Chapter 134 Those two are up to something again.
"Qingque, what are you doing here?"
Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes, a hint of apprehension flashing within them.
"Greetings, Your Majesty."
Li Tai bowed leisurely: "Qing Que just happened to be passing by and saw my brother, so naturally I had to come over and say hello."
"You've finished your greetings, you can leave now," Li Chengqian said expressionlessly, urging him to leave.
"Does my brother dislike me that much?"
As he spoke, Li Tai's gaze swept over Cui Shenji and Fang Yi'ai, finally landing on Wu Qiqi.
Wu Qiqi sat on the steps, resting her chin on her hands and watching the show.
Li Tai's chubby face immediately broke into a smile.
He took two steps at a time and arrived in front of Wu Qiqi...
"Wu Qiqi, I admire you greatly for your decisive victory over Songtsen Gampo in the court yesterday."
"I thought I'd never have a chance to get to know you, but I didn't expect to meet you so soon..."
Li Tai spoke with a broad smile.
Wu Qiqi, however, pursed her lips.
I didn't get to see the good show, and I just lost two lollipops for nothing.
"This humble woman greets the King of Wei."
Wu Qiqi stood up and bowed to Li Tai.
No need for formalities.
Li Tai spread his hands.
Wei Daijia immediately handed over a brocade box.
"These Bohai pearls were a gift from my father, and I, a grown man, am utterly useless to them..."
Pearls offered as tribute by the Bohai Kingdom?
Fang Yi'ai immediately drooled.
This one is enough for me to live a carefree life for several months...
snort.
Li Chengqian snorted coldly.
Li Tai was deeply favored by Li Shimin, who showered him with praise and rewards.
He was also deeply favored by Li Shimin, and was often scolded and whipped.
They all have the same father; the more I think about it, the more upset I get.
"Are you going to sell it to me?"
Wu Qiqi took out her small purse and looked at it: "I only have three coins, I can't afford it."
"Ha ha……"
Li Tai laughed loudly: "What I admire is that you brought glory to the Tang Dynasty yesterday. You did not accept the Emperor's reward, so I thought I would make your acquaintance."
"Saying I'd give it to you would make me seem sentimental."
"Three coins, and I'll sell you this Bohai pearl."
Li Tai's remarks were quite appropriate.
He could reward his servants or people of low status, but he could not reward those who had rendered meritorious service as acknowledged by Li Shimin.
That was a power reserved for Li Shimin.
If he bestows gifts without authorization, he is overstepping his bounds.
When it comes to making friends, the price is different...
When Li Shimin found out, he would only praise him for being shrewd and worldly-wise.
"But... I don't want to buy it."
As Wu Qiqi finished speaking, Li Tai's smile vanished abruptly.
"These Bohai pearls were a tribute from the Bohai Kingdom, and they are priceless!" Li Tai began to explain.
"oh."
Wu Qiqi nodded: "I still think three coins is better."
“This one pearl can be exchanged for hundreds of thousands of copper coins!” Li Tai explained again.
"But I don't want it."
Li Tai was completely speechless.
How can there be people who don't like pearls?
In the past, didn't women's eyes light up at the sight of pearls? Let alone priceless Bohai pearls like these.
"Ha ha……"
"Qingque, Qiqi isn't the kind of person you think she is. Put away that piece of junk you're using."
Li Chengqian walked to Wu Qiqi's side with a big laugh.
"Does Your Majesty possess some refined possessions?" Li Tai said with a cold smile.
“I have always been frugal, where would I get so much money?”
Li Chengqian flicked his sleeve, as if he disdained to associate with him.
Li Tai's face immediately darkened...
"These pearls are tribute from the Bohai Kingdom, and a gift from my father. Tell me, are they worthless junk or worthless money?"
Li Tai sneered and said, "Does Your Majesty mean that the Bohai Kingdom is stinky? Or does he mean that the things Father bestowed upon us are worthless junk?"
Li Chengqian's face immediately darkened.
He was no match for Li Tai when it came to eloquence.
Li Tai was able to make Li Shimin so happy; he was definitely a master of words.
At this time, he longed to have a capable minister like Wei Zheng.
Look at Father, whenever he suffers a setback...
With Wei Zheng on the scene, who could rival him?
"Qingque, don't misinterpret my meaning!"
Li Chengqian's face darkened: "I only said that Qiqi doesn't like the jewelry you gave her!"
"Did I hear wrong?"
Li Tai picked at his ear, then asked Wei Daijia beside him, "Did I hear wrong?"
“His Highness the Crown Prince did indeed just say it was worthless and reeked of money,” Wei Daijia echoed.
Nearby, Choi Shin-ki and Bang Yi-ae huddled together, constantly criticizing and commenting.
"What a noob, you've already fallen behind so quickly."
"That is to say, if it were Da Guo, King Wei wouldn't even have a chance to speak."
"Godbase, it's my turn to make an appearance again."
"You go first, I'll wait in the backstage area!"
"Just you wait and see..."
With a flick of his hair, Fang Yi'ai ran over to Li Chengqian's side.
"King Wei should be cautious in his words."
Fang Yi'ai stood like a loyal guard in front of Li Chengqian, saying, "Your Majesty advocates frugality and avoids extravagance, and sets an example by doing so."
"The Empress also strongly supported this, and in order to reduce palace expenses, she dismissed many palace maids..."
"The Crown Prince does not possess such valuable items because he is usually frugal and follows His Majesty's wishes."
"And you, Prince Wei, are also a member of the royal family. You just throw around Bohai pearls. Aren't you afraid of ruining the image His Majesty has worked so hard to build?"
Well said!
Li Chengqian trembled all over.
For the first time, I felt so insightful.
After taking another closer look at Fang Yi'ai, he found him to be quite pleasing to the eye.
Rumors are misleading...
How could such a loyal and righteous man be the two fools of Chang'an?
"Your Highness, please don't panic."
Fang Yi'ai then turned to Li Chengqian and comforted him, "The Prince of Wei's actions are improper. Even if it goes to His Majesty's ears, we are still in the right!"
"Um!"
Li Chengqian nodded emphatically.
He seemed to trust you completely, and he was ready to let you speak your mind freely.
"Fang Yi'ai!"
Wei Daijia stepped forward and roared, "The Crown Prince is speaking to the King of Wei, what right do you have to speak? Get out of here!"
"How dare you!"
Fang Yi'ai shouted sharply, then tossed his bangs in a flamboyant manner: "If you are wrong, I will certainly advise you."
"I, Fang Yi'ai, am devoted to the Tang Dynasty, so what do I have to fear?"
"If my advice today is wrong, I'll gladly have my head chopped off!"
"But you, Wei Daijia..."
"As His Highness Prince Wei's close attendant, instead of advising him, you are aiding and abetting his evil deeds. Do you even know what kind of behavior you are behaving?"
"If this gets to His Majesty's ears, you'll be in deep trouble!"
Swish.
Wei Daijia's face turned deathly pale.
He never imagined that Fang Yi'ai, whom he had been completely fooling just a few days ago, would change so drastically.
"Step back!"
Wei Daijia wanted to say something more, but Li Tai told him to shut up.
"Fang Yi'ai, you are very good..."
Li Tai gritted his teeth.
If he had known Fang Yi'ai was so shrewd, he wouldn't have resorted to setting a trap; instead, he would have treated him with respect and courtesy.
"Thank you for your concern, Prince Wei. I'm eating and drinking well, and I'm in excellent health!"
After saying this, Fang Yi'ai, a meritorious official, stepped down and stood behind Li Chengqian.
"Ha ha……"
Li Chengqian stepped forward, his spine ramrod straight: "Qingque, your father values frugality, and your extravagance is truly disappointing."
"As your elder brother, I have to have a good talk with you..."
Li Tai's face was gloomy.
Li Chengqian was the crown prince, and also his elder brother. If he were to turn away now, he would be accused of disrespect.
Being scolded by Li Shimin would be the least of my worries...
The most terrifying thing is Li Chengqian's group of teachers!
Don't be fooled by their usual scathing criticism of Li Chengqian; anyone who shows him disrespect...
That attack power is absolutely outrageously strong!
To protect His Highness the Crown Prince, a certain minister, undaunted by powerful figures, risked his life to offer his advice.
With such a great gimmick, wouldn't everyone be scrambling to get ahead?
Li Tai could only lower his head and obediently listen to the reprimand.
Just then, a hissing sound came from beside my ear...
"Your Highness, what you're doing is wrong!"
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