The film and television world begins with the battle for the throne in Kowloon

Chapter 535 Meeting Li Shimin for the first time

"Yes, Prince, protecting His Majesty is my duty." When mentioning this glorious thing, a slight glow appeared on Ma Xuanliang's stern face.

Just because he blocked an arrow for the emperor, Ma Xuanliang was promoted from a general guarding the north gate to a royal guard, serving Li Shimin. His life changed dramatically, and he came into contact with important officials and princes, and everyone treated him with courtesy.

For this reason, Ma Xuanliang became even more cautious. He knew that he could not afford to offend any of these people, so he was very careful and responsible in his duties, not daring to overstep the line.

After receiving a positive answer, Li Yan's face became serious, he stopped, straightened his sleeves, stood up straight, stretched out his arms and crossed them in front of him. Under Ma Xuanliang's puzzled gaze, he bent his back and respectfully saluted Ma Xuanliang.

"This"

Ma Xuanliang's face changed drastically and he didn't know where to put his hands. In the square in front of the Liangyi Palace, in public, Li Yan, a prince and the emperor's eldest son, actually gave him such a great gift. He didn't know how many people would be watching.

Looking at the guards standing guard every three steps and every five steps on the square in the distance, Ma Xuanliang was panicked and had no idea how to deal with this situation. He didn't even dare to reach out to help Li Yan.

"Prince, what do you mean?"

Sweat dripped down Ma Xuanliang's forehead. His legs immediately went weak and he was about to kneel down. This was the only way Ma Xuanliang could think of to offset Li Yan's gift in the short term.

Unexpectedly, before he could kneel down, Li Yan straightened his body and said solemnly: "The battlefield was dangerous and fierce. Father was at the front in person. The general blocked an arrow for father and saved his life. As a son, Cheng Qian should thank you."

So that's how it is. Ma Xuanliang breathed a sigh of relief. If this happened in an ordinary family, Li Yan's behavior would not be considered excessive. Instead, it would be a symbol of understanding reason and numbers.

But Li Shimin was the emperor and Li Yan was the prince, so that was a bit too much.

But at least there was a source, and he could give an explanation to the outside world. Ma Xuanliang was not as nervous as before. He waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, please don't do this. As a minister, Ma Xuanliang is protecting the emperor. He is just fulfilling his duty as a minister. Your Highness does not need to perform such a grand ceremony."

"Having said that, Cheng Qian still thanks the general."

Li Yan knew that his behavior was very abrupt, but he had to do it. He knew that from the moment he stepped into Chang'an City, there were countless people watching him. He couldn't just be an honest and filial child like Li Chengqian in the original play, because that would lead to his death sooner or later.

This pretentious performance in the square of Taiji Palace, which was watched by everyone, would surely be spread before the evening. Regardless of whether others said that Li Yan was a man of loyalty and righteousness or that he was insincere, at least no one would say that Li Yan was a coward and a waste anymore.

Li Yan stepped forward and took Ma Xuanliang's arm, smiling and saying, "General, you have fulfilled your duties as a subject, and Cheng Qian has fulfilled his wishes as a son. We are both right. In this case, General, you don't have to be polite. Father is still waiting for us."

"Well, please follow me, Prince."

After this incident, Ma Xuanliang was not as cold as before, and he had a better impression of Li Yan. After all, in his eyes, although the person in front of him was a prince, he was only a ten-year-old child after all. How could he have such deep thoughts?

Then the two of them walked and talked. Li Yan asked about Li Shimin's recent food, clothing, and daily life. Since it was not confidential, it was reasonable for Li Yan to be concerned about his father's life as a son. Ma Xuanliang answered one by one. When they arrived at Chengqing Palace, the two of them had become quite familiar with each other.

Chengqing Palace was the emperor's bedroom. For convenience, Li Shimin often reviewed memorials, read books, had meals, and summoned concubines to sleep with him here.

As soon as he entered the palace, Li Yan saw a tall and broad middle-aged man with a slender figure, big ears, a majestic beard, wearing yellow brocade clothes, and a golden dragon crown on his head. He stared at him with wide eyes.

Combining the memories of his original body, Li Yan quickly recognized that this person was none other than Li Shimin, the new master of the Tang Empire. Because the memories had just been merged, the memories of the original owner in Li Yan's mind showed him being both kind and a little timid towards Li Shimin as a parent, and he was ready to step forward to greet him according to etiquette.

On the way into the palace, Fan Xing kept reminding Li Yan that the current Li Shimin was no longer the King of Qin, but the Emperor. Although Li Yan was a son, he still had to abide by the etiquette when meeting him and meet him as a subject, but with a cordial expression so as to maintain the father-son affection.

Li Yan appeared to be submissive on the surface, but in his heart he sneered and disapproved.

Damn, he has to be as respectful as a subject, and also be as filial as a son. Who the hell can do it? You come and try?

Throughout history, countless princes were deposed, imprisoned, or even killed, because being a prince is the most difficult position in the world, half king and half minister. He must maintain the demeanor of a crown prince to be recognized by court officials, and at the same time not threaten the emperor and cause his fear. It can be said that every day is like sitting on a fire.

It seems to be a glorious and glorious place, but in reality, every step is thrilling and full of dangers. It can be said to be the most difficult position to hold throughout history.

Li Yan decided to follow his own life experience and measured what the scene would be like for a ten-year-old child in the future when he met his father after a long separation. After all, the father and son had not seen each other for four years since Li Chengqian moved to the border at the age of six.

The moment he saw Li Shimin, Li Yan immediately aroused his inner emotions. His eyes turned red and an excited expression appeared on his face. He took desperate steps with his short legs. Even the palace servants behind him did not bother to stop him. Li Yan dived into Li Shimin's arms.

"Father, I miss you so much!" Li Yan looked excited. He hugged Li Shimin's waist and began to cry.

Li Shimin's tears and snot flowed down his chest. Wang De, the chief eunuch next to him, was about to correct Li Yan's etiquette. Li Shimin was stunned, then waved his hand to stop Wang De's behavior, and naturally stretched out his arms to hug his eldest son. At this time, Li Shimin had just ascended the throne. Before he could enjoy the glory of being the emperor brought by power, he fell into internal and external troubles. Hundreds of thousands of Turkic troops invaded, and the Turkic vanguards were stationed on the north bank of the Wei River outside the city to harass the tribes.

Many kings in the south took the opportunity to cause chaos. The current situation brought Li Shiming strong oppression and crisis, making his nerves tense all the time during this period and he dared not relax for a moment.

Li Chengqian's childish behavior at this moment aroused the deep-seated emotions of Li Shimin, who had just killed his brother's entire family, and whose hands were covered with the blood of his brothers and sisters, and whose father also called him worse than a beast. In addition, Li Chengqian was his first son.

After ascending the throne, Li Shimin's heart softened, and he thought of his duties as a father, and missed his blood especially. At this time, Li Shimin's heart was also throbbing, and his eyes softened a lot, even with some moisture. He hugged Li Chengqian and enjoyed the blood-thicker-than-water relationship between father and son for a moment.

The arrival of his son made Li Shiming feel that he was not struggling alone and that he had some support which was better than nothing.

"Okay, Qian'er!"

Li Shimin was moved for a moment and then returned to his identity as an iron-blooded emperor.

He pulled Li Yan up, looked at Li Yan's eyes which were red and swollen from crying, looked at his son with a look of affection and admiration, and said, "How old is he? He will be an adult soon. Why are you still crying like this? What a shame!"

"I'm glad you're back. Was the journey smooth?"

Li Yan stood up straight and looked at the front of Li Shimin's luxurious dragon robe which was wet by him. That was a touching effect achieved by his own snot, tears and saliva!

Li Shimin saw the wet spot on his chest and shook his head with a wry smile. No matter what, it was a wet mark of happiness.

Li Yan wiped his eyes, dried his tears, adjusted his mood, and said slowly: "Fortunately, although there were some twists and turns along the way, overall everything went smoothly. With the protection of Fan Changshi and Chang Sheng, I am also safe and sound."

'Um? '

Li Shimin was stunned. At this time, Wang De stepped forward to report the attack that Li Yan and his party encountered in Tongguan. When Wang De finished the report, Li Shimin frowned subconsciously, as if he also felt that there was something unusual about this attack.

"Qian'er, your mother is waiting for you in the harem, go and see her!"

Li Shimin consoled her a few more times, then instructed the palace servants to take Li Yan to the harem, and then told Wang De: "Let Fan Xing come here to see me."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Wang De respectfully accepted the order and left the palace. On the way, Wang De was still muttering in his heart: "The Prince of Changsha also came to pay his respects to the emperor this morning. The Prince of Changsha, Li Ke, behaved gracefully, strictly abided by the etiquette, had a pleasant demeanor, and was aloof. When the emperor asked about the governance of Changsha County, he answered fluently, which made the emperor smile and praise him. He also expressed his feelings that he was like me!"

"But the Prince of Zhongshan allowed the Emperor to hug him affectionately for a while, his eyes were filled with emotion, and even had tears in them, showing the deep affection between father and son. The Emperor did not ask about the governance of the country, but instead showed concern for the safety of the Prince of Zhongshan."

"I thought the Prince of Changsha was important enough in the emperor's heart, but I didn't expect the Prince of Zhongxin to be even more powerful. It seems that the battle for the crown prince may not be so easy to determine the winner."

One is for the public, the other is for private interests, which one is higher and which one is lower?

Wang De was also a little unsure.
"Your Majesty, I am guilty."

After Wang Deyi left, there was no one else in Chengqing Hall. Ma Xuanliang saw it as an opportunity, so he knelt down in fear and honestly told Li Shimin what had just happened in the Liangyi Hall square, and apologized to Li Shimin.

Li Yan did not hide anything, including the fact that he asked about the emperor's daily life and diet. He knew that it would not be long before Li Shimin would know, so it would be better for him to take the initiative.

Li Shiming was stunned, but after listening to it, he was slightly moved.

Then he smiled and said in a slightly doting tone: "Gao Ming has been filial, polite, sensible and obedient since he was young. This seems like something he can do."

"You blocked an arrow for me, and the wound has not yet healed. My son thanks you on my behalf, and that's not wrong. It's just a gift from a child, so just accept it. There's no need to make a fuss. You can get up too!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty"

Ma Xuanliang quickly stood up and returned to his seat.

(End of this chapter)