The First Part Arriving in Great Tang Chapter 49 Let Me Hold You for a Moment

  The Empress's gaze lingered on Du He once again, her curiosity even thicker: a renowned calligrapher, poet, and martial arts master - any one of these titles would be unbelievable for a fifteen-year-old boy.

  Nowadays, Du He has gathered all these titles at an age that is not yet weak, and it's really making people look at each other with a new gaze.

  Empress Zhangsun intended to get to know Du He better, but she also knew that this was not the right time, so she pulled Hong Fu girl and headed towards the main hall.

  Du He and Li Ye Xi, Li Ye Xuan walked together towards the West Wing, Li Wei Ling also followed behind, only in her heart she couldn't help but think that Du He had won over her most respected grandmother, with a pouting mouth raised high.

  Li Yexu had been fond of martial arts since childhood, and seeing Du He defeat his own grandmother was unexpected, but also enthusiastic, thinking all the way about asking him to teach him difficult martial arts techniques.

  Du He responded casually, but also answered fluently.

  Chatting and laughing, they arrived at the West Wing of the Lizheng Hall.

  East Palace!

  The East Palace is located on the east side of the imperial palace, where the crown prince resides.

  The crown prince, due to his special status as the heir apparent, has his own staff, and this staff organization is like a small imperial court, always in operation.

  Li Chengqian is the master of this Eastern Palace.

  At this moment, Li Chengqian was dressed in a bright and beautiful attire, ready to go to the Lizheng Hall to celebrate his mother's birthday.

  Suddenly, news came that Zhao Guo Gong's grandson, Long Sun Wuji, brought his son, Long Sun Chong, to request an audience!

  Li Chengqian was taken aback for a moment, and immediately invited them to the study for a chat.

  Arriving at the study, Changsun Wuji and Changsun Chong had already arrived a step ahead.

  Li Chengqian warmly called out "Uncle" and seemed quite enthusiastic.

  Changsun Wuji has always been a staunch supporter of this crown prince, and Li Chengqian also shows great respect for his uncle Changsun Wuji. Although Li Chengqian is somewhat disdainful of Changsun Wuji's advice, he knows that he cannot do without Changsun Wuji's support!

  After all, he was just the crown prince and not the emperor.

  Li Chengqian had tea and water brought over and asked him about his purpose in coming.

  Changsun Wuji, in front of Li Chengqian, did not have the same air of authority as he had at home, but instead wore a smile on his face, with an open and cheerful expression, which matched his somewhat stout figure, giving him a somewhat Maitreya Buddha-like appearance.

  "This time, I actually came for Xiaohou! Xiaohou and Chang Le have been childhood sweethearts since they were young. However, back then the Emperor betrothed Chang Le to Du He, so nothing could be done about it. Now that this marriage has been called off and Chang Le is of marrying age, I want to play matchmaker for their wedding, so I hope Your Highness can put in a good word for them with the Empress!"

  Li Chengqian slightly revealed a doubtful expression and asked: "Uncle seems to be making an unnecessary move, as far as I know, the Empress Dowager holds my cousin in high esteem. I have long regarded my cousin as a younger brother and sister, and if Uncle speaks to the Empress Dowager about it, I think this matter can be settled."

  "If that's the case, I wouldn't have come to find you, Your Highness." Changsun Wuji let out a long sigh and said: "It's all because of your useless son. He was angered by the Emperor over some trivial matter. And you also know how much favor Du He has gained recently from the Emperor. Not only did he not mind his status and position when drinking with him, but even allowed an outsider to stay in the palace overnight. Moreover, he even gave him the Panlong Sword that he himself uses! Let alone us old ministers, even the princes do not have this honor!"

  Chang Sun Wu Jin said gloomily, with a hint of meaning in his words.

  After hearing Zhangsun Wuji's words, Li Chengqian couldn't help but let out a "humph!" and was also somewhat dissatisfied in his heart.

  Chang Sun Wuji continued: "You also know that Chang Le likes calligraphy and painting, and Du He became a famous calligrapher. Chang Le's attitude towards him changed immediately. With the emperor's favor, it is likely that Chang Le will marry Du He again. So, I can only come to beg you, Crown Prince."

  "This..." Li Chengqian listened to the extreme reason, and his words were somewhat evasive. Offending Du He, who was favored by Li Shimin, for the sake of Long Sunzhong was not a wise decision, nor was offending Du Ruhui behind Du He.

  As for Li Chengqian's reaction, Changsun Wuji was not surprised at all. He knew his nephew very well and because of this understanding, he could also fully utilize and control him.

  Chang Sun Wuji said: "Actually, whether Chang Le can become the daughter-in-law of my Chang Sun family is not what I care about. What I care about is that Chang Le becomes the daughter-in-law of the Du family. This little girl Chang Le has been deeply spoiled by the Emperor and Empress, if she becomes the daughter-in-law of the Du family, it will be very unfavorable for the Crown Prince and for me!"

  Li Chengqian's heart slightly stirred as he looked at Changsun Wuji with an uncomprehending expression, and asked in a deep voice: "What is the meaning of this?"

  Changsun Wuji said, "Du Ruhui is from Duling, Jingzhao, born into a family of scholars. In all his words and deeds, he regards China as the orthodox, and reveres Confucianism. He has some reservations about the Crown Prince's fondness for barbarian customs, and even looks down on him with disdain. Therefore, he often praises Li Tai's literary talent, but does not bother to inquire after the Crown Prince."

  Li Chengqian suddenly stood up and whispered: "Is Du Xiang Li Tai's person?"

  Changsun Wuji shook his head and said, "No, Du Ruhui is the emperor's man, he is only loyal to the emperor. However, it is a fact that he likes Li Tai but dislikes the crown prince. Moreover, Du Ruhui has a younger brother named Du Chuke, who is now one of the important staff members under Li Tai's command."

  Chang Sun Wuji's most brilliant move was speaking half-truths and half-falsehoods, with each sentence containing both truth and falsehood, making it impossible for others to distinguish between reality and deception.

  If at this moment Changsun Wuji had only belittled Du Ruhui, Li Chengqian would not have believed what he said.

  But he changed his tone and said it in a different way, which made Li Chengqian have no choice but to believe.

  Because Du Ruhui was the first of the eighteen scholars of the Great Tang, and also a great Confucian scholar like his teacher Kong Yingda, it is not surprising that they rejected Turkic culture. And Du Chugu was indeed an important staff member under Li Tai's command.

  Li Chengqian's expression turned cold.

  The West Wing of Lizheng Hall is a huge garden, with an overall layout centered on the central pool. Pavilions and kiosks are built by the water, some of which extend directly into the water, featuring the characteristics of Jiangnan's watery towns.

  The main building, Xiangyuan Pavilion, is located on the south bank of the pool, facing the two islands in the pool. The pool water is clear and vast, with lotus flowers planted everywhere. The hills are shaded by trees, and the waterfront is covered with wisteria. There are small bridges between the valleys of the two hills. On each hill, there is a pavilion: Xue Xiang Wei Yun Ting on the west and Dai Shuang Ting on the east. The scenery changes with the seasons, each one different from the others.

  Duhe's descendants didn't lack wealthy families' mansions, their castle-like buildings, with a European antique style, but compared to this garden, the gap can't be measured by reason.

  "Who would have thought that in this northwestern land, there is also a courtyard like those found in the water towns of Jiangnan." Du He sighed and said.

  It was because the Empress Dowager liked the soft and beautiful scenery of Jiangnan's water town, but due to her poor health, she couldn't travel far. The Emperor specially ordered skilled craftsmen to build this western courtyard with traditional Jiangnan water town scenery, so that the Empress Dowager could feel the scenery of Jiangnan's water town in her leisure time.

  Princess Changle, holding a fluffy thing, walked up with a smile and explained Du He's doubts. She then bowed and said: "Changle thanks everyone for coming to celebrate the birthday of her mother, but the auspicious time has not yet arrived, so please take a rest in the garden for now."

  Du He stared blankly at the fluffy thing in Princess Chang Le's arms, which turned out to be a lynx cat.

  Du He's eyes were slightly shining: From an early age, he had no immunity to cats and dogs, but he especially liked these two animals, only because he was away from home for a long time and couldn't raise them.

  At this moment, I actually saw a purebred lynx cat, and suddenly felt a little itchy.

  "Can I have a hug?" Du He asked, looking at Princess Chang Le.