Chapter Nine: Hide and Seek

“I think so too!” Li Zhi replied with a foolish grin.

“Little brother Zhi, come play hide and seek with us!” Li Chengqian, drenched in sweat, ran over and issued an earnest invitation.

“No.”

Hide and seek? He had long outgrown such childish games—twenty years ago, he’d stopped finding them amusing.

“All you do is play—look at how diligent your younger brother is,” Empress Zhangsun said sternly.

Without comparison, there would be no disappointment. In the past, everyone enjoyed playing, and no one thought much of it. Now that Li Zhi had become so studious, he was like a mirror reflecting their own shortcomings. Looking back at Li Chengqian, Li Lizhi, and Li Tai, their lack of diligence seemed all the more glaring.

After a stern lecture, Li Chengqian was left thoroughly disgruntled. “All you do is dote on my brother. No one ever worries about me. I am the Crown Prince, yet Father summons me to the imperial study every day to read and review memorials—I’m exhausted…”

“So you do remember you’re the Crown Prince?”

“You’ve read the Records of the Grand Historian—have you ever seen a Crown Prince who preferred hide and seek to reading?”

“Your brother is only three, and just now he was asking me about the art of poetry. You ought to learn from him…” Empress Zhangsun’s retort left Li Chengqian speechless.

“This is…”

He was about to lose his mind. Since when did Emperor Taizong and Empress Zhangsun become so fond of comparing him to Li Zhi? They compared their studies, they compared at home—whenever he came up short, he was in for another scolding. Life had become unbearable.

Li Zhi, ever eager to stir up trouble, giggled and asked, “Crown Prince, do you know how to compose poetry?”

“No!”

“I can teach you!”

“Who wants your help?” Li Chengqian glared and stormed off in frustration.

“Crown Prince, do you think Li Zhi’s eaten something strange? Why is he always thinking about studying? It’s so annoying!” This came from Prince Wei, Li Tai.

“Don’t say that—he’s setting a good example for you all. You should be grateful,” Li Lizhi replied.

“Hmph.” Li Chengqian and Li Tai scoffed. If anyone ought to set an example, it should be them. Why should Li Zhi take that spot?

…

The Mansion of the Duke of Lu.

The self-proclaimed heartthrob of the Tang Dynasty and former scourge of the world, Cheng Yaojin, had encountered a dilemma.

Emperor Taizong had tasked him with finding an expert to secretly protect Li Zhi! Someone had already tried to harm Li Zhi and had nearly succeeded; a handful of guards might not be enough to thwart another attempt. As the saying goes, an open attack is easy to guard against, but a hidden arrow is hard to dodge.

The assassins hid in the shadows. The guards were out in the open. The ones at a disadvantage would always be the guards. Thus, it was crucial to arrange for a master to be on hand, just in case.

The task sounded simple, but was difficult to execute—especially for Cheng Yaojin.

“Fatty Cheng, why the long face?” Hua Dajiao strode over boisterously and slapped the back of his head.

“What’s your problem! I’m thinking!”

“Thinking about what? Out with it… You haven’t fallen for some young lady again, have you?” Hua Dajiao eyed him warily, her iron fists already clenched. If he admitted it, she looked ready to pummel him into a pulp.

“Put your fists down first!”

“With a fierce woman like you watching over me, would I dare chase after other women? You give me too much credit…” Cheng Yaojin rolled his eyes and confessed, “His Majesty has given me a task: find an expert to protect the Prince of Jin. That’s what’s got me worried!”

“That’s it?” Hua Dajiao dismissed his concerns. “Such a trivial thing, and you’re this distressed? There are plenty of experts in the army—just pick one.”

Cheng Yaojin glared. “Easy for you to say! The so-called expert must be able to save lives at a critical moment—there can’t be any mistakes. And no one can guarantee that. People’s hearts change; maybe someone was loyal before, but who’s to say he won’t be bribed by the enemy later? If that happens and the Prince of Jin is hurt, the blame would fall on me—Cheng Yaojin!”

“You really are all hair and no brains… That’s women for you—always too simplistic in their thinking!”

Uh. Hua Dajiao had to admit she’d oversimplified things this time. Usually, she lorded it over Cheng Yaojin, but this time, he’d had her at a loss.

“So what do you intend to do?”

“I’ve thought long and hard, but I can’t find anyone I trust completely,” Cheng Yaojin sighed. “For all my years as a general, commanding countless talented men, when it truly matters, I can’t find a single confidant—how tragic is that?”

Wait! Hua Dajiao’s eyes lit up. “I know someone. He’s definitely up to the task—the only question is whether he’s willing to protect the Prince of Jin.”

“Who in this world wouldn’t want such an assignment? It’s a plum job—do it well, and the Emperor will reward you handsomely! Your path to promotion will be wide open. Who wouldn’t want it?”

“Fine, I’ll tell you—Luo Tong, the young man from the Luo family. He’s a formidable martial artist…”

“Exactly!” Cheng Yaojin’s eyes sparkled as if a veil had been lifted. “Luo Tong is perfect! His martial prowess nearly rivals mine—he can protect the Prince of Jin without a doubt. More importantly, he can’t be bribed by villains—he’s absolutely trustworthy!”

“Hmph… You really have no shame. Can you even beat Luo Tong?” Hua Dajiao looked at him with disdain.

“Ahem!” Cheng Yaojin was clearly a little guilty. “Luo Tong is only twelve—I can’t beat him? Don’t be ridiculous!”

“I know all about your so-called ‘three axe moves.’ Others might not, but I do. Luo Tong inherited the family spear and started training at three—he’s already a master. If you recall Luo Cheng’s glory days, you’ll understand just how formidable Luo Tong is. Could you have beaten Luo Cheng?”

“Well… um, well…” Cheng Yaojin blushed furiously and finally conceded, “I couldn’t beat Luo Cheng, nor can I beat Luo Tong. Satisfied?”

“As long as you admit it!” Hua Dajiao felt her pride restored. She could continue bossing Cheng Yaojin around.

…

The imperial study.

In the side hall at the rear.

Fang Xuanling arrived full of confidence. Seeing Li Zhi and Li Lizhi, he strode in with his head held high. “Ahem.”

“Greetings, Teacher!”

“Greetings, Your Highness. Greetings, Princess… Please, all of you be seated,” Fang Xuanling gestured.

“Teacher, Father has already granted me permission to attend lessons here. You won’t send me away, will you?”

“Would I dare?” Fang Xuanling was already aware of the arrangement. One more student or one less made little difference to him. It just so happened that today’s lesson was on poetry—a perfect chance to showcase his erudition. With Li Lizhi as a witness, she could help spread word of his abilities, so that people would stop thinking he was outdone by the three-year-old Prince of Jin—otherwise, he would become a laughingstock.

“Ahem… Today’s lesson is on composing poetry!” Fang Xuanling smiled and asked, “Prince of Jin, do you know how to write poetry?” He had to be sure, to avoid another awkward situation.