My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Chapter 3 Brotherly Love

Li Shimin watched Li Chengqian's departing figure, his anger still simmering: "He's rebelled! He's truly rebelled!"

This rebellious son dares to speak to me like that, treating the matter of changing the crown prince as a child's play. How can I entrust the country to him with peace of mind in the future?

"It's all the Empress's fault for spoiling him. This time, I'm going to teach him a lesson!"

At this moment, Wei Zheng straightened his clothes, his expression serious, showing no sign of joking: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This humble subject congratulates the Great Tang Dynasty and Your Majesty!"

Ok?

Li Shimin thought he had misheard. He stared wide-eyed at Wei Zheng, thinking to himself, "Is this old geezer out of his mind today? Is he deliberately trying to make a fool of us, father and son? I'm about to be driven crazy by Chengqian, and he's making sarcastic remarks."

However, Wei Zheng was, after all, a veteran official, so we had to give him some face: "What is there for me to be happy about? What is there to celebrate? Tell me."

Wei Zheng strode about, shaking his head and slowly said, "Your Majesty is the Heavenly Khan. Everyone in the world knows and understands Your Majesty's power. Even the old ministers and generals in the court are so frightened by Your Majesty that they are speechless and don't know what to do with their hands and feet."

Later, someone reminded His Majesty, and so His Majesty became less serious when attending court. He would occasionally joke with the ministers, and only when the civil and military officials saw His Majesty's relaxed expression did they dare to offer their advice.

However, the Crown Prince dared to argue with His Majesty on reason today. His courage and boldness far surpass those of the ministers.

Historically, it is often only when the ruler is weak that the country is lost. Chengqian has a strong will and a high capacity for resilience. Isn't this an advantage?

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression softened slightly.

"The Crown Prince neither stood there and let His Majesty whip him, nor did he kneel down and beg for mercy like an ordinary person would when His Majesty showed his power. Instead, he chose to leave."

Imagine if His Majesty's whip had actually struck the Crown Prince; wouldn't His Majesty and the Empress have felt heartbroken afterward?

If the crown prince were to kneel and beg, it would seem too cowardly.

If Fusu of the Qin Dynasty hadn't been so weak-willed, would the Qin Dynasty have perished?

Judging from the Crown Prince's performance today, we can conclude that he is both brave and resolute, as well as exceptionally intelligent. Isn't this a blessing for the Tang Dynasty and His Majesty?

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression changed from gloomy to cheerful.

He thought to himself that everyone said Wei Zheng was a bookish old Taoist priest who only knew how to read books to death, but after seeing him today, it seems that this is not entirely true. His observation and analytical abilities are quite strong.

After all, Chengqian was born to me; like father, like son.

Li Shimin squinted at Wei Zheng: "According to you, I don't need to pursue Chengqian's responsibility any further?"

"What crime has the Crown Prince committed?"

Li Shimin nodded: "I've come to ask you, did you tell Chengqian that I wanted to move Tai'er to the Wude Hall?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng's face turned pale with fright, and he knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, I did not mention a word about this matter."

"Is that so?" Li Shimin snorted, returned to his seat in the document room, and shouted outside, "Someone come here!"

At that moment, two tall, armored warriors entered from outside, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, please give your orders!"

Wei Zheng naturally knew that these cold-blooded animals were completely obedient to Li Shimin. As long as Li Shimin said one word, they would do whatever he asked. Even if he asked them to kill their own father, they would not flinch.

He didn't understand why Li Shimin had summoned these two enormous figures, wondering if they were there to arrest him or the crown prince. His beard trembled slightly with fear: "Your Majesty, what...what do you mean by this?"

"What do you mean?" Li Shimin's face was ashen. "I only told you and Du Zhenglun about this. Since you didn't tell Chengqian, then it must have been Du Zhenglun. As a subject, how dare he leak my words? How can I forgive him?"

"Your Majesty, this..."

"You needn't say anything more. I trust you wouldn't utter such a thing," Li Shimin turned to the two armored warriors. "You two, immediately bring Du Zhenglun here and give him forty strokes of the cane to teach him a lesson!"

"Yes, sir!" The two armored warriors turned and walked out.

Li Shimin looked down at Wei Zheng again: "My dear minister, please get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wei Zheng stood up shakily, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He thought to himself that he was lucky to have kept his mouth shut, otherwise, this old man would have been done for today.

At this moment, Li Shimin felt much better, thinking to himself, "Who told you to never show me any mercy in court? Today I have finally turned the tables."

The Eastern Palace.

After escaping from the Zichen Palace, Li Chengqian returned to his residence in no time, as if by lightning.

He looked back to make sure there were no pursuers sent by his father, and only then did he feel relieved and quickly closed the door.

Unexpectedly, this versatile wheelchair was indeed extraordinary; when the two wheels started turning, the speed was no less than that of a Ferghana horse.

He casually folded up the wheelchair and sat on the tatami mat.

Thinking of that hateful celestial horse, Li Chengqian looked at his left foot and began to feel sad again.

If it weren't for my love of horseback riding, and the accidental fall from my horse, how would my left leg be in the state it is today?

Just then, the door creaked open.

Su Wan's hair was slightly disheveled, and she walked in from outside, panting. "Your Highness, why are you running? I was calling you from behind, didn't you hear me?"

"No." Li Chengqian thought to himself that he was only focused on escaping at the time, and saving his life was the most important thing. With the wind rushing past his ears, how could he have heard anything else?

He still feels lingering fear when he recalls his father's furious expression.

"Look, is this your shoe?"

Ok?

Only then did Li Chengqian notice that Su Wan was still holding a shoe in her hand.

He looked down and saw that his left shoe was indeed gone. As for when he had run away, he had no recollection whatsoever.

He quickly grabbed the blankets and covered his feet.

"It was probably left behind by someone else."

Su Wan didn't say anything, but bent down and put the shoe on Li Chengqian's feet, and it fit perfectly.

Su Wan's snow-white, full breasts cascaded down, as if they were about to burst open, revealing a deep cleavage.

Li Chengqian looked out the window: "Didn't you leave? Why are you back?"

Su Wan stood up and smoothed her hair with her hand: "I saw you storm off to the Zichen Palace and was worried that you and your father would quarrel, so I stayed and watched you from a distance."

What did you and your father say that made him so angry?

Li Chengqian then recounted the entire incident.

After hearing this, Su Wan remained silent for a long time, but quietly poured Li Chengqian a bowl of tea and handed it to him.

Su Wan frowned, her tone slightly resentful: "Your Highness, although your father is scolding you on the surface, I feel more of his deep love for you."

He is the Emperor, and also a father. I hope you will not say such things to upset him again.

Li Chengqian gently blew on the floating tea leaves and took a small sip.

Su Wan looked at him with her beautiful eyes full of tenderness: "There's a question I've always wanted to ask you, but I don't know if I should."

"What's the problem?"

"Recently, I've sensed that you've become much more distant from me. Every time I come to the East Palace, you always seem to avoid me, whether intentionally or unintentionally."

Li Chengqian was taken aback upon hearing this: "Really?"

"A woman's intuition is the strongest; you don't need to lie to me."

So I haven't been coming as often lately. I heard you were sick today, so I came to see you.

Is there really anything between you and that person who is truly satisfied?

Li Chengqian put down the teacup in his hand and asked in return, "How could you have such a thought?"

Have you been reading too many history books? They say that Han Dynasty emperors, starting with Emperor Gaozu, liked to keep male favorites. They say his male favorite was named Ji Ru, Hong Ru was Emperor Hui's male favorite, and Deng Tong was Emperor Wen's male favorite.

When it came to Emperor Wu of Han, there were even more cases. Han Yan, Han Shuo, and Li Yannian, among others, all had ambiguous relationships with Emperor Wu of Han.

Well then, let me tell you, those things may not all be true.

However, even if it were all true, it would have nothing to do with me.

Between Gu and Chengxin, their only interactions were occasionally drinking tea, chatting, and discussing life; nothing more.

"Is that really the case? But I always feel that ever since you started dating Chengxin, you've been neglecting me."

I heard that he was a musician in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and that he was handsome and skilled in singing and dancing.

Some say that when he dances, his figure is enchanting, like a young girl, extremely alluring, and even more beautiful than the fairies in the heavens.

"I also heard..." Su Wan was about to continue.

Li Chengqian waved his hand, interrupting her: "Wan'er, I'm a little tired today. If there's nothing else, I'm going to rest. You should go back and rest early too."

Don't listen to people's nonsense, fabricated stories, or irrelevant remarks.

Upon hearing this, Su Wan burst into tears, which streamed down her face like pearls falling from a broken string.

Seeing that Li Chengqian was a little tired, she didn't know what else to say and quietly slipped out.

The simulator's voice faintly echoed in Li Chengqian's ears again: "Detected that the other party is on the verge of heartbreak, the other party has broken down, and the other party's emotional fluctuations are abnormal. Simulation options are now activated:"

First, apologize immediately;

Second, catch up with her and hug her;

Third, ignore it and let her go;

Please select!

"I've chosen the third option!"

"Incorrect answer, no reward. Would you like to change your answer?"

"No need. Stop trying to lure me with those pathetic rewards. Get lost!"

"..."

The next morning.

Li Chengqian had just finished breakfast.

Yun Juan entered from outside and said to him, "Your Highness, Li Tai has come to request an audience. Should we see him or not?"

"Oh, Qingque is here? Quickly, let him in."

"promise!"

Yunjuan agreed and turned to leave.

Not long after, Li Tai walked in from outside with a big smile, carrying a brocade box in his hand.

Li Tai was broad-shouldered and burly, with a waist ten spans wide and weighing at least two hundred kilograms.

"Recently, I heard that Your Majesty has been unwell, so I specially ordered my servant to go to Changbai Mountain to pick two fresh ginseng roots for Your Majesty to nourish your body. They just arrived this morning and I brought them to Your Majesty."

As Li Tai spoke, he placed the brocade box on the desk, opened it, and saw that inside were two enormous ginseng roots.

Li Chengqian looked down and examined them closely. Each ginseng root appeared to weigh at least a pound, and they seemed to have noses and eyes, as if they could talk.

He knew this was a rare treasure, priceless.

"What a thoughtful suggestion! Qingque, you've gone to such lengths. I've only caught a minor cold; why make such a fuss?"

"As long as my brother recovers soon, what do two ginseng roots matter?"

"I'd even give you two states, brother."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian thought to himself, "This Li Tai is indeed wealthy and powerful, showing off in front of me again."

But that's understandable, given that his jurisdiction includes twenty-two states.

Li Chengqian smiled: "Qingque, you jest. Your twenty-two prefectures were all bestowed upon you by my father. How could I possibly take away what belongs to someone else?"

"Brother, we are brothers born of the same mother. What is yours and mine, what is mine and what is mine, all belong to you, brother. As the crown prince, you will become emperor in the future. At that time, all the land under heaven will be yours; all the people within the realm will be your subjects."

"The entire Tang Dynasty is yours, let alone my few prefectures!"

As Li Tai spoke, his narrow eyes darted around.

Actually, his eyes are very big, but because he is so fat, they are squeezed into a line.

Li Chengqian, observing his words and expressions, knew that he was looking for satisfaction.

Li Chengqian coughed lightly: "I heard that Father Emperor plans to have you compile the 'Kuodi Zhi'?"

"Oh, yes, brother, I was truly terrified when I heard about this."

What merit do I possess to be able to accomplish such a great task?

I think that my elder brother is well-read and learned, and is the best candidate.

Therefore, I declined repeatedly and recommended you to my father.

However, the Emperor said that as the Crown Prince, you have too many duties, and sometimes you even have to help the Emperor with government affairs, so it is not allowed.

"Brother, I have no choice, it's just a reluctant request."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian frowned, thinking to himself, "When did Qingque become so hypocritical and pretentious at such a young age? Her words are nauseating."

However, he couldn't say it aloud, so he smiled and said, "You're too modest. Everyone in the court knows that you are exceptionally intelligent and learned. Among us brothers, you are the most outstanding."

"As for talent and learning, I am far inferior to you."

Upon hearing this, Qingque's face indeed showed a smug expression.

"Brother, there is something I would like to ask for your opinion on."

"What is it?"