Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 22 Xuanwu Gate in Progress
The woods not far from the lakeside palace on the shore of the lake.

Li Shimin led his troops to arrive quietly.

"Your Highness, half an incense stick's time has passed before the Emperor departs for the Sea Pool." A eunuch who had already been bribed came from the direction of the palace.

Li Shimin remained unmoved upon hearing this, while Changsun Wuji, who was standing beside him, nodded slightly, signaling the eunuch to step aside.

"Respect virtue!"

"The general is here!"

Yuchi Gong dismounted, startling Wen He who was still on horseback. Wen He hurriedly grabbed the reins to prevent herself from falling off.

However, he was overthinking it. When Yuchi Gong dismounted, soldiers had already come over to soothe the horse.

Otherwise, given his actions just now, the horse would have been startled long ago.

Li Shimin whispered something to him, and Yuchi Jingde understood. He then turned around and ordered the Xuanjia Guards to hide.

Wen He also wanted to dismount and was about to ask someone to carry him down when, before he could even speak, a pair of large hands lifted him off the horse.

"Thank you," Wen He said, then looked up and saw Li Shimin's face.

"It's Your Highness! I'm so terrified! Could you please let me down first?"

Being held like this, with her feet dangling in the air, made Wen He feel a little uncomfortable.

Li Shimin squinted, only smiled and didn't say anything, then carried him to a corner.

There was no one around, and the nearest Xuanjia Guard was more than ten steps away.

Wen He couldn't help but be surprised.

"Is there something you want to ask me?"

"Hmm." Li Shimin nodded.

He didn't act on a whim; there was something he had been keeping to himself.

He had been preoccupied with today's events and had no time to think about anything else. Now that he had some time, he wanted to speak with Wen He alone.

"You previously said that Gao Ming would rebel."

Li Shimin stared intently at him.

He was somewhat surprised that this matter had suddenly been brought up.

"Even if Gao Ming becomes the crown prince, he will have no troops under his command. How could he possibly rebel? Those who are here today will surely hold high positions and great power in the future, and wield military authority. Are there any among them who support Gao Ming?"

Li Shimin's eyes were somewhat gloomy, and he felt uneasy looking at Wen He.

He suddenly realized something, was shocked, and quickly covered his mouth to keep from shouting.

"Your Highness, you don't mean to send that person..."

Let's kill Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

Wen He swallowed the rest of her words after being glared at by Li Shimin.

But this also proves his conjecture.

"You mean, who is that person?"

Li Shimin placed his hands on Wen He's shoulders.

"I only know these three: Hou Junji, Prince Lu Li Yuanchang, and Du Ruhui's son Du He. Historical records indicate that Hou Junji instigated this because he was imprisoned for embezzlement and harbored resentment towards you."

Wen He blurted it out almost without thinking.

There are others he has truly forgotten.

Suddenly I can't remember too many people.

Li Shimin's facial muscles twitched; he never expected it would be these three people.

He even had doubts about Yuchi Gong and Qin Qiong!

“Nakeminta…”

"Du Ruhui had already passed away by then; he died in the fourth year of the Zhenguan era."

Wen He felt that Li Shimin might have wronged Du Ruhui, and not wanting to cause any further injustice, she quickly explained.

"Well, at least this is some consolation," Li Shimin sighed. He was truly afraid that this close friend would become his enemy in the future.

Fortunately, fortunately.

"Alright, Du He is only five years old now. He can be disciplined strictly in the future. But what about Seventh Brother and Hou Junji..." Li Shimin did not finish his sentence, but Wen He could feel a strong killing intent in his words.

If he remembered correctly, Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, was Li Yuan's seventh son, and a son born out of wedlock.

Li Shimin, who was capable of harming even his own brothers, would naturally show no mercy to his half-brother.

As for Hou Junji, judging from Li Shimin's intentions, it seems he intends to bestow upon him a "great achievement".

Sure enough, after Li Shimin sent Wen He to find Yuchi Gong, he summoned Hou Junji and spoke to him for a while. Hou Junji was so moved that he burst into tears and bowed deeply to Li Shimin.

What did His Highness just say to you?

Yuchi Gong seemed somewhat displeased and asked Wen He in a low voice.

Wen He smiled without saying a word, took out a wooden stick, and put it in her mouth.

Many things are better left unsaid; otherwise, the more you know, the faster you'll die.

Yuchi Gong was indignant and wanted to press for answers, but then he saw Li Shimin suddenly glare at him, and everyone around him put their sticks in their mouths. He had no choice but to give up and drag Wen He away to hide.

Half an hour later.

The sky was just beginning to brighten.

The rooster crowed three times, and the street outside Xuanwu Gate was deathly silent.

At the main entrance, Chang He gripped the hilt of his knife, nervously rubbing his hands together.

The time to open the gate is fast approaching, why haven't Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji arrived yet?

He was a little anxious, and turned to look at Jing Junhong beside him, who looked calm, which surprised him.

But I didn't dare to ask, so I just kept it to myself.

Suddenly, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from ahead.

Upon seeing the two young men in brocade robes leading the way, Chang He was immediately overjoyed and shouted for the soldiers guarding the city to open the gate.

The city gates swung open, and a deafening roar filled the air.

Chang He and Jing Junhong respectfully stepped forward to greet them.

"This humble general Chang He (Jing Junhong) pays his respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Prince of Qi."

The two who arrived were Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

Riding on his tall horse, Li Yuanji glanced contemptuously at the two men bowing before him, and snorted down at them.

Compared to his disdain, Li Jiancheng was much more enthusiastic, but he did not dismount, instead making a lifting motion with his riding whip.

"Marquis of Qianchang County and Duke of Leize, there is no need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Although Chang He and Jing Junhong were dissatisfied, they remained respectful on the surface.

"What time is it? Why is it taking so long to open the gate today? Chang He, are you trying to treat me and the Crown Prince poorly?" Li Yuanji asked impatiently.

Chang He immediately apologized in a panic: "This humble general dares not. Please, Your Highness, understand that the Xuanwu Gate is related to the safety of the palace. It should be open only upon presentation of a token. However, this humble general dares not disrespect the Crown Prince and Your Highness, Your Highness. This has already violated the rules."

"What, are you implying that my brother and I are at fault?" Li Yuanji was known for his fiery temper. As he spoke, he picked up his riding whip and was about to step forward when Li Jiancheng glared at him, which stopped him.

"Lord Lei Ze has performed his duties faithfully, and I will certainly report this to my father and reward him. However, my father summoned me today without giving any decree. Is it possible for me and Prince Qi to do so?"

Li Jiancheng spoke kindly, but the meaning behind his words was clearly a threat.

If Chang He dares to stop them, he will surely complain to their father, the Emperor, in the future.

Chang He looked fearful and quickly smiled apologetically, "Your Highnesses, it's certainly feasible, but those people..."

He pointed fearfully to the guards behind Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

Even in the past, private guards were not allowed to enter Xuanwu Gate unless they had the emperor's decree; otherwise, not even the crown prince could enter.

Li Jiancheng chuckled and nodded: "I understand, but could you please place them outside Xuanwu Gate?"

"Of course, this is natural."

Chang He pretended to be relaxed and thanked Li Jiancheng.

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness."

"Hmph, meddlesome." Passing by him, Li Yuanji angrily cracked his whip. Chang He lowered his head and remained silent, following behind him and Li Jiancheng into Xuanwu Gate.

(End of this chapter)