Volume One, Chapter Fourteen: The Unfolding Conspiracy
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Su Xu tried to reason with Li Tai, but Li Tai was so furious that he was nearly bursting with frustration. How had Li Chengqian suddenly become so unstoppable these past few days? Moreover, the emperor had allowed him to reside in the Wude Hall—wasn’t that a sign of favor toward Li Tai? Yet now Li Chengqian seemed to be gradually winning the emperor’s favor. What was Li Tai to do in the future?
“Your Highness,” Su Xu called gently.
“Speak!” Li Tai snapped irritably.
“I have another plan,” Su Xu said, glancing at the nearby servants and signaling them to leave.
Once they were gone, Su Xu continued, “In two days, the English envoy will arrive. I believe this is an opportunity we can exploit.”
“Oh?” Li Tai’s ears perked up. “What is it?”
“First, although our Tang Dynasty is a land of plenty and abundant talent, as the crown prince, you don’t speak English. Won’t that be an embarrassment when dealing with foreign envoys?”
“Second, as a dignified crown prince, secretly keeping male favorites might shock the English envoys.”
“Third, the Prince of Han, Li Yuanchang, is reckless and uneducated. A year ago, to satisfy his strange desires, he forced Li Chengqian to have two groups of soldiers fight shirtless in the training ground with sharp bamboo spikes. Three died and their screams echoed across the field, yet they laughed heartily—this is hardly the demeanor of a true ruler.”
“Fourth, both Li Chengqian and Li Yuanchang are heavy drinkers and lovers of women. The emperor will surely arrange for romantic encounters for the English envoys. Should Li Chengqian and Li Yuanchang get drunk and misuse the women intended for the envoys... well...”
Smack!
Li Tai clapped his hands sharply.
Good!
Very good!
Why hadn’t he thought of these tactics himself?
To be honest, he was a little envious of Su Xu now.
Grinning, he patted Su Xu’s shoulder. “Well done. Heh heh, once I ascend the throne, you shall be a founding hero of the new dynasty! Ha ha ha! I will reward you handsomely then.”
Su Xu quickly knelt. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Eh? What did you say? I am still a prince,” Li Tai corrected.
“No, no, no. In my heart, you are already the emperor! The glorious sovereign of Tang in the future!”
“Ha ha ha!” Li Tai felt a bit elated, even beginning to imagine the scene after his enthronement.
Beneath the Yellow Dragon throne, tens of thousands would prostrate themselves; a single word from him could determine the fate of an empire—a power so majestic, a merit that would endure through the ages!
Tsk!
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How could that useless Li Chengqian or the decadent Prince of Han Li Yuanchang compare?
Su Xu was right—the throne belonged to him, Li Tai, Prince of Wei! No one would take it from him.
...
At this moment, Li Chengqian had no inkling of Li Tai’s thoughts.
He needed a good rest these past two days to regain his strength.
Given the current circumstances, it seemed both Li Yuanchang and Li Tai wanted to eliminate him first.
After all, as long as he, Li Chengqian, held the title of crown prince, no matter how much Li Tai and Li Yuanchang schemed, aspiring to the throne was but a dream.
Historically, none of the three—Li Chengqian, Li Tai, or Li Yuanchang—actually ascended the throne; instead, the throne went to Li Zhi, who was initially sidelined.
Though he had no interest in the throne, as long as he occupied that position, whether willing or not, many would covet it. Without resistance, he would be doomed.
Later, Su Chan’er returned.
Some of the people Li Chengqian requested were in Chang’an city; others were elsewhere.
There were twelve within Chang’an, and when Su Chan’er brought them back late in the evening, she allowed them to rest at the residence, planning to present them to the crown prince the next day to arrange their appointments.
Afterward, Su Chan’er returned to Li Chengqian’s chambers.
After spending the previous night together, Li Chengqian no longer felt awkward around his crown princess. When she lay down, he couldn’t help but place his hand on her lower abdomen.
“Your Highness…” she murmured.
Unexpectedly, Su Chan’er’s face flushed crimson. “Not today…”
“Hm?” Li Chengqian looked at her curiously. “You are my wife. Why not today?”
“It’s… that time of the month,” Su Chan’er’s voice trembled.
Since their marriage, Li Chengqian had always favored men and had never been intimate with her, so he was unaware of such matters.
Hearing this, Li Chengqian felt embarrassed.
Tsk...
After so long, his interest had finally been aroused—now this...
The problem was, Li Chengqian’s memories did not recall when Su Chan’er’s time occurred.
As her husband, not knowing such a thing was quite neglectful.
This body was truly something else.
Li Chengqian asked unexpectedly, “I have neglected you before and do not even remember this day. Do you not blame me?”
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Li Chengqian’s question made Su Chan’er feel a bit wronged, but she dared not say so. Biting her lip softly, she answered, “Your Highness, you are busy with affairs of state; it’s natural you forget.”
“Nonsense!” Li Chengqian shook his head and sat up, staring seriously into Su Chan’er’s eyes. “The former me was the former me. From today onward, I want you to do one thing—if I err, you must point it out.”
“Ah?” Su Chan’er was momentarily stunned.
Li Chengqian continued, “You are my wife. If you dare not tell me when I’m wrong, how can I expect others to? A prince who cannot heed honest advice will become mere prey.”
Su Chan’er was astonished.
Was this truly the crown prince who only loved male favorites speaking?
It was as if he had become a different person.
Li Chengqian said earnestly, “Remember that?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Satisfied, Li Chengqian nodded and lay back down.
It seemed he still had many faults to correct, little by little.
In the struggle for imperial power, even the smallest matters could be magnified infinitely.
Like the incident where Chengxin was beaten to death.
In the imperial household, privately keeping male and female favorites was common, yet because of this incident, Chengxin was executed, and Li Chengqian was nearly deposed—showing how grave and exploitable the situation was.
These flaws must be rectified.
Lost in thought, Li Chengqian fell asleep unknowingly.
After he slept, Su Chan’er’s heart quickened as she gazed at her husband, whom she hadn’t touched for years, now somewhat distracted.
She couldn’t say why, but since the crown prince returned from the palace, he seemed like a changed man—almost unreal.
During the time he kept Chengxin, he was indulgent and debauched, leading a life of excess that even disappointed her.
When he was taken away, Su Chan’er thought he would surely be deposed.
Only the crown prince himself could change all this.
How did he manage it?
Was he really the same person?