“How is this possible…?”

"Could it be that the prince knows magic?"

"Oh my god, this is incredible, how did the prince do it?"

Everyone looked at the glass filled with water and turned upside down in Li Hong's hand, which did not move at all, and made an unbelievable sound.

At this moment, even Lu Zhaolin and Luo Binwang were stunned by the scene before them. They were not far from the prince and did not see him do anything, but this magical scene happened right before their eyes.

Amid the exclamations, there were also other voices: "What is this? I heard that the prince was able to fish out copper coins from a boiling oil pan."

"Yes, it is said that all the civil and military officials of the court, His Majesty, and the Queen were present. The Crown Prince shocked the envoys from various countries and left them speechless."

"That's right. Some people said that the prince was the god of literature who had descended to earth and was protected by immortals. That's why his arm was able to fish out the copper coins from the oil pan without any damage."

Li Hong looked at the people who were talking with their heads down, and said calmly: "This is not a magic or sorcery. In fact, you can do it too. Just stick this thin white paper tightly on the mouth of the glass without leaving a gap. Anyone can turn the glass upside down without spilling the water. But do you know why it is like this? This is one of the many studies besides reciting poems and writing essays. I know that some people still remember and admire me for making money from the oil pan. Today I can tell you that those are not magic or sorcery. As long as you understand the reason, anyone can do it."

...

...

Looking at everyone's expectant faces and eager eyes waiting for him to solve the puzzle, Li Hong slowly placed his hand on the thin white paper on the rim of the cup and tapped it lightly. The water in the cup instantly flowed back down, and suddenly the inverted glass was empty.

Everyone looked at the water in the cup, and when Li Hong's finger lightly touched the white paper and the water poured down, they couldn't help but exclaim.

Li Hong put down the cup with satisfaction, stretched out a hand and swung it left and right in the air, saying, "This is because the air we can't touch gives the white paper strength, allowing it to withstand the weight of the water in the cup, so not a drop leaks out. When the air we can't touch becomes cold or hot, the cold and hot air will collide, and then a wind will be generated that we can't touch but can feel personally."

Li Hong explained the origin of the superficial and straightforward lookout roughly, and saw that many of them showed thoughtful expressions. Some people were even eager to take out white paper and start experimenting there, with a deeper smile on their faces, as long as their goals were achieved.

Just as Li Hong was about to turn around and go back behind the table, a timid voice sounded from the crowd across the water: "Disciple greets you, sir. Disciple wants to ask you, sir, when you fished out the copper coins from the oil pan, why didn't your arm get burned, but the little Khan's arm got burned instead? Is it the same thing you did today?"

"Almost. If what I just told you was a subject called physics, then what I did back then was a subject called chemistry. Starting next year, both the Imperial College and the Hongwenguan will offer such courses. Then you will understand how I did it back then. But after you understand it, remember not to tell foreigners." Li Hong laughed at the end of his speech, which immediately caused the people on both sides to laugh along with him.

Helan Minzhi had never expected that what was originally a simple picnic would turn into a one-man show for the prince, especially the magical full cup of water, which did not spill a drop when turned upside down, which made him the center of attention. The news of the inverted cup of water, which was almost like a magic trick, would spread throughout Chang'an City in a few days, and the prince's reputation would be further elevated.

The talent he displayed, including his interpretation of Wang Bo's "Ode to the Wind", shocked Helan Minzhi.

Although Li Hong did not actually compose a poem, his eloquent and philosophical words, "All things are inferior, only reading is superior," were enough for him and everyone else to ponder over for a few days.

Helan Minzhi looked at Li Hong's back with complicated eyes. This prince, who had been different from ordinary people since childhood, made him feel unprecedented palpitations.

Although he could not clearly grasp the mastermind behind the kidnapping of him on his way to the Western Regions, Helan Minzhi felt that this matter might be related to Li Hong in front of him.

Li Hong looked at the expressions of the crowd. It was obvious that they were still immersed in the scene of the inverted water cup just now. He suddenly felt that this trip to Qujiang Lake had become boring.

Turning his head to look at Helan Minzhi meaningfully, and after exchanging a few words with Lu Zhaolin and Luo Binwang, Li Hong went back to the palace first, leaving the group of students to entertain themselves.

Gao An was naturally taken away by him. Even if he wanted Gao An to stay, Gao An was unwilling to stay. After understanding the interests involved in Li Hong's reluctance to let her leave the palace privately, Gao An began to slowly learn to restrain herself.

Li Zhe and Li Xian made faces at Li Hong who was about to leave, their expressions full of determination, and they would never go back to the palace with him.

Li Hong was too lazy to care. He looked at the personal eunuchs not far away and saw that they were all there. After realizing that they were safe, he didn't bother to pay any more attention.

In the carriage, Jingzhe hurriedly handed him a secret letter. Li Hong did not avoid Bai Chun and Gao An on his left and right. He unfolded the letter and read it carefully. After reading it, he closed the letter and let out a long sigh.

"Aunt Lanling has run into some trouble. The Xiao family has started to raise the price and is even willing to destroy the name of Lanling Liquor rather than make too many concessions." Li Hong said as if talking to himself.

"Is Yi Yang okay? If anything happens to Yi Yang, be careful that your mother will punish you." When Gao An heard that something happened to Aunt Lanling, he immediately thought of Yi Yang who went with her, and asked worriedly.

"What are you thinking about? This is the Tang Dynasty. No matter how arrogant the Lanling Xiao family is, they dare not do anything to the royal princess. They are already protecting her in time. It's just that, in business, we have different intentions." Li Hong glanced at her and said lightly.

"Oh, that's good. At least you have to make sure nothing happens to Yi Yang." Gao An said with a pout.

"Prince, how about I..." Bai Chun said with her cherry lips slightly opened.

"No need. This matter is beyond our reach. Besides, even if we help her this time, what will we do in the future? We can't help her in everything. Let's see how the situation develops." Li Hong's upper body fell slowly. Xia Zhi's soft body behind him had been waiting for a long time. She reached out her hand to support the prince and put him in her arms, gently stroking the prince's hair.

"My Lord, do you think this will work?" Bai Chun looked at Li Hong, who looked a little tired, tilted his head and thought for a while before saying, "Now that you are the Minister of Revenue, do you think you can use the government to put some pressure on the Lanling Xiao family?"

Li Hong, who had been dozing with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his bright eyes, gave Bai Chun a thumbs up and said, "Yes, how could I have forgotten this? I am the lowest-ranking Minister of Finance in the Tang Dynasty. How could I have forgotten such a convenient opportunity?"

After they slowly returned to the East Palace, the sky had gradually darkened. Lian Tie had just finished his meal and stood respectfully at the door of the study, waiting to be summoned by Li Hong.

While waiting for the summons from the Crown Prince, Lian Tie sighed in his heart, "This is only the Crown Prince Li Hong. If it was the Crown Prince Li Zhong back then, as soon as I entered the East Palace, the Crown Prince would be waiting at the door of the study, and would invite me into the study with a smile. As the Queen's personal servant, I still have these privileges and advantages. But since Li Hong became the Crown Prince, not to mention Lian Tie, even Yang Wu who is beside His Majesty, has to wait for the Crown Prince to summon him when he enters the East Palace to pass on the order to the Crown Prince."

Thinking of this, Lian Tie couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly, but such a prince was deeply favored by His Majesty and the Queen. I am afraid that in the history of the Tang Dynasty for decades, no prince or prince could be as domineering as the prince in the study.

"What are you thinking about me standing at the door again?" Li Hong asked, looking at Lian Tie who was standing at the door in a daze, with a smile on his face.

Lian Tie was startled. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't even notice when the prince appeared at the door. He bowed and said, "I greet His Royal Highness. The Queen has asked me to pass on her order. Tomorrow you will go to Ci'en Temple with His Majesty and the Queen to listen to the Buddhist teachings of the great monks."

Li Hong frowned and said, "Who is so arrogant that he wants my father and mother to go to Ci'en Temple in person? Why doesn't that eminent monk go to the palace to preach Buddhism?"

Lian Tie seemed to have anticipated that the prince would definitely ask this question, and he answered calmly: "I heard the Queen talking to Your Majesty about a person named Huineng..."

"Who? Sixth Patriarch Huineng?!" Li Hong asked in surprise.

Li Hong's reaction scared Lian Tie. Looking at the prince's expression, it seemed that he had known about Master Huineng for a long time.

"Prince, do you know Master Huineng?" Lian Tie asked cautiously, looking at Li Hong who was surprised.

"I don't know him, but I've heard of him. 'Enlightenment of the mind and realization of the nature' is his interpretation of the essence of Zen Buddhism. Okay, I understand. I will accompany my father and mother to Ci'en Temple on time tomorrow." Li Hong glanced at Lian Tie, who wanted to continue to question himself as to why he almost lost his voice when he heard Huineng's name, and ordered him to leave.

Lian Tie was helpless. This prince was fearless. If he got serious, even His Majesty and the Queen would probably be wary of him.

Since the prince is unwilling to say more now, I'd better not ask any more questions, otherwise I will be the one who suffers.

Li Hong looked at Lian Tie, who was standing there unwilling to leave and seemed to be hesitant to speak, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Is there something wrong?"

"Your Highness, I have a favor to ask of you. I hope you can grant my permission." Lian Tie said hurriedly while bowing.

"Let's talk about it first. What if I can't do it?" Li Hong thought to himself, "You are my mother's attendant. Apart from Yang Wu, what else could be embarrassing for you in this palace?"

"Your Highness... your servant..."

"Just say it quickly. Don't dilly-dally like a unmanly person... Oh, sorry, that's not what I meant." Li Hongyi blurted out in a hurry and apologized quickly when he saw Lian Tie's embarrassed expression.

"Your Highness, please forgive me. How dare I ask you to apologize? It's really... I... I want to study in your Chongwenguan in my spare time!" Lian Tie stuttered for a long time, and finally, under Li Hong's angry eyes, he closed his eyes and spoke out his heart.