bayedsolid Chapter 286 Salt in Bubbles ~ Xiao Deyan
Chapter 286 Salt in Bubbles ~ Xiao Deyan
Li Zhi lifted his younger sister onto the swing, gazing thoughtfully in the direction of the Eastern Palace: "Xiao Deyan?"
The little princess, who looked like a pink dumpling, chuckled and twirled around with her hands behind her back. Her pomegranate-colored skirt swept across the fallen petals on the ground. Si Zi naturally knew this secret: her brother Zhi Nu, who was still Prince Jin at the moment, would eventually wear the crown of a traveling prince in the seventeenth year of Zhenguan. And that white-haired Master Xiao was the future candidate to serve as the Crown Prince's tutor.
Suddenly, Sizi leaped onto the stone bench, her pomegranate-colored skirt, embroidered with gold thread, brushing against the moss. Her twin buns swayed, making her look like a little dumpling, and her clear, childlike voice instantly soared eight octaves: "Speaking of this Uncle Xiao, he's practically a walking encyclopedia of the Tang Dynasty's officialdom! Before the ink of the proofreader's pen is even dry, he's already donning the purple robe of the official; the bamboo slips in the Hongwen Pavilion are barely sorted, and he's already picking up the golden book of the Crown Prince's tutor! While others toil away for a mere official post, he's like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves—swept away a garden full of fragrance!"
Si Zi tiptoed and mysteriously tugged at Li Zhi's sleeve. The scent of gardenias mingled with a child's voice, drifting into his ears: "The most amazing thing is that this old scholar has actually become a centenarian! If you ask me, his secret to longevity is hidden in the oil lamp at dawn—while others read the *Zuo Zhuan* like gnawing on a hard sesame cake, he reads it like sucking on a rock candy hawthorn, the more he savors it, the sweeter it becomes! Those classics on his desk are like a blessed treasure box, every flip is full of golden words of wisdom!"
Before she could finish speaking, she burst out laughing again, tilting her head and gesturing: "Ninety-seven years old! Even the King of Hell would be confused flipping through the Book of Life and Death—'How come this old man Xiao is still working at the Hanlin Academy?'" Suddenly, she straightened her face and imitated an old man's trembling cane: "Young people, listen up! The secret to longevity is nothing more than never having a book in your hand!"
Li Shimin picked up a white porcelain teacup and took a sip, the tea reflecting the fine lines at the corners of his eyes as he smiled. The table was laden with candied plums and hibiscus cakes. The Ninth Prince, Zhinu, had just picked up a piece of osmanthus pastry when his father placed the teacup on a lotus-patterned saucer: "Zhinu, Xiaosi, what is the core of filial piety?"
Li Zhi hurriedly put down the snacks, tied up his black brocade robe, and knelt down to sit upright: "The most basic thing is to serve one's parents, then to make contributions and establish a career, and finally to be loyal to the emperor. Only then can one establish virtue and character."
Before she finished speaking, Ah Si Zi had already jumped onto the soft cushion, her two loose buns swaying with her movements, and the little butterflies embroidered on her apricot-colored dress seemed to want to fly out: "This is the way of the world! Whether you're studying at home or becoming a high-ranking official, you must first engrave the word 'loyalty' in your heart! This is called 'the way of the world,' and it will ensure you have the last laugh!"
Emperor Taizong couldn't help but burst into laughter, and Zhinu also laughed, whispering: This must be the new generation's "workplace bible" that my sister was talking about!
Si Zi nodded earnestly: "That's right! Especially at work, the most important thing to understand is—what is loyalty?! Although it's impossible to handle everything perfectly, you must often think about making amends for your mistakes! You must have the magnanimity to help others and correct the shortcomings of leaders—or even kings..."
Li Zhi joked, "After hearing what Si Zi said, I'm even thinking of starting a 'remedial class' to teach everyone how to reflect on themselves daily and correct their mistakes..."
Li Shimin paused, gazing into the distance, lost in thought: To help others achieve their goals and to rectify what is lacking is a virtue of a gentleman, and also a fundamental principle of governing a country… Thinking that his son and daughter possessed such awareness, their future was undoubtedly promising, and his face was filled with satisfaction.
"Haha, my daughter is truly remarkable. At such a young age, she has uttered such insightful views! There's nothing inappropriate in Zhi Nu's words; my son's understanding is exceptionally high!" He thought to himself, "Zhi Nu is absolutely qualified to become a future vassal king! As a subject, one must not only fulfill one's duties but also possess a broad perspective, able to step forward at crucial moments to share the burdens of the monarch and seek happiness for the people!"
Little Sizi: "Hehe, Father, do you think I could be a queen too?"
Upon hearing this, Zhi Nu quickly smoothed things over: "Si Zi, don't be in such a hurry. What kind of girl can be a queen? First, focus on your studies. The throne is no child's play!"
Suddenly, Xiao Sizi tiptoed and whispered in Emperor Taizong's ear, "Then, if I pass the imperial examination with top honors, will Father Emperor appoint me as the 'King of Pastry Tasting'? I guarantee I can taste all three secret ingredients of the new Begonia Pastry from the Imperial Kitchen in one go!" As he spoke, he solemnly held up three fingers.
Li Shimin laughed so hard he clutched his stomach, startling the white doves outside the palace into fluttering flight. But when he caught his breath and looked down, he saw that his son, Xiao Sizi, had somehow produced a small notebook, neatly written: "Today, I reached a verbal agreement with Father Emperor—Top Scholar = King of Pastry Tasting, Witness: The White Dove Flying South." He even solemnly pressed his vermilion fingerprint on it, which delighted even the usually stern Emperor...