The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 292

Eunuch Gao said helplessly, "Your Highness, what are you doing leaving the palace? The Imperial Ancestral Temple is right ahead."

"I am going to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay my respects to our ancestors. I used to be unruly, but now I am determined to mend my ways and study hard."

The eunuch chuckled and said, "Young prince, this servant knows you have reformed. Some people never realize how absurd and foolish their lives have been!"

Now that you have reformed at such a young age, His Majesty and the ancestors of the Li family would be extremely pleased if they knew. However, please take care of your health for the sake of the people.

It was getting late, and the palace gates were about to be locked. If they left the palace at this time, they would surely alarm the people.

The young prince immediately stopped in his tracks.

"Yes, I was indeed a bit selfish. I didn't realize that if anything happened to me, Father, it would be unfilial. I'll go again tomorrow."

The eunuch was immediately relieved and said, "This servant will help you back to the East Palace."

As he spoke, tears welled up in Gao's eyes. This young prince used to be arrogant and domineering, and he would cut off people's heads at the drop of a hat. If it weren't for Gao's careful service, he would have died thousands of times over.

Now that the Crown Prince has become so gentle and refined, he is truly lovable from the bottom of one's heart, and the next morning a palace servant came to report this.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has gone to Mount Tai to pay respects to his ancestors."

"What a scoundrel! What's the point of going to Mount Tai? Does he think he's already explored everything in the palace and wants to go to Mount Tai for sightseeing?"

Unexpectedly, Eunuch Gao immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, please wait until the Crown Prince returns before punishing him."

Li Shimin was too lazy to pay attention to this eunuch Gao, who was practically a dog protecting the crown prince. He began to review memorials in the Taiji Hall. As evening approached, he saw a figure walk in.

At first, Li Shimin thought this young man was a gentleman, upright and refined, a truly outstanding young master. But upon closer inspection, he realized that this was none other than his own son, the Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian used to live a very luxurious life, wearing colorful robes embroidered with pythons, and even his belt was a priceless tribute from various tribes. But now his belt has been replaced with ordinary Hetian jade.

At first glance, it's clear that Li Shimin's love for his son is overflowing.

"Why have you come, my son?"

Li Chengqian was taken aback at first, then calmly knelt on the ground and said, "I was too reckless before. Now that I have heard that the Grand Tutor has returned to the palace to report, I have already repented and made up my mind. I am no longer the arrogant and domineering Crown Prince I was before. Now I only want to assist Father Emperor in expanding the territory and bringing benefits to the people. Father Emperor, I only want to be a good Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty in this life."

Li Shimin was almost moved to tears. He immediately stood up from the dragon throne, then walked down and personally helped Li Chengqian up. He looked Li Chengqian up and down to make sure that he was completely different from before.

In the past, Li Chengqian could use such official and eloquent language to deceive even himself, but now the Crown Prince seems to have become a completely different person, commanding respect from the bottom of one's heart.

The Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty is indeed extraordinary!

Li Shimin looked up at the sky and seemed to see the eternal foundation of the Tang Dynasty, and that his eternal foundation would be inherited! With such a crown prince, how could the Tang Dynasty not last for thousands of years?

Li Shimin knew that the Crown Prince's transformation was entirely due to one person. So Li Shimin wiped away his tears and said, "If your mother knew about this change in you, she would be very happy. Go and pay your respects to your mother."