My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Li Shimin was still a little worried.

He stared at Li Tai and asked, "If I make you the crown prince, will you truly be able to pass the throne to Li Zhi in the future?"

"Father, please rest assured. If you do not trust me, I am willing to sign a written agreement."

Moreover, I'm telling you this: if I have sons in the future, I will kill them all." Li Tai's voice trembled slightly with excitement.

"What did you say? You're going to kill your own son?" Li Shimin's expression changed slightly.

"Yes, that way they won't compete with Li Zhi for the throne in the future."

Li Shimin nodded and said, "Alright, then write a written agreement now."

The chief eunuch, Wang De, brought out writing materials, and Li Tai picked up the brush and quickly wrote a document. The gist of it was that if his father, the emperor, made him crown prince, he would ascend the throne after his father's death.

If I have sons in the future, I will kill all my other sons.

After his death, he would pass the throne to Li Zhi.

It must be said that Li Tai's calligraphy is truly exceptional.

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After Li Shimin read it, he handed the document to Fang Xuanling.

After reading it, Fang Xuanling's expression became even more solemn.

However, Li Tai did not think there was anything wrong with it.

Li Tai thought to himself that he understood his father's thoughts all too well. His father was worried that if he became the crown prince and then the emperor, he would turn against the other princes.

In fact, this written agreement was a reassurance.

By then, my father will have passed away, and I will be the emperor. Won't I be in charge of everything?

Who still remembers this?

Back then, Xiang Yu led an army of 400,000 and stationed it at Hongmen, while Liu Bang stationed an army of 100,000 at Ba Shang.

Fan Zeng advised Xiang Yu to send troops to destroy Liu Bang.

Because Xiang Bo and Zhang Liang had a close relationship, Xiang Bo rode to Liu Bang's army overnight to rescue Zhang Liang.

Zhang Liang then introduced Xiang Bo to Liu Bang, and Liu Bang, in order to win over Xiang Bo, agreed to a marriage alliance between the two families.

That means that in the future, Liu Bang's son will marry Xiang Bo's daughter, or Liu Bang's daughter will marry Xiang Bo's son.

However, even after Liu Bang became emperor, this matter was never resolved. Liu Bang and Lü Zhi's only daughter, Princess Lu Yuan, married Zhang Ao.

Emperor Hui of Han, Liu Ying, did not marry Xiang Bo's daughter, and Xiang Bo dared not approach Liu Bang to discuss the matter again.

Therefore, in Li Tai's view, the matter of drawing up a written agreement was nothing more than a pretense.

Seeing that Li Shimin did not immediately agree to the matter, Fang Xuanling coughed and said, "Your Majesty, I think this matter should not be delayed any longer. Please issue an imperial edict to appoint Li Tai as the Crown Prince."

Li Tai was a man of great learning and knowledge, having read many books and also skilled in martial arts; he was truly a man of both literary and martial talents.

Li Tai was of robust build and had a good personal appearance, which allowed him to command respect from both the Western and Eastern kingdoms.

"Please return. I will consider this matter carefully." Upon hearing Li Shimin's words, Fang Xuanling gave Li Tai a meaningful look.

Fang Xuanling and Li Tai then left the Zichen Palace.

Li Shimin watched Li Tai's departing figure and fell into deep thought.

As the saying goes, no one knows a son better than his father, and no one knows a subject better than his ruler.

Li Shimin knew Fang Xuanling and Li Tai very well.

He understood that Fang Xuanling supported Li Tai in hopes of consolidating the Fang family's position.

Li Tai's promise to kill his own child and pass the throne to Li Zhi was an attempt to seize the position of crown prince.

Li Tai's calligraphy and literary talent are both excellent.

However, Li Shimin was still unsure about Li Tai's abilities in governing the country and leading the army.

He felt uneasy about entrusting the great Tang Dynasty to Li Tai, but if he didn't make Li Tai the crown prince, who else could he make the crown prince?

……

morning.

Lizheng Hall.

Cai Xiang brought Empress Zhangsun a bowl of bird's nest soup, but Empress Zhangsun refused to eat it for breakfast.

No matter how Cai Xiang tried to persuade her, Empress Zhangsun refused to eat.

Empress Zhangsun said to her, "Take the bird's nest away first, let me have some peace and quiet."

"promise!"

Cai Xiang had no choice but to take the bird's nest away.

Empress Zhangsun felt very uneasy because last night, she had met with Li Shimin and pleaded with him to release Yin Hongzhi.

However, Li Shimin not only refused, but also suspected that she had accepted benefits from Consort Yin, which was a great injustice.

Empress Zhangsun wondered if she was someone who greedily took advantage of others in Li Shimin's eyes.

Empress Zhangsun vaguely sensed that a distance and estrangement had grown between her and Li Shimin, and they were no longer as close as they used to be.

Empress Zhangsun didn't know what was wrong with her. She loved Li Shimin wholeheartedly and bore him so many children, but in the end, Li Shimin became suspicious of her.

In addition, Empress Zhangsun had also heard that the glutinous rice balls were poisoned.

This took her by surprise.

She thought to herself, how could this be? Those glutinous rice balls were all made by her and Xu Hui themselves, how could they be poisoned?

This is truly strange; it is said to be the work of the Blue Bharadvaja.

Empress Zhangsun thought to herself, "Isn't this Blue Rakshasa woman trying to harm me?"

Wouldn't all the civil and military officials, princes, concubines, and princesses think that they were the ones who poisoned the Lantern Festival?

How can this be clarified to the public?

Just as Empress Zhangsun was lost in thought, Su Wan walked in from outside, carrying a food box in her hand.

Empress Zhangsun noticed that Su Wan's expression was somewhat unnatural.

However, Su Wan still managed a smile: "Your Majesty, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? I've stewed a sea bass for you. Please eat it quickly; sea bass is good for the pregnancy."

Empress Zhangsun had no appetite to begin with.

However, seeing Su Wan's filial piety, she found it difficult to refuse.

Empress Zhangsun smiled and said, "Wan'er, you've gone to so much trouble."

"What are you saying? Isn't it only right that we take care of you, our elder?"

As Su Wan spoke, she opened the food box and took out a plate from it, the aroma of fish filling the air.

Empress Zhangsun found that the perch was cooked to perfection, with excellent color, aroma, and taste, making everyone's mouths water.

Empress Zhangsun didn't stand on ceremony; she ate the perch and even drank the soup. A little sweat appeared on her forehead, and her complexion gradually became rosy.

Su Wan took out a white handkerchief and handed it to Empress Zhangsun.

Empress Zhangsun wiped the sweat from her neck.

"Your Majesty, how does it taste?"

"not bad."

Su Wan's face was full of satisfaction: "If you like it, I'll make it for you again next time."

"Wan'er, your cooking skills are really good, they're almost as good as the head chefs in the imperial kitchen."

Su Wan smiled and said, "You flatter me."

Empress Zhangsun, observing her expression, asked, "Wan'er, why do you look so pale? What happened?"

Su Wan sighed: "There's something I'm not sure if I should say."

"What is it? Tell me."

Su Wan hesitated for a moment, then mustered her courage and said, "Empress, have you heard that His Majesty has issued an edict to depose Li Chengqian from his position as Crown Prince and to execute him?"

"What did you say?" Empress Zhangsun was startled, thinking she had misheard.

"The Crown Prince has already been deposed, and the Emperor still wants to kill him!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun felt her vision go black and immediately fainted to the ground.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, wake up! What's wrong with you?"

Su Wan was terrified when she saw this and quickly called Cai Xiang in.

Su Wan and Cai Xiang pounded on Empress Zhangsun's chest, patted her back, and pinched her philtrum, busying themselves for a long time.

Empress Zhangsun finally caught her breath.

"Wan'er, are you telling the truth?" Empress Zhangsun asked in a trembling voice.

"Your Majesty, this is absolutely true." Su Wan's tone was very certain.

"Has the Emperor gone mad?"

Su Wan cried, her tears falling like pearls from a broken string: "I don't know the specifics, but the Emperor did issue such an edict."

Empress Zhangsun felt her hands and feet were ice-cold: "Help me up."

Su Wan helped Empress Zhangsun up and made her sit down in a chair at the table.

Empress Zhangsun gradually calmed down: "Someone must have impeached the Crown Prince in front of the Emperor, otherwise, the Emperor would not have done this."

"We have learned that Fang Xuanling led several ministers to the Zichen Palace, and shortly afterward, the Emperor issued this decree."

At this moment, Chang'an City is under martial law, and the city is in the process of arresting Li Chenggan.

"Has Chenggan been captured by them?"

"Not yet."

"The fact that they didn't capture Chenggan means that Chenggan is still alive," Empress Zhangsun sighed deeply. "I finally understand why the witchcraft saga broke out back then. Liu Ju's rebellion was also out of necessity."

"I know that Chengqian is a very filial son, but if Your Majesty continues to push him so hard, the tragedy of the witchcraft incident might one day be repeated."

Su Wan wiped away her tears: "Empress, it's not that I'm speaking up for the Crown Prince, but I feel that the Emperor is somewhat biased. It seems that he can only see the Crown Prince's bad points, but not his good points."

It was the Crown Prince who rushed back from the Western Regions and defeated the combined forces of Li Yuanli and Zhang Zhongjian, thus lifting the siege of Chang'an.

Luoyang was besieged by the Turkic army, and who would come to its rescue?

It was Li Chenggan who, through sheer willpower and risking his life, managed to lift the siege of Luoyang and also brought Ashina Simo into surrender. More than 100,000 Turkic troops surrendered to him.

Imagine, if Li Chengqian hadn't risked his life, Chang'an and Luoyang might no longer belong to the Tang Dynasty.

Not only that, but even the emperor and empress would probably become prisoners of war.

However, the emperor didn't care about any of that. As long as a villain spoke ill of Li Chengqian in front of him,

He immediately became suspicious of Li Chenggan, even suspecting that Li Chenggan might rebel.

I remember that time, Li Chengqian had just lifted the siege of Chang'an.

Fang Xuanling publicly impeached the Crown Prince, and the Emperor then imprisoned Li Chenggan in the Dali Temple jail.

They even sent Cheng Yaojin to find out Li Chengqian's opinion and see if Li Chengqian had any complaints.

If Li Chenggan had said one wrong word back then, he would have lost his head.

Li Chengan's campaign against the Western Regions was fraught with peril, with him narrowly escaping death countless times.

At that time, the armies of the Dangxiang, Tuyuhun, and Yanqi were all very fierce. Li Tai led his troops on two expeditions, but both times he was defeated and fled in disarray. It was the crown prince who had to clean up the mess.

The last time I was sent as an envoy to the Wa (Japan) Kingdom, it was also extremely dangerous.

At that time, we went to Mount Rokko together to look for snow lingzhi.

The mountain was extremely steep, as if it had been cut by a knife or axe.

Li Chengan almost fell off the mountaintop.

If I really fall, I will be smashed to pieces.

On that occasion, we also encountered the Rangala woman, Yeon Gaesomun, and Buyeo Yong.

Those people were extremely vicious.

Li Chengan outwitted and outmaneuvered them, eventually driving them away and obtaining the Snow Spirit Mushroom.

Goguryeo, Baekje, and Yanqi secretly conspired to attack the Tang Dynasty, but Li Chengqian thwarted their plot.

King Shanbei admired Li Chengqian's wisdom and courage immensely, which is why he surrendered to our Great Tang Dynasty.

I really don't know what serious crime Li Chengan committed that the Emperor would treat him this way.

Some might say that Li Chenggan disobeyed the imperial order and was disrespectful.

But is that considered disobeying an imperial order?

Li Chengan stayed in Luoyang to defend it.

At that time, the Turkic army had already surrounded Luoyang.

If Li Chengqian leaves, who will defend Luoyang?

Can we really rely on Li Daozong and Zhang Shigui?

Empress Zhangsun felt that Su Wan's words made perfect sense: "I'm going to risk it all and go to the Emperor to argue with him right now."

Empress Zhangsun struggled to her feet and tried to walk out.

Su Wan stopped Empress Zhangsun: "Empress, please sit down."

Empress Zhangsun sat down in a chair at the table, looked at Su Wan, and asked, "Why are you stopping me?"

Su Wan's sweaty chest rose and fell with her breath: "Last night, you met with the Emperor?"

Empress Zhangsun nodded: "Yes."

"Did you persuade the Emperor to repay evil with kindness and release Yin Hongzhi?"

"yes."

"So, did the Emperor listen to you and spare Yin Hongzhi?"

Empress Zhangsun shook her head: "No, not at all."

The Emperor harbored a deep grudge and was determined to kill Yin Hongzhi.

Looking at Empress Zhangsun's slightly tired face, Su Wan said, "Since the Emperor didn't listen to your advice last night, do you think he'll listen if you try to persuade him to change his mind and not pursue Li Chenggan today?"

Empress Zhangsun remained silent, thinking that Su Wan was right. Last night, she asked Li Shimin to spare Yin Hongzhi, but he did not agree. How could Li Shimin possibly listen to her advice today and not pursue the Crown Prince's responsibility?

Empress Zhangsun looked somber and said, "Your analysis is correct. Even if I were to see the Emperor now, he would not listen to me."

"Now you understand. Go see the Emperor."

Not only will the Emperor not listen to what you say, but the two of you might also start arguing, further damaging your relationship and serving no purpose whatsoever.

Empress Zhangsun smoothed her hair with her hand: "I am old and my beauty has faded. In the Emperor's eyes, I am no longer as charming as I used to be."

My words carry less weight before the Emperor than they used to.

Su Wan comforted her, saying, "You don't need to blame yourself; this isn't your fault."

"If we want to save Li Chengqian, we need to think of another way."

Empress Zhangsun sobbed, "I will do anything to save Chenggan, even if it costs me my life. I've had enough of living anyway."

However, at that moment, to everyone's surprise, Li Tai walked in from outside, knelt on the ground, and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty!"

Empress Zhangsun looked down at him: "Tai'er, get up!"

"Thank you, Mother!"

After Li Tai got up from the ground, he glanced at Su Wan and deliberately said, "Oh, sister-in-law, you're here too."

Su Wan rolled her eyes at him: "Qingque, you look radiant, you must have some good news to celebrate?"

Li Tai touched his face with his right hand: "Oh dear, this is not good. Look at me, I can't have anything on my mind. I have no guile at all, and you even saw through this."

"What good news is it? Tell us quickly."

"Father is going to make me the Crown Prince!" Li Tai's face turned bright red, and he looked extremely excited.

Empress Zhangsun's expression changed slightly upon hearing this: "Tai'er, what did you say?"

"Father Emperor is going to make me the Crown Prince."

Immediately afterwards, Li Tai recounted the content of his conversation with Li Shimin.

Empress Zhangsun's shoulders trembled slightly upon hearing this.

She tried hard to control her emotions: "So, has your father agreed to issue an imperial edict to appoint you as the crown prince?"

"Not yet, but I suspect it will be soon!"

Empress Zhangsun's face darkened upon hearing this: "You must have evidence before you speak. You cannot speak carelessly before your father makes a decision."

"Uh—," Li Tai wanted to share his joy with his mother, Empress Zhangsun, but instead he was scolded.

He dared not argue back, "Your subject has remembered."

Empress Zhangsun stood up, touched her belly with both hands, and paced back and forth in the hall, slowly saying: "During the Three Kingdoms period, when Cao Cao announced Cao Pi as the legitimate heir, Cao Pi was extremely excited, and even hugged Xin Pi's neck and said, 'Do you know how happy I am?'"

Later, Cao Pi was criticized, with some pointing out that from that moment on, the fate of the Wei state was destined to be short-lived.

Whoever is chosen as crown prince should feel grief and fear, not joy.

Why?

"Because making you the crown prince means that your father will pass away, shouldn't you feel grief?"

Furthermore, your father entrusted such a large country to you to govern. Aren't you apprehensive?

Is governing a country so easy?

How many people want to govern a country well, but end up making a complete mess of it?

It's not that they don't want to govern the country well, but that it's an extremely difficult task.

Therefore, even if your father decides to pass the throne to you, you shouldn't be happy, just because he hasn't decided yet.

If you become the crown prince, what will happen to Li Chenggan?

"Where is your brotherly affection shown?" Empress Zhangsun asked earnestly.

After hearing Empress Zhangsun's words, Li Tai's face flushed red and then turned pale: "Mother, the reason why Father deposed Li Chengqian from the position of Crown Prince and ordered his execution is because Li Chengqian committed numerous evils, heinous crimes, and unforgivable offenses. He brought this upon himself, and no one else is to blame!"

Unexpectedly, Su Wan was furious upon hearing this. Her almond-shaped eyes widened, her eyebrows stood on end, and she took a step forward, slapping Li Tai across the face, leaving five purple marks.

Li Tai's face immediately swelled up like a pig's head.

Su Wan angrily said, "Qingque, you're not allowed to speak ill of the Crown Prince! If you utter another word, I'll knock your teeth out!"

Li Tai covered his cheek with his hand, his eyes wide open, staring at Su Wan: "You...you dare to hit me?"

"I hit you. How many times have you framed the Crown Prince? Do you think we don't know?"

The Crown Prince has been lenient with you time and time again, not holding it against you, but you have become increasingly demanding and relentless. Where is your brotherly affection?

You are more vicious than a jackal.

Li Tai felt a throbbing pain in his cheeks and almost cried out, "Mother, you must do me justice!"

"Su Wan is too presumptuous; she actually dared to hit me."

To everyone's surprise, Empress Zhangsun said, "Well done, the beating was too light."

Was everything Su Wan said just now true?

Did you frame the Crown Prince?

"Replying to Mother, that's absolutely not true. Those are all rumors, none of them are true." Li Tai thought to himself, "I can't admit to this even if you kill me."

"Rumors? There's never a baseless rumor in this world."

Su Wan, tell me how he framed Chengqian?

Su Wan didn't want to speak, but Empress Zhangsun told her to.

Su Wan then recounted how Li Tai had framed Li Chengqian on several occasions.

Empress Zhangsun was so angry upon hearing this that she trembled with rage, her face turning ashen. She pointed at Li Tai and asked, "Was what Su Wan just said true?"

Li Tai waved his hand: "Mother, don't listen to Su Wan's nonsense. Those things are completely untrue."

"No? You unfilial son, you're a beast!"

"I'll break your legs today!" Empress Zhangsun grew angrier as she spoke, and shouted towards the door, "Guards!"

There were also guards outside the Lizheng Hall, who were completely obedient to Empress Zhangsun's orders.

At this moment, two armored warriors walked in from outside the door. They were tall and had gloomy faces.

When Li Tai saw that Empress Zhangsun was angry, he was so frightened that he ran away.

Empress Zhangsun shouted, "Come back! I'll beat you to death today, you unfilial son!"

Li Tai, who usually can't even take a step, ran faster than a rabbit at this moment, without even looking back.

Seeing that Li Tai had run away, the two armored warriors retreated.

Empress Zhangsun was so angry that she was panting heavily. After catching her breath for a while, she felt a sharp pain in her chest.

Su Wan quickly came over and patted her back.

Su Wan poured her another cup of hot tea. After drinking the tea, Empress Zhangsun's mood gradually calmed down.

She turned to Su Wan and said, "I personally experienced the Xuanwu Gate Incident, and the situation was extremely tragic."

We also know that this incident brought disgrace upon the Emperor.

The emperor also felt very bad, after all, fratricide is a tragedy of humanity.

However, the emperor had no other choice at that time.

If he doesn't resist, the entire army may be wiped out.

Therefore, we absolutely do not want the tragedy of the Xuanwu Gate Incident to repeat itself.

I often tell Li Tai, Li Chengan, and Li Zhi that it is essential for the brothers to live in harmony.

On the surface, they all agreed to my request. It seems I was too trusting of them.