novelSusiti Chapter 96: The Heart-Piercing Truth, Like a Hedgehog!
Chapter 96: The Heart-Piercing Truth, Like a Hedgehog!
Chapter 96: The Heart-Piercing Truth, Like a Hedgehog!
Inside the dormitory of the Court of State Ceremonial, each person had a bowl of tea in front of them, except for Li Tai, who had plain water in front of him.
Ever since Dou Fengjie mentioned it, Li Tai has rarely drunk tea soup.
Tea is something that people who are taking medication or whose bodies are not fully developed should avoid.
Fortunately, for Li Tai, the taste of snacks was more wonderful, and wouldn't something like hutaba be more appealing?
"Duke Zan, I don't understand. Isn't it better to kick someone when they're down in court?"
After taking a sip of water, Li Tai's eyes showed confusion.
"In war, we should always pursue the enemy with our remaining strength, but this is the imperial court, and even the emperor does not have the ability to kill them with one blow."
"Besides, even if the palace is abandoned, it's not your place to covet it."
Dou Fengjie's honest words were so hurtful that Li Tai rolled his eyes in disbelief.
Such is the fate of a whetstone: even if it breaks a steel knife, it will still not become a steel knife.
Besides, given Li Tai's frail health, even if he were to enter the Eastern Palace, it would be difficult for him to live to the time of his ascension to the throne.
While kicking someone when they're down might gain some advantage, it will only provoke stronger resentment, making it a losing proposition.
"Uncle is right, Qingque is overthinking it."
Li Tai honestly admitted his mistake.
Until Li Chengqian officially steps down, everything is wishful thinking.
From the moment Li Shimin flew into a rage, the situation had already slipped out of Li Tai's control.
Li Tai may bear some responsibility for Cheng Xin's death, but he has absolutely nothing to do with Qin Ying's death.
Poor Qin Ying, he died before he could even achieve his goal. He hadn't even managed to harm a single hair on his enemy, Farin, when he was killed in battle.
Is Farin a monk, and therefore has no hair?
Don't worry about the details.
Perhaps the person Li Shimin really wanted to deal with was Qin Ying, and Chengxin was just a side effect.
As for Li Chengqian, it was merely an opportunity to give him a warning.
After eating a pine nut, Li Tai's eyes were filled with complex emotions: "According to the information I have received, the Crown Prince is truly suffering from a stroke this time."
Wind-related illnesses and shortness of breath are hereditary diseases in the Li family, and even the gods are helpless against them.
Especially the wind disease, no one knows in which generation of the Li family it will suddenly appear, there is no pattern at all.
Song Xia, the Imperial Physician, was indeed highly skilled in medicine, but his skills were still within the limitations of the era. He could only slightly alleviate Li Chengqian's symptoms, but he could not cure him.
Dou Fengjie took a sip of tea and said seriously, "Therefore, from now on, unless we encounter an attack from the direction of the Eastern Palace, it is best if you do not take action against the Eastern Palace."
Adding insult to injury failed to bring down Li Chengqian, but instead made the court officials look down on him for no reason.
Sometimes, it's not about how much stronger you are than your opponent, but about who makes fewer mistakes.
Therefore, the saying "It's better to do nothing than to do something wrong" that is popular in officialdom is not without reason.
Li Tai changed the subject: "On August 11th, I will be marrying my princess. I would like to ask my uncle to take the time to attend."
Dou Fengjie nodded silently.
Previously, his reluctance to attend was to avoid suspicion, but now that he has become Li Tai's subordinate, forcibly avoiding suspicion will only make people look down on him.
A brocade box containing a gold pendant with mandarin duck patterns was gently presented to Li Tai as a gift from Dou Fengjie.
Unlike the relatively rough style of the Tang Dynasty, this pendant looks much more exquisite.
"Uncle, you're too kind." Li Tai put away the brocade box and changed the subject. "Will bestowing titles upon the two minor Khans of Xueyantuo be effective?"
"Why not give it a try? Aside from making Liang Fangshi run around, we don't have much to offer," Dou Fengjie chuckled. "Many foreshadowings might not even be useful, but once they are, the results will be unexpected."
In a secluded room in the Eastern Palace.
Crown Prince Li Chengqian lay on the couch with only his undergarments and clothes on, and Song Xia had needles stuck all over his body.
In the corner, the wet nurse, Madam Suian, held the hand of Li Chengqian's eldest son, Li Xiang. Both of them had tears welling up in their eyes, but dared not make a sound.
Empress Zhangsun's eyes held a complex expression.
Although her eldest son, Li Chengqian, was not very close to her, he was still her flesh and blood.
A mother's heart is connected to her child's; she will still feel pain.
Li Chengqian was unable to move, but his eyes were fixed on Li Xiang, his meaning clear: regardless of whether he became the crown prince or not, Li Xiang must be granted the title of prince.
Song Xia removed the needles and turned Li Chengqian over, revealing that the silver needles were stuck all over his back and legs.
From a distance, the crown prince looks like a hedgehog!
"The conferment of the title to the elephant will take place within August."
"The instability of the Eastern Palace is also related to the lack of a Crown Princess and a legitimate son. Your mother will arrange a marriage for you."
Empress Zhangsun sighed softly.
"No—Crown Princess."
Li Chengqian's voice, though faint, carried an undeniable firmness.
He's already in dire straits, why would he marry a princess and drag a respectable young woman down with him to the deepest hell?
Why?
Empress Zhangsun was surprised.
After removing the needles and putting on his linen clothes, Li Chengqian smiled smirkly: "Mother, do you remember where the concubines of the Prince of Hailing and the Prince of Lujiang, Li Yuan, are?"
Empress Zhangsun's expression changed drastically, and she slapped Li Chengqian across the face.
Li Chengqian's face flushed slightly, but a smile appeared in his eyes: "This is the first time my mother has hit me since the first year of the Zhenguan era."
"Mother, if I am sentenced to death, will the Crown Princess also be confiscated and sent to the palace?"
Could you explain this problem?
Li Chengqian's words were like a sharp blade, aimed directly at Emperor Li Shimin.
He was indignant. Li Shimin was a scoundrel who disregarded etiquette and law, so why should he care about his own orientation?
Emperor Ai of Han's homosexual relationship was considered a beautiful story, so how could his own act of keeping a peach be considered so rebellious?
Empress Zhangsun was speechless.
My own partner has such incredible self-control when it comes to lust.
How should I put it? It's the legacy of Cao Cao.
Besides the example cited by Li Chengqian, there were also the cousins Wei Gui and Wei Nizi, who were also widows of others.
Although Empress Zhangsun believed that the emperor would not do such a beastly thing, what if he did?
Li Chengqian beckoned to Li Xiang and gently put his arm around his shoulder: "Xiang'er, your father and mother have bestowed a title upon you. You should take your mother and establish your own household outside the palace. Live happily from now on and don't meddle in your father's troubles."
Lady Suian hesitated to speak.
These words are very disturbing; they sound like someone making their final arrangements.
Li Xiang nodded, choking back tears, as hot tears fell onto Li Chengqian's cold hand.
"Wet nurse, I'm entrusting Xiang'er to your care."
"Just be stricter, and don't be as polite to me as you are to me."
Li Chengqian looked at Lady Suian gently.
Lady Suian burst into tears and couldn't help but cry out loud.
How did the once beautiful Eastern Palace end up like this?
"In the palace, a grave was dug next to the Chongjiao Hall to bury Master Qin and Chengxin, so that I may remember this lesson well."
"Reserve three more burial plots next to them."
If Li Chengqian were to act without any warmth or humanity, it would send chills down your spine.
Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but exclaim in shock, "You've gone mad!"
Li Chengqian grinned, revealing a set of sharp teeth: "Mother, you're only just realizing? The Emperor has been driving me crazy for ages!"
"Before I die, many people will surely be buried with me!"
Li Chengqian had long hated Zhang Xuansu, Yu Zhining, and Kong Yingda to the core, and he was willing to risk his life to drag them down to the Eighteen Mud Formations.
Three burial chambers were reserved, indicating a very clear direction.