Chapter 63:
Despite Su Li’s background as a peasant, his impressive skills in calligraphy and medicine, even surpassing Zhu Suiliang, and Yuan Tiangang’s servant’s divination, combined with Princess Changle’s recovery, raised questions and doubts.
Even though Li Er had planned for his daughter’s well-being, Changle’s guarded demeanor displeased him.
“It’s alright!” Su Li shook his head, signaling that everything was fine.
“Rest assured, I’ll handle it!” Su Li stood up and walked towards the exit.
“I’m just concerned about his background. He’s your husband, and if I don’t clarify things, how can I entrust you to him with peace of mind?”
“Can I really trust him?”
After Su Li left, Li Er looked at Princess Changle with a displeased expression, clearly displaying his dissatisfaction.
“Father Emperor~~” Princess Changle realized she had misunderstood her father and shyly hid behind Zhangsun Wu Fei with an embarrassed expression.
Outside the inner courtyard, beneath the artificial hill, Su Li stopped.
“I’ve met His Majesty!” Su Li bowed respectfully.“Don’t be formal. I’m looking for you to ask some questions.”
Li Er walked back and forth a few times before continuing, “I’ve investigated your background, and you should know.”
Su Li nodded, acknowledging that his elder brother Su Dingfang had verified this.
Although the marriage to Changle was celebratory, his humble origins raised suspicions. Li Er couldn’t easily entrust his daughter’s happiness to someone of uncertain background.
“Born into the Su family, lost along the way, adopted by your current parents, becoming a peasant. Your current parents also passed away six years ago, and you had limited means. You never attended formal education, yet you excel in medicine and calligraphy. How did you learn these skills? Your family was impoverished, and you lacked formal education!”
Here it is, finally!
Su Li knew he couldn’t avoid this inquiry. It was only natural for anyone to question such a sudden transformation. He had been ordinary in his past, so how could he suddenly possess exceptional skills after marrying a princess?
At the moment, Li Er only doubted Su Li’s background and hadn’t gone so far as to pry into his belongings.
Su Li didn’t have much to showcase yet. Nothing was worth Li Er’s intervention or forcing Su Li to reveal his abilities.
During the meal, Su Li had already communicated with Princess Changle, and they had agreed not to bring up the matter of Bodhi Fruit.
As time passed, he accumulated more points, and his purchases from the system increased. What he had displayed was intriguing enough to captivate even a ruler.
Leaving aside the Bodhi Fruit’s miraculous revival properties. In Su Li’s inventory were also techniques for steel-making and salt production. Fortunately, Su Li had the means to protect his possessions, so he didn’t have to worry about Li Er seizing anything.
“Have you ever heard of Bai Yujing, Your Majesty?” Su Li asked.
In the future, Su Li would display more extraordinary aspects of the system, so merely explaining the current calligraphy and medical skills would not be enough. Preparations need to be made for what lies ahead!
“Of course I have,” Li Er nodded.
Since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, seeking immortality and asking questions had become a cultural trend, sometimes even widely acknowledged academic pursuits in mainstream society.
During the Wei and Jin Dynasties, seeking immortality using medicine and alchemy became popular. Even during the Tang Dynasty, there were numerous rumors about immortals, but with varying accounts and opinions. Bai Yujing was one of the many legends of immortal beings that circulated. The legend said that celestial immortals resided in Bai Yujing. Li Er was familiar with this rumor.
“In the heavens, there’s Bai Yujing, with twelve floors and five cities. The Immortal caresses my top, and the hair is tied for longevity. Mistakenly chasing worldly joy, quite poor reasoning, and chaos. Ninety-six holy kings and floating clouds hang empty names,” Su Li said slowly.
This was from the poem “Journey to the Jiangxi Region, Remembering the Old Travels, Written and Presented to Magistrate Wei of Jiangxia” by the famous poet Li Bai. Just from the title of the poem, it was clear that although the first four lines mention Bai Yujing, it was not directly related to it.
The poem mainly expressed Li Bai’s frustration after leaving Changan and witnessing the turmoil in the world. The poem was lengthy and involved the story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and the specifics of Li Bai’s interactions with his friend.
Therefore, copying the entire poem as-was might come across as rather forced. The impact of doing so wouldn’t be any less than quoting “Will enter the tavern, glass in hand, but will not stop to pour” from Li Bai’s “Taking Leave of Du Fu.”
When copying a poem, it was important to consider whether the content aligns with one’s personal experiences. However, Su Li only copied a portion and made some modifications.
The poem’s first half roughly conveyed that Lao Tzu, originally a celestial being, decided to temporarily descend to the mortal realm for leisure.
Throughout history, how many rulers had existed, their names now merely suspended in the clouds, sealed off by heaven and earth, while the world remained in constant turmoil and conflict?
He studied the cunning of the Hegemon King Xiang Yu, practiced swordsmanship, and delved into literature. Regrettably, he had never been entrusted with significant responsibilities. In short, it was a piece that strongly resonated with Li Bai’s style – wild and proud.
The latter part touched on Li Bai’s life and encounters with friends, which had no meaning for Su Li. However, the first half could be adapted with some modifications.
Su Li probably changed his mind. It was more or less like, he descended from the heavens, and the immortals granted him eternal life. It was just that he suddenly descended to the mortal realm…
Because of Princess Changle, memories of his past resurfaced. The immortals once taught me Xiang Yu’s martial prowess and various divine skills…
He still wanted to return and see, but unfortunately, he could no longer find a way out in the mortal realm.
Li Er’s expression grew serious upon hearing this!
The poem was indeed excellent, upon reciting it, an aura of immortality engulfed him!
This poem was crafted by the immortal poet Li Bai after all. Although Su Li only shared a small portion and had to embellish it due to his experiences, it still retained the essence.
But what defined the immortal poet Li Bai?
Even from the remnants, you could sense the radiant literary style!
Thinking back to the half-fragment of a poem Su Li wrote before…
Upon careful consideration, could this have been Su Li’s creation in Bai Yujing before, but he only remembered two lines?
Compared to the two lines from the Song lyrics, Su Li’s poem undoubtedly captured the current rhythms and mainstream aesthetics. After all, Li Bai lived during the Tang Dynasty.
Li Er’s ability to appreciate was not low. He could discern the ethereal quality of this poem. It was a top-notch work even in the entire Tang Dynasty.
However, it was unlikely that Li Er would blindly trust Su Li based solely on empty words. Li Er still harbored many doubts.
“If what you’re saying is true… you received teachings from the immortal of Bai Yujing but only remembered it after marrying Changle?” Li Er inquired with a furrowed brow.
“That’s correct!” Su Li nodded.
“Then tell me… what did Bai Yujing look like?” Li Er asked.
If Su Li was deceiving him, her account would inevitably contain inconsistencies. After all, describing a complete and vast immortal realm was not an easy task.
Even in today’s Taoism and Buddhism, many records were contradictory. But the challenge was that Su Li was a time traveler.
Whether to share this information or not, most of the cultivation novels from his previous life were mostly light novels.
However, over the past decade, as more novels on cultivating immortals emerged, the fairy world’s settings became more refined. Ignoring the content, just looking at the setting revealed it to be sufficiently intricate and grand.
Su Li had not eaten much, but her experiences were vast. Compared to ancient people, the advantage of modern individuals was the disparity in knowledge intake.
Su Li began enthusiastically weaving a story, and Li Er listened intently. His expression shifted from doubt to amazement. He gradually became absorbed in the narrative.