activa-t Chapter 235
Chapter 235
Chapter 235
Even after committing fratricide and patricide, Li Er appeared to display remarkable magnanimity. He didn’t hinder the court historian from documenting these events. At the time, Li Er was undeniably ambitious, believing the throne inherently belonged to him. Despite minor setbacks during his ascent to the imperial throne, which tarnished his record, Li Er remained confident that he could clear his name through his future efforts.
However, the course of events often didn’t bend to an individual’s will, even if that individual was the emperor ruling the entire realm. Over the years, due to the presence of Su Li, Li Er had achieved remarkable accomplishments with seemingly minimal effort. Yet, he was drifting further from his initial intentions.
Li Er once believed he possessed a broad mind and an open heart. Having achieved unparalleled greatness as the greatest emperor in history, he thought he could gracefully handle everything. However, whenever he glimpsed the forlorn figure of the Retired Emperor, his heart would be consumed by sorrow. He began to control discussions, unwilling to let anyone bring up the events of Xuanwu Gate.
Ultimately, regardless of their subsequent success, every emperor who had ascended through unconventional means carried a deep-seated fear within them. It was the fear of another version of themselves emerging one day.
Last year, when the northern palace gate was under renovation, Fang Xuanling inquired about the sudden repairs. This led to Li Er (the emperor) summoning him and delivering a furious rebuke, stating, “I’m renovating the northern gate, and what business is it of yours?” The matter had become highly secretive, but Li Er couldn’t completely silence the world’s whispers despite his efforts.
The ones who discussed this matter most were Li Er’s sons and their officers, particularly Li Chengqian, who held the position of crown prince. Originally, the Xuanwu Gate incident was taboo not only for Li Er but also for Li Chengqian. He didn’t want his crown prince son to be doing well and was suddenly confronted by one of his brothers in the street. However, Su Li’s presence altered the landscape significantly.
As Hou Junji had pointed out, if Su Li remained unchecked, Li Chengqian wouldn’t be able to consolidate significant power despite being the crown prince. Even if he ascended the throne later, he might still be constrained by Su Li’s influence. Li Chengqian, with his determined mindset, saw an emperor who simply waited for achievements as a puppet controlled by powerful ministers. However, he was still young, and when the idea of taking action against Su Li crossed his mind, he couldn’t help but hesitate.
Li Chengqian looked astonished. “Is this person truly so fierce?”
Hou Junji sighed. “Su Li’s courage must be witnessed firsthand to be believed. Your Highness, this matter requires the utmost caution.”
He then proceeded to offer proactive advice to Li Chengqian. “Deputy Commander of the Left Guard, Feng Shi, and Lieutenant General of the Left Garrison Guard, Li Anyan, both possess solid military strategies and tactics and impressive martial skills. In my observation, these two individuals have unwavering loyalty to Your Highness and can be promoted. Additionally, in Changan, strong men like Zhang Shizheng and Hegang Chengji are well-versed in assassination techniques. If Your Highness treats them with great respect and rewards, they will surely give their lives to repay Your Highness.”
In the confines of this secret chamber, the father-in-law and son-in-law began plotting their grand scheme to eliminate Su Li.
On the other side of the city, in the mansion of Prince Wei Tai, Li Tai’s face displayed deep concern as he gazed at a confidential letter on his desk. “Why is my elder brother acting so recklessly?”
The letter had been sent from Li Tai’s residence in the imperial palace, delivered by a eunuch from the Hall of Martial Valor. It detailed that tonight, Li Chengqian was hosting a grand banquet for the court officers at the Eastern Palace. The banquet was lively, and the atmosphere was so heated that even the Hall of Martial Valor could hear it.
Among the invited officers were prominent figures from five powerful clans, seven noble families, and court officers. The scene was grand, marking the first time since Li Chengqian became the crown prince that he had organized such a lavish feast.
Naturally, people perceived it as a display of his strength, an assertion of his authority as the crown prince. The emperor had tacitly approved this behavior, and Li Tai knew such a day would come sooner or later. However, as he examined the attendees list, Li Tai couldn’t help but feel a sense of shock.
Unbeknownst to him, the strength of the crown prince’s force had become remarkably potent. Li Chengqian’s rapid development of power filled Li Tai with growing urgency. “Something must be done!”