Chapter 5 Li, the Prince's External Brain, the Elephant

The scroll on the ground was the one that Li Xiang gave to Li Chengqian before entering the Lizheng Hall.

This trick... Li Xiang copied it from the unofficial history of the Ming Dynasty.

The original text tells the story of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao. "The emperor became more angry and shot the prince with the couch he was sitting on. The prince ran away and the emperor chased him. The prince took out the painting from his arms and dropped it on the ground. The emperor unfolded it and stopped in great grief."

Zhu Biao: No, don’t you have your own story?

Li Shimin's feelings for Empress Changsun were no less than Zhu Yuanzhang's feelings for Empress Ma. This is why Li Xiang brought Empress Changsun's portrait today.

The father and son gathered around the portrait of Empress Changsun and cried bitterly, but neither of them was willing to say a soft word.

Even in later generations, few fathers would admit their mistakes to their children, let alone in this era of monarchs and ministers, fathers and sons. Li Shimin was both a father and a monarch, so how could he lower his face to comfort his son Li Chengqian?

Of course the main reason is that Li Shimin did not think he was wrong.

The palm and the back of the hand are all flesh, but there is only one position of the crown prince. If it is given to Li Chengqian, then Li Tai will have to be wronged. In order to compensate Li Tai, Li Shimin will dote on him so much.

Li Chengqian would not take the initiative to admit his mistake. Whether in his eyes or in the persuasion of the officials of the Eastern Palace, Li Shimin was an image of someone who wanted to "depose the eldest and enthrone the youngest."

Now the matter of deposing the crown prince is like a sword of Damocles hanging over Li Chengqian's head, and no one knows when it will fall. Moreover, there are officials in the East Palace who make direct criticisms day after day, often comparing him to Jie and Zhou, and go to Li Shimin to complain every day...

Under such heavy pressure, Li Chengqian was able to hold on for such a long time, which is quite amazing in some ways.

Li Xiang knew that what was lacking between the father and son now was for them to sit down and communicate calmly.

As long as you talk it out, everything will be easy.

However...what drove Li Xiang crazy was that even at this point, facing the portrait of Empress Changsun, neither of them was willing to speak first and say a word of mercy.

Damn it, I can only take action against my brother!

Li Xiang took a deep breath, walked to the two of them, and said in a calm tone: "Grandpa, you don't know, your grandson has seen your father kneeling in front of your grandmother's portrait and crying more than once..."

Li Chengqian was about to retort, when did I ever cry secretly...

But suddenly an idea flashed in his mind.

Yes, since Xiang'er said so, there must be a deeper meaning behind it. We just need to do what he says!

Anyone in the world can harm me, except the elephant!
At this moment, Li Chengqian seemed to have found his external brain.

He immediately followed Li Xiang's words and cried even more sadly.

Li Shimin wiped his tears with his sleeves and snorted coldly: "You just suffered a little grievance and went to cry to your mother. You are the crown prince of a country, but you are like a child. Look at what you have accomplished..."

But my heart softened a little. This child... can still be saved after all. At least he still misses his mother.

Li Chengqian raised his head, looked at Li Shimin coldly, and said with sobs: "Isn't it you, my father, who was forced by King Chaola to cry to the tablet of Empress Taimu in the small room when he was in the palace?"

Li Shimin's breathing stagnated.

Enter... Enter your daughter...

Li Xiang's chest tightened and his head felt a little dizzy.

I'm out of breath, brother.

I tried my best to lift you up, but you tried your best to jump into the pit...

"I was poisoned by King Chaola that year and almost died at the banquet!"

Li Shimin pounded the ground and said, "And you? Gao Ming, although you are the crown prince, you are narrow-minded and can't even tolerate a few words of advice from the officials of the Eastern Palace?"

Seeing that Li Chengqian was about to make a mistake again, Li Xiang was anxious and said immediately: "Grandfather, if they were sincere in giving advice, it would be fine, but as a child, I can see that they are giving advice just to gain a reputation!" "The East Palace is low-lying and many palaces are decayed. My father took out money just so that my grandson and his brother could have a good place to live. Such a loving attitude is repeatedly criticized and even compared to Yang Guang!"

When Li Shimin heard that the prince's so-called "extravagance" actually meant renovating his son's residence, his expression softened a little.

But as a father, I always have to teach by example.

"As a ruler, you should be open-minded and accept advice. Xiang'er, you don't understand."

Li Xiang raised his head and looked at Li Shimin with a sincere look: "When Grand Tutor Wei's advice was too harsh and offended the emperor, my father-in-law returned to the Lizheng Palace in anger. What did he say to my grandmother?"

"We must kill this peasant!"

Li Shimin cursed this almost subconsciously with gritted teeth.

These are his exact words, meaning that sooner or later I will kill this mud-legged fellow!
"Even with my father's generosity, there were times when he could not tolerate Grand Tutor Wei, let alone my father?"

Li Xiang fell to his knees again, tears welling up in his eyes.

After hearing this, Li Shimin was stunned.

Yes, even I would get angry for giving advice. If it weren't for Guanyin who stopped me, the grass on Wei Zheng's grave would probably be overgrown with grass.

As a wise ruler of the highest level, he was not confused. His dissatisfaction with Crown Prince Li Chengqian was often due to his overly high demands.

But the problem is that there is only one Li Shimin in the world, and no one else can have such a broad mind as him.

Li Xiang admired him for this. When he was playing games, he was criticized for not being able to produce a certain piece of equipment, which made him feel very uncomfortable. If he were in his shoes, Li Xiang would not think he would have such a broad mind.

Li Shimin, who had figured out the situation, softened his gaze towards Li Chengqian. He turned his gaze to the outside of the palace and said with a hum, "Xiang'er's words are not without reason. Gao Ming, you must remember this in the future: a ruler should be humble."

Seeing Li Chengqian move and about to stand up to argue, Li Xiang quickly winked at Li Chengqian.

No, please don't say "Your Majesty, please call me the Crown Prince"...

Seeing Haodaer's look, Li Chengqian could only shrink back in disappointment and bow down to the ground unwillingly.

Fortunately, Li Shimin looked outside the palace arrogantly, otherwise, seeing the actions of Li Chengqian and his son, they would probably start quarreling again.

"Yes, I will remember this."

"Well, if you can remember it, your mother's kindness will not be in vain."

Li Shimin's tone was a little awkward, and there was a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

Li Xiang could hear that his grandfather's subtext was not only about Empress Changsun, but also about his own feelings.

So arrogant...

"clever."

Li Shimin spoke again.

"My son is here."

Li Chengqian still had some rationality left. Since his father had given him face, the matter could be let go. There was no need to continue arguing.

There's no point in arguing all the time.

Li Shimin stared at him for a while, then sighed softly: "Your son... is better than my son!"

Li Chengqian felt hot on his forehead when he heard this.

(End of this chapter)