This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

Satisfactory... could it be that kind of satisfaction?

Cheng Jun was somewhat surprised. Looking at the handsome young man in front of him, he asked:

What's your last name?

Chengxin smiled and said, "So that Imperial Censor Cheng may know that my name was bestowed upon me by His Highness the Crown Prince."

It really was him... Cheng Jun clicked his tongue inwardly.

Historical records state that the musician of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was handsome and skilled in singing and dancing. The Crown Prince loved him and gave him special favor, calling him "Chengxin" (meaning "pleasing to the eye"), and had him eat and live with him.

Cheng Jun remembered that, according to historical records, it was after the Crown Prince broke his leg that he sensed his position as heir apparent was insecure, and his personality changed drastically, which is why he got together with Cheng Xin.

The prince hadn't broken his leg yet, and he was still young, so how did he develop this hobby?

Cheng Jun sized up the young man in front of him, and seeing that he was indeed good-looking, asked calmly:

"Why are you, a mere musician from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, here at the Eastern Palace?"

Chengxin said, "I am not only a musician in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, but also a companion to the Crown Prince."

That makes sense... Cheng Jun nodded slightly and said:

"I am here by imperial decree to teach the Crown Prince. Lead the way and take me to see the Crown Prince."

Cheng Xin stood still, unmoved. When she saw Cheng Jun raise an eyebrow and look at her, she said apologetically:

"Imperial Censor Cheng, the Crown Prince is not in the Eastern Palace at the moment; he is still outside the palace and has not returned."

Cheng Jun asked, "Where did the Crown Prince go?"

"The Eastern Palace guards just brought back news that the Crown Prince went to the Imperial Medical Bureau to visit Li Gang, the Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince."

Chengxin smiled and said, "The Crown Prince said that Li Shaobao entered the Imperial Medical Bureau because of him. As a teacher, he should go and visit him."

"The Crown Prince also said that if it were Imperial Censor Cheng who entered the Imperial Medical Bureau, he would also go to visit him."

Based on my understanding of the Crown Prince, he couldn't possibly say that last sentence; he wouldn't dare... Cheng Jun made a judgment in his mind: the last sentence must have been added by Cheng Xin on his own initiative.

If Cheng Jun were an outsider, he would think that Cheng Xin was standing up for the Crown Prince, but as someone directly involved, he would only think that this person was stirring up trouble.

"When will the Crown Prince return?"

Cheng Jun narrowed his eyes and asked.

If there were courtiers familiar with Cheng Jun present, they would immediately be able to tell that Cheng Jun was setting a trap with his words.

Chengxin, however, was unaware of the situation and only thought that Cheng Jun had been put in a difficult position. With a smile on his face, he said:

"His Highness the Crown Prince and Li Shaobao have a deep bond as master and disciple. I think he will stay at the Imperial Medical Bureau to take care of Li Shaobao today and will not return to the Eastern Palace."

"Imperial Censor Cheng, please leave now and come back tomorrow."

Cheng Xin apologized again, then met Cheng Jun's gaze, only to find Cheng Jun staring straight at him.

"Go and invite the Crown Prince back."

After a long while, Cheng Jun's voice rang out.

Cheng Xin frowned and said, "Imperial Censor Cheng, as Li Shaobao's disciple, it is only natural for the Crown Prince to visit his teacher. Inviting him back now would put His Highness in a difficult position."

Cheng Jun said calmly, "I'm doing this for your own good."

Chengxin shook his head and said, "Forgive my bluntness, but I don't see that Imperial Censor Cheng is doing this for my own good."

Cheng Jun chuckled and asked, "Did the palace guard who brought you the message tell you about me having the Crown Prince copy books?"

Chengxin nodded and said, "Yes."

Cheng Jun pressed further, "Did the Crown Prince copy the book?"

Chengxin explained, "The Crown Prince is at the Imperial Medical Bureau right now and can't copy books."

Cheng Jun's eyes turned cold, and he rebuked:

"So, you just stood by and watched the Crown Prince disobey his teacher for the sake of Li Shaobao?"

"Now I'm giving you a chance to turn over a new leaf: call the Crown Prince back."

Seeing Cheng Jun's stern expression, Cheng Xin snorted coldly, showing no fear, and raised his head, saying, "I cannot comply."

Cheng Jun stared at him and said, word by word:

"Chengxin, you still haven't figured out your place."

“Listen carefully, I am the Crown Prince’s teacher. As the Crown Prince’s companion, according to etiquette, you should show me the respect due to a disciple.”

“However, not only did you not take me, the Crown Prince’s teacher, seriously, you also repeatedly contradicted me. This is called disrespecting your elders.”

“I came to the Eastern Palace to teach the Crown Prince by His Majesty’s decree. You, a mere tutor, are going against me, which is going against His Majesty. You are showing contempt for the laws of the court and challenging His Majesty’s authority.”

Seeing Cheng Xin's gradually changing expression, Cheng Jun said bluntly:

"I will summon my men now and have you beaten to death with a stick, and even the Crown Prince will not dare utter a single complaint!"

"Are you going to talk back to me now?"

Cheng Xin's throat tightened, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Any one of the three charges Cheng Junan had leveled against him was enough to get him killed. Gone was his previous composure; he hurriedly bowed and said:

"The students dare not."

Looking at his bent-over posture, Cheng Jun spoke calmly yet authoritatively:

"I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn to bring the Crown Prince back from the Imperial Medical Bureau. If he doesn't return, I'll have you beaten to death in the Eastern Palace today!"

Chengxin raised his sleeve, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and said, "This student obeys."

After saying that, he hurriedly ran out of the East Palace and headed towards the Imperial Medical Bureau.

…………

Imperial Medical Bureau.

The administration office.

Li Chengqian and Chu Liang stood in the courtyard, looking at the tightly closed door, waiting quietly.

After a long while, the door creaked open, and Chao Yuanfang came out with two clerks.

Li Chengqian and Chu Liang immediately went to greet them.

"Imperial Physician Chao, how are Li Shaobao and Scholar Ouyang?"

Chao Yuanfang was handing the written prescription to two clerks, instructing them to prepare the medicine. Hearing a voice, he turned around and saw the Crown Prince asking him a question. He said:

"They're fine, they're just still unconscious. They'll be alright once they wake up."

Li Chengqian and Chu Liang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Since everything is alright, I can finally put my mind at ease."

Chu Liang smiled and looked at Li Chengqian, saying:

"Your Highness, there are still matters to be dealt with at the Hongwen Academy. I shall take my leave."

Li Chengqian quickly said, "I'll see you off."

Chao Yuanfang watched Li Chengqian see the other party off, then returned and asked:

"Your Highness, I just heard about the matter involving the Hongwen Academy and the Imperial Academy. How did you manage to offend that brat Cheng Jun?"

Li Chengqian asked in surprise, "Doctor Chao, are you saying that Cheng Jun went to the Hongwen Academy because he was after me, the Crown Prince?"

Chao Yuanfang raised an eyebrow. "Your Highness, you don't need to play dumb in front of me. Anyone who has been to the Imperial Medical Bureau can see through this."

What do you mean by "having been to the Imperial Medical Academy"? It sounds so awkward...

Li Chengqian muttered to himself and said truthfully, "I do know that Cheng Jun is after me, the Crown Prince. I also know that Cheng Jun is probably on his way to the Eastern Palace right now."

Upon hearing this, Chao Yuanfang exclaimed in astonishment, "You dug up Cheng Jun's ancestral grave?"

Li Chengqian was also taken aback. "Is it that serious?"

"Of course it's serious. Don't you even know who you've offended?" Chao Yuanfang looked at him, puzzled, and asked, "Otherwise, why would he treat you like this?"

Li Chengqian said with a worried look, "I just listened to what others said and had Li Shaobao report Cheng Jun. I never expected Cheng Jun to be so difficult to deal with."

The Crown Prince isn't very well-informed... Chao Yuanfang was speechless. If he knew that many ministers in the court had visited the Imperial Medical Bureau, he should have realized how formidable Cheng Jun was.

"Now that Cheng Jun has gone to the East Palace, Your Highness, you should hurry over there as well."

After thinking for a moment, Chao Yuanfang kindly offered his advice.

"Don't go, don't go!"

Li Chengqian resolutely refused, saying, "I came to the Imperial Medical Bureau to avoid him."

Chao Yuanfang patiently advised, "If Cheng Jun wants to find you, you can't avoid him."

…………

First update.