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

Chapter 7 Staying by My Side

"If summoned, Your Highness should continue with today's strategy. Be neither humble nor arrogant, and act as the Crown Prince. Discuss only academic matters and seek advice on governance. Your words may be respectful, but your questions may be sharp. Never admit any mistakes unless His Majesty clearly points out that your behavior was indeed inappropriate, rather than a 'fault' in your thinking."

Li Chengqian took a deep breath and nodded heavily: "I understand."

He looked at Li Yichen with a complex expression, a mixture of fear, realization, dependence, and a nascent, renewed understanding of power.

“Yichen,” he said, “stay by my side.”

Li Yichen bowed slightly: "Your subject will certainly assist Your Highness."

The sky outside the palace gradually darkened.

The eunuch outside the palace gate quietly inquired whether the lamps should be lit.

Li Chengqian responded.

The palace doors were gently pushed open, and the eunuchs, heads bowed, filed in, silently lighting the candles one by one.

The dim candlelight dispelled some of the darkness, but made the hall appear even more secluded and empty.

Li Chengqian and Li Yichen sat facing each other, their shadows stretched out on the wall and swaying gently with the candlelight.

Li Yichen was silent for a moment, then spoke again, his voice even lower: "Your Highness, this matter will not end here. His Majesty must be investigating right now."

Li Chengqian's expression, which had just eased slightly, tensed up again: "Investigate? Investigate what?"

"Naturally, we need to investigate who made those remarks today. His Majesty will not believe that Your Highness came to that conclusion on your own."

Li Yichen's tone was very certain.

"His Majesty will first suspect that someone instigated this. At this moment, it is likely that people from the Inner Palace are already secretly investigating inside and outside the Eastern Palace, or summoning the palace servants on duty today for questioning."

Li Chengqian's expression changed slightly, and he subconsciously looked towards the palace gate, as if he could see the spying outside through the door: "Can they... find out?"

“If we follow the usual procedure, it shouldn’t be difficult to investigate,” Li Yichen said. “Although no one came near the palace today, my conversation with Your Highness was not entirely silent. If someone were to carefully question the palace servants on duty outside the palace or those standing in the distance, they might be able to find a clue.”

Li Chengqian's palms were sweating slightly: "What should we do then?"

"Fortunately, His Highness immediately ordered the palace to be sealed off upon returning, restricting communication between the inside and outside. This move was extremely crucial, at least delaying or even preventing further investigation from the outside. His Majesty's suspicions will only deepen upon learning that the Eastern Palace had suddenly closed its doors and reacted so swiftly."

"But it's difficult to get any concrete information in the short term," Li Yichen analyzed.

"Your Majesty's next move, in my opinion, will be threefold: First, to increase the number of personnel to more closely monitor the Crown Prince's every move, especially the movement of people. Second, to continue investigating the backgrounds and current situations of all the Crown Prince's officials, attendants, and companions, searching for any possible clues. Third... he may summon His Highness again, or under the guise of bestowing rewards or giving admonitions, send people to observe and test him, trying to find flaws in His Highness's words and actions."

Li Chengqian grew increasingly alarmed as he listened, the color draining from his face: "Father... would he really go to such lengths?"

Li Yichen looked at him, his gaze calm and unwavering.

“Your Highness, what you questioned today was the Xuanwu Gate. You touched upon the most sensitive and unquestionable sore spot on the foundation of His Majesty’s imperial power. His Majesty is first and foremost the emperor, and only then the father. No amount of caution is too much when it comes to investigating a threat that could shake the very foundation.”

"This is not just an ordinary quarrel between father and son, but a major event involving the crown prince, the foundation of the country, and His Majesty's own authority and historical reputation."

Li Chengqian stood there, stunned, his breathing slightly rapid.

Only now did he realize more deeply the true weight and danger of his "seeking advice" during the day. It was not merely a rebellion; it was shaking the very foundations of a towering tree.

He had previously been only indulging in the excitement of angering his father and the fleeting sense of victory.

A chill, belatedly felt, ran up my spine.

“So Your Highness,” Li Yichen said solemnly.

"From now on, I must be extremely careful in my words and actions. All my thinking must stem from 'self-study'."

Li Chengqian nodded vigorously, engraving these words in his heart.

At the same time, in the Liangyi Hall.

The lights were bright, yet the atmosphere was oppressive. Contrary to Li Chengqian's expectations, Li Shimin did not fly into a rage. The fury on his face had faded, replaced by a deep, cold indifference.

He sat behind his desk, with the head eunuch of the Inner Palace standing in front of him.

The head eunuch of the Inner Palace Secretariat was Wang De.

Wang De served Li Shimin for many years, was cautious and low-key, managed palace affairs, and was deeply trusted.

"How's the investigation going?" Li Shimin's voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, but those familiar with him could sense the undercurrent beneath the calm surface.

Wang De stepped forward, bowed, and replied.

"Your Majesty, I have immediately sent people to inquire about the people on duty at the Eastern Palace today and those in the vicinity. According to the report, after Lord Zhang left, besides His Highness the Crown Prince, there were only a few eunuchs, palace maids, and three attendants in the palace. They all said that they only saw His Highness get angry by himself, smashing objects, and then getting up to go to the Liangyi Hall. During that time, he did not have any long private conversations with anyone."

Li Shimin's fingers tapped lightly on the newly tidied imperial desk, producing a rhythmic soft sound. "To be able to utter such erudite and incisive arguments that pierce the heart and soul?"

"Have there been any new recruits in the Eastern Palace recently? Especially among the officials of higher rank?"

Wang De immediately replied, "Your Majesty, there have been no major changes in the officials and attendants of the Eastern Palace recently. They are all former staff. I have already conducted a preliminary investigation, and the officials of the Eastern Palace are all of relatively clean backgrounds and have not had any unusual interactions since entering the palace."

"Continue the investigation! Verify all recent entry and exit records of personnel in the Eastern Palace, the detailed backgrounds of all officials, and their words and actions after entering the palace!"

“Your Majesty,” Wang De’s voice was slightly hesitant.

"After His Highness the Crown Prince returned to the East Palace, he immediately ordered the palace gates to be sealed off and security to be strengthened."

"Without His Highness's order, no one may enter or leave at will. Palace attendants and maids are also forbidden from communicating with the outside world. Furthermore, trusted guards have been deployed to rigorously patrol the area around the palace walls… My men are currently unable to conduct a thorough investigation, nor can they force their way in, lest…"

Li Shimin's fingers, which were tapping the table, suddenly stopped.

"Oh?" He raised his eyes and looked at Wang De, a clear look of surprise flashing in his eyes, which then turned into deeper doubt and scrutiny.

"Seale the Eastern Palace? Prohibit entry and exit?"

His reaction speed and decisiveness were completely unlike his son, who was either furious or frustrated when faced with problems.

When did Li Chengqian, who used to act impulsively, develop such shrewdness and decisiveness?

"Yes. The order was issued extremely quickly and decisively," Wang De confirmed.

There was silence in the hall for a moment.

Li Shimin leaned back on his throne, his gaze becoming deep and unfathomable.

This son suddenly became a stranger.

This unfamiliarity stemmed not only from the sharp questions that left him momentarily speechless, but also from the swift and skillful defensive measures taken after the questions were raised.

This is no longer a simple emotional outburst; behind it lies an almost instinctive crisis response and a sense of self-preservation of power.

This even made him feel a very faint but real threat.

Like a wild beast that was always considered weak and small and could be tamed with a scolding, it suddenly not only revealed its claws, which were not yet fully grown but already sharp, but also knew to immediately retreat to defense and raise all the spikes on its body for protection.

who is it?

This idea is cold and devoid of any father-son warmth, but that's what heaven is all about.

This is the path he once walked.

He needed to know whether Li Chengqian's change was a fleeting phenomenon or a genuine awakening.

If it is the latter… Li Shimin’s gaze turned towards the direction of the Eastern Palace outside the window, his expression deep and unfathomable.

(End of this chapter)