Chapter 23 Do you want to challenge me?
Coaxing a woman is not only a technical job, but also a physical job.

Li Xiang tried his best and kept showing off in front of Li Mingda, finally making her temporarily put aside the worries of separation from her brother.

Li Mingda's cheerful laughter echoed within the palace walls.

When Li Shimin, who had hastily ended the court meeting because he was worried about his daughter, returned to Lizheng Hall, he found that his daughter had already been coaxed into happiness by Li Xiang.

Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief, fortunately, it's okay.

It’s just that the relationship between his daughter and grandson is so good that the old father, who is a daughter slave, feels a little jealous.

"Xiang'er, what's wrong with you?"

He turned his spearhead towards Li Xiang, who was holding the big top, and began to get rid of him.

Li Xiang:

It's time to kill the donkey, right?
"Aye!"

When Li Mingda heard that Li Shimin had returned, he immediately turned around and called out in surprise.

Thinking of what Li Shimin had just said, she said sternly, "Xiang'er was also doing this for my daughter's happiness. Please don't blame him, Father."

What else can Mr. Li do now that his daughter has said this?

"Okay, okay, I won't blame you, I won't blame you..." Li Shimin choked.

Li Mingda walked to Li Xiang's side, gently wiped the dust off his body, and then pulled him to Li Shimin's side, and said to Li Xiang: "Han Feizi said, 'If rewards and punishments are clear, then Boyi and Daozhi will not be confused, and then black and white will be distinguished.' Xiang'er has completed the task entrusted by his father-in-law, but his father-in-law not only did not reward him, but also blamed him a lot. Is this the behavior of a wise monarch?"

Li Shimin's breathing stagnated.

"Besides..." Li Mingda looked at Li Xiang tenderly, "Xiang'er has the filial piety of Lao Laizi, and Father should commend him."

The Lao Laizi that Li Mingda just mentioned refers to the protagonist of "Lao Lai Entertains His Parents" in the "Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars" story.

After hearing what his daughter said, Li Shimin nodded reluctantly.

After a long while, he hummed and moaned, "Xiang'er has made great contributions... I will reward you with ten thousand gold coins."

Hearing this, Li Xiang couldn't help but feel refreshed.

Hey, Lao Deng, gold coins are popping up!
Trying to please your aunt really paid off - look, the reward is here, isn't it?
"aunt……"

Li Xiang's eyes were moist.

Li Mingda turned around and smiled gently at Li Xiang.

"Don't be afraid, Xiang'er. Your aunt is here!"

Haha ...

She is really my aunt!
Li Xiang was delighted, feeling as if he had found the secret of Beast Battle Chess.

Although Li Shimin was his nemesis, Li Mingda was his nemesis by nature. As long as he could coax his aunt, he would be able to obey him!

He raised his head and looked at Li Shimin, with a look of pride on his face.

Pretending to be a grandson was not his character, even though he was really Li Shimin's grandson.

They were always walking on thin ice and were trembling with fear towards Li Shimin, and they didn't have the feeling of being an ordinary grandparent and grandchild.

Li Xiang certainly knew that this was what the sentimental old Li lacked.

"That's all, as long as Sizi is happy."

Li Shimin waved his hands, looking tired and unloved.

Then he turned around and started to make trouble for Li Xiang again: "From now on, you will go to Wei Zheng's house to listen to lectures on the fifth and tenth days of the month. On the fourth and eighth days of the month, Xiao Yu will come to Lizheng Hall to give you lessons. Sizi, you must also attend the lectures."

Finally, Li Shimin added: "You don't need to go to Hongwenguan. I will teach you personally for the rest of your life."

"Yes, Aweng."

Li Xiang answered respectfully, still looking forward to what Li Shimin was going to teach him.

It should...not be the way to govern a country, right?
"I'll give you a day off today so you can spend some time with your aunt."

Li Shimin looked up at the sun and said to Li Xiang, "What would you like for lunch?"

"It's all right."

Li Xiang was not picky about food. Compared with later generations, the food in the Tang Dynasty could be described as dark cuisine. It made no difference to him what he ate. Of course, there were differences, at least boiled vegetables tasted much better than meat.

Perhaps because of the roasted rabbit Li Xiang prepared yesterday, Li Shimin became interested in eating barbecue again.

It’s really not your fault that you have high blood pressure... Li Xiang felt a little nervous.

When Lao Sun comes, I will ask him to give you a good beating.

Li Xiang looked at the roasted lamb in front of him, thinking ill of Li Shimin's sad and angry look when he faced a table full of boiled vegetables.

He was a man who valued his life, and even though history had proven that he could live to be seventy-two, he still did not dare to be careless.

So Li Xiang only ate a little bit of roasted lamb and focused more on green leafy vegetables.

When Li Xiang saw Li Mingda being persuaded by Li Shimin to eat more meat, he couldn't help but get excited.

"Grandfather, I think that Auntie shouldn't eat too much greasy food because of her illness..."

"What do you know? Your aunt is at the age of growing up. How can she grow strong without eating meat?"

Li Shimin puffed his beard and glared at Li Xiang, as if to say "what does this little brat know?"

Seeing Li Shimin's reaction, Li Xiang felt even more furious.

He was really afraid that Li Mingda's condition would develop unexpectedly before Sun Simiao came.

Although nothing would happen if he shrank back at this time, Li Xiang could not guarantee how long Zhang Sizheng and Hegan Chengji could search for him. What if Li Mingda's illness relapsed during this period?
A real man always looks ahead and behind when dealing with others. How is he different from a rat?
Even though Li Shimin would be displeased, Li Xiang was willing to give it his all.

"Eating too much greasy food is not a good thing!"

Li Xiang stiffened his neck and began to speak passionately to Li Shimin: "Aunt is young and weak, and it is difficult for her to digest greasy food! Over time, it will not only not make her healthy, but will make her condition worse!"

"Nonsense!"

Li Shimin glared and said, "If I hadn't eaten a lot of meat since I was a child, how could I have the strength to lead the army into battle?"

Just wait, how will I treat you when Sun Simiao comes...

Li Xiang suppressed his urge to be sarcastic and continued: "Ah, do you think your grandson is young and despise his words? I hope you will take my aunt's health seriously and don't ignore my advice!"

Finally, he felt that these words were not strong enough, so he fell to his knees and used his trump card.

"Your Majesty! I am giving you advice now!"

Aren't you able to accept advice with an open mind? Let's see if you can accept advice with an open mind.

The attendant standing by had a bright light in his eyes and was writing so quickly that he almost splashed ink on Li Shimin's face.

Li Shimin slammed the table and angrily said: "Li Xiang! Do you want to challenge me?!"

Unexpectedly, my sleeve was grabbed by a small hand.

"Aye, Xiang'er is giving advice."

Li Mingda's voice was so gentle that Li Shimin regained his sanity instantly.

"Since it is a remonstrance, there are rules... Wang De!"

"I'm here." Wang De responded immediately.

"Go and call the imperial physician."

Li Shimin flicked his sleeves and looked at Li Xiang: "Xiang'er, I will give you one last chance now. If the imperial physician comes and says that I am right, I will not let this matter go!"

"If the imperial physician supports my opinion, what does Your Majesty have to say?"

Li Xiang looked at Li Shimin without giving in, and was confident in his momentum.

But now he felt a little embarrassed. He was so excited that he forgot about the imperial physician. Even if his medical skills were not as good as Sun Simiao's, he could still prove that what he said was correct.

After listening to Li Xiang's words, Li Shimin took a deep breath...

Into you...

I cursed in my heart halfway, but then I felt something was wrong and withdrew the idea.

At the same time, I felt incredible. This little bastard actually dared to challenge me?
(End of this chapter)