si-mexico Chapter 932 Chang Ningxue's Thoughts
Chapter 932 Chang Ningxue's Thoughts
Deep within the palace, the sleeping quarters were brightly lit.
Li Che opened his arms and allowed the eunuchs to help him change into the black dragon robe with twelve symbols, which he only wore on the most important occasions. The robe was cinched at the waist with a jade belt and the crown tassels hung down to his shoulders.
According to the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory, black belongs to water, which coincides with the saying that Daqing is a water-virtue.
Once you put on the outfit, you immediately look dignified and imposing, exuding an aura of authority.
Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the hall.
Li Che gave Qiu Bai a wink, and the latter immediately went outside and gently pushed the door open.
Outside the door, three small figures rubbed their sleepy eyes and staggered in.
Approaching Li Che, they respectfully bowed with their hands clasped, and in unison, in childish voices, said:
"My son, I would like to send my regards to my father."
These were Li Che's three children—Li Cheng, Li Hao, and the youngest princess, Li Yue.
Li Che's stern expression instantly melted away, revealing a kind and gentle smile that belied his age.
He waved the eunuchs away, bent down and said gently, "Didn't I say before that you are all still young and growing? You don't need to come to pay your respects every day."
"As long as I keep Father Emperor in my heart, that's enough."
From Li Che's modern perspective, paying respects to his wife every morning is a distorted form of filial piety.
After all, I get up early every day, before dawn, and paying respects to others is something that follows my schedule.
These children are young and should be sleeping more. Having to get up before dawn is extremely harmful to their health.
No wonder royal children in ancient times often died young or had short lifespans.
How can someone with such a physically demanding lifestyle have good health?
The oldest member, Li Cheng, straightened his small frame as much as possible and replied in a serious tone:
"Your Majesty, Mother specifically instructed me that today is the day of the palace examination, a momentous day for Your Majesty and the nation. To show respect, I must come to pay my respects to Your Majesty."
He spoke clearly and repeated Chang Ningxue's words without missing a single detail.
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible glint flashed in the depths of Li Che's eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
Her smile remained unchanged as she looked at the other two little ones who were clearly still half asleep: "Oh? So, you two think the same way?"
Little Fatty Li Hao slumped his head, his eyelids almost glued together.
Hearing this, she pouted and mumbled a complaint, "Mother didn't let me come... it was my eldest brother who insisted on dragging me along."
"We're brothers, we should share joys and sorrows, he can't be the only one getting up early..."
His tone was full of grievance.
Seeing his youngest son's appearance, Li Che immediately understood and looked at Li Cheng with a sense of relief.
Chang Ningxue's words to Li Cheng were clearly intended to cultivate Li Cheng's sense of being the crown prince, making him hold himself to the standards of the future crown prince.
At the same time, it was also a way of telling himself that Li Cheng was the eldest son.
Li Che understood this little scheme, but he didn't think it was too much.
It is only natural for a mother to think about her children's long-term future.
Chang Ningxue came from a military family and was not a commoner woman, so she was naturally knowledgeable about these things.
The mother of the youngest son and daughter, Yelü Xian, was different. Although she also came from the Khitan royal family, she was not of the same ethnicity and had no such worries...
What made him even more gratified was that Li Cheng had thought of bringing his younger brother and sister along as well.
He neither monopolized the reputation for diligence nor failed to demonstrate the responsibility of an elder brother. This unassuming and modest nature truly made him resemble an older brother.
"I see." Li Che nodded, and at this moment the eunuch had already tidied his clothes.
He walked slowly towards the three children, gently patted each of their little heads, and asked in a soft voice, "Do you know what important matter your father is going to do today?"
Li Cheng replied, "It is the imperial examination."
Li Che nodded: "What is the imperial examination?"
The three little ones looked up in confusion and shook their heads in unison.
Li Che squatted down to be at eye level with the children and patiently explained, "The imperial examination is for selecting pillars of the nation."
"Those who have come to take the exam today are all outstanding talents selected from among the scholars of the land. They have studied diligently for years, all for the sake of serving the country. In the future, they will all become pillars of the court, assisting the Emperor in governing this vast land."
"Your ability to value these talents and understand that today is extraordinary makes your father very gratified."
As the chubby boy Li Hao listened, he suddenly opened his still sleepy eyes wide, revealing a hint of fear: "Then... then in the future, will I also have to get up this early like them to take the imperial examinations?"
For him, being forced to get up early today was painful enough; if it happened every day from now on, it would be a nightmare.
Looking at his youngest son's timid expression, Li Che was both amused and annoyed. He deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Take the exam! Why won't you take it? Not only will you take it, but you'll take it well!"
The chubby boy immediately showed a look of horror.
Li Che ignored him and continued, "Only by personally experiencing the hardships of studying will you be able to understand the difficulties of your ministers when you are enfeoffed as kings in the future, and you will know how to value their advice."
In his plan, the princes would definitely have to participate in the imperial examinations in the future.
It's not really about getting promoted through this; the important thing is the experience of the process.
If one can achieve a good score in the exam, it will naturally prove their talent and learning.
Even if they fail the exam, having experienced the brutal competition of crossing a single-plank bridge, they will have more respect for those officials who have risen through the ranks based on their true talents when they are in high positions in the future, and will not become arrogant and conceited.
An emperor with mediocre abilities but who knows how to listen is far less dangerous than an arrogant and ambitious emperor.
Being a ruler who maintains the status quo is not a compliment; for an emperor, it is a very high compliment.
"Alright, you little ones, go back to sleep now."
Li Che smiled and hugged each of the three children, his gaze falling on the two small, well-dressed, and respectful figures behind them.
It was Gouwa and Qin Qiong who entered the palace to serve as companions to the princes.
Seeing that they got along well with their children, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Li Che's eyes.
She kept her promise, and her two children lived up to her expectations.
If I can study hard or practice martial arts in the future, pass the imperial examinations, or become a general, then I will have lived up to Qin Jing's expectations.
After composing himself, Li Che turned and, accompanied by his personal guards, walked towards the Xuanzheng Hall.
The future of the empire awaits his witness.
Meanwhile, in the square outside Xuanzheng Hall.
Six hundred wooden desks were neatly arranged, each with a set of the same four treasures of the study, all of which were top-quality imperial items.
The newly appointed scholars had already stood beside their desks according to their rankings, each holding their breath in concentration.
Suddenly, the long, drawn-out greeting of the eunuch Huai En shattered the tranquility of the palace like a sharp sword:
"His Majesty has arrived!"