A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

According to the rules of etiquette, only Li Chengqian was qualified to guard the tomb of Empress Zhangsun.

However, perhaps considering that Empress Zhangsun loved her children very much and had deep feelings for them, Li Shimin broke the rules of etiquette and allowed Li Chengqian, Li Tai, Li Zhi, and several princesses to keep vigil for Empress Zhangsun.

If it were just that, it wouldn't be so bad. What Li Chengqian found even more unacceptable was that, on the way to Empress Zhangsun's burial, Li Shimin actually allowed Li Tai and Li Chengqian to help carry the coffin.

Li Shimin told the public that Li Tai had not served the Empress for many years and wanted to show his filial piety again. He was moved by Li Tai's filial piety and therefore agreed.

The two men, one on each side, supported the coffin as they proceeded from Taihe Palace, through Jiade Gate, out of Luoyang, and into Zhaoling Mausoleum.

After Empress Zhangsun's funeral, Li Chengqian, heartbroken, didn't even bother to greet Li Tai before returning to his palace.

Li Chengqian took off the jade pendant he always wore close to his body. It was a gift from Empress Zhangsun when he was a child, and he had worn it ever since he grew up, never taking it off.

The jade pendant is still there, but the mother who gave it to him is no longer alive.

"Mother, do you know what Father did today?"

"Will your spirit in heaven support your child?"

Li Chengqian held the jade pendant and murmured to himself.

After a while, there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

Li Chengqian continued to stroke the jade pendant, speaking without looking up.

"Your Highness."

Several people entered one after another, including Hou Junji, Li Anyan, and Li Yuanchang.

"My mother has passed away. As for the funeral arrangements and all the rights and wrongs, I have no intention of getting involved. My father is old and has become somewhat senile."

"The Tang Dynasty is currently in a golden age. If we allow Father Emperor to continue to be so senile, the country's golden age will be over, and the people will find it difficult to live in peace."

"I wish to ask my father to abdicate, so that he may follow my grandfather's example and enjoy his later years in the Wude Hall."

"Would any of you be willing to help me?"

Everyone knelt on one knee, bowed their heads, and said, "We are willing to die for Your Highness!"

Afterwards, everyone discussed their mutiny plan in this secret room.

Finally, Hou Junji asked again, "Your Highness, what should we do about the King of Yue?"

"Qingque, isn't he very filial? Mother is so lonely in the underworld, let him go and keep her company."

"Chengxin, bring Qingque's head and meet me at Xuanwu Gate."

As Li Chengqian's calm voice faded, a figure emerged from the shadows of the room. The figure had a clean face, delicate features, and appeared harmless.

However, Hou Junji was horrified. He was a seasoned veteran who knew countless people, yet he had not noticed anyone there just now.

"promise."

After saying this, Chengxin retreated back into the shadows and disappeared.

"Let's go."

Li Chengqian thought for a moment, then returned to his palace and changed his clothes.

This outfit was prepared for him by Empress Zhangsun, and it was sewn by her own hands. He did not want this outfit to be damaged today.

However, after thinking about it, Li Chengqian wrapped up the clothes again and carried them with him.

Speed ​​is of the essence in war; delay leads to defeat.

Li Chengqian set the time for tonight, which would catch them off guard and prevent them from making adequate preparations.

But it can also catch Li Shimin off guard, leaving him unprepared.

After all, he was facing Li Shimin, a great and powerful figure. When facing such a terrifying enemy, the best course of action was to charge in and bring the opponent down to the same level as you in the battle.

As evening fell, the night was as dark as ink.

Inside the Taiji Palace, in the candlelight, two figures could be vaguely seen playing chess.

There was no one around, not even Li Shimin's close attendants, who were waiting outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, it's your turn."

Wei Zu looked at the chessboard in front of him and smiled faintly.

Li Shimin frowned, carefully considering the chess game before him.

A moment later, Li Shimin relaxed his furrowed brows and threw the white piece he was tightly holding into the chess box.

"I have lost."

Li Shimin sighed softly, "Sir, your chess skills are still so superb; I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."

Wei Zu smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty is too modest. Chess is ultimately just a minor skill. Your Majesty is usually busy with state affairs and naturally has no time to study such trivial skills."

"Moreover, His Majesty's mind is currently unsettled, which is why he has suffered repeated setbacks in the game of chess."

Li Shimin smiled wryly and looked towards the direction of the Eastern Palace. "Prince Yan, do you think the Crown Prince will really make a move?"

He couldn't quite say what he was really thinking. Was it regret, remorse, guilt, or even hope, still clinging to a sliver of hope that Li Chengqian wouldn't rebel?

"Your Majesty, if you were in the Crown Prince's position, what would you do?"

Wei Zu asked.

Li Shimin fell silent. He tried to put himself in Li Chengqian's shoes. Without a doubt, he would also raise an army without hesitation.

He would never entrust his fate to anyone else.

He never imagined that this timid child would be so much like him at heart.

Should he feel gratified?

But now that his son is rebelling against him, how can he feel any joy?

"If my eldest brother had inherited the throne back then, and the Tang Dynasty's throne had been inherited by the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and I hadn't set a bad precedent, would none of this have happened?"

"The Li family would never shed their brothers' blood, much less rebel against their own father?"

"The Li family's throne will then be passed down smoothly."

Li Shimin closed his eyes in anguish, as if recalling the death of his fourth brother and Li Yuan, whom he had kept confined in the palace.

It was as if they could see countless sword fights and bloodshed in the future of the Li Tang Dynasty, with rivers of blood flowing in front of Xuanwu Gate, all of which were the blood of the Li family.

Generation after generation, generation after generation, from generation to generation.

The blood of the Li family soaked the walls of Xuanwu Gate.

"If Your Majesty were given another chance to choose, would you choose to abdicate the throne?"

Wei Zu asked again.

A bitter smile appeared on Li Shimin's lips. How could that be? That was the throne.

He's destined to become an emperor for all time, how could he possibly give up?

"After Guanyinbi passed away, only you, sir, can let me speak my mind. To be honest, if I were to choose again, I would still choose the throne."

"But I might spare the fourth brother's life."

Outside the palace, a dark cloud suddenly completely obscured the moon, plunging the entire world into darkness. Winds began to rise, and soon a fierce gale arose, causing the trees to sway violently.

A drop of rain fell on Li Chengqian's face. Li Chengqian's expression was full of murderous intent. He slowly wiped the water droplet off his face with his fingertips.

"Is it raining to wash away today's blood?"

"Or is it God, you too, weeping for your mother's passing?"

Li Chengqian muttered to himself.

"Is everyone here?"

"Your Majesty, everyone has arrived."

Hou Junji said, and Chengxin's figure also emerged from the darkness, holding a head in his hand.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flashed, illuminating the entire sky.

In the flash of lightning, one could see that the head belonged to Li Tai, who died with his eyes wide open.