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

Chapter 123 The Crown Prince's power has indeed been established. (Seeking monthly votes!!! Seeking subscriptions!!!)

Li Chunfeng pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty.

“Your Majesty, after careful observation, I found that everyone present, including the attendant Li Yichen, had ordinary auras and did not appear to possess any special skills or have any unusual destiny.”

"Your Majesty...I was unable to detect any trace of that master."

He paused briefly, then added.

"Perhaps this person is extremely well hidden and adept at concealing their presence. Perhaps this person is not currently in the Eastern Palace."

"Or perhaps... it is because my skills are not good enough that I have failed to see through the secrets of heaven."

Li Shimin remained silent.

Even Li Chunfeng couldn't see anything amiss, which meant that person wasn't even among these people.

Either their methods are so sophisticated that they can perfectly conceal all traces of themselves.

He preferred the former, since Li Yichen's past was too clear and ordinary to seem fake.

"The Crown Prince's illness,"

Li Shimin steered the conversation back to the main topic.

"In your opinion, where does this mental affliction come from?"

Li Chunfeng bowed.

"Your Majesty, the secrets of Heaven are unpredictable, and the human heart is even more unfathomable. The events His Highness the Crown Prince has recently experienced are indeed beyond the capacity of ordinary people to bear."

"Having suddenly gained great fame and control of substantial funds, coupled with the perplexing nature of celestial prophecies, his thoughts and concerns will inevitably far exceed those of his usual self."

“Excessive worry depletes the mind and spirit, making one susceptible to external pathogens from entering the body, which is quite normal.”

"As for the specifics of your mental illness, it is beyond my ability to make a judgment. Perhaps... only Your Highness will know once you have regained your senses."

Li Shimin knew that Li Chunfeng's words made sense, but his doubts did not disappear.

The Crown Prince's illness came at a very inopportune time.

Just as Li Shimin was questioning the Crown Prince Li Chengqian in the Eastern Palace, the news that the Crown Prince Li Chengqian had suddenly fallen seriously ill and was unconscious spread like wildfire from the palace.

At first, the news circulated only in a small circle, but soon, officials from various princely mansions, princess mansions, noble residences, and even government departments learned of it.

The news quickly spread to the merchant circles of both the East and West markets.

Originally, it was because of the shock brought about by the "heavenly dog ​​divination" coming true, and the mysterious heritage shown by snowflake salt.

The people of Chang'an City have great enthusiasm and anticipation for the upcoming issuance of the "Xizhou Development Bonds".

Countless eyes were fixed on the Eastern Palace, on the Crown Prince who seemed to be blessed by heaven and possessed extraordinary abilities.

They were eager to snap up a share on the day the bonds were issued, hoping to reap the promised generous returns.

Furthermore, it was all in order to establish a connection with the Eastern Palace and with this "destined" crown prince.

However, the news of the Crown Prince's illness was like a bucket of ice water poured over this burning expectation.

"The Crown Prince is ill? And quite seriously ill? He's unconscious?"

"Why now? The bonds are supposed to be issued in a few days!"

"Even the Imperial Medical Academy is helpless? They say it's... a psychological problem?"

"A mental illness? What mental illness could the Crown Prince have? Could it be... that the affairs of Xizhou are too difficult and the pressure is too great?"

"Or perhaps... that 'heavenly dog ​​divination' consumed too much of your mind, to the point of... backfiring?"

"Shh! Watch your words! But if the Crown Prince is truly unwell, will these bonds... still be able to be issued as scheduled?"

"Even if it is released, if the Crown Prince is unable to take charge, who will drive the development plan of Xizhou?"

"Can the repayment of these bonds still be guaranteed?"

"Yes, everyone said that the jade salt was the ballast, but if the crown prince falls, will the salt... still be able to be made?"

Various speculations, doubts, and worries began to spread in the streets, alleys, teahouses, and taverns.

The fundamental issues concerning bond risks, which had previously been overshadowed by the miraculous events and the Crown Prince's prestige, have resurfaced.

And this was amplified dramatically because of the sudden illness of the crown prince.

The almost blind trust built up by "A Letter to the Wise and Virtuous" and Snowflake Salt began to show obvious cracks.

Some wealthy merchants who were originally determined to succeed began to reassess the risks and decided to postpone their investments and wait and see how the situation developed.

Some small and medium-sized vendors are even more anxious, worried that their hard-earned money will be wasted.

The favorable public opinion atmosphere for bonds, which had been tacitly maintained by various forces, suddenly became delicate and tense.

Inside the Chengen Hall of the East Palace, the aroma of medicine still lingers.

Under the influence of the drugs, Li Chengqian seemed to have fallen into a deeper sleep, but his furrowed brows and occasional rapid breathing indicated that the storm within him had not subsided.

Li Shimin stood outside the palace gate, looking at the gradually brightening sky outside, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

He did not turn back to look at the crown prince, but instead gave instructions to Wang De.

"Increase the number of personnel in the Imperial Medical Bureau and spare no effort to ensure that the Crown Prince regains consciousness as soon as possible. In addition, the bond issuance... is to be postponed, and the specific date will be discussed again after the Crown Prince's condition stabilizes."

His commands were concise and powerful.

While the Crown Prince's health is important, the resulting political turmoil and public suspicion are issues he must address immediately.

He needed to figure out whether the Crown Prince's sudden "heart ailment" was simply due to overwork or related to that mysterious "master".
Or perhaps... this is a move in some larger game?
When Li Shimin left the Eastern Palace, it was already fully light.

The morning light pierced through the clouds, casting a cold, hard glow on the imperial city.

His steps were steady, and his face showed no emotion, but even his close attendants who had followed him for many years could feel the suppressed imperial might emanating from him.

The emperor did not return to the Liangyi Hall, but went straight to the Zhengshi Hall.

At this time, news of the Crown Prince's serious illness spread like wildfire throughout the entire power structure of Chang'an.

Meanwhile, the scene inside the Prince of Wei's residence was quite different.

Li Tai could not hide his excitement and paced back and forth in the study, his obese body trembling slightly with excitement.

"Great! I'm cured! It's truly heaven's help!"

Du Chuke, however, appeared much calmer.

“Your Highness, it is too early to be happy. The Crown Prince is merely ill, not... Moreover, His Majesty's attitude is unclear, so we should not act rashly.”

"Sir, you are being too cautious!"

Li Tai disagreed.

"That cripple was already at his last gasp, and now that his mental illness has flared up, it just goes to show that he's all bark and no bite! Those court officials and merchants who fawned over him are probably regretting it now!"

Du Chuke frowned slightly.

“Your Highness, that is precisely why we must be even more cautious. With the Crown Prince seriously ill, His Majesty must have strengthened his surveillance of the Eastern Palace. If we make any moves at this time, we will be easily detected.”

He paused and lowered his voice.

"Moreover, the mastermind behind the Crown Prince has not yet been found. This person is no ordinary individual who was able to help the Crown Prince turn the tide in a short period of time."

"The Crown Prince has fallen ill; this man is bound to make a move. We can use this opportunity to lure him out."

Li Tai then calmed down.

"Sir, you are right. So what should we do now?"

"Wait." Du Chuke's gaze was deep.

"We await His Majesty's attitude, the changes in the court situation, and also... the appearance of that master."

Just as various forces were secretly stirring, detailed investigations into the last people who met with the Crown Prince yesterday were placed on the desks of the powerful and influential.

These investigations were meticulous, uncovering not only the individuals' backgrounds and resumes, but also their recent words and actions, social interactions, and even their financial situations.

Li Yichen's name naturally appeared on these lists as well.

Duke Cui Renshi of Yunguo looked at the report presented by his staff, his gaze lingering on Li Yichen's name for a moment.

"Has this child been thoroughly investigated?"

"Returning to the country, the investigation has been completed. Li Yichen is from a branch of the Danyang branch of the Longxi Li family. His father, Li Quan, spent a lot of money three years ago to secure him the position of tutor to the Crown Prince."

"During his three years in the Eastern Palace, his performance was mediocre. He never participated in politics, nor did he display any special talents. The only noteworthy thing is that he once boasted to the steward of the Li family in Longxi that the Crown Prince praised him for his 'extraordinary insight.'" Cui Renshi scoffed, "It's not surprising that young people are vain."

"Indeed. We have verified that the Crown Prince was merely offering words of encouragement and did not intend to particularly appreciate him. However, this boy used this opportunity to elevate his own status and has been quite criticized within the clan."

Cui Renshi nodded and casually tossed Li Yichen's information aside.

A mediocre person who lives by boasting is not worth his attention.

The same scene was repeated in the studies of the major aristocratic families.

All investigations point to the same conclusion: Li Yichen is mediocre and incompetent, and is by no means the "master" they are looking for.

Human cognition is just that stubborn.

When they believe that a truly exceptional person must be someone with extraordinary talent and hidden abilities, they will never believe that a mediocre young person would be their target.

Meanwhile, Li Yichen, who was being secretly investigated by various forces, was sitting quietly in his room.

A book was open in front of him, but his gaze did not fall on the pages.

He certainly knew he was being monitored and investigated.

But he had anticipated this day from the moment he decided to embark on this perilous path.

Those high-ranking figures would never believe that a nobody could be the mastermind behind all the upheavals.

This is the blind spot of human nature.

As dusk approached, Li Yichen got up to rest.

He knew that the storm had just begun.

The prince's illness was merely the prelude to a storm.

Meanwhile, inside the Liangyi Hall, Li Shimin was looking at the latest secret report presented by his secret guards.

The secret report detailed the movements of all parties involved in the government and the public that day.

"Everyone is waiting." Li Shimin put down the secret report, his eyes cold.

"Whether the Crown Prince lives or dies depends on my attitude."

Wang De stood respectfully to the side, not daring to speak.

"What did the Imperial Medical Academy say?"

"Your Majesty, His Highness's fever has subsided slightly, but he is still unconscious. Physician Zhang said that His Highness's condition is due to excessive mental and physical exhaustion, which cannot be quickly relieved by medicine."

Li Shimin paused for a moment, then asked, "Has the Crown Prince shown any unusual behavior recently?"

Wang De answered cautiously.

"According to the Crown Prince's report, His Highness has been busy with bond issuance matters recently, often staying up late to review documents. The day before yesterday, he was angry with the officials of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, reprimanding them for their inefficiency. Apart from that, there is nothing particularly unusual."

"Get angry?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"It's because the bond interest calculation was incorrect. His Highness requested a recalculation, which delayed the progress."

Li Shimin stopped speaking. He walked to the palace gate and looked at the palace city in the night.

The Crown Prince's power has indeed been established.

He not only has supporters in the government, but also has many fans among the general public.

This illness is now affecting not only the court, but also the entire financial order of the Tang Dynasty.

This influence has exceeded his expectations for a crown prince.

As an emperor, he should be pleased that his successor is capable and prestigious.

But as an emperor who ascended the throne through extraordinary means, he was instinctively wary.

These complex emotions made it difficult for him to sleep.

Meanwhile, inside the Chengen Hall of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian, still unconscious, had a furrowed brow.

He is going through an unprecedented inner turmoil.

Li Yichen's words were like a key, unlocking the door to his long-closed heart.

The road outside the door was not the smooth highway he had imagined, but an unknown territory shrouded in mist.

Why did he want to become emperor?
He remembered when he was a child, his father would hold him on his lap, point to a map and say, "This vast land will all be your responsibility in the future."

At that time, he didn't understand what responsibility was; he only knew that it was the most honorable position in the world.

Later, his foot ailment made him the target of ridicule, and his father's disappointment plunged him into despair.

Becoming emperor became his only way to prove himself.

Later, Li Yichen's appearance showed him another possibility—to use strategy and wisdom to win over others, rather than simply rebelling or trying to please.

But now, Li Yichen tells him: Your imperial aura is weak.

These words shattered all his confidence and illusions.

If he was destined to be deprived of the throne, what did all his struggles over the years amount to?
A joke?

Resentment, anger, fear, confusion...

A mix of emotions clashed and intertwined within him, plunging him into the abyss of consciousness.

Hearing the commotion, the imperial physician who was guarding the outer room rushed in to check on the prince. He saw that the prince's forehead was covered in cold sweat and his lips were moving as if he were saying something.

Listening closely, I could only vaguely make out a few fragmented words.

"Why...shouldn't...the people..."

The imperial physicians looked at each other, puzzled.

Meanwhile, inside the Prince of Wei's residence, Li Tai received some exciting news.

"Are you sure? Is Li Yichen really just a boastful mediocre talent?"

“It is absolutely true. In the three years since I entered the Eastern Palace, I have never been truly valued by the Crown Prince.”

Li Tai nodded in satisfaction.

"In that case, there's no need to waste time on him. Issue the order to search for other suspicious individuals around the Crown Prince, especially those officials who have recently been alone with him."

"Yes."

After his staff left, Li Tai couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"It seems that the cripple is truly at his wit's end! Even the things he uses around him are of this caliber!"

Du Chuke frowned.

"Your Highness, that's precisely why it's even more suspicious. The Crown Prince's recent behavior has been completely different; there must be someone with exceptional skills guiding him. Yet we can't find this person, which can only mean..."

"What does it mean?"

"This means that this person is very well hidden, or... we are looking in the wrong direction."

Li Tai disagreed.

"Sir, you are overthinking it. Perhaps that lame man just got a few good ideas by chance, and he is not a master at all. Now that he has used up all his ideas, he will naturally reveal his true colors."

Du Chuke hesitated for a moment, then finally just sighed.

As night deepened, the hustle and bustle of Chang'an gradually subsided, but the undercurrents grew ever stronger.

All factions are waiting for tomorrow's court assembly, for the emperor's attitude, and for news of the crown prince.

This is a sleepless night.

Li Yichen stood in his own courtyard, gazing in the direction of the Eastern Palace.

He knew that Li Chengqian was going through the pain of rebirth.

Whether he can break free from the shackles of his own perceptions will determine his future fate, and also his own fate.

Meanwhile, the important figures in the imperial court were still stuck in their own self-righteous beliefs.

(End of this chapter)