The rebellious grandson of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty: Please, Your Majesty, be called Cro

As it turns out, Empress Zhangsun was indeed the scabbard of Li Shimin's sharp sword.

Even if they have passed away, that's still true.

Even in this state of extreme anger and near-constant rage, seeing Empress Zhangsun's portrait and hearing Li Chengqian call her "Mother" stirred up his deepest feelings of kinship, allowing him to regain some of his rationality.

He looked at Li Chengqian with a complicated expression. In his memory, ever since Guanyinbi passed away, Chengqian had become more and more decadent, gloomy, depraved, paranoid, and unruly.

Conversations with him, his father, have become increasingly rare.

Despite repeated reprimands and admonitions, and even the order for the Crown Prince's tutor to urge him on, Chengqian's spirits remained low, and the bond between father and son grew increasingly distant.

Even on that day in Ganlu Hall, she was so angry that she whipped him with a horsewhip and questioned him about why he was plotting a rebellion.

Chengqian remained silent throughout.

He seemed utterly hopeless and heartbroken over his father, and refused to communicate with him.

Now that he has rallied, the first thing he does is to force his way into the palace with Guanyinbi's portrait in hand.

...The father and son were like enemies.

Li Xiangren was completely stunned. Seeing that Li Shimin had actually regained his senses, he was so angry that he thought, "This is like a curse that can circle the earth three times over."

He tried to persuade Li Chengqian: "Father! Why did you come?"

"This tyrant, who prides himself on his wisdom, let him kill me! Let the whole world see his patricidal nature!"

He immediately turned to look at Li Shimin, trying to add fuel to the fire of Li Shimin's anger:

"You tyrant! You depose the eldest son in favor of the younger, you are biased and partial, you are not even human! You..."

"shut up!"

Before he could finish his rant, Li Chengqian grabbed him and pulled him back, pinning him firmly behind his back.

Li Chengqian's eyes were filled with emotion, and his voice was slightly choked as he softly said:

"Elephant, there's no need to fool around."

"You've been protecting your father, and I know it all."

He gently patted Li Xiang's shoulder, his tone turning somber, carrying a hint of resolute determination, as if he were giving his last words.

"I will handle my own affairs. You don't need to stand up for me and risk your life in vain."

"In my early years, I neglected you and our son, and I owe you both a great deal..."

"Your son is still young, so you will have to take good care of him in the future."

After saying that, he looked up at Li Shimin, his face full of resolute determination.

"..." Li Xiangren was dumbfounded.

No, what are you making such a decision about?

Are you kidding me? How can someone intercept someone's suicide pact?

I've been working so hard and planning for so long, and I'm just one step away from success!

He suddenly straightened up, broke free from Li Chengqian's hand, stepped in front of him again, and declared in a righteous and stern voice:

"Brother, take care of yourself! Today my mind is made up; it's either you or me who dies with this tyrant!"

As he spoke, he turned towards the throne, intending to crash into the Emperor's sword in Li Shimin's hand.

"Nonsense!"

However, the more resolute Li Xiang was, the more moved and anxious Li Chengqian became. He immediately reached out and grabbed Li Xiang by the back of his collar, shouting sternly, "You are so young, in the prime of your life, how dare you speak of death so lightly!"

"Let go! Since ancient times, no one has ever escaped death. Let my loyal heart shine in history! Today, I will prove my loyalty with my death!" Li Xiang struggled frantically.

"No! Your father will not allow you to die!"

"open!"

"I won't let go!"

"Let go... I really want to die!" Li Xiang was almost crying. He felt that Li Chengqian's hand was like an iron clamp, and he couldn't break free no matter what he did.

He even considered kicking Li Chengqian in his lame leg.

However, they sadly discovered that Li Xiang's body was too small; his legs were even shorter than Li Chengqian's arms, so he couldn't kick him...

Seeing the father and son arguing over death, several veins bulged on Li Shimin's forehead again... Finally, he could no longer bear it and roared, "Enough!"

"Someone come here."

"Gag that brat!"

With no way to escape, Li Xiang, who had been grabbed by Li Chengqian, was once again captured by the tall imperial guards. Fearing that he might do something naughty again, the guards not only gagged him but also tied him up tightly.

Seeing Li Xiang bound like a cicada pupa, unable to speak and only struggling on the ground, Xiao Yu, Fang Xuanling, and the others in the hall all breathed a sigh of relief...

This imperial grandson's mouth... is truly too sharp.

Such scathing words from a tyrannical ruler are merely the beginning; he frequently resorts to fratricide, patricide, and the dynasty dying within three generations…

Just listening in almost gave them a heart attack.

-----------------

Having dealt with Li Xiang, Li Shimin coldly looked at Li Chengqian. "This brat said he'd seek justice for you?"

"What justice do you have that would make you plot a rebellion and dare to disturb the Empress? Such disrespect is unacceptable."

"Previously, you remained silent, letting this brat spout nonsense for you. Now, I will listen to you."

Li Chengqian let out a long breath and straightened his tattered crown prince robes. He stood up straight, a rare sight for him, and his face showed no fear or guilt towards Li Shimin. Instead, he wore a sarcastic and mocking smile, revealing his sharp edge.

"Very well, since Your Majesty is willing to listen, then I will tell you."

"At first, His Majesty asked me why I wanted to rebel."

"I also have something to ask Your Majesty."

"...Speak." Sensing that his son, who was determined to die, no longer had any fear of him, Li Shimin closed his eyes and tried to suppress his anger.

"I have been the crown prince for eighteen years."

"What have I done wrong in my position as Crown Prince?" Li Chengqian said.

Li Shimin's momentum faltered slightly, and he said irritably, "There shouldn't be."

"What did I ever covet while I was in the position of Crown Prince?"

"...Probably not."

"Since I have lived up to the position of Crown Prince, does Your Majesty believe that I will be a tyrant after you pass away?" Li Chengqian continued.

"That's exactly what I'm worried about!" Li Shimin shouted angrily.

"Heh." Li Chengqian chuckled, his sharp edge still on full display. "Your Majesty, are you worried about my handling of state affairs?"

"...You handle state affairs quite well."

"So, Your Majesty, you're worried about my character?"

"right!"

"You're worrying about the wrong thing!"

Li Shimin had barely opened his mouth when Li Chengqian suddenly retorted.

He looked directly into Li Shimin's eyes, head held high, his face radiating an unprecedented confidence.

"My character has remained unchanged for eighteen years. For eighteen years, you've thought I've handled state affairs well. Eighteen years!"

"Doesn't this prove that my character won't affect my handling of state affairs?"

"...!"

Li Shimin clenched his fists, speechless for a moment. Just now, when faced with Li Xiang's questioning, he had turned pale and stood up in anger.

However, he remained silent when confronted with Li Chengqian's questioning.

"You know that your bias towards the Prince of Wei has caused discussion in the court and among the people," Li Chengqian said. The Prince of Wei, Li Tai, turned deathly pale, but he didn't even look at him.

"You let the Prince of Wei move into the Wude Hall. You know what the Wude Hall is."

"The King of Wei is being aggressive; this is exactly what you wanted to see."

"Or do you really not know?"

"Actually, you know everything!"

A hint of undisguised mockery appeared on Li Chengqian's lips as he stared directly at Li Shimin.

He always harbored fear of Li Shimin. Even after he plotted a rebellion, despite his resentment.

Yet he still dared not speak frankly to Li Shimin.

He knew that Li Shimin favored Li Tai, and that even if he complained to Li Shimin, he would not get a response.

Therefore, despite his many grievances, he was faced with Li Shimin's long-standing power and prestige.

Before Li Shimin, they could only remain silent, nothing more.

But now, he was no longer afraid. He had only one thing on his mind.

Questioning! Questioning his own father! Questioning this biased emperor!

What exactly did I, Li Chengqian, do wrong?