Chapter 37: Changsun Makes a Move

At the break of dawn, Li Kuan, having enjoyed a night of pleasant dreams, rolled over and continued his blissful slumber.

Meanwhile, Emperor Li Er, his eyes framed by dark circles, could only cast a weary look at his son’s sleeping form. He tucked the small booklet back into the pages of the book where it had been hidden, then left for the morning court session, his heart heavy with grievances. Such is the disparity between the lives of men.

After a night of contemplation, Li Er had decided to momentarily set aside any disciplinary action against his wayward son. After all, Li Kuan’s injuries had yet to heal, and with that booklet in his possession, Li Er felt he could keep tabs on the boy’s antics at any time—which, he mused, was actually quite convenient. This mindset was, in essence, no different from that of modern parents who sneak peeks at their children’s diaries.

About an hour after Li Er’s departure, the Crown Prince, who had spent the night in anxious worry, arrived at the main hall accompanied by Princess Changle, who had been intent on sneaking in. They arrived just in time to see Li Kuan sitting up and putting on his shoes and socks.

"Brother Kuan?"

"Second Brother!"

Seeing that Li Kuan was awake, Changle rushed forward impatiently to embrace him as he stood up. "You scared me to death! Waaaah..."

"You little crybaby..." Li Kuan sighed with doting indulgence, reaching out to pat his younger sister’s head. He then turned his gaze toward his eldest brother. "Big Brother, why are you here?"

"You little rascal!" Li Chengqian glared at his younger brother, unable to suppress his frustration. "Are you that bored? Why on earth were you climbing a tree?"

"Er..." Li Kuan feigned ignorance. "Was I?"

"Hmph!" Li Chengqian couldn't be bothered to argue with the scamp. "Stay here properly. I’ll send palace servants to fetch the imperial physician. Oh, and I must inform Mother that Brother Kuan is awake. And... Changle, you go wake up Little Tai. That brat pestered me with his crying all day yesterday; he’s worn me out completely..."

As Li Chengqian spoke, he walked out of the hall. Princess Changle, assigned the task by her eldest brother, was less than keen on trekking to the other side hall to rouse their fourth brother. She waved her hand listlessly, and her personal lady-in-waiting, Ruyu, who had been guarding the door, smiled slightly and departed to handle the errand.

Before long, Empress Zhangsun and Li Tai, having received the news, arrived at Li Kuan’s bedchamber. They entered just as Li Kuan was opening his mouth wide, sticking out his tongue for Physician Zhang to examine.

"Ah..."

"That will do, Your Highness."

After a thorough examination of pulse and appearance, the focused Physician Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief. "There is no major cause for concern. Judging by the pulse, the Prince of Chu only needs to take a few more doses of medicine and rest quietly for a few days to make a full recovery."

Empress Zhangsun was moved to tears of joy.

"Thank you, Physician Zhang. I shall reward you later!" Crown Prince Li Chengqian also exhaled in relief, while Princess Changle and Li Tai began to cheer.

"Second Brother is fine! Second Brother is fine! That’s wonderful!"

No, in truth, trouble was about to arrive shortly.

"Kuan’er, come here!" Empress Zhangsun, who usually maintained a gentle demeanor toward Li Kuan, suddenly turned stern.

"Mother..." The crestfallen Prince of Chu shuffled his feet until he stood before the Empress. What must come, would come.

"Why did you go climbing that tree?" Empress Zhangsun pursed her lips, her phoenix eyebrows arched.

"Because it was so boring..." Li Kuan pulled a long face, struggling to concoct an excuse. "The world outside the palace is so vast; I just wanted to see..."

"Ha!" Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but let out a cold laugh just like Li Er’s, though she immediately realized it was inappropriate; she was meant to be a benevolent mother.

"Kuan’er," the Empress, determined to remain the gentle mother, softened her tone. She looked at the visibly uneasy Li Kuan and, after much thought, said slowly, "Mother isn't trying to scold you, but to remind you: before you do such dangerous things, should you not stop to consider how much pain you would cause your father, me, and your younger siblings if something were to go wrong?"

"And me, your eldest brother," the Crown Prince added from the side.

Li Kuan, who had lowered his head to feign remorse, couldn't help but glance sideways at his brother. *Wait, what happened to brotherly love? Are you really playing the backstabber right now?*

The Prince of Chu, projecting his own petty thoughts onto others, had clearly irritated Empress Zhangsun, who saw right through him. Just as he was preparing to "repay evil with evil" by revealing that his brother hadn't been studying properly lately, he felt a sharp tug at his right ear, followed by a searing pain.

It was the first time Empress Zhangsun had resorted to corporal punishment, and she had long since abandoned her usual composed and elegant demeanor. One hand gripped her son's ear, and under the shocked gazes of her other children, she spoke with grave seriousness: "Tell me, will there be a next time?!"

"Ouch!" Li Kuan could only let out a shrill cry, barely hearing what his mother said. Instinctively, as if his very bloodline were being suppressed, he pleaded, "Mother, let go! Let go! Your son won't do it again! Your son won't do it again!"

Li Kuan grew increasingly nostalgic for his days in Longyou. Truly, distance makes the heart grow fonder. He had been in Chang'an for less than three years, and now, even his most gentle mother had begun to lay heavy hands on him.

*Sigh...*

When Empress Zhangsun finally released him, Li Kuan cupped his ear—which he could feel had swollen to twice its size—and felt a deep, miserable bitterness. *What kind of people are these? Aren't you the 'Virtuous Empress of the Ages'? Why are you just as heavy-handed with your child as that 'Emperor of the Ages' is?*

Li Kuan took a deep breath, silently fuming: *I really want to see which historian is responsible for this lack of morality. You all saw nothing of how my parents beat their own son, didn't you?*

"Mother..." Seeing his younger brother, though escaped from the clutches of the "demon," looking visibly dejected, Crown Prince Li Chengqian pursed his lips and said to Empress Zhangsun, "Brother Kuan was just being playful. Having been taught a lesson this time, he surely won't dare do it again... Besides, if we are to be fair, I am also at fault. I didn't warn Brother Kuan to be safe and avoid climbing when I left. So, if Mother still has anger to vent, feel free to vent it on me."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian knelt on the floor, looking every bit the picture of a submissive son willing to take the blame.

The younger brother and sister, who had been comforting Li Kuan, now turned their eyes toward their eldest brother.

"Mother..." Changle called out weakly.

"Second Brother..." Li Tai looked at his brother, who was still gasping in pain, and whispered, "Should I go up and kneel too?"

Little did they know, Li Kuan only wanted to go up and kick his eldest brother. *What a green tea! Where were you earlier? Only now do you decide to come and play the protector?*

Li Kuan lightly touched his swollen, inflamed ear, shivering from the pain...