When Li Ting met with the Emperor, he only said that the Crown Prince was too young and should go out to gain experience so that he could settle down and become more stable, and also to help the Emperor understand the people's conditions.
If Li Ting hadn't brought it up, Emperor Hui would have forgotten that he had a son being raised outside the palace.
After a moment of hesitation, he simply said, "Let me think about it and then I will get back to you."
"Your Majesty, I do have my own selfish motives," Li Ting said hesitantly. Emperor Hui's curiosity was piqued by Li Ting's expression.
"What are your ulterior motives? Tell me."
“My wife was seriously weakened after childbirth due to exposure to the wind, so she was taken back to her parents’ home. I should have gone with her, but as I am now the Grand Tutor, it is not convenient for me to leave, so I did not accompany her back.”
Li Ting raised his hand and wiped away his tears with his sleeve.
Emperor Hui: I've heard that Li Ting dotes on his wife the most, and that the two have a very good relationship, just like Wan'er and I. It seems this time it's truly true.
Li Ting continued in a slightly tearful voice, "Since my wife returned to her parents' home, I have been unable to sleep at night, always afraid that she would blame me and cause discord between us. Therefore, I want to visit my wife, pay respects to my parents-in-law, and bring my wife back to the capital."
Emperor Hui looked completely at ease.
Li Ting didn't stop: "However, this round trip will take a lot of time, which may delay His Highness's studies. Therefore, I thought of taking the Crown Prince with me when I go to my father-in-law's house. The journey is long, and I can give the Crown Prince some pointers along the way and let him gain some experience. It would not be a bad thing."
Emperor Hui finally understood the unspoken meaning behind Li Ting's words. Li Ting was blaming the emperor for making him Grand Tutor, which he felt had hindered their marital relationship.
He immediately agreed to Li Ting's request.
"With a strong marital bond, Minister Li can better cultivate talent for our Nan Chen Kingdom. Isn't that right, Hu Changshi?"
"Your Majesty, I am filled with trepidation. When I was young, I wrote articles just for fun, never expecting to come out on top. Some time ago, I thought I hadn't written anything in a while, so I wrote another one, and unexpectedly, I came out on top again." Li Ting acted meekly and submissively, and Emperor Hui did not expose him.
"Since you are skilled in both literature and martial arts, then you should properly educate the Crown Prince. Last time he returned to the palace, he caused quite a commotion. That unruly fellow may have grown stronger physically, but he still needs to work on his manners and behavior!"
"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your expectations." Li Ting thought to himself, "Just you wait. If you don't do anything, I'll pull you off the throne."
"I hereby dispatch the Imperial Guard Commander Linghu Yao and ten Imperial Guards to accompany you on your journey."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor! I take my leave." Li Ting said this as he retreated until he left the Imperial Study.
When Zhao Yunwan learned that Xiao Sheng was going to follow Li Ting to Xu Ningyou's hometown of Mingzhou, wasn't that the place where Zhao Yunshu had studied under a master? The capital was 1,500 li away from Mingzhou.
Zhao Yunwan laughed three times, looking up at the sky. In the capital, Xiao Sheng had run into some trouble, which was certainly related to her, but once he entered the martial world, she couldn't be blamed.
Therefore, Zhao Yunwan asked Yuan Qibao to keep an eye on Li Ting's movements and to inform her immediately if Li Ting left the capital.
Zhao Yunwan also quickly sent messages to the four major sects, instructing them to do everything possible to assassinate Li Ting and his group along the way from the capital to Mingzhou.
To ensure everything went smoothly, Zhao Yunwan had a painter from the Dali Temple paint portraits of Xiao Sheng and Li Ting.
In addition, Zhao Yunwan also sent a letter to Xiao Yi, informing him that the Crown Prince had left the capital.
Upon receiving the letter, Xiao Yi had no idea what Zhao Yunwan was up to. Nevertheless, he still dispatched top assassins from the Qinglian Society to wait on the road from the capital to Mingzhou to see what Zhao Yunwan was planning.
Upon receiving the imperial decree, Li Ting hurried home to make preparations.
When Xiao Sheng learned that he could go along, he was so happy that his mouth stretched to the roots of his ears.
Li Xingran was very excited to learn that she could go on a long trip.
In the past, travel was slow; how long would it take to get to Mingzhou! Besides, there must have been many dangers along the way.
Fan Zuan also wanted to visit Qianji Gate, and Li Ting happily agreed, but was just wondering how to invite him.
Wow, with Uncle San around, we're not afraid of any poisons, insects, or diseases on the road.
Luo Nanchuan, accompanied by Luo Bingqian carrying their luggage, also arrived at the Li residence.
"I would like to trouble Grand Tutor Li to take care of my son for a few days, so that he can go out and see the great rivers and mountains of my Nan Chen Kingdom, experience the local customs and culture, and also make his way in the world."
Li Ting had an expression that said he already knew. Then, the nine people also appeared at the Li residence.
The nine men pleaded in unison, "General Li, please take us with you and help us out."
The already large team has become even larger.
Li Ting thought for a moment. These people lacked practical experience. Although the practical experience in the martial arts world could not compare to that on the battlefield, adaptability and fearlessness in the face of danger were essential abilities for a military general. So he decided to bring them along.
However, Li Ting divided these people into two teams.
Before leaving, Fan Zuan pulled Li Ting to his courtyard.
"Big brother, I can perform surgery on your leg to help it recover. We'll go on a long trip during this time, and you can recover on the bus. When we see Second Sister, she'll definitely be very happy."
"Third brother, do you really think that our journey of 1,500 li to Mingzhou will take a long time?"
“What else? Given the pace of this era, traveling sixty li a day is the limit.” Fan Zu’an directly stated what he knew.
“Third brother, I have guarded the country of Nanchen for twenty years, and the Li family has guarded the country of Xiao for more than four hundred years. If we didn’t have some ability, we wouldn’t have lasted until now.” Li Ting patted Fan Zu’an on the shoulder.
"Brother, do you mean there's a shortcut?" Fan Zu'an couldn't imagine how one could travel a thousand miles a day in ancient times without modern transportation.
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