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

Chapter 98 isolates us from outside prying eyes.

Li Chengqian did not submit a memorial to argue about the selection of candidates for Xizhou.

He seemed to have completely accepted the outcome and devoted all his energy to the daily affairs of governance in the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace.

He carefully reviewed the summaries of each memorial that was sent to him, and frequently summoned officials from relevant departments to inquire about the details.

His approach remained strictly in accordance with regulations, and his questions were incisive and to the point.

But it no longer carries the sharp, vengeful tone of before; it is more like a diligent and responsible crown prince earnestly fulfilling his duties.

This normalized, routine behavior stands in stark contrast to the turmoil that had previously ensued.

Thus, a delicate balance was achieved in the imperial court.

The emperor maintained the facade of brotherly harmony that he valued.

The King of Wei got his wish and was about to place his own people in important positions in Xizhou.

The crown prince seemed to have accepted the setback and focused on his duties, thus avoiding further escalation of the conflict.

The senior officials avoided a direct confrontation with the Crown Prince and tacitly approved of the emperor's arrangements.

Lower and middle-ranking officials voiced their support for the crown prince, but they could not change the established facts.

Everything seemed to have returned to a state of calm.

The candlelight in the Xiande Hall of the East Palace often burned late into the night.

After finishing his daily government affairs, Li Chengqian would always dismiss his attendants and contemplate for a long time alone in front of a huge map of the Tang Dynasty's territory.

His gaze often lingered on the land of Xizhou in the northwest, remaining fixed there for a long time.

He was waiting for an opportunity, an opportunity that Li Yichen had mentioned, an opportunity that could turn the tide in one fell swoop.

Before that, all he needed to do was be patient and wait.

Li Yichen took three days off, finally temporarily leaving the invisible battlefield of the Eastern Palace.

Dressed in ordinary clothes, like an ordinary scholar, he quietly returned to his home in Yankang Ward, Chang'an City.

This is a three-courtyard house that is not spacious, but by no means poor either.

The lintel was simple, with only a plaque bearing the words "Li Residence," and no decorations that would highlight his official status.

This is the family foundation of Li Yichen in this life—a branch at the very edge of the vast genealogy of the Longxi Li clan.

The Li family of Longxi was renowned throughout the land, a top-tier aristocratic family that had intermarried with the imperial family and produced many high-ranking officials and generals.

However, just like a towering tree, there are always small branches that the sun cannot reach.

The branch to which Li Yichen belongs has long been estranged from the main lineage due to the changes in the world over the past century.

Furthermore, because none of their fathers or grandfathers had achieved high-ranking official positions, their family fortunes inevitably declined, and in the Tang Dynasty, which valued social standing and family background, they were practically from humble backgrounds.

His grandfather once held the highest official position of Prefectural Governor, but after retiring, he had no connections to continue his career.

His father, Li Quan, is currently only a low-ranking scholar at the Imperial Academy, holding the rank of eighth grade.

He was noble and refined, but had no real power. He maintained a semblance of gentry dignity by relying on a meager salary and a small amount of land inherited from his ancestors.

Sending Li Yichen to the Eastern Palace as a companion to the emperor was almost the biggest gamble this family could make, using all their resources.

According to the Tang Dynasty system, although the rank of the Crown Prince's companion was not high, it was not an ordinary position.

The selection process emphasizes academic knowledge and talent, requiring rigorous assessment.

On the other hand, family background is also an important consideration; at the very least, the family must be descended from upright officials to ensure their upbringing and loyalty.

Although Li Yichen's aura from the Longxi Li family was dim, it just barely met this minimum requirement.

In addition, the original owner was indeed intelligent and studious, and at the age of eighteen, he was selected to become one of the several companions of Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Three years ago, when the news reached this small Li family home, the whole family was overjoyed!
In the eyes of his father, Li Quan, this is the starting point for the family to return to glory.

As a tutor to the crown prince, one serves him day and night, absorbing all the important matters of state and military affairs. Once one gains the crown prince's favor, one's future is limitless.

The mother wept with joy, as if she could already see the day when her son would be dressed in purple and bring glory to the family.

During that period, even distant relatives who rarely visited each other seemed to become much more friendly.

However, the flame of hope burned fiercely, but the process of extinguishing it was long and agonizing. In the first few months, the original owner of this body could occasionally bring back some news from the Eastern Palace. Although she felt that the Crown Prince was somewhat arrogant and impetuous, she still held expectations overall.

However, as time went on, the crown prince's reputation among the court and the public steadily declined.

The gloom brought on by his foot ailment, the absurdity of associating with actors and imitating Turkic customs, and the rumors that he was repeatedly reprimanded by Li Shimin.

In particular, there was the increasingly fierce struggle for the throne with Li Tai, the Prince of Wei.

All of this was like buckets of cold water poured over the Li family.

The original owner's days in the Eastern Palace also became difficult.

He was cautious by nature, even somewhat timid, and not good at flattery like Du He, nor did he have a military background like Li Anyan.

Amidst the increasingly erratic atmosphere of the Crown Prince, he could only remain silent, cautious in his words and actions, as if walking on thin ice.

After three years, he failed to make any progress, let alone get promoted, and even failed to leave a lasting impression on the Crown Prince. He became an insignificant figure in the Eastern Palace.

The family's investment seems to be on the verge of being completely lost.

Father Li Quan's brows furrowed deeper and deeper, and sighs frequently echoed from his study.

The mother's smile was tinged with worry, and she began to pray to the gods and Buddhas for her son's safety.

The once warm and friendly relatives have gradually become distant again.

The entire family was shrouded in a state of fear and trepidation, both afraid that Li Yichen would cause trouble in the Eastern Palace and be implicated, and lamenting the slim hope of their only chance of rising to power.

Until Li Yichen from the future transmigrated and replaced that fearful and helpless soul.

At that moment, Li Yichen pushed open the door to the study. His father, Li Quan, was standing with his back to him by the window, gazing at the somewhat desolate old locust tree in the courtyard.

Hearing footsteps, Li Quan slowly turned around.

He was nearly fifty years old, with a thin face, wearing a worn-out dark scholar's robe, and his eyes showed the weariness left by years of working at his desk, as well as a trace of worry that was hard to dispel.

"I'm back." Li Quan's voice was flat, revealing little emotion.

"How have things been going at the Crown Prince's Palace lately?"

He asked the question subtly, but his eyes were fixed on his son, trying to read something from Li Yichen's face.

Even though he held a low-ranking official position, he had heard about the turmoil in the imperial court.

Looking at his nominal father, Li Yichen could sense the deep-seated care in him.

He sighed inwardly; the fate of this family was now firmly tied to him, the transmigrator.

He couldn't tell him the truth, he could only try his best to comfort him.

"I am concerned, but everything in the Crown Prince's Palace is as usual."

His tone was calm, without any discernible emotion.

Li Quan scrutinized him carefully, seemingly trying to find something beneath his calm exterior, but ultimately just nodded.

"Yes, that's good. The key to being a study companion is composure. Remember to be careful with your words and actions, and avoid getting involved in trouble."

He had said this countless times over the past three years; it was practically the only creed for this family to survive on the fringes of power.

"My child understands."

Li Yichen bowed in response.

This family placed all their hopes and fears on him.

They didn't know that the Li Yichen before them was no longer the same naive man he once was, nor did they know what a dangerous game he was playing.

If successful, it may turn the tide and allow the family to soar to new heights.

If they fail... then it will be as clearly recorded in history books: "all will be beheaded," crushing this small family along with them under the political wheels of the Zhenguan era.

I returned to my simple room, closed the door, and shut out the outside world.

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(End of this chapter)