The Fierce Teacher of Zhenguan: Starting with Teaching the Crown Prince to Make a Comeback

Has Chapter 25 already turned him into a wolf that bites?

Li Chengqian was stunned for a moment, processing this astonishing reversal, and hesitated before saying, "But... offending my uncle like this isn't a long-term solution, is it? What if he becomes disloyal because of this..."

"Disloyalty?" Li Yichen scoffed, his laughter carrying a cynical sneer that suggested he had seen through the ways of the world. "Your Highness, you must understand one thing: at the pinnacle of power, so-called 'relatives' are often the first death warrant."

Li Chengqian's pupils constricted sharply: "What...do you mean by that?"

"This means that before you truly secure your position as heir apparent, your primary consideration will not be to please every important minister, especially ministers like Changsun Wuji who are closely aligned with His Majesty and wield immense power."

Li Yichen's gaze deepened. "On the contrary, what you need to do is keep your distance, maintain a respectful distance, and reduce all unnecessary private contact!"

"Why?" Li Chengqian was completely puzzled. "If I could get my uncle's full support, wouldn't my position be more secure?"

"Because he is first and foremost His Majesty's right-hand man, and only then your uncle!" Li Yichen interrupted him, his tone sharp as a knife.

"In the art of imperial politics, what does it mean for a crown prince to have close ties with powerful ministers, especially those related to the empress's family? It means forming cliques, pursuing personal gain, and that your power has grown too strong, and you are already eagerly weaving your own net! This is a taboo that Your Majesty absolutely cannot tolerate! How many crown princes of the Former Han Dynasty fell because of this word 'relatives'!"

Li Chengqian was struck dumb, his face turned deathly pale, and he even swayed. He had never imagined that being close to his uncle would bring such deadly danger.

Li Yichen pressed his advantage, his words as precise and cold as an autopsy.

"This is the cruel truth of the power struggle: your position dictates that you must be alone. The position of 'Crown Prince' may seem second only to the emperor, but in reality, it is the most dangerous solitary peak in the world. Your power depends entirely on His Majesty's grant and trust. Any action that may weaken this trust, even seemingly reasonable kinship exchanges, is a path to disaster."

Looking at Li Chengqian's violently heaving chest, he knew the time was right and began to analyze the ruthless benefits of this "lone minister" strategy.

"On the contrary, the more you distance yourself from important officials, especially Changsun Wuji, the greater the benefits will be."

Li Yichen held up three fingers, bending down one finger for each point he made.

"First, feign weakness to bide your time. The more naive and dependent you appear on His Majesty's will, the less wary he will be of you. He will feel that you still need his protection and will not see you as an imminent threat. Today, you feigned illness and refused to see anyone. The message that will be sent out is: 'The Crown Prince is weak and cannot bear the strain. He still needs His Majesty's personal guidance.' This may seem like a loss of power, but in reality, it has bought you the most precious opportunity to catch your breath."

"Second, avoid suspicion to clear your name. If you don't communicate privately, no one can accuse you of forming cliques for personal gain. By eliminating the source of rumors, even if His Majesty hears rumors, it will be difficult to find concrete evidence. Sometimes, a clean reputation needs to be actively cultivated."

“Three,” Li Yichen bent down his third finger, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"And this third point is the most ruthless move against Changsun Wuji—the more you avoid him, the less he can see your true colors, and the more anxious he will become. He doesn't know where your changes come from, how deep your scheming is, or where your next move will lead. Faced with this unknown fear, even if he is all-powerful, he won't dare to easily kill you. On the contrary, in order to maintain his dignity and influence as the 'Imperial Brother-in-Law,' he might have to say a few words for you at certain junctures to show that his 'relationship with you is still acceptable' and avoid being completely excluded from the core circle of the future Crown Prince. Your seemingly passive avoidance is actually forcing him to occasionally 'help' you stabilize your position for his own long-term interests!"

Li Chengqian was completely stunned. His mouth was agape, his throat was dry, and after a long while he finally managed to croak out, "This...this isn't...using him as a pawn?"

“Your Highness,” Li Yichen’s voice regained some of its previous calmness, but sounded even more profound.

“It’s not that we want to use him, it’s that the rules of this power arena are using everyone. Either you learn to use the rules, or you will be crushed by them. Refusing to meet him today is the first step in learning to use the rules—turning your opponent’s sharpness into your shield.”

Li Chengqian remained silent for a long time, and only his heavy and disordered breathing could be heard in the hall.

He needs time to process these cold, yet all-too-real, rules of power.

Li Yichen said no more, but just watched him quietly, knowing that this potent medicine had to be absorbed slowly by the Crown Prince himself.

Li Yichen knew in his heart that things would not develop this way, and what awaited him was even more intense suspicion.

But he had to do it for the time being. And outside the Eastern Palace, the undercurrents would only grow stronger.

Meanwhile, in the side hall of the Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin had just finished reviewing a stack of urgent reports from the border and was rubbing his temples to rest.

Wang De quietly approached and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Zhao just came from the direction of the East Palace, and he seemed to be in a bad mood."

"The Eastern Palace?" Li Shimin paused, a sharp glint in his eyes. "He went to see the Crown Prince?"

“I haven’t seen him.” Wang De’s voice was even softer. “I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince felt ‘slightly unwell’ after the court session and is currently resting. He is unable to receive guests.”

"Unwell?" Li Shimin's lips curled into a half-smile. "I saw him in high spirits in court today, quoting classics and refuting the censors to the point of silence. How come he's suddenly 'unwell'?"

He stood up, walked slowly to the window, and gazed at the outline of the majestic palace complex of the Eastern Palace, his eyes growing cold.

"Who is Fu Ji? The Crown Prince could have fallen ill anytime, but he just happened to fall ill when his uncle was visiting..."

Li Shimin muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously fiddling with the window frame, "This illness, it really came at the right time."

Wang De lowered his head and dared not reply, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became stagnant.

After a long pause, Li Shimin suddenly turned around, his eyes now icy cold: "The Crown Prince has changed too much these past few days. So much that it...startles me."

He paced back to his desk, tapping his fingers heavily on the surface, producing a dull thud.

“Those words could not possibly have popped into his head out of thin air! The strategy for Xizhou was shrewd and meticulous, something only someone with years of experience could devise! His responses in the court were equally calculated, turning the tables and taking the initiative! I simply do not believe that no one was guiding him behind the scenes!”

His voice suddenly rose, carrying the imperial authority and a hint of blinded rage.

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! I need to know everyone in the Eastern Palace, who said what to the Crown Prince! I'm giving you three days. Use every means at your disposal. I want to see results!"

Wang De felt a chill run down his spine, sensing the unwavering resolve and a hint of...killing intent in the emperor's words.

He knew that His Majesty was truly suspicious this time, and that suspicion was spreading like wildfire. If the "person behind it all" was not found soon, it would be more than just a matter of transferring his study companion.

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Wang De bowed and accepted the order, then hurried away, his back view carrying an unprecedented solemnity.

He knew that a storm was about to break in the most hidden corner of the Eastern Palace.

How long can the crown prince and the mysterious 'master' beside him remain hidden in this storm?
Li Shimin stood alone in the hall, the candlelight casting his shadow long and short, mirroring his gloomy and uncertain state of mind.

He gazed in the direction of the Eastern Palace, his eyes as deep and dark as the night.

"...My Crown Prince...what kind of venomous snake is lurking by your side? Or...are you yourself already a wolf that bites?"

(End of this chapter)