Living leisurely in Tang Dynasty 205

The imperial carriage was indeed the imperial carriage, but it did not contain the person they expected. The moment the arrows pierced the carriage, Hou Junji knew it was all over, his recent dreams would be shattered. Emperor Li had been riding on horseback, leading his armies since he was a teenager. If he had the confidence to go east to perform a grand ceremony to heaven, he wouldn’t have left such a huge flaw in his defenses.

The most likely scenario was that Emperor Li was luring him into a trap.

He was the one being lured into the trap.

Hou Junji’s mind raced through the past. He had been a vagrant, his biggest worry being his clothes not as good as his classmates, and being unable to drink the best wines. Emperor Li had been similar, they would spend their days chasing dogs and fighting cocks, carefree. When had things changed?

On the eve of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Emperor Li had still cherished their brotherhood. It was they who had strongly urged Emperor Li to strike first, and it was they who had charged into the fray, carving a path to the throne for Emperor Li. They had stood by Emperor Li through the toughest times, why couldn’t they share in the endless riches after Emperor Li ascended the throne?

It wasn’t his fault, it wasn’t his fault!

It was Li Shimin’s fault!

He was being unjust, he was being unjust to his loyal subjects! It wasn’t Hou Junji’s fault, it was Li Shimin’s fault!

Hou Junji charged forward, wielding his sword, and he fiercely struck the empty carriage. The throne he had once touched flashed before his eyes. Perhaps heaven took pity on him, allowing him to sit on it, even if no one bowed to him, it was still a beautiful dream for him.

Emperor Li was farsighted and calculated, what good was that when his son was a fool, easily manipulated and overthrown?

After this, could Emperor Li rest easy?

Hou Junji threw his head back and laughed, his laughter tinged with madness: “Even if I die, how much better will the Tang dynasty be? This world, it’s meant for the capable to rule!”

The rebels were all captured, and Hou Junji was imprisoned. Emperor Li had already sent men to regain control of the imperial city. These past few days, the East Palace, which had been under Hou Junji’s control, was finally freed by Emperor Li’s loyal guards, but no one was allowed to leave.

It wasn’t until Emperor Li returned to the capital with the officials that Crown Prince Li Chengqian emerged from the East Palace, kneeling before Emperor Li and admitting his mistakes. This time, he had been careless and easily deceived by Hou Junji, allowing Hou Junji to control his seals, take over the East Palace, and mobilize the forces under the East Palace’s command.

Whether or not Emperor Li could easily quell the situation, it was an undeniable fact that he was unable to respond to this sudden change. As the Crown Prince, his performance this time was truly not good.

Emperor Li’s expression was calm, allowing Li Chengqian to confess his faults.

He had always been strict with Li Chengqian, but after Li Chengqian was injured, he had ordered his men to relax their restrictions on him.

Li Chengqian was Emperor Li and Empress Changsun’s eldest son, even after Li Chengqian was injured by a frightened horse, Emperor Li never considered replacing him, he had already sent his other sons to their fiefdoms, ensuring no one had the chance to challenge the Crown Prince’s position.

It seemed that being the Crown Prince without any real tempering was not a good thing for the Tang dynasty, or for the court.

Hou Junji’s words before his arrest echoed in Emperor Li’s mind.

This world, it’s meant for the capable to rule.

Sometimes, protecting your children too much, preventing them from experiencing the storms, could actually harm them.

Emperor Li said: “Since you know where you went wrong, go back and reflect.”

Li Chengqian couldn’t discern any emotions in Emperor Li’s voice, so he could only obey and retreat, returning alone to the East Palace.

Emperor Li sat on the throne, his eyes half-closed, pondering the events of the past few days. He had wanted to keep Hou Junji and the others, but their burgeoning ambition could no longer be suppressed, the grand blueprint they had drawn together could not be realized. Was it because he didn’t trust them enough? Was it because he failed to become a true wise ruler, giving them the freedom to use their talents?

How many of the people who had ridden beside him back then were still alive?

Emperor Li gripped the armrest of the throne, letting out a silent sigh.

Perhaps, sitting on this throne, being a lonely ruler was inevitable.

The next day at court, Emperor Li issued a decree, ordering Prince Wu, Li Ke, Prince Wei, Li Tai, Prince Jin, Li Zhi, and all the other princes to return to the capital, citing that they had been tempered for years in their fiefdoms and should therefore take up positions in the six ministries. The Li family sons could not be useless, those who could lead troops should lead troops, those who could serve in the government should serve, they should all attend court with the ministers to listen to the government affairs.

This decision caused a stir in the court.

While last year’s injury to the Crown Prince had only been privately discussed, this decree from Emperor Li was like throwing a stone into a pond, creating ripples. What did Emperor Li mean? Did he feel that the Crown Prince was too incompetent this time, so he had thoughts of changing the Crown Prince?

Although the custom was to establish the eldest son as heir, Emperor Li himself had not ascended the throne in accordance with the order of seniority. No one knew what Emperor Li was thinking. Those with more thoughts had already begun to ponder: if Emperor Li intended to change the Crown Prince, which of these returning princes were suitable to be Crown Prince?

For a time, the court was abuzz with speculation.

The East Palace naturally also heard some whispers. Li Chengqian’s expression was dark. If he had a choice, he actually didn’t want to be the Crown Prince.

But he had no choice. He was already the Crown Prince.

He had been the Crown Prince for over a decade, no matter who came to the throne, they wouldn’t tolerate a brother who had been Crown Prince for ten years. If they were even more ruthless, his Crown Princess, his son, and his daughter wouldn’t live either.

He had no choice but to be Crown Prince. Now, Emperor Li suddenly issued this decree, undoubtedly disappointed that he had been controlled by Hou Junji. He had no argument in this matter, it was his fault, he was too incompetent.

Now that it had happened, regret was useless.

Li Chengqian could only accept Emperor Li’s arrangements and wait for his brothers to return to the capital.

Li Zhi and Li Tai didn’t yet know about the small storm that had shaken Chang’an. They received the decree with some confusion.

Li Tai heard that Emperor Li was calling them back to the capital, giving them real positions, and his heart was not filled with joy. He felt he had been beaten down by power too many times, and he no longer had any longing for Chang’an.

Recently, he had been receiving letters from Li Yuanying, who kept extolling the joys of eating, drinking, and having fun, and how vast the world beyond the seas was. He felt the guy was poisonous, to shut him up from rambling on and on, he even foolishly paid Li Yuanying to reserve a few ships. He had been completely swayed by Li Yuanying!

He felt that Chang’an was drifting further and further away from him, yet Emperor Li suddenly issued a decree calling him back. Li Tai felt a bit wronged: was this a game to him?

Li Tai felt baffled, Li Zhi felt the same way. He received the decree with a lack of understanding of Emperor Li’s intentions, but the next day, his brother-in-law came to visit him and, after closing the door for a private discussion, he learned that the East Palace had actually been taken over by Hou Junji.

The Wang clan of Taiyuan was one of the five great clans, with deep roots and a wide network. The brother-in-law’s eyes flickered with barely concealed brilliance, and he whispered to Li Zhi: “This is a good opportunity for Your Highness.”

A few years ago, Li Zhi was still young, no one would have dared to think like that. But now, Li Zhi was no longer a child, he was already the father of three children, wasn’t this just the right age to strive for something?

The Crown Prince had been the Crown Prince for over a decade, he had achieved nothing, and he was even overshadowed by Prince Wei, Li Tai, in the early years. This time, Hou Junji’s rebellion revealed his incompetence. Emperor Li called all the princes back to the capital, giving them real positions, undoubtedly intending to replace the Crown Prince. If someone could surpass the Crown Prince, the position might change!

It was a good opportunity for Li Zhi, and naturally, a good opportunity for his niece and nephew.

If Li Zhi could become Crown Prince, his sister would be the Crown Princess. In the future, if the Crown Prince ascended the throne, the Wang family’s bloodline would be the new Crown Prince. Their Wang family would produce an empress, and also a future emperor!

Thinking of such a bright future, how could Wang family’s brother-in-law not be moved? Although the great families prided themselves on their nobility, who wouldn’t want to try being the most powerful and respected person in the world? Li Zhi was a disciple of Empress Changsun, he was known for his governance and intelligence in Taiyuan, and he had the support of their Taiyuan Wang family, giving him a natural advantage among the princes.

Even if there was another legitimate son, Li Tai, it was not a concern. Firstly, Li Tai had already been sidelined once, secondly, his wife’s family could not compare to their Wang family.

No matter how you looked at it, Li Zhi was the most likely to replace the Crown Prince!

The decree stirred the hearts of many, let alone Li Zhi and Li Tai, even Prince Wu, Li Ke, who had the blood of the former dynasty, felt like he was in a dream when he saw the edict issued by Emperor Li’s envoy.

These news traveled to Tengzhou some time later.

Li Yuanying heard the detailed news from Dai Ting, and his heart thumped. Hou Junji’s rebellion was not unexpected, it was good news that Emperor Li and Li Chengqian were safe, but this decree from Emperor Li made him uneasy.

Had his brother become completely disappointed with Chengqian?

Li Yuanying felt that he shouldn’t blame his nephew entirely, after all, his nephew was in charge of the affairs of Chang’an, he couldn’t possibly control the entire imperial city, if he did, it would give those with ulterior motives something to say. Since he couldn’t have complete control, there would inevitably be loopholes, and Hou Junji had been with Emperor Li for so many years, he knew Chang’an like the back of his hand, he also knew the guards like the back of his hand, and he had no shortage of soldiers willing to fight for him.

Under these circumstances, it was not impossible for him to succeed.

Emperor Li called Li Tai and Li Zhi back to Chang’an at this critical juncture, Li Yuanying was uneasy. His nephews were all his nephews, he loved them both equally, he would be sad if either of them suffered. But he was just a prince with the title of “Yu Shu,” Emperor Li was their “Yeye,” the one who had the right to decide their fate, even if he was sad, he couldn’t change anything.

**Author’s Note:**

Little prince: Hanging by a thread to get two updates, need nutrient solution to calm my nerves!

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