Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

The emperor's carriage, carrying a suppressed anger, sped all the way to Da'an Palace.

When the palace servants and eunuchs saw Li Shimin, whose face was ashen and whose gait was imposing, they were so frightened that they knelt down and trembled, forgetting even to announce his arrival.

Li Shimin barged straight into the warm pavilion where Li Yuan lived, and even rudely waved away all the servants.

Inside the pavilion, Li Yuan was reclining on a soft couch, listening to a tune. On a small table beside him was a dish of sashimi made from exotic sea fish that Li Chengqian had ordered to be sent from Japan by fast horse.

Seeing Li Shimin storm in, furious and almost rude, Li Yuan merely raised his eyelids slightly, waved away the musicians, and spoke in a calm, even slightly sarcastic tone:

"Erlang, you're in a bad mood today. Who has provoked you this time? Or has Chengqian done something 'outrageous' again?"

This seemingly casual remark was like adding fuel to the fire.

Li Shimin could no longer suppress the anger in his chest.

He took a few steps forward abruptly, almost pointing at Li Yuan, his voice trembling with extreme anger:
"Father! How long are you going to pretend to be confused?! Brilliant! Li Chengqian! He just dared to openly threaten Qingque in the palace! His words were vicious, and he treats his brother like an enemy!"

"How is this any different from the traitors who stood before Xuanwu Gate back then?!"

He finally roared out that forbidden word, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Li Yuan:

"And this Daming Palace! You just accept it all so calmly! Who is he trying to impress with his extravagance and greed, trying to win people over?!"

"Was this all for your benefit?! Do you think he's more filial than I, the emperor?! More to your liking?!"

Li Yuan listened quietly to his son's roar, his face expressionless, until Li Shimin mentioned 'Xuanwu Gate'. Only then did a trace of extremely complex pain flash in his cloudy eyes, but it was quickly replaced by cold mockery.

He slowly sat up straight, looking at the emperor before him—a man whose hands were also stained with the blood of his brothers, yet who now accused his son—and let out a desolate and mocking laugh:

"Erlang, what are you afraid of?"

"What do I have to be afraid of?!"

Li Shimin roared angrily, his neck stiff.

“You’re afraid that Chengqian will become another version of you, or even… surpass you.”

Li Yuan cut to the chase, his tone sharp: "Are you afraid he's more ruthless than you, more popular with the army, and more... popular with me?"

He paused deliberately, savoring the momentary twist in Li Shimin's expression, before continuing:
"As for doing this for my benefit? Li Shimin, you think too little of me and too much of yourself."

Li Yuan's tone carried a condescending pity: "I am old, and all I want is peace and quiet, and a comfortable old age."

"That child Chengqian is willing to be filial to me and build me a more comfortable palace. Why should I refuse?"

"Does filial piety mean that you, like me, should let your father live in this damp and dilapidated place for the sake of some empty fame?"

"you!"

Li Shimin was so angry that he trembled all over.

"What's wrong with me?"

Li Yuan scoffed, his gaze sweeping over Li Shimin like a knife: "You say Chengqian threatened his brothers? Yes, he is ruthless and shows no mercy. But who did he learn this from?!"

He suddenly raised his voice, as if years of pent-up resentment had finally found an outlet:
"It was you! It was you, his father, who personally demonstrated to him what 'the victor is king, the loser is villain' means! What 'cutting the weeds and eliminating the roots' means!"

"Now that he's learned it so well, you come here accusing me of inciting others? What a ridiculous joke!"

Li Yuan stood up, and although he was old, his imposing presence at that moment overwhelmed the furious Li Shimin.
"As for your claim that I am not qualified to criticize you? That's true, I am not qualified to criticize an emperor on how to govern the country and bring peace to the world. But as a father, I am more qualified than you!"

He approached Li Shimin step by step, each word piercing his heart:

"Do you still remember how you left Chengqian alone in the perilous Jiangling when he was eight years old?!"

"You only care about your imperial ambitions, have you ever thought about how a child like him will survive in a foreign land?! It was I! It was I, the retired emperor whom you have sidelined and practically imprisoned, who dragged my old body to Jiangling to accompany him and protect him!"

"In those years, who stood up for him when he was wronged? Who taught him to read and write, and taught him the principles of being a good person?! Was it you? My emperor son?!"

Li Yuan's question struck Li Shimin like a thunderclap, turning his face deathly pale and causing him to involuntarily take a half-step back. "Now that he's grown up, his wings have hardened, and his achievements have become a threat to the emperor, do you only remember that he's a 'disobedient son'? Do you only only remember to put on airs as a father now?"

Li Yuan's mockery reached its peak:

"You stripped him of his military power and crippled his support simply because you feared he would rebel and become another version of you!"

"But what gives you the right? Just because you gave birth to him? Just because you tossed him out like a pawn and then called him back?!"

"Father Emperor!!"

"roll--!"

With his back to him, Li Yuan uttered a cold word, then said in an unquestionable tone:
"Chengqian is filial to me because I am worthy of his filial piety. This is what I deserve."

"As for the mess between you and your father... that's your retribution, you'll have to clean it up yourself."

"I no longer wish to get involved."

Go back to your Taiji Hall and live your solitary life! Da'an Palace does not welcome you!

Li Shimin clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood.

Every word Li Yuan uttered was like the sharpest dagger, precisely piercing the most vulnerable and least desirable part of his heart.

Shame, anger, jealousy, fear... a mix of emotions almost suffocated him.

He opened his mouth, but found his throat so dry that he couldn't make a sound.

In the end, he couldn't say anything. He just took a deep look at his father, who seemed to have aged even more in an instant, then turned around abruptly and rushed out of Da'an Palace as if fleeing.

On the way back to the Liangyi Hall, Li Yuan's words kept echoing in Li Shimin's mind.

This is your retribution...

Who are your role models...?

You're using him as a pawn...

These words were like a curse, gnawing at his heart.

Yes, karma... Is this really karma?

He murdered his brothers and forced his father to abdicate. Now, his son is following in his footsteps, approaching the throne step by step.

But the father he had once wronged and was now trying to make amends to, stood by coldly, even... pleased with the outcome.
An unprecedented sense of isolation and chill enveloped this brilliant and ambitious emperor.

He returned to the Liangyi Hall and looked at the empty palace. For the first time, he felt that this place, which symbolized supreme power, was so cold and lonely.

"Li Chengqian...Li Tai...Li Yuan..."

He murmured those names, the last trace of hesitation and tenderness in his eyes vanishing completely, replaced by the coldness and decisiveness of an emperor.

Whether this is retribution or not, and regardless of who is right or wrong, he cannot sit idly by and wait for his doom.

This empire was won by Li Shimin, one sword and one spear!
No one can take it away easily, not even his son or his father!
"Somebody come!"

He spoke in a deep voice, his tone regaining its imperial majesty and coldness.

"Issue the imperial decree: Tomorrow at the grand court session, I have two matters to discuss!"

"First, discuss the Crown Prince's merits and demerits, the rewards and honors for the wars in Liaodong and Japan, and... the reshuffling of officials in the Eastern Palace!"

"Second, let's discuss the matter of Prince Wei, Li Tai, taking up his fiefdom!"

Since the storm was inevitable, he would become the one who controlled it.

He wanted everyone to see clearly who truly ruled the Tang Dynasty. (End of Chapter)