Chapter 2

Li Qing woke up on the bed, helplessly accepting the fact that he had been transported to another era. With the help of the maidservant, he put on the noble attire of this feudal dynasty. It took nearly half an hour to tidy his hair and wash his face, but brushing his teeth still felt very unfamiliar. He used a peeled willow branch dipped in salt, poking it around his mouth for a while, which was considered brushing his teeth.

"Really miss the past days! Although there were no maids to serve me, I didn't have to wake up so early and end up with a mouth full of salt!" Li Qing complained inwardly, but he couldn't change anything. After all, he was still a sickly person, often in a medicine pot, with no personal freedom. Yesterday, his predecessor had died from insisting on practicing martial arts. If it weren't for Li Qing, who came from over a thousand years later to save him, this body would have been cold and lifeless by now.

With the help of the maidservant, Li Qing took a walk around the courtyard and then went to another large courtyard to pay respects to his mother, who was the noble lady with a high and noble demeanor from the previous day. According to the residual memories of this body, she was Li Er's main wife, the famous Empress Zhangsun. Although she was currently just the Qin Wang's consort, no one in Chang'an dared to underestimate her. The conflict between the Crown Prince and the Qin Wang was well-known, yet she managed to live in Chang'an under the watchful eyes of the Crown Prince, enduring the pressure from the Crown Prince's faction, ensuring her husband had no worries. She even frequently visited the palace to see Emperor Li Yuan without any mistakes.

This was no easy feat, as the Crown Prince, who had long been in Chang'an, held significant power, and the Qin Wang's military supplies and weapons were often restricted. However, this consort managed to smooth out all the obstacles, providing a crucial logistical support that made the Qin Wang invincible in battle.

Li Qing didn't know all this; he only concluded from the residual memories that this beautiful woman was very skilled in managing household affairs. The vast Qin Wang's mansion, with not only servants but also many of the Qin Wang's consorts, such as Consort Yang, Consort Yin, and various other women, was under her control. Despite Li Er's frequent absence, he had sown many seeds, and these consorts had given birth to many children. No matter which child it was, Empress Zhangsun could clearly call out their names, even their birthdays and preferences, ensuring that the Qin Wang had no trouble at home. Having such a capable helper was indeed a blessing for Li Er, and with the support of her brother, Zhangsun Wuji, who was a key figure in Li Er's administration, her position in the Qin Wang's mansion was as solid as a rock.

Li Qing slowly approached the courtyard where Empress Zhangsun resided, and the maidservant quickly went to inform her. After receiving permission, he entered the courtyard. Li Qing detested such formalities but had to follow them, as this was not the modern, egalitarian society but the feudal era of the Sui and Tang dynasties. In this era of strict hierarchy, one had to follow the rules, or else they would be crushed by the wheels of history.

"Your son, Li Kuan, pays respects to Mother!" Li Qing dared not call himself Li Qing, as it would mean certain death.

"Er Lang, are you feeling better?" Empress Zhangsun, dressed in a simple white robe with a single pearl flower in her hair, sat on a stool, looking at Li Qing (from now on, he will be referred to as Li Kuan) with a smile, her long, willow-like eyebrows slightly raised.

"Mother, I feel a bit better after drinking the medicine last night," Li Kuan bowed and replied.

"Take good care of yourself. Your father is out on the battlefield, and there are many matters at home. I haven't been attentive enough to you, and I hope you don't blame me!" Empress Zhangsun gestured for Li Kuan to sit beside her, looking at the small figure before her. "Your mother passed away early. If you have any issues, talk to me, don't keep them bottled up."

From the residual memories, Li Kuan knew that his predecessor was a quiet person, keeping everything to himself, which worsened his physical and mental health. "Thank you, Mother, I understand! However, it will take more than a day or two to recover. I've heard of a great physician named Sun Simiao, a renowned doctor with divine medical skills, known as the 'Immortal Sun.' I wonder..."

"Mother has heard of this 'Immortal Sun,' but he is elusive and hard to find. Where did you hear about him?" Empress Zhangsun looked at Li Kuan with surprise.

"Um..." Li Kuan didn't know how to answer. After all, this body was only six years old, and despite being from the Qin Wang's mansion, it was unlikely for a child to know about Sun Simiao.

Seeing his hesitation, Empress Zhangsun said, "If you don't want to say, that's fine. You've always been a thoughtful child. I'll send someone to inform your father to look out for him. Since you're not feeling well, go back and rest!"

"Yes, Mother, I'll take my leave!" Li Kuan bowed and left the courtyard.

"Looks like this little one has some secrets! I wonder if they are from his mother! What a pity for Shao Hua!" Empress Zhangsun sighed as she watched Li Kuan leave.

Li Kuan left Empress Zhangsun's courtyard and returned to his own small courtyard. Seeing the servants busy sweeping the fallen leaves, he sighed. It was early autumn in the sixth year of Wude, and he had only two years, or even less, to get his body in shape. Otherwise, what was the point of being transported here just to drink some Chinese medicine?

Not long after returning to his room, a young boy brought an old man to the courtyard. "Second Brother, I've brought Confucius to test your studies!"

"Student Li Kuan, I greet Mr. Kong!" Li Kuan went out to welcome him. The old man who came with Li Chenggan was none other than Kong Yingda, one of the eighteen scholars of the Tian Ce Fu, a renowned Confucian scholar and a direct descendant of Confucius, known for his profound knowledge and wisdom. Respecting such a person was always the right thing to do.

"Are you feeling better? You'll start attending the school tomorrow. The country has been in turmoil for years, and scholars have no heart for the teachings of the sages. It's all about military might now. I hope the war ends soon!" Kong Yingda helped Li Kuan up, speaking with deep feeling.

"Thank you, Mr. Kong!" The topic Kong Yingda brought up was sensitive, and Li Kuan didn't dare to respond carelessly, so he simply expressed his gratitude.

"How much of the 'Encouragement to Study' did you learn yesterday?" Kong Yingda was direct.

"Um..." Li Kuan was speechless. When he had just been transported, he was still trying to get his bearings and only remembered that Li Chenggan had visited, but he hadn't paid attention to the 'Encouragement to Study.'

"Ah! It's my fault. I should have come to see you myself yesterday when you didn't show up at school." Kong Yingda didn't blame Li Kuan or Li Chenggan but blamed himself. However, this made Li Chenggan feel very wronged: He had tried hard to teach his second brother, but Li Kuan just couldn't learn! Recalling the scene from yesterday, Li Chenggan silently labeled Li Kuan as a fool.

"Mr. Kong, this can't be blamed on you. It's my fault for not studying diligently!" Li Kuan quickly took the blame, knowing that in this era, respecting teachers was a crucial virtue. If Kong Yingda's words reached others' ears, the charge of the Qin Wang's second son disrespecting his teacher would be too much for Li Kuan to bear.

"Then, copy the 'Encouragement to Study' ten times and bring it to school tomorrow!" Kong Yingda stroked his goatee and nodded in satisfaction.

At this moment, a maidservant brought tea, and Li Kuan took it and offered it to Kong Yingda with both hands. "Mr. Kong, please have some tea."

Kong Yingda took the cup, sipped it, and placed it on the side table. "Since you're not fully recovered, I won't disturb you. Remember, learning is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you'll fall behind. You must not slack off. Do you understand?"

"Student will remember Mr. Kong's teachings." Li Kuan quickly agreed.

"Remember to bring the copied text to school tomorrow!" Kong Yingda stood up and left with Li Chenggan. However, as he saw his "big brother" Li Chenggan's resentful gaze, Li Kuan wondered if he had forgotten something.

Li Kuan stood in the courtyard, looking up at the clear blue sky, breathing in the unpolluted air, and reflecting on the events of the past two days. It seemed he really couldn't go back, so from now on, he would be Li Kuan, the second son of Li Er, Li Kuan!

He spread his stance, slightly parting his legs, and began practicing Xinyi Quan, a martial art derived from Xingyi Quan, which also emphasizes standing postures. With his previous experience, Li Kuan quickly entered the state, but his body was too weak. After standing for a while, he was drenched in sweat and felt dizzy.

Li Kuan quickly stopped. This wouldn't do; if he continued like this, he would be a waste of a life. He needed to find something to strengthen his body. For his life, nothing could stand in his way!