Chapter 15: Mind Reading! [New Book — Please Add to Your Favorites]

“Your Majesty, please calm down! Your Majesty, please calm down!”

Seeing Emperor Taizong of Tang furiously searching everywhere for his sword, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Zhangsun Wuji all stepped forward to dissuade him.

However, Wei Zheng spoke boldly, “Your Majesty! I believe the two princes are not at fault!”

A stir erupted throughout the hall!

Some looked astonished, eyes wide and mouths agape at Wei Zheng.

Others were filled with indignation, glaring furiously at him.

Still, there were those who quietly nodded in understanding.

Only Emperor Taizong, burning with rage and deadly intent, spoke sharply, “Wei Zheng, what do you mean by that?”

Hearing this, Wei Zheng instinctively glanced at Zhangsun Wuji.

Zhangsun Wuji was taken aback, thinking, Why are you looking at me? Don’t drag me into your own troubles!

When Wei Zheng saw that Zhangsun Wuji no longer tried to claim his words, he quietly exhaled and respectfully cupped his hands, saying with poise, “Your Majesty, putting aside the Crown Prince Discourse written by Prince Wei for the moment, let us consider the anecdote mentioned by Prince Zhongshan about ‘Duke Gong of Chu establishing a crown prince.’ Has Your Majesty heard of it?”

Emperor Taizong frowned deeply but said nothing.

Fang Xuanling beside him spoke thoughtfully, “The anecdote tells of Duke Gong of Chu, who favored many sons but left the crown prince position undecided. A minister named Qu Jian advised him: ‘Chu is bound to fall into chaos. If a single rabbit runs along the street, ten thousand chase after it; if one man catches it, the ten thousand no longer pursue. While the inheritance remains undecided, the rabbit runs, causing chaos among the masses; once decided, even the greedy know when to stop. Now, Chu has many favored sons but no clear heir, so disorder naturally arises. The crown prince is the foundation of the state and the hope of the people. Without a foundation and with the people’s hope lost, the root is severed. When the root is severed, turmoil ensues, like a rabbit running wild.’ Hearing this, Duke Gong appointed Prince Kang as the crown prince.”

“You, Minister of the Secretariat, are learned and versatile—I admire you,” Wei Zheng smiled, cupping his hands toward Fang Xuanling, then turned to advise Emperor Taizong, “Although the matter of establishing the crown prince yesterday was somewhat absurd and strange, the issue itself cannot be ignored. After all, the Great Tang recently underwent the Xuanwu Gate Incident, which was precisely caused by the crown prince succession. Now that the entire nation watches closely, we cannot afford to let them down.”

“Hmph!” Emperor Taizong snorted coldly, “I have already declared: no crown prince will be appointed for ten years. Do you expect me to go back on my word?”

“Well...” Wei Zheng hesitated, then spoke seriously, “Your Majesty’s new policy allows ministers to criticize governance and speak boldly. Is this not a determination to correct mistakes? As your subjects, when we see Your Majesty err, we bring it forward. If Your Majesty refuses to change, what purpose does it serve?”

“If that is the case, I request to resign from my position as Censor!”

“Wei Zheng!” Emperor Taizong narrowed his eyes, deadly intent flashing, “Do you dare threaten me with resignation?”

Hearing this, Wei Zheng fell silent.

The atmosphere instantly grew awkward.

---

Emperor Taizong, frustrated with no outlet for his anger, frowned deeply and asked Wei Zheng, “Why do you not respond when I speak to you?”

Wei Zheng replied calmly, “I only advise Your Majesty on what I believe is wrong. If You do not listen and I respond in agreement, should the matter continue?”

“...”

This sentence left Emperor Taizong speechless. He raised a hand to rub his forehead, “What harm is there in agreeing first and advising later?”

Wei Zheng shook his head, “I am not one to say one thing and mean another, therefore I do not ‘agree outwardly’.”

“What do you mean by ‘agree outwardly’?”

“In ancient times, Yao and Shun warned their ministers: ‘Do not agree outwardly but speak differently behind one’s back.’ If I outwardly agree with Your Majesty and then advise differently behind, wouldn’t that be ‘speaking differently behind one’s back’?”

Good grief!

This isn’t a loyal minister!

This is a treacherous one!

Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and even Kong Yingda all rolled their eyes in unison.

Emperor Taizong pondered for a moment, then suddenly all his anger dissipated as he laughed heartily, “Having a disputatious minister like Wei Zheng is how I shall not lose the empire!”

“Then may I ask, Your Majesty, what shall be done regarding the restoration of the crown prince?”

“Hm, you are right. The crown prince must still be appointed, though I shall be cautious and careful to avoid the absurdities of yesterday!”

As his words fell, Emperor Taizong seemed to recall something and asked Wei Zheng, “What do you think, minister? Whom should I appoint as crown prince?”

“Well...”

Wei Zheng looked hesitant.

Zhangsun Wuji’s breath caught, fearing he might hear an answer he did not wish to.

Yet, after a moment's hesitation, Wei Zheng shook his head with a sigh, “I was a former retainer of Prince Xi and am familiar with his heirs, but I know little of the other princes of the former Qin Prince’s mansion, so I cannot advise Your Majesty on whom to appoint...”

“Heh heh...”

Emperor Taizong smiled ambiguously.

Then Zhangsun Wuji cautiously said, “Perhaps it’s best to appoint Chengqian...”

“Hmph!”

Emperor Taizong snorted coldly and immediately stopped smiling, “Don’t mention that rebellious son to me!”

Without waiting for Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, or others to speak, he swept his sleeve and left the hall.

The others exchanged glances and sighed helplessly.

As the saying goes, if you don’t seek trouble, trouble won’t find you.

Prince Zhongshan, why must you cause such trouble?

---

On the way back to the Lize Hall, Li Chengqian sneezed unexpectedly, rubbing his nose and muttering, “Who’s cursing me behind my back? Truly good-for-nothing...”

“Elder Brother? Elder Brother!”

Suddenly someone ran up to him. Li Chengqian looked up in surprise, “Qingque, what is it?”

Along the way, the little plump boy had been probing him about his thoughts on the crown prince position, subtly trying to find out if he intended to reclaim the title.

Li Chengqian carefully guarded his true feelings, neither confirming nor denying, leaving the boy puzzled as he followed closely.

“Uh, well, I noticed you’re carrying a heavy food box. How about I help lighten your load?” Qingque said awkwardly.

Li Chengqian immediately became alert, “Lighten what burden?”

“Didn’t you say Mother made me the newest pastry? What’s it called... water chestnut sparkling pastry?”

The little boy blinked his eyes.

“Oh, you mean the water chestnut sparkling soft cake?” Li Chengqian nodded, thinking, I thought you were after my gold!

“Yes, yes! That’s it! I haven’t eaten all morning and I’m a bit hungry now...”

“Alright, then you can eat some...”

Saying this, Li Chengqian opened the food box lid.

Qingque eagerly leaned in, but as soon as he saw the contents, he couldn’t help but gag and ran away.

Li Chengqian chuckled and then silently called out in his mind, “System.”

[Here!]

“Release new side quest: Accelerate the return to the crown prince position!”

[Side Quest Three: After being deposed as crown prince, the host deeply misses Empress Zhangsun, your mother. In a few days, it will be the anniversary of her passing. Please visit Zhaoling Mausoleum to pay respects to Empress Zhangsun. Reward: One use of mind-reading ability to probe Emperor Taizong’s thoughts on restoring the crown prince.]

Good grief!

Empress Zhangsun is still alive! You want me to visit her tomb to pay respects?!

Li Chengqian was speechless, about to give up the quest when suddenly he heard sobbing from the direction of Lize Hall. His heart skipped a beat.

No way? Could it be such a coincidence?!