bayedsolid Chapter 525 Backhand
Chapter 525 Backhand
In the Jinshen Palace, Su Zhi, dressed in a brocade palace dress embroidered with peony patterns, sat upright on the main seat. There was a look of great confusion between her brows, and her gaze followed closely the extremely attentive father and son in front of her.
Li Chengqian, the usually dignified and solemn emperor of the Tang Dynasty, was now wearing a slightly funny apron and sweating profusely while busy in front of the stove.
The spatula in his hand flew up and down as he cooked the dishes with skillful movements. The flames that occasionally jumped out of the stove reflected his serious face.
Li Jingyou, who was standing by, also rolled up his sleeves, his little face flushed, and was nimbly carrying the steaming hot dishes that had just come out of the pot. He walked towards the dining table carefully, as if he was afraid of spilling the delicious food on the plate with every step.
The father and son worked together in perfect harmony, and the kitchen was filled with the aroma of food and busy figures. But no matter how busy they were, their eyes would always look towards Su Zhi from time to time, with a bit of flattery and expectation in their eyes.
Su Zhi looked at them like this and couldn't help but murmur in her heart, "When things are out of the ordinary, there must be something fishy. Although this father and son are filial on weekdays, they are so deliberately trying to please me today. They must have something important to ask for."
"But what could have caused them to go to such great lengths?"
She frowned slightly, her eyes filled with confusion.
At this time, the dining table was already filled with a wide variety of delicious food, with tempting colors, fragrant aromas, and mouth-watering flavors.
Li Jingyi, sitting in Su Zhi's arms, stared at the delicious food on the table with his eyes as big as two black gems, his little mouth slightly open, his saliva almost flowing out.
She tugged at Su Zhi's sleeve, her voice soft and full of anticipation: "Mother, can I have a piece of chicken to try first?"
Li Chengqian, who was serving a fragrant braised fish, heard Li Jingyi's words and quickly responded with a smile: "Yier, of course you can try it first."
As soon as Li Jingyi picked up the chopsticks, Su Zhi gently pressed them down.
Su Zhi leaned forward slightly, her expression gentle yet solemn, and said to Li Jingyi, "Yier, your mother will teach you a lesson today. There's an old saying that goes, 'You're bound to be grateful when you receive something from someone you love, and you're bound to be grateful when you receive something from someone you love.'"
"If someone is being nice to you for no reason, they must be asking something of you."
"So when you eat, remember to think clearly about why others are inviting you to dinner."
Li Chengqian, who had just placed the braised fish on the table, heard Su Zhi's words. Although her tone was gentle, it contained deep meaning. He started coughing violently as if he was suddenly choked.
A trace of unnaturalness flashed across his face. He looked at Su Zhi with a guilty look and said with a dry laugh, "Lingxi'er, what are you talking about? We are just family members having dinner together. How can that be considered as showing courtesy?"
"Isn't this what should be done? It's what should be done!"
"Should it?"
Su Zhi narrowed her eyes slightly, stared at Li Chengqian, and spoke slowly.
Then, she slowly turned her head and looked at Li Jingyou who was peeling shrimps enthusiastically. A seemingly gentle smile appeared on her face and she said, "You'er, come here, come to your mother."
Li Jingyou felt Su Zhi's gaze, and his heart skipped a beat. He felt inexplicably scared.
He quickly wiped his hands carefully with a wet towel, then walked slowly and cautiously to Su Zhi, calling out with a hint of nervousness, "Mother."
Su Zhi nodded gently and said in a gentle voice, "Well, You'er, what are you and your father planning?"
"Did you get into trouble again and ask your father to keep it a secret from you?"
"I advise you to be honest. Truth will come to light sooner or later. If I find out, you won't be able to escape a beating. Even your father can't stop me. You know that."
After Su Zhi finished speaking, she stopped talking and just stared at Li Jingyou.
Li Jingyou felt uncomfortable all over, as if he was tightly bound by an invisible force.
Li Jingyou felt more and more pressured when Su Zhi stared at him like this. He subconsciously wanted to look at his father, seeking some help and asking his father how to answer.
But just as he raised his head, Su Zhi sternly rebuked him: "Don't look at your father. Tell me yourself, have you gotten into trouble?"
Seeing this, Li Chengqian sighed helplessly and said, "You'er, just talk to your mother directly."
After hearing Li Chengqian's words, Li Jingyou finally mustered up the courage and said, "Mother, my father and I want to discuss something with you. I want to go on a diplomatic mission to India."
Hearing these words coming out of Li Jingyou's mouth, Su Zhi's first reaction was a bit bewildered. Her eyes widened, full of confusion, thinking: "Where to go? Where can't we go? Go to Tianzhu? Why go to Tianzhu? How can my own You'er be related to Tianzhu?"
Thinking of this, Su Zhi looked at Li Chengqian eagerly, with obvious questioning in her eyes, hoping to get a reasonable answer from the mouth of His Majesty the Tang Dynasty.
When Li Chengqian saw this scene, he knew he could no longer hide it, so he slowly sat down and prepared to explain to Su Zhi with a gentle expression.
……
But after listening to Li Chengqian's long explanation, Su Zhi's brows never relaxed.
"Brother Qian, have you ever thought about this? We only have one son, and the Tang Dynasty only has one crown prince. Your idea is certainly good, but if something unexpected happens to You'er on his diplomatic mission to India, we cannot afford it."
"I think you have some backup plan, brother Qian, but you didn't tell me, right?"
Hearing Su Zhi say this, Li Chengqian smiled.
"The one who understands me is my spiritual master."
"You'er, it's just right that you listen too. Father must ensure the safety of the delegation along the way. Sayings are one thing, and actions are another. They are two different things."
"As long as the emperor has conveyed his message, that's all that's left."
"Lingxi'er, You'er is on a diplomatic mission to India this time. The entire delegation consists of children of Tang officials. I have already considered You'er's safety."
"Yesterday I sent Ruzhao back from Tokyo with three thousand troops to escort the envoys to India."
"Also, You'er, it's time to move the Black Armor Army and the Hundred Cavalry that Awengli gave you."
"The Emperor has also asked them to accompany you. Since this is an envoy, six thousand men and horses are more than enough."
"When you arrive in Tianzhu, if those Tianzhu kings are ungrateful, you won't have to manage them. Your brother Ruzhao will naturally deal with them. You can just return to Chang'an."
"Remember, don't put yourself in danger. On this journey, you must listen to your brother Ruzhao. Remember?"
When Li Jingyou heard about the troops Li Chengqian had prepared for him, his face beamed with joy.
At his age, being able to do such glorious things is something that only happens in dreams.
Su Zhi, who was standing by, felt relieved when she heard Li Chengqian's words.