Chapter 9: As Long as You Don't Strive, No One Will Know How Weak You Truly Are! 【New Book—Please Support】
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Li Chengqian had just been established as Crown Prince when he already requested to be deposed, causing the new elites of Chang’an to spend a rather restless night.
Of course, this matter would not stir up a city-wide storm. Those who needed to know would be informed, and those who shouldn’t know would remain unaware.
For the majority, life went on as usual, as if nothing had happened.
In truth, it was better not to know certain things, avoiding entanglements in unnecessary troubles.
His Majesty the Second Emperor rose early before dawn to attend the morning court, a habit cultivated in his military days. Even as emperor, he would not slacken.
Moreover, the matter of the Wei River Alliance was like a bone stuck in his throat.
Though his actions were justified by the greater good—to consolidate power, bring peace to the people, and avoid war—it did not mean he was unprepared for battle.
Though now the Son of Heaven, no longer the great general of the imperial guards, the warrior spirit within him remained undiminished.
Only days after the Turks withdrew their troops, he ordered the imperial guards within the palace to begin war preparations.
He even used the front courtyard outside Xiande Hall as a training ground.
Every day after court, several hundred imperial guards were summoned to practice archery, with the emperor personally overseeing their testing. Those who hit the most targets were rewarded.
This move left the court officials dumbfounded.
According to Tang law, those close to the emperor were forbidden to carry weapons. Now the emperor himself was training with soldiers in full view outside the hall, drawing arrows—what was this about?
Not only was it unbecoming of royal dignity, but it also jeopardized the emperor’s personal safety.
Yet His Majesty cared not for such concerns; he was singularly focused on confronting the Turks.
To forestall any admonishment, he uttered a phrase destined to be immortalized, known far and wide through the ages.
He said, “A true ruler regards the four seas as one family; within the realm, all are my children. I hold each of them close to my heart. How then can even the palace guards harbor suspicion?”
Such breadth of vision, such magnanimity, such grace!
No wonder he was hailed as a timeless emperor.
Later events would prove His Majesty right.
The imperial guards who trained with him not only avoided accidents but became the elite of the elite.
“Rumble...”
Having finished his morning wash, Li Chengqian estimated that Zhangsun Wuji would soon finish morning court. With short legs moving like the wind, he dashed toward Xiande Hall.
Unfortunately, after only a few steps, Empress Zhangsun caught him red-handed.
“Chengqian, where are you going? Aren’t you eating breakfast?”
“I won’t eat, Mother. I have to attend class!”
“Class?”
The empress was taken aback, thinking to herself, what’s with these two brothers? They’ve grown up overnight.
Li Tai had gotten up before dawn, saying he was going to class, now Li Chengqian was doing the same, refusing even to eat.
It was understandable for Li Tai, a chubby boy who loved studying by nature.
But Li Chengqian, clever though he was, was usually not fond of studying. Could it be divine intervention?
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That was the only explanation the empress could think of.
But skipping breakfast was out of the question.
“You must eat before class! Come back here!”
“Mother! Ah, I’m already late!”
“Even if you’re late, you must eat. And bring some for Qingque too, he hasn’t eaten!”
“Huh?”
Li Chengqian’s expression froze. “Qingque went to class too?”
He had lied about going to class, confident no one would catch him skipping. But hearing the empress’s words, he immediately remembered how much the chubby one loved to tattle.
In the past two years, ever since the little chubby became sensible, he had reported him countless times.
So if he skipped class, the chubby would surely report him to His Majesty immediately.
Alas!
Li Chengqian raised a hand to his forehead in frustration.
“Qingque got up before dawn to write an essay for Master Kong to correct, unlike you who just woke up now...”
The empress approached her son slowly, gently touched his forehead, and teased with a smile, “Some people were so determined yesterday, swearing they’d reclaim their position through their own efforts...”
“Uh...”
Li Chengqian twitched his mouth, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Yet the empress spared him further humiliation, smoothing his clothes before instructing her maid, “Xiangling, bring a food box for Chengqian to eat on the way.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The maid named Xiangling bowed and quickly returned with a food box, handing it to Li Chengqian.
“Thank you, Mother.”
He accepted it and bowed in return.
“All right, go quickly. Don’t be late.”
“Yes.”
...
After leaving Lizheng Hall, Li Chengqian looked at the food box in his hand, a troubled look on his face.
Why was the chubby one so hardworking, making you seem like you have a chance?
As long as you don’t work hard, no one will know how weak you are!
Do you understand that...
“Ah!”
He sighed, then glanced toward Xiande Hall. If he hurried, he should still make it.
Class...
Forget it, he would finish the side quest first.
Before long, he arrived outside Xiande Hall.
“Prince of Zhongshan, are you here to see His Majesty?”
The commander of the imperial guards in charge of security at Xiande Hall, Yun Duan, smiled broadly upon seeing Li Chengqian.
“Oh, Commander Yun!”
Li Chengqian glanced at Yun Duan and greeted him simply, not revealing his purpose for coming.
Yun Duan scratched his head, unsure how to interact with this “former Crown Prince.”
After all, this “former Crown Prince” was notorious for holding the record as the shortest-reigning Crown Prince in history.
But Emperor Taizong had already instructed him to prevent Li Chengqian from causing trouble at Xiande Hall.
So, mustering courage, Yun Duan bantered, “Heh, Prince of Zhongshan, are you here to deliver breakfast to His Majesty?”
“Are you that idle?”
Li Chengqian instinctively rejected the ambiguous teasing.
After all, this was the palace, where everyone harbored their own motives. Those without motives ended up in the mass graves.
“Uh…”
Yun Duan smiled awkwardly, thinking this fellow was really hard to get along with.
However, the awkwardness did not last long, for a clamor arose from inside Xiande Hall.
No need to guess—it was the end of court.
Li Chengqian’s eyes lit up, and he prepared to rush in to find Zhangsun Wuji.
Yun Duan was startled and hurried to block him.
“Prince of Zhongshan, show some respect!”
“Arrogant!”
Li Chengqian’s face twisted in mock fear.
Just as Yun Duan was about to remind him of the emperor’s orders, Zhangsun Wuji emerged from the hall.
“Chengqian? What are you doing here?”
“Uncle, I came to bring you breakfast~~”
Li Chengqian smiled sweetly.