Chapter 117 A Summer Night's Dream (Minor Xuanwu Gate) The Adorably Silly Little Duke...

When Li Yuan, the Duke of Tang, returned to his residence in Beishenfu from Taiji Palace, it was already late at night, yet he still felt as if he were floating on clouds.

The young duke, who was also the Imperial Guard and the empress's nephew, had just witnessed a scene he had only ever seen or heard about in history books and legends.

Just now, during the grand royal banquet, it was unclear which lady-in-waiting or eunuch shouted "Assassin!" At that moment, he and Yu Xuandao disregarded their formalities and, following the principles of their usual training, leaped up together and pinned the emperor, who was raising his cup to drink, to the ground. They then used their bodies as shields to protect Yang Jian's vital areas.

The young people of the Imperial Guard once scoffed at this ancient method of preventing assassination. Even Dou Kang, the most talented among his peers and a student at the Imperial Academy, was no exception.

The two young men felt a great responsibility regarding this unanimous recommendation, fearing that Gao Jiong would not give them a chance to speak. So they kept a close eye on the prime minister's every move in the Beishen Mansion, afraid that he would just give a perfunctory answer and then slip away.

Gao Jiong also felt that the two young men looked strange. He even wondered if he had tied his turban crookedly today, so he subconsciously touched his head. Later, he wondered if it was too ostentatious to wear the Persian golden lion newly bestowed by the emperor, so he deliberately covered it up.

Just as Gao Jiong was inwardly grumbling about how the young nobles were so naive, he met Dou Kang's gaze, which seemed to be both questioning and accusing.

"Gao Nayan, I have a question," Dou Kang asked Gao Jiong with a touch of youthful impetuosity.

"Oh!" Gao Jiong always laughed off the strange and absurd theories of the sons of noble families. Then, based on the family background the other party introduced, he began to ponder what good qualities the self-righteous child in front of him had inherited from his parents—intelligence, appearance, or temperament. He would then sigh in his heart that a tiger father will not have a dog son, or mock him for not being like his father at all.

The reason why his colleagues chose Li Yuan as the second speaker was simple: he was the empress's nephew and Gao Jiong's half-nephew. He was magnanimous, dashing, and had superb archery skills. Apart from Dou Kang, the young people could not find a more perfect candidate. Choosing him would not be a mistake.

That sharp gaze clearly warned, "Li Yuan, do you owe Dugu Si Niang a lesson? Just you wait, next time you have a day off, I'll tell your mother... whatever trouble you've caused me, get back here! Shut your mouth!"

The other servants of similar age, who carried swords, began to suppress their laughter, and some even cheered secretly.

When they see their peers openly provoking the prime minister, everyone tacitly agrees that it is a joyful thing that is worth publicizing.

The two young men were not deterred; instead, they became even more energetic and straightened their backs.

The accompanying Tiger General Yu Xiangxian was extremely embarrassed. He didn't know whether to reprimand the emperor's nephew and empress's nephew who were causing trouble (and this empress's nephew seemed to call Gao Jiong "uncle" in private), or to let the two young men spout nonsense in public about the techniques he had taught them to deal with assassin attacks.

"Speak. So that you won't spread rumors that the prime minister is blocking the path of honest advice." Gao Jiong raised his chin high, indicating that he was willing to condescend to listen to the young man's thoughts.

Li Yuan pressed on, "Can't you use this martial skill to deal with those treacherous and audacious assassins?"

“I’ve told you so many times, His Majesty’s safety is of utmost importance. These willful young men, however, are only thinking about catching the assassin!” Yu Xiangxian whispered to Gao Jiong, “What should we do?”

Although superiors know that saying "You'll all behave once the emperor dies" can shut up these arrogant but incompetent young men, no one dares to say such a thing.

"Dou Kang, Li Yuan, you two shake your heads!" Gao Jiong shouted sternly.

The two young men were startled and shook their heads in front of all their superiors and colleagues.

"Hmm." Gao Jiong nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly asked, "Did you hear the sound of 'the autumn wind is bleak, and the waves are surging'?"

"No," the two answered truthfully.

"Oh, looks like you're quite ill." Gao Jiong gestured with his eyes. "Your brain is clearly full of water, yet you can't hear anything. You two, each take a stone weight and go squat on the stake. Squat until you learn to respect General Yu. While you're at it, squeeze the water out of your brains."

Li Yuan did indeed memorize this strange method of rescuing the emperor, although he was still unconvinced.

Of course, the emperor was even less imposing. A persistent rumor circulated among the people that the reigning emperor, relying on his status as a maternal relative, bullied orphans and widows, and that instigating Yuwen Zhou to seize the throne would inevitably bring retribution. The emperor, naturally, was skeptical.

So when he lay down, a long list of names of dead Northern Zhou enemies flashed through Yang Jian's mind, and in his haste, he read them all aloud and cursed them all.

Li Yuan was momentarily unsure whether to cover his uncle's mouth or his own ears first.

He felt a crocodile that had unexpectedly succeeded in ambushing the lion and tiger trembling in his arms. He feared that the lion and tiger's cubs would grow up and take revenge on him and tear him apart. He heard a few roars in the distance and trembled all over, almost diving into the water. Li Yuan had never seen such a timid and cowardly appearance before.

“But you wouldn’t have had time to jump over either.” Li Yuan glared at his cousin in his heart, finding his jealousy rather strange.

After a moment of panic and commotion in the hall, Gao Jiong and Yang Su announced that it was a false alarm. Only then did a disheveled Yang Jian and two young men, whose bodies were as stiff as stone, emerge from behind the throne.

The emperor briefly praised Li Yuan and Yu Xuandao, and then, surrounded by his guards, headed to Wanquan.

Empress Dugu Jialuo gripped her nephew's hand tightly, weeping with joy, almost crushing his bones.

The Crown Prince and Consort Yuan, who appeared to be on good terms but were actually estranged, and Prince Jin, whose expression had returned to normal, and Princess Xiao, who came from the vassal state of Xiliang, all stepped forward to offer their concern and care.

Then, Li Yuan was granted the special permission to immediately return to Zhilu to rest.

The bad news is that the planned banquet tonight is canceled, and his favorite pipa player's performance will have to be cancelled as a result.

The good news is that his loyalty has been proven; Yu Xiangxian's rescue method actually worked. It's just a pity that Dou Kang isn't by his side tonight.

Although the search outside the hut never stopped, everything inside the hut remained the same, except that the shape of the bedding was somewhat strange.

Li Yuan drew the sword he had failed to draw when he was protecting the emperor earlier. If he didn't draw it soon, this precious sword, symbolizing his status as a bodyguard, would probably only become the most beautiful decoration on his robes.

"Wait, don't do it!" The blanket was twisted a few times, revealing an opening, and a handsome face was shown in front of him.

The boy before me was about thirteen or fourteen years old. He had a forced smile on his face, but one end of a dagger was lurking under the covers. It was hard to imagine that such a handsome boy could harbor such a vicious intention!

It's such a pity, why wasn't Dou Kang by his side?

In other words, the entire court and the emperor were tricked by a thirteen-year-old girl. Whether she was a real assassin or a prankster who didn't know her place, they arrested her first.

"Hmph! You wish!" The girl's disgusted expression made the arrogant young duke very uncomfortable.

"What exactly do you intend to do tonight?" Li Yuan withdrew his sword, knowing she couldn't escape his grasp.

"I heard the emperor has acquired a new calligraphy piece with the character '王' (king), and I'd like to come and see it..." the girl said, shaking her head and making no attempt to conceal her disgusted expression.

This infuriated Li Yuan.

"Nonsense." Li Yuan was about to say, "Our emperor only reads Buddhist scriptures; do you think I don't know whether he's a refined scholar or not?" But then he thought that would be too disrespectful to his uncle. What if the girl spread this during the interrogation, which would be very disadvantageous for him? After thinking for a moment, he changed his words: "As a close attendant, how could I not know..."

“There are many things you don’t know.” The girl was like a proud peacock, aloof and unapproachable. “My father is also a Duke. But I doubt you could guess who he is. Also, although the Emperor values ​​you, you are still a little far from being a pillar of the nation.”

Li Yuan's mouth dropped open as he listened to the suspected trespasser's assessment of him. He watched as the girl deliberately used her thumb and forefinger to vividly indicate "a distance," and he couldn't help but feel both amused and annoyed: "Then tell me, how much is it?"

Li Yuan, instead of being angry, laughed: "Your method of sowing discord is far too crude. Daosheng is my sworn brother, and it is an honor to befriend him. How could I possibly be jealous of him? Whether you want to provoke me or make me feel inferior, you are underestimating me by using this tactic."

Li Yuan was speaking the truth. His friendship with Dou Kang had evolved from that of two fellow officers serving as guards in the Imperial Guard to a bond as close as two sworn brothers. The two talked about almost everything, even their private affairs.

Dou Kang repeatedly warned him not to agree to the marriage with the Yang clan's daughter. He said that once the workload at the Imperial Academy lessened, he would find a way to let Li Yuan meet his cousin. Li Yuan was somewhat curious about this Dou family lady, but too embarrassed to ask too many questions. Dou Kang then pointed to his own face and said, "Look at my face, and guess what she looks like?" This shameless display of affection was quite profound.

Therefore, the woman in front of him, who claimed to be the daughter of a duke, was probably choosing the wrong approach by trying to provoke him by saying that Dou Kang was more talented than him.

Li Yuan felt that this strange girl was trying her best to stall for time, perhaps waiting for her accomplices, or perhaps trying to drag him into the chaos. In any case, he could not let her control the situation and had to break the deadlock. He either had to find out the truth or capture her on the spot.

"How did you get in? Did the emperor invite you to see the copy of the character '王' (Wang)?" Li Yuan mocked.

"Ha!" the girl retorted, mimicking his tone. "Don't you recognize the Black Tortoise statue at the North Gate? It looks like both a tortoise and a snake. I came in from there with my friend..."

"You've caused such a huge mess, how do you plan to get out? Where is your father?" Li Yuan questioned her in a high-pressure manner.

That move to turn the tables was absolutely ruthless!

Li Yuan exclaimed in surprise, "What do you mean?"

If she weren't so strikingly beautiful, he really would have liked to beat her up.

"Then go find Yu Xuandao! He's loyal to the country too, and I'm not the only one protecting the lord. What are you doing loitering in my office?" Li Yuan said angrily.

“Yu Xuandao is too ugly… ugly in appearance and ugly in writing. He even stepped on the foot of the person next to him when he was performing the dance…” the girl said without the slightest hesitation, her words both sarcastic and ridiculous. “If things are exposed and the whole of Chang’an knows that I went to him when I was desperate, what will become of my reputation?”

She spoke so matter-of-factly that Li Yuan's clenched fist loosened again.

Is this a tacit admission that Li Yuan is handsome, has beautiful handwriting, and an elegant demeanor? And that this beautiful girl has been secretly observing him from a corner of the banquet?

His tone softened noticeably: "I never expected you, my wife, to be so picky about where to hide from trouble. I am truly fortunate to have been chosen by you."

The girl was surprised that Li Yuan agreed so readily.

"A promise is a promise, and to go back on it is the act of a scoundrel!" The girl was very displeased with Li Yuan's arrogant attitude even after she had coerced him into backing down. "Young Master Li is indeed worthy of being the Empress's nephew! His demeanor and magnanimity are so different from us mere mortals!"

"What do you mean by speaking in such a sarcastic tone?" He never liked arguing with his wives, because no matter whether he was right or wrong, he would always end up bowing his head or being ordered to do so by his mother or the Empress. Today, however, he had met his match, and since no one was speaking up for the girl, he couldn't help but feel competitive and was determined to argue with her until he was satisfied.

"Oh my, I didn't realize that the young masters were actually dressing up in the main hall? Are they doing this for Acha and her cousins?" The girl didn't act like an outsider. She lifted the quilt, jumped off the bed, and followed the direction Li Yuan pointed, picking and choosing in the wardrobe like a familiar imperial guard.

She carried the scent of styrax, the spiciness and sweetness alternating and stimulating the boy's nostrils, giving him a numbing and dazed feeling.

"What did you say?" Li Yuan seemed to hear her use words like "Acha Zi" or "clan girl," and his mind started buzzing. He suddenly remembered his mother, Dugu, urging him to ask his aunt and uncle for a marriage proposal from a Yang clan girl to strengthen his relationship with the imperial family. He had been laughing it off about this matter that went against his conscience, just trying to put on a brave face for as long as possible. He was just waiting to meet Dou Kang's cousin so he could openly refuse the terrible arranged marriage.

"I praised you for your refined manners and demeanor, saying you are the jewel of the royal family..." The girl changed her original meaning without changing her expression, as if she were praising the boy in front of her, and as if she were mocking the stubborn and vain young duke.

"No, that's not what you just said!"

The girl rummaged through Li Yuan's makeshift wardrobe, pouting.

"Do you have any red robes? These are all so ugly," she muttered.

"Turn around." The girl picked out a blue dress with disdain.

"Okay, I'm turning around." Li Yuan turned around. He was only seventeen years old this year, with a bright future waiting for him, and at this moment he was even less willing to get involved with the girl in front of him than she was.

However, judging from her appearance and demeanor, this girl must be the arrogant daughter of some duke. If he rashly arrests her as an assassin and stirs up a bloody storm, making the Li family enemies, it may not be good for his future. It would be better to do him a favor and let her go.

"Then remember to bring a red robe to Zhilu next time!"

"I've said it before, I don't want to see you again, do you understand?"

The girl watched the sounds outside the door and said, "Oh."

"Shude, I heard you did a good job protecting the emperor today." Dou Kang pushed open the door and entered. The girl was tying her hair up and putting on a turban.

"How long have you known each other?" Dou Kang asked with a gloomy face.

"She's an old friend of mine." Li Yuan was only thinking about covering for the girl who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and didn't realize Dou Kang's anger.

"Brother Daosheng, the Imperial Academy dismissed early today!" The girl looked at Dou Kang with an innocent expression, her tone somewhat languid and charming.

The other half of Li Yuan's face, which hadn't hit the ground when he was protecting the emperor, finally received a punch from his close friend.

However, this despicable, self-righteous instigator made no attempt to defend Li Yuan.

Instead, she shouted towards the outside of the hut: "Dou Daosheng and Li Shude are fighting! Gentlemen, come and stop them! Daosheng, please don't hurt Shude!"

Li Yuan felt he absolutely hated the troublemaking girl and her precious son!

Emperor Li Yuan of the Tang Dynasty awoke one early summer morning, the dream still vivid in his mind. The seventeen-year-old Duke and the thirteen-year-old adopted daughter of the former emperor had become acquainted in such a strange way. To this day, he still didn't know whether his wife had intended to assassinate Yang Jian that day, or had simply been spying on a copy of a book, or perhaps she had changed her mind midway through the assassination attempt.

Her plans were always so meticulous, with a second and a third elaborate scheme to protect herself. What seemed dangerous was actually nothing to her.

That's what made him both love and hate her!

Li Yuan picked up a bronze mirror in the morning light and suddenly realized that he was already over sixty years old.

Venus appears in broad daylight; the two sons fight; there are too many worries in his later years.

But he clearly heard the Dou siblings whispering in the corridor, seemingly plotting a conspiracy.

He shook his head. The Empress and Dou Kang had both passed away many years ago. It was all just the lingering effect of a nightmare, a hallucination.

"Your Majesty, I have prepared a palanquin..."

Then came the sounds of clashing weapons, interspersed with Zhang Jieyu's screams.

That wasn't the voice of the Dou siblings.

On this early morning, it was the eldest grandson and his sister who knocked on the gates of the emperor's palace.

Author's note: Hahaha, the comedy suddenly turns into a horror movie! [sunglasses]