The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Chapter 30 However, there is one thing I do not understand, and I would like to ask the Imperial Censor for advice.

As expected, most of the heavily guarded personnel in front of the East Palace were removed as ordered, leaving only a few on duty. Their duties were clearly defined as verifying the identity and rank of officials entering the palace and whether they were carrying weapons. It was also clearly announced that officials of the fifth rank and above could enter the newly built "Consultative Hall" in the East Palace to meet the Crown Prince without prior notice.

The Consultation Hall was located on one side of the East Palace's front court. It was originally an unused side hall, which was hastily renovated.

The interior of the hall was simply furnished. On the north side, there was a platform slightly raised above the ground, on which the prince's couch and desk were placed.

Below the platform, there are two rows of seats on the left and right sides for the Crown Prince's officials and his attendants.

A large open space was left in the middle, covered with reed mats, for officials to stand and speak when they came to pay their respects.

Several new calligraphic works of proverbs encouraging learning and good governance have been hung on the pillars and walls of the hall, the ink still fresh.

The entire environment strives to create a solemn and open atmosphere conducive to political discussions and lectures, but it inevitably reveals a sense of haste due to its temporary arrangement.

Three days after the news broke, the Crown Prince's palace did not become as bustling as expected.

Most officials remain cautious and wait-and-see, as speaking directly to the crown prince, especially one with a poor reputation and recent strange behavior, presents both risks and opportunities.

However, some people couldn't resist the urge, whether for their beliefs or for fame and fortune, and became the first "advisors" to step into this "Advisory Hall".

The first person to arrive was Wei Siqian, the Imperial Censor.

This man was about thirty-two years old, with a lean face and sharp eyes. He wore a blue imperial censor's robe, held an ivory tablet, and walked with a brisk pace.

He was stopped by the guards at the palace gate as was customary. They checked his tally, confirmed his rank, and inspected whether he was carrying any weapons.

Wei Siqian cooperated expressionlessly. After the inspection was completed, the guard stepped aside to make way and informed him, "Please, Imperial Censor, His Highness the Crown Prince is waiting in the Consultative Hall. Please go straight in."

Wei Siqian nodded slightly, straightened his clothes, and strode inside, ignoring the somewhat empty palace scenery along the way.

At this moment, inside the Consultative Hall, Crown Prince Li Chengqian sat upright on the throne, his right foot still injured due to a foot ailment, which he deliberately concealed with the hem of his robe.

The Tang Code was spread out on the desk.

On the left sat Li Baiyao, the newly appointed Right Vice-Chancellor of the Crown Prince, with a serious expression; on the right was Xu Jingzong, the attendant, with a smile on his face, but his eyes kept glancing around.

As a companion reader, Li Yichen was seated further back, almost hidden among the other officials of the Eastern Palace. He lowered his eyes and brows, his posture respectful, as if he had blended into the shadow of the palace pillars. If one did not look for him specifically, he would be easily overlooked.

Inside the hall, several scribes were prepared with paper and pens to record the conversation.

Wei Siqian stepped into the palace and quickly scanned the entire room. His gaze lingered on the Crown Prince for a moment before he noticed that the Crown Prince did not rise to greet the Imperial Censor as is customary.

He paused, stood in the hall, head held high, chest puffed out, his voice loud but clearly displeased.

"Your subject, Wei Siqian, Imperial Censor, pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince! However, I am ordered by the Emperor to oversee all officials. According to regulations, even though Your Highness is the Crown Prince, you should still rise to receive my words, to show respect for the laws of the court!"

The atmosphere inside the hall froze instantly.

Li Baiyao frowned slightly, while Xu Jingzong's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes flickered.

Li Yichen, sitting in the back row, remained meek and obedient, but his fingertip tapped his knee almost imperceptibly.

Li Chengqian felt all eyes on him, his ankle throbbed with pain, and a surge of anger almost welled up inside him. But he immediately recalled the scene that Li Yichen had repeatedly rehearsed with him yesterday.

Li Yichen asserted: "The first group to arrive will surely challenge you with etiquette and law, criticizing Your Highness for being improper, in order to establish their authority. Your Highness must remember that no matter how aggressive their words are, you must be extremely humble at the beginning, even showing weakness, so that their sharp edge can be fully revealed."

At the time, Li Chengqian thought it might not be so, but now, facing Wei Siqian's accusation, he was first startled, and then a sense of composure as Yichen had expected and a secret excitement welled up within him.

He suppressed his displeasure, his face showing just the right amount of realization and guilt. He braced himself slightly on the desk with both hands, making a move to get up, but his movements were slow and he struggled due to his leg injury.

"Oh? It was I who was impolite. Imperial Censor Wei is right to remind me that I have been so engrossed in books lately that I have neglected the court's etiquette."

He finally managed to stand up straight, and although his posture wasn't very upright due to foot pain, his attitude seemed quite sincere.

"Imperial Censor Wei has come from afar. What advice do you have for me? I will listen attentively."

When Wei Siqian saw the Crown Prince stand up and be respectful, his expression softened slightly, but his tone remained stern and direct.

"I heard that Your Highness questioned Your Majesty about the Xuanwu Gate incident the other day in the Liangyi Hall, using the ancient story of Emperor Shun being persecuted by his father. May I ask Your Highness: The Classic of Filial Piety says, 'The father is the guide for the son.' Your Majesty is the sovereign and father. Is it filial piety for Your Highness to use an ancient story to pressure him? The Tang Code states, 'Anyone who criticizes the emperor's carriage in a way that is morally reprehensible shall be beheaded.' Although Your Highness did not directly criticize him, you quoted the words of the sages to subtly criticize the sovereign and father. Is this loyalty?"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell completely silent.

Li Baiyao looked worried, while Xu Jingzong lowered his head to hide the glint in his eyes.

This question was too sharp, directly addressing the core of the Crown Prince's previous "consultation," and even accusing him of "disloyalty and unfilial piety" and violating the law.

Several officials from the Eastern Palace exchanged uneasy glances.

Li Chengqian's heart pounded, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his back.

Just as Li Yichen had predicted, Wei Siqian not only clung to the past but also directly invoked the Tang Code, displaying a fierce and aggressive intent to kill him.

He subconsciously glanced at Li Yichen out of the corner of his eye, only to see the latter still with his head down, like a clay or wooden sculpture. But Li Chengqian felt inexplicably at ease, because Li Yichen had also anticipated this angle of questioning yesterday and had taught him how to deal with it.

He took a deep breath, tried to make a thoughtful and then remorseful expression on his face, and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Imperial Censor Wei's words are like a wake-up call. I was arrogant and reckless the day before, but upon reflection, I am truly filled with apprehension. However, my question that day was by no means intended to attack the emperor or father..." He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, but in reality, he was recalling the words Li Yichen had taught him, "I am dull-witted, and when I read history, particularly the story of Emperor Shun, I often pondered the ultimate meaning of 'loyalty and filial piety.' Emperor Shun avoided harm to his father to protect himself, and ultimately became a sage king; Your Majesty's actions at Xuanwu Gate in the past were also for the sake of establishing the Tang Dynasty and ensuring the peace of the nation. What perplexes me is the age-old dilemma of 'loyalty and filial piety being difficult to reconcile,' which should come first? I... I only hope to understand this point in order to prepare for the needs of governing the country in the future, and I have absolutely no intention of making comparisons, much less question the righteousness of the emperor's and father's actions."

Upon hearing this, Wei Siqian sneered, clearly having prepared this explanation thoroughly.

"Your Highness is eloquent and flattering! The father of Emperor Shun, Gu Sou, wanted to harm his son, but it was out of personal resentment; Your Majesty swept away the treacherous officials, which was for the sake of justice for the world! Your Highness comparing the two is itself extremely inappropriate! If Your Highness truly wants to explore knowledge, why not summon the doctors of the Imperial Academy and the scholars of the Hongwen Pavilion to discuss the Way in public? Why choose the Liangyi Hall and confront His Majesty in such an interrogative manner? This is not seeking knowledge, but disrespect!"

Li Chengqian knew that this meant the start of the counterattack phase.

Li Chengqian's spirits lifted, recalling the strategy taught by Li Yichen: when the other party insists on "rudeness" or "disrespect," elevate the issue to the level of "admonition" and resolve it with higher principles.

His confusion deepened as he looked at Wei Siqian, his tone sincere and even somewhat pleading for advice.

"Is Censor Wei rebuking me for being impolite? However, there is something I do not understand and would like to ask the Censor for clarification."

(End of this chapter)