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

Chapter 329 Sir, you've really become a plague god.

As Wen He and Li Chengqian left the mansion, they saw the head eunuch of Wanchun Palace leading three palace maids standing in front of the gate.

"I have met the Crown Prince and the Viscount of Gaoyang."

With a standard smile on his face, Eunuch Zhang led the three palace maids in bowing in unison.

The three girls had their heads down, dressed in light blue palace gowns, and looked slender with a hint of timidity in their eyes.

"Uh, what's going on?" Wen He stood there, stunned, her mind racing.

Could it be that the future mother-in-law had already set her sights on her "prospective son-in-law" so early in the morning?

Eunuch Zhang straightened up and announced in a loud voice: "By imperial decree of Her Majesty the Empress, three palace maids have been bestowed upon the son of Gaoyang County. These three are all from good families and are only fifteen years old. Her Majesty understands the son's hard work day and night and has specially arranged for them to come to the mansion to serve him."

Wen He's heart skipped a beat; she simply couldn't believe it.

Last time His Majesty bestowed palace maids as a reward, this time the Empress is giving people away, and three of them are just reaching the age of marriage...

He suddenly remembered what happened at Qingfeng Tower yesterday. His eyes lit up, and he took out a heavy brocade pouch from his sleeve. He approached Eunuch Zhang and said with a smile, "Eunuch Zhang, tell me the truth?"

He had only met this eunuch Zhang a few times from afar in Wanchun Palace, and they were not particularly close, but the contents of this brocade pouch were enough to tempt him.

Zhang, the eunuch, glanced quickly at the brocade pouch out of the corner of his eye. With lightning speed, he snatched it and the pouch silently fell into his sleeve. His movements were fluid and effortless, as if he had merely brushed the hem of his robe.

"Rumors reached the palace last night that the county magistrate had gone to Qingfeng Tower."

He lowered his voice, his tone slightly mischievous.

"Your Highness is worried that the county magistrate is too young and might be deceived by those people in brothels."

Wen He suddenly realized what was going on and almost burst out laughing.

So, the mother-in-law heard that her son-in-law had gone to a brothel and thought he wanted to "experience the taste of meat," so she specially selected three clean girls and sent them to his door.

What is this? The "thoughtfulness" of the feudal era?
Or is it that Empress Zhangsun's "virtue" was so thorough?

He stroked his chin and muttered to himself, this was both a gesture of goodwill and probably a subtle warning.

"Please trouble the eunuch to report to the Empress."

Wen He stopped smiling and looked calm.

"Your Majesty, I went to Qingfeng Tower yesterday at the invitation of Minister Yan. I did not drink a drop of wine during the banquet, nor did I touch any women. Moreover, I have already sworn that I will never engage in any sexual relations before the age of eighteen. I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order and forgive me for not being able to accept it."

Zhang, the eunuch, was taken aback, and even paused in the whisk in his hand.

He had seen many sons of powerful and wealthy families in the palace, and every single one of them was young and already surrounded by women.
This is the first time someone like Wen He has actively refused.

His gaze involuntarily drifted downwards, a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Wen He felt a chill run down her spine from his gaze. Her lips twitched, and she lowered her voice to shout angrily, "I'm only eleven years old!"

"Yes, yes, yes, that's right!"

Zhang, the eunuch, suddenly came to his senses and quickly bowed to apologize.

"It was my fault for speaking out of turn, Your Excellency, please forgive me!"

That's right. This boy from Gaoyang County is only eleven years old this year. Even if he has the desire, he really can't do anything.

Wen He waved his hand helplessly: "No need for formalities, eunuch. Please take the three young ladies back and thank Her Majesty the Empress for her kindness."

Zhang, the eunuch, dared not persuade him any further and had no choice but to take his leave with the three palace maids.

The three girls never dared to look up and silently followed the eunuch away, as if they had never been there.

Wen He stood in front of the mansion gate, watching their departing figures, and couldn't help but shake her head and chuckle. The rumors in Chang'an travel faster than a horse's hooves.

However, Empress Zhangsun's move was truly brilliant. It preserved her reputation for being considerate of her subordinates, served as a warning to herself, and silenced the gossips.

"Sir, please don't. Those young ladies look like they know how to take care of people."

Li Chengqian peeked out from behind the door, his face full of regret.

"Go! Go! Go."

Wen He tapped him.

"What do you know? If you keep talking nonsense, I'll punish you by making you stay with Li Tai to raise Jieli."

Wen He glared at Li Chengqian, annoyed. This kid is still a greenhorn himself, yet he's acting all mature.

"No! I won't do it again!"

Li Chengqian was so frightened that he immediately begged for mercy.

He wouldn't go to that stinky pigsty.

Wen He raised her hand and patted him on the forehead, but not hard.

Before long, Li Yifu hurried over from the side courtyard, dressed as a servant in blue cloth. Upon seeing Wen He, he bowed and said, "Sir, the carriage is ready."

Wen He nodded, her gaze sweeping over his clothes, and said, "Go and change into some decent fine clothes. Today, let A Dong drive the carriage, and you will ride with me."

Li Yifu was taken aback, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes, followed by an irrepressible surge of excitement: "No need to pretend to be a servant anymore?"

These days, while following Wen He, he never said it, but he always hoped for a chance to show his face in public.

"Someone is planning to send you on a study tour."

Wen He looked at him and asked slowly.

"Are you willing?"

Li Yifu straightened his back almost instantly, nearly kneeling to pay his respects.

How could he not agree?
Others might not know about this study tour, but having been by Wen He's side for so long, how could he not know?

That was clearly a selection process by their own master for the crown prince; being able to participate meant stepping into the ranks of the heir apparent.

"I would gladly die for my students!" His voice trembled slightly.

"Don't rush to answer."

Wen He raised her hand to stop him, her tone becoming serious.

"His Majesty has entrusted the matter of the study tour to Duke Changsun Wuji of Qi. You are my student, and you will likely have to work much harder than others in the future, and you will need to be more cautious."

His words were not unfounded.

Changsun Wuji always viewed himself with a degree of scrutiny, and Li Yifu, being with him, would inevitably receive extra "care".

Li Chengqian, who was standing to the side, pursed his lips helplessly.

How deep is my husband's misunderstanding of his uncle?
What's with all this talk of being wary? My uncle may seem stern, but he's actually very protective of his own. If we're really talking about it, he might even secretly look after Li Yifu.

Li Yifu didn't think much of it, only feeling that this was his teacher's advice. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "I understand. The more difficult the situation, the more we must show our abilities and never let our teacher down."

Wen He nodded in satisfaction: "Go ahead, come back after you change your clothes."

After Li Yifu left, Li Chengqian leaned over and whispered, "Sir, my uncle... he's not actually what you think."

"Oh?" Wen He raised an eyebrow at him. "Then tell me, what kind of person is he?" Li Chengqian was taken aback by the question and scratched his head. "Anyway... he's very good to me and Qingque. Although he can be a little strict at times, he never makes things difficult for me and Qingque."

"And what about Li Ke and Li You?"

Wen He smiled and asked again.

Li Chengqian was speechless.

As far as he could remember, his uncle had never given Li Ke a kind look.

As for Li You, he had never seen the two meet, so he didn't know.

"Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, and therefore everyone has their own multifaceted nature. When doing things and judging things, never only look at one side, and never easily believe what you see."

Wen He suddenly became serious.

Li Chengqian quickly perked up.

"If you don't believe what you see, then what do you believe?" Li Chengqian asked, somewhat bewildered.

Wen He smiled and pointed to her chest.

"Trust what you see in your heart."

This kind of reasoning is indeed quite profound for a child of Li Chengqian's age.

Therefore, Wen He didn't expect him to understand immediately.

Soon after, Li Yifu, having changed into his robes, emerged.

It has to be said that clothes make the man, and this young man, after putting on the brocade robe, does indeed have the air of a noble young master.

"I didn't realize this person was so good-looking," Li Chengqian nodded and smiled.

He didn't notice that after he said that, Wen He gave him a particularly wary look.

This kid wouldn't have developed such a strange quirk at this time, would he?

"Snapped!"

Wen He immediately raised her hand and slapped him on the head.

"Sir, this is the third time!" Li Chengqian pouted and complained.

"gone."

Wen He was too lazy to explain and had someone bring over his little pony.

Driving a sports car to work is still the most enjoyable.

Although it is a mini size.

"Does Yifu know how to ride a horse?" Wen He suddenly asked as Li Chengqian and Li Yifu were about to get into the carriage.

Li Yifu didn't understand, but he still nodded: "Yes."

"Then you can ride a horse."

"Sir, I also want to ride... I think the carriage is quite nice, so I won't ride a horse anymore, I'll just take the carriage."

Li Chengqian swallowed the words "want to ride a horse" after being glared at by Wen He.

The gentleman is too stingy.

Why won't you let me ride a horse?

I too must gallop on horseback!

Throughout the journey, Li Chengqian leaned against the carriage window, gazing resentfully at the two figures riding horses in front of him.

'After returning to the palace, I also went to my mother to ask for a pony, and secretly rode it.'

As he was thinking this, he realized they had already reached their destination.

The entrance to the military department.

The gatekeeper eagerly came forward to help Wen He lead his horse.

"I have met the magistrate of Gaoyang County."

Last time, this scion of Gaoyang County led a hundred cavalrymen and almost overturned the entire Ministry of War.

More than half of the officials in charge were exiled, and some doctors and assistant doctors are still imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice.

"Good work."

Wen He nodded to him and casually tossed him a brocade pouch.

The servant took it and grinned from ear to ear, then quickly stepped forward to lead the way.

"Why is this jinx here?"

Many people in the Ministry of War avoided Wen He at all costs.

Many of them had been taken to the dark room and interrogated by Wen He.

Although they were not implicated in the embezzlement of military funds, who can say they didn't have other problems?

"Don't forget, he's still the head of our Ministry of War."

"Is that so?"

"But I've never seen him come to the yamen."

The people were talking amongst themselves, and no one noticed Li Yifu and Li Chengqian who were following Wen He.

Wen He noticed the crowd and immediately stopped, glancing around.

Then, smiling, he said, "Fellow colleagues, since you are so interested in me, why don't we come out and have a chat?"

"Wow!"

In an instant.

The people around scattered like birds and beasts.

Crazy!
Go and talk to this jinx.

As we chat, we might end up taking a trip to Hundred Riders.

People around either ran into the government office or hid.

In an instant, only Wen He and her group remained in the corridor.

"Sir, you've really become a plague god."

Li Chengqian suddenly burst into laughter.

Then, with a "smack," he covered his head with a crying face, his face full of grievance.

(End of this chapter)