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

What should be taught in Chapter 8?

"Is this a poem about chrysanthemums?"

Empress Zhangsun was a talented woman. As soon as Wen He finished speaking, she understood the surface meaning of the poem, but she was still a little hesitant.

"But why is there a somber atmosphere in the poem, and why doesn't it seem quite appropriate for the occasion?"

It's only early June, but the poem refers to September, the season when chrysanthemums bloom.

Wen He glanced at Li Shimin and gave a mysterious smile.

"Although it's a poem about chrysanthemums, it doesn't actually talk about chrysanthemums. It's just somewhat fitting for this moment."

"This poem, you didn't write it, did you?" Li Shimin squinted, scrutinizing him.

He vaguely sensed that there was something unusual about the poem.

Especially the line, "The fragrance of incense fills Chang'an, and the whole city is adorned with golden armor."

It's talking about chrysanthemums, but it doesn't seem to be.

It seems to subtly correspond to his current predicament.

Wen He smiled noncommittally.

“There’s no difference.”

Anyway, by the time Huang Chao was born, he wouldn't even know where he was buried.

Moreover, can the work of scholars be called plagiarism?
This is called learning from others.

"Mother, is this poem good or not?" Little Li Tai didn't dare to ask Li Shimin, but only timidly tugged at Empress Zhangsun's long sleeve.

"Yes, very good. So Qingque must not be arrogant and must learn from your teacher." Empress Changsun affectionately patted his head.

Li Tai let out an "Ah!" and looked at Wen He with a frustrated expression.

"You two come here as well, and pay your respects to the master together."

Li Shimin waved to Li Chengqian and Li Ke.

Although the two brothers were only one year older than Li Tai, their demeanor was completely different from the latter's; they were like little adults.

After all, they were children raised by Empress Zhangsun and a former princess of the Sui Dynasty; how could children from ordinary families compare to them?

"Greetings, sir." The two bowed with their hands clasped.

Looking at them, Wen He couldn't help but think about their future fate.

One was demoted to a useless person, and the other was framed and killed by Changsun Wuji.

"How pitiful," he couldn't help but sigh, only realizing afterward that he had inadvertently voiced his true feelings.

The two children and Empress Zhangsun were all somewhat taken aback.

What is there to pity?
Why is this person acting so strangely?

Only Li Shimin knew what was going on. He glared at Wen He in annoyance and slapped him on the head.

"Damn it, are you trying to kill me?!" Wen He jumped up in a panic, clutching her head after being suddenly slapped.

"If you continue to speak so recklessly, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Li Shimin warned him, glaring at him.

Wen He rubbed his head indignantly. He knew it was a slip of the tongue, so he didn't argue.

Moreover, Li Shimin held back; otherwise, with his strength, Wen He would definitely have fainted from that palm strike.

"Pfft, hahaha!"

A discordant burst of laughter suddenly rang out. Everyone turned around and saw Li Tai pointing at Wen He and laughing so hard he was doubled over.

"You deserved to get beaten up."

This chubby kid was actually gloating!

If I can't deal with your father, surely I can deal with you!

"Your Highness, Princess Consort, now that I will be their teacher, shouldn't I be responsible for their health?"

"What do you mean?" Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun both cast questioning glances at him.

“I see this child is quite chubby at such a young age. That’s not good. He’ll be prone to illnesses later in life, and they’ll be very difficult to cure,” Wen He said, raising an eyebrow at Li Shimin.

He knew that Li Shimin would understand his meaning.

Li Shimin had previously asked him whether Empress Zhangsun's illness could be cured in later generations, and he said no.

But now he says it's difficult to cure, which can naturally be understood as meaning it will be difficult to cure even in the future. Li Shimin's gaze darkened; he had misunderstood.

They thought Wen He was saying that Li Tai would get a serious illness in the future.

Come to think of it, he almost forgot to ask what happened to Qingque after she was driven out of Chang'an.

Could it be that he has contracted some serious illness?
He pondered for a moment, then looked intently at Li Tai, asking Wen He, "Is there any way to prevent this?"

"Eat less meat and more exercise. I think the Qin Prince's Mansion is quite nice. From now on, please have Little Green Sparrow run two or three laps every day."

Let you laugh at me with glee!

"Ah, no, no, Father, Mother has no meat to eat, Qingque can't eat, and she can't run either."

Li Tai's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly shook his head, utterly panicked.

Seeing his younger brother like this, Li Chengqian wanted to persuade him, but seeing his father and mother deep in thought, he shut his mouth.

Li Ke tilted his head and looked at the horizon, as if there was something wonderful there.

"It's alright. A person won't be in any trouble if they don't eat for three days. If they go hungry for two or three meals, they'll eat grass instead of meat. But if a person gets too fat, they're more likely to develop high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, which are all terminal illnesses."

Wen He spoke earnestly, as if she were doing Li Tai a favor.

Empress Zhangsun was completely bewildered, wondering why she had never heard of these diseases before.

She looked at Li Shimin and found that his expression had become increasingly solemn, as if he believed her.

He couldn't help but feel a chill: "Could it be that what this young man is saying is true?"

“Guanyinbi, starting tomorrow, Qingque’s diet will be lighter. Also, every day at Chenshi (7-9 AM), someone will wake him up and make him run three laps around the mansion. If he disobeys, he will be punished according to family rules.”

The fundamental principles of father-son relationship must be upheld, not to mention that even Empress Zhangsun could not change what Li Shimin had already decided.

Tears welled up in Li Tai's eyes, and he bit his lip, looking utterly aggrieved.

He dared not blame Li Shimin, so he could only glare fiercely at Wen He.

Wen He didn't take it seriously. With Li Shimin as his powerful backer, why would he be afraid of this little fat boy?

"In that case, classes will begin tomorrow. By the way, have you decided what you want to teach them first?" Li Shimin asked Wen He.

Although he decided to have Wen He teach the three children, he still had some worries.

That brat has no sense of propriety; I hope he doesn't say anything he shouldn't.

"Let's play first," Wen He blurted out without a moment's thought.

"Play?" Li Shimin was taken aback, and immediately regretted it.

Empress Zhangsun was also stunned.

Isn't it about reading?
How did it turn into playing?

Li Chengqian pursed his lips, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes.

Li Tai exaggeratedly held back his tears.

Li Ke, however, kept his head tilted, looking at the sky outside the high wall, as if he hadn't heard anything.

“Yes, let’s play first.” Wen He nodded firmly. Seeing that Li Shimin’s expression was a little off, he hurriedly explained, “Of course, it’s not just playing around. Your Highness, please rest assured about what I do. If you don’t trust me, then I won’t be this teacher anymore.”

He put on an indifferent expression, causing Li Shimin to swallow back the words he was about to say.

Although he was somewhat annoyed, he could only try to console himself.

Perhaps this is how children in the future will study.

So he didn't ask any further questions and nodded in agreement.

Empress Zhangsun's eyes widened in surprise upon seeing this.

Why did Your Highness agree?

"Isn't this a bit ridiculous?" It's one thing to let a child be Gao Ming's teacher, but to treat them as playmates, His Highness actually allows Gao Ming and the others to play together.
She really couldn't understand His Highness today.

Li Shimin smiled and reassured her.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door.

A servant stood outside the door, bowing respectfully and saying, "Greetings, Your Highness and Your Highness. Someone has come from outside the manor and says they have urgent news to report to Your Highness."

These two chapters serve as a transition; the Xuanwu Gate storyline will follow shortly.

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(End of this chapter)