Chapter 49: Shrewd Li Er

At this moment, Li Chengqian was well aware that, according to court ritual and protocol, he indeed did not qualify to stay overnight in his Imperial Father's personal bedchamber.

However, given the special circumstances at hand and his current frail health, a possibility had thus arisen.

Yet Li Chengqian understood that this was an immense imperial favor, one that would undoubtedly make Li Tai green with envy. Initially, he had been prepared to decline firmly; however, observing Li Tai's recent behavior, Li Chengqian decided to change his attitude.

Why refuse?

Sometimes, declining is even more effective than actively fighting for something, and far more so.

By this point, Li Chengqian had already made up his mind: he would adopt the strategy of feigning retreat to advance, appearing reluctant while secretly accepting.

As he spoke, Li Chengqian raised his head, projecting an air of utter weakness.

Beholding Li Chengqian's condition, Emperor Taizong felt a sharp pang of heartache. He had already resolved that this time, he must take good care of Chengqian, especially since the steam engine Chengqian had invented was undoubtedly the savior of the Great Tang Empire.

"Elder Brother, you should just listen to Imperial Father. Stay by Imperial Father's side, and Imperial Father will be at ease." Li Tai looked at Li Chengqian with a theatrical expression of utmost attentiveness, then gazed expectantly at Emperor Taizong, murmuring softly, "Imperial Father, this son also wishes to stay and help you take care of Elder Brother."

Emperor Taizong merely lifted his eyes, glanced at Li Tai, and instantly found the scene quite amusing.

This Li Tai was just like a stubborn mule: pull him and he refuses to budge, beat him and he backs away. Give him sugar and he won't eat it, but ignore him completely, and he eagerly comes crawling back.

"This son is also willing to take care of Elder Brother." Li Ke stepped forward as well, looking at Emperor Taizong and actively volunteering.

"Please, Imperial Father, allow this son to stay and take care of Elder Brother too." Li Zhi also stepped out, unwilling to lag behind at this moment.

The other imperial princes and palace attendants all knelt down together, petitioning Emperor Taizong.

In an instant, the Taiji Palace became bustling and lively.

Emperor Taizong and his sons were all eagerly volunteering to stay and look after Li Chengqian.

Meanwhile, the officials of the Great Tang were somewhat at a loss.

According to established precedent, Li Chengqian was indeed unsuited to remain within the Taiji Palace. He had his own East Palace and should rightfully return there, leaving the servants of the East Palace to tend to him.

Rules were made by men, however, and Emperor Taizong and his peers were the very makers of those rules.

Therefore, Emperor Taizong could entirely issue an imperial decree to alter these damned regulations. Yet, he would not do so; issuing decrees that changed with the morning and evening would render the sovereign's commands virtually meaningless.

For the Great Tang Empire, that would be an extremely ominous development.

"Your Majesty, please exercise caution." Chu Suiliang still urged him earnestly, despite knowing Emperor Taizong's temper and the consequences of offering blunt remonstrance.

"This minister also hopes Your Majesty will reconsider. Once Your Majesty makes this decision today, does that mean from now on, whenever any imperial prince falls ill, they too can stay within the Taiji Palace?" Cheng Yaojin puffed out his potbelly and argued forcefully.

Cheng Yaojin understood that at this moment, the Emperor might not listen to direct admonitions, so he used the other princes to guide him to reason.

Sure enough, before Cheng Yaojin's voice had even faded, the corners of Emperor Taizong's mouth twitched several times in succession.

Emperor Taizong had never expected that this rough-hewn fellow could actually articulate such logic today, bringing up the other princes to make his case.

Since matters had reached this point, Emperor Taizong had to give them a satisfactory explanation today.

Emperor Taizong slowly stood up, paced back and forth a few times before Li Chengqian's bed, hesitated for a moment, and then delivered a passionate and stirring declaration:

"I understand your intentions. Today, I have only one thing to say: Li Tai, Li Zhi, and the others are all my sons as well, but there is only one Crown Prince of mine, and that is—Li Chengqian."

"I shall break the precedent for the Crown Prince this time. At the same time, I solemnly declare that only the Crown Prince is qualified to stay overnight in the Taiji Palace when he falls ill. As for the other princes, I shall visit them at their respective residences."

Hoo—

The moment Emperor Taizong's voice fell, a dead silence descended upon the Taiji Palace. The civil and military officials, as well as the imperial princes, were struck dumb with astonishment; none of them had anticipated such a final outcome.

This was completely beyond their imagination, that Emperor Taizong would ultimately fob them off with such a reason.

Especially the imperial princes, who at this moment felt like mutes eating bitter herbs—they stood frozen on the spot, utterly stupefied, their eyes vacant.

Ultimately, they were the ones who suffered the injury. Although this was not the result they wished to see, the rice was already cooked.

At this point, they possessed no capacity to alter it, and regret came far too late.

Having spoken, Emperor Taizong immediately straightened his back and cast a cold, hard gaze upon the civil and military officials and his own sons.

Inside the Taiji Palace, the silence was chilling; even if a single needle were to drop, it could be clearly heard.

"Imperial Father, no, please do not break the precedent on account of this son. Your son is deeply grateful to Imperial Father, but I beg you to revoke your command." Struggling, Li Chengqian managed to sit up, looking at Emperor Taizong with an expression of earnest sincerity as he pleaded persistently.

Emperor Taizong dismissed his concerns with a wave, took Li Chengqian's hand, and said softly, "Chengqian, you need not have any misgivings; I have already made up my mind. Furthermore, I am extremely pleased with the steam engine you have crafted for the Great Tang Empire this time. Just now, I already inquired with Zhangsun Wuji, and your steam engine can easily match the output of four thousand ordinary spinning wheels."

Hoo—

Hearing these words, Li Tai felt as though he had been struck by a frost; in an instant, all his spirit vanished.

The transformation brought about in the span of a single breath caused Li Tai to collapse limply onto the ground, stripping him of his former imposing aura in the blink of an eye.

However, Emperor Taizong paid no heed to this prince of his. Instead, after casting a casual glance over the gathered princes and officials, his gaze grew resolute, and his voice rang out with resounding force:

"Moreover, Qingque, I remember every detail of our previous wager. I have already ordered Zhangsun Wuji to find a manor for you; you shall accompany him there shortly. Starting from this day, you are to leave the Wude Hall."

Clatter—

Li Tai felt as though a thunderbolt had struck the crown of his head. He had never imagined that today would turn out to be the most wretched day of his life.

It was utterly unimaginable; he had thought he would at least have to wait for some time, until Li Chengqian had fully recovered.

Yet, he had miscalculated after all. To comfort Li Chengqian, the Imperial Father could wait no longer, directly issuing this decree right here in the Taiji Palace, in full view of the civil, military officials, and the other princes.

"Imperial Father..." Li Tai choked up, on the verge of tears.

"What? Are you unwilling, and still wishing to cling shamelessly to the Wude Hall?" Emperor Taizong's gaze grew sharp.

"No..." Li Tai wiped away a tear, feeling as though time had practically frozen. He even experienced difficulty breathing. Slowly raising his head, he forced out those few words with great effort: "This son obeys the imperial decree."

"Qingque, you know very well how I have treated you during this period. Try to give me less cause for worry." Emperor Taizong sighed. He was not fond of acting thus, but as the sovereign, he had to be decisive and could not afford the slightest hesitation or drag.

"Yes, Imperial Father may rest assured. This son will prepare to move out of the Wude Hall immediately." Gritting his teeth to suppress the raging fury within his heart, Li Tai dared not display his displeasure, even though he was a thousand times unwilling.

"All of you may withdraw. I wish to keep Chengqian company for a while. Any other matters can be discussed after Chengqian has recovered." Slowly rising to his feet, Emperor Taizong surveyed the civil, military officials, and princes before him with a complex expression.

"Yes, Your Majesty, your ministers obey." Zhangsun Wuji and the others could already perceive that Emperor Taizong's mind was firmly made up; saying anything more at this point would be futile and could never alter His Majesty's decision.

More importantly, Wei Zheng had already passed away, and the person capable of admonishing Emperor Taizong was gone to the cranes. Among the remaining ministers and princes, no one possessed the weight of Wei Zheng's words.

Such was the current reality. Zhangsun Wuji and the others possessed good self-awareness, which was why they readily assented.

As for Li Tai and the others, their minds were entirely numb. Witnessing the immense favor bestowed upon Li Chengqian, they all understood one thing: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had risen back to power.

"Imperial Father, this son does not wish to cause you difficulty; your minister wishes to return to the Crown Prince's Mansion." Raising his eyes, Li Chengqian struggled as if preparing to get out of bed and return to his residence.

"Chengqian, lie back down. I said today you are going nowhere; I am staying right here to keep you company." Emperor Taizong hurriedly and gently pressed Li Chengqian down, nodding with satisfaction only after seeing him comfortably settled.

The complexions of the imperial princes turned ashen, especially Li Tai's, who was grinding his back molars almost to dust. Yet, he dared not let it show, the muscles of his face twitching back and forth due to his conflicting expressions.

Clearly, Li Tai's inner turmoil was extreme. The exceptional honors he had once enjoyed, along with those delusions that should never have been his, had now been rescinded by the Imperial Father, with all the royal affection redirected toward Li Chengqian.

At this moment, Li Tai felt as though his face was burning with pain, convinced that the other princes and officials were all watching him make a fool of himself.

The once-glorious Prince Wei had been reduced to a laughingstock in the span of a single moment.

Just then, Li Chengqian's voice reached them once more: "Imperial Father, this son obeys your decree. Many thanks, Imperial Father."

These words fell like the straw that broke the camel's back, striking deep into the core of Li Tai's soul.

At that instant, Li Tai nearly collapsed. He never expected that after years of striving, he would be cast right back to where he started, growing ever more distant from the coveted center of power from this day forward.

This was something he could never have anticipated. Even less could he have foreseen that his Imperial Father would be so devoid of sentiment. Previously, it was precisely because of the Emperor's fondness, his own cleverness and wit, and honors that approached infinitely close to those of Li Chengqian the Crown Prince, that he had dared to hope.

Emperor Taizong had indeed set very high standards for Li Chengqian, even viewing Li Tai through the lens of his own youth as the Prince of Qin; whenever he looked at Li Tai, he was reminded of himself during his days as the Prince of Qin.

With such a sentiment, Emperor Taizong naturally favored Li Tai all the more.

Emperor Taizong's transformation did not happen overnight; it was the result of an accumulation of recent disappointments in Li Tai.

Li Tai's repeated courting of disaster—even resorting to the despicable, shameless assassination of Li Chengqian and showing a ruthless determination to achieve his ends at all costs—had chilled Emperor Taizong to the bone.

"Mm, that's right. Chengqian, you've done me a tremendous favor this time; I haven't even finished thanking you." A brilliant smile blossomed across Emperor Taizong's face.

"Imperial Father flatters me too much. This is merely what your son ought to do." Li Chengqian blushed slightly, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Why haven't you all withdrawn yet? What are you waiting for?" Emperor Taizong suddenly turned his head, his face darkening as he glared at the princes and the civil and military officials.

"Yes, Imperial Father, this son takes his leave." Li Tai, Li Ke, and the others hastily assented, retreating reluctantly.

"Your ministers take their leave." Zhangsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, and the others also hurriedly bowed and turned to depart.

Inside the Taiji Palace, Emperor Taizong exchanged a glance with the eunuchs and palace maids.

They understood instantly, and soon carried Li Chengqian into Emperor Taizong's personal bedchamber.

"Chengqian, rest easy here. I have many more things I want to ask you."

Once inside the bedchamber, Emperor Taizong looked at Li Chengqian with a beaming smile.

Lifting his gaze to meet Emperor Taizong's face, Li Chengqian hesitated for a brief moment before his mind cleared completely.

He hurriedly offered a gentle smile to Emperor Taizong. "Imperial Father, if there is anything you wish to command, just say the word. This son will undoubtedly do his utmost."

Beholding the sensible and understanding Li Chengqian, Emperor Taizong's laughter rang out even more brightly.