217 Chapter 217

◎Get ready to go hunting.◎

In April, when all the candidates had been selected and shipbuilding was about to begin, Lu Yuanlang suddenly fell ill. Li Chengqian called the best imperial physician to treat him, but when the physician came back, he said that Mr. Lu was too old and could not be cured by human power.

Li Chengqian understood what this meant. Lu Yuanlang was already very old, and the reason he became ill was because of organ failure. Even doctors from more than a thousand years later would not be able to cure him.

Now he can only wait slowly for death to come.

"Cheng Qian, people's lifespan is limited and cannot be forced." Changsun held her eldest son's hand and advised softly.

It was also this year in his previous life that Mr. Lu passed away. He didn't die because he was sick, but simply because he was old. Even if Sun Simiao were here, it couldn't change that.

Li Chengqian wiped his face and said, "Mother, I want to go see Mr. Lu."

Chang Sun said, "Okay, I'll have someone tell your father and then arrange a carriage for you."

"Don't bother, mother. I can make my own arrangements." Li Chengqian stood up and reassured his mother before leaving, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Changsun nodded slightly with some reassurance, but after her eldest son left, she still sent someone to Taiji Hall to tell Li Shimin.

When Li Shimin returned to Lizheng Hall, his first words were, "Chengqian has gone to the Lu family. Alas, this child has always been very sentimental. I wonder how heartbroken he must be."

Chang Sun frowned and said, "Although the lessons cannot be delayed, Erlang, it is better not to arrange a new teacher for Cheng Qian yet. Let him take some time off."

Li Shimin nodded, also looking worried.

However, what puzzled the couple was that when Li Chengqian returned to the palace from the Lu family, his mood had improved a lot.

Li Chengqian had dinner that day in the Lizheng Hall. As he put down his chopsticks, Li Shimin couldn't help but ask, "Chengqian, is Mr. Lu feeling better?"

Li Chengqian shook his head. "Mr. Lu's spirits have worsened. He fell asleep while talking... But he seemed very happy while he was talking. Mr. Lu has a new great-grandson this year, so his family now has five generations living under one roof."

"When I came back, I thought that Mr. Lu probably had no regrets in his life. It's just that the living are reluctant to let go. But no matter what, the living always have their own path to walk."

After hearing these words, Li Shimin raised his head and rubbed his eldest son's head, saying in a gentle voice: "Lu Deming has taught you very well."

As the prince's only liberal arts teacher in recent years, this old gentleman did not pursue fame or fortune, but only taught the prince knowledge and principles with all his heart.

Cheng Qian only wanted this one teacher at that time, which was obviously an extremely correct choice.

Li Chengqian had now accepted the fact that his teacher had to leave on his own, but Li Shimin began to feel regretful. It was so difficult to find a good teacher like Lu Deming.

Because of this regret, Lu Yuanlang received the honor of being the Prince's Grand Tutor bestowed by the Heavenly Khan, although he could only express his gratitude and was unable to go to the Eastern Palace to teach the Prince anymore.

The day after the imperial edict was issued, Lu Yuanlang passed away at home.

…

After the autumn harvest was over and all the important affairs of the court were completed, it was already October. Li Shimin planned to take Li Chengqian out hunting.

"It's been nearly half a year since Mr. Lu was away in April, but I see Cheng Qian still seems a little unhappy from time to time." Li Shimin glanced at the hunting suit presented to him, "Go to the East Palace and ask the Crown Prince about his height. He's growing taller. This was measured last month. Don't worry if it doesn't fit."

The female official took the order and left.

Changsun watched as the saint's clothes were being packed. Hearing this, she said, "Cheng Qian isn't unhappy about this. His ship hasn't been making smooth progress, and he's very anxious."

Li Shimin naturally knew all this. "Although Cheng Qian had ready-made blueprints, many of the parts were new to the craftsmen. They had to learn by trial and error, and couldn't get it right the first time. This is a common occurrence. Cheng Qian was probably handling something on his own for the first time, so he was inevitably anxious. I've already advised him that he'll be less anxious after he's done more work."

Chang Sun shook her head and smiled: "Cheng Qian is very talented, Erlang, don't strangle him too hard."

Li Shimin pressed his wife's hand and said, "The Crown Prince has a heavy responsibility and cannot relax. But don't worry, I have my mind clear."

As he was speaking, a palace servant came in from outside and said, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, the King of Yue requests an audience."

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Qingque is here, please invite the King of Yue in."

A moment later, Li Tai entered the hall and saluted his parents. Li Shimin waved his hand and said with a smile, "Qingque has grown up. Like your elder brother, he has learned to be polite in front of his father and mother."

Chang Sun smiled and said, "It's good that he's grown up. If he becomes like this little kid like Zhinu, we'll be worried sick."

Li Tai also smiled and said, "Father, Mother, I am only one year younger than my elder brother. He has been working with you for a long time. I can't still be a child."

Li Shimin rubbed his head and praised him with a smile: "Well, Qingque is indeed an adult now."

Li Tai smiled and said, "Aye, I am an adult now. Can you take me with you on this hunting trip?"

"Hmm?" Li Shimin had no doubt. "Your archery skills are indeed good, but your riding skills are not so good. When you become more proficient, I will take you with me."

"I want to go and play with you, Father. It's okay if we don't go hunting. I've never left the palace!" Li Tai didn't give up and pulled his father's sleeve.

Li Shimin couldn't help but nod: "That's right, you haven't even been to Chang'an City. How about this, Qingque, I will arrange for someone to take you to your uncle's house tomorrow."

Li Tai smiled and said, "Thank you, Aye! Then... hunting, can I come too?"

The topic returned to the topic again, and it was clear that Li Tai wanted to go hunting with them. Li Shimin was embarrassed by this, but he still refused firmly: "Qingque, I will take you next time."

During this hunting trip, Li Shimin wanted to take his eldest son out to relax, but what happened in the royal family was not a simple activity between father and son.

This was the first time that the crown prince followed the sage to participate in the school hunt. Li Shimin had to give him this unique honor and not let other princes steal the limelight.

Therefore, although he loved his fourth son, Li Shimin still had to reject his request.

This is also for the good of their brothers. Tian Khan, who had been spoiled, thought to himself that the prince is the prince, and none of the other princes can surpass him.

Li Tai knew that he could not ask for it, so he said in a low voice: "Oh, I know, Aye."

Li Shimin looked at him pitifully and felt sorry for him, so he said, "Although we can't take you with us, my father and I will bring you some furs and make you winter clothes when we come back."

Li Tai lowered his head, then looked up and said with a smile, "Thank you, Aye!"

Changsun checked the packed luggage and listened to the conversation between the father and son. She couldn't help but sigh as she listened.

Qingque is a child who can please his father, and Erlang is a father who loves his children. Is this good or bad?

Thinking about the conflict between Cheng Qian and Qing Que two years ago, Changsun couldn't help but worry about it.

Father, son and brothers in heaven.

…

Li Chengqian had poor health in his previous life and seldom participated in hunting. Although his health was better in this life, he still had no interest in hunting.

In his previous life, Tian Khan rarely asked him to go hunting, but this time he insisted on going. Li Chengqian had no choice but to get ready and was forced to go into battle.

Fortunately, the scenery outside the palace was beautiful, which soothed Li Chengqian's mood. Hunting could be postponed, but it was still nice to look at the mountains and rivers and relax.

So after completing the ceremony before hunting, Li Shimin said something to his attendants, and when he turned around, he found that the prince was missing. After asking others, he learned that the prince had just gone on horseback to see the scenery.

"The prince is there!"

The saint was looking for the prince, and naturally the people around him followed him. After a while, someone found the prince.

Li Shimin told them to do as they pleased, while he rode his horse over to talk to the prince.

"You've come out to hunt, so you should enjoy the scenery first." Li Shimin said with a smile.

Li Chengqian thought for a moment, took out a few of his own arrows and placed them in Tian Khan's quiver, then clapped his hands and said, "That's it!"

Li Shimin was confused: "What's wrong?"

Li Chengqian laughed and said, "Our arrows are all marked. I'll give you mine. When you kill something, it will be considered as my kill, right?"

Li Shimin: “…”

Li Shimin looked back at the followers who followed him. Some of them looked at the sky, some looked at the ground, but no one looked at the saint and the prince.

Well, they heard nothing.

"You are quite clever," Li Shimin said with a helpless smile, "but you haven't used it in the right place!"

As he spoke, he pulled out the arrow and put it back into the prince's quiver. Li Chengqian noticed that it was actually his own arrow. Li Chengqian's arrow still remained in Tian Khan's quiver.

Li Chengqian smiled quietly and said, "Thank you, Aye."

Li Shimin nodded at him and said with a smile: "You can leave now. I have asked someone to accompany you."

Li Chengqian followed his gaze and saw that they were indeed the legitimate sons of the important officials of the Zhenguan period. Although they were far away, many of them looked very familiar to him.

No matter how many lifetimes pass, Tian Khan will never change in some things.

Li Chengqian followed the Heavenly Khan and urged his horse forward. He looked down at his quiver, but he had indeed changed in some things, and he was not the only one who had changed.

Tian Khan stopped his horse and let everyone see the prince.

Li Chengqian waived their greetings and looked at Du He in the crowd. His father Du Ruhui was still alive, but he did not come with him this time.

Li Shimin signaled Li Chengqian to take his men and leave. He nodded and asked them to follow. When they were far away, he said, "I'm not very good at it. Those of you who are skilled can go by yourselves. You don't have to follow me."

Everyone was stunned when they heard this.

Li Chengqian added, "I will speak to the sage and see to it that you are not blamed."

Du He whispered, "Your Highness, if my father blames us, will you also plead for mercy?"

Li Chengqian couldn't help but laugh and said, "So the Right Sergeant has such a bad temper at home? I can't plead for you, but if your father punishes you, I'll ask my father to punish you. What do you think?"

Du He: “…”

"Your Highness is joking." Du He said dryly.