The court broke up early, and Li Shimin left Li Chengqian behind.
When there was no one in the court, Li Shimin asked: "I heard that the emperor is very close to a girl named Bai Rou. Is this possible?"
Li Chengqian was a little panicked when he heard this, and he hesitated and didn't know how to answer.
"No need to be nervous. Just say whatever you think. I'm just curious."
Seeing that there was no blame or doubt in his father's eyes, Li Chengqian nodded hesitantly.
"What does that white girl look like?"
Li Chengqian hesitated again, thought for a moment, and said with a red face: "As graceful as a startled dragon, like a fairy coming to earth, it does not belong to the human world."
Li Shimin smiled and nodded with satisfaction: "It seems that my prince has finally met the person he likes."
"No, no...Father, the emperor has never thought of..."
Li Shimin waved his hand and interrupted: "Age does not matter. As long as the emperor really likes you, I will make the decision for you."
Obviously, Li Shimin did not understand the original intention of Huang Er's objection.
What else did Li Chengqian want to say? Someone outside sent word that Bai Song asked to see him.
When Li Shimin heard this, he happened to want to tell him about his sister, so he stopped talking to Li Chengqian and went to the back hall to summon Bai Song.
Li Chengqian stayed there in a daze, thinking to himself that his father would not really want to make the decision for him, right?
How will I face Bai Rou at that time? How will I face the teacher?
But my father has disappeared, how should I explain it?
…
Bai Song thought about it all night and decided to send his sister Bai Rou out of Chang'an to keep her away in a reasonable way.
In this way, regardless of whether there is an imperial edict in the future, my sister will not be subject to restrictions.
No one can threaten to force you.
Moreover, Bai Rou has longed for the outside world. She has always wanted to see every place in the world.
This primitive impulse came from the occasional stories I heard from my brother.
When they arrived at the palace, Bai Song just wanted to ask for an imperial edict.
Bai Song had been waiting in the back hall for a long time, and Li Shimin finally came.
Bai Song stood up and wanted to salute, but Li Shimin raised his hand to stop him: "There is no need to salute. You came just in time. I have something to discuss with you."
Before Bai Song could open his mouth, Li Shimin asked: "I heard that you have a sister named Bai Rou?"
When Bai Song heard this, his heart skipped a beat, and he nodded slowly: "Yes."
"How old are you?"
"Twenty to two."
"Never married?"
"Never."
"It just so happens that there is one less princess in the East Palace. I think your sister Bai Rou is the most suitable one."
"This..." Bai Song was speechless and froze on the spot. He didn't expect the emperor to be so direct.
Li Shimin looked at Bai Song's stunned look and thought he was too surprised. He said with a smile: "No need to thank me. Sooner or later you will be a pillar of the Tang Dynasty. It will deepen the connection between you and the East Palace. I am willing to see it."
Things that have arrived.”
"But I don't think so."
Li Shimin was stunned and frowned: "What do you mean?"
"Prince Bai Rou is not suitable." Bai Song said calmly.
The palace maids and eunuchs who were left behind were trembling with fear, wondering who was this?
How dare you reject the emperor's kindness in person?
And how can you refute what the emperor means?
The Emperor is rarely questioned by others, and any serious question cast on the Emperor will be very dazzling.
Li Shimin's tone immediately became heavier: "Do you know how many people in the world are eyeing the position of the Crown Princess? Do you know how much trust I have in giving this position to you, the Bai family?"
"I thank the Emperor for your kindness, but this matter is really inappropriate. Bai Rou has a more important mission than becoming the Crown Princess."
"What do you mean?"
"I have promised the emperor that Japan will be completely reduced to a subsidiary of the Tang Dynasty within three years without resorting to war. And Bai Rou is one of the important members I used to conquer Japan."
"What's so special about Bai Rou?"
"Bai Rou has been with me since she was a child. What we know and learn are almost the same, but because of being a daughter, we have never had the opportunity to express ourselves. Now I have big things to do, and one person cannot take care of them all. There are only a few people around me.
Bai Rou can share the burden with me, and I am going to send Bai Rou to Japan to establish commercial channels belonging to the Tang Dynasty in Japan. It will become a key fulcrum for the Tang Dynasty's business to invade Japan. Is such an important role not as good as a crown princess? "
"Are you ready to send people to Japan?" Li Shimin was a little surprised when he heard Bai Song's decision.
"Yes, for me, it is not difficult to fulfill the agreement with the emperor. What is difficult is that in order to maintain this kind of cultural dominance for a long time, someone must be in Japan to support it, and this role must be Bai Rou.
Only Bai Rou can be trusted by me. Only Bai Rou can do this wholeheartedly. Although Bai Rou is a woman, her importance to the Tang Dynasty will definitely exceed that of any man. The Crown Princess can be any woman, and Yuan
Bai Rou is the only person who went to Japan to become the hub of the Tang Dynasty. Please think again, Your Majesty."
"..." Li Shimin fell into deep thought. He really didn't expect that this woman named Bai Rou already had her own mission.
Bai Song was very nervous. He made the decision on the spur of the moment. If Bai Rou must marry Li Chengqian, it would only be after Li Chengqian ascends the throne and becomes the emperor.
Nothing can be risked now, even if it means sending my sister to Japan.
"Your Majesty, you said you would cooperate unconditionally in this matter."
Li Shimin finally nodded. This was not only because he thought of his promise, but also because he felt that what Bai Song had done was a more important and great thing.
"That's all. Now that you've made your decision, you can worry about your sister's affairs yourself."
"But you said you were going to Japan, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"That's why I came here today. Our products from the Tang Dynasty cannot open trade routes in Japan. This means that the items from the Tang Dynasty have not been recognized by Japan. This is a problem that must be solved. The trip to Japan is
Sooner or later. Now that the interest in foreign goods in Chang'an City has declined, it is time to expand the influence of the Tang Dynasty outwards."
In the back hall, Bai Song briefly talked about his plan to go to Japan.
At this time, Li Chengqian came out of the palace and did not return to the East Palace. Instead, he went to Beiding Palace to find Bai Rou.
Li Chengqian came to admit his mistake, and told him that his father might have decreed the marriage.
Bai Rou was frightened when she heard this. She stared at Li Chengqian and wanted to slap him. Then she panicked and said that she would flee Chang'an City before the imperial edict was delivered.
Seeing Bai Rou trying to escape from Chang'an, Li Chengqian's young heart was finally stung.
As a prince, the woman he liked ran away from home because he did not want to get married. The prince's self-esteem was seriously hurt.
At this time, Li Chengqian finally summoned up the courage to ask: "Sister Bai, do you hate me so much? I really like my sister, and I will do anything for my sister, even if I resist in front of my father.
Please don’t leave, okay?”
"In my eyes, you are always a junior, a child, like a younger brother...but there is no love between men and women, as I have said many times."
"Then what kind of man does sister like? I...I can change."
Bai Rou hesitated for a moment, frowned and said: "Looks like my brother...no...it's not him who looks like him after all..."