My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Chapter 22: A Few Questions

At this critical moment, a person flew in from outside and stood in front of Su Wan. He reached out and grabbed the person's ankle, then threw the person away.

boom!

The man fell heavily to the ground.

Immediately afterward, the man got up from the ground and ran away in a flash.

Su Wan looked and realized that the person who came to save her was none other than her younger brother, Su Gui.

"Sister, are you alright?" Su Gui asked with concern.

"I'm fine, but Xue'er seems to be in trouble. Please take a look."

Su Gui held Xue'er in her arms and saw that Xue'er's eyes were tightly closed and her expression was one of great pain.

Su Gui touched Xue'er's left shoulder: "She broke it."

"Oh, it's that serious!"

"Yes, sister, do you know who that person was?"

"I don't know him."

"Have you offended anyone recently?"

After thinking for a moment, Su Wan recounted how she had captured Li Tai in the northern part of Pingkangfang.

Su Gui was shocked when she heard this: "Sister, you've really messed up! Who is Li Tai?!"

You dare to tie him up and slap him!

This person was very likely sent by Li Tai.

Su Gui's analysis was correct; the assassin was indeed sent by Li Tai.

Ever since Li Tai suffered that great humiliation, he harbored resentment and sent people everywhere to inquire about him.

Chang'an is only so big, isn't it easy to find out about two people?

Before leaving Chang'an, Li Tai had already made arrangements. He pretended not to care, but that was just a deception. In reality, he planned to kill Su Wan and Xue'er.

Unexpectedly, Su Gui arrived in time and saved Su Wan and Xue'er.

Su Wan then asked Su Gui to invite a physician to treat Xue'er's injuries.

The Eastern Palace.

Su Wan recounted what had happened at home to Li Chengqian.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian was also terrified. This made him wonder whether the person who made the accusation had committed suicide or been murdered.

Li Chengqian pondered for a moment: "So, Qingque had already made arrangements."

"That's actually quite good of him. He's in Yangzhou, directing things remotely, making it seem like he's not in Chang'an, that he's detached, and that everything happening in Chang'an has nothing to do with him."

"If I had known he was this kind of person, I would have had Xue'er castrate him, and then we would have seen how he would still be able to cause trouble." Su Wan's face turned red with anger.

"Is Miss Xue'er alright?"

"It's nothing serious, but you'll need to rest for a while to fully recover."

"Miss Xue'er is very clever and brave. She shielded you from the assassin with her own body. You must treat her well."

"I know, she and I are like sisters," Su Wan paused, "she even praised you."

"Oh, what did she praise me for?"

"She complimented your strength."

"I was quite ill recently, how can I be considered robust?" Li Chengqian didn't want to continue discussing this topic with her, so he changed the subject. "It seems that this matter is most likely Qingque's doing. You should be careful in the future. It's best not to go out alone. If anything happens, have your brother accompany you."

Su Wan pouted, "Have you forgotten? Su Gui is now a soldier in the Imperial Guard; he can't go home whenever he wants."

"You're right. The Imperial Guards have their own rules, and their soldiers are not allowed to leave their posts without permission."

Su Wan looked at Li Chengqian with her beautiful eyes: "Then I'll move to the East Palace and live with you, okay?"

"Uh—," Li Chengqian was caught in a dilemma. "Wan'er, it's not that I don't want you to live in the East Palace, but the East Palace has its own rules. If you were the Crown Princess, perhaps it would be possible, but..."

"After all that talk, you still don't want me to live in the East Palace, do you?"

Li Chengqian lowered his head and remained silent.

Su Wan didn't want to make things difficult for him, so she crossed her arms and pondered for a moment before saying, "I think you need to win over some more ministers."

Without the support of your ministers, you will be all alone. How can that be acceptable?

Li Chengqian was also pondering this question.

"So, who do you think should be the first to be won over?"

"I heard that Du He and Qing Que had a falling out in court because Du He did not pay his respects to Qing Que first. They harbor resentment towards each other. If Your Highness comforts them with kind words, I think Du He will definitely pledge his loyalty to Your Highness."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian's heart stirred.

Du He was the son of Du Ruhui and had a certain influence in the court.

"However, if I were to go to Du He myself, it would seem too conspicuous. Moreover, Qing Que has spies all over the court, so we need someone to act as a bridge between them."

"Your concerns are valid, but who would be the best person to speak with him?"

"This is not a matter to be rushed; we need to consider it carefully."

"Besides winning over Du He, I can also bring over a minister to help you."

Li Chengqian asked with a smile, "Who else can you try to win over?"

"My father, my father is a secretary, he still has a certain prestige in the court."

Li Chengqian expressed doubt: "Are you sure you can win your father over?"

I think it should be about the same.

"Thank you in advance."

the next morning.

Li Chengqian was planting grapes in the back garden with several palace maids, including Yunjuan and Xiaoyue.

Princess Chengyang arrived cheerfully: "Brother, why didn't you call me when you were planting grapes?"

Li Chengqian wiped the sweat from his forehead: "The grape trellis you built for me last time was all crooked and basically had to be rebuilt. Therefore, it's better to do the grape planting yourself."

Princess Chengyang pouted: "The grape trellis is crooked and crooked. It's not like I built it all by myself. Although I'm not good at building grape trellises, I can still plant grapes and water them."

Otherwise, I wouldn't feel comfortable eating the grapes every day once they're ripe.

Li Chengqian knew that his younger sister was precocious, clever, and cunning.

You can't judge a book by its cover when she speaks or acts; you have to ask her "why" several times.

Look, she hasn't done anything, she just wants to come and eat here every day.

Princess Chengyang picked up a water ladle and began to water the plants.

Li Chengqian looked at her, smiled, and asked, "You've been working so hard today, is there something you want to ask me?"

"Brother, what could I possibly have to do? I'm just bored," Princess Chengyang said casually as she watered the plants. "I'd like to ask you about someone."

"Oh, who are you looking for?"

"I've heard that there's a man in the court named Du He, who is quite talented and is Qingque's teacher. He's also said to be handsome and dashing. Is that true?"

Li Chengqian listened with his eyes half-closed, wondering what this little girl wanted to ask.

"Yes, there is indeed such a person, and he is indeed very handsome and talented."

"Brother, may I ask him for help when I encounter some difficulties in my studies?"

"sure."

"With his vast knowledge, he won't ignore me, will he?"

"How could that be? You are, after all, a princess of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chengqian's mind stirred: "If you go to him, I happen to have a question about the Analects that I want to ask him. Write a letter and you can take it to him."

"Okay." Princess Chengyang smiled brightly.

That afternoon.

After Princess Chengyang finished planting the grapes, she went back, took a hot bath, changed into clean clothes, and went to visit Du He with a copy of the Book of Songs in her hand.

After the two met, Princess Chengyang found that Du He was indeed handsome and elegant.

To Princess Chengyang's surprise, Du He's arm was wrapped in gauze.

Princess Chengyang couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Du, what's wrong with you?"

Du He saw that Princess Chengyang was not very old, but she had grown into a graceful and beautiful woman, as beautiful as a fairy.

Du He kept his eyes straight ahead and was very polite.

He sighed, "Princess, you don't know this, but last night, while I was sleeping in my room, an assassin suddenly appeared and stabbed my arm with a dagger. Luckily, the servants were alerted, and the assassin escaped. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

"Could such a thing really happen?"

"Yes, I never expected that such a thing would happen in Chang'an, right under the emperor's nose."

"Have you offended anyone recently? Otherwise, why would someone want to assassinate you?"

Du He pondered for a while and then said, "Apart from the one time I failed to bow to the King of Yue, there was nothing else."

"You mean to say that this might have been done by the King of Yue?"

But he has already left Chang'an.

"I'm just guessing," Du He paused, "I wonder what brings the princess here today?"

"I've heard that you are well-read and have a wealth of knowledge. I've come today to ask you a few questions."

"You flatter me. If there are any questions, we can discuss them together."

"Also, the Crown Prince asked me to deliver a letter to you."

"Oh, the Crown Prince wrote to me?"

"Yes." Princess Chengyang said, taking the letter out of her pocket and handing it to Du He.

Du He opened the letter and read that it said that Young Master Du was exceptionally talented and skilled in strategy, possessing the qualities of his father. On that day, Young Master Du behaved with neither servility nor arrogance in the court, which greatly impressed the Emperor.

That was all that was written. Du He read the letter over and over again, pondering the Crown Prince's meaning.

"Did His Highness say anything else?" Du He asked, looking puzzled.

"no."

Du He pondered for a moment: "Let me write a letter to His Highness, and I would appreciate it if you could give it to him."

"Can."

Du He took out a brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, quickly wrote a letter, sealed it, and handed it to Princess Chengyang.

Princess Chengyang took the letter and tucked it into her bosom.

"Young Master Du, I would like to ask, what is the meaning of the line 'Guan guan cry the ospreys, on the islet in the river' from the Book of Songs?"

Ok?

"Cough, cough!"

Du He's expression froze instantly; he hadn't expected Princess Chengyang to ask him that question.

"What's wrong, Young Master Du? Isn't this line from the Book of Songs? Is there anything difficult to explain?"

"No, this line does come from the Book of Songs. It means that a pair of ospreys appeared on the river, they were playing happily together, and then, they were caught and put into a cage."

"Oh, then what does 'A fair maiden is sought after by a gentleman' mean?"

"That is to say, there was a young lady and a young gentleman who liked to play football, and they went to play football together."

What is the meaning of the phrase "A fair maiden, I seek her day and night"?

"It means that the girl played football exceptionally well and won the game, so the young man didn't get the ball."

"I see. Young Master Du's insights are indeed unique."

"Ahem, ahem, Your Highness flatters me. This is merely my humble opinion."

"You are exceptionally talented and dashing. May I ask if you are married?"

Upon hearing this, Du He blushed and said, "No."

For some reason, a strange feeling swept through Princess Chengyang's heart.

"So, do you have someone you like?"

"No, not at all."

Princess Chengyang looked at him with her beautiful eyes: "Young Master Du comes from a prestigious family and has such excellent qualities. Perhaps your standards are too high?"

"No, not exactly."

"Why is that?"

"I'm still young and haven't achieved anything yet, so what right do I have to talk about marriage?"

Princess Chengyang adjusted her chest and gently stroked her temples: "Young Master Du, what you're saying is probably a bit far-fetched, isn't it?"

Starting a family and establishing a career are not contradictory. Wouldn't it be better to start a family first and then establish a career?

"It all depends on fate."

"Isn't fate something you have to fight for?"

"I feel like my time hasn't come yet."

"How will you know if you don't try?"

"..."

night.

The Eastern Palace.

Princess Chengyang handed Du He's reply to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian opened the letter and read it carefully. The gist of it was that the humble subject was grateful for His Highness's appreciation and had no way to repay it. In the future, no matter what the matter was, as long as His Highness said so, he would do anything, even go through fire and water.

Li Chengqian nodded, thinking to himself that Du He was quite perceptive.

Then, Li Chengqian threw the letter into the brazier.

If this letter falls into Qingque's hands, the consequences will be very serious.

"Your Majesty, what did Young Master Du say in his letter?"

"Oh, he didn't say anything. I just asked him a question, and he answered it for me."

"Oh, I see."

So what question did you ask?

I asked him what he meant by "Since we're here, let's make the best of it."

"Oh, so what was his answer?"

He said, "Now that you're in Chang'an, make the most of it."

"Young Master Du's insights are indeed insightful."

Li Chengqian gave a wry smile: "Then, what questions did you ask Young Master Du? Tell me."

"Oh well."

Princess Chengyang then recounted her experience of seeking advice from Du He.

Li Chengqian was speechless after hearing this. He thought to himself, "If Du He is so good at teaching Qingque, how can he not mislead his students?"

"You mean Du He injured his arm?"

"Yes."

"Is it serious?"

"It should be nothing serious."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian's expression softened slightly, and he wondered if this was Qingque's doing again.

Recently, Chang'an has been in turmoil, with so many things happening. Is it all just a coincidence?

Li Chengqian shook his head, realizing he had underestimated Qingque.

Underestimating your opponent is a major taboo. Didn't Li Jiancheng underestimate Li Shimin, which led to his death in the Xuanwu Gate Incident?