Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Inside the Chengxiang Hall, the candlelight crackled.

Pei Xingjian dismissed the eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree, and the palace doors closed tightly again. His face was filled with disbelief and deep worry.

"Your Highness! His Majesty has bestowed this marriage upon Su Dan's daughter at this moment... What does this mean?"

"Although Su Dan holds the official position of Secretary Assistant and is known for his integrity, his family has intricate connections with the Shandong gentry and the Guanzhong clique. His Majesty has betrothed such a woman to you..."

He paused, lowered his voice, and voiced his greatest concern:

"Could it be that they want to appease the forces in Shandong and Guanzhong, paving the way for... for any possible future events? Or perhaps, to plant spies?"

Li Chengqian stroked the cold imperial edict in his hand, his face showing no sign of being overwhelmed by the 'joyful event,' but his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's.

He slowly walked to the window, gazing at the seemingly tranquil and peaceful night view of Jiucheng Palace bathed in moonlight, his voice low and calm:
"Appeasement? Eyeliner? Perhaps both!"

"But more importantly, Father is testing my bottom line, and also testing everyone's reaction!"

He turned around and looked intently at Pei Xingjian:
"Xingjian, remember this: it is precisely at times like these that you must not lose your composure. For me, this arranged marriage may not necessarily be a bad thing."

"What do you mean, Your Highness?"

"First, since Father has granted the marriage, it means he acknowledges that I am still the rightful Crown Prince. At least on the surface, he will not touch my position as heir apparent for the time being."

"Secondly, the Su family woman..."

A cold smile curled at the corner of Li Chengqian's lips as he said indifferently:
"If she behaves herself, the Crown Prince won't mind having another figurehead. If she makes any unusual moves, she can become bait for us to investigate in reverse."

"Isn't Yang Nannan good at this? Have her send someone to keep a close eye on this future Crown Princess."

"Third, and most importantly!"

A glint of light flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes:
"Father wanted to use the marriage to test me, to lull me into a false sense of security, and to distract me. So... I'll play along!"

He walked back to his desk, spread out the paper, and began to write rapidly:
"By imperial decree: First, all officials of the Crown Prince's residence shall immediately begin preparations for the Crown Prince's wedding, which shall be conducted at the highest level to ensure its grandeur and to demonstrate the Emperor's favor and the Crown Prince's majesty."

"I want everyone to see that I am deeply grateful for this 'divine favor' and am too busy with my wedding to attend to anything else."

"Secondly, Ma Zhou and Cen Wenben, who remain in Chang'an, are ordered to strengthen their ties with the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Works under the guise of preparing for the wedding, especially the departments that control finance and construction projects, to ensure that the Crown Prince's residence maintains control over the wedding."

"At the same time... we secretly investigated the operational mechanisms and personal connections of these government offices during this critical period."

"Third, inform our personnel in the military that everything is normal recently, and they should remain at their posts. Any transfer orders must be repeatedly verified and confirmed before they can be executed."

"Especially those 20,000 'Autumn Maneuvers' troops outside Qishan, have Xi Jun buy them out, and keep a close eye on them!"

"fourth!"

Li Chengqian paused, looking at Pei Xingjian:
"Go to Yang Nannan's secret hideout yourself and tell her that the plan has changed. Tell her to suspend the infiltration of the area surrounding Jiucheng Palace and focus on two things!"

"First, investigate all the secrets of the Su family and their clan; second, keep a close eye on Prince Wei, Li Tai, and everyone around him!"

"I must know their every move!"

Pei Xingjian solemnly accepted the order: "This subordinate understands! Your Highness intends to... feign weakness while secretly tightening control, openly repairing the plank road while secretly advancing through the Chencang pass!"

"good."

Li Chengqian put down his pen, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
"My father wants to see whether I will rebel in anger or be filled with fear. So I will act as a crown prince who is 'obsessed with marriage and full of self-satisfaction'."

"And Li Tai... probably won't let this opportunity slip by."

Just as Li Chengqian had predicted, the news of the arranged marriage spread like wildfire throughout Jiucheng Palace.

Inside Ningyun Pavilion.

Li Tai was initially taken aback, then burst into uncontrollable maniacal laughter.

"Hahaha! A marriage decree? Father Emperor actually bestowed a marriage upon Li Chengqian at this time? And it's Su Dan's daughter? Brilliant! Brilliant indeed!" Li Tai rubbed his hands excitedly, pacing back and forth in the hall.
"Su Dan may seem like a pure and upright person, but he is actually shrewd and has connections with various forces."

"Father's actions clearly show that he no longer has much fatherly affection for Li Chengqian and only wants to use marriage to bind and control him!"

"This is paving the way for his future!"

Su Xu clapped his hands and laughed:
"Your Highness, this is a golden opportunity! The Crown Prince was forced into marriage by His Majesty, and he is currently filled with suspicion and resentment. In his eyes, this is probably not an act of favor, but rather an act of humiliation and scheming!"

"We can use this opportunity to carry out our plan to sow discord to the end!"

"Yep!"

A malicious glint flashed in Li Tai's eyes:
"Immediately find a way to accidentally leak to Li Chengqian the news that the Emperor favors Zhinu and that this marriage is actually a way to appease him and prepare for the deposition of the Crown Prince!"

"Make him believe that his father has long regarded him as a thorn in his side, a thorn in his flesh!"

"I'll arrange it right away!"

Su Xu bowed and accepted the order, then hurriedly left.

The next day, afternoon.

Li Chengqian was in his study in Chengxiang Palace, seemingly carefully reviewing the draft of the wedding procedures sent by the Ministry of Rites, but in reality, his mind was already calculating all sorts of possible changes.

Suddenly, Pei Xingjian strode in, his expression somewhat strange, a small piece of paper clutched in his hand.

“Your Highness, someone was loitering outside the palace and, taking advantage of the guards’ inattention, threw this object into the courtyard.”

Pei Xingjian handed the note to Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian took it, unfolded it, and saw only a line of hastily written small characters:

"His Majesty favors the Prince of Jin. The marriage is a scheme to stabilize the prince and depose the heir apparent. Be careful, Jiucheng Palace has become a prison!"

There was no signature, and the handwriting was deliberately distorted and difficult to decipher.

Pei Xingjian said in a low voice, "Your Highness, this is clearly someone trying to sow discord between you and His Majesty!"

Looking at the note, Li Chengqian showed no anger, but rather a knowing, mocking smile.

He placed the note on the candle flame and watched it slowly curl up, char, and turn to ashes.

"Li Tai... he really can't wait."

He gently blew away the ashes from his fingertips: "His methods are so clumsy; it seems he's really desperate."

"Your Highness, should we retaliate...?"

"No need."

Li Chengqian waved his hand: "Let's play along. They want to see me suspicious of Father Emperor, fearful and uneasy, even taking risks. Then I will... do as they wish."

He pondered for a moment, then instructed Pei Xingjian, "Go and make preparations. You will accompany me to the Danxiao Palace to express my gratitude later."

"Remember, your expression should be somber, and your eyes should convey a sense of suppressed humiliation and resentment, but you must be courteous."

Pei Xingjian instantly understood: "This subordinate understands!"

Half an hour later, Li Chengqian, accompanied by Pei Xingjian and several guards, arrived outside Danxiao Palace to request an audience.

After receiving the message, Li Chengqian took a deep breath, trying his best to appear as a son who was filled with inner conflict and trying to remain calm, before stepping into the hall.

Li Shimin was reviewing a few simple memorials when he saw Li Chengqian. He put down his vermilion brush and looked at him calmly.

[This rebellious son, in the end, couldn't hold his temper!] (End of Chapter)