Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

The two exchanged a few words and then stopped talking, each going about their own business.

knock knock knock.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door, followed by Xi Junmai's deliberately lowered voice.

"My Lord, someone from the Duke of Lai's Mansion is here and they want to see you."

In order not to affect the compilation of the dictionary, Li Chengqian ordered that no one should make loud noises within a hundred feet of Chongwenguan, and that even knocking on the door should be done in a low voice.

Not long after, the door of Chongwenguan was gently opened, and Du He walked in with a tired look on his face, then closed the door again.

"Where are the people from Duke Lai's Mansion?"

"Wait in the lobby."

"Okay, I'll go over there by myself, Junmai, you continue to guard here."

After giving the instructions, Du He dragged his heavy steps and quickly arrived at the East Palace Hall.

Inside the main hall, a thin old man with gray hair on his temples was standing respectfully. When he saw Du He come in, he bowed respectfully and said.

"This old servant has met the Second Master."

Du He waved his hand and said, "Mr. Ping'an, if you have anything to say, just tell me. I'm quite busy here."

The old man was Du Ping'an, the steward of the Duke of Lai's Mansion. His original name was Chen Ping'an, but he was given the surname Du because he had loyally served the Duke of Lai's Mansion for many years.

Du Ping'an looked at the depressed Second Master with a hint of worry in the corner of his eyes.

The recent incident caused by the Second Master has become a laughing stock in the aristocratic circle, and even the Duke of Lai's Mansion has become the center of the joke.

He collected his thoughts and said respectfully, "Second Master, tomorrow is the anniversary of the death of the old master. The eldest master Du Gou has already rushed back from Cizhou and just arrived this morning."

"Third Master Du Aitong has also rushed back from Taiping County, Jiangzhou. According to his speed, he should have almost reached Chang'an by now."

"The master asked me to inform you to go back to the Duke of Lai's mansion tonight and have a simple meal together."

Du He slapped his forehead. He was so busy these days that he almost forgot about this important event.

Du Ruhui died of illness on May 5, the fourth year of Zhenguan. Every year on his death anniversary, the Laiguo Mansion holds a grand memorial ceremony.

"Marquis Ping'an, go back and tell my elder brother that I will bring Princess Chengyang back to Duke Lai's mansion tonight."

Du Ping'an's expression lit up: "Okay, Second Master, I'll go back and report right away!"

In previous years' sacrifices, Du He did not bring Princess Chengyang back to Duke Lai's Mansion. After all, the princess was of delicate status and could make her own decisions.

Now that the Second Master can bring the princess home, doesn’t this mean that he and the princess are very much in love?

This is very good news.

It's already afternoon time, and it's only an hour or so before lunchtime.

Du He returned to Chongwenguan and told Li Chengqian about it, and Li Chengqian said with great understanding.

"Du He, offering sacrifices to Uncle Du is a big deal, you should go back quickly."

"The framework for compiling the dictionary has been set up, and we just need to fill it with content step by step."

Du He nodded and left the East Palace directly. After returning to Princess Chengyang's Mansion, he told Li Yi about the sacrifice and going home for dinner. Li Yi agreed without hesitation.

Laiguogong Mansion.

Du He brought his wife Li Yi back to the Duke of Lai's Mansion and met his eldest brother Du Gou and sister-in-law, as well as his third brother Du Aitong.

The eldest brother Du Gou is 30 years old this year, 7 years older than Du He. The two have similar body shapes and are both handsome and elegant.

Because he married after his father's death, my eldest sister-in-law is just the legitimate daughter of a middle-class family, and the two of them have no children now.

The third brother, Du Aitong, just turned 20 this year and has not yet married. He now serves as the county magistrate in Taiping County.

"Meet Princess Chengyang."

When Du Gou and others saw Li Yi, they all bowed respectfully.

"Brother, sister-in-law, uncle, we are all family, there is no need for these false formalities." Li Yi waved his hands quickly.

"Your Highness, etiquette cannot be abolished." Du Gou said with a serious face.

Du He knew his elder brother's character, that he was calm and well-mannered, so he did not try to persuade him.

The three brothers hadn't seen each other for a long time. After exchanging greetings for a while, the dinner was ready.

Du Gou made a gesture of invitation to Li Yi and said respectfully, "Your Highness, please take your seat first."

Li Yi turned around and secretly stuck out her tongue at Du He, then nodded with a smile on her face and took a seat first.

It’s still more comfortable to get along with my husband, without so many etiquette constraints.

During the meal, except for Du He who was eating heartily, everyone else ate a little reservedly.

After the meal, Du Gou said to Li Yi with an apologetic look on his face: "Your Highness, the three of us brothers need to discuss the preparations for the sacrifice. I will ask my wife to accompany you to the lobby to have tea and rest."

Li Yi smiled and said, "Brother, go and do your work. My sister-in-law and I haven't seen each other for a long time, and we have a lot to talk about."

Seeing that Princess Chengyang was so easy to talk to, Du Gou was full of doubts.

He knew all the princesses of the Tang Dynasty very well. Except for a few, the other princesses were arrogant and superior.

Not to mention that the prince consort has no status, even the family behind him has to support the princess.

I didn't expect that Princess Chengyang, as the second daughter of His Majesty, has such a good personality. My second brother is so lucky.

Thinking of the reports from the housekeeper and the servants, and learning about his second brother's recent actions, Du Gou's brows instantly frowned.

"You two, follow me to the study."

After Du Gou finished speaking, he walked out of the side hall, dragging his right leg, one higher than the other.

My eldest brother’s limp is not as serious as Li Chengqian’s. He just has a slightly uneven foot, which does not affect his walking.

In the study room.

Du Gou sat in the main seat, staring at Du He with a serious face, and did not speak for a long time.

At the side, Du Aitong's gaze switched back and forth between his eldest brother and second brother's faces. He wondered what kind of trouble his second brother had caused to make his eldest brother so angry.

After a moment of silence, Du Gou could not help but ask in a deep voice: "Second brother, what exactly have you been doing with the prince recently?"

"I just returned to Chang'an, and the whole city is full of rumors about you and the prince."

"I have reminded you more than once that our Laiguo Mansion is not as good as before and we must keep a low profile in our conduct and work. Why don't you listen?"

Seeing his second brother's indifferent look, Du Gou became furious.

His father died early and he was very young at that time. He did not discipline his younger brother much, but he did not expect that he would become a playboy now.

It’s okay if he indulges in sensual pleasures, but he can also clean up his mistakes.

But now that my second brother is involved with the Crown Prince, the slightest mistake will put the Duke of Lai’s Mansion in irretrievable ruin.

Du He also knew what kind of person he was in the past, and did not feel ashamed or angry about his elder brother's accusations.

Du He said solemnly: "Big Brother, Third Brother, you two are the people I trust the most. I will not hide anything from you now. The book that the prince and I are compiling is called the Chinese Dictionary."

"Chinese dictionary?" Du Gou and Du Aitong were puzzled.

They had never heard of this word before and had no idea what it meant.

They can recognize these four words individually, but they are confused when they are combined together.

Du He nodded and briefly explained Chinese pinyin and the Chinese dictionary to them.

The dictionary had been almost compiled, and since his eldest brother and third brother were his closest family members, Du He dared to tell them the truth.

"Whoo~"

The two brothers Du Gou and Du Aitong breathed a sigh of relief at the same time.

They didn't expect that this brother who had a bad reputation and made them all worried would actually do something big without making any noise.

If Pinyin and Chinese dictionaries came out, it would really cause a huge sensation in the Tang Dynasty.

Du Gou solemnly warned Du Aitong: "Third brother, don't tell anyone about what your second brother did. Just pretend you haven't heard of it!"

Du Aitong was not a playboy. He nodded seriously and said, "Don't worry, big brother and second brother. I will keep it to myself."

There are three brothers in their family. The eldest is calm and steady, the third is smart and obedient, but the second brother, Du He, is a cause for concern.

Du He felt warm in his heart when he heard the words of his eldest brother and third brother.