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

Chapter 52 His Highness brought Princess Qi into the palace.

The steward led the way to the lotus pond pavilion in the backyard of the Prince of Qin's mansion.

The cool, moist air dispelled the heat.

The maid lifted a pot of plum juice from the ice chest.

Li Chengqian and Li Tai stood in the corner with their heads down.

To the left of Empress Zhangsun sat a radiant and beautiful woman, with Li Ke sitting beside her, seemingly casually gazing at the woman opposite him.

Watching Li Lizhi hold a pastry and insist on stuffing it into Wenrou's mouth, whose cheeks were already bulging like a squirrel's.

The latter opened its mouth wide, greedily wanting to eat it.

The former also felt it wasn't enough, so he picked up another piece from the table.

Li Ke looked at her with some disdain, and secretly snorted in his heart: "This ugly girl really knows how to eat."

Empress Zhangsun was both amused and exasperated. Just as she was about to offer some words of comfort, a servant entered from outside and bowed.

"Your Highness, Consort, Young Master Wen has arrived."

Upon hearing Wen He's name, the three children of the Li family immediately perked up.

Just moments ago, Li Ke, who had been secretly laughing at Wenrou, quickly looked away and deliberately lowered his head.

The two brothers who were being punished by standing lowered their heads even further.

The beautiful woman found it amusing.

"He's back at just the right time; the plum juice is just chilled. Quickly, invite him in."

Empress Zhangsun chuckled lightly.

The servant acknowledged the order, bowed, and withdrew.

Not long after, Wen He walked in from outside in a very casual manner.

He had been wondering outside what day it was, and whether Empress Changsun had invited everyone from Li Er's household.

However, after counting carefully, he realized there shouldn't be any.

At least apart from Li Ke, no other illegitimate sons were present.

What does this mean?
Filled with doubt, he entered the waterside pavilion.

Wenrou, who was eating snacks, saw him coming and, despite having food in her mouth, happily ran towards him.

Because he was running too fast, he stumbled and his body suddenly lurched forward.

Li Ke, who was closest to her, subconsciously got up to help her, but Wen He had already taken the initiative and hugged Wenrou.

"Why are you in such a panic?"

She gently raised her eyes, timidly blinked at him, and looked as if she knew she was wrong.

Wen He didn't blame her. She smiled and patted her head, then bowed to Empress Zhangsun.

"Young Master Wen, there's no need for such formalities. That is Consort Yang, the mother of Third Master."

She smiled gently and gestured for Wen He to go and pay her respects.

Wen He had already guessed it; Li Ke sitting there was the best proof of that.

She was the daughter of Emperor Yang of Sui, a concubine of Li Shimin, and the future Consort Yang.

There are many unofficial historical accounts and rumors about him in later years.

It is said that Li Shimin intended to make Li Ke the crown prince because he favored her.

I remember there was a TV series called "Heroes of Sui and Tang Dynasties" in later generations. The first part of the series was about her love and hate with Li Shimin.

Empress Zhangsun, on the other hand, became a background character.

Wen He had been quite curious about her before.

But imagine living in someone else's house and being curious about their mistress.

This just feels a little strange.

So when he came in just now, he completely ignored her.

Moreover, he couldn't overshadow the host; such a scene naturally needed to be introduced by Empress Zhangsun.

"I have met Consort Yang."

"Greetings, Mr. Wen."

Madam Yang nodded with a smile, and then gave Wen He a few extra glances.

She had heard about this strange young man from Li Ke the night before.

Having just entered the Prince of Qin's residence, he immediately gained the prince's favor.

At the tender age of ten, he became the tutor of three children in the Prince of Qin's residence. Li Chengqian, needless to say, was the heir apparent and would rightfully become the crown prince in the future.

Although Li Tai was adopted by Li Xuanba, the Prince of Qin and his wife felt guilty towards him and brought him back to their residence in the past two years, showing him great favor.

As for her Ke'er.

He carries the bloodline of the previous dynasty, and is backed by the Guanzhong region, led by the Yang clan of Hongnong.

Given the current delicate situation, these three are undoubtedly the best candidates for the future crown prince.

The King of Qin's sudden appointment of a young boy as their teacher forced Lady Yang to think carefully.

"I heard from Ke'er the other day that he has taken a teacher. I originally wanted to visit him in person, but I didn't expect that the young master was summoned. Now I can finally meet him."

"I should present Ke'er with a gift to formally accept him as a disciple."

She smiled gently, and as soon as she finished speaking, a maidservant brought forward a wooden tray.

Empress Zhangsun smiled and nodded slightly.

It seems that she had been informed beforehand.

"Since Consort Yang is so kind, then I shall accept her offer."

Wen He didn't want to beat around the bush; he couldn't handle the gossip and disputes between women.

As long as Empress Zhangsun is alive, there won't be any major disturbances in Li Shimin's harem.

“Young Master, you should have gone out to rest. However, I have learned of the wrong things Qingque did today, and even Gaoming, as her elder brother, failed to reprimand her. Therefore, I would like to apologize to you on their behalf.”

Empress Zhangsun suddenly stood up, and Wen He quickly stepped aside.

He dared not accept the courtesy from this future empress.

Before he could refuse, Madam Yang pulled Li Ke to his feet.

“As the elder brother, Ke’er also bears responsibility. However, the Princess is kind and does not punish this brat. I am truly ashamed. He should be punished as well.”

She said this to Empress Zhangsun, and then turned to speak to Wen Hefu.

Startled, Wen He quickly dodged away.

"Your Highness, Concubine, please don't do this. Otherwise, His Highness will beat me when he gets back."

“Your Highness knows my sisters’ thoughts, how could you do this?”

Empress Zhangsun chuckled.

Yang smiled in response.

Feeling embarrassed by being laughed at by the two women, Wen He suddenly wondered what to do if she wanted to leave immediately.
Fortunately, Empress Zhangsun noticed that he was a little uncomfortable, so she stopped talking about it and invited him to sit down. She then had a maid pour him a bowl of plum juice.

Freshly chilled plum juice, topped with some plain honey, is indeed refreshingly tangy.

The three little ones stood there, staring at him blankly, swallowing hard.

I felt so wronged.

Wen He pretended not to see it and kept Wenrou in check, who wanted to continue eating her snacks.

This little girl has eaten too much; her belly is bulging, yet she still wants to eat.

But in Li Lizhi's eyes, his actions made him look like a terrible villain.

Little Rou is so cute, why don't you let her have some snacks?

She secretly offered him pastries several times, but Wen He noticed each time and snatched them away, stuffing them into her own mouth.

She immediately puffed out her cheeks in anger.

Xiao Rou found it amusing; she was actually already full, and watching her brother eat made her feel content.

Not long after, seeing that it was getting late...

Empress Zhangsun also felt that the punishment for the three children was sufficient.

Just as I was about to leave and let the Wen siblings go back to rest, I decided to let them go.

Suddenly, a person rushed out of the waterside pavilion.

Upon seeing the newcomer, Empress Changsun frowned slightly. The newcomer bowed deeply upon entering.

"Your Highness, Consort, this servant has obtained information about the Princess Consort from the Qi Prince's residence. It is said that..."

He hesitated for a moment, licked his lips, and said, "They say His Highness has brought Princess Qi into the palace."

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(End of this chapter)