Chapter 90: Li Chengqian: I Am the Crown Prince

According to the original procedure, the Crown Prince Li Chengqian should present the gift first, followed in order by Li Tai, then Li Zhi, and so on.

In ancient times etiquette was strict; Li Chengqian was not only the Crown Prince but also their eldest brother, so it was proper for him to give the gift first.

However, this autumn banquet was not a grand affair, and the attendees were all royal relatives, so the setting was somewhat informal.

This could be seen from the fact that Princess Pei, wife of the Commandery Prince, initially sat below.

Moreover, most importantly, Sizi was everyone's beloved younger sister, and being so young, no one dared to criticize her.

Li Tai withdrew his gaze from Chen Yan and Sizi, and thought for a moment: "Father, Mother, your son and Wan'er (Princess of Yue Yan Wan) three months ago commissioned someone to go to Lin Yiguo to prepare a congratulatory gift for the Mother Empress, and only recently the envoy I sent returned to the Tang Dynasty, bringing back the treasure from Lin Yiguo."

"Shall I have your son present it, so Father and Mother can look at it first?"

"Oh?" Li Shimin's eyes lit up, "The treasure brought back from Lin Yiguo?"

"Quick, quickly have someone bring it forward for us to see."

Empress Changsun, helpless, glanced sideways at the Crown Prince Li Chengqian, whose face had turned very sullen, and sighed silently.

Xiao Sizi was young, so Li Chengqian naturally wouldn't hold anything against her, but was Li Tai still that young?

Still so ignorant of etiquette?

Li Chengqian, as the eldest brother and Crown Prince, had not yet presented his congratulatory gift, yet Li Tai spoke up first to give a gift.

What position does this put him in?

Most importantly, Li Shimin actually agreed.

Since the last time at Chen Yan's residence, when Empress Changsun heard Li Chengqian's complaint, she has often paid attention to his feelings.

At first she actually wanted to stop Li Shimin from speaking, but since it wasn't in private, she found it hard to interrupt him.

She could only let him say it.

The surrounding guests were also surprised upon hearing about the treasure brought back from Lin Yiguo.

Because His Majesty and the Empress were present, they had to restrain their desire to converse, yet the curiosity and inquisitiveness in their eyes could not be hidden.

When Li Tai heard Li Shimin's agreement, he felt a secret joy, but showed not a hint of it on his face.

He looked up, gave Li Chengqian's sullen expression a brief glance, and felt even more smug.

Just as he was about to have Wushe retrieve his congratulatory gift, Li Lizhi stepped forward and said, "Father, Mother, your son thinks this move is inappropriate."

Li Tai was slightly startled, looking puzzled at Li Lizhi, not understanding why she spoke up at this moment.

In the past, Li Lizhi probably sensed that she and the Crown Prince were not as brotherly and fraternal as they appeared, yet she never interfered in their affairs.

She treated him and Li Chengqian with the same respect.

Given Li Lizhi's cleverness, it was unlikely she couldn't see that he wanted to suppress Li Chengqian.

How could she interrupt herself at this time?

How strange!

Empress Changsun, still worrying how to resolve today's matter, heard her daughter's words, her eyes flickered, and she said, "Oh? Lizhi thinks what is wrong with this?"

Li Lizhi paused briefly, seeming to organize her words, "Father, Mother, since ancient times, hierarchy and order have been observed, with respect for age and rank."

"Even if Brother Qingque's gift is more valuable and precious, the Crown Prince elder brother has not yet presented his congratulatory gift; if Father and Mother look at Brother Qingque's gift first, how will others regard Brother Qingque later?"

As soon as the words fell, this time Li Tai's complexion turned sullen.

Li Chengqian, on the other hand, wore a grateful expression.

"Good sister, your elder brother hasn't spoiled you in vain."

Li Chengqian understood clearly that his finances were insufficient, and his prepared gift would certainly be less valuable than Li Tai's, eventually losing attention.

But Li Lizhi's words undoubtedly restored the last bit of his face.

It would be fine if his gift was inferior to Li Tai's, but if the order of presenting gifts was also snatched away, his reputation would be utterly ruined.

Li Lizhi noticed the expressions of the two brothers, yet she said nothing.

If it weren't for Chen Yan's good relationship with the Crown Prince and his outspoken promise to help him, she would never have meddled in the affairs between the Crown Prince and Li Tai.

Let alone saying such almost offensive words in front of so many eyes.

At this moment, Li Shimin also snapped back to his senses from the "Lin Yiguo treasure" matter, his expression somewhat unnatural.

He knew his recent action was inappropriate and he had misspoken, yet he certainly could not admit fault, and waved his hand saying, "Lizhi is right, so let Cheng Qian present his gift first."

Crown Princess Su, seated in the outer servant's seat, breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Earlier, when she heard Li Shimin agree to Li Tai's presentation of the gift, her heart nearly jumped out of her throat.

"Almost, almost they would have become a laughing matter!"

Li Tai's breath caught; he realized that today he had tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice.

To restore his image in the eyes of Li Shimin and his wife, he immediately bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "Elder brother, forgive me; just now Brother Qingque was eager to present his treasure and neglected your feelings, nearly causing a grave mistake, I am truly remorseful!"

"When Mother's autumn days are over, Qingque will certainly come to the gate to atone!"

Li Chengqian's gaze lingered for a moment on Li Tai's bowed back, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

His fingers beneath his wide sleeves curled slightly, a warm smile appearing on his face as he raised his hand in a feigned gesture and said,

"Fourth brother, your words are heavy; offering congratulations to the Mother Empress was sincere, what fault is there?"

Li Tai showed a grateful expression: "Elder brother, it's fine not to blame Qingque; otherwise, Qingque would not know how to face you in the future."

Above, Empress Changsun squinted slightly.

Qingque's thoughts… are a bit too heavy.

Likewise, if Empress Changsun could see it, how could Li Shimin not?

He calmly said, "Alright, since the matter has been rectified, let us not bring it up again."

"Wushe, bring the Crown Prince's gift forward!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wushe replied respectfully and slowly withdrew.

Crown Princess Su looked at Li Chengqian with slight worry and said honestly, the congratulatory gift they prepared wasn't actually inferior.

It was a Night‑Shining Pearl that Su Dan, the father of Crown Princess Su, happened to collect in his early years.

Moreover, the Crown Prince has recently been much kinder to her, so before the autumn festival she will go home and beg Su Dan earnestly to give the Night‑Shining Pearl to the Crown Prince.

Unfortunately, although the Night‑Shining Pearl is precious, compared with the treasure that Li Tai spent a great sum to bring back from Lin Yiguo, it is probably inferior.

Mrs. Su knows that Li Chengqian has been living under great pressure these years, and his heart is very sensitive.

She worries that Li Chengqian, being pressed again by Li Tai, might say something irrational.

Little does she know, Li Chengqian this time is taking it very lightly.

Perhaps because he vented a lot at Chen Yan's house last time, releasing much pressure, he has become cheerful all over.

If it can't compare, then it can't; after all, he has already done his best.

Even the current Night‑Shining Pearl was obtained by his wife pleading bitterly at home, so why voluntarily make things harder and try to compete with the Prince of Yue?

His congratulatory gifts are even more valuable—so what of it?

I am the Crown Prince!

"......"