My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

Chapter 264 Who do you think you are?

In front of the Xiande Hall of the East Palace.

Li Chengqian exhaled a breath of stale air, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar palace, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

I haven't been back for so long!

Wait, that's not right!

He came back a few days ago and took good care of his chubby and adorable younger brother, Li Tai.

"Li Chengqian?"

Perhaps it was a case of whatever came to mind; just as Li Chengqian had this thought, he heard a voice filled with anger.

He turned his head and saw Li Tai standing behind him.

That round face not only lacked any of the expected kindness, but was instead incredibly ferocious.

The slap mark still visible on his face was particularly noticeable.

"Hey! Isn't this my dear younger brother? Why is he so temperamental after just a few days?"

Li Chengqian seemed completely unconcerned about Li Tai's ferocious appearance.

Upon hearing this, the anger and resentment in Li Tai's chest surged even higher, like embers doused with boiling oil.

"Li Chengqian! Stop your sarcastic remarks! Do you still think you're the Crown Prince who needs the Emperor's constant protection?"

"During your absence, who listened to the court discussions in the Taiji Hall?"

"Who is sharing the Emperor's burdens and looking after the palace and its surroundings?"

"It's me! It's me, Li Tai!"

The more he talked, the more convinced he became of his point, and his voice gradually grew louder.

"And what about you? You're hiding somewhere, completely disregarding your responsibilities as the crown prince! You returned a few days ago, showing no concern for the court or the people's feelings; all you do is wreak havoc on your brothers!"

"Father has not yet returned, and you already behave like this? Do you have even a shred of brotherly affection or respect, or a shred of responsibility for the Tang Dynasty?!"

When he got excited, he even took a half step forward and pointed at Li Chengqian.

"Look at you! Besides using some weird and unorthodox methods to attack your brothers, what else can you do?!"

Li Tai glanced at Li Chengqian's legs.

"Now that they've managed to stay afloat, they've reverted to their old ways, putting on this act for whoever they want!"

"This position of Crown Prince is not something you can treat so lightly!!"

Li Chengqian listened quietly, his expression remaining unchanged.

But his gaze was like a deep pool, growing ever more serene and colder.

Only after Li Tai finished shouting and stopped breathing heavily did he gently lift his eyelids.

"Are you done talking?"

Li Chengqian's voice was calm and even a little bored.

"So what? I'm the Crown Prince anyway."

"I assist my father in overseeing the country, and you..."

"I am the Crown Prince."

"I review memorials and oversee..."

"I am the Crown Prince."

"I listen to the court's affairs, and even..."

"I am the Crown Prince."

……

For every sentence Li Tai spoke, Li Chengqian would simply reply with a faint, "I am the Crown Prince."

Finally, the string of reason snapped completely in Li Tai's heart.

"ah--!!!"

Li Tai suddenly raised his head, and his once fair and round face was now flushed red.

"So what if you're the Crown Prince?!"

He stretched out his hand, pointed at Li Chengqian, and cursed.

"He's still that cripple who can't walk! A useless piece of trash who needs wooden wheels to move around!"

"Let me tell you, Li Chengqian! Stop dreaming! Your father would never pass the throne to a cripple like you!!! What right does a disabled person who can't even stand up and needs help to walk have to rule the world and be the emperor?! Don't even think about it!!!"

Li Tai became more and more excited as he spoke, as if these words had already lingered in his heart a thousand times over.

"Do you think that just because Father Emperor lets you live in the Eastern Palace, you're the future emperor?"

"What a joke! That's only because you're the eldest son, and because those old-fashioned ministers cling to so-called etiquette! Father Emperor knows best that you're not worthy! Besides hiding in the Eastern Palace and putting on airs as the Crown Prince, besides using your status to bully others, what else can you do?!"

After saying that, he pointed at himself and roared.

"I am the prince whom Father Emperor loves most! I am Li Tai!!!"

"I was initially enfeoffed as the Prince of Yidu, then promoted to the Prince of Wei, later changed to the Prince of Yue, and now I am the Prince of Wei, personally enfeoffed by my father. At the same time, I am also the Grand General of Yangzhou and the General of Yuezhou, overseeing the military affairs of sixteen prefectures including Chang, Hai, Run, Chu, and Shu, and remotely serving as the General of Xiangzhou, overseeing the military affairs of seven prefectures including Xiang, Wei, Li, Wei, Ming, Xing, and Bei! I have been granted the title of Pillar of State, and I have served as the Left Martial Marquis General. My father also entrusted me with the important position of Governor of Yongzhou, a crucial position in the capital region! I enjoy the honor of having a fief of ten thousand households!"

"Besides, my father has granted me the residence in the Wude Hall, close to the Forbidden City, where I hold court. With such favor and power, which civil or military official in the court doesn't bow and pay homage to me? How could you, a cripple with only the title of Crown Prince, compare?!"

"Furthermore, I am a man of great literary talent, having compiled the 'Kuodi Zhi' (Records of the Land); I am courteous to the virtuous and humble, and I have made friends with many famous people."

"I...I am the son who most resembles my father in his heart!"

"And what about you?"

Li Tai then pointed at Li Chengqian, his eyes bloodshot.

"And what are you? A cripple! A pathetic wretch who can only hide in the shadows, clinging to life by virtue of your title as crown prince!!!"

"Without the title of Crown Prince, you, Li Chengqian, are nothing!!!"

Li Chengqian listened quietly, without even his eyelashes trembling.

Looking at his indifferent demeanor, Li Tai's anger intensified, and his veins bulged.

This guy!!!

Even after I said all that, he still didn't budge!

Why?!

Who does he think he is?

Suddenly, a voice sounded behind him.