Fifty-three years of unintentionally planting willows and willows becoming shade

  Li Chengqian's eyes flashed with insight, and as clever as he was, how could he not see that Su Ning's respectful etiquette hid a subtle distance? Everyone else who saw him had an obsequious attitude, but why did Su Ning express a sense of distance from the start? His father had said that this guy was one of the rare intelligent and understanding people, with a wealth of talent. Intelligent people were Li Chengqian's favorite.

  "Oh dear! That matter, I had long forgotten about it. Yesterday's mood was particularly bad, and to make matters worse, my younger sister was touched by a strange man. Naturally, there was no good tone to be found. Moreover, how could the name of our family's daughter be known to outsiders? And she is still a princess, after all. But I also understand now that my younger sister said you were helping her heal her wounds, and she is extremely grateful to you, Brother Sanming. Yesterday, after you left, she was reluctant to part with you. I am also very thankful to you, Brother Sanming. That great battle with you lifted my mood considerably. I must thank you again, Brother Sanming." Li Chengqian also bowed to Su Ning.

  Su Ning remembered, yes, in ancient times the distinction between men and women was quite strict. In the six steps of marrying a wife, there was one step called "asking for her name". A girl's name could not be known by any man other than her direct male relatives, let alone collateral male relatives of the same age, not to mention Li Er's little princess... There is no stricter rule than this... Let alone shouting her name in front of the crown prince...

  Su Ning is a bit embarrassed...

  Li Chengqian no longer says "Gu" but instead says "I", which means he is not speaking to me as the Crown Prince, but rather as Li Chengqian himself. Could it be that he wants to win me over?! Moreover, my little sister is reluctant to part with me, and Chun'er, the little loli, is also reluctant to part with me? This kind of talk can't be taken lightly! A six or seven year old kid, what do they understand? What does this mean? Is he trying to threaten me?!

  "Your Highness, I don't speak in riddles. If you want to fight back, Su Ning is standing here, ready for you to hit him, and he won't fight back! You can't use that kind of thing to threaten me!" Su Ning decided to lay his cards on the table, then let out a loud shout and took a horse stance, assuming a posture that dared Li Chengqian to hit him without fighting back, stunning him.

  "Hahaha! Brother Sanming, why are you being like this? I was just trying to apologize to you, and yesterday I was indeed a bit rude. And because my father said that you're a clever person with great talent, I'm interested in getting to know you better. What threat could I possibly pose? As for my little sister, I was just telling the truth! But there's one thing I don't understand - do you have that kind of hobby? Not even sparing my little sister? She's only seven years old!" Li Chengqian burst out laughing.

  Su Ning suddenly felt that a string called reason in his brain snapped, and he didn't care if Li Chengqian was the crown prince or not. Anyway, he would be abolished sooner or later, so there's no need to be afraid! At worst, he could hold on for a few more years, with the protection of several national dukes, Li Chengqian couldn't do anything to him!

  Then Su Ning looked around and saw no one, grabbed Li Chengqian's collar and pulled him into the Hongwen Temple gate, found a secluded place, pressed Li Chengqian against the wall, raised his fist: "Food can be eaten casually, but words cannot be spoken casually. If you dare to speak randomly, I will fight with you! You still say everywhere that you like fat women! Barefooted people are not afraid of wearing shoes, I tell you!" On the issue of right and wrong, Su Ning absolutely could not tolerate it. If this kind of nonsense got out, would he still want to have a face?

  Li Chengqian stared blankly at Su Ning, then burst into another fit of laughter: "Hahaha! Father was right, Brother Sanming is indeed a wonderful person, hahaha! All these years, no one has dared to speak to me like this, you're the first; however, I don't like fat women, I like slender and elegant ladies, remember that! If I'm wrong, Brother Sanming can vent his anger on me!"

  Su Ning looked at his own fist, pursed his lips, and ultimately couldn't bring himself to throw a punch. The world wasn't just ruled by Li Erbai's word alone, but within the palace walls, Li Erbai was the absolute master. Li Chengqian, the future heir of this empire, was also a small landlord. Su Ning put down his fist, released his grip on Li Chengqian's hand, and smoothed out his collar: "I'm a refined person, I won't resort to violence!"

  Li Chengqian was stunned again, this time laughing even more violently: "A cultured man, haha! A cultured man? Ahahahaha! I'm dying of laughter! Haha! Brother Sanming, your face is as thick as Cheng Zhijie's! Haha! In the past, when I heard palace people talk about Cheng Zhijie fighting with scholars in court, I thought it was ridiculous. An iron tower-like general actually fought with an old scholar who couldn't even tie a chicken. Now, Brother Sanming, aren't you trying to imitate Cheng Zhijie?"

  Looking at Li Chengqian laughing so hard he's doubled over, Su Ning's face turned even darker. If he weren't the crown prince, or rather, if he weren't the son of Emperor Li, Su Ning would have definitely beaten this guy to a pulp and thrown him out. Unfortunately, he was, and if he were to hit him, even if Emperor Li forgave himself, being accused of beating the crown prince on the first day of school was not something he could afford...

  Su Ning and others stopped laughing at Li Chengqian's words, and coldly said: "Alright! Stop smiling! Say it! What is your purpose!"

  Li Chengqian's smile gradually faded, his face turned cold, and a hint of a cold sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Hmph! It seems you already know! So good, an honest man doesn't speak in riddles. You hit me, making me feel very uncomfortable. Of course, it's easy for me to let you off, just get me a serving of that delicious food that Li Jing and Li Shimin have!"

  Li Chengqian suddenly changed his expression: "To be honest, I've heard that the food you make is exceptional! It's made Li Jing and Li Shimin remember it fondly, and even Tang Jian asked for it in front of many officials. Your culinary skills are truly excellent, I believe it now. The food in the palace is really getting old, every day it's the same thing, I want to try something new."

  For the first half of the time, Su Ning looked at Li Chengqian's cold face and thought that things were not going well, wondering if he should cut off all future troubles. Unexpectedly, Li Chengqian immediately changed his expression to a yearning one, and actually showed interest in his cooking skills. Su Ning was taken aback, is this really Li Chengqian? Is this the Crown Prince of Tang, Li Chengqian? That ruthless and cunning Li Chengqian who would stop at nothing?

  "Alright, alright, that's it. Remember to bring a dish of food to the East Palace on your way back today and this matter will be forgotten. I won't tell Father and Mother about what happened with Chun'er either. Otherwise, humph! You'll be in for it! You know the crime of teasing the princess! If Father and Mother find out, haha! Off you go, sir! Class is about to start and if you're late, you'll get a beating! Go!"

  Li Chengqian seemed like an old brother to Su Ning, and he warmly put his arm around Su Ning's shoulders as they walked towards the school.

  Su Ning turned his head to look at Li Chengqian, who returned a warm smile. Su Ning couldn't see any pretence or hypocrisy in that smile, nor could he detect any calculation in his eyes. Su Ning felt somewhat perplexed...

  Is this fate? Clearly wanting to avoid it, clearly resistant, but when all of this is right in front of you, yet involuntarily wanting to accept it. There isn't even the slightest movement or strength to resist, nor is there such a thought. With heart and soul, flowers don't bloom; without intention, willows cast shadows. Is this predestination?

  On the way to Hongwen Academy, Li Chengqian introduced Su Ning to the current situation of Hongwen Academy. Hongwen Academy is the highest institution of learning in the Tang Dynasty and not just anyone can enter. The books stored here are unparalleled elsewhere. At this time, the value of these books was also understood by Su Ning, so it's not surprising that over 200,000 volumes of books were enough to show Li Er's emphasis on Hongwen Academy.

  As for the strength of the faculty, Hongwen Academy is also very strong, gathering dozens of top scholars from all over the country. Talents such as Kong Yingda, Chu Liang, Yao Silian, Cai Yungong, and Xiao Deyan are all within it. It's better to say that Hongwen Academy is a think tank for Emperor Taizong of Tang rather than a place providing convenience for the second generation of officials and royal families. Indeed, among these second-generation officials and royals, there are some talented people educated by these great scholars, but more are useless, so everyone knows it in their hearts. Hongwen Academy is just a symbolic meaning, removing the word "Academy" would be the real Hongwen Hall.

  Su Ning understood this, and Li Chengqian also understood it. As the crown prince, he naturally knew the intricacies of the situation, so he said to Su Ning: "Third Brother Ming, the people who study at the Hongwen Academy are not ordinary people, nor are their classmates or teachers. If you really want to learn something, it's easy, but if you don't want to learn anything and just want to come here to idle away your days, then be careful - you could find yourself in a precarious situation at any time."

  Su Ning naturally understood this point and was quite concerned, but why did Li Chengqian say such a thing? Such words can be said to close people, and they can also be said privately, but since he had only known Li Chengqian for one day, why was he so familiar? Was it because they hadn't fought before that they weren't acquainted? Is this the Crown Prince? Is this the education of the imperial family? What's going on? Why is the Crown Prince, who is above millions of people, like this?

  Being able to say such things shows that Li Chengqian really regards Suning as a close person, but it's just a middle-aged reason that Suning doesn't understand. In the years to come, Suning didn't ask clearly, and Li Chengqian didn't say clearly... Actually, this is also pretty good, isn't it?