ATPnovel Chapter 44: Brothers and sisters respect each other
Chapter 44: Brothers and sisters respect each other
The chopsticks in Li Tai's hand suddenly hung in mid-air, remaining motionless for a long time.
He could compose poetry at the age of seven, and the scholars of the Hongwen Academy all praised his exceptional talent. He was always arrogant and conceited.
But the poems I heard today are grand in scope and lofty in intent, without a trace of pedantry or embellishment, and every word contains a vision of bringing peace and prosperity to the people.
He was filled with admiration for the vision and breadth of mind of the farmers in the countryside, and he felt a strong urge to befriend them and explore their knowledge.
"Does he have any unique methods for researching things?"
Li Tai put down his chopsticks, his tone filled with an eager thirst for knowledge, revealing the pure and studious heart of a young man.
Li Shimin glanced at him, smiled faintly, and said with a hidden meaning in his eyes: "He tried to raise earthworms four times in total. He failed the first three times, but he never got impatient and gave up."
They gradually figured out the right method by figuring out the depth of the pit, the thickness of the straw, and the timing of ventilation.
I asked him if he found it tedious, and he simply said, "If you make a mistake, start over; if you're right, stick with it. There's no need to overthink it."
While his words described Wang Zhihuan's methods, they were actually directed at the three princes.
The process of emperors governing the country is like studying things and seeking true knowledge; setbacks are inevitable. Only by being focused, pragmatic, and true to their principles can they succeed.
However, the path to imperial power is never a simple matter of making a mistake and starting over; one wrong step can lead to a lifetime of unresolved issues.
The hall fell silent for a moment, each person lost in their own thoughts.
Li Chengqian slowly put down his chopsticks, his expression solemn: "Your subject has seen many talented people in the world. Some are proficient in the classics, some are good at arithmetic, and some are knowledgeable in law. Most of them specialize in one field, and once they are outside of their expertise, they are no different from ordinary people."
But this Wang Zhihuan is skilled in agriculture, medicine, poetry, and reason; he has achievements in every area, making him a rare polymath. If he could be employed by the Tang Dynasty, it would surely be a blessing for the people.
His tone was sincere, his heart solely devoted to the nation and its people, devoid of any selfish thoughts. Li Shimin nodded slightly, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.
He was pleased with the magnanimity and vision befitting a crown prince. However, this approval, though not readily apparent to the perceptible Li Tai, subtly planted a seed of unease in his heart.
Li Tai pondered for a long time, then exclaimed sincerely, "Just how many books has this person read? He is proficient in everything from agricultural books and medical books to classics and poetry. His knowledge is so vast that it is almost comparable to half of the library in the Hongwen Academy."
At this moment, he was filled with nothing but admiration, lamenting that the reclusive sages of the world had not a single ambition to seize the throne by recruiting talented people in the future.
Li Zhi remained seated quietly, sipping his shepherd's purse soup in small sips, saying nothing, yet silently taking in all the words and expressions of everyone in the hall, as well as his father's unspoken meanings.
He was naturally calm and reserved, and was accustomed to observing from the sidelines. Even at a young age, he was already adept at concealing his talents. He would sit quietly in a corner, not interrupting or showing off, but he understood everything perfectly. No wonder he later ascended to the throne.
After a long pause, he gently put down the porcelain bowl, pursed his lips, and finally spoke, his tone filled with the pure curiosity unique to a child: "Big sister, does that farm in the suburbs really have a lot of fun things to do?"
They don't ask about medical skills, farming, or academic achievements; they only ask about the fun and interesting things in everyday life.
Everyone in the hall was slightly taken aback. Chang Le couldn't help but smile and replied gently, "Of course there is."
The kitten loves to curl up and purr, the puppy always chases its own tail in circles, and there are birds chirping melodiously in the jujube tree—everywhere is interesting.
Ultimately, although Chang Le is a princess, she is also a young girl with the most vivid emotions deep in her memory.
Upon hearing this, Li Zhi's eyebrows curved slightly, his heart yearning for it, but he did not ask any further questions.
However, even while eating with his head down, a faint smile remained on his lips, and his eyes were filled with longing for the carefree life outside the palace.
The palace was governed by strict rules and heavy constraints. He had always longed for the carefree life of the common people, but being born into royalty meant he never had a choice in his own destiny.
Chengyang couldn't contain himself any longer. He had always heard Sizi talk about the interesting things at the farm, and now that Chang Le was telling him in detail, he was even more eager to go.
She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice so as not to wake Xincheng in the cradle: "Big sister, next time you go to the farm, can you take me with you?"
I promise I'll behave and not make a fuss. I also want to see the kittens and puppies with my own eyes, and the bamboo dragonfly that Sizi mentioned—I don't believe it can fly that high!
"Okay, I'll take you next time, and we'll invite Zhinu along too." Chang Le was amused by her eagerness and immediately agreed.
Suddenly called out, Li Zhi looked up abruptly, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. He then nodded slightly, his ear tips turning slightly red. When he lowered his head, the smile on his lips deepened.
The boy's shy and timid appearance was clean and pure, completely different from the later Emperor Gaozong of Tang, who became a calm, cold, and decisive ruler.
Li Tai chuckled and teased from the side, gently tapping the rim of his bowl: "At this rate, in a few days, my brother and I will probably be gathering together at the farm in the suburbs."
Her tone was light and cheerful, full of anticipation for the leisurely life outside the palace. She hoped to travel with her older brother and sister and meet reclusive sages.
At this moment, family ties are strong, and everyone is carefree. No one wants to think too much about the changes in people's hearts in the future.
Li Shimin's smile deepened upon hearing this, and he picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.
Having ruled over a vast empire, the people he cherished most were Empress Zhangsun and his many legitimate children.
Being able to sit together with his family in such harmony and peace is probably his greatest wish.
Empress Zhangsun took in the scene before her, gently patted the sleeping Sizi in her arms, and slowly swept her gaze over Li Chengqian, Li Tai, Li Zhi, Chang Le, and Chengyang, finally landing on Xincheng in the cradle.
The warm glow of the lamplight, the children surrounding her, the loving brotherhood, and the harmonious sisterhood—this cozy reunion was the most cherished scene of her life.
Her smiling eyes concealed a hint of melancholy and worry that was difficult for others to detect.
She used to feel like a candle in the wind, constantly worrying about whether she could stay with them longer.
Fortunately, I met that young man, and now my chest tightness and shortness of breath are gradually getting better, and my hands and feet are getting warmer day by day.
I imagine she should be able to take care of these children and her second husband for many years.
Before long, the newborn in the cradle slowly woke up, without crying or fussing, just opening its big, dark eyes and quietly gazing at the curtains.
As Li Zhi passed by the cradle, he deliberately stopped and bent down, gently touching her clenched little fist with his fingertips, his eyes tender and full of brotherly love.
The family members in the hall continued to chat and laugh, discussing the rural prodigy they had never met.
The evening breeze quietly drifted in through the window, carrying the fresh scent of early summer grass and trees. It brushed against the coarse linen medicine bag on the table, and a faint medicinal fragrance spread.
This wisp of medicinal fragrance connects, on one end, a secluded farmhouse far from the strife outside the city, and on the other, the royal warmth within the palace lights, sparking a secular opportunity and subtly echoing the turbulent waves already written in fate.
The deep walls of the palace can preserve the lights and reunions of this moment, but they can never preserve the hearts and affairs of the world.
The warm and harmonious scene before us will eventually meet its own destination and destiny as time goes by.