Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

The Eastern Palace.

The news of Li Chengqian's confinement spread throughout Chang'an in an instant.

Led by Xiao Shunzi, Changsun Wuji arrived at the study.

Li Chengqian sat in a chair, toying with a paperweight in his hand.

"Your Highness."

Changsun Wuji cupped his hands in greeting.

Li Chengqian didn't speak, but pointed to the chair opposite him.

After Changsun Wuji sat down, he looked at Li Chengqian's unconvinced expression and sighed.

"Your Highness acted impulsively. Drawing a knife in Ganlu Hall is a grave taboo."

His Majesty is currently furious, and your position as Crown Prince is hanging by a thread.

Li Chengqian put down the paperweight, looked up at Changsun Wuji, and asked:

"Did my uncle come today just to lecture me?"

"I'm here to lend you a hand."

Changsun Wuji shook his head slightly.

"In court affairs, one must know when to advance and when to retreat. With the fall of the Changsun family, the people in Guanzhong are in turmoil."

His Majesty needs a marriage to appease his former officials. Chang Le is the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife; if she doesn't shoulder this responsibility, who will?

Seeing that Li Chengqian's expression did not change, Changsun Wuji continued,

"To exchange a princess for ten years of peace in the court, and to ensure your position as crown prince is as secure as Mount Tai."

This deal is a sure thing.

"Your Highness, you are a smart man. Why are you being so stubborn at this crucial juncture?"

Li Chengqian laughed after hearing this.

Changsun Wuji frowned and asked:

"What is Your Highness laughing at?"

"I laugh at you, you old fox, you're really getting worse as you get older."

Li Chengqian's smile vanished, and he abruptly stood up, placing his hands on the desk and staring intently at Changsun Wuji.

"You'd trade your own niece's life for your laughable stability in court?"

"Changsun Wuji, have you lost your backbone?"

Changsun Wuji's expression changed, and he was about to lash out.

Li Chengqian didn't give him a chance at all and started cursing him out.

"Do you still think you're the powerful Duke of Qi? You're nothing more than a commoner who's been demoted to the lowest rung of society."

The Empress Dowager only released you to assist me, and you really think you're something special?

You've come to the Eastern Palace now to persuade me to bow my head and accept my fate.

To put it bluntly, you just want to use Chang Le to curry favor with the Emperor in exchange for the meager semblance of dignity that your Changsun family can maintain.

"Let me tell you, Chang Le is my own sister, not a bargaining chip for you politicians. Anyone who dares to touch her, I'll chop off their claws."

Changsun Wuji was scolded until his face turned ashen.

But when he saw Li Chengqian's fierce eyes, his heart trembled.

He suddenly realized that his nephew was serious this time.

He dared to shatter the heavens for the sake of Chang Le.

Changsun Wuji suppressed his anger and prepared to try a different approach to persuade him.

He feared that if he tried to persuade Li Chengqian by bringing up the overall situation of the court, Li Chengqian might just draw his sword and kill him.

"Very well. Since Your Highness is determined to protect Chang Le, then this marriage must not go through."

Li Chengqian looked at him coldly and asked:

"What? Uncle has an idea?"

Changsun Wuji sneered:

"His Majesty was humiliated by you in the Ganlu Hall last night, so he will definitely take action at the morning court today."

His Majesty will surely issue an edict as soon as possible in order to appease the powerful families of Guanzhong.

"If His Highness wants to ruin this marriage, your mere actions will be futile and you'll only be accused of disobeying imperial orders. His Majesty has a hundred ways to suppress you."

"What does Uncle think we should do?"

Li Chengqian continued to ask.

"Stir up this mess, and then go and contact all the princes."

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow.

"What His Majesty fears most is the princes forming factions."

But what if all the people claiming to be legitimate or illegitimate children went to the Ganlu Palace to plead for the same thing on the same day?

D.

Even if His Majesty is furious, he cannot possibly imprison all the princes.

If the princes start making a fuss, the imperial decree for the marriage will become a hot potato.

Even if the Gao family had the greatest courage, they wouldn't dare accept a marriage that would offend all the princes in the land.

Li Chengqian looked at Changsun Wuji and burst into laughter.

"My uncle's tactic of using someone else's strength against them has a bit of the feel of the Xuanwu Gate Incident back then."

Changsun Wuji didn't reply, but simply cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.

"I have said all I have to say. Your Highness should take heed."

After saying that, Changsun Wuji turned and walked out of the study.

......

Taiji Hall.

The civil and military officials stood below, all with their heads bowed.

They had all heard about the Crown Prince's outburst at Ganlu Palace yesterday.

Judging from Li Shimin's face, which was as black as the bottom of a pot, he was in a very bad mood today.

Who would bother to step forward and invite criticism these days?

Don't you see even the outspoken Wei Zheng is playing dumb right now?

"Wang De, proclaim the imperial decree."

Wang De held a bright yellow imperial edict and walked to the steps of the palace to unfold it.

"Your Excellency. Princess Changle, Li Lizhi, is gentle, virtuous, and naturally beautiful. Gao Lixing, the eldest son of Duke Shen, Gao Shilian, is exceptionally talented and handsome. I hereby bestow upon Gao Lixing in marriage, and an auspicious day shall be chosen for the wedding. This is my decree."

When the imperial edict was issued, all the civil and military officials were stunned.

Didn't the Crown Prince just cause a huge scene? How come an imperial edict has been issued so quickly?

Gao Shilian stood at the front of the civil officials' line, completely dumbfounded.

He never expected that such a huge windfall would fall into his lap.

Several senior officials nearby quickly tugged at his sleeve.

Gao Shilian then realized what was happening and quickly stepped forward and knelt down.

"Your humble servant Gao Shilian, on behalf of my son, kowtows to express his gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Li Shimin's expression softened slightly when he saw Gao Shilian kneeling on the ground.

"Minister Gao, rise. At the grand court assembly in three days, bring Gao Lixing to the palace to express your gratitude."

"Your humble servant obeys the imperial decree!"

Gao Shilian stood up with a broad smile.

After the court session, Li Shimin returned to the Ganlu Hall.

Wang De carefully handed over a bowl of ginseng soup.

"Your Majesty, please rest for a while."

Li Shimin pushed aside the ginseng soup and snorted coldly:

"What is that unfilial son doing now?"

Wang De stammered:

"Your Majesty, the Hundred Cavalry reports that His Highness the Crown Prince... His Highness..."

"Why are you stammering? Speak."

Li Shimin glared at him directly.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is drinking tea and watering flowers in the back garden of the Eastern Palace."

Li Shimin was stunned.

Drinking tea and watering flowers?

Last night, this kid was wielding a knife and ready to fight me to the death, but today, even after the imperial decree has been issued, he's remained silent?

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

"It is said that Li Junxian..."

A moment later, Li Junxian walked in.

"Your subject Li Junxian pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"You personally lead the men to keep a close watch on the Eastern Palace for me."

Li Shimin pointed outside the palace,

"Not even a fly can be let in. And that rebellious son must not be allowed to step out of the East Palace. If he dares to force his way in, I will tie him up immediately."

"I obey your decree!"

Li Junxian accepted the order and withdrew.

Outside the East Palace Gate.

Li Junxian led over a hundred elite cavalrymen to completely surround the main gate of the East Palace.

He knew this young master's temper all too well.

If we try to force our way in, we'll likely suffer some casualties today.

But to his surprise...

A whole morning passed, and the silence in the East Palace was frightening.

Li Junxian felt a chill run down his spine.

He summoned a spy and asked:

"What's going on inside?"

The scout hurriedly replied:

"Commander, His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed watering the flowers in the back garden."

While watering the flowers, she also had Xiao Shunzi brew a pot of pre-Qingming Longjing tea; she seemed to be in a good mood.

Li Junxian frowned as he looked at the gate of the East Palace.

It's too peaceful.

This doesn't suit Li Chengqian's temperament.

A sense of unease suddenly rose in Li Junxian's heart.