Chapter 13 Ignorance
After standing for more than two hours, it was time for lunch. No one made things difficult for him in this regard. They took turns to get two sesame cakes and a bowl of vegetable soup with oil floating on it. Gao Rui and others had their own separate kitchen and ate in the classroom.

When they were squatting in the corner of the city wall to eat, the atmosphere was a little awkward. Those soldiers who were also on guard did not dare to isolate or exclude them, but they also did not dare to get too close, so no one dared to speak and they just lowered their heads to eat.

Li Jiancheng smiled, took the initiative to squat down in a place with few people and started eating. He was still growing, and after eating two pancakes, he just felt less hungry but was far from full, but he didn't go for more.

At this moment, a food box was suddenly placed in front of him. Li Jiancheng raised his head and smiled, then stood up and saluted: "Uncle."

Li An snorted, "Eat. If you don't want to suffer this grievance, go back to the palace. Next year, when His Majesty has calmed down, I will arrange for you to take up a post in the local prefecture."

Li Jiancheng didn't hesitate to take out the roast goose, broke off a shiny goose leg, and threw the rest to the servants who were not finished their meal nearby.

"Thank you for your kindness, uncle, but I think it would be nice to serve in the palace."

Li An was so angry that he laughed: "It's not bad. You are the prince of the Duke of Tang's mansion, but you were punished by His Majesty with ten lashes just after taking office. You are almost becoming a joke in the whole Chang'an."

"It is also a good deed to make people laugh."

Li An couldn't help but frown. How could such a young man, full of vigor, be so tolerant?

"My nephew has to go on duty. Uncle, take care."

After Li An left, Li Jiancheng returned to the side of the city gate and stood there. The attendant beside him thanked him in a low voice. Then another two hours passed and everything was calm.

The sentry duty is divided into day and night. Li Jiancheng does not need to be on duty today. After changing guard at dusk, he leaves the palace and takes a carriage back to the mansion. As soon as he gets off the carriage after entering the mansion gate, he sees the second steward waiting for him.

"Mother is back?"

"My dear, my lady has returned with my young master."

That means everyone knows about it. The main reason why this matter was kept secret from the mistress of the house was because Dou was in another residence and had just given birth. The servants under her were afraid that they would not be able to take responsibility if something unexpected happened.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible to keep it secret for so long. Dou had hundreds of slaves as a dowry, and they were all loyal to her.

There was no way to hide, so he changed into a round-necked robe and quickly went to the backyard to sleep. Seeing that all the servants were outside the door, he had to go in by himself. There he saw Dou sitting upright on the couch, looking at him expressionlessly.

Li Jiancheng smiled flatteringly, and saw his mother pursing her lips, turning her face to the side and covering her eyes with a handkerchief, her body trembling slightly. He was so scared that he hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Kaiyuan was very careful in his attack. It's just a superficial injury. Don't worry, mother. It's all healed now."

Dou couldn't help but feel distressed. She turned around with tears in her eyes and gently touched her son's shoulders. Then she gritted her teeth and said, "Damn old beast, he is disrespectful to his elders. If he is indeed a thief who plotted to usurp the throne, I should have persuaded my uncle to issue an order to kill him. I regret not following the advice of the King of Qi and the Duke of Tan. Otherwise, why would I have wronged my son until now?"

In the past, Prince of Qi of Northern Zhou Dynasty, Yuwen Xian, and Duke of Tan, Wang Gui, both persuaded Emperor Wu of Zhou, Yuwen Yong, that Yang Jian had the appearance of a traitor and should be executed. Unfortunately, Emperor Wu of Zhou believed that Yang Jian's talent was only good enough to be a general and he did not have the ability to rebel.

No wonder he asked everyone else to leave, these words were really extraordinary.

Li Jiancheng's eyes turned deep when he heard this. How could he not have resentment in his heart? This was the first time that the Second Emperor was beaten until he fainted by someone. It was just that he was not as strong as the other person, so he let himself forget it for the time being.

He held his mother's hand and said, "Son has his own plans. You should stay in the guesthouse for two more months to recuperate. Why are you in such a hurry to come back?"

Dou also calmed down and said, "It's time to go back home. If I don't hang out with my relatives and friends, I'm afraid the whole Chang'an will forget about the Duke of Tang's Mansion."

After inquiring about Li Jiancheng's current situation, Dou advised: "Now that things have come to this, you should stay calm and not be afraid of others' ridicule and difficulties. The emperor and empress have not seen each other for half a month, and the empress will not be willing to accept this.

After I came back, several ladies with whom I had a close relationship came to see me. I also made inquiries. The emperor urgently summoned Duke Gao Zuo of Qi back to the court, and also demoted some old ministers who were trusted by the empress. This means that there will be big changes. "

"But my son, you have to know that the queen will lose in the end." "But your majesty won't win for many years." Li Jiancheng laughed and said, "Love is not long-lasting. The two of them have been linked together for a long time. How can it last long if they stab each other in the heart like this?"

Dou was someone who could give advice to the emperor when she was six or seven years old. She immediately understood her son's plan and said, "My son wants to use the queen to jump on the boat of the King of Jin and seek the merit of following the emperor. However, although the King of Jin has a good reputation, your father once told me that he is forbearing and may not be a good ruler in the future."

"It is hard to convince the people if no reward is given for meritorious service. The King of Jin is a proud man. As for the future, we will make other plans."

…………

He was on duty every day like this. If he happened to meet Yang Jishan, Dugu Kaiyuan and others on duty, then he would be better off, as he could stand in the shade, the meals would be better, and there would be someone to talk to and relieve his boredom. If he happened to meet Gao Rui and others, then it would be worse, but these were all small matters.

There were several times when the emperor left the harem to attend court, but he ignored Li Jiancheng. Prince of Jin Yang Guang finally rushed back to Chang'an, and they met several times.

Another half month passed, and Duke Gao Zuo of Qi returned to the capital. In addition, Prince Yang Liang of Han was also recalled. After the audience with the emperor, the two came to Yongxiang to pay their respects to the empress.

Gao Zuo was tall and thin, and although his face was a little haggard and old, he was still handsome. On the other hand, Yang Liang, the King of Han, was tall and strong, with a round head, a pointed chin and big eyes. Looking at him, one could tell that he was a kind-hearted man.

The two men came out not long after they entered, both with frowns on their brows, and it seemed that the conversation did not go well.

Han Wang Yang Liang stopped in front of Li Jiancheng and said, "My mother has summoned you. If you can, please give me some words of advice. I will owe you a favor."

Li Jiancheng bowed in agreement, then handed the halberd in his hand to the attendant beside him, and asked several other people to conduct a simple search. Then, he went to Yong'an Palace under the guidance of an unfamiliar female official.

Soon Li Jiancheng saw his aunt again. In just over a month, she was still sitting there, but she seemed to have aged by ten years. She no longer had that upright spirit, and her eyes were full of loneliness.

"My great nephew Li Jiancheng pays homage to the Empress. Your Majesty, I wish you the best of health."

"Get up and sit closer."

"Yes."

Li Jiancheng walked forward and carefully sat on the round stool, and then he heard her say, "The Duke of Qi and the King of Han, oh, and the Crown Prince and the King of Jin, all advised me to bow to Your Majesty."

"My nephew also wants to persuade the queen to bow her head for the time being."

"Oh, then go back."

"Take care, Your Majesty." Li Jiancheng stood up and stepped back.

"Hey, do you blame His Majesty?"

"Don't complain."

"Then you don't blame me?"

"I can do what I can for my elders, so how dare I have any complaints? It was Your Majesty's mercy that granted this official position to my nephew. It was also because of Your Majesty that I was able to be pardoned by Your Majesty."

...............

(End of this chapter)