Chapter 61: The Little Devil Intercepts

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  Looking at the two children's innocent and joyful cheers, Li Shimin couldn't help but laugh.

  Qin Mubai clearly saw the fish-tail mole at the corner of Li Shimin's eye, and the benevolence and sadness written on his face. Having accompanied him for so many days, Qin Mubai had never seen Li Shimin smile like this before. At this moment, he seemed to be no longer the all-powerful ruler who dominated the world, nor was he that Li Er who had killed his brothers and forced his father to abdicate.

  It's unexpected that a man who has been immersed in the treacherous waters of politics and war for so long would have such a warm side. At this moment, Li Shimin is just a loving father who dotes on his children. He has many children, perhaps he can't be so serious and affectionate with each one. But from how he treats Li Zhi and Li Mingda, it can be seen that Li Shimin is not a ruthless and heartless person, nor is he unwilling to be a good father... What's the reason why most of his children are so incompetent and have such poor fates? With Li Shimin's abilities, he can govern a country and bring peace to the world, yet he can't even manage his own children well?

  Looking at this kind-hearted father in front of her, Qin Mubai was at a loss.

  Two big men teased Li Zhi and Li Mingda for a while, then the wet nurse came to take the two young princes away.

  Li Shimin watched his two children walk away until they disappeared from view, still waving slowly, the smile on his face never fading.

  "Your Majesty, the King of Jin and Princess Jinyang are both excellent. One is benevolent and filial, while the other is intelligent." Qin Mubai spoke up to change the subject, breaking the silence on site and also making Li Shimin, who was momentarily lost in thought, feel slightly less awkward.

  "Heh heh, indeed." Li Shimin was in a good mood, chuckling as he sat down and took a sip of tea. "Mu Bai, it seems that Zhen Nu and Cuo Zi have a good impression of you. So I can rest assured to let you take care of them."

  To win over a mother's favor, the most convenient and quick way is to praise her child. This trick seems to work well on Li Shimin too.

  Qin Mubai smiled and cupped his hands: "To be honest, I don't have full confidence that I can satisfy the King of Jin and the Princess. I can only do my best and try my hardest. The only thing I can guarantee now is their absolute safety."

  "Hmm, I'm completely at ease now. With your and Baiji's abilities, in this deep palace, probably no one can harm these two children. Li Shimin looked at Qin Mubai with a satisfied nod and smile, "Just now you told a good-natured lie... but I'm also quite curious, if Yishou and Zizhen fight over you to be their mother in the future, what do you plan to do?"

  "I will tell them a story," said Qin Mu Bai with a smile. "I will tell them that Empress Longsun has gone to heaven, a very beautiful and warm place. She is doing well there, every day blessing her children. If they love their mother and miss her, don't cry anymore, live happily every day. In short, this story will be endless."

  "Heh, a good story. Let them scatter their attention for now. They're still young, and the feeling of losing their mother may not be so deep. But as they grow older, the feeling of lacking maternal love will only intensify." Li Shimin said, "Therefore, I hope you can resolve their emotional knots early on, and don't let their youthful loss of their mother affect their character or even their life."

  "Your Majesty has high hopes and expectations, I am both moved and impressed. Your Majesty can rest assured, I will strive to achieve these goals." Qin Mubai bowed his head in agreement, thinking to himself: It seems that my task as a nanny is quite arduous, not only do I need to protect these two young princes, but also serve as their psychologist and even mentor... The future Emperor Li Zhi, if he is influenced by me, Qin Mou, from a young age on his personality, outlook on life, what will he become in the future? What kind of divergence will occur in history?

  This thing is getting more and more interesting.

  Li Shimin's mood was quite good today, with a smile on his face all the time. At this moment, when speaking to Qin Mubai, the tone of voice was no longer the usual conversation between monarch and minister, but more like the exchange between close friends or even relatives. He said: "Mubai, you are talented and young, I also hope that you can teach them some things, especially Yezu. He is my youngest legitimate son, I don't want him to become a useless prince who only knows how to eat and wait for death in the future. Your talents, martial arts skills, can all be used to teach him. Whatever he wants to learn, you teach him. If it's something even you don't know, tell me, I'll find teachers for you."

  "Yes, Your Majesty." Qin Mubai smiled to himself: This isn't just a nanny, but also Li Zhi's study companion and teacher. My identity is truly complicated.

  Li Shimin furrowed his brow and fell silent for a moment, as if brewing something in his mind. Then he spoke again: "The harem is a very complicated place. If the empress were still here, I would have no worries at all and could entrust everything to her. But now that the harem has no master, none of the four consorts - Gui De Xian Shu - are capable of fully managing the harem on my behalf. So I'm not too confident in Zhi Nu and the others... Mu Bai, do you understand what I mean?"

  "I understand, Your Majesty." Qin Mu Bai's heart skipped a beat as he thought to himself: From Li Shimin's words, it seems that after the Empress passed away, there are also some undercurrents stirring in the harem? The four consorts who rank just below the Empress may be secretly vying for the throne. With the harem in turmoil, it is likely to affect Li Zhi and Li Mingda as well. These two immature children can only serve as pawns in the stormy struggle for power in the harem; what else can they do?

  "Hmm... let them, stay away from some unnecessary things." Li Shimin's eyebrows were slightly furrowed, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself, and finally smiled wryly, "You don't have to worry about these things either. Just focus on doing your own job well."

  "I understand." Qin Mu Bai nodded in agreement. Who dares to interfere with the emperor's family affairs? Qin Mu Bai wasn't that foolish, nor did he have any interest in it. In the vast harem, his only interest was admiring those elegant and beautiful women, while also restraining his own lustful impulses. Where in the world is there no fragrant grass, why would one need to make the emperor wear a green hat? That's truly courting death.

  "There's another small matter." Li Shimin skillfully changed the subject, saying, "Just now Gao Yang was constantly pestering me, I didn't ask your opinion and didn't agree to it on the spot."

  Qin Mubai couldn't help but feel a little stunned and hastily said: "As soon as Your Majesty gives the order, what can't be accomplished in the world?"

  "No, this is a matter that requires your opinion." Li Shimin chuckled and said lightly, "It's those four palace maids who were arrested by you! They instigated Gao Yang to charge at the imperial carriage, which indeed violated military law. Originally, they should be dealt with accordingly. I recall that the Hundred Riders' Command states that those who charge at the imperial carriage and refuse to retreat can be beheaded first and reported later, right? However, they grew up serving Gao Yang since childhood, and if they were to be executed, I would truly be worried... Therefore, I am now asking you as a father to show mercy. Can't you consider their first offense and mete out a lighter punishment?"

  "Your Majesty has spoken, I can only agree," said Qin Mu Bai. "Your Majesty takes responsibility for himself, upholds the law and defends it, I admire that."

  "Hmm, it can't be just let go like this." Li Shimin put the cup cover on the cup, knocking it slightly heavily, and said, "I have long heard that these four palace maids rely on Gao Yang's favor, flying high in the harem. Take the opportunity to teach them a lesson, let them learn from their mistakes and follow the rules from now on. As for Gao Yang, you don't need to worry, I will take care of it myself."

  "Yes, Your Majesty." Qin Mubai smiled wryly in his heart: You make it sound so easy! You have me discipline those four palace maids, but in reality, you're indirectly teaching a lesson to Gao Yang... It's your business if you want to teach your daughter a lesson, but why drag me into this? Isn't this just making me openly offend Gao Yang? With you stepping in to suppress Gao Yang, she might not seek revenge from me for now. But once this grudge is formed, will she still let me off easy in the future? I'm not afraid of thieves stealing, but I am afraid of them bearing a grudge... Who knows how that evil little loli with a belly full of malice will deal with me in the future... Dammit, serving by the Emperor's side is indeed prone to trouble!

  After chatting for a while, Li Shimin told Qin Mubai that he didn't need to worry about the affairs of the hundred riders for the next few days and should spend more time at Penglai Palace taking care of the two young princes. Soon after, Qin Mubai bid farewell and returned to the military camp.

  As he left Peng Lai Dian, Qin Mu Bai walked all the way to Taiji Palace. When he arrived at the Yufeng Gate in front of the imperial bridge, he suddenly heard a low shout: "Halt!"

  “Princess Gaoyang?” Qin Mubai looked at the approaching figure and couldn't help but furrow his brow. Princess Gaoyang, accompanied by over a dozen palace maids and eunuchs, was blocking the way on the bridge, looking like a street thug. The young woman was still dressed in luxurious attire, her face and skin as exquisite as ever, but the strange smile on her face and the sinister glint in her eyes made people instantly think of one word - little devil!

  "Come here!" Princess Gaoyang proudly raised her crimson lips, and her right index finger hooked towards Qin Mubai.

  "Are you still thinking of beating me up?... The princess led people to surround and beat my son, isn't this also too absurd?" Qin Mubai didn't feel any tension or fear, he just thought it was ridiculous enough to make him laugh and cry.

  "Your Highness, what can I do for you?"

  Those ten or so palace maids and eunuchs suddenly rushed out like horses, surrounding Qin Mu Bai at the core. Princess Gao Yang clapped her hands, smiling with a hint of complacency: "Very simple, I ordered you to... release him!"

  "Sorry, princess, this humble official cannot comply." Qin Mu Bai replied very simply, completely ignoring the people around him, and smiled, "Military orders are like mountains, prisoners who have been captured without trial and sentencing cannot be released."

  "I knew you'd say that." Princess Gao Yang didn't get angry this time, but instead chuckled a few times.

  Qin Mubai's eyes sparkled with delight, and he couldn't help but shake his head: This little girl, this one smile is truly enchanting!

  "Beat him!" Princess Gao Yang suddenly let out a cold hum, "No one has ever dared to treat me like this! Give him a good lesson!"

  .??，！