Frame

Empress Zhangsun watched from the side, unable to suppress a smile as she saw young Li Zhi earnestly declaring to Li Tai that he would surpass him. Yet Li Tai, standing across from Li Zhi, seemed to have been truly provoked.

He could not help but flick his sleeves in anger and said, “Since my ninth brother is so confident, your fourth brother shall wait to see you surpass me. Just don’t make your fourth brother wait too long.” His gesture, paired with his tone, made it clear he was quite upset.

Empress Zhangsun had only intended to watch her sons bicker playfully, but now Li Tai had taken things too much to heart. She quickly interjected, “Enough, Qingque. Zhinu is still so young. As his elder brother, how can you take things so seriously with him?”

Excited as he was, Li Tai drew a deep breath at her words. He first cast a resentful glare at Li Zhi, then turned to Empress Zhangsun and said, “Mother, your guidance is just. But since my ninth brother has such aspirations, I will strive alongside him.”

He glanced at Li Zhi again, then continued, “I shall return to my residence and study diligently, lest I become a laughingstock should my ninth brother surpass me in the future.”

Seeing that Li Tai spoke in earnest, Empress Zhangsun did not stop him. Still, she could not help but remind him, “It is good to study diligently, but you must not take things too seriously with Zhinu.”

Li Tai bowed and replied, “I will remember your teachings, Mother. I take my leave.” With that, he could not help but cast another look at Li Zhi before turning to go.

At that moment, Li Zhi suddenly said, “Fourth brother, take care. Allow me to see you off.”

Empress Zhangsun, pleased by Li Zhi’s thoughtfulness, nodded and smiled. “Since you are so considerate, Zhinu, go in my stead and see your fourth brother out.”

Although Li Tai was reluctant, with Empress Zhangsun’s instructions, he had no choice but to walk out together with Li Zhi. However, though Li Zhi behaved properly, Li Tai had no intention of conversing further.

No sooner had they crossed the threshold of the Hall of Proper Governance than Li Tai suddenly quickened his pace, not caring whether Li Zhi could keep up behind him. Li Zhi’s early literacy already made Li Tai feel threatened; now, having been openly challenged by Li Zhi before their mother, he felt even more ill at ease.

Thus, as soon as he was out of Empress Zhangsun’s sight, Li Tai decided to play a trick on Li Zhi.

Though Li Tai was quite overweight, he was still several years older and much taller than Li Zhi. So as he strode swiftly ahead, Li Zhi struggled to keep up, forced to jog on his little legs. His personal attendant, Liu An, grew anxious, bending down protectively as he warned, “Your Highness, slow down, be careful not to fall.”

But Li Zhi paid no heed. He was locked in a contest with Li Tai, thinking to himself: Fatty, trying to ditch me? No way. I’ll treat this as exercise and see if you, tubby, can keep up this pace without tiring.

Li Tai, for his part, was not feeling great. His weight was against him, and he was used to riding in a sedan chair—a privilege granted by his father, Emperor Taizong, out of pity for his size. At this time in Tang, whether civil or military officials, everyone rode horses when they went out; only concubines, the sick, or children like Li Zhi traveled by sedan chair. Li Tai’s sole exception was a result of his father’s indulgence.

Hearing the hurried footsteps and Liu An’s anxious reminders behind him, Li Tai felt a surge of satisfaction. He swung his arms and strode on, a sly smile of triumph on his face, not even noticing his own fatigue.

But as the saying goes: “Great joy brings sorrow.” It was only fitting that misfortune should befall him.

By custom, Li Tai should have stopped at the gate of the Hall of Proper Governance to bid Li Zhi farewell. Whether sincere or not, this was the moment to urge his brother not to see him off any further, and Li Zhi would politely insist on going a few more steps. Thus, the brothers would perform a scene of brotherly affection at the door, and the matter would be done.

But Li Tai was so caught up in the pleasure of his little trick, he forgot all about this. Passing the gate, he turned straight onto the path leading out of the palace. He didn’t really mean for Li Zhi to see him all the way out; he simply wanted to push Li Zhi into giving up first, so he could mock him.

Yet at the very moment Li Tai turned, Li Zhi, following behind, spotted their father, Emperor Taizong, approaching from another direction at the corner ahead.

In that instant, Li Zhi suddenly quickened his pace and deliberately ran his face into Li Tai’s swinging right hand.

A crisp slap rang out, followed by Li Zhi’s cry of pain. For a moment, the world seemed to freeze.

Li Tai stared in disbelief at his own right hand. Li Zhi clutched his cheek with both hands. Behind him, Liu An bent like a mother hen guarding her chick.

In the distance, Emperor Taizong’s just-emerging smile froze on his face. His attendant eunuch, Zhang Anan, stood open-mouthed with shock.

At this moment, only Liu An knew the full story. Everyone else had clearly seen Li Tai turn and strike Li Zhi with his hand.

Emperor Taizong’s shock lasted but a second before his expression turned from a smile to furious rage, his tall, imposing figure rushing forward like a speeding carriage. Under the frightened gaze of all present, he gave Li Tai a resounding slap across the face.

Li Tai’s plump body rolled two or three meters like a ball before coming to a stop. Before he could even cry out in pain, Emperor Taizong’s furious roar rang out: “Wretched child, what have you just done?”

At that moment, Li Tai wished he could die. He knew exactly what had happened, but it had not been intentional. As he opened his mouth to explain, Li Zhi suddenly burst into tears and cried, “Fourth brother, I was only trying to see you off—why did you treat me so?”