Chapter 24: Erfeng is Heartbroken, Summons Li Tai

At this moment, Li Shimin never imagined that "Qingque"—the son he was most proud of for compiling the *Geography of the Realm*—would actually commit such an act.

This was something entirely beyond Li Shimin’s expectations. After all, because Qingque had performed so exceptionally, he had already been granted residence in the Wude Palace—a place of extreme sensitivity. Precisely because of this, it had struck the most fragile chord in Li Chengqian’s heart. Looking back now, Li Shimin truly felt that he had gone a bit too far.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, you have wronged His Highness the Prince of Wei. I do not know the Prince of Wei at all." The informant was now spouting nonsense with a straight face, his eyes darting back and forth.

Li Shimin had seen countless people in his time; he understood in an instant that the man was lying.

"I will give you one more chance. If you remain stubborn, you know the consequences," Li Shimin said, his voice rising in anger.

"Your Majesty, please discern the truth. Everything I said is true; there is not a half-word of falsehood." The informant’s eyes suddenly turned resolute.

Li Shimin looked at him and felt a jolt in his heart. The man whom Li Chengqian had labeled an informant was now slowly closing his mouth, his expression unnervingly calm. Li Shimin realized immediately that either Li Chengqian was lying, or this servant was incredibly tight-lipped. Regardless of the situation, since the man had fallen into the hands of the General of the Heavenly Strategy, if he couldn't extract the truth, how could he continue to hold sway over the Tang Empire?

This was an absolute challenge to Li Shimin’s imperial power. To provoke his authority was a death wish. It showed a lack of respect for him as the "Heavenly Khan" and was an egregious affront to the throne.

"I have dismissed all attendants so that I may interrogate you personally. Do you know why?" Li Shimin said, his voice shifting. "If you truly wish to rot in the dungeons of the Tang Empire, I can satisfy that desire by having someone else handle your interrogation."

Li Shimin stood up quickly, feigning an exit while watching the servant from the corner of his eye. As he was about to step out of the hall, the servant suddenly called out, "Your Majesty, I will speak..."

Having seen that Li Shimin was not bluffing, the servant knew exactly what the Tang dungeons entailed. It was not a place he could afford to go; once inside, his good days would be over. Fearing the consequences, he dared not be reckless and hurriedly stopped him.

"Think carefully. What is the truth of the matter? Is what the Crown Prince said true?" Li Shimin turned, his expression stern.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me, I dare not speak," the servant said, looking distressed. He was, of course, terrified, for his lifeblood was held in the hands of Li Tai, the Prince of Wei. One slip, and he would face devastating retribution. He knew Li Tai’s methods all too well—a man whose heart was more venomous than any scorpion. Li Tai had used the servant's family as leverage, forcing him to act as an informant without any room for resistance.

Once, when he had been slightly late in reporting, Li Tai had beaten him black and blue. If he hadn't still been useful, his limbs would have been broken. More importantly, Li Tai had threatened his family, which was a fatal blow to him. He dared not gamble with their lives, fearing total annihilation.

As a member of the royal family, Li Tai possessed significant power, especially lately, as he was highly favored by Li Shimin and had been granted rewards far exceeding those given to Li Chengqian. This had greatly provoked Li Chengqian, and if not for the fact that the current Li Chengqian was no longer the original, the tragedy of history might well have repeated itself.

"Speak. I am listening. Whatever happens, I will protect you. Is there any power in the Tang Empire greater than mine?" Li Shimin walked over and comforted the servant, who was pale with fear. All Li Shimin wanted was the truth; if he could obtain it, today’s interrogation would not be in vain.

"Your Majesty, I cannot. My entire family's lives are in his hands..." the servant hesitated again.

"I will ask you only one thing: do you want to live or die? I support the heavens of the Tang. No one is above me. No matter how high their rank, they are nothing in my eyes." Li Shimin’s expression was grave, and it was clear he was truly enraged. He realized he had to get to the truth; otherwise, how could he be a father to his children? Especially since the recent Li Chengqian had performed so admirably—he could not fail to give him an answer.

"This... then I will tell you everything." The servant pouted, looking as if he were trying his best.

"Speak. If you dare tell even a half-truth, beware that I will have your tongue cut out." Li Shimin drew his sword, slammed it onto the table, and sat down quietly. He had made up his mind: if this servant dared to play games, he would dispose of him.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey." The servant crawled forward and looked up at Li Shimin. "Your Majesty, the mastermind behind this is Li Tai. He has imprisoned my entire family. If I do not listen to him, there is no way for them to survive... Your Majesty, spare me..." The servant began to cry, his voice sounding genuinely aggrieved.

*Crack!*

Li Shimin grabbed the water cup from the table and smashed it to the ground, shattering it into pieces. The servant shuddered and collapsed to the floor.

"Your Majesty, did I say something wrong?" the servant asked, his face full of terror.

"Continue. How exactly were you in contact?" Li Shimin said, his face expressionless.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was always by pigeon post. We kept a few birds in a hidden corner of the Crown Prince’s residence and used them whenever necessary."

"How were you discovered? How long have you been there?"

"Your Majesty, we always used pigeons. I don't know how, but this time His Highness the Crown Prince discovered us, intercepted our birds, and suddenly appeared before us. We have been in the Eastern Palace for over half a year."

The servant spoke with trembling lips. Despite his reluctance, he spilled everything under the interrogation of the Heavenly Khan. Once it was out, he felt a strange relief.

"How many of you are there in total?" Li Shimin asked, looking up.

"There were several of us, five in total, all captured by the Crown Prince. Two others were killed while trying to escape."

"Good. Have you recorded all of this?" Li Shimin asked, turning to a guard nearby.

"Your Majesty, it is all recorded," the guard said, picking up the written statement.

"Are you willing to sign and press your thumbprint?" Li Shimin asked, his gaze tightening.

"I am willing." The servant stepped forward and immediately signed and pressed his print. He was not a fool; he knew that offending Li Tai meant trouble, but offending Li Shimin meant his ancestral graves would be razed. He understood the gravity of his situation and had no choice but to comply.

After the servant signed, Li Shimin laughed heartily. "Rest assured, as long as you are willing to testify, I guarantee the safety of your family."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Heavenly Khan." The servant knelt and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, look," the guard said, handing the confession to Li Shimin.

"Your name is Yuchi Huaiying?" Li Shimin asked, suddenly curious. Memories flickered through his mind.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I am Yuchi Huaiying." He looked up, his face filled with trepidation.

Li Shimin’s expression was complex—half-amused, half-pained. Back when he was the Prince of Qin, Yuchi Jingde had been the one to support him, leading to the incident at Xuanwu Gate. Though they were only of the same surname, it stirred deep emotions in Li Shimin.

"Take Yuchi Huaiying away and guard him strictly. Without my decree, no one is to approach him. From today on, he is to be given the highest level of protection." Li Shimin waved his hand at the guard, lost in thought.

"Yes, Your Majesty." The guard led the prisoner away.

"Bring in the assassin known as 'Old Third.' I will interrogate him myself."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Not long after, the assassin was brought in. "Sinner Old Third, I greet Your Majesty..." He knelt on the ground, his hands bound behind his back. Knowing his martial arts prowess, the guards were cautious.

"I ask you: is what the Crown Prince said true? Were you sent by Li Tai to assassinate him?" Li Shimin frowned, waiting for the answer.

Old Third was clever and realized immediately that the Emperor was conducting his own inquiry. Since his own days were numbered, he saw no point in keeping secrets and hoped to avoid physical pain.

"Your Majesty, my signature and thumbprint are on that document. It is all true." He did not deny it; he knew any defense would be futile.

"Good. You are sensible. This is the confession I had written; sign it, and your part is done." Li Shimin signaled to the guard, who brought the paper forward. Old Third signed without hesitation, showing no cowardice. He knew that if he angered Li Shimin further, he would suffer. Furthermore, having encountered Li Chengqian, he found him to be a wise prince—a stark contrast to Li Tai, who was like a firefly compared to a sun, a blade of grass compared to a tree. One had great wisdom; the other, petty schemes.

"Good. Take him away," Li Shimin said softly.

The guards led him out. In the Taiji Palace, only Li Shimin and a few guards remained. The guards placed the confessions on the table and retreated quietly, knowing that now was the time for the Emperor to be alone.

Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne—or rather, he slumped upon it. He was devastated. He realized that the bloody history of Xuanwu Gate was threatening to repeat itself through his own sons. He understood his father, Li Yuan, now; his father’s heart must have been bleeding when he had faced the same fate.

Li Shimin would not allow his sons to imitate him. He had been so vigilant against such a coup, yet here it was. He realized that his sons were not as innocent as he had hoped; Li Tai’s thirst for the throne was clear.

Tears streamed down Li Shimin’s face. He felt trapped, sad, and bitter. He knew he could not sit idly by. He had to handle this—and he had to handle it properly. Qingque’s ambition was indeed great; even the compilation of the *Geography of the Realm* had been a calculated move to replace Li Chengqian.

Li Shimin decided to give Li Tai one last chance. After all, they were both his own flesh and blood.

"Come here. Summon the Prince of Wei to the Taiji Palace immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch beside him hurried out.

Li Shimin sat in the palace, his heart in turmoil. Not long after, Li Tai arrived. Li Shimin looked up, feeling a heavy weight in his chest. He did not want to face Li Tai, but he had no choice. If he did not intervene, it would only lead to further strife between his sons. He had to extinguish these flames before they consumed the empire.

At least, for now, there was still time.