Chapter 30

Li Er and his wife, along with Li Kuan, and a little loli were enjoying the feeling of home at this moment. However, this feeling did not last long, as it was disrupted by the return of three little boys, who were covered in dust from their journey.

Li Chengqian, accompanied by his younger brother Li Tai, arrived in a carriage, while Li Ke rode a horse alone. The three seemed to be in some kind of dispute, and upon returning to the mansion, they went their separate ways, barely acknowledging each other with a glance. This strange situation continued until they reached the dining hall.

"What's going on?" Changsun asked the brothers after Li Ke left.

"Mother, today, Little Ke almost got into a fight with his cousins from Uncle's family. When I and Qingque tried to mediate, he accused us of not helping him," Li Chengqian said, feeling wronged. As the eldest son of the Qin王府, he was actually younger than the youngest son of the Crown Prince by a year. With Li Tai being four and Li Ke five, how could they be a match for their cousins, who were in their teens? He had merely suggested that Li Ke endure for a while and report to their father when they got home, so that the adults could handle the situation. How did this make him a coward? Li Ke was not only proud but also stubborn.

"Is that so?" Li Er also asked, his usual absence from home meant he was unaware of any bullying his sons might have faced. Changsun never mentioned such things to him. This was a good opportunity to understand the situation.

"Yes, how could I lie!" Li Chengqian nodded, he indeed hadn't lied. Due to his excellent performance in school, Li Ke was praised by Kong Yingda, while Li Chengxun and the others were criticized. After school, Li Ke was cornered, much like how delinquents would wait for their targets at the school gate in later times. However, the stakes were much higher here, as the conflict could trigger a confrontation between the forces backing each side.

Li Chengqian, along with the chubby Li Tai, tried to mediate, but Li Ke refused to acknowledge his brother's efforts, insisting he was right and should not back down. It was only when Kong Yingda finished grading their essays and came out that the two groups dispersed.

Li Er listened quietly, his brows occasionally furrowing, clearly troubled by the situation. He was concerned for his children, but the situation was delicate. He had just received a secret order from Li Yuan, warning against any provocation. However, the younger generation had once again stirred the sensitive nerves, and any misstep could anger Li Yuan, leading to an uncontrollable situation.

Li Er was weighing his options, and he believed the Crown Prince Li Jiancheng was doing the same. The decisions they would make would have a significant impact on the Tang Dynasty.

But that was a matter for later. For now, it was time for dinner. Li Ke had invited his mother, Consort Yang, to the dining hall, which was only opened when Li Er was at home. Usually, everyone ate in their respective courtyards or small buildings, with the servants delivering the food. With Li Er, the head of the household, back, it was time for a family gathering. However, only a few could join: the princes of the Qin王府, Changsun, Li Er's favorite daughter Li Lizhi, and Li Ke's mother, Consort Yang.

Consort Yang was the ninth daughter of Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty, a princess of the Sui. Though not born to Empress Xiao, she was the daughter of a noble consort. Her status in the Qin王府 was unique, given that her husband had overthrown her father's rule.

Therefore, Li Er treated her with great care and respect, to make up for the guilt he felt.

Due to the incident with Li Ke, the dinner was a somber affair. The adults ate in silence, and the other little boys followed suit, except for the innocent Li Lizhi. She held her small bowl, running to her father to get some dishes, then to her mother for some meat.

Finally, the little loli came to Li Kuan's side, looking at him with big eyes as he ate quickly. She envied him: "Second Brother is so amazing, eating so fast! Lizhi can only eat a little bit and then can't eat anymore!"

The little loli blinked, watching Li Kuan quickly finish his millet rice. It wasn't that Li Kuan was picky, but after eating wheat-based foods for two or three months, he was craving something different. The millet rice was similar to rice and had a fragrant aroma, so he was eating it ravenously.

"Second Brother, eat slowly! Lizhi will give you some of hers!" The little loli patted her slightly full tummy, then looked at her half-full bowl and made a decision.

She pushed her food towards Li Kuan, along with the dishes and meat she had taken from her parents.

Li Kuan, who was enjoying his meal, was taken aback by the little loli's gesture. He felt embarrassed, as this was quite a loss of face.

Li Er and Changsun were both amused and exasperated by their daughter's actions, who had taken food from them to give to Li Kuan.

Consort Yang, however, was stunned. She had been confined to her courtyard for the past few months and rarely went out. Her understanding of Li Lizhi and Li Kuan was still from the past, when Li Lizhi was very polite and ladylike. She had even joked with Changsun about who would be lucky enough to marry such a good girl. But now, the once-ladylike girl had become a wild child, and it was inappropriate for a girl to give food to a boy so casually.

The chubby Li Tai, on the other hand, looked on with envy: "So much meat." His eyes were fixed on the meat, as he had already finished his share and was left with vegetables, which were less desirable in this world.

The dinner passed in an awkward silence, and Li Kuan eventually finished the food Li Lizhi had given him. It was hard to resist when a little loli looked at you with teary eyes, threatening to cry if you didn't eat.

After the meal, the servants cleared the table, and everyone returned to their rooms. However, the three little boys soon gathered again, determined to resolve their dispute from the morning.

The three were arguing under a plum tree in the garden when the chubby Li Tai suddenly signaled the others to be quiet.

They quickly found a hiding spot, a small cave they often used as their base. Inside, they had stored many items they had brought over. Peeking out, they saw two figures walking in the garden.

Li Kuan followed Li Er into the garden, a place he had visited only a few times, and Li Er even less. Neither of them noticed the three boys hiding in the corner.

As a warrior, Li Er should have sensed their presence, but it was only a vague feeling. He would only be alerted if someone had a strong intent to harm or hate him. The three boys, who were even admirers of Li Er, did not trigger his senses.

"Kuan, do you know why I called you out here?" Li Er asked, unsure of how to address his son, as he did not fully understand the power behind him.

"I have a rough idea," Li Kuan bowed.

"Oh? Tell me more!" Li Er was surprised.

"It must be about Aunt Pingyang!" Li Kuan looked at his wise father, hoping to gauge his reaction.

"Did you hear last night?" Li Er immediately understood the issue, as he and Changsun had discussed Pingyang's condition in Li Kuan's room the previous night.

"Yes, and I also know that Father must have already sent someone to find Sun Simiao. You just want to test my teacher's abilities!" Li Kuan said with a pretense of confidence.

"Is that so? What if I say no? I truly hope your mysterious teacher can save Pingyang's life," Li Er admitted. While Sun Simiao was a renowned physician, he lived deep in the Qinling Mountains, and it was uncertain when he could be found. Li Kuan's teacher, on the other hand, could be contacted. If he had the ability to cure Pingyang, it would be much faster than finding Sun Simiao.

"I cannot agree with that. After all, my teacher is just based on my word and some mysterious knowledge. How can we be sure he has medical skills?" Li Kuan was puzzled.

"Ha ha..." Li Er laughed heartily. Since his return, his son had been acting strangely, but now he seemed unusually naive: "Your teacher was able to improve your congenital weakness. How could he not have medical skills?"

Li Kuan was speechless.

"Since that's the case, I will try," Li Kuan had no choice but to agree, though he knew it wasn't medical skills but internal martial arts cultivation. However, Li Er wouldn't believe that, and Li Kuan had been waiting for this moment to offer his help.

"Before that, I must inform Father that my teacher comes from one of the Hundred Schools of Thought, the 'Scientists'!" Li Kuan began to fabricate.