Now I really have to marry the princess.

Chapter 43 That bad guy must be exhausted.

In front of the Wude Hall, the sun gradually climbed to its zenith.

Besides his arms aching and trembling, Yang Zhengdao's stomach was also growling loudly with hunger.

At the end of last year, Li Er established a welfare system that provided officials working in the imperial city and palace with a lunch called "corridor meal".

Practicing martial arts in the Wude Hall is considered a job, and according to custom, one should also be provided with meals.

Thinking of this, Yang Zhengdao put down his bow and rested for a while. He then bowed to Jiang Cheng and another captain.

"Gentlemen, it is already noon. Why don't you go and have lunch in the corridor?"

Jiang Cheng and the other captain exchanged glances. Finally, Jiang Cheng smiled and explained, "Young Master Yang, the banquet in the corridor today is being held at the Imperial Horse Garden. I'm afraid Duke Cao has already taken the rest of you there."

What?!

Yang Zhengdao was stunned. Had Xu Shiji forgotten about him and Changsun Chong?

This is clearly intentional!

Just then, Changsun Chong finally put down his bow, cupped his hands and said, "My two captains, I need to go to the Lizheng Hall to pay my respects to Her Majesty the Empress at noon. I wonder if you could make an exception for me?"

The other captain immediately agreed: "Young Master Changsun, please come with me."

Yang Zhengdao put down his bow and watched the two leave, filled with doubt.

After the two men had walked a distance, he turned to Jiang Cheng and asked in a low voice, "Captain Jiang, is he just going to leave like that? Aren't you afraid of being reprimanded by Duke Cao?"

Jiang Cheng smiled, took two steps closer, and whispered, "Young Master Yang, you may not know this, but that captain was specifically instructed by the Emperor to secretly look after Young Master Changsun during this martial arts training at the Wude Hall."

Yang Zhengdao was taken aback, but then he understood.

No wonder! Changsun Wuji dared to leave his eldest son in Xu Shiji's hands.

It turns out that Li Er had already made arrangements.

In the Zhenguan court, if Wei Zheng was the representative of the Shandong aristocratic families, then Xu Shiji was the leader of the Shandong heroes.

Xu Shiji would naturally be at odds with Changsun Wuji, the head of the Guanlong aristocratic family.

This is also Li Er's way of maintaining balance as an emperor.

If that captain was looking out for Changsun Chong, then what about Jiang Cheng?

Was Jiang Cheng doing this to protect me?!

Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Yang Zhengdao couldn't believe it. He stared at Jiang Cheng and gave an awkward smile: "So, Captain Jiang, are you here to look after me, or to help me out?"

Jiang Cheng was taken aback for a moment, then he understood the different meanings of the two "cares" that Yang Zhengdao mentioned.

A hint of embarrassment appeared on his face. He gave a dry laugh but did not answer Yang Zhengdao's question.

However, often, not answering is the answer.

I see, that makes sense.

Yang Zhengdao guessed correctly; Li Er sent Jiang Cheng here to supervise his diligent training.

At this moment, Jiang Cheng slowly spoke again: "Young Master Yang, if you have any requests, you may make them."

Yang Zhengdao shook his head with a wry smile.

Why bring that up! He's not like Changsun Chong, who had a good aunt.

Of course, he also had an aunt, Consort Yang, in the palace, but one cannot simply visit a concubine whenever one wishes. It is likely that Li Ke would need to ask permission before he could see Consort Yang.

Perhaps noticing the disappointment on Yang Zhengdao's face, Jiang Cheng hesitated for a moment before reminding him, "Young Master Yang's line, 'I will not return until Loulan is conquered,' is truly well written."

Yang Zhengdao understood Jiang Cheng's implication: Li Er had put him through this test because of this poem.

If he passes the test, will he really be given the opportunity to join the army and make meritorious contributions?

This seems a bit difficult.

Daydreaming and sighing to himself were futile, so Yang Zhengdao had no choice but to pick up his bow again and continue practicing.

……

Taiji Palace, Lizheng Hall.

Empress Zhangsun sat upright on the couch, talking with Princess Changle, Li Lizhi.

At this moment, a palace attendant entered the palace to report that Changsun Chong was outside requesting an audience.

Empress Zhangsun frowned, thinking to herself, "Isn't this child supposed to be practicing martial arts in the Wude Hall? Why is he here at this time?"

Li Lizhi bowed and said calmly, "Mother, I will go to the inner room to avoid this for a while."

Recently, she has had a very strained relationship with her uncle's family because of her marriage.

Empress Zhangsun took Li Lizhi's hand, patted it, and said gently, "After all, he is your cousin."

After saying this, she instructed the eunuch to summon Changsun Chong.

Changsun Chong strode into the hall and saw Li Lizhi there. He was slightly taken aback, then bowed respectfully.

"Chong greets Her Majesty the Empress and Princess Chang Le."

Empress Zhangsun asked with a smile, "Why is Ah Chong here at this hour? Isn't today the first day of martial arts practice at the Wude Hall?"

Changsun Chong's face stiffened slightly, then he smiled and said, "It's not that I miss my aunt. Now that I've entered the palace, it's natural that I have to come and pay my respects to my aunt."

Empress Zhangsun, seeing that it was already noon, ordered some pastries and soup to be served.

Li Lizhi, standing to the side, secretly twitched the corner of her mouth. This cousin of hers had always been like this since childhood; when he spoke sweetly, nothing good was ever going to happen.

At the beginning of the Tang Dynasty, the situation was difficult, and even in the palace, lunch had not yet become a fixed meal.

The three meals a day system in the palace also started with eating in the corridors and gradually became a custom.

Before long, the eunuch brought over several plates of exquisite pastries and warm white fungus soup.

The three of them had lunch together.

After chatting with Empress Zhangsun for a few more minutes, Changsun Chong hurriedly took his leave.

After Changsun Chong left, Li Lizhi winked at Empress Changsun and teased, "Mother, did Cousin Chong come here specifically to dine at Lizheng Hall?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Empress Zhangsun pointed at Li Lizhi.

Then, with a suspicious look on her face, she beckoned to the eunuch Jian beside her: "Is there any news from the Martial Virtue Hall?"

The eunuch Jian stepped forward and recounted what had happened in front of the Wude Hall.

Empress Zhangsun was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this. Ah Zhi had actually guessed correctly; her nephew had indeed come to ask his aunt for a meal.

But Li Lizhi frowned, her voice turning cold: "Eunuch Jian, Changsun Chong disobeyed military orders and used an excuse to come to Lizheng Hall. What about Yang Zhengdao?"

The eunuch Jian's expression turned serious, and he could only vaguely reply, "Perhaps he is still practicing archery in front of the Wude Hall."

Upon hearing this, Li Lizhi felt a surge of anger rising within her.

That shameless guy Mingming fired thirty-nine arrows in a row according to military orders! Why was he still punished?

So what if arrows are falling? That's because you, Xu Shiji, didn't mention it beforehand.

Changsun Chong is even more despicable! He actually left that shameless guy behind, making him suffer alone in front of the Wude Hall.

Li Lizhi grew angrier the more she thought about it, and suddenly stood up, her small face unable to hide her anger.

"Mother, I need to bring him his lunch!"

Before Empress Zhangsun could react, Li Lizhi ordered the eunuchs to prepare a food box.

Empress Zhangsun sighed helplessly: "Azhi, wait a moment."

Li Lizhi stamped her foot in frustration and said coquettishly, "Mother!"

"Now I ask you, what is the reason for your departure?"

Li Lizhi then realized that she had overstepped her bounds. As an unmarried princess, her rashly going to the Wude Hall would surely be criticized by others for being impolite.

After a moment's thought, she smiled slyly and had an idea: "I'd like to inform you, Mother, that it was my cousin Chong who couldn't bear to enjoy the meal alone, so he asked me to deliver it to my cousin Zhengdao."

Empress Zhangsun shook her head with a wry smile. Although both nephews and daughters were equally dear to her, how could a nephew compare to her own daughter?

Finally, she waved her hand and said, "Go ahead, but watch your words."

Li Lizhi was immediately overjoyed and followed the eunuch who was preparing the food box.

That shameless villain must be exhausted and starving. He's worked so hard; we should prepare plenty of food for him.