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

With Li Zhi chosen as emperor, Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) was reassured, believing that he was capable of protecting his two sons, Li Chengqian and Li Tai.

Li Chengqian now felt at ease. His ease stemmed from his understanding of his father, Li Shimin, and the deep-seated dependence he had on his mother, Empress Zhangsun.

He trusted Li Shimin and his abilities as emperor. He believed that since Li Shimin had chosen to protect his eldest son, he would make proper arrangements.

Otherwise, how could his father face his mother in the afterlife after he passed away?

He believed that even now, his mother could still protect him...

Li Xiang, unable to bear it any longer, stood up abruptly and said:

"How ridiculous!"

"Just now, I only mentioned the deposed Crown Prince Yang Yong. Now, I need to ask Father about it."

"Do you know which dynasty the previous eldest son, born of the legitimate wife, was in line to the throne?"

Before Li Chengqian could answer, Li Xiang slammed his hand on the table and said:

"It's Sima Zhong! It's Sima Zhong from the Jin Dynasty!"

"And during Sima Zhong's reign, four hundred years had passed since the Zhenguan era!"

"For four hundred years, not a single legitimate heir has been able to inherit the throne, and very few deposed crown princes have been able to die a natural death!!!"

"Father saw us today... After just one meal, our whole family wept, and my younger brother was filled with anxiety all day long. Only today did he finally smile!"

"This is the last vestige of warmth left in my family. Why should I be destined to die like Yang Yong, poisoned by a pot of poisoned wine?"

Li Xiang's roar finally brought a look of astonishment to Li Chengqian's face.

"Does Father intend to entrust the lives of me and my brother to Prince Wei, Li Tai?" Li Xiang continued.

"That scoundrel, Li Tai, the Prince of Wei, may appear humble, but his despicable and ruthless nature far surpasses that of Yang Guang!"

Li Chengqian's eyes narrowed.

"Are you trying to entrust my life and my brother's life to that tyrannical ruler?"

"That tyrant is old! He's senile and fearful of everything, only knowing how to hide on that cold throne, manipulating his sons and playing those shameful games of balancing acts..."

"He is no longer the wise man he once was! All he cares about is imperial power!"

"Or do you intend to entrust my life and my brother's life to our grandmother, who passed away many years ago?"

"Father! Grandmother has been gone for seven years! Seven years! Her bones have turned to ash!"

"Do you expect someone who died seven years ago to bless your family?"

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 12199.99]

"Insolence!" Li Chengqian was like an enraged dragon whose scales had been touched, and suddenly he became furious, with madness reappearing in the depths of his eyes.

"How dare you insult your grandmother!"

"Ha...haha." Li Xiang's eyes widened. Li Chengqian's reaction confirmed his most absurd guess.

This cheap old man actually believed that Li Shimin could protect his family because of that portrait of Empress Zhangsun!

No wonder he always carried a portrait of Empress Zhangsun with him.

No wonder, when he was at his lowest point, imprisoned in the deep palace, he could confidently storm the palace by showing a portrait of Empress Zhangsun.

Empress Zhangsun—even though she has been dead for seven years, she remains his last lifeline!

……childish!

"Actually, you're afraid deep down too," Li Xiang said, taking a deep breath.

"If you are not afraid, why did you deliberately tell those Imperial Guards that you would live a peaceful life without any more trouble?"

"If you weren't afraid, why did you just tell me not to come back?"

"You're just afraid, but you're unwilling to fight! You'd rather believe someone who's been dead for seven years than believe in yourself!"

"Pah!!! Disgusting!!!!"

"Li Chengqian! You're a coward! Even that pig Li Tai is more cunning than you!"

"You're just a child! A naughty kid! At your age, you spend all your time reminiscing about the warmth of your deceased mother! You pretended to be a Turk, you feigned madness, and even that farcical rebellion you staged—it was all just a child's way of venting his anger and frustration at that tyrannical Emperor Li Er!"

"You're just a child who only knows how to whine and beg your father for candy, and throws tantrums when you don't get it!"

"Ah!!!" Li Chengqian's eyes were filled with madness, his face flushed red, and the veins on his forehead bulged wildly.

"I kill you!!!"

He suddenly overturned several tables and stepped forward to grab Li Xiang.

Li Xiang didn't dodge; he didn't move an inch.

Li Chengqian was aggressive, but his hands froze just before they were about to touch Li Xiang.

His eyes were bloodshot, like a cornered beast driven to the brink of despair.

The commotion inside alerted the outer room, and the door was suddenly opened, with Madam Su rushing in.

Upon seeing the scene inside, he was startled and instinctively tried to stand in front of Li Xiang.

"Your Highness, what's wrong... Your Highness, please don't hurt Xiang'er!"

"Father?" Young Li Jue walked in with a look of fear on his face and reached out to hug Li Chengqian's lame leg.

"We mustn't hurt my elder brother!"

The madness in Li Chengqian's eyes froze for a moment.

Li Xiang looked at Li Chengqian arrogantly.

"Death can be heavier than Mount Tai, or lighter than a feather. If you do not resist, you will surely die!"

"At that time, not only me, but the world will despise you, Li Chengqian, for all eternity, for your stupidity, for your cowardice, and for your entire life."

"You will die less than a feather," Li Xiang asserted.

Although he didn't know much about history, he still clearly remembered that Li Chengqian died a violent death not long after he was exiled to Qianzhou.

He even died earlier than Li Er.

The matter of choosing an heir was fraught with uncertainty, and later generations might think that it was perfectly normal for Li Chengqian to die from illness or malaria.

But Li Xiang knew that Li Chengqian was in his prime and strong, and even if he had a leg ailment, it shouldn't be to that extent.

Furthermore, historically, Li Zhi was supported by the cunning and treacherous Changsun Wuji. And then there were the various actions taken by Li Zhi and Wu Zetian after Li Er's death…

Li Xiang would be the first to disbelieve that Li Chengqian was not killed by Li Zhi and Wu Zetian, or by someone like Changsun Wuji!

Whether it was Li Tai or Li Zhi, if they wanted to become the crown prince, the first person they would have to deal with was Li Chengqian.

Even Yang Guang knew that in order to secure his throne, he had to kill Yang Yong first.

Li Chengqian was, after all, the eldest son of the legitimate wife!

And what about Li Xiang and Li Jue?

Li Xiang did not remember the final fate of Li Chengqian's descendants. But he knew that placing one's hopes on the enemy's mercy was the greatest folly in the world.

Rather than die in fear, it's better to drag Li Chengqian along and fight Li Er against Xuanwu Gate!

If he loses, he'll die with Li Chengqian. Anyway, Li Chengqian was going to die early anyway; maybe they'd both be killed by Li Er, and he could even bring his cheap father to the modern world to enjoy a few years of happiness.

Winning...that's a bit difficult, but what if it works out?

Then let Li Chengqian become emperor. Li Xiang did not believe that Li Chengqian, the crown prince who had served as regent for eighteen years, would be worse than Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) in history. At least, Li Chengqian would not be blindly devoted to women, leading to women interfering in politics and causing the Tang Dynasty to perish after three generations.

As for himself, at worst he could just give the prisoner Li Er a knife... then Li Er would probably kill him.

"...What do you want to do?" Li Chengqian asked in a hoarse voice.

The sinister look in his eyes overpowered the madness and took the upper hand.