Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4976: Soulless
Upon hearing that he had to go to Qi Wang Li You, Fang Jun looked unwilling and reluctant.

In order to preserve his bloodline, Li Shenfu confessed the identity of Qi Wang Li You. However, Li You had been instigated by Zhangsun Wuji to rebel once before, and now he was guilty. He did not repent and kept making mistakes. No matter what, he would not escape the death penalty.

Li Chengqian's execution of Li You was a matter between them as brothers. How could an outsider like me get involved in it?

There is no benefit at all, and it is inevitable to take the blame.

Li Chengqian saw the expression on his face and knew what he was thinking, so he laughed and said, "Erlang, you didn't think that I asked you to go with me, so you asked me to hold the knife and help me kill the King of Qi, did you?"

Fang Jun smiled bitterly and said, "Even if you don't use a knife, I still don't want to hand you a cup of poisoned wine."

Li Chengqian also laughed, patted Fang Jun on the shoulder, and sighed: "No matter what they think or do, I will not kill them. The worst that can happen is that I will confine them to a courtyard for life and raise them as useless people. At least let them die of old age. In the future, when I meet my father and mother in the afterlife, I can also lie on their knees and cry with a clear conscience."

Pursing his lips, he added: "Besides, I am not a fool. How can I kill my brothers just because of a word from Li Shenfu?"

Fang Jun was stunned: "Your Majesty didn't send anyone to investigate this matter?"

"Since I have no intention of killing him, why should I check it?"

Li Chengqian walked out with his hands behind his back.

Fang Jun followed closely behind him and whispered, "Logically, Li Shenfu must have contacted a certain prince and received a promise. Otherwise, even if his coup was successful, he couldn't have ascended the throne by himself, right? No matter how conceited he is, he wouldn't have such an idea. If he dared to usurp the throne today, there would be chaos in the world tomorrow... But I also don't think it would be the King of Qi."

"Did Li Shenfu not find King Qi, or did King Qi not dare to agree, or was King Qi hesitant and reluctant to accept?"

*****
The streets were cold and the snow had not melted yet, but the weather was good. The sun shone coldly on the armor of the soldiers patrolling the streets, and the city of Chang'an was solemn.

The emperor was leaving the palace at such a tense time, so he was naturally heavily guarded. Inside, he was protected by the best soldiers of the "Hundred Cavalry Division", and outside, there were hundreds of fully armed Jinwu guards in helmets and armor. Fang Jun rode in front, wearing full armor. The group escorted Li Chengqian out of the palace from Anfu Gate, and went to the Prince of Qi's Mansion in Buzhenfang in a mighty manner.

When he arrived at the palace gate, Fang Jun threw off the stirrup and jumped off the saddle. He squinted his eyes and looked at the spacious gate. Some soldiers were running up the steps quickly and informing the palace gatekeeper that His Majesty was here in person.

The entire palace was in chaos...

After a long while, the palace finally opened the main gate, and Prince of Qi Li You and Princess Wei led the eunuchs and servants to the gate to welcome the emperor.

"Your Majesty, I, Li You, come to see you."

Li Chengqian in the carriage did not respond, and the driver drove straight into the middle gate.

Li You and his wife stood aside with their heads bent, watching as dozens of armored "Hundred Cavalry" escorted the emperor into the palace gate. The hundreds of people left outside quickly deployed defenses along the streets, looking murderous. They were already frightened to the point of trembling with fear and their faces turned pale.

Li You looked at Fang Jun who was standing beside him for help. He moved his lips but didn't say anything. Maybe he didn't know what to ask, or he didn't dare to ask...

Fang Jun sighed softly, shook his head slightly under her gaze, and then bowed and said, "Your Highness, Princess, please."

Li You was so frightened that he almost collapsed. He was only able to avoid falling down with the support of the princess and the eunuchs. He followed the imperial carriage into the palace with a pale face.

Fang Jun followed behind with a frown, but he couldn't tell whether Li You was terrified because of his guilty conscience or simply frightened by the visit of His Majesty. On the contrary, the Princess of Qi was much calmer. Although she was also trembling with fear, at least she retained the demeanor of a royal princess.

Her father, Wei Ting, the Minister of the Imperial Household, was well-known for his "knowledge of etiquette". He followed the ancient etiquette in everything he did, including walking, sitting and lying down. He was also arrogant and proud of his talent. It seemed that the Princess of Qi had a family background in etiquette...

In the main hall, Li Chengqian sat in the middle, leaving only Fang Jun standing on one side in full armor and holding a sword. Prince Qi Li You and his wife stood in the hall, and the rest were expelled.

Li Chengqian picked up the teacup and looked at it. Fang Jun was about to remind him, but he saw that he had already taken a sip.

Fang Jun: "..."

If this tea is poisonous, wouldn't I have to bear a blame that is bigger than the sky?

However, although he was alert, he had never been a bodyguard or security guard before, so he was inevitably slow to react to changes in the environment. By the time he realized that the tea might be poisoned, it was already too late.

But Li Chengqian was obviously alert to this, but he finally believed that his brother would not poison him...

In that case, Li Chengqian may not believe what Li Shenfu said?

Li Chengqian put down his teacup and stared at the Prince of Qi and his wife for a while, until they were trembling all over and sweating profusely. Then he spoke in a gentle tone: "Why are you standing here? We are all family, no need to be polite. On the contrary, it is my sudden visit without informing you in advance, which is a bit presumptuous."

Li You's forehead was sweaty, but he didn't even dare to wipe it. He said in panic, "Your Majesty is the king who rules the world. The whole world belongs to you. I am so happy that you have come to my humble home today. How can I be so presumptuous?"

"hehe,"

Li Chengqian looked at him with a playful look, smiling: "Are you really happy? But I don't think so."

"Pfft!"

Li You couldn't bear the pressure, he knelt on the ground and cried, "Your Majesty! Brother! If I have made any mistakes, please forgive me for the sake of my father and mother, and for the fact that we are brothers!"

Beside him, Princess Qi also knelt down, lowered her head slightly, and said nothing.

Li Chengqian looked down at him and asked, "What mistake did you make? Don't you know it?"

Li You bowed his head and said, "Before, I was deceived and coerced by Zhangsun Wuji, and I almost made a big mistake. But after being taught a lesson by Your Majesty, I have changed my ways and never had the slightest thought of overstepping my bounds. I even changed my habit of going out to play. For more than a year, I have stayed at home all day and refused to see visitors. I dare not make trouble again!"

"Haha, you're stubborn, aren't you?" Li Chengqian sneered and motioned to Fang Jun at the side: "Taiwei, talk to him and let him know what mistake he made."

"Here."

Fang Jun complained in his heart, why do I have to interfere in the affairs between you brothers?

Facing Li You's panicked and puzzled eyes, he slowly said: "Li Shenfu launched a mutiny and committed an unforgivable crime. When he was captured, he confessed that he had secretly contacted His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi and reached an agreement. After the matter was accomplished, he would help the Prince of Qi ascend the throne and succeed to the throne..."

Before he could finish his words, he heard a "thump" and saw Prince of Qi Li You, who was kneeling in the hall, fall to the ground without any warning, and his forehead hit the floor tiles with a muffled sound.

While Fang Jun was stunned, Princess Qi had already thrown herself on Li You, crying and calling out, "Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Fang Jun quickly stepped forward, grabbed Li You by the back of the neck and pulled him up like a chicken.

Princess Qi: “…”

Fang Jun laid Li You flat on his back on the ground. His face was as pale as gold paper and his eyes were tightly closed. He reached out his hand to feel his nose and found that he was still breathing. He then pressed his carotid artery and found that he still had a pulse.

So...he fainted from fright?
Fang Jun was speechless. This guy was so timid, yet he repeatedly did things that were outrageous. He was simply out of his mind...

Li Chengqian was also a little nervous and asked, "How is the King of Qi doing?"

He was not sure whether Li You participated in the mutiny, so he had no intention of executing Li You for the time being. However, if Li You made any mistakes now, he would be like a piece of yellow mud falling into his crotch, and he would have no way to explain himself...

Fang Jun pressed Li You's philtrum and replied, "He should have fainted. It's not a big problem."

The Princess of Qi's eyes widened: "He's already in this state, and it's not a big problem? Is it only a big problem when he dies?"
Turning to look at Li Chengqian, he pleaded, "Your Majesty, please ask the imperial physician in the palace to take a look, just in case..."

Before he could finish his words, he heard a cough. It turned out that Li You had woken up...

Princess Qi quickly supported Li You's arm and helped him sit up, with tears in her eyes and concerned, "Is your highness okay?"

Li You shook his head to indicate that he was fine, then turned to look at Fang Jun: "What did you say just now?"

Fang Jun: "..."

Are you pretending to be confused?
Pretending to have amnesia, huh?
"Li Shenfu has confessed that he secretly colluded with Your Highness to steal the throne!"

The Princess of Qi, who had always been calm, finally panicked. She held Li You's hand and said in a trembling voice, "Your Highness..."

She didn't know whether this was true or not, because even if it was true, Li You would not let her know when he was planning privately. Besides, Li You had a "criminal record" after all. Since he was persuaded by Zhangsun Wuji, how could he not be persuaded by Li Shenfu?
But if this is true, it will be a catastrophe of heaven and earth collapsing...

Li You was shocked and angry: "Does the old thief want to die?!"

Then he used his hands and feet to quickly crawl in front of Li Chengqian, hugged Li Chengqian's thighs, and cried loudly: "Your Majesty, my brother, you are wise! Last time I was foolish and deceived by Zhangsun Wuji. Fortunately, Your Majesty forgave me and spared my life. How dare I do it again? The old villain Li Shenfu did hint to me, but no matter how foolish I am, I dare not collude with him secretly!"

Seeing Li Chengqian's gloomy face, and seeing Fang Jun coming to him with a sword at his waist, without saying a word and with a cold look in his eyes, he thought that His Majesty was going to let Fang Jun take his life, and he became more and more frightened, grabbing Li Chengqian's thigh and refusing to let go.

"Your Majesty, please do not be deceived by this old villain. You must investigate thoroughly. I really did not do it!"

Princess Qi also cried and said, "Your Majesty, my husband and I have lived a peaceful life, and we have not caused any trouble, nor have we ever colluded with the royal family. Li Shenfu must have evil intentions, and he may be trying to mobilize your Majesty's brothers to kill each other, or he may be trying to hide the people who are really connected with him. I hope your Majesty will investigate clearly."

Li Chengqian patted Li You on the shoulder, sighed, and said, "You and I are brothers. Even if you really refuse to repent, how can I do anything to you?"

Li You was almost scared to death and didn't know how to explain, so he looked at Fang Jun beside him.

(End of this chapter)