Li Yuanying returned to the palace and went to see Gaoyang. He brought her the notes on *Erya* that Lu Zhaolin had compiled. Gaoyang had actually turned over a new leaf in the past few days, quietly sitting in her room practicing calligraphy. Beside her was *Erya*, which she had already read in part.
Li Yuanying and Gaoyang interacted frequently, so the servants simply bowed to him when they saw him, no need for any announcements. When he arrived, Gaoyang was looking out the window, pen in hand, lost in thought, a faint smile gracing her lips.
Li Yuanying rolled up the manuscript in his hand and tapped Gaoyang’s head: “What are you thinking about?”
Gaoyang jumped, covering her head and turning to look at him. She hummed, “Nothing!” She wouldn’t let Li Yuanying know what she was thinking, otherwise he would definitely laugh at her!
Seeing that Gaoyang was genuinely practicing calligraphy and reading, not faking it, Li Yuanying gave her the manuscript he had brought. He said, “This is what I obtained from Brother Lu. He studied under Elder Scholar Cao for three years. The content should be much more detailed and easier to read than what’s in the book. If you have any questions, write them down, and I’ll ask Brother Lu or his teacher for you.”
Gaoyang was stunned, and when she finally understood Li Yuanying’s words, her heart was instantly filled with joy. She treasured the manuscript, scolding him playfully, “Why did you roll up the manuscript like this? It’s disrespectful to others.”
Li Yuanying saw Gaoyang carefully put away the manuscript, and was surprised that she could really settle down and read this slightly dry and elegant study. He snorted, but still generously said, “As long as you are willing to read, I’ll get you any book you want.”
Gaoyang knew that Li Yuanying was not joking. Feeling a little embarrassed, she pulled Li Yuanying to sit down and personally brewed tea for him.
Li Yuanying was pleased by Gaoyang’s flattery. After a cup of tea, he left happily. Back in his residence, he couldn’t help but share with Liu Baolin, “Gaoyang is actually willing to read now. I thought she would never touch a book in her life.”
Liu Baolin knew that Li Yuanying considered being a “good younger uncle” his duty. He smiled and said, “Who didn’t like to cause trouble when they were young? People grow up. Didn’t you also dislike reading before?”
Li Yuanying thought about it and agreed, putting the thought aside. He continued his daily routine, gathering with Di Renjie and the others to review their studies.
By the end of October, the weather turned cold. The messenger Li Yuanying had sent to Fanyang returned. Due to other tasks, the messenger had stayed in Fanyang for a few extra days before heading back. As soon as he arrived in Chang’an, the messenger went to see Li Yuanying, reporting the situation in Fanyang.
The Lu family received Lu Zhaolin’s letter and gifts, and asked the messenger to stay overnight. The next day, they offered him payment as a gesture of thanks, but he refused. Lu Zhaolin’s parents seemed happy, but they didn’t ask him to bring a reply back, saying that they would send a servant to the capital to handle things, and the reply could be brought back then.
Since Lu Zhaolin’s parents had said so, the messenger didn’t stay any longer and went about completing the tasks Li Yuanying had given him.
Compared to Lu Zhaolin’s letter, the news the messenger brought back was more urgent. Li Yuanying didn’t have the opportunity to attend court, so he couldn’t get first-hand information. It was only after the messenger returned from the north that he learned of the trouble brewing there: Goguryeo and Baekje were joining forces to attack Silla. Silla, facing internal strife and external threats, seemed unable to hold on!
Although Li Yuanying had never been to Silla, his friend Jin Shengman was from Silla, and the Queen’s cousin, which made them, in a way, connected. Li Yuanying took the messenger’s report to Jin Shengman and said, “Maybe you shouldn’t go back for now. The situation sounds bad.”
Jin Shengman thanked Li Yuanying for his concern, but shook her head firmly, “I must return.” She was a Silla citizen and a descendant of the royal family. Ignorance was bliss, but now that she knew Silla was in trouble, she couldn’t stay comfortably in Chang’an. With a bright smile, she said to Li Yuanying, “Silla will be alright.”
Seeing Jin Shengman’s determination, Li Yuanying didn’t try to persuade her any further. He simply said, “I’ll have Dai Ting take people to escort you back, and ask him to stay in the north for a while. If you need anything, you can go to him.”
Jin Shengman gratefully agreed.
With war in the north, the original arrangements naturally had to be adjusted. Li Yuanying asked Dai Ting to prepare himself. Dai Ting had never been to Silla, and Li Yuanying was a little worried, so he urged him, “Don’t take unnecessary risks. Assess the situation before taking action. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to act freely. Money and manpower are at your disposal.”
Dai Ting nodded in agreement.
Hearing about the war in Silla, he felt no fear, but rather a hint of excitement. With Li Yuanying’s words, he knew he could do a lot!
Li Yuanying knew that Dai Ting was a master at seizing opportunities, so he didn’t say anything more, allowing Dai Ting to arrange his own funds and personnel.
To send his people on a long journey, Li Yuanying still had to inform Emperor Li, so that he could obtain travel permits for them.
These permits were necessary for passing through various checkpoints along the waterways. Without them, people were not allowed to travel freely. After discussing with Dai Ting, Li Yuanying went to the Hall of Affairs, walking around outside, trying to find a good opportunity to go in and mention it to Emperor Li.
Emperor Li was in a bad mood today.
Zhang Xuansu and Yu Zhining took turns complaining about the Crown Prince’s shortcomings: his extravagance, his constant playing around. In Emperor Li’s opinion, his eldest son was already doing quite well and hadn’t gone too far. But when his teachers came to complain, he, as the father, had to show some response.
Emperor Li had no choice but to scold his eldest son. Then he turned to state affairs, finding everything unsatisfactory. The internal problems hadn’t been resolved, and now Goguryeo was causing trouble. There was no peace anywhere.
Emperor Li was feeling gloomy, but then his attendants mentioned, while serving tea, that Li Yuanying was lingering outside, looking shifty. Emperor Li immediately put down his tea and called for Li Yuanying to be brought in.
As Li Yuanying entered the Hall of Affairs, he saw that Emperor Li’s face was not good, and his brows were furrowed, clearly bothered by many things. Li Yuanying sat down beside him, asking, “Brother, what’s wrong with you? Did someone anger you? Sigh, the person who angered you must be a court official, and I can’t beat them for you, you have to find your own solution.”
Emperor Li saw him chattering away as soon as he sat down, so he ordered someone to bring him a cup of tea, then looked at him and asked, “What do you want?”
Li Yuanying said, “Nothing much. I was planning to have Dai Ting escort the Silla princess back to Silla, and it just so happens that a new friend of mine wants to send a letter back to Fanyang. So I had someone deliver a letter to Fanyang by fast horse, and also take the opportunity to inquire about the situation in Silla, in case the Silla princess doesn’t know what’s going on after being away for so long. However, I found out that Silla is in trouble!”
Emperor Li nodded and told him to continue.
Li Yuanying said, “I tried to persuade the Silla princess not to go back, but she insisted, so I intend to have Dai Ting take some people to escort her back. We’ll also need some supplies, because things are chaotic in Silla, so we have to be prepared for everything.” Li Yuanying came to Emperor Li specifically to report this, so he looked at him eagerly, waiting for Emperor Li’s response.
Emperor Li said, “I’m planning to send Xiang Li Xuanjiang as an envoy to Goguryeo. Since the Silla princess wants to return to her country, the court will naturally send an envoy to escort her back. You don’t need to worry about that.”
Li Yuanying’s mention of sending Dai Ting to a place where there might be fighting immediately reminded Emperor Li of how Dai Ting had followed the army to Gaochang and made a fortune, which had led to much criticism from officials. Li Yuanying, being exempt from attending court, was blissfully unaware of this, counting his money happily, while Emperor Li was the one who had to face the barrage of criticism from officials!
Li Yuanying said, “The court’s envoy is the court’s envoy. The Silla princess is my classmate, and I wouldn’t be at peace if I didn’t send someone to escort her. Brother, I promise to keep Dai Ting in line, just let him take a few people to protect her back to her country!”
Emperor Li had many sons, but none of them had Li Yuanying’s nerve. It was just an envoy mission, not a declaration of war. A few escorts wouldn’t cause much trouble, so Emperor Li didn’t want to argue with Li Yuanying any further. He waved his hand and said, “Fine, you can send someone to escort her if you want. You’re responsible for any consequences.”
Li Yuanying was satisfied and left happily. He returned to inform Dai Ting that he could set off with the envoy group.
On the day Jin Shengman left Chang’an, Li Yuanying personally went to see her off. Jin Shengman, looking at the friends she had made over the past few years, finally couldn’t hold back her tears and bid them farewell one by one.
Li Yuanying, as usual, made a promise, “Don’t worry, we’ll go visit you in the future!”
Jin Shengman smiled through her tears. These past two years had been the happiest in her life, and she would cherish them forever. She said, “Alright, I’ll definitely treat you all well when you come. I’ll have people gather the best ginseng, catch the best fish and crab, and prepare the most delicious food.”
This was music to Li Yuanying’s ears, and he kept asking her to not go back on her word.
It was not only they who were bidding farewell at the city gate. Many travelers were also departing, and those who had come to see off their loved ones noticed this group, particularly the men, handsome and the women beautiful, each with striking features and noble demeanor. If they were not so young, they would have surely attracted the attention of countless men and women.
Some observant people recognized the Silla princess and Prince Tang, and secretly added a new chapter to the Prince’s amorous exploits in their minds: The Silla princess must also have a place in Prince Tang’s list of beauties!
Li Yuanying, of course, was oblivious to these gossips. He didn’t know that in the minds of many scholars and poets, he had surpassed all the imperial princes and become the most outstanding, the most romantic young prince, who even inspired some to secretly think, “If one wants to be a man, one should be like Young Prince Tang!”
After seeing Jin Shengman off, Li Yuanying finally had time to inquire about Lu Zhaolin’s situation. Only then did Li Yuanying learn that Lu Zhaolin’s family had sent an old servant to arrange a house for him next to Wang Yifang’s house, making it easier for Lu Zhaolin to study. Lu Zhaolin had already moved out of Fang Xuanling’s house.
Li Yuanying said, “You moved without telling us. We could have gone to warm the house for you!”
Lu Zhaolin shyly said, “It’s not really moving, and besides, Your Highness has been busy recently.”
Actually, Lu Zhaolin had had a bit of an unpleasant encounter when he left Fang Xuanling’s house. Fang Jun had come to him with a barrage of sarcastic remarks. Thinking about how long he had been a guest in the Fang family, he didn’t dare to retort and simply listened quietly to Fang Jun’s taunts. After Fang Jun finished, he followed the old servant as usual and left.
In his father’s reply, he mentioned receiving two letters, and said that since he and his cousin couldn’t agree on Li Yuanying’s matter, it was better not to stay in Fang Xuanling’s house anymore. The reason was ready: Since he was studying, how could he live so far away from his teacher? He had to stay with his teacher.
His family, fearing he was too thin-skinned, had specially sent a trusted old servant to help him settle everything.
Now, he could freely interact with Li Yuanying and the others according to his own wishes!
Li Yuanying said, “I’m not busy now, you have to take us to see your place!”
Lu Zhaolin readily agreed and took Li Yuanying and his companions to his house. They wrote essays together and chatted freely, and it was dusk before they went their separate ways.
Gaoyang had also gone with Li Yuanying. She had hardly spoken the entire time. Li Yuanying asked her, “You must have found it boring, right?”
Gaoyang hummed, “No, I found it interesting.” Everyone was either engrossed in their discussions or writing essays, while she sat in the middle, neither listening nor writing, just watching.
There was only one person, but every time she looked at him, she felt something different, and it was not boring at all. How could it be boring?
Hearing her say that, Li Yuanying thought she had become even more sensible, and happily said, “If you don’t find it boring, you can come along next time if you want.”
**Author’s Note:**
Young Prince: Good, Gaoyang is making progress!
Gaoyang: Young Master is so handsome.
Young Prince: ?????????
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