Chapter 350: First Meeting with Princess Changle
On the drawing paper, Li Daoxuan's brush moved freely as he pleased. He even closed his eyes, as if everything on the paper was under his control. In a moment, the dragon was drawn.
A worm-like thing appeared on the drawing paper. It was a little fat, like a wriggling fat-headed worm.
As for the painting skills... there are no skills at all. Even a skilled painter like Li Chunfeng felt bad just by taking a look at it.
"Master Li is indeed a master painter. The level of this painting is probably comparable to the doodles of a three-year-old child."
There was a hint of sarcasm in Li Chunfeng's voice.
Although he was an expert in painting, the portraits of generals he painted were of no effect. Wouldn't it be a laughing stock for Li Daoxuan to have such poor painting skills?
Li Shimin glanced at Li Chunfeng and sighed in his heart.
Li Chunfeng is a rare genius in Louguan Dao. He entered the Yinshen realm when he was less than 30 years old and held a high position. He has always been a little arrogant.
As the Grand Astronomical Observatory's Grand Historian, he was unable to solve the emperor's nightmare problem, and he already felt guilty about it. So he had to seek help from the Taoist priests in Longhu Mountain, which was a sign of incompetence for him.
So when Li Daoxuan first entered the hall, his eyes were filled with scrutiny.
"Master Li, if you have no other options, please tell me frankly. Why bother talking so much? You must know that this is Ganlu Palace. How can you be so presumptuous in front of the Emperor?"
Li Chunfeng warned him that Li Daoxuan was relying on his profound Taoist skills and strong background to despise the emperor and deliberately tease him.
Li Shimin coughed and said, "Don't worry, my dear minister. I believe that Taichong must have a purpose for painting this... dragon."
Li Shimin was an emperor with high artistic accomplishment. He was both civil and military, and he especially loved calligraphy. It is said that he treasured Wang Xizhi's "Lanting Preface".
But at this moment he had to go against his conscience and say something for Li Daoxuan.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Li Daoxuan put down his brush, blew the ink dry, and said with a smile: "In fact, whether you can exorcise demons and monsters depends not on your painting skills, but on your Taoism."
Li Chunfeng said calmly: "Master Li, what you mean is that my Taoism is commonplace?"
"Haha, how dare I, it's just that everyone has their own expertise."
Li Daoxuan handed the painting to Li Shimin and said, "Your Majesty, you can hang this painting on the head of your bed before going to sleep at night. It may have a miraculous effect."
Li Shimin was skeptical, but still accepted it.
"By the way, Taichong, how is the investigation into the missing eye case going?"
He was worried that Li Chunfeng would continue to be obsessed with the painting, so he changed the subject.
I thought that Li Daoxuan, who had just arrived, would not be able to find clues so quickly. After all, the case had been delayed for several months and there had been no progress.
Unexpectedly, Li Daoxuan smiled and said, "Your Majesty, there are indeed some clues in this case. I believe that the murderer will be found soon."
Li Shimin's eyes suddenly lit up.
Li Chunfeng was skeptical. He now felt more and more that Li Daoxuan had little ability but was extremely arrogant.
…
Leave the Ganlu Temple.
Li Chunfeng was walking with Li Daoxuan. He walked with his head held high, kept a distance from Li Daoxuan, and did not speak.
Li Daoxuan looked at him.
Li Chunfeng had a handsome face and a slender figure. He looked handsome and flawless in his Taoist robe. In terms of appearance, he was already somewhat of a threat to Li Daoxuan.
The biggest characteristic of this person is cleanliness.
From head to toe, there was not even a wrinkle on the Taoist robe, not to mention a speck of dust.
He wore a Taoist hat and his hair was neatly combed. With Li Daoxuan's eyesight, he couldn't even find a single stray hair.
This is a person who is both a Taoist and a Confucian scholar.
Compared with him, Li Daoxuan was much more casual. He pursued comfort when dressing, such as wearing a long robe with wide sleeves. His long hair was just tied up casually. When the breeze blew, a few strands of hair would float in the wind from time to time.
Li Chunfeng turned his eyes away and stopped looking at the other person's sloppy attire to avoid being annoyed.
"Brother Huang Guanzi, do you have any objection to me?"
Li Daoxuan spoke first and asked, Huang Guanzi was Li Chunfeng's Taoist name.
Li Chunfeng said calmly: "I dare not. You are the real master of Longhu Mountain. I am just a small sect. How dare I--"
Before he could finish his words, his body suddenly shook, because Li Daoxuan actually put his arm around his shoulders, acting very familiar.
"Haha, you are joking, Brother Daoist. The founder of Louguan Dao is Yin Xi, Laozi's first disciple, and the founder of Longhu Mountain is also Laozi's disciple. So we are of the same blood!"
Li Chunfeng frowned, feeling that he was unclean and got goose bumps all over his body.
He had a habit since he was young that he could not tolerate any dirt or mess. At this moment, when Li Daoxuan put his arm around his shoulders, he felt like he was sitting on pins and needles.
"Real man, we are not familiar with each other."
Li Chunfeng tried hard to keep his distance, but he found that no matter how he dodged, he could not avoid Li Daoxuan's hand.
Even if he travels through the Three Talents or steps into the Qimen, Li Daoxuan can follow him like a shadow.
After a moment.
Li Chunfeng's eyes were full of helplessness. He straightened his clothes, wiped the places touched by Li Daoxuan, and sighed, "The Taoist master's Taoism is profound, I am not as good as him."
Li Daoxuan said quickly: "Look at what you said, I didn't do anything to you, I just wanted to try your sect's method."
After a pause, he said, "Of course, I actually have one more thing I want to ask you, Brother Dao."
"What is it?"
Li Daoxuan's eyes moved, and he said, "Brother Dao, please pay attention to the palace. If you hear a dragon roar tonight, rush into His Majesty's bedroom immediately and don't let anyone go."
Li Chunfeng frowned. Could it be that the thing the other party drew was really magical?
Just then, a small figure came running from a distance, followed by two palace maids.
"Your Highness, slow down!"
"Your Highness, watch your step!"
The one who came running was a little girl in a white Liuxian dress, her long hair fluttering in the wind, dotted with pearls and butterfly-like jade ornaments. Her jet-black hair fluttered in the wind. She held up the hem of her skirt with one hand and a large food box with the other.
Li Chunfeng was startled and said quickly: "This is His Majesty's favorite Princess Changle. Let's get out of the way and don't bump into the princess."
The two men stepped aside and bowed.
But who knew that the snow-white skirt stopped in front of them. Changle panted and said happily: "Finally... finally caught up!"
Her voice was as clear as the first cry of an oriole or the ringing of wind chimes.
Li Chunfeng stepped forward and asked, "What does Your Highness want to see me for?"
He lowered his head, observing etiquette and not looking directly at the princess' face, but Li Daoxuan did not have so many rules. After paying his respects, he straightened his back and looked curiously at Li Shimin's most beloved princess.
It has to be said that having inherited the genes of Li Shimin and Empress Changsun, Princess Changle is very outstanding in appearance, with clear eyes, skin whiter than snow, and a delicate porcelain doll.
The history books recorded: "Princess Changle was gifted with wisdom and intelligence from the emperor, and was taught by the emperor."
It is said that when she was born, there were colorful clouds in the sky. As soon as she was born, her skin was as white as jade and she was very cute. Li Shimin was very happy and named her Lizhi, which means natural beauty.
Later, Li Shimin became more and more fond of her. When she was only eight years old, he named her Princess Changle and made her famous in Chang'an.
In history, Li Shimin personally selected a husband for Princess Changle. After careful selection, he married her to the son of the powerful minister Zhangsun Wuji. In the 17th year of Zhenguan, Princess Changle died of illness. Li Shimin was extremely sad. Despite the opposition of his ministers, he made an exception and buried her near Zhaoling.
Li Daoxuan nodded. Seeing the princess for the first time actually satisfied his curiosity.
He has a noble temperament at such a young age. It seems that the emperor's education is indeed extraordinary.
Princess Changle returned the greeting to Li Chunfeng and said, "I...I want to ask for a peace amulet for my mother."
Li Chunfeng showed a hint of understanding in his eyes. Empress Changsun was already ten months pregnant, and the princess's action was pure filial piety.
He reached into his sleeve and prepared to take out a amulet.
However, Princess Changle took a deep breath, walked to Li Daoxuan, raised her little face, and summoned up her courage to say, "Li, Master Li, can you give me a peace amulet?"
Li Chunfeng's expression froze and he stood there in a daze.
