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

Palace, study.

The incense was still burning, but the atmosphere was completely different from the panic of that day.

Li Tai sat upright in the main seat. Although a trace of paleness still lingered on his chubby face, his eyes were filled with barely suppressed joy and a renewed ambition.

Liu Ji sat at the lower end of the table, a faint smile of triumph on his face.

"Prime Minister Liu, just as you predicted!"

Li Tai clapped his hands and laughed, his voice filled with excitement:

"Although Father Emperor did not fully adopt our suggestions to adjust the officials of the Eastern Palace, he ordered Li Chengqian to reflect on his mistakes behind closed doors for three months and not to participate in court affairs! This is already a rare victory!"

The more he thought about it, the happier he felt:

"Three months! That's plenty of time for us to do! Win over court officials, consolidate our power, and maybe even... find more evidence against him!"

Liu Ji stroked his beard and smiled, but his eyes still held a cautious look:

"Your Highness, this is indeed a positive development. His Majesty's actions demonstrate that his suspicion and dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince are already very deep, but he is reluctant to punish him severely immediately due to his outstanding military achievements."

"This 'seclusion for reflection' serves as both a warning and a restriction."

He paused, then reminded him:

"However, Your Highness must not let your guard down because of this, and you must not be too flamboyant at this time."

"Although the Crown Prince has been temporarily sidelined, his foundation remains intact and his henchmen are still there. We still need to act covertly and proceed cautiously."

"I understand!"

Li Tai nodded, his eyes gleaming:

"I will continue to play the role of a 'filial son and virtuous king,' visit my father more often to show my filial piety, and interact more with ministers such as Xiao Yu and Yu Zhining."

"As for secretly pushing Dai Zhou to investigate clues about the 'epidemic case' and spreading rumors about the close ties between the Crown Prince and the border generals... that all depends on Prime Minister Liu's planning!"

"This old minister will do his best."

Liu Ji bowed: "As long as Your Majesty's suspicions continue to deepen, the Crown Prince's situation will become increasingly difficult."

"At that time, Your Highness's opportunity... will come."

Li Tai nodded in satisfaction, feeling that the future was bright and that the gloom brought by Li Chengqian yesterday had been largely dispelled.

On the other side, in the Crown Prince's residence, in the study.

Unlike the secret joy in the Prince of Wei's residence, the Crown Prince's residence remained calm, even more so than usual.

Li Chengqian was still wearing his loose-fitting casual clothes, standing in front of his desk, picking up his brush and splashing ink to paint a picture of winter plum blossoms.

With flowing strokes and rich ink, the plum blossom branches, gnarled and strong, seem to contain boundless power.

Pei Xingjian stood to the side, his face showing a mixture of resentment and worry:
"Your Highness, His Majesty has ordered you to remain in seclusion for three months to reflect on your actions. This is clearly..."

"What is it?"

Without even raising his head, Li Chengqian sketched a budding flower with the tip of his pen, and asked casually, "Is it punishment? Or protection?"

Pei Xingjian was taken aback.

Li Chengqian put down his pen, picked up a damp cloth to wipe his hands, walked to the window, looked at the trees in the courtyard that had begun to shed their leaves, and said softly:

"Father is telling everyone, including me, that he is still the emperor and has the final say."

"At the same time, he also temporarily placed me outside the storm."

He turned around, looked at Pei Xingjian, and a hint of mockery appeared on his lips:
"Do you think Liu Ji and Li Tai are celebrating their success right now? Little do they know, the more they jump around, the more they expose themselves, and the faster they will die."

"These three months have been a period of hibernation for us, a time to observe and wait for developments. For them..."

Li Chengqian's eyes turned slightly cold: "It's the final celebration."

Pei Xingjian seemed to understand something, but was still somewhat uncertain: "Then... are we really not going to do anything?"

"Who said we're not going to do it anymore?"

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow. "Didn't I tell the Academy of Sciences to expedite the construction of the Daming Palace?"

He strolled back to his desk and tapped his fingers on the newly painted plum blossom picture:

"While you're reflecting on your mistakes behind closed doors, you should at least read some books, write some calligraphy, and paint some pictures, right? What do you think of my painting, 'Plum Blossoms Braving the Snow'? Could it be used to... exchange ideas and discuss with the literati and scholars in the capital?"

Looking at the imposing plum blossoms that showed no sign of 'reflection' or 'examination', Pei Xingjian instantly understood Li Chengqian's intention.

Your Highness intends to make friends through literature and art, and maintain contact with the outside world under the guise of calligraphy, painting, and poetry.

"Your Highness, a brilliant plan!"

Pei Xingjian said admiringly, "I will make arrangements immediately to 'inadvertently' circulate the calligraphy and paintings Your Highness has created recently."

"Ah."

Li Chengqian nodded in satisfaction: "Also, tell Ma Zhou and Cen Wenben to stay calm, keep to their duties, and not to worry about me, nor to engage in pointless arguments with those people. We'll talk about everything in three months."

"Yes!"

"Furthermore, instruct all those in the army to remain obedient and strictly follow the Emperor's orders during this period, without any dissent. Especially regarding Xue Rengui and Hilde, ensure their subordinates are properly restrained." Pei Xingjian solemnly replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, this humble general understands! I will absolutely not give anyone a handle to use against me!"

"Oh, by the way, back at the medical school, did you manage to get that little gadget I asked Dr. Sun to ask about?"

Li Chengqian seemed to remember something and added a sentence.

Pei Xingjian was taken aback for a moment, then bowed and said, "Your Highness, Physician Sun said that it will take at least another one or two months!"

"One or two months?"

Li Chengqian laughed: "Isn't that perfect? ​​We can afford to wait!"

"There is one more thing, but I am not sure if I should say it!"

"speak!"

"Yes!"

Pei Xingjian continued, "During my time back in Chang'an, I noticed that the Embroidered Uniform Guard is somewhat different from before. I wonder if it's just my imagination!"

"Oh?"

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow: "What's different?"

"It's more organized than before, and its operational capabilities, intelligence gathering capabilities, and investigative abilities are no longer as inadequate as they used to be."

"Not professional enough?"

"Yes, yes, yes! That's it, professional!"

Li Chengqian rolled his eyes at Pei Xingjian, then said indifferently, "While you were away from Chang'an, Yang Nannan was in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, but I don't think she has the ability to change the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Perhaps, there is someone who can!"

"What does Your Highness mean?"

Pei Xingjian suddenly remembered something and asked, "Commander Wu?"

"Ah!"

Li Chengqian sneered: "Some people, even if they fall into the dust, will not be tarnished. Gold will always shine!"

"What does His Highness mean?"

"Ignore her for now, just have someone keep an eye on her!"

Li Chengqian walked to the window, stood with his hands behind his back, and looked in the direction of the palace with a deep gaze: "I still have many things to do. She is the least worth my effort!"

His voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable confidence and sense of control, as if all the changes in Chang'an were already part of his game.

As Pei Xingjian watched Li Chengqian's retreating figure, the last trace of doubt in his heart vanished, replaced by unwavering determination and fervor.

He firmly believed that no matter what storms they faced, the Crown Prince before him would eventually lead the Tang Dynasty to an unprecedented height.

And these followers only need to steadfastly follow in his footsteps.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, at the Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin stood alone before the enormous map of the Tang Dynasty's territory, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

The art of maintaining balance at court meetings was a tactic he, as emperor, had to employ.

We cannot allow the Crown Prince to become too powerful and difficult to control, nor can we allow the Prince of Wei to become too powerful, and we certainly cannot allow the court to completely split apart.

Sending Li Chengqian into seclusion to reflect on his mistakes was both a form of suppression and an opportunity for observation.

He wanted to see how his son would react after being stripped of his right to participate in politics.

Is it forbearance? Is it anger? Or... is there another motive?
Keeping Li Tai in Beijing temporarily serves as both a check and a spur.

He wanted to let Li Chengqian know that the position of crown prince was not as secure as it seemed.

“Chengqian…Qingque…”

Li Shimin muttered to himself, his finger unconsciously tracing the Japanese islands on the map that Li Chengqian had newly incorporated into his territory.

He knew that this covert battle between father and son, ruler and subject, and brothers would not stop because of a single imperial edict; it would only escalate to a deeper and darker level.

And he, the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, will sit high in the clouds, watching coldly from the sidelines, waiting for the moment when the dust finally settles.

He also wanted to know who would ultimately emerge victorious in this game of power.

Was it his powerful and unruly crown prince?

Is he still the same King of Wei who appears benevolent and filial but actually harbors ambitions?
Or... is it him, the mastermind behind everything?

An autumn breeze blew in from outside the palace, carrying a chill and ruffling the hem of Li Shimin's dragon robe.

The rain is coming and the wind is all over the building.

Autumn is growing stronger in Chang'an.

"Father!"

Just then, a crisp voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

Li Shimin was slightly taken aback, then his face lit up with joy. He turned around and exclaimed, "It's Zhinu!" (End of Chapter)