My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 52: Does Your Majesty want to grant Chang'an to the King of Wei?

"The prince is planning a rebellion?"

"How could the prince rebel?"

Chai Lingwu was immediately surprised, but fortunately Li Tai had already cleared everyone out.

Chai Lingwu's first reaction to this news was disbelief.

However, when I calm down and think about it carefully, I feel that it is very likely.

"Hegan Chengji is the crown prince's trusted guard. Everyone in Chang'an knows this."

"He followed the prince for so many years, but he was suddenly killed. Who would believe that there was no trick?"

"To be honest, this most unlikely possibility is the most likely one."

In fact, Li Tai didn't really believe that the prince would rebel.

You are already the crown prince, do you still need to rebel?

But even if there is only a slight possibility, Li Tai is willing to take the gamble.

Because this is his biggest chance to turn the tables.

If we can find evidence that the prince is plotting a rebellion, then my father will definitely depose him.

At that time, it would naturally be me who would succeed to the throne.

"It seems that Hegannuo is more important. Perhaps we can start from him and find some clues." Chai Lingwu suggested.

Li Tai thought it was very likely: "Since the crown prince killed Hegan Chengji, it means that Hegan Chengji may have evidence of the crown prince's rebellion."

"I just don't know if it has been destroyed by the prince."

Chai Lingwu said: "Aren't they going to find a way to make ice? Why not reveal this news to them? Maybe we can gain something."

Li Tai hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No, if they get hold of the evidence, they might cooperate with the Crown Prince."

"These people are the most indecisive and only care about their own interests."

"There is no rush for evidence. If the prince really wants to rebel, he will reveal his flaws later."
-
The sunset was picturesque, and the afterglow sprinkled on the glazed tiles of the palace, reflecting a dazzling golden red light.

The huge city gate slowly opened, and Li Chengqian rode on the Jade Lion Zhaoye and stepped into the Taiji Palace.

Behind him were the accompanying guards, as well as the Crown Princess and the Emperor's eldest grandson sitting in the carriage.

The wide imperial road is paved with bluestone and is spotless.

The stone lions on both sides are majestic and solemn.

Passing through the numerous gatehouses is the Linde Hall deep in the palace.

Here, pavilions and towers are scattered in an orderly manner, flowers and trees are lush, and the blooming flowers sway gracefully in the evening breeze.

A pond of lotus flowers reflects the setting sun, the water surface shimmers, and occasionally a few koi fish swim among the water, causing ripples.

Li Shimin had built a bonfire with wood in the yard in front of the palace.

"His Majesty."

"Father."

"Grandfather."

Hearing that the prince was still calling "Your Majesty", Li Shimin felt a little helpless, but he could also understand that the prince still had some resentment in his heart.

"Elephants are this big now."

Looking at Li Xiang, the eldest grandson of the emperor, Li Shimin was really surprised.

I seem to have the impression that she was still a child, but now she is taller than the Crown Princess.

Perhaps because of his age, he shows all his love to his son and tends to neglect his grandchildren.

"Your Majesty only has the King of Wei in his heart, how could he remember his eldest grandson?"

Li Chengqian sarcastically said.

Li Shimin was speechless after being criticized. This was indeed his problem.

When Li Xiang was born, Li Shimin hosted a banquet for fifth-rank officials in the Eastern Palace, and later he almost forgot about this eldest grandson.

People like Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Zhi, the legitimate sons, were constantly rewarded and ennobled when they were young.

"Cheng Qian, Xiang'er is the eldest grandson I personally canonized as the emperor. How could I possibly forget him?"

Li Shimin defended himself stubbornly.

Li Chengqian sneered, "Xiang'er is already twelve years old, but he doesn't even have a decent place to live. He can only live in the side hall of the East Palace. He doesn't even have a mansion in Chang'an City." "Is he still the eldest grandson of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty? Has Your Majesty ever given him any reward?"

Li Chengqian has already mastered the trick and cannot be nice to Li Shimin.

If you follow him, you will get nothing and you will have to rely entirely on yourself.

It’s okay if you forgot, I’ll remind you.

"I will go back and check it out. I will not treat Xiang'er unfairly."

Li Shimin promised.

Li Chengqian said, "I think it would be better to give the King of Wei's Hibiscus Garden to Xiang'er."

“That place is big enough and the scenery is beautiful.”

"Besides, the King of Wei cannot remain in office forever. He will eventually be sent out. It would be a waste if we give this Hibiscus Garden to the King of Wei. It would be better to give it to the eldest grandson."

Li Shimin felt a headache. He didn't want to talk to the prince about his official duties, so he could only avoid the topic and said, "I have already awarded it to Qingque, so there is no reason to take it back."

"Let's go to another place. I will find a good place for Xiang'er to live."

Li Chengqian said: "What other place could be better than Furong Garden?"

"Or does Your Majesty intend to keep the King of Wei in Chang'an forever?"

"According to the ritual system, if there is a legitimate heir, the heir shall be the heir, if there is no legitimate heir, the eldest son shall be the heir, and if there is no legitimate heir, the son shall succeed the father, and if there is an elder brother, the younger brother shall succeed the elder brother."

"I am the crown prince. If I die, Xiang'er will be the crown prince. No matter how it goes, it will never be the King of Wei's turn."

"Your Majesty has been keeping the King of Wei out of office. What is he thinking?"

Li Shimin shouted: "Shut up!"

He broke down again.

"Why do I treat Qingque so well? Don't you know the reason?"

"Back then, your grandfather felt sorry for my fourth brother who died young and had no successor, so he let Qingque be adopted by Xuanba since he was a child."

"I feel guilty towards Qingque, so I want to give him some compensation over the years."

"You know all this. Moreover, although I have treated Qingque with favor over the years, I have never neglected your share."

"Qingque is your biological brother, don't you have any brotherly love at all?"

Li Chengqian asked, "You said I don't have brotherly love? Does your Majesty have brotherly love?"

The situation was becoming increasingly tense, especially with the Crown Prince's next words, which might lead to a major conflict.

Zhang Ananda quickly winked at Su Yuer.

Su Yuer also understood what he meant and quickly pushed Li Xiang.

Li Xiang was actually a little scared. The situation between his father and grandfather was like a war.

But now he had no choice but to go ahead and interrupt whatever the prince was about to say.

"Father, grandfather, I have never thought about asking for any reward."

"No matter how big the palace is, you still sleep on one bed. I live quite well now."

"Please don't let my affairs ruin the relationship between father and grandfather."

This interruption gave Li Chengqian and Li Shimin a way out.

Li Shimin looked at his eldest grandson with a little more approval.

Li Chengqian snorted coldly. He was trying to gain a reward for Li Xiang.

"Let's not talk about Hibiscus Garden for now, but the fiefdom cannot be reduced."

"The King of Wei is the governor of Yongzhou. Li Xiang is the eldest grandson of the emperor. He can't be worse than the King of Wei."

"I think Luozhou Mu is good, what do you think, Your Majesty?"

Li Chengqian said as he pursued the victory.

At this point, even if Li Shimin was unwilling, he couldn't refuse.

Besides, the prince's words were not unreasonable.

It is reasonable and logical to enfeoff the emperor's eldest grandson as the emperor's eldest grandson in Luoyang, the eastern capital.

"Okay, let's do as the prince says."

(End of this chapter)