Volume One, Chapter 3: Three Months Under House Arrest

At that moment, Wang De took a breath and spoke candidly, “Your servant believes the Crown Prince has performed admirably. For over ten years as regent, he has been diligent and conscientious, faithfully upholding the duties of his position.”

“The esteemed scholars Your Majesty summoned for the Crown Prince—Wei Zheng, Zhangsun Jiaqing, Kong Yingda, Yu Zhi’ning, and others—have all spoken highly of him.”

Upon hearing this, Emperor Li Er nodded in agreement; indeed, this was true.

As Li Shimin’s eldest son, Li Chengqian was the legitimate heir and excelled among the princes, whether in talent or other aspects. Even the gifted Qingque was only marginally inferior.

“Then, in your view, does the Crown Prince have an inclination toward men?” Li Er asked again.

This was the question that truly concerned him. The Crown Prince’s abilities were undeniable. While others flattered him, even the famously blunt and steadfast Wei Zheng openly praised the prince’s virtues, proving his excellence.

Yet what Li Er truly cared about was the Crown Prince’s orientation. No matter what, the Tang Dynasty should not have a Crown Prince who favored men—this was a red line for him.

Wang De instantly understood. To others, this was a perilous question; any slight misstep could provoke the emperor’s wrath, perhaps even death by dismemberment.

Unexpectedly, Wang De smiled faintly and diverted the topic.

“Your Majesty, your servant believes otherwise. The Crown Prince does keep male companions privately, which is a moral failing. But rumor has it that the Crown Prince and Crown Princess share a deeply affectionate marriage.”

At these words, Li Er felt as refreshed as if he had bitten into a large piece of ice on a scorching summer day.

Still, the Crown Prince’s defiance today could not be overlooked.

He had to be punished.

“Proclaim my orders: the Crown Prince has defied the sovereign and committed an aggravated offense.”

“Order the Crown Prince confined to the Eastern Palace for three months and dock half his salary for six months. He shall not leave the palace without summons. Furthermore, the Crown Prince’s attendants in the Eastern Palace have been negligent and shall be investigated by the Court of Judicial Review.”

The imperial edicts caused a stir.

No one expected that, after the emperor’s earlier furious rage over the Crown Prince’s misconduct, his punishment would be so light.

Three months of confinement and six months’ salary docked was not a severe penalty even for ordinary officials, let alone the Crown Prince, who stood just beneath the emperor.

Yet that was the extent of it.

Regrettably, the palace remained tightly sealed, and no whispers escaped; no one could learn what truly transpired in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

However, news of the Crown Prince’s disfigurement spread like wildfire throughout the realm.

Meanwhile,

The Wude Hall was brightly lit.

“Is this true?” Li Tai, Prince Wei, who had been waiting for news, suddenly slammed the table, his corpulent figure trembling with anger.

He glared at his subordinate Sima Suxu and demanded, “How did the lame man escape punishment? I never expected it.”

To know that the Crown Prince had been guilty of debauchery and privately kept male lovers was scandalous beyond measure. Such acts were intolerable by law throughout history, especially coming from the Crown Prince, second only to the emperor.

During court sessions, when this matter was exposed, their father had already been furious.

Li Tai had hoped to use this scandal to depose the lame Crown Prince or at least have him stripped of rank and confined.

Yet, to his surprise, the emperor only ordered three months’ confinement and six months’ salary deduction.

This was tantamount to no punishment at all.

The Crown Prince would hardly be short of money; as for a lame man, who would expect him to shamelessly parade about Chang’an?

“Your Highness, please do not be disturbed. Perhaps the emperor wishes to preserve the dignity of the Li family. After all, as long as the Crown Prince remains, he is still the Eastern Palace heir,” Sima Suxu said calmly.

“But Your Highness need not worry excessively.”

Sima Suxu stepped forward, lowering his voice.

“Just now, I received news that the Crown Prince bears whip marks on his face. Surely, in the emperor’s fury, he struck his son’s face. This clearly shows the emperor’s deep anger.”

“Really?” Li Tai’s eyes lit up.

The Crown Prince was lame, but if the emperor were calm, he would never harm the heir’s dignity. Only in a moment of rage would he act thus.

Could it be, as Sima suggested, that the mild punishment was a façade to deceive the world and silence gossip? The more Li Tai considered it, the more plausible it seemed.

After all, the emperor’s ascension to the throne had not been entirely honorable.

To avoid eternal disgrace, it was uncertain what the emperor might do.

“In that case, according to Sima, how should I respond?”

“Naturally, seek an audience with His Majesty!” Sima Suxu smiled confidently.

“Your Highness is wise and knows the emperor values brotherly harmony and filial piety above all. Therefore, you should personally petition the emperor to intercede for the Crown Prince.”

“This will demonstrate Your Highness’s benevolence and filial devotion, sharply contrasting with the Crown Prince’s misconduct. Moreover, brotherly harmony is what pleases the emperor most.”

Hearing this, Li Tai felt reassured and held Sima in higher regard.

Last year, it was this royal son-in-law Sima Suxu who had invited him to compile the land survey, earning the emperor’s praise and even a lavish carriage for travel—a rare honor.

Even the lame Crown Prince could only hobble about on foot.

Now it seemed Sima was truly his lucky star.

Li Tai laughed heartily, clapped Sima’s shoulder, and arranged a carriage to the palace, determined to leave a strong impression on the emperor.

He would not be content to linger in Wude Hall, subordinate to the Eastern Palace.

Meanwhile,

Li Chengqian had returned to the Eastern Palace. The imperial edict arrived just as he entered.

“Is that all?” Li Chengqian’s eyes widened until the eunuch repeating “Please receive the edict” snapped him back to reality.

He blinked, utterly surprised. He had intended to give up, yet Emperor Li Er’s punishment was only half a year’s salary cut and three months’ confinement despite his blatant insolence and defiance.

Had the old emperor’s conscience awakened?

“On behalf of the Crown Prince, I thank Your Majesty for your grace. Long live the Emperor, long live forever,” Crown Princess Su Chan’er respectfully said beside him, hastily kowtowing to the eunuch and expressing gratitude for the imperial favor.

After the eunuch left, she turned to find Li Chengqian’s face clouded with frustration, puzzled.

Honestly, even Su Chan’er did not expect the emperor’s harsh warning to be raised so high and then fall so lightly.