The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 109

After Fang Xuanling saw his figure gradually disappear into the distance, he took the jade pendant, turned around, and walked into the palace.

After returning home, Xu Tian packed all his belongings and prepared to leave Chang'an. He carried only a bundle containing clothes and a few books and gradually walked towards the gates of Chang'an.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, he stopped at an inn to rest as darkness fell.

At this moment, a loud cry echoed throughout the entire palace of Empress Zhangsun in the magnificent palace.

Some of the nannies and palace maids were at a loss, and Empress Zhangsun kept wiping away Li Zhuozhi's tears with heartache.

Li Zhuozhi held Empress Zhangsun's hand and asked again and again, "Mother, did I do something wrong? Was I disobedient? Or do my father and I think I'm stupid?"

He anxiously asked Empress Zhangsun, but she couldn't give him an answer either. She could only comfort him, "No, how could that be? You are the smartest and most obedient. The teacher must have his own things to do, which is why he doesn't want to continue running the school."

"I really want the tutor to continue teaching me. Mother, please persuade Father to call the tutor back!" Li Zhuozhi said to Empress Zhangsun, his voice choked with emotion.

Empress Zhangsun nodded repeatedly, wiping away the string of tears that fell from his eyes. "Yes, yes, I promise you, I will definitely ask your father to call the tutor back."

She had barely finished speaking when the eunuch outside the door announced loudly, "The Emperor has arrived!"

The two turned to look and saw the eunuch beside Li Er open the door and walk in.

Empress Zhangsun and Li Zhuozhi then bowed to Emperor Li Er.

Li Er said, "No need for formalities! Zhuozhi, why are you crying like this again? I heard you crying outside. Aren't you ashamed?"

Upon hearing Li Er's words, Li Zhuozhi threw himself into his arms and immediately burst into tears. The sound was so heart-wrenching that it brought tears to the eyes of anyone who heard it.

When Li Er saw that he had blown snot bubbles from his nose, he felt no disgust, but couldn't help but laugh and say, "You...you're crying really hard. What's wrong? Why don't you tell me?"

Upon hearing Li Er's words, Li Zhuozhi hurriedly said, "Father, Master Xu is leaving today! He has even returned this jade pendant. Look."

As he spoke, he took out the jade pendant he was clutching tightly in his hand and placed it in front of Li Er to show him.

When Li Er heard that Xu Tian was leaving, he was somewhat surprised. "Is he really leaving the school?"

"Yes." Li Zhuozhi nodded repeatedly. "I heard that Master Xu has taken all his things away and dismissed all the students from the school!"

Suddenly, his eyebrows furrowed, and he looked up, crying, and asked, "Father, is it because you looked down on him that you let him leave? What did you say to Master Xu when you last visited him?"

When Li Er saw that Li Zhuozhi was beginning to doubt him, he had no way to express his bitterness.

I've been quite busy these days, and I was just about to send someone to look for Xu Tian when I heard that Xu Tian was leaving. I didn't even have time to say anything to him.

"Zhuo'er, what did I say to him?" Li Zhuozhi said helplessly, and even more puzzled.

The new school was almost completed, but Xu Tian suddenly left. What could be the reason?

Empress Zhangsun, who was standing nearby, looked at Li Zhuozhi and said to him, "Your Majesty, Xu Tian is a man who can win the hearts of the people and the scholars. He must be a talented person. Although the Tang Dynasty is not lacking in talented men and women, there are very few people who can make the princes settle down and make the royal descendants understand right from wrong. Why don't you bring this Master Xu back to the palace?"

When Li Zhuozhi heard that Empress Zhangsun was also pleading for him, he looked up at Li Er, waiting for his reply.

Li Er nodded upon seeing this.