Chapter Four: Pleading for Mercy

“Guanyin’s maid, come here!”
Li Shimin called Empress Zhangsun to his side.
“Our child, Zhi, possesses wisdom beyond ordinary men, and has a remarkable memory. I wish to find him a tutor so he can study diligently and bear great responsibilities in the future!”
“Your Majesty…” Empress Zhangsun frowned. “Zhi is only three years old.”
“What of it? Didn’t you see just now? His knowledge surpasses even yours!”
“This…”
Empress Zhangsun was left speechless.
She simply thought Li Zhi was too young, and not yet at the age for formal schooling.
According to palace rules, princes were assigned tutors at six years old.
Li Zhi was merely three.
It was meant to be his time to play freely.
She truly didn’t wish for him to live such a taxing life.
“Your Majesty, could we wait a few years? When Zhi turns six, then perhaps find him a tutor?”
“Just because he’s young?” Li Shimin, for once, rebuked Empress Zhangsun. “Such a woman’s view!”
“Remember, age means nothing!”
“In antiquity, there were prodigies of nine years who earned the title of Scholar!”
“During the Three Kingdoms, Sun Quan, son of Sun Jian, was also nine when he entered enemy camp alone and retrieved his father’s body, averting a war. Cao Cao praised him, saying, ‘A man should be like Sun Zhongmou!’”
“Is our Zhi not equal to Sun Quan?”
…
After scolding her, Li Shimin declared, “This matter is settled! I shall return to the palace and select a tutor for him immediately!”
A day passed.
Li Zhi, exhausted, fell asleep.
Yet throughout the palace, rumors spread.
All said Li Zhi was possessed by a demon, causing his astonishing actions!
Such talk spread swiftly.
In just one night, every guard, eunuch, and maid knew.
“Who is spreading these rumors?”
“Your Majesty, we have not yet discovered the source!”
Li Shimin was furious, slamming the table in the imperial study: “Investigate at once! Find whoever spreads these lies… Also, warn every palace and court: Any who slander the prince shall be arrested and punished severely!”
“As you command!”
Commander Hou Junji of the Imperial Guards received the order and departed.
“Your Majesty, Lord Fang Xuanling has arrived…”
“Let him in!”

Li Shimin straightened himself.
He addressed Fang Xuanling, “My dear minister, I wish to entrust you with a great matter, and hope you will not refuse.”
Fang Xuanling, ever astute, guessed boldly, recalling the rising fame of Li Zhi: “Your Majesty wishes me to become Prince Jin’s tutor, perhaps?”
“Exactly!”
“Your Majesty, I am aging now, and fear I cannot bear such a responsibility.”
…
Fang Xuanling declined.
Li Shimin replied, “A few years ago I wished you to tutor Qian’er, and you claimed poor health, unfit for the task. Yet your health proved better than anyone’s! Now I ask you to teach Zhi, and you use the same excuse. Do you take me for a fool? Do you still think you can deceive me?”
“Your servant deserves death!”
Fang Xuanling knelt in apology.
Li Shimin calmed himself, stepped forward and helped Fang Xuanling up: “My dear minister, I seldom make requests. Consider this a plea, will you agree to be Zhi’s tutor?”
With the matter pressed this far,
Fang Xuanling could not refuse.
Yet!
He truly wished to avoid entanglement in the struggle for the throne.
At present, Crown Prince Li Chengqian was the heir, his position secure.
Li Shimin’s arrangement for him to teach Li Zhi seemed harmless on the surface, but as time passed, and with Li Shimin’s favoritism toward Li Zhi, the ministers would inevitably choose sides, forming factions. By then, as the tutor, he would bear direct responsibility, and his fate could be grim!
To avoid such complications, he devised a compromise: “Your Majesty, I am willing to periodically assess Prince Jin’s studies and offer guidance. For daily lessons, let him attend Master Kong Yida. As a descendant of Confucius and the Crown Prince’s tutor, his learning surpasses mine and he would teach better.”
Li Shimin had indeed considered Kong Yida.
He could not deny Kong Yida’s extraordinary talent!
But palace intrigue was rife, and unpleasant incidents frequent.
He feared Kong Yida might favor Li Chengqian, neglecting Li Zhi’s education, thus stunting his achievements.
For many reasons,
He could only choose otherwise!
“My dear minister, heed my decree!” Li Shimin no longer hesitated nor bargained, but declared, “I appoint you as Prince Jin’s tutor. Teach him diligently, and do not fail!”
“I obey!”
With the imperial decree issued,
Fang Xuanling dared not defy and had to accept.
That day,
The weather was clear,
The sky cloudless.
Li Zhi donned a handsome outfit, preparing to explore the palace.
He had arrived in the Tang Empire several days ago,

Yet had not truly admired the imperial residence.
Before Li Shimin sent him to study, he was determined to see every palace hall.
“Your Highness, Your Highness… Please slow down, be careful not to fall!” Li Zhi ran ahead, trailed by a string of lovely palace maids, anxiety written on their faces.
“You’re all too slow!”
“Your Highness, where are you headed?” one maid asked.
“I don’t know, just wandering!”
Li Zhi strolled aimlessly.
He hadn’t gone far…
He saw a group of eunuchs huddled together, whispering.
Li Zhi had keen hearing.
He heard them gossiping, saying he was possessed by a demon!
“How dare you discuss Prince Jin behind his back!” The maids following Li Zhi were from Empress Zhangsun’s retinue, holding higher status than others. Two stepped forward, scolding the eunuchs.
“Have mercy, Your Highness, have mercy…” The eunuchs knelt, trembling.
…
The Naughty Child System triggered another task!
“Host, please strip these eunuchs of their clothing and make them run naked through the palace, but ensure they are not punished for it! Upon completion, system attributes will unlock automatically!”
“System attributes?” Li Zhi was startled. “What is that?”
No matter, first, punish these wretched eunuchs!
Li Zhi strode before them, hands on hips, demanding, “Who allowed you to gossip about me? Speak up!”
The eunuchs stammered, unable to explain.
Li Zhi rushed forward and personally stripped them of all their garments, then commanded, “Go out from here, run along the palace walls, until the Imperial Guards catch you!”
“Ah…” The eunuchs trembled in terror.
To run naked in the palace was a grave disrespect to the Emperor, punishable by death!
If seized by the Imperial Guards, their fate was sealed!
They knelt, begging Li Zhi, “Your Highness, we’ll never dare again, please spare us…”
“Enough! If you don’t go, I’ll call the Imperial Guards to arrest you immediately!” Li Zhi threatened.
After a bout of intimidation,
They covered themselves and ran desperately toward the palace walls.
Soon, a squad of Imperial Guards apprehended them!
Li Zhi hurried to the imperial study to confess to Li Shimin, “Father, I’ve caused trouble… those eunuchs were taken to the Ministry of Justice and will surely be executed. I cannot bear it and wish to plead for their lives!”