Chapter 13: Getting a Beating

Li Shimin had to admit that if Li Chengqian were willing to inherit his philosophy of governance, this imperial throne would belong to none other than Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian already possessed sufficient qualifications to serve as this emperor, but unfortunately, he dared not let Li Chengqian ascend to the throne.

Just as Li Chengqian had said, regardless of whether he or Li Tai ascended, one of them would inevitably have to die—no, now Li Zhi had to be added to that list.

"Since you know all this, why must you still support the Guanlong Aristocratic Group? Do you enjoy opposing me that much?"

Li Chengqian slowly shook his head: "I only thought of it after being reminded by Libationer Kong; I did not know Father's thoughts before."

"However, even if I had known, I likely would not have changed my mind about supporting the Guanlong Aristocratic Group."

Originally, I never worried about my position as Crown Prince, so all my arrangements were made in preparation for the future.

What I did not expect was that Qingque would actually move into Wude Hall, which is why this current situation has emerged."

"Are you blaming me?"

"No!"

Li Chengqian sighed softly: "You are also conflicted, and it is precisely because of this conflict that this situation has been created; on one side is the world of Great Tang, and on the other is your own son, and you are reluctant to part with either."

"There is no meaning in saying these things now; I only want to know one thing, and I hope Father can answer truthfully."

"Speak."

"Was Uncle's support for Zhinu your instruction, or was it Uncle's own idea?"

"I only found out this morning myself!"

Li Shimin's face revealed a look of sorrow: "Gaoming, can you understand Father's current mood?"

"Heh!"

Li Chengqian chuckled softly, a look of ease appearing on his face:

"As long as Father watches the tigers fight from across the mountain, then no one will die; if you enter the fray yourself, then that is not certain."

Uncle is an old fox, both sinister and cunning; perhaps only Zhinu can suppress him.

If you enter the fray, he can easily guess your thoughts, and at that point, the situation will be uncontrollable, so don't blame me."

"Zhinu?"

"Me?"

Li Zhi blinked, revealing an innocent expression:

"Big Brother, what are you saying? Uncle is a Prime Minister; how could I compare to him?"

"I only wish to show filial piety before Father; I know nothing of what Uncle has done, Big Brother, please don't scare me."

"Look at that innocent face of yours; our family started out by rebelling, yet you turned out to be this white lotus."

"We are all children of Father and Mother, so why are you the only little lamb?"

Li Chengqian supported himself on the desk with both hands and slowly stood up:

"Zhinu, everyone else might be fooled by you, but I will not; if you want to become the heir apparent, then show some real ability."

If I am not mistaken, Qingque is preparing to make a move against Chu Suiliang; his father, Chu Liang, is one of the Eighteen Scholars, so Qingque probably won't kill Chu Suiliang, nor could he."

"Then there is only one way: promote him and transfer him away from Chang'an; it just so happens that Father wants to control the regions."

"After Chu Suiliang comes Du Zhou, then Li Shiji, and only then, Uncle."

"Enough!"

Li Shimin scolded sternly: "Zhinu has no desire to be the Crown Prince at all; these are all just your conjectures."

"Yes, yes, yes, they are all my conjectures!"

Li Chengqian looked helpless: "You have time to lecture me, but you might as well lecture Qingque; he is currently treating Chu Suiliang as a stumbling block."

As he finished speaking, Li Chengqian slowly walked out of the hall:

"Life is truly as lonely as snow! With my former enemies now turned into my pawns, is there anyone left in this world who can withstand a single blow from me?"

"Having traversed the world for over twenty years, I have sought a worthy opponent in my life but could not find one; it is truly lonely and unbearable!"

"Bang!"

Li Shimin could no longer hold back and shouted loudly:

"Someone! Hang the Crown Prince from the rafters for me, and go fetch my horse whip."

"Today, I will let you know what is truly unbearable!"

Li Chengqian's expression changed drastically: "Father, what do you want to do? I am the Crown Prince, the heir to the nation; where does this leave my dignity if you do this?"

"I don't care about that much! Your posturing is too annoying; if I don't give you a beating today, I won't be able to vent the hatred in my heart."

"Father, I have a leg ailment! A leg ailment!"

"Hmph! You can even use a leg ailment as a weapon; it seems you have completely let go of your inner reservations."

"Just as well, I don't have to show you any mercy!"

"Snap!"

Li Shimin picked up the whip and lashed it hard against the floor, producing a dull sound.

"You didn't just beat Qingque, you even made Qingque thank you; I don't need your thanks, just enjoy it!"

"Gaoming, prepare to pay with your life!"

"Snap, snap, snap!"

"Ah... Father, are you for real?"

"So you talk about the Xuanwu Gate Succession System, you talk about rebellion, you talk about drills!"

"Ah..."

"Aren't you clever? Don't you like to stab at Father's heart? Father isn't as clever as you, so I can only whip you."

"Ah..."

Screams and scoldings rang out incessantly, while Li Zhi, standing not far away, watched this scene with schadenfreude.

He did not speak to stop him; he felt that at this moment, it was time to let Li Shimin vent.

One could not blame Li Shimin; this time, what Li Chengqian said about the Xuanwu Gate Succession System was truly too excessive.

Waiting until Li Chengqian's cries gradually grew faint and Li Shimin's movements slowed, Li Zhi finally stepped forward and snatched the horse whip from Li Shimin's hand:

"Father, Big Brother knows he was wrong; please spare him this once."

Li Shimin took the opportunity to stop his hand: "This time it is Zhinu pleading for you; otherwise, let's see if I couldn't beat you for three days and three nights."

Li Chengqian's hands were bound, and his entire body was hung beneath the roof beam, covered in whip marks, with faint traces of blood seeping through his clothes.

Despite the excruciating pain all over his body, Li Chengqian still grinned:

"Zhinu! I always said you were smarter than me. The moment Father showed a look of reluctance, you stepped in to stop him. At your age, Big Brother wouldn't have known how to read the situation."

Hahahahahaha...

Zhinu! You are Big Brother's only light. Big Brother's ambitions depend on you to be fulfilled; don't be easily defeated by Qingque!

Hahaha..."

Watching Li Chengqian's gradually twisting face, Li Zhi could not help but take a step back:

"Father, did you hit Big Brother in the head?"

"Don't pay him any mind; he's just thought of some other sinister scheme again."

"But Big Brother has never been like this before!"

Li Shimin frowned as he looked at Li Chengqian: "Have you tested enough? If you can truly protect Qingque and Zhinu, I couldn't be bothered to care how you use those two brothers of yours.

You say the Minister is sinister and cunning, but I think the truly sinister one is you; I don't even know who you take after."

"Compared to Father, I am still far behind? Even Buddhism and Taoism can be utilized by you."

"I did that out of necessity; did you really expect me to watch the world fall into turmoil? Now, I regret it deeply!"

"It doesn't matter!"

Li Chengqian smiled slightly: "A public proclamation doesn't just have one use. Qingque will help you, and your son will help Qingque."

Li Shimin's expression turned ugly: "You wanted to use Qingque as a target from the very beginning? Do you dare to be any more shameless?"

"He gets the fame, I get the profit; it's a win-win situation!"

"Get out!"

"Your son would like to get out, but could you please take your son down first!"

Li Shimin waved his hand: "Carry the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace, and while you're at it, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and invite a physician over."

"Yes!"

"Thank you, Father!"

Watching Li Chengqian's departing figure, Li Zhi stammered:

"Father, have Big Brother and Fourth Brother both gone mad? Why do they both laugh when they get beaten? Will I also become like this in the future?"

"Hmph!"

Li Shimin spoke in a cold voice: "Qingque is a fool, purely deceived by your big brother.

Your big brother is looking for a beating himself; once he achieves his goal, he naturally laughs!"

Speaking of this, Li Shimin sighed: "Your big brother is still benevolent and filial; it's just that in many matters, he is not the master of his own actions."