The rebellious grandson of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty: Please, Your Majesty, be called Cro

"Ah...Greetings, Your Highness Prince Jin!"

The captain of the Right Army Commandery hurriedly greeted Li Zhi.

Li Zhi spoke first: "This general."

"I wish to speak with my elder brother for a few minutes. Would that be possible?"

His tone was sincere, his face slightly flushed, showing no arrogance befitting a prince; instead, he appeared somewhat shy.

How could the captain dare to stop them? He immediately waved his hand, ordering all the soldiers along the way to step back and clear the way.

Who would be wary of a young, shy, and harmless prince?

Li Zhi nodded slightly in thanks, turned around and went back to the carriage. When he came out again, he was carrying three or five neatly bundled packages in his hands. He instructed his attendants to wait where they were, and walked slowly to Li Chengqian by himself.

"Brother, this place is desolate and simple, and I am truly uneasy."

"I was thinking of giving you something to help you, but I live in the palace and have nothing of value... After much thought, I have prepared some coarse cloth, rice, and daily necessities as a token of my appreciation. I hope you will accept them."

Li Chengqian was slightly taken aback. Looking at his younger brother who had disregarded all taboos and offered help in his time of need, he couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness in his heart.

In the past, he resided in the Eastern Palace and was the crown prince. Everyone around him flattered him, and carriages and guests came and went in an endless stream outside the Eastern Palace gate.

Once he was convicted and dismissed from his post, his followers scattered like leaves in the wind, and not a single one of his former close friends came to inquire about his whereabouts.

They wanted to avoid it at all costs, fearing they would be implicated.

On the contrary, only the weak and docile young slave dared to disregard personal gain and still thought of their brotherly bond, and specially came to help and visit them.

"It must have been hard on you, still thinking of your down-on-your-luck elder brother."

Li Chengqian took the packages, gave a wry smile, and mocked himself.

Li Zhi lowered his head and smiled gently, his eyes and brows showing a kind and innocent expression, as if he were showing naivety and deep brotherly affection. He softly comforted Li Zhi:

"Blood relatives are bound by blood; how could that change because of honor or disgrace, prosperity or decline? Brother, rest assured and recuperate; there's no need to worry too much."

"As for Father, I will also try to find an opportunity to mediate on behalf of my brother. Perhaps I can persuade Father to change his mind."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, appearing indifferent. However, his eyes revealed only gratitude towards Li Zhi.

This scene, filled with warmth and brotherly affection, and the Prince of Jin's sincere feelings, moved many of the imperial guards present.

The crown prince was convicted of a crime, and the emperor issued an edict to imprison him. Everyone in the world knew that the crown prince had offended the emperor.

The fact that the Prince of Jin risked the Emperor's wrath to come and meet the Crown Prince shows the deep bond between the brothers.

Only Li Xiang, standing beside Li Chengqian and taking in everything, was frowning, scrutinizing Prince Jin, Li Zhi, with a playful, gossipy look.

This is an extremely cunning and ruthless actor!

Tsk tsk tsk, this Li Zhi looks like an innocent-looking young heartthrob.

How can someone have such superb acting skills?

If I didn't know that this guy was the prince who would eventually inherit the throne...

Moreover, he had an affair with his stepmother, Empress Wu Zetian.

Li Xiang really would treat him like a good person!

This brotherly affection and respect is something I'd love to see if we traveled back in time together.

He should at least win a Golden Horse Award, right?

Although he wasn't very familiar with history, he did know the story of Li Zhi and Wu Zetian.

In terms of the entire Tang Dynasty royal family at this time, in terms of concealing one's talents, enduring hardship, playing dumb to outmaneuver others, and feigning innocence, Prince Li Zhi of Jin was absolutely a top-tier figure.

They appear gentle and mild-mannered, unassuming, harmonious with their siblings, and harmless to humans and animals.

Secretly calculating and insightful, he observes the battle between the dragon and the tiger, reaping the benefits in the process.

The saying goes, "The Tang Dynasty was filthy, the Han Dynasty was chaotic, and the Song Dynasty was slovenly." Of the two words "filthy Tang," this polite and harmless Prince of Jin in front of me embodies half of it.

While Li Shimin was still alive, this guy dared to have an affair with Li Shimin's concubine, Wu Zetian, and exchange flirtatious glances.

Once Li Shimin was gone, this guy dropped all pretense and, disregarding the wrath of the world, took Wu Zetian into his harem, made her empress, and gave his own father, Li Shimin, a cuckolding accusation that will be remembered throughout history.

For this reason, he even personally eliminated many ministers loyal to the Li Tang dynasty.

Of course, those who cuckold others will always be cuckolded in return. Li Zhi's sister Wu, whom he had cuckolded from his own father, continued to cuckold him for decades after his death, even keeping male lovers when she was eighty-one years old.

He also became the victim of the earliest recorded case in history involving a gold digger who successfully left the family and seized her deceased husband's inheritance.

Li Xiang had read countless erotic stories about Li Zhi and Wu Zetian in later generations. Now, seeing the male protagonist from those erotic novels right in front of him, how could he not take a good look at him?

"Uh..." Feeling Li Xiang's strange gaze, Li Zhi felt a sense of unease.

He unconsciously looked down at his clothes, making sure they were clean and tidy and there was nothing strange about them, before looking up again:

"Elephant, is there something wrong with me?"

"No, no," Li Xiang quickly shook his head.

He really wanted to ask Li Zhi if he knew his sister Wu yet, and what stage their relationship had reached.

But looking at it, Li Zhi seems to be... still a virgin. He probably hasn't been eaten by Sister Wu yet, right?

Hmm, that doesn't make sense either; the Li family generally has pretty strong firepower.

Tsk tsk tsk, what a sin, this is not suitable for children...

Meeting Li Xiang's gaze, Li Zhi felt a strange feeling in his heart, but he did not show it on his face. He turned to Li Chengqian and smiled, "Now that it has been delivered, brother, I will take my leave."

His purpose in coming here was merely to put on an act. He certainly didn't intend to have much real involvement with Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian, unsuspecting, nodded. The two brothers exchanged a few more words, and then Li Chengqian invited Li Xiang, Su Shi, and the others to the house.

Li Zhi turned back to the carriage, and as soon as he drew the curtain, the regret, heartache, and timidity on his face vanished instantly.

He adopted a cold and stern expression, narrowing his eyes and showing displeasure.

"Although Father did not behead Chengqian, Chengqian... should no longer be a threat."

"But his son..."

He recalled the strange look Li Xiang had given him earlier, a look that was half scrutinizing and half teasing, as he kept glancing at his lower body.

Li Zhi felt a sudden discomfort.

Although Li Xiang didn't say anything, Li Zhi always felt that Li Xiang was saying to him: "Keep acting, I'll just quietly watch you act."

In that gaze, he felt as if the secrets deep in his heart had been exposed to his nephew.

"Phew, I guess I was overthinking it." Li Zhi let out a long breath, comforting himself.

It must have been a few days ago when I witnessed my nephew's rebellious and audacious words, and I was terrified by his crazy actions.

Therefore, I subconsciously felt that this nephew was no ordinary person.

Chengqian is out of the game, and he has been imprisoned outside the palace along with Chengqian. Today will be the last time he sees this brat.

The father and son are no longer a threat to him.