Chapter 47: The Eldest Brother Acts as a Father

Inside the Taiji Palace, Li Chengqian was injured by the fragments of a steam engine while trying to save Li Tai, causing him to faint.

This came as a complete surprise to Li Shimin. Ever since Li Chengqian developed a limp, Li Shimin had lavished a great deal of his affection on Li Tai. When Li Tai was scheduled to leave for his fief, Li Shimin even went so far as to commission a Hall of Literature, allowing Li Tai to lead a group of scholars in compiling the *Geography of the Earth*.

To Li Chengqian, this constituted a fatal threat. Although Li Chengqian was the Crown Prince of the Great Tang, over the years, the favor Li Tai received was not the least bit less than his own—and at times, even more. For Li Chengqian, this was an immense menace.

Consequently, Li Chengqian was driven to take desperate measures, attempting to emulate his imperial father, Li Shimin, by staging his own version of the Xuanwu Gate Incident. But how could Li Shimin, who was thoroughly versed in the arts of Xuanwu Gate, allow him to succeed? Li Chengqian suffered a crushing failure, caught by Li Shimin before he could even put his plan into motion.

This was Li Chengqian's tragedy, and naturally, the primary culprit behind it was Li Shimin himself.

However, matters had not yet reached that juncture; Li Chengqian still had a chance, and at least for now, no improprieties on his part had been discovered.

On the contrary, it was Li Tai who could not bear it whenever Li Shimin showed even the slightest preference toward Li Chengqian. This steam engine incident served as the most glaring proof.

At this moment, several imperial physicians had arrived one after another to diagnose and treat Li Chengqian. After examining him for a brief moment, a physician nodded and raised his gaze to Li Shimin.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has merely suffered concussion-like injuries from the shockwave and will recover shortly. Your humble servant shall write a prescription for him," the physicians said softly after consulting among themselves.

Li Shimin finally let out a long breath of relief. It had been a close call, but fortunately, he was out of danger.

Li Tai still stood there in a daze, completely at a loss. All of this had happened because of him; Li Chengqian had ended up injured precisely because he saved him.

The physicians immediately sprang into action, bringing every ounce of their lifelong learning to bear. Amidst their tense and orderly ministrations, about half an hour later, Li Chengqian finally fluttered his eyes open.

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has woken up!" Yang Jianguang was the first to notice, hurriedly bowing as he spoke to Li Shimin with excitement.

"Chengqian, how are you feeling?" Li Shimin stepped forward anxiously to inquire.

"This subject has caused Your Majesty worry. I..." Li Chengqian's voice was exceedingly faint, devoid of strength after uttering just a single sentence.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince should not speak too much," a physician hurriedly cautioned.

"Right... as long as he has regained consciousness, that is enough. Chengqian, do not speak anymore," Li Shimin beamed like a child. "Someone come, quickly help the Crown Prince lie back down. I shall personally feed him his medicinal broth."

"Yes, this servant obeys the imperial decree," eunuchs and palace maids hastened forward.

Before long, the attendants had safely and comfortably settled Li Chengqian into a reclining position.

Looking at Li Chengqian on the sickbed, Li Shimin was overcome with a myriad of emotions. Only at this very moment was a completely new Li Chengqian truly presented before his eyes.

Compared to Li Tai, Li Chengqian was vastly superior. Moreover, at the most perilous moment, Li Chengqian had disregarded his own safety to save his brother, Li Tai. Even though Li Chengqian knew full well that Li Tai was his most formidable rival for the position of Crown Prince, he had still extended a helping hand.

Li Shimin was instantly moved. He finally came to see Li Chengqian anew—this son who had once been his proudest achievement. Only now did Li Shimin realize that all the affection he had previously poured into Li Tai had been wasted on an ingrate, yielding not a shred of return.

If Li Tai were truly allowed to inherit the throne in the future, he would ruthlessly slaughter all of his brothers, leaving not a single one alive.

From the smallest details of everyday life, one could see the broader picture: Li Tai was utterly unreliable. The recent steam engine incident, in particular, fully validated Li Shimin's assessment. Despite Li Chengqian's repeated warnings, Li Tai had remained completely unfazed. This was the Prince of Wei, Li Tai, whom he had once doted on so heavily, leaving Li Shimin profoundly disappointed.

Li Shimin had a basin of water brought over, and holding it himself, he fed water to Li Chengqian. At this moment, the touching scene of a benevolent father and a filial son was vividly enacted by Li Shimin. Skilled at creating political capital, Li Shimin was naturally unwilling to let such a prime opportunity slip by, and thus played the role of a loving father to the absolute hilt.

After drinking some water, Li Chengqian felt much better. He forced himself to sit up. "Father, how is Qingque? Is he unhurt?"

The very first words out of Li Chengqian's mouth were still inquiring after Li Tai.

*Hoo—*

Li Shimin let out a long sigh, realizing in an instant that matters of state required a magnanimous heart. Li Chengqian's only flaw now was his leg ailment, but overall, he was unquestionably a qualified heir apparent. Compared to Li Tai, he was simply on an entirely different level.

This was his, Li Shimin's, Crown Prince; this was the son of the Heavenly Khagan. At this moment, Li Chengqian was embodying the adage that an elder brother acts as a father to the absolute limit.

"Come over here at once and let your eldest brother take a look at you!" Li Shimin bellowed at Li Tai.

"Yes, Father..." Trembling with fear, Li Tai approached Li Shimin. "This son was wrong. I should have listened to Eldest Brother earlier."

At that moment, Li Tai looked like a child who had done something wrong, wilting instantly.

"Father, do not scold Qingque. He simply did not know the destructive power of the steam engine, and he did not mean it." Li Chengqian pleaded with Li Shimin, his eyes brimming with affection for his younger brother.

Tears welled in Li Shimin's eyes, though as the Heavenly Khagan, he could not easily shed them. He hurriedly rolled up his sleeve and gently rubbed his eyes. "The wind and sand are quite fierce today... some sand has blown into my eyes..."

"Father, it is this son who has caused you distress. I am quite well now." Having forced himself to finish these words, Li Chengqian fainted once more.

"Look, Qingque! This is what you call character! Look at how your eldest brother behaves—even at the final moment, he was still protecting you!" Li Shimin berated Li Tai.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince! What is wrong?" Yang Jianguang suddenly raised his voice.

"Chengqian... My good son... Physician, what is the meaning of this?!" Li Shimin demanded, glaring fiercely at the physicians behind him.

The physicians hurried forward in another flurry of panicked activity. In truth, they knew very well that Li Chengqian had suffered from Qi and blood depletion. The blast from the steam engine's boiler explosion had been immensely powerful, and Li Chengqian had inevitably been caught in the shockwave.

Before long, Li Chengqian regained consciousness once more.

At this moment, the medicinal broth, having been brewed, was brought over by a palace maid and presented before Li Chengqian. "Your Majesty, the medicine is ready."

"Here, I shall feed Chengqian myself." Li Shimin snatched the bowl of medicine away and began to gently blow on the steaming liquid. Suddenly, he scooped a spoonful, brought it to his lips, took a tiny sip to test the temperature, and only then carried it to Li Chengqian's mouth.

"Chengqian, drink this medicine quickly, and you will be well."

The princes and ministers present were deeply moved. At this moment, Li Shimin's image as a loving father towered above all else.

"Father, this son can manage on his own..." Deeply touched as well, Li Chengqian made a feeble effort to sit up.

"Lie still! I will feed you. You saved Qingque's life today after all; I am your father, and feeding you medicine is only right." Li Shimin cut Li Chengqian off directly, gesturing for him to stay down before picking up the porcelain spoon and beginning to carefully feed him spoonful by spoonful.

With every single spoonful, Li Shimin blew on it with meticulous care, terrified of scalding Li Chengqian.

"This son thanks Father!" Li Chengqian cooperated fully as he drank the medicine.

Though the decoction was overwhelmingly bitter, as Li Chengqian swallowed it, he tasted a faint trace of sweetness. He knew the reason full well: every single spoonful of that broth was imbued with a father's love for his son.

And this was precisely the outcome Li Chengqian desired most. In his dreams, he had longed for his father's love. Now, that wish had finally been fulfilled; though it had arrived somewhat late, it had come at last.

Qingque and the others were left completely out in the cold by Li Shimin, whose thoughts were entirely consumed by Li Chengqian.

It took Li Shimin nearly the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to finish feeding that single bowl of medicine, personally administering every single spoonful.

"Lie down, Chengqian, and get some good rest." Setting the medicine bowl aside, Li Shimin waved a hand at the others. "You may all withdraw and let Chengqian rest in peace."

Inside the Taiji Palace, only a single palace maid and Yang Jianguang remained behind to keep vigil, while everyone else filed out of the hall. Meanwhile, the debris of the exploded steam engine outside had already been cleared away entirely by the guards.

"Qingque, what were your intentions? Chengqian warned you repeatedly, yet you turned a deaf ear to it all. What on earth were you thinking?"

Once outside the Taiji Palace, Li Shimin immediately turned on Li Tai with a furious reprimand.

Not daring to raise his head, Li Tai spoke in a tiny voice, "Father, this son merely wanted to prove himself and do something for you. I never expected that my cleverness would lead to a blunder and end up hurting Eldest Brother."

Li Tai felt deeply aggrieved at that moment. Having witnessed the scene between Li Shimin and Li Chengqian, he almost wished he were the one lying on that sickbed instead of his brother. He was jealous—he wanted that kind of affection for himself alone. Yet born into the imperial family, a father's love was far too extravagant a luxury. It was not that Li Shimin refused to give it, but rather that he had too many children and far too many affairs of state to possibly attend to them all.

"You constantly contend with Chengqian, opposing him at every turn. Yet how did Chengqian, your eldest brother, treat you?" Li Shimin's expression grew agitated. "He repaid injury with kindness! Remember that—repaid injury with kindness! When you were in the gravest danger, it was not I who saved you first, nor your personal guards, but Chengqian, your eldest brother."

"Yes, Father, you are entirely right. This son knows he was wrong." Li Tai drooped his head, not daring to look up.

"That reminds me... I still remember your wager. Do you intend to continue the competition?"

"Qingque is willing to concede defeat..." Li Tai was bitterly reluctant, but at this juncture, he did not dare contend for credit any longer.

Just then, Zhangsun Wuji, who had been tasked with overseeing the competition between the steam engine and human labor, walked over. Raising his head slowly as he looked at Li Shimin, he reported:

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the results of the competition are out."

Li Shimin instantly perked up. This was the matter he cared about most at the moment. He beckoned with his hand. "Quickly, bring it here for me to see."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Zhangsun Wuji hurriedly stepped forward and handed over the tabulated results.

Li Shimin took the document, staring at the outcome of a competition that Li Chengqian had bought with his own life and safety, feeling as though he were chewing on wax...