Chapter 39: "Snatching Food from the Tiger's Mouth"

  Empress Zhangsun and Empress Dou had anticipated this and had clean clothes prepared overnight, which they sent over.

  Empress Zhangsun was a very intelligent person, not only did she have a good understanding of the temperaments of various officials, but also their physiques. As a result, the clothes she prepared for them were usually quite fitting, eight or nine out of ten times.

  After washing up, the old guys felt refreshed and went to the dining hall. The little ones had no place to sit, so they could only hold their buns, carry their bowls, and find a corner by the wall to eat.

  Du Ruhui only had two bowls of rice porridge last night and was already starving, so he picked up a large meat bun and was about to put it in his mouth.

  Chang Sun Chong held a bowl, just about to go out, when he received an emotionless mechanical electronic voice in his mind saying: "During the patient's medication period, do not eat meat, do not eat vegetables, do not eat lard, do not eat soy products, do not..."

  "Come on, can't you just hurry up and tell me what the patient can eat?" Chang Sun Chong retorted impatiently. How could he remember so many "can'ts", it was ridiculous!

  "Congee!"

  Zhāng sūn chōng zài xīn li shù zhòng zhǐ, gǎo nǐ lǎo mǔ, shuō le bàn tiān, děng yú méi shuō.

  Translation: Zhang Sun Chong cursed in his heart, screw your mom, talked for half a day, equivalent to not saying anything.

  "Civilized courtesy, always remember!" The electronic voice of the machine immediately criticized what Zhang Sun Chongxin said.

  Chang Sun Chong didn't have time to pay attention to the electronic reminder tone of the End Times space, and when he looked up, he was shocked to see that Du Ruhui had already happily picked up a big bun and was about to put it in his mouth. Chang Sun Chong hastily threw away the bowl and big bun in his hands, and quickly ran to Du Ruhui's side, swiftly snatching the bun from Du Ruhui's hand.

  Everyone was stunned, their eyes wide with amazement, what's going on now?!

  Baozi, baozi, finally got it, Zhang Sun Chong smiled triumphantly, but before he could take a bite, his eyes landed on the missing piece of the baozi, and his smile froze. He threw away the baozi and saw Du Ruhui's cheeks moving as he chewed, so he reached out and slapped Du Ruhui hard on the back. The already-chewed-up baozi shot out in a straight line and landed squarely on Li Er's face.

  Li Er got angry, wiped away the baozi crumbs on his face with one hand, and was about to throw the baozi at Zhangsun Chong.

  Chang Sun Chu licked his face and smiled ingratiatingly: "Save food, save, save!"

  Li Er threw the bun into his mouth and walked over with big strides, kicking Chang Sun Chu's buttocks twice!

  "Cough, cough, cough!" Du Ruhui was slapped on the back by Changsun Wuji and couldn't stop coughing, his face red and ears burning, "Worthy nephew... worthy nephew, what's going on?"

  Du He said angrily: "My dad just ate a few buns at your house, I'll send you a basin when I get back!"

  "Get out! Scram!" Zhang Sun Wuji was furious, his whole body trembling with rage. Not only did he snatch someone else's baozi, but also snatched the baozi that someone had already taken a bite of, and to make matters worse, he even got into an argument over it.

  Others quickly held their own buns, preventing them from being snatched away by Zhangsun Wuji, this unreasonable guy. Li Er was able to kick his butt, but these uncles couldn't do it, they hadn't seen Zhangsun get angry like that before, and none of them dared to lift a finger.

  Chang Sun Chong touched his buttocks and said with a smile: "I forgot to mention earlier, Your Majesty. After Du Bo took the medicine, he can only eat plain porridge. Otherwise, the medicine will be ineffective. You specifically instructed me about this."

  Li Er lifted his foot again, but had to withdraw it. Chang Sun Chong was so shameless that he must not be joking. "Coughing" twice, he said: "It seems there is such a thing, you little boy, why didn't you remind me earlier! If Du Ai has any mishap, only you will be asked!"

  Chang Sun Chong felt wronged, and upon meeting Du He's guilty gaze, he gained confidence. "Young master saved your father," he said, pulling on Du He's sleeve, "yet you still yell at me? Brother He, I've given you the medicine, make sure to remind your father to take it well, only eat rice porridge, and nothing else; after finishing the medicine, he can eat whatever! Uncle Du, please be careful with what you eat, don't eat anything except white porridge, this is a request from your junior."

  "Brother Chong, Brother Chong, I'm sorry to have troubled you. Please don't take it to heart." Du He hastily apologized, feeling guilty for the earlier misunderstanding that had almost cost Long Sun Chong his life.

  Du Ruhui smiled and said, "As long as I can survive, I can do anything. Your words, my good nephew, I will remember. The kindness you showed in saving my life, I will never forget. When I recover, I will have He'er kowtow to you."

  Chang Sun Chong waved his hand repeatedly and said: "No need for kowtows, how come the white porridge is not ready yet? I'll go take a look."

  The atmosphere inside is a bit strange, Chang Sun-chung still comes out, afraid of indigestion when eating inside.

  After finishing breakfast, Du He took his father to the neighboring Dujiacun. Although other courtiers felt a bit uneasy in their hearts, they couldn't figure out what was going on for the time being and had a feeling that something unexpected would happen.

  Li Er has been out for a day, and today he must be sent back. He called Li Chengqian and Li Ke to his side and said: "You two must study hard with your eldest brother here, don't make trouble. If I find out you're not listening, you'll never be allowed out of the palace again."

  Li Chengqian bowed and said: "Your Majesty, I will definitely work hard to practice martial arts, study diligently, and teach and care for my younger brother!"

  Empress Zhangsun stroked the heads of Li Chengqian and Li Ke, saying: "Chengqian, Ke'er is so well-behaved! After a while, Mother Empress will come to see you again."

  "Mother, can you bring my mother out next time? The air outside is very good, I'm sure she wants to come out and take a look." Li Ke thought of his mother, Yang Fei. In his impression, it seemed that she had never been out before. His father let him stay here, so he couldn't ask to go back and see his mother, but he really missed her!

  Empress Zhangsun gently stroked Li Ke's head and softly said: "Ke'er is thinking of his mother, isn't he?"

  Li Ke secretly took a glance at his father, seeing that he was not angry, and softly said: "Yes!"

  Empress Changsun was called a virtuous empress of her generation, and that's not just talk. She firmly occupied Li Er's heart and managed the women with great order, none daring to disobey, showing her superior methods.

  "It's fine, as long as Li Ke is well-behaved. Next time, I'll bring your mother out!" Empress Changsun saw that Li Er didn't stop her, she didn't need to make a scene, it was better to do a favor and let Li Ke and Yang Fei be grateful to her, and Li Er would respect her even more.

  Li Ke tightly hugged his eldest grandson's empress and said with a smile: "Thank you, Empress Dowager, you are the best person in the world!"

  "Cough, cough!" Li Er coughed twice, taking a bit of umbrage at Li Ke's indifference.

  "Father Emperor is also the best, and so is big brother!" Li Ke smiled and said, holding Li Chengqian's hand. In his heart, except for his mother, it was Empress Dowager who treated him the kindest. Although Father Emperor was not bad to him, he had always been very strict. When he was young, he didn't know why his mother, the empress, never came out of her palace gate, and did everything with caution, even the palace maids and eunuchs could give them a hard time.

  Later, he finally understood that his mother was a former princess of the Sui Dynasty. His grandfather led the army to overthrow her father's rule of the Sui Dynasty. He and his mother had the blood of the imperial family of the previous dynasty in their bodies, which was their original sin. Therefore, every moment, they were careful and did not dare to act rashly. However, he really missed his mother dearly.

  Li Chengqian patted Li Ke's shoulder and said, "Ke'er, with your brother here, I will protect you. We must work hard to study, diligently practice martial arts, and lead the army for Father Emperor to expand the territory of the Great Tang!"

  Li Er, Empress Changsun felt deeply comforted and nodded repeatedly. Chengqian was becoming more and more like a big brother.

  Li Er's ruthlessness towards his own brother does not mean he wants to see his own sons kill each other. Li Chengqian is not only filial to his elders, but also friendly and loving towards his brothers, which suits Li Er's taste.