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

"It's all that brat's fault! He's driving a wedge between me and my father! It's all his doing!"

With his most reliable methods of charming and pleasing others completely blocked, Li Tai gritted his teeth in resentment, feeling as if his internal organs were being burned by rage.

Whenever I recall the arrogant, sarcastic, and disrespectful demeanor of Li Xiang in the Liangyi Hall, I am always struck by his presence.

He was burning with rage and couldn't sleep at night. Countless fierce thoughts surged in his heart—he wished he could immediately send assassins to infiltrate Longqingfang and grind that arrogant brat Li Xiang to dust!

However, he could not do that, lest he deepen his father's suspicions about him.

Currently, he still retains some trust in his father's heart.

He should seize the opportunity before this trust is completely eroded and quickly ascend to the position of crown prince, so that the struggle for the throne can be put to rest!

This is also why he was so eager to push for change in the court and quickly establish him as the crown prince.

Only when the struggle for the throne is completely over will the Emperor slowly forget Li Chengqian and that brat, and slowly forget those rebellious words that said he was Li Tai!

The longer the night lasts, the more things can go wrong! In a few more days, who knows if Father's suspicions will only grow stronger?

But he absolutely could not reveal this secret to Wei Ting, Liu Ji, and the others.

Firstly, the matters discussed in the Liangyi Hall before the Emperor have already been strictly forbidden from being circulated outside the court and among the people, and those who violate this order will be severely punished.

Secondly, Li Xiang's absurd, rebellious, and offensive remarks that day were truly shocking.

If leaked, it would not only anger the emperor and arouse his suspicion.

This will not benefit Li Tai either: it will inevitably lead to criticism and controversy from the world, damaging the reputation he has worked so hard to build!

All his pent-up frustration could only be buried deep within his heart. Suppressing the surging anger in his eyes, Li Taiqiang turned to Wei Ting and said in a deep voice:

"I am well aware of Lord Wei's concerns."

"But let's not forget that although Li Chengqian was deposed, he still lived in Chang'an and was not exiled to the remote borderlands."

"If Father Emperor were to consider our past relationship and waver in his resolve, a single imperial edict would be enough to restore this deposed crown prince to his former position!"

"It is not that I am impatient or hasty, nor that I intend to arouse my father's suspicion... It is simply that I am wary of things going wrong if things drag on, and I fear that there may be further complications and unforeseen changes."

"Your Highness is absolutely right!" Fang Yi'ai, sitting below, echoed.

Wei Ting, who was standing to the side, nodded: "I see. Your Highness's concerns are indeed reasonable."

After a moment's thought, he gently stroked his long beard, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "However, in this old minister's opinion, rather than rushing to ask His Majesty to decide on the heir apparent at the court meeting and arousing His Majesty's suspicion, it would be better to try another method."

"—We can organize people during the grand court session on the 15th of the month to request His Majesty to reconsider the matter of imprisoning the deposed crown prince."

"In the case of the deposed crown prince's rebellion, Hou Junji, Li Anyan, and other accomplices were all executed and their families were exiled, and none of them died peacefully."

"The deposed crown prince, despite being the main culprit in the rebellion, was spared death and continued to live a life of luxury in Chang'an."

"This kind of handling is inherently unfair, and it is difficult to silence public opinion or quell criticism from both the government and the public."

Wei Ting changed the subject, his tone becoming increasingly certain:

"We do not ask Your Majesty to execute the deposed Crown Prince—after all, he is Your Majesty's eldest son, and to advise a father to kill his son would surely provoke Your Majesty's wrath."

"If we can use public opinion to persuade His Majesty to expel Li Chengqian from Chang'an and relocate him to a border prefecture, then the matter will be settled."

"At that time, His Majesty will only have His Highness as a legitimate son by his side, leaving no other choice. The position of Crown Prince will naturally belong to His Highness."

"What Lord Wei said makes sense!" Fang Yi'ai, sitting below, echoed.

As another of Li Tai's trusted advisors, Liu Ji chimed in, "If we are to proceed in this way, we should first stir up public opinion in Chang'an and have the court and the public discuss the unfair treatment of the deposed crown prince."

"At that time, under the pretext of 'smoothing public opinion and rectifying the court,' an official of low rank will be instructed to take the lead in offering advice..."

"It can achieve its purpose and also prevent His Highness from bearing the infamy of 'framing his own brother,' allowing him to move forward or retreat with ease."

"What Lord Liu said is absolutely right!" Fang Yi'ai, sitting below, slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed.

Li Tai hesitated, but it was indeed a brilliant plan...

He was able to resolve the issues involving Li Chengqian and his son Li Xiang without getting involved himself.

However, he will not be able to obtain the position of crown prince until later...

He pondered for a long time, but in the end, his fear of Li Chengqian and his overwhelming hatred for Li Xiang overcame his anxiety to ascend to the throne.

Wei Gong is right. Of the three legitimate sons born to the Empress Dowager, he and his two brothers are the only ones. Now that Li Chengqian has been deposed and the Prince of Jin is young and weak, who else can the Emperor appoint besides him?

Who else but me should take the position of crown prince!

At worst, I can risk arousing the Emperor's suspicion at the next court assembly and push forward with the matter of establishing an heir. Right now, I need to find a way to exile Li Chengqian and Li Xiang!

Within Chang'an, due to his father's authority and the criticism from the court and the public, even though he hated them to the core, he couldn't bring himself to harm the father and son.

But if we go to the borderlands...

—The border region is wild and remote, and the journey is arduous. This father and son are pampered and spoiled, so it would be perfectly normal for something to happen to them!

Who can trace this back to Li Tai?

Li Tai stroked his plump chin, his eyes gleaming with ruthlessness. "If that's the case, who will we turn to to incite public opinion on our behalf..."

As soon as he finished speaking, a series of light but unassuming footsteps came from outside the private room. Upon hearing the sound, Wei Ting, Liu Ji, and the others immediately fell silent, their expressions instantly becoming serious.

Li Taiyi quickly concealed the ruthlessness in his eyes, reverting to his gentle, refined, and courteous demeanor as a wise and virtuous prince, sitting calmly at his desk.

The door was gently pushed open, and a servant from the Prince of Wei's residence entered. The servant quickly stepped forward, bowed to Li Tai, and said, "Your Highness, the Imperial Academy Chancellor Kong Yingda, the Crown Prince's Tutor Yu Zhining, and the Vice-Chancellor Cen Wenben have come to request an audience!"

"Please come quickly!" Li Tai's face lit up with joy.

These three men were all renowned scholars, enjoying a high reputation among intellectuals.

In particular, Kong and Yu were also criticized and scolded by that brat in the Liangyi Hall. Their suffering was far more severe than that of the King of Wei, who had suffered an undeserved calamity.

When it comes to hatred for that brat, Kong and Yu probably felt no less than he did.

If they were to help incite public opinion and push for the exile of Li Chengqian, that would be the most suitable option.

"It is an honor to have you all here!" Li Tai, along with Wei Ting, Liu Ji, Fang Yi'ai, and others, personally came out to greet them at the entrance of the waterside pavilion.

He even adopted the demeanor of a prince, showing great respect and humility, and extended the warmest welcome to the three great Confucian scholars, Kong, Yu, and Cen Wenben.

Seeing the King of Wei so humble, the three were flattered and overwhelmed.

Kong Yingda stroked his long beard, adopting the air of a virtuous scholar, and smiled, saying:

His Highness, the Prince of Wei, erected a temple to pray for the blessings of Empress Wende, an act of filial piety that has moved heaven and earth throughout the ages. Now, in this prosperous and peaceful era, we, as his subjects, should naturally come to offer our congratulations. How dare we trouble His Highness to personally greet us?

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Zhining, Cen Wenben, and others also spoke up, some praising the King of Wei's filial piety, others exchanging polite greetings.

For a time, the entrance to the waterside pavilion was filled with humble and polite words of mutual praise, creating a harmonious scene.

Li Tai smiled sincerely and gently, but there was a hint of scrutiny in his eyes. He could vaguely see the unnaturalness in the expressions of Yu Zhining and Kong Yingda.

He understood perfectly—in the Liangyi Hall, these two men were rendered speechless and humiliated by Li Xiang's scolding.

Later, they were terrified by the series of shocking insults exchanged between Li Xiang and the emperor, and could only cower in a corner, standing like lackeys, for fear that Li Xiang's tirade would drag them into it.

At that time, Li Tai was also in the palace and witnessed the two men's disheveled state. Now, as former officials of the Eastern Palace, the two men had to pretend to be high-minded in front of him. Naturally, they were uneasy and worried that he would bring up the four words Li Xiang used to scold them for "selling their integrity for fame" in public, thus reopening their wounds.

Li Tai guessed that the four words "selling honesty for fame" were probably an inescapable curse in the hearts of these two great Confucian scholars.

Li Tai also harbored some apprehension. He feared that these two old scholars, known for their outspokenness and willingness to speak frankly, might not give him face and, on a whim, utter the four-word curse of "Yingyingyingying" in public.

The two sides exchanged pleasantries for a long time. Seeing that each other was respectful and avoided talking about the Liangyi Hall, they both quietly felt relieved.

In my heart, I even felt a strange sense of closeness.