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After thinking it through, Li Shimin summoned Li Chengqian alone the next day.

The morning sun shines through the window lattices of the Taiji Hall, casting a warm yellow light on the golden brick floor.

Li Shimin dismissed all the eunuchs, leaving only himself and his son Li Chengqian in the hall. Even his breathing was lighter than usual.

Li Chengqian stood with his hands hanging down in front of the desk. His dark blue-green crown prince robes made him look slightly thin. His foot ailment made his posture slightly unsteady, and there was a hint of restraint and unease in his eyes.

He hadn't expected his grandfather to suddenly summon him alone, and he couldn't fathom what this unexpected "alone time" meant.

"Brother, come and sit down."

Li Shimin's voice lacked the majesty of his court appearance, becoming more gentle as he pointed to the brocade stool beside the table.

Li Chengqian stepped forward as instructed, carefully sat down, placed his hands on his knees, and softly called out, "Yes, Master."

Looking at his tense profile, Li Shimin recalled Xiao Ran's words, "The Crown Prince is panicking," and felt a pang of sadness.

He picked up the celadon teacup on the table, poured a cup of tea for Li Chengqian, and pushed it in front of him:

"Have some tea, don't be shy. I called you here today not to discuss politics, but to have a word with you—a father talking to his son."

Li Chengqian picked up the teacup, his fingertips tightening slightly. The warm tea did not warm his heart. He said in a low voice, "What are your orders, Master? I am listening."

"Commands are out of the question."

Li Shimin sighed, his gaze falling on his legs. "Is your leg any better lately? Have you been taking Old Master Sun's prescription on time?"

When his foot ailment was mentioned, Li Chengqian lowered his head slightly, his tone tinged with self-deprecation:
"Thank you for your concern, Grandpa. It's the same as always, nothing to worry about."

He knew that his appearance was far from satisfactory to his grandfather, compared to the tall, intelligent Qingque.

Li Shimin saw through his thoughts, reached out and patted his shoulder, the force neither too light nor too heavy, carrying a reassuring meaning:
"Silly child, you are my eldest son, the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. What does this have to do with whether your leg is good or not?"

He paused, his tone becoming more serious:

"I know that you must have felt uneasy all these years seeing Qingque being favored."

"I gave him the Chongwen Academy and allowed him to compile and publish books. Don't you think I prefer him?"

Li Chengqian's body stiffened for a moment. He didn't dare to raise his head and only gave a soft "hmm" in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, with an undisguised sense of grievance: "Your son... Your son knows that Qingque is intelligent and can share your father's worries. Your son is no match for him."

"nonsense!"

Li Shimin raised his voice slightly, then softened it again, "You are the Crown Prince, the heir apparent I have chosen. This empire will be yours in the future. How could I possibly consider changing the heir just because Qingque is talented?"

He picked up a memorial from the table, which was Li Chengqian's previous report on the promotion of fine salt workshops. It was covered with his annotations:

"Look, the method for promoting fine salt that you proposed is well thought out and takes into account both the people and the government. I am very pleased to see it."

"Every single thing you managed at the Crown Prince's Palace was done perfectly."

"I know in my heart that you are a steady and reliable child, capable of shouldering the responsibility of the Tang Dynasty."

Li Chengqian suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

"I know, it was my oversight before."

Li Shimin's tone carried a hint of guilt, "Qingque is young and lively. I doted on him more and gave him some favors that he shouldn't have, which made you suffer and also caused the court officials to have mixed thoughts."

He stood up, walked into the hall, gazed at the eaves of the Taiji Hall outside the window, and spoke in a deep voice:
"I have already made up my mind. From this day forward, the Chongwen Academy will only be responsible for compiling classics and history, while the printing workshop will be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Revenue. Qingque will no longer interfere in government affairs."

"I want all the officials to know that you, Li Chengqian, are my only crown prince, the future monarch of the Tang Dynasty, and no one can replace you."

Li Chengqian's eyes instantly reddened; the unease and grievances that had been building up in his heart for years surged forth at this moment. He stood up, his voice choked with sobs:

"Grandpa."

"Why are you crying?"

Li Shimin turned around and looked at him, his eyes full of fatherly love. "You are the crown prince, and you will be the emperor in the future. You must keep your mind steady."

“I know you have suffered in your heart. Over the years, you have endured the inconvenience of your foot ailment and upheld the rules of the Crown Prince without making the slightest mistake. I have seen it all and remember it in my heart.”

He walked up to Li Chengqian and patted him on the back:

"Qingque is your younger brother. He is talented, and I dote on him out of fatherly affection. But this affection must never exceed the rules for the Crown Prince, nor the foundation of the Tang Dynasty."

"From now on, you can just focus on being the Crown Prince. I will support you from behind."

"If Qingque dares to overstep his bounds again, I will be the first to not spare him."

Li Chengqian nodded vigorously, tears streaming down his cheeks, but not from grievance, but from relief and emotion: "I understand, thank you, Father. I will be a good Crown Prince and will not disappoint you."

"That's right."

Li Shimin smiled and reached out to wipe away the tears on his face:
"I don't want you to compare yourself to anyone. As long as you do your duty, secure your position as heir apparent, and protect the Tang Dynasty in the future, ensuring the people's well-being and harmony among your brothers and sisters, that will be enough."

He pulled Li Chengqian to sit down, his tone softening: "From now on, if you have anything on your mind, don't keep it to yourself, just come and tell me."

“I am your father, not just an emperor who only knows how to discuss politics. Have you forgotten? When you were a child, you shot your first rabbit and jumped into my arms asking for a reward.”

When the past was mentioned, Li Chengqian burst into laughter through his tears, and the restraint and unease in his eyes gradually disappeared, leaving only the closeness and warmth between father and son.

The morning sun in the Taiji Hall seemed even warmer, illuminating the figures of the father and son, quietly melting away the years of estrangement and suspicion in this belated heart-to-heart talk.

An hour later, Li Chengqian walked out of the Taiji Hall.

The morning sun shone just over the eaves of the palace and landed on his shoulders, warming him and making him feel comfortable all over.

He subconsciously straightened his back, making even the slight limp caused by his foot ailment less noticeable.

The heaviness and restraint that used to linger in my heart seemed to have been completely dispelled by the heart-to-heart talk in the hall, and my steps were much lighter than when I came.

In the past, a faint frown always lingered between his brows, and his eyes held unease and inferiority. He would even walk with his feet light, afraid of revealing his weakness.

At this moment, all the pent-up emotions dissipated, his brows relaxed, and his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness. There was no longer any evasion; instead, he exuded a long-lost sense of certainty.

He raised his hand to straighten his clothes, his movements calm and unhurried, no longer showing the awkwardness he had before. He was like a withered tree that had been nourished by spring rain, now full of new life.

All the unease, grievances, and suspicions that had been building up in his chest vanished the moment Li Shimin wiped away his tears.

He finally understood that his father had never given up on him. Those seemingly favoritisms towards Qingque were merely a father's affection for his youngest son, not a sign of wavering in his claim to the throne.

It turned out that his long-held resentment was nothing more than a misunderstanding caused by his sensitivity, and this relief made him feel light all over.

Li Shimin's words, "You are a steady and reliable child, capable of shouldering the responsibility of the Tang Dynasty," were like a ray of light, shining into his heart, which was gloomy due to his foot ailment and the halo of Li Tai.

He no longer felt inferior to his tall, intelligent younger brother, nor did he wallow in self-pity because of his foot ailment.

He was the crown prince appointed by Li Shimin, and this status and recognition were enough to make him stand tall.

Li Chengqian naturally knew that Xiao Ran had visited Chang'an and chatted with Li Shimin for a long time in the palace. He also knew that several of Xiao Ran's younger sisters had come with her.

He also understood that Li Shimin's change was related to Xiao Ran.

Li Chengqian returned to the Eastern Palace and had many things prepared.

"Let's go to Kaolao Village!" Li Chengqian needed to visit Xiao Ran and express his gratitude.

Xiao Ran is a person you can get along with; when it comes to something, he's really serious.

Soon, Li Chengqian arrived at Xiao Ran's doorstep with a lot of things.

"Young master!" Li Chengqian called out when he saw Xiao Ran.

Xiao Ran, Li Lizhi, and the others could all sense that Li Chengqian's condition was much better than before.

"Dalang!"

"Brother!"

"Oh my! Why did you bring so much stuff?" Xiao Ran was startled.

"It's nothing." Li Chengqian smiled, and Xiao Ran understood what he meant even without him saying it.

Judging from Li Chengqian's demeanor, he must have had a pleasant conversation with Li Shimin.

Li Chengqian had many things to do and did not stay in Kaolao Village for long.

I just wanted to express my gratitude.

"Young master, will my brother be a good emperor?" Li Lizhi suddenly asked.

"Fifth Sister, I can't answer that question. It's too early, and besides, the standards for a good emperor are different."

Xiao Ran knew what Li Lizhi wanted to ask, so he deliberately changed the subject, "Uncle thinks Emperor Wen of Han was a good emperor, but I think it was Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han."

Li Lizhi could also tell that Xiao Ran was deliberately making things up and avoiding the topic.

Xiao Ran's relationship with the princes was actually just so-so, especially with Li Chengqian, whom he wasn't familiar with before.

Li Lizhi knew in her heart that Xiao Ran was doing this more for Si Zi and for herself.

If siblings turn against each other in the future, both I and Sizi will be heartbroken.

Xiao Ran's starting point was more about this.

Li Tai wanted to go to the Taiji Hall to see Li Shimin, but was refused. This was the first time Li Shimin had refused to see him, not because he was busy.

Unable to see Li Shimin, Li Tai immediately thought of Empress Zhangsun in the Lizheng Hall.

Li Zhengdian

Empress Zhangsun was sitting by the window sewing a small garment, her stitches fine and delicate, exuding gentle grace.

Upon hearing the eunuch announce, "His Highness the Prince of Yue requests an audience," she paused, a knowing glint in her eyes, and then said softly:
"Let him in."

Li Tai lowered his head and strode into the front hall. His dark blue prince's casual robe made him look slightly thin, and his usual spiritedness was less evident. His brows showed obvious grievance and resentment.

"Auntie."

Li Tai called out softly, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible sadness.

Empress Zhangsun put down her needlework and beckoned him to come forward:
"Qingque, come and sit down."

She pointed to the seat next to her, her gaze falling gently on her son's face. "Judging from your expression, you must know about the Chongwen Academy and the printing house?"

Li Tai sat down as instructed, his nose slightly tingling, and nodded.

"Mother, why did Father take away my job? I did nothing wrong. I did my best in editing and printing the book, why?"

Before she could finish speaking, a wave of grievance washed over her, and her eyes welled up with tears.

Emperor Changsun spoke gently but with weight: "Silly child, your grandfather is not punishing you, but protecting you."

"Protect me?" Li Tai looked up in confusion. "Taking away my power, how can that be protecting me?"

"Do you really think that when your grandfather gave you Chongwen Academy and let you get involved in the printing house, it was so that you would take credit for his work?"

Empress Zhangsun sighed and reached out to ruffle his hair. "You are exceptionally intelligent, and your father dotes on you, wanting you to showcase your talents. But you've forgotten that you are a prince, while the eldest son is the crown prince. This is the rule ordained by Heaven, and it cannot be disrupted."

She paused, her tone becoming more serious: "Over the years, the Emperor has bestowed too much favor upon you, causing you to gradually forget your place, which has also unsettled the court officials and made your brother uneasy."

"Who do you think will benefit from this? Have you forgotten what happened between your uncle and your grandfather back then?"

“Your grandfather is afraid, afraid that you brothers will also end up like that.”

Li Tai's body stiffened for a moment, the grievance in his eyes faded a little, and a sense of bewilderment appeared.

"Qingque, your mother and father have seen your talent and cherish it deeply."

Empress Zhangsun's voice softened, filled with the warmth of a loving mother, "But your talents should be used in the right way, to compile books, conduct research, and pass on the classics and history. That is what you should be doing, not eyeing the power in the court and arguing with your brother."

She picked up a book compiled by Li Tai from the table and gently placed it in his hand: "Look, how well this book is compiled. It will be remembered by future generations, which is more enduring than any authority."

"I took away your political duties so that you could calm down and focus on what you are good at. I also wanted you to understand that a prince has his duties and a crown prince has his responsibilities. Everyone should do their job and brothers should live in harmony. This is the blessing of the royal family."

"Coco, I just can't accept it." Li Tai bit her lip. "I did better than my brother, why can't I?"

"Silly child, the throne is not won by fighting, but by virtue and integrity."

Empress Zhangsun interrupted him, her tone firm, "Chengqian is the eldest son of the legitimate wife, steady and reliable, and has long been established as the crown prince. He is the foundation of the country and cannot be touched."

"Your grandfather loves you, but he also wants to protect the stability of the Tang Dynasty and the bond between you brothers."

She took Li Tai's hand and patted it gently: "Think about it, if you and Dalang turn against each other, like they did back then, who will get hurt?"

"It's your mother, your grandfather, Sizi, and Wuniang. How could you bear to make your sisters sad?"

When the little princess and Li Lizhi were mentioned, Li Tai's eyes softened, and the resentment in his eyes gradually dissipated.

“Your mother knows you’re wronged, but you must understand that your grandfather’s decision was for the sake of the Tang Dynasty, and also for your sake.”

Empress Zhangsun's tone became increasingly gentle, "From now on, focus on compiling books and pursuing scholarship, be a leisurely yet talented prince, live in harmony with your elder brother, and cherish your younger sisters. This is what your mother wants to see, and it is also your best destiny."

Li Tai remained silent for a long time before slowly nodding. The grievance in his eyes finally faded, replaced by relief: "I understand, Mother."

"I'll listen to my mother, focus on compiling the book, and stop thinking about those disputes." (End of Chapter)