Chapter 3: Li Er's First Time

Year six of Yonghui, Chang’an.

Inside and outside the palace walls, lanterns and banners were hung in celebration. The city was alive with festivity and merriment.

“Is this Daxing Palace?” Li Shimin gazed at the familiar architecture before him, gradually coming to terms with Li Qing’s identity—whether or not Li Qing was an immortal, he must at least be a man of extraordinary powers. Otherwise, how could he have brought him from Luoyang to Chang’an in the blink of an eye?

Yet as he watched groups of palace attendants pass by, none of whom paid the slightest attention to them, a question mark appeared in his mind.

Even though it was night, the palace servants were still diligently at work, moving between the various halls, arranging the decorations for the palace city.

Could this be an illusion? Li Shimin’s heart filled with doubt. If this scene was real, why couldn’t anyone see him?

“Why do they act as if they cannot see us?” he couldn’t help but ask.

“If you don’t want to be surrounded by a horde of guards, I could lift your invisibility,” Li Qing shrugged, unconcerned.

Li Shimin didn’t reply. Instead, he walked over to a palace eunuch and gave him a swift kick.

The eunuch tumbled forward, quickly scrambled to his feet, and glared back, shouting, “Who’s there? Who kicked your lord?”

But seeing no one behind him, a cold sweat broke out on his back. Without another word, he abandoned his tasks and ran as if he wished he’d been born with two extra legs.

“Tsk… risking your life for a few taels of scattered silver each month,” Li Qing remarked appreciatively, watching the eunuch’s retreating figure.

After that kick, Li Shimin realized this place was no illusion. He paused, stunned for a long time before he finally spoke, cautiously, “Since you can bring me to the future, might you also bring me back to the past?”

“Ah?” Li Qing was momentarily confused. Did he want to return to the early years of his reign and relive the bloodshed among his brothers?

“Just one year—one year is enough…” Li Shimin suddenly seized Li Qing’s arm, pleading in his gaze. “If only I could see Lady Guanyin once more—whatever you wish, so long as I have it, it is yours!”

The change in address reflected Li Qing’s rising status in Li Shimin’s heart. Li Qing felt a twinge of emotion—Li Er’s love for Empress Zhangsun ran deep, deep enough that he’d humble himself just for another glimpse of her.

In truth, Li Qing was moved. Such devotion between emperor and empress could bring even Lü Zhi to tears.

“Don’t worry, Brother Li. Your concerns are mine as well. We’ll speak of it when we return, all right?” Li Qing patted Li Shimin’s arm, offering comfort.

“Good… good…” Li Shimin nodded emphatically, hope reigniting in his chest.

If I could see Empress Zhangsun again, what would I say? Yet when he thought of Li Chengqian’s later actions, he felt ashamed to face his wife.

Li Er turned his gaze aside, seeking distraction. Pointing to the bustling servants, he asked, “What are they doing?”

“Tomorrow is Li Zhi’s coronation of the empress. They’re preparing for the ceremony,” Li Qing replied.

At these words, Li Shimin was stunned once more.

In his memory, Li Zhi was still a runny-nosed child calling him ‘father’. Was it true, then, that all these years had passed? The boy had grown up and was now to be crowned with an empress…

It seemed he hadn’t lived to see his son marry—otherwise, why would the coronation be so late?

At that thought, Li Shimin’s eyes grew moist.

Even a man of iron has a tender heart. Aside from Empress Zhangsun, his softest feelings belonged to his sons and daughters.

“So Zhi Nu is to be wed? Good… that is good…” Li Shimin murmured, pressing his hand warmly to Li Qing’s shoulder. “Thank you, sir, for letting me make up for the regret of never seeing my son wed and have children…”

Li Qing glanced at him in bewilderment. Hadn’t he himself chosen Lady Wang as Li Zhi’s crown princess? The realization dawned—Li Er must have misunderstood, thinking he had not lived to see Li Zhi’s marriage.

“It’s nothing. To tell the truth, you already know this empress,” Li Qing said, giving Li Shimin a conspiratorial wink.

“I know her?” Li Shimin was perplexed, mentally sifting through the eligible daughters of noble families he knew.

He reviewed the list twice over, but couldn’t think of any such girl close in age to Li Zhi.

“Of course you do. Not only know her, you know her rather intimately,” Li Qing teased.

“Hmm?” Li Shimin didn’t catch the crude joke. “Sir, may I stay until Zhi Nu’s coronation is over?”

“I’m afraid not,” Li Qing checked the time. “This trip is just to prove your identity, so we can only remain here for half an hour.”

“That’s fine.” Given Li Qing’s abilities, Li Shimin didn’t mind his informal address. Smiling, he said, “Since you call me Brother Li, may I call you Younger Brother?”

“Of course,” Li Qing grinned, slinging his arm around Li Shimin’s shoulders in a gesture of camaraderie. “Tell me, Brother Li, aren’t you pleased to see your son crowned with an empress?”

“Pleased—of course I’m pleased!” Li Shimin wasn’t used to such close contact, but considering Li Qing’s abilities, he endured it. “I wish I could see Zhi Nu and his empress right away.”

At that, he suddenly remembered—if not for Li Qing’s sudden appearance, he himself would have been a groom tonight.

The image of Wu Meiniang came unbidden to his mind. How lovely she was at fourteen, in the fullness of youth, her figure soft and supple, radiating vitality…

No, he mustn’t think of it. He felt a flush of heat in his chest. After seeing his son’s wedding, he vowed he would return and consummate his own marriage. He would certainly not let the new concubine Wu wait any longer! He made the vow fiercely in his heart.

“What are you thinking about, Brother Li?” Li Qing asked curiously, seeing Li Shimin lost in thought.

“Oh, I was thinking about the Wu family girl,” Li Shimin chuckled, pointing at Li Qing. “If not for your sudden appearance, I’d be a groom myself tonight.”

“You mean Lady Wu, don’t you?” Li Qing silently ridiculed him. Just now he’d been thinking of Empress Zhangsun, and now his mind was on being a groom—sure enough, emperors really are all fickle creatures…

So much for being moved!

“My taste is not bad, is it?” Men, after all, love to boast in these matters—even Li Shimin was no exception. “They say when taking a concubine, beauty is key. Lady Wu is top-notch in both face and figure…”

Li Qing nodded wildly, secretly mocking Li Shimin while struggling not to laugh aloud. If this went on, he might actually injure himself from holding it in.

He couldn’t wait to see Li Shimin’s reaction upon discovering that Li Zhi’s empress was none other than Wu Meiniang!

“Have you married, brother?” Li Shimin asked.

Li Qing opened his mouth, a little embarrassed. “Not yet.”

“A man in this world cannot be without a wife,” Li Shimin declared grandly. “When we return, just tell me what kind you fancy—your marriage is my responsibility!”

“Brother Li, you’re a true friend.” Li Qing gave him a thumbs-up.

“Haha! Come, walk with me, and let’s go see my son and daughter-in-law together.” Laughing heartily, Li Shimin led Li Qing toward the Hall of Establishing Virtue.

(End of chapter)