Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty

Chapter 106

During the night watch, Li Yuanying was quieter than usual, and Tang Guan was not used to it. He suddenly remembered Li Yuanying sitting by the pond side feeding fish with paper crumbles that day. He didn’t know what was written on the shredded paper, but he knew that it was definitely not good news.

This seemingly naive Prince Teng is actually not so naive sometimes. He can make sense of things if you break it up and explain things to him. It’s just that many would often choose not to think. After all, to live with anxiety or to live care-freely the day will still pass. Who doesn’t want to choose a relaxed way to live?

Tang Guan thought that Li Yuanying wouldn’t be able to sleep but he fell into deep sleep after lying down without a worry.

The next day, Yuanying woke up very early without needing Tang Xuan to wake him up. He followed his group to the school grounds to practice archery. He shot an arrow and was able to target with better accuracy than when he first started and was able to draw a heavier bow.

Li Yuanying even went to Tang Guan’s side to show off, saying that he wanted to compete! Tang Guan is good at everything but his skills in archery was very ordinary and was a bit behind Tang Xuan and the others.

Tang Guan felt that this guy was really heartless, and he wasted his time cautioning him for nothing.  But they were both kids and he couldn’t stand the thought of backing away from a challenge. Seeing Li Yuanying’s triumphant appearance, he became competitive and wanted to compete with him in everything.

By the end of morning class, both were exhausted from competing and went together to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Tang Guan didn’t specifically go looking for Du He and his group. He sat with at Yuanying’s invitation and chatted with Yuanying’s circle of friends.

In terms of family background, Tang Guan is far different from the children from humble homes but his temper also do not allow him to social much with the rich brats and he usually has nothing much in common with Du He and his friends. The only reason he hangs out with them was because their fathers are acquaintances and they were all supporting the Crown Prince.

Even though both boys were getting closer, Du He’s gang didn’t say anything. After all the Crown Prince and Li Yuanying are close and so Li Yuanying is considered to be on his side!

Du He didn’t respond but Fang Jun noticed and spread this news to the outside world. While Fang Yi was always on duty by the Crown prince’s side, Fang Jun is actually close to Li Tai in private. The two Fang brothers each placed bets on both sides and wouldn’t let go!

Many of Li Yuanying’s actions at the Academy were leaked by Fang Jun. Ever since Li Yuanying took Gao Yang to Wancui Mansion and got him in trouble, Fang Jun didn’t like Li Yuanying very much.

Once he found out that it was Prince Teng who persuaded His Majesty to shift Li Tai away which almost ruined their plan, Fang Jun took up the initiative to watch Li Yuanying’s every move. After all isn’t Prince Teng’s reckless behaviour in the Academy because of the Emperor’s backing? Let him bask in glory! The higher you climb, the harder you fall!

Yuanying did even think that Li Tai had spies in the academy. He was invited by Wu Mei over to their yard for a chat and he unveiled even more “praise” from Wu Mei and Wei Shu. If it wasn’t for his own self-awareness and Tang Guan’s words last night, he would definitely still be in a trance from all the compliments.

“I think Prince Wei is behind this.” (Wu Mei)

Yuanying sat under the pavilion without saying a word.

One should wonder if it’s a blessing or a curse to be born into the Royal family. If they hadn’t been born into the Li family, they might have worked hard all their lives and still not have the good life they had now. But being born with such privileges still made them all dissatisfied. They want this and that, how can you have the best of both world?

“People are greedy.” (Li Yuanying)

His imperial brother won the world from his tragic fight with his siblings and father, he is indeed greedy. He now wants to be known for his achievements for eternity but also want to be a kind father and brother.

Fourth nephew has his father’s love and adoration, enjoying the same treatment as the Crown Prince but still wanted to go further.

If you can get everything, who wouldn’t want it?

Li Yuanying was also greedy. He wanted his mother to live a good life, wanted to take care of his nephews and nieces according to his late sister-in-law’s entrustment, and wanted to play happily. He wants this and that and that too.

“I’m the same too.” (Li Yuanying)

Wu Mei and Wei Shu both looked at him.

Li Yuanying put away all the information he got from Wu Mei and Wei Shu and asked: “You didn’t tell Cheng Yang about these things, did you?”

Wu Mei shook her head.

Although Wei Shu is younger, she can keep up better with Wu Mei so they didn’t share this with Cheng Yang.

Wu Mei had another reason why she did so. To talk about Cheng Yang’s father and brother like that is to suspect her family of ill intentions in front of her. Whether it was due to emotions or logic, they shouldn’t do such a thing. They waited for Cheng Yang and Jin Shengman to be busy looking for a book before meeting with the boy.

“Don’t let her know.”

Yuanying told both not to worry, he has his own way of solving this.

The girls looked at each other and nodded in response.

Although Li Yuanying loves to play and make trouble, he had a way of solving his problems. Since he is confident in resolving this, they will say no more.

As he was about to leave, Chengyang and Jin Shengman came back with books in their hands. Yuanying happily went up to them and asked what they had borrowed.

Cheng Yang showed him the book and asked what he was doing here.

Yuanying and the 2 girls had discussed how to answer this smoothly: “I’m here to discuss a few math problems with Mei Niang. You know me, if I don’t solve it now, I’ll be restless.”

Cheng Yang nodded.

Yuanying said that he still had work to attend to and left after Cheng Yang went inside. He took a pen and started sorting all the writings singing his praises into a thick booklet. The white bird from Li Jing wouldn’t be able to handle such a heavy book and so Li Yuanying went straight to Kong Yingda.

Kong Yingda hadn’t spoken to Prince Teng in person for a long time already. Seeing this visitor, he invited him to sit down for a drink and asked why he came over.

Yuanying went direct to the point. He took out a neatly arranged thick booklet. At time like this he thinks it’s a pity that Dai Ting is not home yet. Otherwise with Dai Ting’s ability he would be able to collect even more information and the booklet will be even thicker.

Yuanying shared his intentions openly. “I want to present this to my Imperial brother. But I’m a good student who can’t leave the Academy as I like. Right? So, can you please pass this on my behalf to my brother, your are a Chancellor and spend much time at the Imperial Court. Help me deliver this please!”

It’s not a big favour to ask but he can’t just randomly send things to the Emperor.

“What’s this?”

“This is a booklet that I compiled on my own, it is filled with poems that I personally like. Lately wherever I go I hear them, as if it had spread all over Chang’an overnight!”

Kong Yingda had been rather busy lately and had not paid attention to the rumors in town. Hearing this, he became curious. He opens the book and the first thing he realised is that the boy’s handwriting had greatly improved. It is no wonder the Calligraphy lecturer all wanted to teach him.

After he had finished the first poem, Kong Yingda had an odd expression: This poem is written very literally and is easy to be spread orally, its content are all praises for the Crown prince and Prince Teng!

Continuing on further, the main topic remained the same. All collections talk about the goodness of the main characters as if they were gods who came to earth. With a Crown Prince like this is the country’s blessing and a Prince Teng like this is the heavens taking care of Tang.

It is also rumoured that Prince Teng had found a dragon bone which is as high as a few storeys and looks majestic. Even Dragon Bones appear in front of Prince Teng, if Prince Teng isn’t a lucky star what is?

This touches on auspicious signs from heaven.

In normal circumstances, men would only relate auspicious signs to the Emperor alone, never about the Royal family. You found a dragon but you’re not the Ruler or the Crown prince, so whatyou’re your intentions?!

Kong Yingda felt a sense of coldness and look at the boys with a strict expression.

Li Yunaying stared back calmly.

Judging logically, Kong Yingda never liked the little demon king in the past. All other princes were able to sit obediently in class except for him. He gave them no peace, always climbing trees or sneaking away to play. But the boy had been rather well behaved this last 2 years, he had done many useful things and Kong Yingda had a change of heart regarding his judgement of this child.

Lately the boy had been quietly attending classes at the Academy, but such rumour had spread. Kong Yingda isn’t going to believe no one is behind this.

Prince Teng had indeed participated in these things, but hadn’t he always kept the Emperor informed and had gotten his permission? Getting volunteers to open up a library was instructed by the Emperor himself, didn’t his Majesty write the signboard himself!

“Okay, I’ll send this up for you.”

Since Li Yuanying has been successfully admitted into the Academy, then he is a student of the Academy. Kong Yingda might not be the highest ranking official, but he will still not allow his students to be bullied! It didn’t matter who was behind this, he will bring this up with the Emperor!