Chapter 317: Heartfelt Words

99%?

Li Tai laughed in exasperation; he hadn't expected Chen Yan to be so reckless.

He actually claimed that Li Chengqian had a 99% chance of victory?

On what grounds?

You should know that before this year, many officials favored him, even his uncle Changsun Wuji's stance had become ambiguous.

On what basis does Li Chengqian have a 99% chance of victory?

"If you're telling a joke, then you've succeeded in making the king laugh."

Chen Yan calmly said, "I'm merely stating a fact; by now, you actually have no chance at all."

"Unless Her Majesty the Empress or the Crown Prince meets with an accident, the odds are a full 100%!"

"Ha, the king is not frightened!" Li Tai sneered, "I likewise advise you: step back now, and for all past incidents I can, out of respect for Changle and Gao Yang, let them go without blame."

"Regardless of the outcome, you can achieve success and retire gracefully."

"But if you keep making mistakes... then it's hard to say."

Chen Yan smiled, unconcerned by Li Tai's words, and replied, "To be honest, I agree with your claim that my current situation is dangerous."

"From an observer's standpoint, you see my situation clearly; aside from underestimating me, there's no other issue."

"Conversely, from an observer's view, I see your situation just as clearly."

"You now truly resemble me: His Majesty's favor, officials' flattery, and your yearning for that position have blinded you; you've overlooked far too many things."

Li Tai twitched his mouth, his face gloomy, a forced smile on his lips, "Then tell me, what has the king overlooked?"

"And what about the king's own situation?"

He's fallen into the trap!

Chen Yan felt a surge of joy, yet kept a calm exterior, saying, "Before this, not only in the Court but even among officials' relatives, anyone with a hint of inside information knows that His Majesty dotes on the Prince of Yue while being exceedingly harsh toward the Crown Prince."

"On the surface, His Majesty appears dissatisfied with the Crown Prince but highly favors you, because you are talented and excel in every regard."

"In fact, the name Cheng Qian already reveals much!"

"His Majesty's harshness toward the Crown Prince stems from the Crown Prince being the heir and future ruler of the Tang Dynasty; naturally, His Majesty wishes the Crown Prince to be even more outstanding, thus imposing extremely high expectations."

"In His Majesty's eyes, you are destined to have no claim to the throne, so he showers you with endless favor, just as he does with Changle, Sizi, and the other princesses."

"Precisely because of this, officials in the Court get a mistaken impression: that His Majesty dislikes the Crown Prince but highly favors the Prince of Yue, since His Majesty frequently praises the Prince of Yue."

Chen Yan watched Li Tai's expression grow darker, yet kept speaking, "But all this stems from His Majesty; when His Majesty realizes that this cannot continue, lest it cause brothers to slaughter each other, you are destined to have no claim to the throne."

"His Majesty will not allow the Xuanwu Gate incident to erupt again!"

The final sentence instantly made Li Tai break out in a cold sweat.

Chen Yan said it—how could he not know?

There are no fools in the Court; they're all shrewd people.

But many things, once started, cannot be stopped.

He has so many subordinates that, for their own sake, even if they smash their heads against the ground, they'll still push forward with him.

And precisely because of this, he sometimes subconsciously overlooks certain matters.

Chen Yan said a lot; he understood everything before, but only the final sentence truly struck his heart.

When Li Tai's mood was volatile, Chen Yan added, "Look, hasn't His Majesty's attitude toward you grown increasingly hostile lately, even suppressing your influence, while beginning to favor the Crown Prince?"

"Think again: when His Majesty ascended the throne, why was the Crown Prince's position settled so quickly?"

Li Tai immediately recalled many things, opened his mouth, and showed a faint bitter smile.

Why was Li Chengqian's Crown Prince position settled so swiftly?

Of course, because his mother is Empress Changsun.

He also understood why Chen Yan said that unless Empress Changsun or Li Chengqian meets an accident, Li Chengqian's odds are a full 100%.

Chen Yan had, indeed, fully awakened him.

"Prince of Yue, cease your actions; outside are all the Crown Prince's men!"

Chen Yan said gravely, "Let me remind you once more: no matter what, you are absolutely unable to win, because Empress Changsun has more than just you and the Crown Prince as her sons."

"Even if you defeat the Crown Prince, you still cannot claim that seat; then, not only will others profit, you will also completely lose your standing in His Majesty's eyes."

Li Tai was silent for a moment, then asked, "Are you referring to Li Zhi?"

"Otherwise?" Chen Yan shrugged, "When the snipe and the clam clash, the fisherman benefits; such cases have occurred since antiquity. Don't underestimate them just because they're small—after all, they're the legitimate son born of Her Majesty the Empress."

Much of what he said earlier was actually to intimidate Li Tai, half true and half false, but this matter he truly wasn't joking about.

The original history indeed gave Li Zhi a huge advantage, making him the biggest winner, while Li Tai got nothing at all.

"......."

"Girl, you don't seem worried at all."

Li Yuan saw Gao Yang remain indifferent despite his long conversation with Chen Yan and the Prince of Yue, and couldn't help feeling curious.

"If I recall correctly, that kid supports Cheng Qian; now he's been in contact with the Prince of Yue for so long—if word gets out, it could be detrimental to him."

Gao Yang smiled lightly, "What's there to worry about?"

"Sun Chen believes the husband knows what's in his heart."

"Moreover, whatever the elder brother says, he's practically an uncle; the husband just meeting and chatting—what's the harm?"

"It's nothing serious."

"You sure know how to talk," Li Yuan laughed, reminding, "But in the future, let that kid have fewer contacts with the Prince of Yue. One or two times is fine; if it happens often, Cheng Qian will start to worry."

"The struggle for the throne..."

"Alas~"

He seemed to recall a sorrowful memory, and Li Yuan shook his head with a sigh.

Gao Yang's eyelid twitched, and he quickly explained, "Regarding this, please rest assured, Grandfather Emperor, my husband and Crown Prince brother have a close bond and will not hold any grudges over these trivial matters."

Li Yuan calmly nodded, "If you both understand, that's enough; I won't say more."

"When the child in your womb is born, remember to bring the child to see Grandfather Emperor."

Gao Yang answered enthusiastically, then brought up Chen Yan's purpose, "Then Grandfather Emperor, regarding the matter my husband previously mentioned to you…"

Li Yuan intended to refuse, but Sizi at the right moment showed a pitiful expression.

"Grandfather Emperor, aren't you going to spend New Year's Day with Sizi?"

"Sizi wants to spend New Year's Day together with Grandfather Emperor!"

Seeing the little baby's expression, even if Li Yuan had a hundred refusals, he couldn't utter them now.

Finally, with a heavily pregnant granddaughter pleading and a younger granddaughter constantly cooing and acting cute, Li Yuan could not possibly resist.

He could only agree.