Chapter 6: Being Crown Prince Can't Save the Tang Dynasty【New Book—Please Support】

Li Chengqian was not at all surprised to see Li Tai here. After all, the Xiande Hall was located within the Eastern Palace. Any movement here might be hidden from outsiders, but it could never be concealed from those within the Eastern Palace. Moreover, today was the grand celebration of Li Chengqian’s investiture as Crown Prince; how could Li Tai resist coming to join in the spectacle?

It is often said that royal children mature early. Though Li Tai was only six years old, he already understood the significance of that position. One should not underestimate this six-year-old child, nor compare him to the children of later generations in kindergarten. This boy could be called a prodigy. At such a tender age, he had already displayed remarkable talent in literature, winning great favor from Emperor Li Shimin.

Although Li Chengqian only possessed the memories of an eight-year-old, through these recollections, he could clearly discern the developmental trajectory of the historical Prince of Wei, Li Tai. This little fatty was truly no good! On the surface, he acted as a respectful and affectionate brother, but in secret, he frequently tattled on Li Chengqian. Once, when Li Chengqian fell into the water and tried to save him, Li Chengqian nearly drowned himself. Only later did he discover that the little fatty actually knew how to swim.

He did not know if Emperor Li Er had possessed foresight or what, but he had given the boy the nickname "Azure Sparrow." It is said that those with cruel hearts have dark souls; he wondered if the little fatty's "sparrow" was also azure in color—he would have to find an opportunity to flip him over and take a look.

So thought Li Chengqian. Immediately after, he feigned surprise and asked, "Qingque? Why are you here?"

"Hehe, greetings to my Imperial Brother!" Li Tai ran over with a grin, bowed respectfully, and then blinked his eyes, saying, "I have been sent by Mother to ask you to return..."

Hearing that Empress Zhangsun had sent Li Tai to fetch him, a flash of melancholy crossed Li Chengqian’s eyes. He knew that the news of his request to be deposed as Crown Prince had likely already reached the Empress. In truth, his feelings toward this mother—both familiar and strange—were highly complex. On one hand, he wanted to survive; on the other, she was the only person in this world who had been kind to him, and he did not want to disappoint her.

"Is Mother... doing well?" Li Chengqian asked in a somber tone.

Li Tai glanced at him and sighed, "Not very well..."

"Why?"

"This..." Li Tai was at a loss for words, thinking to himself, *Don't you know exactly why Mother is not doing well?* However, he mused, at least you have the self-awareness to know you are unfit for the position of Crown Prince!

Thinking of Li Chengqian being deposed, Li Tai felt overjoyed. He believed the only gap between them was that Li Chengqian had been born two years earlier. Now that Li Chengqian had squandered his only advantage, it was truly wonderful news. Given his father’s doting love for him, his own investiture as Crown Prince should not be far off. *Hee hee...*

"Enough, look at you, your grin is stretching to the back of your head. Anyone who didn't know better would think you had already been named Crown Prince by Father!" Li Chengqian couldn't help but retort.

The little fatty seemed to realize he had been carried away and quickly said, "Brother, please do not tease me. What virtue or ability do I have to be named Crown Prince by Father..."

"Is that so?" Li Chengqian looked at the little fatty with amusement, then, with an air of affected maturity, he clasped his hands behind his back, looked at the setting sun on the horizon, and sighed, "Actually, not being the Crown Prince is quite nice!"

"Ah?" Li Tai was stunned, caught off guard. "Brother, why would you say that?"

"You want to know?" Li Chengqian glanced at him askance. "Didn't you say you didn't want to be Crown Prince?"

"I..." Li Tai opened his mouth but hesitated. He thought, *When did I say I didn't want to be Crown Prince? I was just being modest with you, and you actually took it seriously.*

"Hehe..." Seeing Li Tai’s little face puffing up like a red bun, Li Chengqian suddenly felt that this little brother could be quite cute at times. Yes, he was cute when he wasn't competing for the throne.

"Sigh..." Li Chengqian feigned another heavy sigh and said悠悠, "Do you know why I requested to be deposed?"

"Yes, why is that?" Li Tai was eager for the answer. When he arrived at the Xiande Hall, he had only heard the decree of Li Chengqian’s deposition. He could not fathom how Li Chengqian, having just been named Crown Prince, would request his own removal before the seat was even warm. Could there be some unknown secret hidden within?

Then he heard Li Chengqian say, with profound meaning, "Because being the Crown Prince cannot save the Tang Dynasty..."

"What?!" Upon hearing this, Li Tai was struck dumb on the spot.

Li Chengqian’s lips curled into a fleeting smile of success. *Little fatty, we shall play slowly in the future,* he thought. Without another word, he headed toward Empress Zhangsun’s residence. By the time Li Tai regained his senses, the figure before him had already vanished.

"Eh?" Li Tai murmured. Just as he prepared to chase after him, the voice of Li Shimin came from behind: "Qingque!"

"Father?" Li Tai started, then quickly turned to bow. "Your son pays his respects to Father!"

"Hehe..." Li Shimin offered a satisfied smile and nodded slightly. "Is there a reason you are here?"

"This..." Li Tai hesitated. He knew that members of the inner palace were not to interfere in politics, but he still informed Li Shimin that the Empress had sent for Li Chengqian.

Li Shimin’s smile vanished instantly, and he said coldly, "What did your brother tell you?"

Li Tai hesitated. "He... he didn't say much, just the reason why he requested to be deposed..."

"Hmm?" Li Shimin’s eyes brightened. "What was the reason?"

In truth, not only was Li Tai confused, but the entire court, including Li Shimin himself, could not understand the reason. They believed that even if Li Chengqian’s stated reason was that the Emperor's indecisiveness would make his brothers feel there was an opportunity to threaten him, why not work hard and prove himself better than any prince in history, leaving no room for his brothers to maneuver? Why choose the path of shattering jade rather than keeping a tile intact?

Thus, Li Tai’s answer instantly drew the attention of the court ministers who had not yet departed, including Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui. Li Tai, seemingly unused to being surrounded by so many people, felt immense pressure and stuttered, "Brother... Brother said... that being Crown Prince... cannot save the Tang Dynasty..."

"What kind of talk is that?" Li Shimin frowned deeply and looked around. The ministers exchanged glances, all with blank expressions.

What did that mean? Could it be that the Tang Dynasty was facing a new crisis?!