Transmigrated into Li Chengqian, he effortlessly ascended the throne and became emperor.

The candlelight in the Ganlu Hall flickered, illuminating the still-damp redness at the corners of Li Shimin's eyes.

Empress Zhangsun gently massaged Li Shimin's temples and whispered, "Second Prince, Yu Nu is such a perceptive child, it's heartbreaking. He managed to please the Emperor Emeritus today, what will happen tomorrow..."

She hesitated.

Li Shimin opened his eyes, a deep, dark light in them: "Guanyinbi, are you referring to my elder brother?"

"Ah Ye."

A call broke their eye contact.

Before anyone knew it, Li Chengqian, wrapped in a snow-white fox fur coat, stood at the palace gate like a delicate little snow dumpling.

"It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?" Li Shimin beckoned, his tone incredibly doting.

Li Chengqian ran over with his short legs, nestled skillfully into Li Shimin's arms, and blinked his big eyes: "Father, I saw Grandfather smile today. I think... Uncle, do you miss Grandfather too?"

Li Shimin remained silent for a long time, then gently stroked Li Chengqian's soft hair, his voice slightly hoarse: "Yu Nu wants to visit your uncle?"

"Yes!" Li Chengqian nodded emphatically, his face innocent and naive. "Father is the emperor now, and he should be a sage ruler like Yao and Shun. The Master said that sage rulers always cherish their brothers. Uncle's legs hurt, it must be very cold there."

Li Shimin took a deep breath, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

This child is upholding his reputation.

If he had killed Li Jiancheng, people would have only called him ruthless.

If he had taken care of Li Jiancheng, people would have praised him for his benevolence.

"Alright." Li Shimin sighed. "Go. Take some charcoal and furs with you. And give my regards."

……

After Li Jiancheng moved out of the Eastern Palace, he moved into the former Qi Prince's Mansion, now the Taixi Palace.

Pushing open the slightly mottled vermilion door, a musty smell mixed with the scent of herbs hits you.

There were no fallen leaves in the yard because there were no trees at all.

To prevent anyone from climbing over the wall or passing messages, the view here is outrageously wide; you can see even an ant passing by clearly on the bare stone slabs.

The main hall was dimly lit and no lamps were lit.

A thin figure sat in a wheelchair, which Li Shimin had specially commissioned to be made. Although simple, it was still considered high technology in the Tang Dynasty.

Li Jiancheng looked much older; although he was only in his thirties, his temples were already gray.

He held a book in his hand, seemingly reading, yet also seemingly lost in thought.

His right leg hung limply, the trouser leg swaying gently in the wind.

"Uncle."

Li Chengqian stood at the door and called out in a clear, crisp voice.

Li Jiancheng paused slightly as he turned the pages, without looking up.

"Who sent you?"

"Are you here to laugh at me? Or has your dear father decided to nip this in the bud?"

"Uncle, you're really joking." Li Chengqian wasn't annoyed. He walked in on his own, directing the eunuchs behind him to set up the charcoal brazier and then have a thick wool carpet laid out.

"If my father wanted to kill my uncle, why would he have waited until today?" Li Chengqian squatted down, his gaze level with Li Jiancheng's.

Li Jiancheng finally raised his head and looked at his handsome nephew.

He had held this child once before, before he and Erlang had fallen out to the point of life and death, and the child had even peed on his lap.

"Then what are you here for?" Li Jiancheng sneered. "To act as his intermediary? Or to show your father and son mercy?"

"Neither."

Li Chengqian shook his head, took out a small hand warmer from his pocket, and forcibly stuffed it into Li Jiancheng's cold hands.

"I just visited Da'an Palace yesterday."

As soon as he said those words, Li Jiancheng's pupils contracted sharply.

"Grandpa is still in good health, just his legs aren't very good." Li Chengqian seemed not to notice the stiffness on Li Jiancheng's face and said to himself, "I played backgammon with Grandpa, and he won a lot of rounds. He was laughing so happily."

Li Jiancheng's fingers, gripping the book, clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white.

Father... smiled?

After Erlang seized the throne, killed Yuanji, and deposed him as crown prince, how could the emperor still be able to laugh?

"Oh, right." Li Chengqian seemed to suddenly remember something, "Grandfather also drank the wine that Father gave him. Grandfather said that the past is the past, and as long as the Tang Dynasty is stable, nothing else... matters."

Li Jiancheng felt as if something inside his head had snapped.

He was not afraid of death, nor was he afraid of imprisonment.

What kept him clinging to life in that dimly lit room, besides a little bit of resentment, was the feeling that his father must still hate Erlang and must still feel heartbroken for him and Yuanji.

As long as his father still harbored hatred, he felt that he was not a complete failure; at least in terms of family ties, Erlang was the "rebellious son."

But now Li Chengqian tells him that his father has forgiven him.

Then what is he?

What is Yuanji?

What do their bloodshed and broken legs amount to?

In the eyes of the emperor, is it true that only the victor is a son, while the loser is merely dust to be swept into the trash heap?

"You're lying." Li Jiancheng stared at Li Chengqian, his voice trembling, "Father... Father loves Yuanji the most..."

"Fourth Uncle is dead." Li Chengqian interrupted him, his tone eerily calm. "Elder Uncle, the living must always look forward. Grandfather is a wise man; he knows Father was a good emperor. Since Father was able to govern the country well and provide for Grandfather in his old age, why should Grandfather go against the current emperor for the sake of someone who is already dead?"

The so-called benevolent father and filial son is nothing more than a compromise after the balance of power.

Li Jiancheng stared intently at Li Chengqian, trying to find a hint of mockery on that youthful face.

But no.

Li Chengqian simply looked at him quietly, his eyes even carrying a hint of pity.

"Uncle, Father sent me to see you and ask if you need anything." Li Chengqian stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes. "Father said that you are his eldest brother, and as long as you behave yourself, he will always ensure you have enough to eat and wear. My cousins ​​will also grow up safely."

Li Jiancheng's lips moved, but in the end all his emotions vanished with the words "Grow up safely".

If he shows even the slightest bit of resentment, he might not even be able to preserve this bloodline.

He had experienced Erlang's ruthlessness firsthand.

Li Jiancheng slowly loosened his clenched fist.

The scroll fell to the ground with a dull thud.

He closed his eyes, leaned back in the cold chair, and felt a piercing phantom pain in his right leg.

a long time.

"For me..." Li Jiancheng began, his voice hollow like a dry well, "to thank His Majesty for his great favor."

"In that case, Uncle, please get some rest."

Li Chengqian performed a standard junior's greeting and turned to leave.

The moment he stepped out the door, the chilly autumn wind blew against his burning cheeks.

"Your Highness, shall we return to the palace?" the eunuch beside him asked cautiously.

"Go back." Li Chengqian took a deep breath, his face regaining its proud and aloof expression. "Father is still waiting for me. I need to go back and tell him that Uncle was very moved, so moved that he couldn't even speak."

The rumbling of the carriage crushed the white frost on the ground.

Li Jiancheng remained in that position, watching the warm hand warmer slowly grow cold, just like the desolate years of his remaining life.

……

When Li Chengqian returned, it was already late at night.

Li Shimin was still reviewing memorials when he heard the noise and immediately put down his vermilion pen.

"how?"

Li Shimin's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible tension.

Li Chengqian threw himself into his arms, burying his face in the dragon robe and rubbing against it, saying in a muffled voice, "Uncle is doing well, and even thanked Father for his great kindness. It's just..."

"What is it?"

"It's just that it's too quiet at Uncle's place." Li Chengqian looked up, his eyes glistening with tears. "It's even quieter than Grandpa's place. Father, can I visit my cousins ​​more often? They've never even seen a golden melon seed before, they're so silly."

Looking into his son's pure eyes, Li Shimin finally found a balance in the guilt and wariness he felt towards his elder brother.

Since the eldest brother has completely resigned himself to his fate, and since Chengqian is so loyal and righteous...

"Alright." Li Shimin picked up his son and placed him on his lap. "You may go whenever you wish. You are the Crown Prince, their elder brother, and it is your duty to take care of your siblings."

Li Chengqian wrapped his arms around Li Shimin's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek: "Father is so good! Father is the best father in the world!"