The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 114 Then let's take our time looking.

Li Quan held his breath, watching his son with some nervousness.

Li Yichen raised his head, his face showing just the right amount of confusion and a touch of pride and excitement.

"Uncle Hui, this matter is also widely discussed in the Eastern Palace. It is said that His Highness the Crown Prince obtained it with the help of a master."

"As for bonds... they are an unheard-of novelty, said to be able to solve the court's urgent problems. Who exactly offered them?"

He shook his head, his tone certain.

"I am of low rank and have little influence, so I truly do not know. His Highness the Crown Prince has many capable people around him; perhaps it is a certain Chamberlain or Attendant?"

“These days, the colleagues in the Crown Prince’s palace have been speculating and discussing it privately, but no one can say for sure what’s going on.”

His answer was watertight, exonerating himself completely while muddying the waters and pointing the finger at the higher-ranking officials in the Eastern Palace who were more likely to have access to core secrets.

Li Shenyan frowned slightly, seemingly unsurprised by the answer, but not entirely convinced either.

He pressed on, "So, as your companion in the inner court, were you considered close to His Highness the Crown Prince? His Highness's behavior has changed drastically lately; as you observed him, did you notice anything unusual?"

"Or, Your Highness, are there any people with whom you appear particularly close and trusting?"

Li Yichen sneered inwardly, knowing that this was the key point: the master wanted to use him to determine who was the "target" by the Crown Prince's side.

A hint of shame and helplessness appeared on his face.

"Uncle, you are wise. Although I am a study companion, my main duty is to accompany Your Highness in reading and writing."

"Your Highness is of noble birth, and your authority grows daily. Your relationship with me is merely that of ruler and subject; there is no question of closeness. As for Your Highness's recent actions..."

He pretended to be thinking, then looked a little smug, as if showing off his insignificant contribution.

"Some time ago, I saw Your Highness troubled by political affairs and dared to offer some advice, saying that governance should proceed step by step and should not be rushed. Fortunately, Your Highness was tolerant and did not blame me. On the contrary, he seemed to have understood and even praised me a couple of times."

His words were half true and half false.

He deliberately amplified the prince's glad acceptance and praise, expressing it in a somewhat unsteady and exaggerated tone.

He's a shallow young man who can't help but show off once he gets a little recognition.

As Li Shenyan listened, a barely perceptible hint of contempt flashed deep in his eyes.

He carefully observed Li Yichen, from the slightly smug expression on the other's face to the seemingly sincere but actually empty answers, and then to the superficial "closeness" when mentioning the Crown Prince, and he had already made a judgment in his mind.

This boy is mediocre and shallow. It's lucky that he can stay in the Eastern Palace. He has no chance of having any real influence on the Crown Prince.

It's even less likely that he was the person behind the ingenious plan.

Judging from his impatient demeanor, he probably doesn't even have the eyes to observe the movements around the Crown Prince.

Li Shenyan lost interest in continuing the conversation, and his tone became more formulaic, with a commanding air.

"Yes, it's good that you want to offer advice. It wasn't easy for the family to raise you, so you must always remember that you are a member of the Li family. In the Eastern Palace, the most important thing is to be careful with your words and actions, and not to make any mistakes that would disgrace the family."

"Secondly, we must pay close attention to observe who the Crown Prince is, what kind of capable people or unusual individuals are around him, or what kind of disturbances are taking place. If we notice anything amiss, we must report it to the family immediately."

"Your family has connections in the court. If you make contributions, your family will certainly not treat you unfairly, and will do their best to help you in your future career."

These words sounded grand and dignified, but in reality, they were asking Li Yichen to focus on being a spy, and that the family would decide whether to support him based on his "contributions."

Li Yichen, however, wore a submissive and deeply enlightened expression.

"Yes, yes, Yichen understands. He will always keep his uncle's teachings in mind and will not dare to fail the family's expectations."

Seeing that his attitude was "respectful" and that his goal had been achieved, Li Shenyan got up to take his leave.

Li Quan and Li Yichen hurriedly saw them off, escorting the distinguished guest to the gate and watching the carriage disappear into the alley. Back in the main hall, Li Quan sighed, his face filled with worry.

"The sudden arrival of our master's men suggests that the political climate in Chang'an is about to change. Yichen, you must be careful while you are in the Eastern Palace."

Looking at his father's worried face, Li Yichen suppressed the "exaggeration" he had shown when facing Li Shenyan and remained calm.

"Father, don't worry, I know what's important."

He returned to his study alone, closed the door, and saw that dusk had already fallen outside the window.

Recalling his conversation with Li Shenyan and the strange atmosphere in the Eastern Palace these days, Li Yichen's lips curled into a mocking smile.

For three years, the original owner of this body was cautious and unassuming in the Eastern Palace, without any outstanding achievements or any evidence against her.

He was like a pebble forgotten in a corner, so ordinary that he was easily overlooked.

Now, by leveraging the Crown Prince's influence, he has thrown out a few things that have caused these enormous aristocratic families to act as if facing a formidable enemy, searching everywhere for them.

But their searching gaze only swept over those who seemed shrewd and capable, and who might influence the Crown Prince's decisions.

Who would believe that Li Yichen, who was like an invisible man in the Eastern Palace, was the "person" they were searching for?
Even if he walked up to Li Shenyan now and frankly admitted everything, the other party would probably just scoff and think he had lost his mind or was obsessed with gaining credit.

Preconceived notions and prejudices are the best form of camouflage.

This world is indeed dangerous.

It's not one of those wish-fulfillment novels, and I didn't transmigrate into a prince or nobleman. I don't have a system or cheat codes, nor do I have any so-called destiny bestowed upon me.

This is the real Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, an era of strict hierarchy, powerful clans, power struggles between the emperor and aristocratic families, where a single misstep could lead to utter ruin.

The "cannibalism" here refers not only to physical acts, but also to political infighting and the devouring of family interests.

It's a power game where people can disappear without a trace in the blink of an eye.

He, Li Yichen, a soul that had transmigrated, occupied this body that had no foundation, like walking on a tightrope over a bottomless abyss.

He needed to leverage the Crown Prince's platform, but he couldn't attract too much attention.

He must demonstrate his value to gain space for survival and development, but he cannot expose himself too early and become a target of public criticism.

Salt and bonds were just the first stepping stones he threw out.

good results.

More importantly, it successfully stirred up trouble and drew everyone's attention to nothingness.

"Everyone's looking for someone..." Li Yichen muttered to himself.
"Then let's take our time looking."

He needs time, and he needs to take advantage of this precious window of opportunity when all sides are suspicious of each other, their gazes are anxious, and they are all deviating from the right direction, to continue to accumulate strength and lay out more pieces.

He has already stirred up the waters of the Eastern Palace, and what he needs to do is to quietly weave his own net beneath these murky waters.

Liangyi Palace.

Li Shimin was now staring intently at the secret memorials that were being presented to him.

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(End of this chapter)