Chapter 478 White Tiger
Are you talking about that cat?
Li Shimin was unsure whether he was hallucinating. He was filled with doubt. He paced back and forth in his study with his son in his arms, waiting for his brother-in-law, Changsun Wuji, to arrive.
"Chengqian can call me 'Aye' now!"
No matter what, showing off is the first thing!
Changsun Wuji was used to Li Shimin showing off to him. From the time Chengqian could roll over, to crawl, to stand up, Shimin would show off to him every time.
He wasn't summoned for meetings this frequently.
So much so that he went to the Prince of Qin's mansion every day, and there were many more spies around his home. The Crown Prince's men probably thought they were plotting some grand scheme, but who knew they were just watching a foolish father show off.
However, Changsun Wuji still gave Li Shimin plenty of face, mainly because he was giving face to his clever nephew.
"Really? Chengqian is amazing! Come here, let Uncle give you a hug..."
"Then there's no need." Li Shimin dodged, avoiding Changsun Wuji's outstretched hand.
Changsun Wuji gave him a speechless look. Can't I even give him a hug?
"My nephew."
"My son!"
Li Shimin spoke with self-assurance, then changed the subject, "Let's not talk about this, I called you here for something important."
Seeing Li Shimin's serious expression, Changsun Wuji stopped joking with him and asked sternly, "What is it?"
Then, Li Shimin told Changsun Wuji the story of "Aye and the Cat" that had just happened.
Are you talking about that cat?
Changsun Wuji's gaze passed over Li Shimin's figure and looked at the windowsill behind him.
Li Shimin felt a chill run down his spine. He hugged his son tightly, then slowly turned his head. He saw a familiar white cat lying comfortably by the closed window of the study, its tail swaying gently. When it met their gazes, it meowed softly.
"So...it's not an illusion."
Li Shimin tensed up and slowly stood up. Changsun Wuji took a few steps to stand in front of him, drew the long sword hanging on the wall, and looked at the cat warily.
It might seem like making a fuss over a cat, but when it comes to a cat that appears and disappears so mysteriously, you can't be too careful.
"Your Highness, please step back."
"Don't panic, Assistant," Li Shimin put his arm around Changsun Wuji's shoulder, stopping him from taking any further action, and continued to observe the cat on the windowsill, lost in thought, "This looks like... a white tiger?"
Changsun Wuji looked closely and saw the "king" character on the white cat's forehead. He nodded and said, "It's a tiger, a tiger cub."
That's even stranger! How did a tiger cub end up in the Qin King's mansion?
Just as the two were on guard, Xiao Chengqian suddenly spoke up.
“Father.”
Li Shimin subconsciously lowered his head and responded reassuringly, then realized that his voice overlapped with the cat's meow.
Li Shimin's brow twitched, and he gritted his teeth: "A tiger cub pretending to be a cat, and trying to steal my father's identity? Dream on!"
"..." Changsun Wuji didn't know how to answer. Was this the time to be worrying about this? "Watch out!"
Seeing the young tiger suddenly leap down from the windowsill and walk towards them, Changsun Wuji, with his longsword held horizontally in front of him, became even more nervous.
Li Shimin also tucked his son into his arms, frowning as he stared at the pacing white tiger: "Fuji, is it slowly disappearing?"
As the white tiger gradually became transparent, dissipating like smoke, the two looked at each other in bewilderment.
Soon, the white tiger completely turned into a wisp of white smoke and dissipated, but the direction in which it dissipated made the two of them worry again.
Li Shimin hurriedly opened Xiao Chengqian's clothes to check, and found him still fair-skinned and chubby, making him want to take a bite... No, everything was normal, and he found nothing.
Xiao Chengqian was playing with his hair by himself, and didn't seem to be in any discomfort.
"Your Highness, you said the White Tiger first appeared in Chengqian's bed?"
After Changsun Wuji finished the inspection, he couldn't help but ask.
Li Shimin, who had just instructed the servants outside to summon the imperial physician and was holding his son in his arms again, frowned slightly upon hearing the question, recalling the situation at the time.
The doors and windows were tightly closed, and there were people patrolling outside. At the time, he didn't see any signs of damage or trespassing. As soon as he opened the door, Baihu was right next to Chengqian...
Changsun Wuji unconsciously stroked the jade thumb ring with his fingertips, then suddenly lowered his voice: "Your Highness, I've heard that great figures throughout history have always been accompanied by a spirit pet. Chengqian was born extraordinary; perhaps that white tiger..."
The words stopped abruptly, but they landed heavily on Li Shimin's heart. He pondered for a long time before uttering, "This matter must not be leaked."
"nature."
At this moment, the imperial physician arrived again.
The physician initially thought it was just the prince being overly nervous, but seeing the serious expressions on the two men's faces, he became worried as well.
Following Li Shimin's instructions, the physician examined the young master thoroughly, from the inside out. The physician looked puzzled and said, "The young master's pulse is normal, and his bones and muscles are strong. There are no signs of illness."
"Are you really alright?" Li Shimin's Adam's apple bobbed, and Changsun Wuji behind him took a half step forward. The physician felt as if two gazes were piercing his back and said in a trembling voice, "If there are any doubts, perhaps we can ask the Imperial Hospital..." Before he could finish speaking, Li Shimin raised his hand to stop him.
After dismissing the imperial physician, Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji looked at each other for a long time before letting out a sigh of relief.
"This isn't the first time the white tiger has appeared; perhaps we can wait a little longer."
Changsun Wuji wanted to observe for a while longer, but Li Shimin was still uneasy, "No... at this hour..."
Looking at the sky, Li Shimin ordered a carriage to be prepared, and hurriedly carried Li Chengqian into the palace, just in time for Li Yuan to take his pulse.
"Your subject has brought Chengqian to pay his respects to Your Majesty."
Li Yuan glanced at his son who was paying his respects, then looked at the sky outside. Was he here to pay his respects at this hour? Was he trying to freeload a meal?
"Get up."
"Thank you, Father." Li Shimin stood up, looked at Li Yuan who was taking his pulse, and asked with concern, "How is Father's health?"
Before Li Yuan could even raise his guard, Li Shimin quickly followed up: "Father, your complexion looks rosy, thanks to the care of Physician Chen. Physician Chen is an outstanding physician, why don't you take a look at Chengqian? After all, he was born prematurely, and I'm worried about him."
"..." Okay, I see now, he's not trying to freeload a meal, he's trying to freeload off the imperial physician.
Meeting the hesitant look in Physician Chen's eyes, Li Yuan waved his hand: "Take a look, let him see."
If we don't look, what if they refuse to leave? Erlang may be shameless, but he has a sense of shame!
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
Li Shimin didn't stand on ceremony and said to Physician Chen, "Then I'll trouble Physician Chen to examine my son from the inside out and see if there's anything wrong."
Upon hearing this, Physician Chen's heart skipped a beat. Did the King of Qin's words imply that he was involved in some underworld matter?
He subconsciously glanced at the Emperor, whose expression also turned serious. He waved the others away and said, "Go to the inner palace."
Li Shimin carried Chengqian and followed Li Yuan into the inner hall. After Physician Chen came in, he casually lowered the curtain that was blocking the way.
Li Yuan glanced at him sideways, observing his actions, and his doubts and speculations grew even stronger.
Physician Chen suppressed his unease and examined the patient carefully, but... he found nothing.
"I am incompetent. The young master's pulse is normal, and he has no signs of illness."
Could it be some kind of secret imperial medicine?
Before Li Yuan's thoughts could wander, he saw his second son laugh happily, "How can you be incompetent? Physician Chen, you are excellent, absolutely excellent. It's just a physical examination. As long as Chengqian wasn't affected by the premature birth, that's good. You can go back now."
"..."
"..." Li Yuan clenched his fists in an instant and couldn't help but close his eyes. He had thought so much and worried for so long!
Before he could get angry, Li Shimin's laughter stopped, and he said, "Imperial Physician Chen, you may not be able to leave for a while."
Li Yuan opened his eyes and followed his two sons' serious gaze. On the dragon bed, beside Chengqian, there was a white... tiger that had appeared at some point?
"Meow--"
“Father.”
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