The days in summer are always longer, the dusk drums in the palace have been ringing for a long time, and the setting sun hangs on the high walls of the imperial city and refuses to leave.
When Qin Mubai came to the Penglai Hall of Daming Palace, Li Shimin was accompanying his three children with great interest, playing Cuju in the back garden. As Qin Shubao once said, in addition to being a great and outstanding emperor, Li Shimin was also a versatile and talented man. Programs like Cuju are child's play for him. A colorful long-sash palace ball seemed to have spirituality on his feet, and he kicked it like a dragon and a phoenix.
The little prince Li Zhi and the little princess Li Mingda clapped their little hands and cheered loudly, their giggles revealing childish innocence and simple happiness. For these children who have just lost their mother, this moment of every day is probably the most anticipated and enjoyable time of the day.
Today, there is one more person on the field to play football with Li Shimin, and that is Princess Gaoyang, Li Shimin's beloved daughter, who has just returned from Taiyuan, the northern capital.
Even though Princess Gaoyang is only twelve or thirteen years old, she exudes an "adult flavor" that belies her age. She has the charm of Li Shimin in every gesture and even the tone of her speech. This is probably one of the reasons why Li Shimin likes her!
Qin Mubai stood outside the Imperial Garden and looked at it quietly for a long time without disturbing him. The eunuch waiting outside was familiar with him and said in a low voice: "General, would you like me to come forward and inform you?"
"No need, I'll just wait." Seeing Princess Gao Yang's presence, Qin Mubai didn't want to have any quarrel with her in front of Li Shimin. According to this little girl's temperament, she is probably a spoiled and spoiled person. Unexpectedly, Li Shimin might have restrained herself a little. She would have been more courageous with her father in front.
Unexpectedly, Qin Mubai didn't want to go in, but Princess Gao Yang's eyes were sharp. While playing the ball, she caught a glimpse of Qin Mubai standing outside the garden. Then he curled his lips, caught the ball kicked by Li Shimin with both hands, hugged it in his arms, and turned away angrily.
Li Shimin frowned when he saw this: "Ling'er, why don't you kick?"
"Father--" Princess Gao Yang held the ball, walked up to Li Shimin with swaying shoulders and kicked her feet, and said in a cooing voice, "The kid was so angry when he saw that guy, how can he still think about playing football? "
"You kid." Li Shimin glanced at Qin Mubai in the distance, patted Princess Gaoyang's head, lowered his head and said in her ear, "Father has been talking to you for so long, why are you still acting so petty? ?”
"Father's words are very reasonable, and the child naturally understands it! But..." Princess Gaoyang kicked her mouth, looking pitifully aggrieved, and muttered, "But the child has never been treated like this since he was a child. What a grudge! Didn't my father say that as a nobleman of Tianhuang, he should always think about the royal dignity and not insult the dignity of the royal family? Now a military academy on guard duty dares to take the child and yell at the child. If this is spread, how will the child behave in the future?"
Li Shimin shook his head helplessly and said with a chuckle: "Ling'er, aren't you always reasonable and sensible? How come you got into trouble this time? Baiqi's military order was formulated by his father. Qin Mubai and the others are responsible. You must be loyal to your duty. Since you are my daughter, you should consciously abide by these rules and not force them to do things that violate military orders. That is how you maintain the dignity of your father! Private guards will be your personal guards from now on! How can you argue with your subordinates? You should learn more from your mother-in-law, but everyone in this harem knows Concubine Yin De. He is magnanimous and magnanimous.”
"Okay, my daughter knows..." Princess Gaoyang nodded reluctantly, glanced at Qin Mubai, and hummed, "But my father wants to praise that guy in person and criticize me... I can't stand it. ”
"Haha, it's just a show. Otherwise, how can Qin Mubai and the others dare to strictly enforce the law and be loyal to their duties in the future? As a princess, you have to show some magnanimity and magnanimity to impress your subordinates."
"Okay, okay, all daughters obey their father." Princess Gao Yang raised her eyebrows and smiled reluctantly, "Who makes my father my favorite person?"
"You girl, you have such a sweet mouth!" Li Shimin was amused, and he stretched out his fingers to pinch her lips, "You are speaking beautifully, why are you still licking your lips?"
"Okay, stop falling, hee hee!" Princess Gao Yang smiled brightly, revealing her dimples and a pair of tiger teeth.
"Well, this is my best-behaved Ling'er baby! Haha!" Li Shimin laughed heartily and was in a good mood.
Qin Mubai watched from a distance. Although he didn't hear what the emperor and Princess Gaoyang said, seeing him laughing so heartily, he only thought to himself: They say that the daughter is the last lover of the father. I think Li Shimin really loves her. This Princess Gaoyang. Princess Gao Yang is such a ghost, and she does have a way to make Li Shimin happy.
"Come, Xuan Qin Mubai is here to see you."
Qin Mubai was ordered to enter the imperial garden and the ceremony had been completed.
Li Shimin sat on the chair, and Princess Gao Yang stood aside obediently, wiping his sweat and fanning him. She was extremely careful and obedient. At this moment, she looked completely different from the little devil she had been when she first broke into the palace. She had clearly transformed into an angel.
"Mu Bai, I have asked Gao Yang about what happened this afternoon. It is indeed her fault, and I have taught her a lesson." Li Shimin's expression was not serious, and he spoke more relaxedly, as if he was slightly apologetic. "It's really hard for you. Is your injury okay?"
"Your Majesty is serious, I don't seem to have been injured at all." Qin Mubai cupped his hands and replied.
"You don't have to cover up for Gao Yang, I actually know it. It's really unbecoming, the majestic princess actually opens her mouth to bite someone!" After Li Shimin said this, he glared at Gao Yang seemingly angrily, and Gao Yang also timidly lowered his head in cooperation. He bowed his head, looking pitiful as if he had done something wrong and was waiting to be scolded.
"Forget it, Your Majesty. It's just a small misunderstanding. Wei Chen was too stubborn and fiery at the time, so we can't blame the princess entirely." Qin Mubai said, smiling bitterly in his heart: This play is so tiring!
Li Shimin nodded and said like a dragonfly: "That's all. Let him let this little misunderstanding go. There is no need to mention it again. Gao Yang, if you dare to collide with Baiqi again in the future, I will not spare you."
"I know!" Princess Gao Yang said timidly, sticking out her tongue.
"Huh? -" Li Shimin hummed in a false voice and looked at Princess Gao Yang with displeasure.
"My son, I obey the decree!" Princess Gaoyang saluted.
Qin Mubai looked on and wanted to laugh. This father and daughter are really funny.
"Okay, please step aside first." Li Shimin waved his hand, and Princess Gaoyang bowed and stepped back. Turning around and walking a few steps away, just out of Li Shimin's sight, Princess Gao Yang quietly turned around, nodded her fingers fiercely at Qin Mubai, and said with "lip language": "We'll see, you'll see." !”
The corners of Qin Mubai's eyes twitched, and he really didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The eunuchs and maids nearby were holding back their laughter and did not dare to show any clues in front of the emperor.
Li Shimin called Li Zhi and Li Mingda over, hugged one in his arms and held the other in his lap, coaxing them: "Pheasant slave, Sizi, do you think this general is brave?"
Ten-year-old Li Zhi and five-year-old Li Mingda looked up at Qin Mubai, blinking their childish eyes neatly, and nodded: "Yingwu."
"Brother Ninth, what does Yingwu mean?" Li Mingda asked, tilting his head.
"I don't know either!" Li Zhi looked at his sister and shook his head blankly.
"Haha-" Everyone present, including Qin Mubai and Li Shimin, laughed.
Li Shimin stroked the two children's heads and whispered in their ears: "If you want to know what Yingwu means, you have to read more, you know?"
"I know, kid!" the two children responded in unison, even nodding in unison.
Qin Mubai stood aside and saw it, and felt warm in his heart. Regardless of the identities of these people, this scene is indeed a beautiful picture of rare family happiness. But in history, Li Shimin's failure in "the way of being a father" seems to be as "outstanding" as the success of his "way of being a king."
Among all his children, not one or two truly became successful, and most of them did not die well. It has to be said that this is Li Shimin's biggest regret and failure in his life. In fact, what man doesn’t want his career to be as harmonious and complete as his family? But God seems to be in no mood to let anyone take advantage of everything. In his life, Li Shimin fought victorious battles and became a successful emperor, but he could not be a qualified father.
From this point of view, Li Shimin, who was one emperor throughout the ages, is not as good as a farmer with a loving father and a filial son and a happy family.
"Pheasant slave, Sizi, my father will let this heroic general accompany you to read and write every day, okay?" Li Shimin gently patted the two sons and said softly.
"No!" Li Zhi hugged Li Shimin's elbow and shook his head quickly, "The child wants his father!"
"Brother Ninth, don't be like this. My father is the king of a country and has a lot of things to do. He can't stay with us every day!" Five-year-old Li Mingda said seriously, sounding like an adult.
"Pheasant slave, look, my sister is so sensible." Li Shimin chuckled and said patiently, "This general is the person my father trusts most... Well, he is my father's best friend. He can not only be like my father He takes care of you like a king and can protect you very well. Look, his armor is so beautiful and he has a very sharp sword hanging on his waist! As long as he is here, no one will come here on a crazy horse again. I'm scaring you. Also, don't you like music very much, slave slave? This general can play the pipa very well. Let him teach you. Sizi, you like calligraphy when you are only five years old. You can also ask him to teach you how to copy your father's Fei Bai Shu! Let me tell you, his handwriting is even more beautiful than my father's!"
"Really?" Li Zhi and Li Mingda were children after all. After hearing so many new things, they were immediately attracted and looked at Qin Mubai curiously.
Li Shimin pursed his lips at Qin Mubai, signaling for him to admit.
Qin Mubai knelt down with a smile and said in a soft voice: "Your Highnesses, you are not joking. What His Majesty the Emperor said is true. Not only can I play the pipa and write, I can also play football, ride horses, and shoot arrows. , can destroy anyone who wants to bully you, and can also come up with many, many fun things for you to play with."
"Then can you wake up my mother? She has been sleeping for a long time!" Li Mingda said this very suddenly, then opened his round eyes and looked at Qin Mubai expectantly.
Qin Mubai raised his head and glanced at Li Shimin. At this moment, his expression was so complicated. There was a hint of sadness in the warmth, and he looked at Qin Mubai as if asking for help.
"I can." Qin Mubai smiled and nodded gently.
"Okay-" Li Zhi and Li Mingda clapped their hands and shouted, cheering happily together.
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[Note: There is no clear record in historical records about Princess Gaoyang’s name and biological mother, and there has always been endless debate. This article adopts the term "non-mainstream and non-authoritative" and sets her name as "Li Ling" and her mother as Concubine Yin De. Well, the right is just a setting, so you don’t need to get to the bottom of it. We are not historians.]