The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 106

Dinner was only a short time, and the storytelling session was even less of a time. But when Xu Tian saw Li Zhuozhi gradually falling asleep, yet still wanting to continue listening, he couldn't help but laugh again.

"You must be tired tonight, so you should rest first," Xu Tian said with a smile. "Alright, you should go back tomorrow, I'm closing the school."

Upon hearing Xu Tian's words, Li Zhuozhi was stunned for a moment before looking up at Xu Tian anxiously and in confusion, asking, "Teacher, why are you suddenly closing the school? The new school is almost finished!"

"If you go back, you might be able to receive a better education." Xu Tian didn't want to continue talking to Li Zhuozhi, fearing that Li Zhuozhi would start crying, so he immediately got up to leave.

Li Zhuozhi couldn't stop Xu Tian and could only watch him leave. He was still extremely anxious, and his hands even clenched tightly.

But Xu Tian had already figured it out. Li Zhuozhi was a prince, not an ordinary person. It would be too much of a problem for him to teach a prince.

The next day, Fang Xuanling sent someone to fetch Li Zhuozhi back to the palace, but Li Zhuozhi resolutely refused and rushed to Xu Tian's door to knock, wanting to see Xu Tian again.

As for the school, Xu Tian did not go there again. However, early in the morning, everyone saw a sign at the school gate: "The teacher has been busy recently and will not be teaching. Please come again later. Thank you."

For a moment, everyone was puzzled. They had always hoped that Xu Tian would brave wind and rain, and even when he was sick and coughing, they could still see him in the school, teaching the students with all his heart. But today, the school was closed without warning, which was really strange. Everyone was discussing it outside the school.

On the other side, after Li Zhuozhi returned to the palace, he burst into tears in front of Empress Zhangsun, who was slightly startled upon seeing this.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you crying so hard?" Empress Zhangsun felt sorry for Li Zhuozhi and quickly wiped away his tears.

"Mother, the teacher said he will no longer teach me." Li Zhuozhi cried even harder when he mentioned this, and kept sobbing.

"Why did the Master suddenly make this decision?" Empress Zhangsun was truly puzzled.

"This... I... I don't know either. It's just that day he told me he wasn't going to teach me anymore, that the school was going to close." Li Zhuozhi held Empress Zhangsun's hand, his eyes brimming with tears. "Mother, do you think the teacher dislikes me? Did I do something wrong?"

Just then, Li Er arrived and saw Li Zhuozhi crying so bitterly. He was immediately surprised and asked, "Zhuozhi, what's wrong? Why are you crying so hard? Has someone bullied you?"

When Li Zhuozhi saw Li Er arrive, his eyes lit up immediately. He thought that since Li Er had pleaded for him, the teacher might let him stay and even stop closing the school.

He quickly hugged Li Er, crying, "Father, the teacher said he won't teach me anymore, he's going to close the school! Please, please plead for me! Please help me..."

He sobbed uncontrollably as he spoke, which pained Li Er's heart.

Upon hearing this news, Li Er was clearly taken aback for a moment. Looking at Li Zhuozhi's weeping appearance, he wondered: Could it be that Zhuozhi's constant misbehavior in the school, coupled with his laziness and lack of study, had angered Master Xu again?

If that's the case, he can't continue to force people to do things against their will, nor can he step in to plead for them.

"Zhuozhi, how about I find you another teacher in the palace?"

"I want Master Xu to teach me! He is a truly good person, and I beg Father Emperor to grant my request!"