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

Chapter 57 I'm leaving, so I won't get in your way.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Li Shimin had just put down his letter and was about to rest in a side hall when he heard an urgent voice outside the door. He hadn't even taken off his robes yet.

Huang Chun, who was serving, quickly bowed and went to open the door.

Upon reaching the outside of the main hall, just as he was about to reprimand the person who had come, he saw a large figure standing in front of him.

He was immediately startled and knelt down, saying, "This servant greets Your Majesty."

"Go away!"

Li Yuan frowned and kicked him away.

Huang Chun was kicked, but dared not cry out in pain, and quickly knelt down to the side.

Li Shimin, in the side hall, had already heard the words "Your Majesty".

His expression changed instantly. He turned to look at the horizontal sword placed on the bedside table, gripped the hilt, and pulled it out.

Why has Father come here?

Could it be...? No, that's impossible!
For a brief moment, Li Shimin thought someone had betrayed him.

But he quickly abandoned the idea.

Now that the overall situation is settled, it is no longer up to his father, the emperor, to choose whoever he wants to be the crown prince.

In just two short days, the entire city of Chang'an, including the sixteen imperial guards of the Tang Dynasty, had been replaced by his men.

Unless Father is confident that he can control the chaos after my death.

Otherwise, he would never have done that.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin immediately sheathed his sword and walked towards the main hall.

He arrived at the main hall and looked around for Li Yuan. When he looked up, he saw the latter sitting in the spot where he had just been reviewing the memorial.

Seemingly noticing Li Shimin, Li Yuan casually tossed aside the document he was reading.

"These years of appointing you as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat have indeed made you successful; these edicts are fairly standard."

Li Yuan slightly raised his eyes, and his gaze met that of Li Shimin.

"You want to kill your father?" Li Yuan suddenly narrowed his eyes.

Li Shimin was startled. He looked down and realized that he was still holding the horizontal sword.

He immediately threw the knife away and bowed deeply to Li Yuan: "Your son greets Your Majesty. Your son has no intention of disrespect. It was the sudden commotion that frightened your son."

"Did I scare you? Heh." Li Yuan chuckled coldly twice before standing up and walking down the steps.

Looking at Li Shimin, he snorted: "After killing your brothers, you can sleep soundly. You killed everyone in the eldest son's family, and the Eastern Palace was awash in blood. Will you be able to live peacefully in the Eastern Palace in the future?"

His question silenced Li Shimin.

Upon seeing this, the people around lowered their heads and quickly retreated more than a hundred paces.

"Your conscience is clear."

Li Shimin stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on Li Yuan with unwavering resolve.

Looking at him, Li Yuan seemed to see the invincible King of Qin on the battlefield once again.

He stood there silently, looking at his son in front of him.

He should have expected this outcome long ago.

This Tang Dynasty was ultimately conquered by Li Erlang.

"What a fine statement of having a clear conscience." Li Yuan sighed deeply, as if he had aged decades in an instant.

He stumbled and staggered as he approached Li Shimin.

"After tomorrow, you will be the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty. If the decree is only announced in the Eastern Palace, it will surely arouse suspicion. Tomorrow, I will personally announce you as the Crown Prince in the Taiji Hall."

"I'm tired too. I'll have the Imperial Observatory calculate the time and arrange it in the Taiji Hall. I'll abdicate in your favor, and there'll be no need for all those officials to offer their advice. I get annoyed just looking at them."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was immediately taken aback.

He never expected his father to make such a decision.

"You're not angry with me anymore?"

"Not at all?" Li Yuan suddenly burst into laughter, his eyes bloodshot as he grabbed Li Shimin's collar.

"The whole family of Dalang died tragically at your hands. How can I not resent you and hate you!" Tears welled up in Li Yuan's eyes. He cried bitterly when he heard the news.

But he already knew that when Li Shimin appeared in Xianchi Palace, he knew that Li Jiancheng's wife and children were doomed.

“But now the Tang Dynasty cannot be without a crown prince, nor can it be without you. I’m tired. Perhaps I shouldn’t have fought for the throne in the first place.”

He loosened his grip on Li Shimin's clothes and pushed him aside. He was old and didn't have much strength, but Li Shimin still managed to take a few steps back with his strength.

"Aye."

Looking at his father, Li Shimin's eyes also reddened.

Li Yuan paused, letting out a long sigh.

"The boy's prediction came true. Venus reappeared in the sky. Perhaps this is the will of Heaven."

“You said that the boy came from the future and brought a prophecy that you would lead the Tang Dynasty to a golden age. Then I will watch.”

"Looking at the Tang Dynasty that you seized by trampling over blood and bones, will it become the prosperous era you speak of?"

He turned back to look at Li Shimin, tears already streaming down his face.

Li Shimin gazed at him, remaining silent for a long time, only clenching his fists.

"Also, bring that person from the future into the palace tomorrow and arrange for him to stay in Hongyi Palace. It was originally built for you, but you don't need it anymore, so let him live there. It will save you from getting in my way."

After Li Yuan finished speaking, he didn't wait for Li Shimin's reply, but instead flicked his sleeves and left the Liangyi Hall.

It took Li Shimin a long time to come back to his senses after he had been gone for quite some time.

With tears streaming down his face, he whispered, "Father."

He knew that Li Yuan's sudden visit to the Liangyi Hall seemed to be to reprimand him.

But in fact, it gave him a great way out.

Tomorrow, he will personally announce Li Shimin as the crown prince in the Taiji Hall.

Only then can those ambitious people in the world have no excuse to oppose him.

He will be the rightful crown prince of the Tang Dynasty in the future.

That night, Li Shimin was destined to be sleepless.

When the dawn light shines on the gate outside the Liangyi Hall.

He pushed open the door with a radiant expression, wearing the robes befitting a nobleman.

But a few hours later, he will put on the crown prince's robes.

at the same time.

Inside the Prince of Qin's residence, there was a man who got up at almost the same time as Li Shimin, but now he looked resentful.

Wen He looked at Changsun Wuji, who was glaring at him angrily, and Duan Zhixuan, who was laughing happily to the side, with a look of utter despair.

"Why are you here so early? It's still early!"

Wen He was dragged out of bed by two maids.

He also enjoyed the treatment of the corrupt and privileged class, letting maids wash and dress him.

"I have come to the Prince of Qin's residence to pick up the Princess and the three princes, but they will not be entering the palace now; it will probably be in the afternoon."

Duan Zhixuan chuckled twice, but was glared at by Changsun Wuji.

"What nonsense are you talking about? You're here to protect others."

"Yes, yes, they're here to protect us," Duan Zhixuan quickly corrected himself.

The King of Qin hasn't even appointed a crown prince yet, and you're already rushing to bring someone into the palace. If word gets out, won't that give people something to talk about?

This behavior is simply a classic example of pointless nonsense.

The common people didn't care at all who the real crown prince was.

Those landlords, nobles, and powerful families all knew exactly what was going on.

To put it bluntly, that Prince Qin wanted both substance and appearance.

I just wonder what his expression would be if he knew that he would be enthroned in the Eastern Palace in the future, and that his father would refuse to let him leave the Taiji Hall no matter what.

I remember it was in the third year of the Zhenguan era that Li Yuan was forced to leave Taiji Palace against his will.

The imperial edict will probably be announced at the Eastern Palace soon.

Li Shimin must be harboring resentment towards Li Yuan right now.

The thought of seeing Li Shimin with a gloomy face later made Wen He's resentment about waking up early disappear instantly.

His only pleasure now is watching Li Er get humiliated by his father.

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(End of this chapter)