Summons

When Zhang Anan arrived at the Prince of Yue’s mansion, Li Tai was lying on the couch in low spirits. It was not that Li Shimin had beaten him so badly he could not move, but rather that he felt the punishment was unjust, leaving him dispirited and unwilling to be active. Moreover, the swelling on his face still had not subsided, making him even less inclined to wander about.

But when Zhang Anan informed Li Tai that his father wished to dine with him, the latter immediately sprang up, full of excitement. In his mind, Li Shimin must have realized he had wronged him yesterday and wanted to make amends. Thus, he promptly summoned the maids to help him wash and change his clothes.

Li Tai’s optimism was not without reason. Though Li Shimin had more than a dozen children, not all of them could see their father regularly. Li Tai was an exception, often summoned by Li Shimin and having shared many meals with him before. Having just been wrongly beaten the day before and now invited to dine, Li Tai could not imagine any other motive.

Ordinarily, Li Tai should have first entertained Zhang Anan, perhaps probing the real reason for Li Shimin’s invitation. Unfortunately, he was so engrossed in his own fantasies that he never considered there might be another cause. At that moment, Li Tai entirely ignored Zhang Anan’s presence, focusing solely on having the maids attend to his grooming, not even offering Zhang Anan a cup of tea.

Though Zhang Anan was displeased by Li Tai’s behavior, he simply closed his eyes, decisively abandoning any intention to remind Li Tai. Unaware that he had just missed something crucial, Li Tai finished his preparations and called Zhang Anan to accompany him to the Hall of Governance.

When Li Tai arrived, Li Zhi had already stopped crying and was practicing calligraphy under Li Shimin’s guidance. Li Tai entered, and Li Shimin glanced at him, speaking indifferently: “Now that Qingque has arrived, let us have the meal served.”

Even then, Li Tai failed to notice anything amiss in Li Shimin’s demeanor.

He first paid his respects to Li Shimin and Empress Changsun according to protocol, then deliberately approached Li Zhi to inspect his calligraphy. Li Zhi, seeing him come near, stood properly and addressed him as “Fourth Brother,” but did not sit down again. Li Tai called Li Zhi “Ninth Brother” absentmindedly, his gaze falling on the sheet of calligraphy.

With only a cursory glance, Li Tai could not help but purse his lips and say, “Ninth Brother’s writing is not ugly, but it is only average. You must practice more in this, lest you neglect our royal tradition.”

Had these words been directed at any older prince, Li Shimin would surely have voiced approval. But today, Li Tai chose the wrong target, speaking thus to Li Zhi, who was only two years old and had only just begun to learn characters.

This, of course, infuriated Li Shimin, who was already inclined to discipline Li Tai. Before Li Zhi could reply, Li Shimin snorted coldly and said, “It is easy for you to say, Qingque. Do you recall at what age you learned to read, and how long it took you to achieve your current level in calligraphy?”

Li Tai, startled by Li Shimin’s cold snort and rebuke, finally snapped out of his earlier pride. He glanced at Li Shimin’s stern face and hurriedly answered, “Father, I learned to read at four, and practiced calligraphy for nearly a year before it became passable.”

He quickly added, “Please forgive me, Father. I was wrong.”

Only now did it occur to him that Li Zhi was merely two years old—a feat already far superior to his own. This thought made him look at Li Zhi again, feeling a newfound caution toward his “Ninth Brother.”

Li Shimin, hearing Li Tai’s answer, snorted lightly and continued, “I hear you recently had the Ministry of Household Affairs craft some special furniture?”

Li Tai was taken aback. How had such a trivial matter reached his father’s ears? He had no time to think and quickly replied, “Yes, Father, that is true.”

Li Shimin pressed further, “Did your mother not have some made for you just a month ago?”

Li Tai answered hastily, “She did, but recently I’ve grown, and some things are no longer comfortable, so I ordered new ones in advance.”

These words were nothing but hastily concocted excuses, and he forgot that his own mother managed all palace expenses. Hearing his explanation, Empress Changsun immediately rebuked him: “Qingque, do not speak nonsense! Everything in your mansion is prepared with care by your mother. Are you implying I neglect your growth?”

Her reprimand sent a cold sweat down Li Tai’s back, reminding him that his mother was right there, and his answer amounted to a direct accusation. He dropped to his knees before Empress Changsun and stammered, “Mother, you misunderstand. I’ve simply put on weight recently, so I ordered new items in advance to avoid future trouble.”

Before Empress Changsun could reply, Li Shimin interjected, “I hear you demanded these items urgently. Are you sure you were preparing for the future?”

Li Tai immediately responded, “They’re not urgently needed, Father. I still have some spares.”

Li Shimin, hearing this, flicked his sleeve and snorted, “Your steward did not say so to the Ministry of Household Affairs. He demanded they be completed within five days!”

This made Li Tai’s heart tighten. He was well aware of his steward’s actions. Though somewhat overbearing, such behavior also established his own authority. He had thought such trivial matters would escape his father’s notice, but now they had been exposed.

He feigned indignation and said, “I was unaware, Father. That servant acted on his own. I’ll punish him severely when I return.”

Li Shimin understood the truth but did not expose him. He picked up Li Zhi and sat at his own table, signaling Empress Changsun and Li Tai to take their seats.

Once everyone was settled, Li Shimin addressed Zhang Anan, who stood nearby: “Since Qingque’s items are not urgent, go and inform the Ministry of Household Affairs tomorrow morning to finish the gifts sent by Zhinu first.”