The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

At dawn, Chang'an City was not yet fully awake, and the locust trees on both sides of Zhuque Avenue were faintly visible in the morning mist.

Li Jiancheng rode side by side with Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, followed by dozens of imperial guards.

The horses' hooves echoed crisply and forlornly on the stone pavement.

"Brother, are we really going today? I still feel a little uneasy. What if Second Brother gets desperate and does something rash..."

Li Yuanji sat on his horse, his expression filled with worry.

Li Jiancheng grew increasingly displeased, but he couldn't vent his anger on Li Yuanji, so he said calmly, "Fourth brother, don't worry about such trivial matters."

"The palace guards are all under my control, what is there to worry about?"

"Moreover, we will be passing through the Xuanwu Gate on our way to the Taiji Hall to meet Father Emperor. The general guarding the Xuanwu Gate is my man, so you can rest assured."

At this point, Li Jiancheng jokingly said, "We can't expect Chang He to be bribed by our second brother, can we?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanji also felt that it made sense.

In this light, it seems he was indeed worrying too much.

Thinking this, Li Yuanji became excited: "Fu Yi's secret report came at just the right time, serving as the last straw that broke the camel's back. Father Emperor's face was ashen last night. I think the Second Prince is now in a situation where he can't clear his name even if he jumps into the Yellow River."

Li Jiancheng smiled slightly, his mood even more pleasant than the morning breeze: "The Grand Historian is my man. He will submit a secret report whenever I tell him to."

"But to be fair, the celestial phenomenon did come at the right time, otherwise Father would not have suspected my second brother because of it."

Li Yuanji nodded repeatedly as he listened, then, remembering something, exclaimed excitedly, "And what about my second brother's generals!"

"Yuchi Jingde, Qin Shubao, and Cheng Zhijie were all fierce and capable generals."

"Once my second brother falls, if we can recruit these people to our cause, they will be a great asset in our future campaign against the Turks."

Li Jiancheng didn't reply, but looked up ahead.

Xuanwu Gate, we've arrived.

"Alright, let's go. We still need to deal with the second prince at the palace first. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future." Li Jiancheng flicked the reins, and the horse under his horse sped up a bit.

Seeing this, Li Yuanji quickly followed.

Upon arriving at Xuanwu Gate, Li Jiancheng dismounted. The garrison commander Chang He's eyes gleamed slightly, and he immediately went to greet him as usual.

"Your subject greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Seeing Chang He's attitude, Li Jiancheng felt even more relieved and waved his hand warmly: "Commander Chang, there's no need for such formalities. I've come to the palace today by imperial decree... has anything unusual happened here?"

Chang He remained calm and said, "Your Highness is overthinking this. This is Xuanwu Gate, a forbidden area of ​​the palace. Who would dare to act recklessly here?"

"The only problem is..." Chang He hinted cautiously, "It's just that this place is really boring, and I don't know when this gatekeeper job will end."

"Hahahaha." Li Jiancheng understood Chang He's meaning perfectly well.

He wasn't afraid of Chang He making demands; he was afraid of Chang He not making demands at all.

The fact that it was mentioned proves that Chang He is definitely one of their own.

Li Jiancheng laughed loudly, "Commander Chang, it seems you're looking for a promotion?"

Chang He sighed, "Your Highness, I am eager to improve myself."

Li Jiancheng smiled and said, "No rush, no rush. As the saying goes, haste makes waste. The best is always saved for last."

As he spoke, he lowered his voice and whispered in Chang He's ear, "And I can tell you, it'll be soon."

Chang He took a deep breath: "Then I thank Your Highness in advance."

"What are you thanking me for? It's all what I should do." Li Jiancheng's lips curled up slightly. "Following me, would I possibly mistreat you?"

"Alright, I'm going to the palace now."

Li Jiancheng called out to Li Yuanji, remounted his horse, and led his guards into the palace.

Li Yuanji overheard their conversation and his last remaining doubts were dispelled. He then followed his elder brother into the palace.

Chang He watched them enter the city, muttering to himself, "Your Highness, don't blame me, I was just too eager to improve..."

"......"

Once inside Xuanwu Gate, there is a long palace road with high walls standing on both sides, cutting the morning light into a narrow passage.

Li Jiancheng slowed his horse down, a faint smile playing on his lips, as he pondered how to confront Li Shimin later.

Halfway there, he glanced out of the corner of his eye and suddenly felt something was wrong.

He had traveled this road countless times, and having been bribing the palace guards, he had some understanding of the guards inside the Xuanwu Gate.

But today was very unusual. Not only were the familiar faces who were originally loyal to the Crown Prince gone, but they were replaced by some unfamiliar, expressionless soldiers.

"Big brother, something seems off!"

At this moment, Li Yuanji also noticed this and whispered, "From the moment we entered Xuanwu Gate to this point at Linhu Hall, why haven't we seen a single eunuch or guard responsible for reporting or keeping watch?"

"Logically speaking, it's dawn now, which is the busiest time for these eunuchs and palace maids."

"Now not only are they all gone, but... and don't you think it's too quiet?"

Li Jiancheng's expression changed drastically; Li Yuanji's words instantly jolted him awake.

Meanwhile, Chen Huai'an's words from yesterday kept echoing in my ears.

"What if...the King of Qin sets an ambush for Your Highness on your way to the palace?"

Thinking of all this, Li Jiancheng swallowed hard and said in a trembling voice, "Let's go, return immediately."

He's not stupid; he's already considered the worst-case scenario.

The Crown Prince's guards immediately tensed up, drew their weapons, and surrounded the two as they returned.

"Big brother! Fourth brother!"

"Why are you in such a hurry? Aren't you going to see your brothers?"

But at that moment, an angry shout rang out.

Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were very familiar with this voice.

The two men instinctively turned around and saw Li Shimin with his bow fully drawn. The cold glint of the arrowhead made their scalps tingle.

At the same time, a large number of people rushed out instantly.

The leader was a burly man with a thick beard and broad shoulders; it was none other than Yuchi Gong!

"The King of Qin... has set up an ambush here!" a guard cried out.

Before he finished speaking, Li Shimin suddenly released the bowstring in his hand.

"Boom——!"

The arrow shot through the air with a sharp whistling sound, heading straight for Li Jiancheng.

The distance was too close, and the arrow was too fast. Li Jiancheng didn't even have time to dodge. He only felt a chill on his chest, and the huge impact made him lean backward and fall heavily off his horse.

"Big brother!" Li Yuanji's eyes were bloodshot as he drew his bow and arrow to retaliate.

Li Jiancheng looked down in disbelief at the arrow piercing his heart, a wave of immense regret washing over him.

Why?

Why didn't they take the fourth brother's concerns seriously?

Why not adopt Wei Zheng's suggestion?

Why not believe Chen Huai'an's guess?

It's too late, it's all too late.

The surrounding scene of flashing swords, Yuchi Gong's laughter, Li Yuanji's roar, and the panicked sounds of his personal guards gradually became blurred.

On his deathbed, Li Jiancheng thought of Chen Huai'an's last look.

He didn't understand what that look was like before, but now he does.

It was a kind of pity, like looking at a dying person...

"......"

P.S.: My friend, half of Chang'an's romance lies at Xuanwu Gate.

See you at Xuanwu Gate!

Oh, and I'd also like to ask for a five-star review.