"Uncle, don't you think your worries are unnecessary?”
In the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian supported Zhangsun Wuji as they walked in and said,""If it wasn't for Li Ke's words in the main hall reaching Chengqian's ears, Chengqian wouldn't have been enlightened and understood Imperial Father's good intentions towards me.”
"Imperial Father will not give up on the idea of changing the crown prince and forgive nephew so easily.”
Zhangsun Wuji looked at his nephew. After experiencing this incident, his nephew had clearly become much more mature.
However, he didn't dare to let his guard down against Li Ke. He reminded,""Don't be deceived by Li Ke's appearance. Chengqian, you know that he retreated in order to advance, and even gave up the entire business of making weapons. It seemed like he had suffered a great loss and was not in a good position to compete for the throne, but he won because he obtained the Emperor's Heart.”
"You have to know that whoever can inherit the throne in the future depends on the emperor's heart!”
"After all, Li Ke has done me a favor. How about this? I'll observe him for the time being. If he doesn't pose a threat, I can use him.”Li Chengqian said decisively.
Zhangsun Wuji wanted to continue persuading him, but he stopped himself.
"Alright, let's see what he does at the right guard first.”
At this moment, the Eastern Palace attendant hurried over and reported in a low voice,""Crown Prince, Lord Zhangsun's manor has sent news.”
Li Chengqian took it and glanced at it before handing it to Zhangsun Wuji."Uncle, take a look."
Zhangsun Wuji took the note. It was about Li Ke.
A spy he secretly controlled in Chang 'an reported that not long ago, the steward of Prince Wu's Mansion went to Duke Lu's Cheng Yaojin Mansion and delivered Li Ke's leave request.
The reason was that Wu Wang had new research to do.
"We have to keep a close eye on Li Ke. A heater has made Li Ke a big profit. If he makes something comparable to a heater, the more goods he can use!”Zhangsun Wuji warned warily.
Li Chengqian considered carefully for a moment and finally agreed."Let's do as Uncle says."
……
Three days later.
Li Shimin returned to the royal study after the court session. He stood by the window and placed his hand on the heating pipe."How has the King of Wu been doing in the right guard these days?”
Wang De, who was standing behind him, had a strange expression on his face and hesitated.
Li Shi Min noticed it and frowned,""What's wrong?"
Wang De quickly knelt down." Your Majesty, the King of Wu is not on duty at the Right Wei Wu Army camp. He has asked for leave.”
Hearing this, Li Shiming grinned and said in a warm and angry tone,"What did he do on leave?"
" Wu Wang's reason for taking leave is to do research..."
"Then what is he doing!"
Wang De didn't dare to hide it and said,"On the first day, the King of Wu disguised himself and went to the famous Listening Yard in Chang 'an. He returned to the Prince's mansion very late.”
"This bastard!" Li Shimin slapped the heater in anger. Luckily, he knew that all the places with fireworks were high-end places that sold their skills and not their bodies.
Plus, Li Ke didn't stay overnight, otherwise, Li Shimin would have been unable to suppress his anger.
"Continue!"
"The next day, Wu Wangtian went down to the 13th Lane and stared at a group of women who were washing clothes.”
Li Shi Min was speechless.
"Today, His Highness went to the 13th Lane again," Wang De said, trembling with fear.”
"Cheng Zhijie, this troublemaker, has been coming to the morning court every day for three days and hasn't told me about this. Does he think he can hide?”Li Shi Min muttered to himself angrily and then ordered," Go to the Right Wei Wu Guards and pass on my orders to Cheng Zhijie. Is he running out of wine in the Right Wei Wu Army? Do you want me to send some to him?"”
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"In addition, continue to watch that bastard!”
"Yes, sir!"
This news was also known by Li Chengqian's uncle and nephew.
The two of them were also puzzled.
13th Lane.
It was the most ordinary and poorest place in Chang 'an.
Most of the people who lived here were the lowest level of Chang 'an.
Li Ke squatted on the stone platform by the roadside.
Not far from him, there was a hawker selling candied haws, surrounded by children.
His gaze was intentionally or unintentionally sizing up a person who was about seven or eight years old. He was wearing grayish-green clothes with many patches on them.
Unlike other children, this delicate girl looked malnourished and obviously came from a poor family.
Her clothes were patched, but they were very clean.
The little girl's eyes were fixed on the string of bright red candied haws.
From time to time, he would look down at the one coin in his hand and swallow his saliva. He would step out with his small feet and retract them a few times.
" Young…Young Master, I've found out. The little girl's family is the fifth family from here. There's only Mother. This girl's surname is Wu. She's the daughter of Duke Ying's Martial Warrior, Yang Da, the daughter of Duke Suining of the Sui Dynasty. After Martial Warrior died, Yang and her daughter were chased out…"
Li Ke was surprised.
He had never expected that this little girl was actually Wu Mei Niang!
Yesterday, he had wanted to go to the Listening Courtyard to listen to a song. After all, in this era, the only entertainment that could catch his eye was the brothel.
After leaving the entrance of the Prince's mansion, he was inadvertently attracted by this little girl who was carrying a big bamboo basket and picking up dirty clothes from various noble houses near the Prince's mansion.
At that time, the bamboo basket that Wu Meiniang carried was almost taller than her.
Li Ke followed them all the way here without a change in expression.
Out of curiosity and boredom, Li Ke had an interest in observing this strong little girl.
This was the same as when people were bored and observed ants moving.
"Your Highness, the eldest son of Duke Lu." While Li Ke was lost in his thoughts, the butler of the Prince's Residence reminded him in a low voice.
He turned his head and saw the guards of his mansion hiding in the distance, blocking Cheng Chumo. Cheng Chumo stuck his head out and looked in his direction.
He waved his hand.
After the guards let him in, Cheng Chumo walked over and looked at Li Ke. He couldn't help but laugh: "Your Highness, do you want to eat candied haws?"
Li Ke could not help but roll his eyes. He asked in a bad mood,"Brother Chumo, why are you looking for me?”
"Father asked me to look for wangye. He couldn't hide it for wangye anymore.”Cheng Chumo said solemnly.
Li Ke opened his mouth and wanted to directly refuse, but then he secretly pointed at Wu Meiniang and said in a low voice,"Brother Chumo, do you see that little girl?”
"Isn't this Duke Ying's daughter? I know them. The families in Zhuzi Alley all take care of their mothers and wash their clothes for them. To be honest, Brother Wu Yuanqing is really something…"
Li Ke couldn't be bothered to listen to Cheng Chumo and said,"This girl really wants to eat Tanghulu, but she can't bear to spend a single coin on it. I'll make a bet with you. I'll secretly buy the Tanghulu from the peddler and let all the children eat it for free.”
"Of course I want to eat it. My father said that I won't take advantage of you, bastard!”Cheng Chumo stared at Li Ke like he was a fool.
Li Ke said confidently," I guess she won't eat it. Let's make a bet. If you win, I'll go to the military camp with you. If you lose, pretend you didn't find me."”
"Alright!"
Li Ke gave him a look, and the butler understood and went to do his job.
A moment later, the peddler shouted," Monkey children, I'm closing up. Each of you will get a skewer of candied haws. I'll give them to you for free."”
"That's great."
"Give it to me. I want it."
……
The other children fought over it, and Wu Mei Niang slowly approached.
"Your Highness, I'm going to win." Cheng Chumo smiled proudly.
Li Ke didn't say anything. He just stared at her with a relaxed expression. He thought to himself, It's good that she ate it. I can easily destroy the possibility of her ruling the world in the future!
He didn't want to fight for the throne, but he also wanted to eliminate those who threatened his future glory and wealth.
For example, Zhangsun Wuji and Wu Meiniang.
Compared to Zhangsun Wuji, the current Wu Meiniang was naturally easier. Since he had encountered her so early, he would not let her go.
Eh?
Cheng Chumo exclaimed softly, clenched his hands and stared nervously, muttering,"Catch it, you little girl. You're not taking advantage of me, are you stupid?”
Cheng Chumo looked at Wu Meiniang stretching out her hand and then pulling it back. She even took a step back. He couldn't help but be annoyed."Butler, go and think of a way to not alarm Wu Meiniang's situation. Tell the peddler that he must let Wu Meiniang eat the candied haws. If he succeeds, I will reward him handsomely!”
The butler looked at Li Ke. Li Ke nodded, and the butler went to do it.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]