Chapter 5: Qianniu Guards Prepare

Li Jiancheng followed the female official from Yongxing Gate through Xingren Gate and they could see the Secretariat. In the distance was the Taiji Hall, the central government of the Sui Dynasty. They only had time to take a quick glance at it. The two of them passed through alleys and palaces and finally arrived in front of Yongxiang.

This was a wide cross street that separated the court and the bedroom, and the security was the strictest. Not to mention Li Jiancheng, even the female official who had just left here was asked to go to the compartment and be searched by the maid.

The body search was very detailed and rough. It was obvious that they didn't care about the identity of the person at all. Li Jiancheng also cooperated very tactfully, and was tossed around like dough.

After the inspection was finally completed, Li Jiancheng arrived at his destination, the Queen's Yong'an Palace, and stood outside the palace gate with a letter in his hand, waiting to be summoned.

At this moment, an unexpected person appeared. As the eunuchs and palace maids around him saluted and greeted him, Li Jiancheng hurriedly bowed and made way. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Sui Dynasty had arrived.

Naturally, someone would report the arrival of the crown prince. While Yang Yong was waiting, he noticed Li Jiancheng standing next to him and asked, "Whose family are you from?"

After all, they are relatives. He has actually met him twice in the past few years, but it is obvious that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not pay too much attention to his cousin.

Li Jiancheng replied respectfully: "Your Highness, I am your nephew Li Jiancheng. My father has been granted the title of Duke of Tang by the Emperor's grace."

"Ah." Yang Yong was a little embarrassed, stepped forward and patted Li Jiancheng on the shoulder and said, "It's Jiancheng, you've grown so big in the blink of an eye, what a heroic young man. Haha, uncle just happened to get a new precious bow recently, and I'll send someone to deliver it to your house tomorrow."

Li Jiancheng said hurriedly: "It should be my nephew who went to the East Palace to pay his respects. I have already been impolite, how dare I covet the reward from Your Highness."

Yang Yong smiled and said, "We don't talk about this among family members. If you have nothing to do, you can come to my place more often. Yan'er and Yu'er are growing up. You brothers rarely see each other, so you should get closer."

"promise."

"Did your mother summon you to come here today?"

"Your Highness, I am here to deliver a letter for my grandmother."

"Oh, is my aunt in good health?"

"Thanks to the blessing of the Holy Mother, my grandmother is still in good health."

"That's good."

After a smooth conversation of casual conversation, the two fell silent. Li Jiancheng also took this opportunity to take a good look at this prince who had a high IQ but a slightly low EQ.

He was tall and strong, with a dignified demeanor. After all, he had been the crown prince for eighteen years and looked very noble. However, his appearance was a bit ordinary, with a square face and a short beard.

The circles under his eyes were dark and his complexion was dull, obviously he had indulged in alcohol and sex a lot. He looked depressed and had many things going against his will.

After a while, the palace maid came out and said, "The queen is not feeling well, please go back, Prince."

Yang Yong's tone was filled with pleading: "Go and tell her again. I will never disturb my mother for too long."

The palace maid had no choice but to go back and report, but she came out again soon and looked at the prince in embarrassment. Yang Yong sighed, turned around and left.

After the prince had gone far away, the maid said to Li Jiancheng, "Mr. Li, the queen wants you to come in."

Li Jiancheng thanked her, then stepped into the hall. When he reached the center of the hall, he bowed his head and saluted: "Greetings, Queen Mother. Your grandson Li Jiancheng respectfully wishes you the best of health." Queen Dugu was sitting on a five-layered couch made of fragrant wood. There were many books in front of her. There was a table beside her waist. She was leaning back to read a book. When she heard Li Jiancheng's greeting, she looked at him and sized him up for a moment before saying, "You've grown a lot. What brings you here?"

"My Lord, I have a letter from my grandmother and asked my grandson to deliver it to you. I am sorry for disturbing your peace. I hope you will forgive me."

Li Jiancheng held the letter above his head, and a palace maid took it and presented it to the queen's desk. Dugu Jialuo did not rush to read it, but suddenly asked Li Jiancheng, "Have you seen the prince?"

"Yes, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince also rewarded his grandson with a precious bow."

Dugu Jialuo wanted to ask more questions. She had an important decision to make and wanted to ask more people for their opinions. But then she changed her mind and laughed at herself. She shouldn't ask questions to a junior like her. She was really a little confused.

I opened the letter from my fourth sister. The first part was a greeting, the second part was a reminiscence of the past, and the last part was about my health getting worse and worse and I am afraid I don’t have much time left. I hope she can take care of her children and grandchildren more...

Dugu Jialuo sighed. Apart from her eldest sister, her fourth sister Dugu Bodhi had the best marriage. She was also arrogant in front of her. Even when she became the queen and her son Li Yuan's career was not going well, she never bowed her head and submitted.

In the end, she finally let out her pride. Dugu Jialuo did not feel proud of anything. Instead, she recalled that her father was forced to commit suicide and the Dugu family was in turmoil. It was her fourth sister who ran around and united the in-laws to save the family from being wiped out by Yuwen Hu.

"Jiancheng, come and sit down."

Naturally it was impossible for him to sit on the same bed with the empress, so the eunuch brought a round stool and placed it in front of the couch. After Li Jiancheng thanked the queen, he sat down. Only then could they see each other clearly.

Dugu Jialuo was still immersed in the past. Looking at her sister's grandson who had grown into a young man, she couldn't help feeling a little dazed. It turned out that we are all this age now.

"Your features are somewhat similar to your great-grandfather's."

Dugu Jialuo looked a little sad after he finished speaking: "He has been a soldier all his life, conquered dozens of prefectures and counties for the previous dynasty, comforted the three Jings and guarded Longyou for more than ten years, and conquered the south and the west. His faith illuminated the neighboring countries. Unfortunately..."

"What a pity that he was killed by a traitor!" Li Jiancheng said angrily: "Yuwen Hu was so vicious and cruel, he indulged in violence and abused his power. His friends and cliques encouraged him. Fortunately, God has eyes and made him suffer the consequences. His head and body were cut into pieces, and his wife and children were killed!"

"And today, fate has changed. The emperor has rebuilt the country, and my great-grandfather's grievances have been redressed. Now that he has been honored and his descendants have multiplied, I think he can smile in his grave."

Dugu Jialuo nodded in satisfaction and praised: "Good boy, it seems that your grandmother has told you a lot about the past. How is your study? Are you as good at archery as your father was?"

Li Jiancheng answered frankly. He asked himself that compared with his peers, he would not dare to say that he was superior to them in either classics or archery and cavalry, but he was definitely outstanding.

The queen lowered her head and thought about it. After all, they were family members, and her sister rarely spoke up. However, the plan to suppress the military nobles could not be changed. So the only position left was a respectable but unimportant one.

"Jiancheng, are you willing to serve as the Qianniu Guard of His Majesty?"

As expected, Li Jiancheng stood up and pretended to be pleased and said, "Grandson is willing, thank you for your grace."

The title of Qianniu Guard may not sound impressive, but in fact it is not a small palace guard without rank, but a regular sixth-rank military officer who is responsible for wielding the Qianniu Knife and protecting the emperor closely.

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

(End of this chapter)