be so scared that he dares not serve me."

"Your Highness, I dare not!"

Changsun Wuji broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly stepped forward to bow deeply to express his loyalty.

Li Shimin's words seemed to be a reminder to Wen He not to talk about the future, but they were also a warning to Changsun Wuji.

"I am aware of that as well."

Wen Hewan'er.

"Hehe, get the auxiliary machine up and running quickly. Why the panic? Wen He said before that our relationship as ruler and subject should be recorded in history."

"Yes, Your Highness, I will do my utmost to ensure that your name is recorded in history."

Changsun Wuji breathed a long sigh of relief.

He knew he was being too hasty.

There will be plenty of time in the future, and he will have many more opportunities to ask Wen He about the future. Why rush things now?

He was a minister entrusted with the care of the young prince, which meant he would outlive the Prince of Qin.

No, how could I have such a disobedient thought? This is a capital offense!

Changsun Wuji quickly put this terrifying thought out of his mind.

This scene left Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling, who were standing nearby, completely bewildered.

What are Your Highness Prince Qin and Changsun Wuji up to?

Seeing their confusion, Li Shimin casually pointed to Wen He and asked, "Kemin and Xuanling, are you confused?"

"Then I will introduce you two. The young man in front of you comes from more than a thousand years in the future."

(End of this chapter)