Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 314 The Prince is Leaving Beijing
In late January, the cold wind turns to warm.

Envoys from various countries left Chang'an one after another, and the vassal kings were also preparing to return to their places of residence, including Chen Wang Li Zhong and Langya Wang Li Chong who had gone to the vassal states.

Li Zhong is the most filial among all the princes.

During the last few days before leaving Beijing, he went to the palace every day to accompany Liu Chong'er, and Li Ji followed him every time.

On this day, the two entered the palace together again.

On the carriage heading to the palace, Li Ji saw Li Zhong's face full of sorrow, staring blankly at the street through the window, and he felt very uncomfortable.

Among his friends of the same age, Li Ji has the best relationship with Li Zhong.

Now that he is about to leave Beijing for Tibet, the two of them will only be able to see each other once a year. How can this not make people sad?

Li Zhong looked at a mother and son on the street and suddenly sighed, "Brother Ji, sometimes I really envy you for being able to stay in Chang'an forever and not be separated from your family."

In fact, most of the royal family members had to leave Beijing, and only a few royal family members who were trusted by the emperor could stay in Beijing to serve.

Li Ji was granted the title of Shangnian Fengyu. Although his rank was not high, it represented the emperor's attitude and allowed him to stay in Chang'an.

It is different for the princes. No matter how much the emperor loves them, they must leave Beijing once they reach adulthood.

The day after tomorrow is the day when Li Zhong will leave Beijing for the frontier.

Li Ji whispered, "I actually envy Brother Zhong. Even though he has to be separated from his parents, there will still be a day when they can meet again."

Li Zhong was stunned for a moment, then turned his head to look at him and said, "I'm sorry, I was so sentimental that I forgot about your parents' situation."

Li Ji shook his head and said, "That's fine. In fact, Mrs. Chong'e treats me very well. Sometimes I even feel like she's like my mother."

Liu Chong'er was gentle by nature, and Li Ji was Li Zhong's best friend, so every time she entered the palace, she took great care of Li Ji.

Li Zhong smiled and said, "That's great! I'll ask my mother to adopt you as her son. When I'm not in Beijing, you'll take care of her for me!"

Li Ji smiled and said, "Forget about adopting me as your adopted son, but I will often go to the palace on your behalf to pay my respects to Lady Chong'e."

Li Zhong's mood seemed to improve suddenly, and the two of them talked and laughed. However, after passing through Changle Gate, Li Zhong's mood became depressed again for some reason.

Li Ji said, "Brother Zhong, what's wrong with you?"

Li Zhong glanced in the direction of Ganlu Palace and said, "I'm just a little worried about my father's health."

Li Ji smiled and said, "Your Majesty should be leaving the capital to recuperate this year. With Divine Doctor Sun accompanying him, there will definitely be no problem."

Li Zhong lowered his head and whispered, "Brother Ji, do you remember the last time we accompanied our father to the Hot Spring Palace to soak in the hot springs?"

Li Ji nodded and said, "That was last August."

Li Zhi would occasionally take his sons to the hot spring palace to soak in the hot springs, usually once every one or two months, and Li Ji would also be taken along.

For the princes, this was equivalent to going out of the city for a trip. Whether it was the eldest Li Zhong or the youngest Li Xian, their favorite thing was to go to the hot spring palace.

The brothers who originally had a bad relationship became friendlier than usual when they were in the hot spring palace.

Li Zhong whispered, "It's been five months since Father took us there."

Li Ji sighed: "Maybe His Majesty has been too busy recently and has no time to take us with him."

Li Zhong said, "I really want to go to the hot springs with my father one more time before I leave."

Li Ji blinked and said, "Then I will accompany you to pay your respects to His Majesty later. You can tell His Majesty your thoughts."

Li Zhong hurriedly shook his head and said, "No, no, what if father blames me? You should help me speak. Father has always been particularly fond of you."

Li Ji smiled bitterly and said, "I dare not tell your Majesty about this."

Although Li Zhi was not very strict with his juniors, as they grew older, they could feel the majesty of the imperial power more and more, and their awe of Li Zhi grew day by day.

Li Zhong sighed and turned his head to look at the water surface of Longshou Canal.

Seeing him so disappointed, Li Ji thought for a moment and said, "Brother Zhong, I'll try to find a solution, but I can't guarantee success."

Li Zhong was overjoyed and asked, "What do you have in mind?"

Li Ji smiled and said, "The hermit has his own clever plan."

Li Zhong knew that his cousin was much more intelligent than himself, so he didn't ask any more questions and said with a smile, "Then I'll wait for your good news."

The two of them soon arrived at Chengxiang Palace and paid their respects to Liu Chong'er.

Liu Chong'e was practicing calligraphy in the palace. She had nothing to do in the harem, so she first learned painting, then learned piano, chess, and now she is learning calligraphy.

Other ladies from noble families all learned music, chess, calligraphy and painting in their boudoirs, but she, on the other hand, improved her essential skills as a lady in the inner court of the imperial palace.

When she saw the two of them coming, she was very happy. She ordered people to serve cakes and dried fruits, and started chatting with them about family matters.

She asked about Li Zhong's schoolwork, then about Li Ji's younger brothers and sisters. Unlike Li Zhong's melancholy before departure, she was in a very cheerful mood and showed no sadness of separation.

In fact, Li Ji had long discovered that his aunt had a very good mentality. Every time they met, she always seemed in a good mood, as if she was the most favored one in the palace.

However, as far as Li Ji knew, the emperor only came to Chengxiang Hall two or three times a month.

If it were any other concubine, she would definitely show a look of resentment, such as Zheng Cairen who had just moved into Chengxiang Palace.

Liu Chong'er, however, had no such emotions at all. She was always cheerful and always found something to do. She was never idle.

Just as Li Ji was pondering his thoughts, he suddenly heard Liu Chong'er ask, "Ji'er, do you have a girl you like? If you like any young lady, just tell me and I will help you to get involved."

Li Ji's face flushed instantly, and he waved his hands hastily, saying, "Brother Zhong hasn't even married yet, it's too early for me."

Liu Chong'e glanced at her son and said with a smile, "He's just a bit immature, how can he be as sensible as you? In my opinion, you will definitely meet the woman you like before him."

Li Ji lowered his head and said, "Not yet. If I encounter it, I will definitely tell you."

Liu Chong'e smiled and said, "That's a deal."

Li Ji sat with her for a while longer. Liu Chong'e noticed that he was distracted and said with a smile, "You want to go find Gao An? Go quickly. Remember to come back here for lunch. I've asked someone to bring you the lamb tongue you like."

Li Ji agreed, said hello to Li Zhong, picked up his abacus bag, and quickly left Chengxiang Hall.

Princess Gao'an has moved to the Princess Courtyard, so Li Ji no longer has to take a long detour to Xunfeng Palace every time he enters the palace.

And when Princess Changshan got married, Princess Yiyang also moved to the Princess Courtyard.

When Princess Changshan lived in the Princess Courtyard, the courtyard was always quiet. Now, with the arrival of two young owners, the Princess Courtyard has become lively.

As soon as Li Ji arrived outside a round door, he heard laughter coming from inside.

When I entered the door, I saw two large tables in the courtyard, with lotus roots on the tables.

Princess Gao'an and Princess Yiyang were both sitting at the table, carving lotus roots with small knives in their hands.

This was originally Xu Jin's unique skill, which she taught to Princess Yi Yang, who then taught it to her younger sister.

Princess Yi Yang has already acquired 70% to 80% of Xu Jin's skills, and the carving is quite realistic.

Princess Gao An was different. She had just started learning and originally wanted to carve a rabbit, but unknowingly, she carved something that looked more like a pig.

When the palace people saw this, they all found it funny.

Princess Gao An was unhappy, so she asked the palace maids who laughed at her to carve as well. As a result, the women carved all kinds of strange shapes.

When they looked at each other, they all thought it was funny, and the two little princesses laughed non-stop. When Princess Gao An saw Li Ji coming, she jumped up and said happily: "Brother Ji, you are here just in time. Come and carve it too. It's quite fun."

Li Ji had become familiar with them and without much greeting, he handed the abacus bag to the two tutors, then sat down, picked up Princess Gao'an's knife, and started carving.

Princess Gao An first ran to the tutor to see what gift Li Ji had brought her today.

When he opened the abacus bag, he found two books inside.

"Brother Xiaoji, why did you bring books when you knew I didn't like reading!" Princess Gao An looked at Li Ji with dissatisfaction.

Li Ji smiled slightly and said, "You'll know when you open it."

Princess Gao An then opened one of the books and saw that it was a collection of poems.

Princess Gao An pursed her lips and said, "I don't like writing poetry either, so why are you giving me this?"

Li Ji kept moving his hands and said, "This is not an ordinary collection of poems, but a collection of poems by Master Lu."

Princess Gao An was stunned and wondered who Mr. Lu was. Was he that great?
Princess Yiyang asked, "Brother, are you talking about Aunt Changshan's consort?"

Li Ji said: "That's right."

After Lu Zhaolin married the princess, he was promoted ten levels to the lower rank of the sixth grade, Tongzhilang, and immediately left Gao Youdao and Du Yijian behind.

Li Zhi was very satisfied with him as a secretary, so he kept him in the Hongwenguan and granted him the official title of Zhixueshi, and he still served in the Ganlu Palace.

When Princess Gao An heard this, she clapped her hands and said with a smile, "So it's Aunt Changshan's husband."

Li Ji said, "After Aunt Changshan got married, she ordered her husband's poems and literature to be collected and published into a collection, which she distributed everywhere. When I visited her, she gave me two extra copies and asked me to give them to you."

Princess Gao An sighed and said, "Aunt Changshan is so virtuous. I want to emulate her when I get married!"

At this time, all the palace servants exclaimed in surprise, seeing that the lotus root in Li Ji's hand had been carved into a lifelike small zither.

Princess Gao An was also surprised and asked, "Brother, have you ever learned this before?"

Xiaoji shook his head and said, "No, I just imagined the shape of the zither in my mind and carved it. Was it difficult?"

Princess Gao An's face flushed red. She snatched the knife from his hand and muttered, "You are not allowed to play anymore!"

Princess Yi Yang covered her mouth and smiled.

Li Ji stood aside, watching Princess Gao An carving and giving her some pointers from time to time.

After a while, another rabbit took shape in Princess Gao An's hands. This time, under Li Ji's guidance, it finally looked somewhat like a rabbit.

Seeing Princess Gao'an's improved mood, Li Ji said to her, "Sister, did you know that Brother Zhong will be leaving Chang'an the day after tomorrow?"

Princess Gao An continued to refine the rabbit lotus root in her hand and said casually, "I heard about it."

When Li Zhong was in Chang'an, the two had little interaction, so for Princess Gao'an, it made no difference whether he left the capital or not.

Princess Gao An suddenly turned around and said to Li Ji, "Brother, you are not leaving the capital too, are you?"

Li Ji said hurriedly: "I don't need it. Your Majesty has appointed me as the Imperial Charioteer, so I should be able to stay in Chang'an in the future."

Princess Gao An breathed a sigh of relief, giggled, and started playing with the rabbit lotus root in her hand again.

Li Ji walked to a chair and sat down. He suddenly sighed and glanced at Princess Gao An.

The girl was having fun trimming the rabbit's ears and didn't pay any attention to him.

Princess Yiyang was very clever. She saw that Li Ji had something to say and said, "Brother Ji, what's wrong with you? Why are you sighing suddenly?"

Li Ji reached out and snatched Princess Gao An's rabbit Lingou away, saying, "I just feel a little sorry for Brother Zhong."

Princess Gao An was about to snatch it back when she heard this and asked curiously, "Why is he pitiful?"

Li Ji said, "Brother Zhong has been looking forward to going to the Hot Spring Palace with His Majesty to soak in the hot springs before leaving Beijing, but unfortunately it is no longer possible."

Princess Gao An blinked and said, "Now that I think about it, it's been a while since Father took us to the Hot Spring Palace. Since you want to go, why don't you tell Father?"

Li Ji glanced at her and said, "Your Majesty doesn't love everyone as much as he loves you. How dare Brother Zhong say that?"

Princess Gao An was very pleased after hearing this and said with a smile, "Then I will go and ask my father for him?"

Li Ji said, "Are you really willing to help?"

Princess Gao An said righteously, "Of course, my eldest brother is also my brother. He is about to leave the capital, so it's okay to help him."

Princess Gao An was an impatient person who acted immediately after thinking of something. She left the Princess Courtyard immediately and rushed towards Ganlu Palace.

When he arrived outside the bedroom, he saw Wang Fusheng standing outside the door, so he asked him whether Li Zhi was in the hall.

Wang Fusheng smiled and said, "Your Majesty is handling government affairs."

In winter, the temperature was too cold, so Li Zhi usually handled government affairs in his bedroom.

Princess Gao An asked, "Can I go in and see my father?"

Wang Fusheng smiled and nodded. He knew that the emperor loved this princess the most and would not be angry even if he was disturbed by her.

Princess Gao An tiptoed carefully into the room, came to the main door, and peeked inside with her little head. She saw Li Zhi sitting cross-legged on the couch, reading a memorial.

Princess Gao An did not go in. She found a chair in the outer room and sat down. She grabbed the snacks on the table and started eating.

Wang Fusheng even brought her a cup of hot drink.

Princess Gao An soon ate and drank her fill, and then walked to the main door and looked inside. She saw that Li Zhi had put down the memorial and was rubbing his eyes.

She rushed in quickly, came to the bed, smiled sweetly at Li Zhi, and said, "Father."

Li Zhi looked up at her and said, "It's An'er. What can I do for you?"

Princess Gao An climbed onto the couch, stood behind Li Zhi, stretched out her hands, and used her childish technique to help pinch Li Zhi's neck.

"Father, are you going to the Hot Spring Palace tomorrow?"

Seeing that she was trying to please him, Li Zhi knew she had something to ask for, so he said, "If we're not going tomorrow, we'll go the day after tomorrow. Do you want to go to the Hot Spring Palace?"

Princess Gao An said coquettishly: "Yes, you haven't taken us there for a long time."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "Okay then. I'll take you all with me when I go there the day after tomorrow."

Princess Gao An held his arm, shook it, and said, "Can you take us there tomorrow?"

Li Zhi frowned and asked, "Why do you have to go tomorrow?"

Princess Gao An said, "Because my elder brother will be leaving the capital the day after tomorrow."

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment and asked, "Do you want him to go with you?"

Princess Gao An lowered her head and said, "My eldest brother will be leaving the capital soon, and it will be difficult for us to see him in the future. So I want to go to the Hot Spring Palace with him."

Li Zhi was very pleased to see Princess Gao An pleading for her brother. He smiled and said, "Okay, let's go tomorrow!"

Princess Gao An was overjoyed. She hugged Li Zhi's neck and said, "Father is the best."

(End of this chapter)