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

"You..." Li Chengqian was furious and about to lash out, but Li Xiang stopped him.

"Are Yu Gong and Kong Gong beating around the bush and talking about other things because they feel guilty?" Li Xiang stepped forward.

"Could it be that the boy has hit the nail on the head?"

Yu Zhining's expression changed, but he, like Kong Yingda, was speechless for a moment.

It wasn't that they were rendered speechless and unable to refute the insults, but rather that Li Xiang's rant was simply too extreme...

He glanced instinctively at the junior officer from the Right Guard Commandery standing by the door… They knew perfectly well what was going on when they barged in. Everything that happened here was bound to be reported to the Emperor.

They stormed the palace to advise the Crown Prince. Although this violated palace rules, given His Majesty's usual leniency towards his court officials, they would most likely get away with it.

But if this explanation arouses His Majesty's suspicion...

Arguing now would only make me look more guilty! Even if I won the argument against this brat, it would be useless.

He was furious at being humiliated by this brat, but at this moment, he was even more afraid!

They feared that His Majesty might become suspicious, that His Majesty might no longer believe them, that they were loyal and upright ministers who offered honest advice.

His Majesty might really think that they are deliberately distancing themselves from the Crown Prince.

What I fear even more is that His Majesty will hold us, the Crown Prince's tutors, accountable for our poor teaching of the Crown Prince!

"The Crown Prince has failed in his duty to educate his son, allowing him to tarnish our reputations! We will certainly report this matter to His Majesty!"

"You brat! If the two of us can't deal with you, I refuse to believe that His Majesty can't! Humph!"

In the end, Kong Yingda was more experienced and recovered from his shock.

With a flick of his sleeve, he revealed the upright and righteous demeanor of a Confucian master.

However, by not looking at Li Xiang, he ultimately revealed a bit of his bravado masking his inner weakness.

Fearing that Li Xiang might say something else, he grabbed Yu Zhining, whose face had turned purple, and the two of them turned and left angrily.

"You old dog! How dare you..."

Upon hearing that the two were going to find Li Shimin to accuse Li Xiang, Li Chengqian's expression tightened, and he jumped off the bed, limping as he tried to chase after them.

Li Xiang quickly stopped him, his face still turned towards Kong Yingda and Yu Zhining, his tone one of great surprise: "Oh, alright! You said it yourself!"

We finally managed to get that old man to say it!

"You two are true to your word! Please don't go back on your promise!"

"I'll wait here. If there's no further news, I will spread your good name day and night, and I will make sure your names are remembered in history!"

Upon hearing this, the two old men nearly tripped and fell over. They glared at Li Xiang fiercely and then fled across the threshold as if their lives depended on it.

Seeing that they were willing to leave, the junior officer at the gate felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He gave Li Xiang a complicated look and hurriedly closed the palace door.

"You..." Li Chengqian's expression froze. "You fool, you don't know what's important!"

"Those two old dogs are adept at putting on airs in front of others, and they're deeply...deeply trusted by that person. Let them spread rumors and cause trouble; how can you expect to get away with it?"

"Even if it's not for a steamed bun, it's for pride."

"They've already rebelled, what's there to be afraid of?" Hearing Kong Yu and the other man walk away, Li Xiang also put away his sharp edge and answered Li Chengqian with an indifferent expression.

He was afraid that he hadn't scolded the two old men harshly enough, and hoped that they would put in a better show in front of Li Er.

After saying that, she slipped on her shoes and went back to bed.

The two old men arrived suddenly early in the morning; he hadn't had enough sleep yet.

In those ancient times, life was incredibly boring, so people could only pass the time by sleeping and dreaming.

Seeing Li Xiang's listless expression, Li Chengqian was stunned and couldn't say anything more.

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Inside the Ganlu Hall, a scene of bustling activity and solemn silence unfolded.

Several heavy mica screens separated the inner chamber, effectively blocking the wind seeping in through the gaps in the doors and windows. Outside the screens, several eunuchs and palace maids all wore solemn expressions. Some held their breath as they stirred charcoal in the medicine pot, while others concentrated on grinding medicine with a silver grinder.

They went about their business, each performing their duties, yet miraculously there was no noise, only the faintest sounds of objects touching each other.

Inside the screen, only Li Shimin, Li Tai, and Li Zhi, father and sons, were present. In the center, beside the throne enclosed by the screen, Li Shimin leaned against a curved armchair, his face contorted in pain, with occasional large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

"Father, it's time for your medicine. Your son will serve you."

A eunuch tiptoed around the screen, about to present the medicinal soup. Upon seeing this, Li Tai stood up from his seat and took the golden bowl from the eunuch's hands.

He wore a dark purple, round-necked, narrow-sleeved robe. He was plump and elegant, with a face as smooth as jade. However, because of his slightly overweight figure, his movements inevitably carried a somewhat bloated air.

Upon hearing Li Tai's soft call, Li Shimin slightly opened his phoenix eyes, first giving a faint "hmm," and then, with Li Zhi's support, straightened up a little. The "川" character between his brows still hadn't relaxed.

Li Tai's face lit up with a slight smile. He quickly used a silver spoon from the bowl to scoop out a spoonful of medicine and brought it to Li Shimin's lips.

He seemed to sigh casually, "This Chengqian is far too disobedient and unfilial."

"Knowing full well that you, Father, suffer from a chronic illness, he still refused to admit his mistake after doing such a thing, which angered you to the point of falling ill..."

"It's been a whole night, and there's still no improvement."

"As a son, Qingque, seeing his father like this, truly wished he could take his place..."

"Cough cough cough—"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Shimin began to cough violently. Li Tai's hand trembled in fright, and he almost spilled the whole bowl of hot medicine on Li Shimin's clothes.

Li Zhi, who had been silently serving nearby, quickly stepped forward and said, "Fourth Brother, let me do it."

"The medicine is still hot, and Father's body may not be able to withstand it. It should be cooled down." With that, he reached out and took the medicine bowl.

"Uh, okay." Li Tai was a little embarrassed. He was used to being pampered in the Prince of Wei's mansion and was really not good at these kinds of serving tasks. He said to Li Shimin awkwardly, "Father is usually very kind to those around him. Yet he didn't even bother to keep the medicine warm before bringing it here so carelessly."

After saying that, he turned around and glared fiercely at the flustered eunuch kneeling on the ground.

"Medicine must be used properly; some medicines lose their potency when they cool down." Li Shimin took a sip of the medicinal soup handed to him by Li Zhi, and waved his hand to dismiss the eunuch. Then he casually asked Li Tai, "Qingque, I haven't attended court for two days."

"How have things been going at court these past two days?"

"It's nothing major. It's just that we heard that Chengqian is plotting a rebellion. All the officials in the court are shocked and indignant. They all say that Chengqian's actions are extremely treasonous and an act that is abhorrent to both gods and men." Li Tai's tone was calm, as if he were just stating a fact.

"Is that so?" Li Shimin's expression was somewhat unpleasant.

"Ahem... Hmph, such a big deal."

"I haven't even issued a decree yet, but they're already impatient. They've already convicted my son."

"This..." Li Tai's eyes flickered slightly, and he lowered his head. Hearing Li Shimin still coughing, he moved to sit next to Li Shimin and gently patted his back, appearing very filial.

"Father, this matter... cannot be blamed on the court officials."

"After all, the news that Duke Chen was involved in treason and that Helan Chushi had confessed had already spread like wildfire in the court... Based on this, it was reasonable for the court officials to conclude that Chengqian had committed treason."