pappabearbooks Chapter 15 Su Wan: Let me deal with him!
Chapter 15 Su Wan: Let me deal with him!
The brothers Li Chengqian and Li Tai talked until dawn.
Later, Li Tai left.
Chengxin arrived and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Highness, you have been frightened."
"I thank you for your timely rescue last night. Here is some silver; please take it and divide it among yourselves."
"This is merely my duty; there is no need for a reward."
"Your brave men have worked tirelessly through the night to protect me. Please accept this."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Chengxin said, taking the silver and putting it in his pocket. "Li Tai is incredibly audacious, daring to attempt an assassination at the Eastern Palace. Your Highness, since he is so ruthless, then don't blame us for being unjust. Why are you being so polite to him?"
"Although Qingque harbored ill intentions towards me, she still failed, didn't she?"
"If he succeeds, it will be too late."
Li Chengqian crossed his arms and pondered for a moment: "If I were to attack Qingque, Father and Mother would not know the reason. Even if I explained to them, I'm afraid my one-sided explanation would not be enough."
If anything were to happen to Qingque, how could Father and Mother not be heartbroken?
If that were the case, I would be branded as an unfilial son.
The court officials will surely think that I cannot tolerate my own brother.
"Your Highness, are you saying we should just let him frame you again and again?"
"Let's leave it at that for now. Don't make a fuss about it. Keep a close eye on his every move and report back to me at any time."
"promise!"
Chengxin agreed and turned to leave the East Palace.
At this moment, two more eunuchs carried in a memorial weighing over 100 jin (approximately 50 kg), and they also carried back the memorials that had already been reviewed.
Looking at the mountain of memorials piled up on his desk, Li Chengqian shook his head and sighed. Was this all there was to life for the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty?
He felt like he wasn't even a human being anymore, but more like a machine, or like a donkey pulling a millstone. Donkeys at least get to rest, but he didn't even have time to rest.
Li Chengqian was truly regretful. If he had known this would happen, why would he have transmigrated into the body of the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty?
Even if he were to transmigrate into the body of an ordinary citizen, he would probably be more carefree and happy than living in this Eastern Palace. What kind of Eastern Palace is this? It's more like a birdcage, imprisoning him inside.
Sometimes, he really wanted to tell his father, "I'm not going to be the Crown Prince anymore. Let whoever you think is suitable take over."
However, when he recalled that time in the Zichen Palace, his father's angry eyes and cold iron whip, he still felt lingering fear.
I'm not going to say anything more. I'll just do my job as a monk and follow the rules. Since I'm going to be the crown prince for a day, I have to make an example of myself. After all, I've already gone through the coming-of-age ceremony, and I can't be as willful as a child anymore.
So he sat down at the desk and began to carefully read the memorials.
At this moment, Su Wan walked in from outside.
She was dressed up in a flamboyant manner today, adorned with jewels, and wore a pink, tight-fitting robe that perfectly accentuated her figure.
With her hands behind her back, she approached Li Chengqian with a grin: "Oh! Your Highness, are you studying so diligently?"
Li Chengqian looked up and saw that it was her. He put down the memorial he was holding.
For some reason, ever since that night when he had physical intimacy with her, Li Chengqian felt a strange sensation whenever he saw her again.
"What brings you to see me?"
Su Wan looked around the hall: "I heard that Qingque came to the East Palace last night to invite you for drinks and stayed overnight. Where is he?"
"Your information network is quite impressive," Li Chengqian chuckled. "He left this morning."
"Really? How could you let him stay overnight at the East Palace? So all the things I said to you before were for nothing?"
"Didn't anything happen between you two brothers last night?"
"No, everything is normal, nothing happened." Li Chengqian did not want to publicize the matter.
"Really? Then what was Chang He doing here with the Imperial Guards before?"
I heard they're looking for some kind of "Paulownia Wood Man," what exactly is that about?
Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian walked to the bedside, took out the wooden figure from under the pillow, and handed it to Su Wan.
Su Wan held the wooden figure in her hands and examined it carefully. She asked in surprise, "Isn't this what your father looks like?"
Why are there so many silver needles stuck in it?
Who hates him so much?
Li Chengqian then briefly recounted what had happened.
After hearing this, Su Wan's pupils slowly shrank: "So, Qing Que wants to frame you and kill you?"
How vicious his heart is!
I told you long ago to be wary of him. He has no brotherly affection for you whatsoever.
It's fortunate that you found this wooden man. What would have happened if Chang He had searched for him?
The evidence is irrefutable. I think you should report this truthfully to your father, the Emperor, and let him punish Qingque.
Li Chengqian shook his head: "Let bygones be bygones. Let bygones be bygones."
"Your Highness, I'm afraid that if you forgive him, he won't be grateful and will instead try to harm you even more." Su Wan's expression was very worried.
"You don't need to worry too much, I'll be fine."
Su Wan looked at the Crown Prince with her beautiful eyes full of tenderness: "You should not have the heart to harm others, but you must be wary of others. As the Crown Prince, you are naturally the focus of everyone's attention."
Liu Che was the tenth son of the emperor, but he was not the legitimate son. Later, he actually became the famous Emperor Wu of Han.
Yang Guang was originally the second son and the Prince of Jin, but he also managed to become the crown prince and ascended the throne.
Your father was not originally the crown prince, but he decisively launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident and successfully took the position of crown prince, forcing your grandfather to abdicate.
Given these cautionary tales, which of your younger brothers wouldn't want to be the crown prince?
They'd love for you to get into trouble. If something goes wrong with you, they'll have a chance to take your place, especially Qingque, who's eyeing you covetously and impatiently.
Li Chengqian was grateful for Su Wan's concern and kind reminder.
However, at this moment, he couldn't bring himself to kill Qingque. He was still fantasizing that Qingque might change as she grew older, especially since she had told him two true stories last night.
Li Chengqian took the dagger out of the document drawer and handed it to Su Wan.
Su Wan drew the dagger from its sheath; it gleamed brightly and exuded a chilling aura.
Su Wan asked, puzzled, "And what's with this dagger?"
Li Chengqian then recounted the story of Qingque presenting the knife the previous night.
"Offer a knife?"
Upon hearing this, Su Wan sneered: "Is he offering you a knife? He clearly wants to kill you."
Because you noticed, he changed his mind and said he would give you the knife; if you hadn't noticed, he would have stabbed you in the back.
In my opinion, you can't stay in the Crown Prince's Palace any longer; it's fraught with danger!
Li Chengqian smiled and said dismissively, "It's not as alarmist as you make it out to be."
"How about this, why don't you move in with me? At least we have some servants who can ensure your safety."
Li Chengqian laughed heartily: "The Crown Prince doesn't live in the Eastern Palace, but instead goes to live in the homes of ministers. What kind of behavior is this?"
If this gets out, wouldn't everyone laugh at us?
Su Wan got a little anxious and grabbed Li Chengqian's sleeve: "You don't care if people laugh at you or not, saving your life is the most important thing!"
Qingque is far too arrogant, daring to come to the Eastern Palace to assassinate you.
Does he still have any respect for you, his elder brother?
He's such a hypocrite!
Is your Eastern Palace still safe?
"I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot possibly stay at your house. If Qingque is so capable, let him come and see how he tries to cause trouble."
Su Wan thought of Qing Que's arrogance and gritted her teeth in hatred: "The way to deal with this kind of person is to fight fire with fire. If you don't want this to be reported to your father and mother, I can take care of him for you."
Li Chengqian looked at her in surprise: "Are you kidding me? Qingque is, after all, the Prince of Yue, overseeing twenty-two prefectures. He's a powerful figure."
"No matter how much power he wields, that's only within his fiefdom. Once he's in Chang'an, he'll only have a few followers. What's so great about that?"
"This is between him and me, so please don't get involved. It wouldn't be good if you got dragged into it."
"No, don't worry!"
It was evening.
Pingkangfang Beili.
This place, once the most prosperous red-light district in the Tang Dynasty, was extremely bustling, with dazzling lights, wine, and singing and dancing.
The geisha here are not only beautiful, but also literate, speak elegantly, and behave with grace.
The Tang Dynasty implemented a night curfew, prohibiting pedestrians from walking on the streets at night.
At this moment, three people turned out from Zhuque Street. The one in front was dressed as a merchant and was fat. Who else could it be but Li Tai?
The two men following behind him were disguised guards.
Upon arriving at the entrance of Yichun Garden, Li Tai instructed the two of them to wait outside before stepping into the garden himself.
Yichun Garden was magnificent and grand in scale, with three floors, and was famous for its luxury and grandeur in the whole of Chang'an.
As soon as the madam saw the guests arrive, she quickly went forward to greet them.
Although the madam didn't know Li Tai's true identity, she remembered him and knew that he was generous and lavish.
She greeted him with a smile: "Oh my, young master, it's been a while since you've come to visit us, hasn't it?"
"Were you patronizing someone else's business?"
"No, I've been too busy with trivial matters lately. I finally had some free time today, so I came to see if there are any new girls here?"
As Li Tai spoke, he slipped ten taels of silver to the madam.
The madam beamed with delight: "Yes, yes, yes! Recently, a young lady named Xue'er came. Not only is she beautiful, but she also has an impeccable figure. Moreover, she is well-read and skilled in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."
"Really? Then bring me...I want to meet her."
Li Tai originally intended to say "this king," but later changed his mind.
"Young master, please wait a moment. She's on the third floor. I'll go and tell her. She doesn't usually see guests."
"Okay, then hurry up."
The madam went upstairs.
Li Tai waited downstairs with his hands behind his back.
A moment later, the madam came down from upstairs with a smile: "Young master, you are quite the gentleman. Please come upstairs."
Upon hearing this, Li Tai could not contain his excitement and went up to the third floor.
Li Tai opened the door to the room, where a charcoal fire was burning, making it warm and cozy, and the aroma was wonderful.
The room was decorated in a very elegant and understated way, yet it still exuded a scholarly atmosphere.
There was a girl sitting on the edge of the bed, and she was indeed very pretty.
When the girl saw Li Tai arrive, she stood up and went to greet him.
She first took off Li Tai's coat and hung it on the wall.
Li Tai immediately smelled the girl's fragrance, which was refreshing and pleasant.
Xue'er smiled sweetly, "Young master, it is an honor for us to meet today."
Li Tai discovered that this girl was not only beautiful, but also had a particularly pleasant voice.
He pulled Xue'er into his arms: "Let's not waste this beautiful time. Let's go to bed and rest."
Xue'er's face flushed.
Li Tai said this because he knew there was a rule that pedestrians were not allowed to walk on the streets at night. If he stayed out too late and was discovered by the patrolmen when he got back, it would be a bit of a hassle.
Xue'er lowered her head shyly and gently pushed him away with her hand: "Young master, it's still early. We've just met, why are you in such a hurry? Why don't I have the kitchen prepare some wine and dishes, and we can drink and chat at the same time? That would be more romantic."
When Li Tai heard Xue'er say that, he realized he was indeed a little hungry, so he smiled and said, "Alright then, whatever you say."
Before long, a banquet was served.
Li Tai found it particularly fragrant. He was tired of the delicacies he ate in the palace.
I came out today to try something different. Although it was just some ordinary dishes, they tasted sweet and delicious.
Xue'er kept offering toasts, and Li Tai accepted them all, drinking one cup after another until he unknowingly drank too much.
But what he didn't know was that Xue'er was drinking plain water.
Li Tai squinted his narrow eyes: "I've heard you're proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. So, how's your calligraphy?"
Li Tai's calligraphy skills were renowned, and all the civil and military officials in the court praised him!
He himself is quite confident about this.
"I also have a particular fondness for calligraphy, but my calligraphy skills are not very good."
Li Tai smiled and said, "You don't need to be so modest. Show me what you've got."
"promise!"
The room was fully equipped with writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones. Xue'er laid the paper flat on the desk, picked up the brush, dipped it in the inkstone, and began to write.
Li Tai leaned closer and looked down, discovering that she had written the "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion".
Li Tai was taken aback. It turned out that Xue'er had written Wang Xizhi's running script. The brushstrokes were subtle yet vigorous. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe it as "graceful as a startled swan, elegant as a swimming dragon".
Although Xue'er's calligraphy is not quite at its pinnacle, it has reached a very high level. Looking at the whole of Chang'an, there are probably not many who surpass her.
This made Li Tai look at him with new respect.
"Miss Xue'er, your calligraphy is truly exceptional!"
"Young master, you flatter me. I was just writing whatever came to mind when I had nothing else to do."
Li Tai thought to himself, "No wonder people often say, 'Tigers and leopards hide in the deep mountains, and unicorns are buried in the fields.'"
Sure enough!
Who would have thought that there would be such a calligraphy master in this Yichun Garden!
Li Tai felt even more fond of Wan'er.
However, just as he was about to pull Wan'er into his arms again, he felt a wave of dizziness.
Immediately afterwards, he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.