Chapter 60: The Rise of the Milk Dad

  The summer days are always longer, the palace's evening drum has sounded for a long time, and the sunset is still hanging on the high wall of the imperial city, unwilling to leave.

  When Qin Mu Bai arrived at the Tai Ming Palace Penglai Hall, Li Shimin was enthusiastically accompanying his three children in the Hou Hua Yuan playing Cuju. As Qin Shu Bao had said before, Li Shimin was not only a great emperor but also a talented and elegant scholar. Cuju was child's play for him. A colorful palace ball at his feet seemed to have come alive, kicking it with dragon-like elegance.

  Little Prince Li Zhi and Little Princess Li Mingda clapped their small hands loudly, shouting "good" in delight. Their giggles revealed the innocence and simple joy of childhood. For these children who had just lost their mother, this daily moment was probably the most anticipated happy time of the day.

  Today, there was another person playing cuju with Li Shimin on the field, and that was Gao Yang Princess, Li Shimin's darling daughter who had just returned from Taiyuan in the north.

  Don't look at Gao Yang princess, only twelve or thirteen years old, but everywhere shows a "big man" flavor that is not consistent with her age. Every move and gesture has a bit of Li Shimin's charm, even the tone of speech is similar. This is probably one of the reasons why Li Shimin likes her!

  Qin Mubai stood quietly outside the Yu Huayuan garden for a while, not going in to disturb. The eunuch waiting outside, who was relatively familiar with him, said in a low voice: "General, shall I go and announce your arrival?"

  "No need, I'll just wait." Seeing Gao Yang princess, Qin Mu Bai didn't want to have a verbal dispute with her in front of Li Shi Min. With this little girl's temperament, she was probably spoiled and arrogant, but without Li Shi Min around, she might be slightly more restrained; if Father Emperor were present, she would definitely be even bolder.

  Unexpectedly, Qin Mubai didn't think of going in, but the gaze of Princess Gaoyang was sharp. Kicking the ball, she also caught sight of Qin Mubai standing outside the garden. With a pout, she caught the ball kicked by Li Shimin with both hands and hugged it to her chest, turning her face away with a huff.

  Li Shimin frowned: "Ling'er, why did you stop kicking?"

  "Father——" Princess Gao Yang hugged the ball, shaking her shoulders and walking to Li Shimin's front with a swagger, saying in a spoiled tone, "When I see that guy, I get so angry that I don't even want to kick the ball anymore!"

  "You're such a child." Li Shimin glanced at Qin Mubai in the distance, patted Gao Yang Princess's head, and lowered his head to whisper in her ear, "Father Emperor has been talking to you for so long, why are you still being stubborn?"

  "The Emperor's words are very reasonable, and naturally I understand too! However..." Princess Gao Yang pouted, with a pitiful and wronged expression, and complained, "But from childhood to adulthood, I have never suffered such grievances! Isn't it said that as a member of the imperial family, one must always think about the dignity of the royal family and cannot tarnish the honor of the imperial clan? Now even a sentinel officer dares to seize me, and shouts at me, lays hands on me... If this gets out, how can I live in the future?"

  Li Shimin shook his head helplessly and chuckled: "Ling'er, you're usually so understanding and sensible, why are you being stubborn this time? The military orders of the Hundred Riders were set by Father Emperor. Qin Mu Bai and the others are just doing their duty. As my daughter, you should voluntarily follow these rules and not force them to do things that go against military orders. That's how you maintain Father Emperor's dignity! The Hundred Riders are my personal guards, and in the future, they'll be your personal guards too! How can you be so petty with subordinates? You should learn from your mother, Yin De Fei, who is known for her generosity and broad-mindedness throughout the palace."

  "Alright, alright... " Princess Gao Yang reluctantly nodded and glanced at Qin Mu Bai with a slanted gaze, humming softly, "But Father Emperor wants to praise that guy in person and criticize me... This is unbearable."

  "Heh heh, just putting on a show. If not, how would Qin Mu Bai and the others dare to strictly enforce the law and be loyal to their duties in the future? As a princess, you should have some magnanimity and poise to make your subordinates surrender."

  "Alright, alright, I'll listen to Father Emperor." Princess Gaoyang raised an eyebrow and let out a reluctant, awkward laugh. "Who made Father Emperor the person I like the most?"

  "You're such a sweet talker!" Li Shimin was amused and stretched out two fingers to pinch her lips, "You speak so eloquently, why are you pouting?"

  "Alright, alright, hehe!" Princess Gaoyang smiled and laughed, her smile was dazzling, revealing a small dimple and a pair of tiger teeth.

  "Hmm, this is indeed my most well-behaved Ling'er treasure! Haha!" Li Shimin burst out laughing, feeling extremely delighted.

  Qin Mubai watched from afar, although she didn't hear what the Emperor and Princess Gao Yang said, but seeing him laugh so heartily, she thought to herself: It's said that a daughter is her father's last love, it seems Li Shimin really loves Princess Gao Yang deeply. This clever and cunning Princess Gao Yang indeed has a way to make Li Shimin happy.

  "Someone is here, Qin Mu Bai has arrived to see Your Majesty."

  Qin Mubai entered the Imperial Garden as ordered and paid his respects.

  Li Shimin sat in the chair, and Princess Gao Yang stood beside him, wiping his sweat and fanning him with great care. At this moment, she was completely different from the little devil who had rushed into the palace at the beginning, and had transformed into an angel.

  "Mo Bai, I've already asked Gao Yang about this afternoon's matter. It was indeed her fault and I've scolded her for it." Li Shimin's expression wasn't stern, his tone rather relaxed, with a hint of apology, "I'm really sorry to trouble you. Is your injury okay?"

  "Your Majesty is being too serious, I don't seem to have been hurt at all." Qin Mu Bai replied with a bow.

  "You don't have to cover up for Gao Yang, I already know everything. It's really unbecoming, a princess like you actually biting people!" Li Shimin said, seemingly a bit angry as he glared at Gao Yang, who also very cooperatively looked down with a timid expression, looking like she had done something wrong and was waiting to be scolded, with a pitiful and charming appearance.

  "Never mind, Your Majesty. It was just a slight misunderstanding. I, your humble subject, was also too stubborn and hot-headed at the time, and it's not all the princess's fault." Qin Mu Bai said with a bitter smile in his heart: This play is really exhausting!

  Li Shimin nodded and said lightly, "Let it go, let this small misunderstanding pass. Gao Yang, if you dare to charge at the Hundred Riders again in the future, I will not forgive you."

  "Got it!" Princess Gaoyang whispered with a tongue-out expression.

  "Hmm?" - Li Shimin let out a long, feigned "hmm", his face showing displeasure as he looked towards Princess Gao Yang.

  "The son obeys the order!" Princess Gaoyang made a ceremonial bow.

  Qin Mubai couldn't help but want to laugh at the sight. This father and daughter pair were really quite amusing.

  "Alright, you may withdraw first." Li Shimin waved his hand and Princess Gao Yang bowed and retreated. She had only taken a few steps back when she was just out of Li Shimin's line of sight, Princess Gao Yang quietly turned around and pointed her fingers at Qin Mu Bai several times, saying in "lip language": "Just you wait, you just wait!"

  Qin Mubai's eyes twitched, and he was truly at a loss for words. The eunuchs and palace maids beside him were desperately holding back their laughter, not daring to reveal any signs of amusement in front of the emperor.

  Li Shimin called Li Zhi and Li Mingda over, one in his arms and the other on his lap, coaxing them: "Gu nu, si zi, do you see how heroic this general is?"

  Ten-year-old Li Zhi and five-year-old Li Mingda looked up at Qin Mubai together, blinking their innocent eyes in unison, nodding: "Yingwu."

  "Brother Jiu, what does 'Ying Wu' mean?" Li Mingda asked with a tilted head.

  "I don't know either!" Li Zhi looked at his sister and shook his head in confusion.

  "Haha——" Everyone in the scene, including Qin Mubai and Li Shimin, laughed.

  Li Shimin stroked the heads of the two children on either side of him and whispered in their ears, "Do you want to know what Yingwu means? You have to read more books, do you understand?"

  "Got it!" The two kids chimed in unison, even their nods were synchronized.

  Qin Mubai stood by and saw it, feeling quite warm in his heart. Putting aside the identities of these people, this scene is indeed a rare and beautiful picture of filial piety. However, in history, Li Shimin's failure as a father seemed to be as outstanding as his success as an emperor.

  Among all his children, not a single one truly succeeded, and the majority of them did not end well. It has to be said that this is Li Shimin's greatest regret and failure in his life. In fact, which man does not hope for both his career and family to be harmonious and perfect? But it seems that heaven does not intend to let anyone have all the advantages. Li Shimin spent his whole life winning battles and being a successful emperor, but he was unable to be a qualified father.

  From this point of view, Li Shimin, the emperor for a thousand years, is not as good as a peasant who has a harmonious family with filial piety.

  "Chu Nu, Ci Zi, after Father Emperor, I will let this brave general accompany you to study and write every day, okay?" Li Shimin gently patted his two sons and said softly.

  "No!" Li Zhi hugged Li Shimin's arm tightly and shook his head quickly, "The child is about to be born to the emperor!"

  "Brother Jiu, don't be like this! Father Emperor is the ruler of a country and has many things to attend to. He can't accompany us every day!" Five-year-old Li Mingda said seriously, sounding just like an adult.

  "Look, little sister is so sensible." Li Shimin chuckled and said patiently, "This general is the one Father Emperor trusts the most... Ah, he's Father Emperor's best friend. He can take care of you just like Father Emperor does, and protect you well too. Look, his armor is so handsome, and there's a sharp treasured sword hanging from his waist! With him around, no one will dare to come scare you on a wild horse again. And hey, little slave, aren't you fond of music? This general can play the pipa extremely well, let him teach you; and Xiaozi, you're only five but already like calligraphy, always imitating Father Emperor's flying white script, he can teach you too! I'll tell you, his handwriting is even more beautiful than Father Emperor's!"

  "Really?" Li Zhi and Li Mingda were after all young children, hearing so many new things, they were immediately attracted to them, curiously looking at Qin Mu Bai together.

  Li Shimin nodded slightly and acknowledged Qin Mu's words.

  Qin Mubai smiled and squatted down, saying in a gentle voice: "Your Highnesses, the Emperor is not joking. I can play the pipa, write words, kick a ball, ride a horse, shoot arrows, eliminate anyone who wants to bully you, and think of many, many fun things for you to play with."

  "Then can you wake up my mother? She's been sleeping for a long time!" Suddenly, Li Mingda said this sentence, then opened his round eyes and looked at Qin Mu Bai with full expectation.

  Qin Mubai looked up and glanced at Li Shimin, his face was so complex at this moment. Warmth mixed with a hint of sadness, looking at Qin Mubai as if seeking help.

  "I can." Qin Mu Bai smiled and nodded lightly.

  "Hurray!" Li Zhi and Li Mingda clapped their hands and shouted in excitement, cheering together.

  Note: There is no clear record in historical documents about the name and biological mother of Princess Gaoyang, which has been debated for a long time. In this article, we use a "non-mainstream" and "unauthoritative" statement, setting her name as "Li Ling", and her mother as Yin De Fei. Well, let's just consider it as a setting, no need to dig deeper, we are not historians.

  .??，！