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

Chapter 91 I must have been wrong again, right?

Li Chengqian suddenly stood up from his seat.

He stood up too suddenly, and a sharp pain shot through his right ankle, making him almost unable to stand.

He stared intently at the eunuch, his voice becoming somewhat shrill with extreme shock and anger.

"Can you say that again!"

The eunuch repeated the message, trembling.

"Li Tai... recommended Cui Dunli... Father Emperor... approved... handed it over to the Secretariat for deliberation..."

Li Chengqian repeated each word slowly and deliberately, each word like a red-hot branding iron, searing into his heart.

He felt a surge of hot blood rushing to his head, and his vision went dark.

What does it mean?
What exactly does Father mean by this?
He, the crown prince, the person who recommended him, was rejected and put on hold for various high-sounding reasons.

Li Tai, a prince, was able to recommend candidates and gain the emperor's approval, thus formally entering the court's deliberation process.
Does Father Emperor know what this means?
This is tantamount to slapping the crown prince in the face in front of the entire court!

This is tantamount to telling everyone that the King of Wei's words carry more weight than those of the Crown Prince!

This is tantamount to placing Li Tai on an equal footing with him, the crown prince, or even giving him more importance!

"Hehe...hehe..."

Li Chengqian let out a low, twisted laugh, filled with self-mockery and despair.

"What a fine example of acting out of public interest! What a fine example of recommending worthy individuals for the country! Li Tai... my good brother... you've really got a good plan!"

He could almost see the smug smile spreading across Li Tai's fat face.

It was as if one could hear the courtiers who supported the King of Wei gossiping and mocking him, the deposed crown prince, behind his back.

Li Chengqian suddenly kicked over the lamp stand beside him. The bronze lampstand crashed to the ground, the candle flame went out instantly, and the candle rolled to the side.

"He wants to climb up by stepping on my shoulders! He wants to crush me completely into the mud!"

An intense anger and sense of humiliation burned within him like flames.

He felt as if his chest was about to explode, and the unvented violent energy surged through his body.

He wanted to rush to the Liangyi Palace immediately and question his father about why he was so biased!

He wanted to rush to the Prince of Wei's residence and smash Li Tai's hypocritical face to pieces!
But he can't.

He could only be trapped in this magnificent Eastern Palace, like a prisoner, watching helplessly as his authority was eroded little by little and his position became increasingly precarious.

"Father...do you really... hate your son so much?"

A profound sense of desolation seeped from the cracks in his anger, almost suffocating him.

He remembered Li Yichen's words.

"Your Highness should let him make the choices, instead of you passively bearing all the consequences."

But now, Father's choice is so clear.

Is Li Chengqian the option that is abandoned and sacrificed?
No! no way!

He clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging deep into his palm, bringing a sharp pain that cleared his confused mind slightly.

still have a chance!

And that unplayed ace!

The Crown Prince is solely responsible for the finances and provisions of Xizhou!

As long as he can solve this core problem, he will make all those who have humiliated him today, and all those who have looked down on him and betrayed him, pay the price!
But... what exactly is that damn "anchor"?
How exactly does Li Yichen conjure up such a vast amount of money and grain out of thin air?
The unknown brings deeper anxiety and panic.

He placed all his hopes on that mysterious and wise study companion.

But no matter how powerful Li Yichen is, can he really turn stones into gold?

If he can't do anything either... then wouldn't I be...?

Li Chengqian dared not think any further.

Like a trapped beast, he paced back and forth in the empty and dimly lit hall, his footsteps sounding particularly heavy and anxious in the silence.

The sharp pain that shot through him every time his right foot landed reminded him of his physical disability and the cruelty of reality, intensifying his inner torment.

All he can do now is wait. Wait for the day when Li Yichen will enter the palace to accompany him in his studies.

He had never felt such an urgent need to see Li Yichen, to hear his voice, and to hear his seemingly magical schemes.

Li Chengqian stopped and looked out into the deep night, his eyes filled with a mixture of despair, hope, anger, and a hint of madness.

He knew it was a high-stakes gamble.

If you win the bet, the world is your oyster;

If you lose the bet, you will never recover.

He had no other choice.

The next day.

A eunuch's cautious voice could be heard coming from outside the hall.

"Your Highness, Li, the attendant, requests an audience."

"Announce!" Li Chengqian forcefully suppressed his impatient emotions.

After a night of contemplation, Li Chengqian tried his best to appear calm and composed.

Yesterday's blunder must not be repeated.

The palace doors opened, and Li Yichen slowly entered, his expression still calm and reassuring, as if the raging storm outside had nothing to do with him.

He bowed respectfully.

"Your subject, Li Yichen, pays his respects to Your Highness."

"No need," Li Chengqian stepped forward.

"Yichen! What exactly is the anchor you mentioned before? Tell me quickly! The situation is critical, Qingque is pressing us relentlessly, I can't wait any longer! We must raise funds and supplies as soon as possible and take over Xizhou, otherwise... otherwise my position as the Crown Prince will change hands sooner or later!"

His eyes were burning with eagerness and longing, as if Li Yichen was about to utter a magical technique that could turn stones into gold.

However, Li Yichen did not answer directly.

He looked at Li Chengqian, a faint, almost helpless smile appearing on his face, and gently shook his head.

Li Chengqian was taken aback, and his grip on Li Yichen's arm loosened involuntarily.

Looking at Li Yichen's expression, a thought flashed through his mind, along with a phrase he had almost grown accustomed to hearing: "Your Highness, you are wrong again."

Yes, I must have made a mistake again.

Whenever he desperately wanted an answer, Li Yichen would always point out his mistakes first.

This time will probably be no exception.

A mix of frustration and enlightenment welled up inside Li Chengqian. Before Li Yichen could speak, Li Chengqian spoke with a hint of self-mockery and a touch of probing.

"I...I know I must have made a mistake again, right?"

A hint of approval flashed in Li Yichen's eyes, and he nodded, readily admitting it.

"Your Highness's ability to reflect on yourself is progress. Yes, Your Highness is wrong again."

He led Li Chengqian back to his seat and said slowly, "Your Highness, our focus right now is not on the selection of the Xizhou Promotion and Removal Commissioner, nor is it on immediately finding that anchor."

"Not in Xizhou?"

Li Chengqian was a little confused; he felt he couldn't keep up with Li Yichen's train of thought at all.

"But Xizhou is the key to my cultivation of power and accumulation of strength! Now that Qingque has interfered, are we just going to give up?"

"Furthermore, if this matter fails, I will be publicly humiliated and lose all face!"

Li Yichen spoke slowly.

"It's not that we're giving up, but the time isn't right yet, and there are things that Your Highness needs to do that are far more important and urgent than Xizhou."

Li Yichen's gaze sharpened.

“If this matter is not done, even if Your Highness obtains Xizhou, you will be subject to control in every way in the future, and may even end up benefiting others.”

"What is so important?" Li Chengqian pressed.

(End of this chapter)