Chapter 481 Crybaby Father and Son
When Landis lazily delegated the task of character design extraction to Wu Mo and Fei Bai—
Fei Bai: I finally understand why our master called us "Brainless and Unhappy".
Wu Mo: ...You look very unhappy right now.
Fei Bai: Happy? How can I be happy? How did you manage to press twice and select two different characters?!
[The "spoiled brat" persona has been selected; the "crybaby" persona has been selected.]
Wu Mo: If I admit that I'm brainless, will my master forgive me?
Fei Bai: Every profession has its own secrets, I can only say, good luck... Wait, pour it that way! Ah—what are you doing? Why are you smoking it again!
[Triggering the Easter egg character "Pure White Paper (Memory Seal)"]
Wu Mo: ...Would you believe me if I said I didn't do it on purpose?
Fei Bai: Who are you? Why are you talking to me? I don't know you. Goodbye!
No ink: o（﹏）o
——
Empress Zhangsun discovered that Erlang seemed to have taught Chengqian a little wrong.
Previously, because of her pregnancy, she was worried that she would not be able to take care of Chengqian. And because Erlang really favored Chengqian, under his persistent pleading, Changsun Wugou agreed to let her eldest son be raised in the front yard.
After she gave birth to Qingque, she found that Erlang was somewhat reluctant to return Chengqian. Using the excuse that she still needed to take care of Qingque, she continued to raise Chengqian. Changsun Wugou thought about it and had no objection.
When Qingque could roll over and call out "brother," Erlang said that Chengqian was intelligent and should stay in the front yard to study and learn to read as soon as possible. Although she knew that this was his reason for not wanting to part with Erlang, Changsun Wugou also thought it made sense for Chengqian's sake.
Although Chengqian was not able to live by her side for long, she loved her son dearly, and her son was also very close to her as his mother. This is why Empress Zhangsun did not care at all about the gossip about the so-called "separation of mother and son".
Until Qingque could run, she would tirelessly go to the front yard to find her brother three times a day.
"Mother—"
The chubby little dumpling bumped into her arms. Empress Zhangsun leaned back slightly, gently hugged her youngest son, and patted his back, saying, "Slow down, slow down."
Looking at Qingque's flushed face as he looked up, she took out a silk handkerchief and gently wiped the sweat from her son's face. As her fingertips brushed against his round cheeks, she couldn't help but pinch them. "Did you go to see your older brother again?"
Li Tai frowned, his amber eyes filled with grievance, and his chubby little hands tugged at his mother's clothes as he whispered in her ear, "Mother, let's bring my older brother back. He's not doing well in the front yard."
These words startled Empress Changsun, causing her fingertips to tremble and her silk handkerchief to nearly slip from her grasp. Fearing her son might be misunderstanding out of ignorance, she pulled him into her arms and asked gently, "Why does Qingque think that elder brother is not doing well?"
“Big brother cried!” Li Tai frowned, his chubby fingers poking his reddened eyes. “I’ve seen him cry several times, and he still won’t let me tell Mother.”
Empress Zhangsun tried her best to calm herself down, her voice still gentle: "Then why is elder brother crying?"
“It’s Father!” Li Tai tilted his head and thought for a moment, then said with certainty, “Father’s eyes were red as he glared at Big Brother, like a stone lion guarding the palace gate in winter!”
Empress Zhangsun felt a sudden sinking feeling in her chest.
The sunlight dappled through the window, and in a daze, she seemed to see Chengqian standing with his head bowed before his father's desk.
Could it be that Erlang is being harsh on Chengqian because of his studies? Chengqian is still so young. If he wasn't truly wronged, why would he shed tears in front of his younger brother?
"Don't worry, Qingque." She kissed the top of her son's head, smoothing down the tuft of hair that was sticking up. "Mother will go see my eldest brother now."
"Mother, hurry up!" Li Tai let go of her hand, his chubby feet kicking against her knees. "Bring my older brother back, I want to sleep with him!"
As if recalling the scene of sharing a bed with her elder brother, Lee Tae-mi laughed out loud, which made Changsun Wugou, who was originally in a heavy mood, feel much more relaxed.
Just as Empress Zhangsun walked anxiously toward the front courtyard, in the study, four-year-old Li Chengqian was being held in Li Shimin's arms, who was patting his back like a little adult.
"It's alright, Father, cry. Chengqian will protect you."
"Waaaah... Why can't I go! When it comes to fighting, how can Li Jiancheng compare to me?"
Li Shimin buried his head in his son's shoulder, cursing and swearing.
"It's not as good as it is," Li Chengqian said perfunctorily, "Father, this is a garment that my grandfather made for me with Shu brocade. Take it easy and stop crying, it's the only one."
"Chengqian, is Father not even worth as much as a piece of clothing?"
Li Shimin looked up, his eyes red-rimmed, at his beloved son. If his crying before was feigned, now it was real.
“It’s comparable,” Li Chengqian nodded sincerely, “but I really like this dress.”
"It's just Shu brocade, make it! I'll have someone make you another one later, wear one and throw it away!"
Li Shimin waved his hand generously, saying that whatever Chengqian wanted, he would give him!
“There’s no need to be so wasteful,” Li Chengqian earnestly advised. “I can change into different clothes.”
Li Shimin was amused by his son, realizing that he truly loved Shu brocade. He resolved to get more for Chengqian, the best quality, the tribute.
Fearing he would threaten Li Jiancheng's position, they prevented him from attacking Liu Heita. So he emptied the Emperor's treasury! He gave all the Shu brocade to Chengqian!
The thought of this made Li Shimin angry. Even though he had already complained about it more than once, he still wanted his son to judge the matter for him.
"Chengqian, tell me, wasn't it Li Yuanji's fault that he was afraid to advance eastward, which led to Liu Heita's downfall?"
"Yes." Li Chengqian nodded obediently, even though he had answered more than once.
"Li Yuanji is no good. The court officials recommended me to quell the rebellion. Is there a problem with that?"
"No."
"Li Jiancheng is personally leading the army? What makes him think he can lead the army personally?" Li Shimin grew angrier the more he thought about it. "Wang Gui and Wei Zheng submitted their memorials simply because they were afraid my prestige would rise even higher. It's understandable that they are part of the Crown Prince's faction, but Father..."
Li Shimin was truly heartbroken. "War is not child's play. I was absolutely confident I could take down Liu Heita, and I wouldn't mind cleaning up Li Yuanji's mess... But Father Emperor, in order to consolidate the Crown Prince's power, sent Li Jiancheng instead... Doesn't this just prove that Li Jiancheng is inferior to me? Why is Father Emperor so stubborn..."
Li Shimin choked up, feeling more and more aggrieved and distressed the more he thought about it. He had always been dissatisfied with Li Jiancheng as the crown prince, and now, for the sake of the crown prince's position, even his right to fight was being taken away.
Why didn't they stop him from fighting before the Tang Dynasty was established, and replace him with Li Jiancheng? Even discarding a used tool wouldn't be done so quickly, would it?
Li Shimin's eyes were filled with tears, but he suddenly felt warm tears dripping onto his hand. He looked up and found that his expressionless son was already in tears.
Li Shimin was instantly moved and hugged his son tightly: "Good Chengqian, I know you feel wronged for your father, but your father won't always feel wronged like this."
"It's mainly because you're so infectious, Father." Li Chengqian's voice was tinged with tears, but his expression remained calm.
“I know that Chengqian cares about Father, and Father cares about Chengqian too…”
Actually, no, Li Chengqian wanted to explain that he was just easily moved to tears. But feeling his father's tears, Li Chengqian opened his mouth, his Shu brocade robe... never mind, "As long as Father is happy."
Empress Changsun, standing outside the door: "??"
So, is this the kind of redness Qingque meant by "red eyes"?
Li Shimin, how did you raise her son to be such a crybaby? Is this acceptable? The Prince of Qin and his son are both crybabies, is this acceptable?
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