Chapter 9 The Emperor Arrives in Person

  "What's wrong with you, go quickly!" Li Ke coughed and said with a serious expression, as if he was also a bit embarrassed.

  "Alright..." Qin Mubai responded and entered the west wing, arriving at Xiaomei's room and knocking on the door. Qin Shuang'er was indeed home and opened the door: "What is it, Third Brother?"

  "Come in and talk."

  "What's going on so mysteriously?" Qin Shuang'er sat down beside Qin Mu Bai with a puzzled expression, asking.

  Qin Mubai rolled his eyes and smiled with a hint of weirdness and ambiguity: "The King of Wu has arrived."

  "What, he's here?" Qin Feng'er was surprised and widened her beautiful eyes, her face also slightly flushed, shyly smiling to herself, "Didn't he go to Anzhou as the governor, when did he come back?"

  "For this kind of thing, you'd better ask him in person, I'm not interested in being your messenger." Qin Mu Bai smiled.

  "What a megaphone... really..." Qin Shuang'er's face turned even redder, she tugged at Qin Mu Bai's sleeve and asked in a timid voice, "Third Brother, does Father know he's coming to our estate?"

  "It's natural to know. King Wu specifically came to visit his father and also gave two boxes of gifts brought from Anzhou."

  "Really......" Qin Shuang'er blinked her big eyes several times, hesitated and shook her head, "Then you go tell Wu Wang... just say, I'm not at home."

  "Hmm?" Qin Mu furrowed his brow slightly, and he also had a vague understanding of the little secrets between them.

  If estimates are correct, Li Ke and Fourth Sister have some affection for each other, but their father Qin Shubao does not quite approve.

  "Go quickly!" Qin Shuang'er pulled Qin Mu Bai out, with a happy and shy expression, and said in a soft voice, "You just tell him... if it's convenient for you two days later, make an appointment to go out and have some fun."

  "As expected." Qin Mu Bai shook his head with a smile and gently patted the little sister's head, "I know, silly girl."

  As soon as he came out of the room and into the courtyard, Li Ke asked hastily: "Where is Sister Feng?"

  "She said she's not at home." Qin Mu Bai said with a sly smile.

  "Hmm..." Li Ke was taken aback for a moment, then let out two bitter laughs. "Alright, alright, I get it. Let's go practice our archery skills, just the two of us!"

  "My pleasure."

  With bows on their backs and arrows in hand, the two arrived at the archery range in the backyard. Before they even began to shoot, Li Ke suddenly let out a long sigh, his face filled with a look of worry.

  "What's wrong with Your Highness?" Qin Mu Bai asked.

  "There's nothing." Li Ke's mouth corners slightly twitched, shaking his head, with a worried look.

  "Is it because of Fourth Sister's matter?" Qin Mu Bai asked with a smile.

  "Of course not. Is this all I'm capable of?" Li Ke glared at Qin Mu Bai with a bad temper, let out a long sigh, and laughed self-deprecatingly, "You tell me, what else in this world can make me, Li Ke, so worried?"

  Qin Mubai's heart slightly lit up: Li Ke, a close prince with noble blood, what else could make him so depressed besides royal affairs? ... But since it involves the imperial family's private matters, it's better for oneself not to get involved lightly.

  "Your Highness doesn't have to think too much, just focus on competing in archery!" Qin Mubai intentionally changed the subject.

  "Hey, this isn't like you at all!" Li Ke turned his handsome face sideways with a suspicious expression, his dragon-like eyes slanting as he gazed at Qin Mu Bai and said, "I've been back for so long, how come you've never asked even once - how did I get back from Anzhou?"

  "Haha, isn't it too late to ask now?" Qin Mu Bai said with a relaxed and casual smile. There was a precedent in the Zhenguan dynasty that all adult princes had to go to distant places to be enfeoffed as officials, and unless there were special circumstances or they were summoned by the imperial court, they were not allowed to return to the capital - so, how did Li Ke suddenly return to the capital now?

  "I was impeached by the censor and demoted back. Li Ke let out a long sigh, his thick eyebrows furrowed in gloom, saying: "I just got scolded by my father, the Emperor, and returned to the mansion feeling depressed. Under such a mood, I thought of coming to your place to chat and clear my mind. In this vast Chang'an city, perhaps only the Qin's residence is a tranquil haven that doesn't stir up dust."

  Qin Mubai nodded, thinking that his father had been bedridden with illness for several years, although he still held the position of Left Wuwei General, but basically did not care about any court or military affairs, and was removed from the struggles of the imperial court.

  "A place of serenity is not disturbed by dust", Li Ke's words reveal a hint of helplessness.

  "What was it that caused Your Highness to be demoted?" Qin Mu Bai asked.

  With a "whoosh", Li Ke drew his bow to the full and shot an arrow flying swiftly, with a "thud" it hit the red heart right in the center, the arrowhead pierced through the target, the tail of the arrow quivered and hummed.

  "Ah..." Perhaps having vented some of his grievances, Li Ke let out a long sigh and said: "The censor's impeachment stated that - excessive hunting and horseback riding trampled crops, extravagance and indulgence in gambling and bad habits."

  "Is it just because of this?" Qin Mu Bai couldn't help but be stunned.

  "What else can you do, not being able to kill people, set fires, plot against the emperor and rebel? Just this alone has already cost me my position as commander-in-chief and reduced my fief by 300 households. This is nothing, but Father Emperor summoned me back to the palace for a scolding, it was really humiliating and made me feel like I'd been drenched in dog's blood." Li Ke's face turned even uglier.

  "Such a heavy punishment?" Qin Mu Bai couldn't help but shake his head.

  It seems that the laws of the Tang Dynasty are indeed strict, and Li Shimin's requirements for his children are also very strict - princes who break the law will be punished in the same way as ordinary people.

  Li Ke, this dignified prince and son of the emperor, probably has a bad habit of extravagance and liking to gamble. He went out hunting and trampled on farmland, resulting in such severe punishment. What if he had driven at full speed and killed a few people? What would have been the outcome?

  Moreover, why don't the officials of the Zhenguan dynasty know how to "be human"?

  Logically speaking, the prince's offense was minor and could have been covered up, who would dare to take the risk of offending the prince by reporting it, let alone someone taking the initiative to expose and impeach him.

  "It seems that the officialdom of Zhen Guan Da Tang indeed has some unique aspects..." Qin Mu Bai thought to himself.

  The royal family's affairs are often the core of a political whirlpool, Qin Mubai didn't want to ask too much, so he changed the subject and persuaded Li Ke for a while, letting him temporarily put aside these unpleasant things and shot an arrow.

  "Your skills have improved greatly, Mo Bai." Li Ke exclaimed without surprise, "Indeed, after three days of separation, one should look at each other with new eyes. I didn't expect your archery skills to progress to such an extent, tsk tsk, did the Duke of Wing secretly instruct you?"

  "That's for sure." Qin Mubai, who had shot a few arrows casually, smiled and said, "With my mediocre talent, if it weren't for Father whipping me every day to practice hard, how could I have reached this level? However, looking left and right, it seems that Your Highness' archery skills are still one step higher."

  "Haha, you've really changed. In the past, weren't you always vying to be the center of attention? Now you're being low-key and cautious, and even learned how to flatter people." Li Ke burst out laughing, "But this flattery is done well, I like it."

  "Haha!" Qin Mubai also burst out laughing several times.

  Li Ke, unlike the typical royal family member with a big attitude and an arrogant demeanor, is actually quite down-to-earth and easy-going. After getting to know him, one's impression of him isn't bad at all.

  "Hey, another day when you have time, bring Frost to my place for a small gathering?" Li Ke said with a low smile. "Although I was demoted and sent back to the capital, I didn't forget to bring some of the best specialty tea leaves back. Frost has always loved drinking tea and eating snacks, she'll definitely be delighted."

  "Why don't you ask me what I like? No benefit, no use." Qin Mu Bai smiled.

  "You, huh...” Li Ke's eyebrows rose slightly as he gave a sly smile. “I'll arrange for two pretty girls to take a bath for you to watch, with only a thin layer of gauze in between. Enjoying the ambiguous view, it's one of life's greatest pleasures! How about it?”

  Qin Mubai shook his head with a bitter smile, speechless. It seemed that the glorious deeds he himself could hardly recall had already taken such deep root in people's hearts.

  The two of them were chatting enthusiastically, when a servant from the mansion rushed over and bowed, saying: "Your Highness, please forgive me for my rudeness... Third Master, the old master has ordered you to hurry to the front mansion and prepare to welcome his arrival."

  "Welcome?" Qin Mu Bai and Li Ke exclaimed in unison.

  "Yes!" The servant hastily replied, "His Majesty the Emperor has arrived at our residence and specifically asked to see Third Young Master!"

  "What? Is the Emperor really here?" Qin Mu Bai and Li Ke were both shocked, looking at each other in surprise.

  "Your Highness, would you mind stepping aside?" Qin Mu Bai said.

  "I came to visit my respected teacher with a clear conscience, why should I hide and be ashamed to see people?" Li Ke's thick eyebrows slightly frowned as he waved his hand, "Let's go, I'll go with you to welcome the imperial carriage."

  The two put down their bows and arrows, tidied up their clothes, and came to the front hall.

  At the front gate, two rows of imperial guards had already taken up their positions, exuding an aura of majesty. Inside the grand hall, sitting in the main seats were two people facing each other. One of them was naturally Qin Shubao.

  Another person, Qin Mubai, was not very familiar, but his facial features were somewhat similar to those of Li Ke. He wore a black silk hat with gold and white brocade clothes, jade belt, boots with cloud patterns embroidered on the robe, although it was a common attire for an official family, but every move he made revealed an air of nobility and limitless majesty.

  In comparison, the usually calm and majestic head of the family, Qin Shubao, also looked somewhat restrained and stiff at this moment, even his sitting posture was not as relaxed as before.

  "Judging from this demeanor, I suppose this stranger is indeed the Emperor of Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin? I've long heard that Li Shimin treats his officials like family members, unlike any other emperor in history. Now he's actually sitting on an equal level with my father, it seems he's truly a man who values talent and humility." Qin Mubai thought to himself as Li Ke walked over, shook out his sleeves and bowed to the ground: "Your son Li Ke pays respects to Your Majesty, may you live for ten thousand years!"

  Li Ke waited for the ceremony to be over, and then Qin Mu Bai also went to pay his respects.

  Li Shimin exempted the two from ceremony, his face expressionless yet not without dignity, and looked at Li Ke saying: "Ke'er, you're not in the mansion reflecting on yourself, why did you run to the Qin manor to cause trouble?"

  Li Ke stood with his hands clasped together to one side, his eyes cast downward in contemplation. He bowed his head and replied respectfully: "Your Majesty's words are just. I am deeply aware of my own guilt and constantly reflect on it with a heavy heart. Today, I have come specifically to pay respects to the Duke of Wing State, merely to humbly learn from him about the Way of Filial Piety. Although the Duke of Wing State and I do not have a formal teacher-disciple relationship, we do share a bond like that of teacher and disciple; in my youth, he once taught me archery skills, therefore..."

  "Hmm, respecting teachers and morals is not wrong. The virtuous deeds of the Duke of Qin are indeed worthy of your humble study." Li Shimin waved his hand, "Since you've come, let's have a drink together with me. This wine from the Qin manor isn't easy to get."

  "Haha, Your Majesty is the master of the world, why say 'be a guest'? Is this not ridiculing me for being petty and stingy?" Qin Shubao laughed and said, "Your Majesty has come at just the right time. Recently, I obtained a jar of medicinal wine that can cure wind-induced illness and cold legs, which is exceptionally fragrant and unprecedented. Today, I'll muster up the courage to offer it to Your Majesty for a drink."

  "Haha, with Uncle Bao's discerning eye, this wine is certainly not bad. Today, my son and I will surely indulge in a feast." Li Shimin said with a relaxed smile, "After decades of founding the country, establishing the nation, and fighting wars, who doesn't have some lingering coldness or dampness in their bones? Today, I'll take advantage of this opportunity to get a good deal."

  "Your Majesty, what are you saying? I'd better speak the ugly truth: Your Majesty is used to drinking the finest wines in the palace, don't let the village wine from my humble abode spoil your taste." Qin Shubao laughed and said, "Liang'er, haven't you gone to fetch the wine yet?"

  "Yes." Qin Mubai nodded and went out to fetch the wine. In his heart, he couldn't help but laugh: Old Dad is really interesting, wanting to show off the medicinal wine I brewed in front of the Emperor.

  After Qin Mu Bai left, Li Shimin stroked his chin with a hint of black beard and chuckled: "A tiger father has no inferior son. Uncle Bao, your third son is indeed a rare talent!"

  "What are you saying, Your Majesty?" Qin Shubao couldn't help but feel some surprise and doubt. "My son Liang'er has been obstinate and disobedient since childhood, only earning the reputation of being lazy and useless, a source of shame for me, as iron that cannot be forged into steel."

  "Haha, this is exactly what's wrong with you as a father, not even understanding your own son." Li Shimin laughed heartily and said, "To be honest with you, I came to your residence today with two intentions. Firstly, of course, it was to visit your illness and have a chat; secondly, it was specifically for the sake of your third son!"

  "What?" Qin Shubao couldn't help but be taken aback, and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, is it that this unfilial son has committed some kind of error outside? If so, there's no need for Your Majesty to speak, I will have him killed with a single slap!"

  "Uncle Bao, what are you doing?" Li Shimin's expression remained unchanged, still smiling, and he even patted Qin Bao on the shoulder. "Relax, my second brother Qin. We've been through thick and thin together for decades, as monarch and subject in court, and as brothers out of court. Your son is not my nephew? Don't worry, I'm not here to punish him, no need for you to sacrifice your family for justice. On the contrary, I'm here to ask your third son... to be my teacher."

  "What?!" Qin Shubao was suddenly stunned, Danfeng's eyes were wide open, looking at Li Shimin in a flustered manner, the whole person seemed to be somewhat dazed.

  Li Ke, who was sitting in the lower seat, was also stunned and stood still, with a head full of fog.

  "Haha, let me keep you in suspense for a while, and you'll know soon! —— Ke'er, take a seat too. Today, I'll let you witness something extraordinary!" Li Shimin said with a great mood, laughing.

  "Thank you, Father." Li Ke walked to the lower seat and sat down on a low stool, his mind filled with doubts and questions: This is strange, why would Father want to learn from Qin Mu Bai? What could he possibly learn from him? Could it be how to climb walls and peek at other people's daughters taking baths... How wicked of me to think this way!