Inside the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian sat calmly, his voice steady as he spoke.
“In a few days, I will ask Father to go hunting and sightseeing with me. When he rests at night, I plan to have someone forge my decree to mobilize troops and surround his palace.”
Li Yuanchang, Du He, and Hou Junji were all stunned. They stared at Li Chengqian in disbelief. The Crown Prince had lost his mind.
Li Yuanchang hurriedly said, “Your Highness, you must not! This is treason.”
Du He swallowed hard. “Your Highness, this is not right.”
Hou Junji frowned. “His Majesty is no ordinary person. Forcing the palace might not be possible.”
Li Chengqian shook his head. “Did you miss what I said? I will have someone forge my decree, not use my own.”
The three of them hesitated. They had been so shocked by the idea of surrounding Li Shimin’s palace that they hadn’t even grasped the finer details of Li Chengqian’s words.
The Crown Prince smiled. “The decree must be ninety percent like mine and ten percent like Li Tai’s.”
Li Yuanchang, Du He, and Hou Junji froze, then looked at Li Chengqian in shock. They weren’t fools. His words carried a clear implication—this was meant to frame Li Tai.
Li Yuanchang quickly said, “Your Highness, this strategy is ingenious. By making it appear as though Prince Wei plotted against you, His Majesty will certainly resent him.”
Du He and Hou Junji nodded in agreement.
Li Chengqian’s gaze darkened. “Treason is a grave crime. Father will undoubtedly punish Li Tai severely, perhaps even imprison him. His followers will panic and start pleading for him. At that moment, I will take the initiative to beg for mercy on his behalf.”
The three of them stiffened, then suddenly understood.
Du He’s voice was filled with admiration. “Your Highness, this is a masterstroke. If you plead for Prince Wei, His Majesty will see you as a kind and noble heir.”
Li Yuanchang and Hou Junji nodded.
Li Chengqian chuckled. “That’s not all. Mobilize all the officials who secretly support the Eastern Palace and have them plead for Li Tai as well.”
“What?” Li Yuanchang, Du He, and Hou Junji were dumbfounded.
Hou Junji hesitated. “Your Highness, pleading for Prince Wei can earn you His Majesty’s favor, but why involve the officials?”
Li Yuanchang and Du He shared his confusion. Wasn’t this a waste of resources?
Li Chengqian’s eyes gleamed. “We know these officials are ours, but others don’t. If over seventy percent of the court starts pleading for Prince Wei, Father will begin to wonder how his son could have so many supporters across the government.”
The three men gasped, their faces filled with astonishment.
They hadn’t expected this level of cunning.
Li Yuanchang’s excitement was barely contained.
“Brilliant! If His Majesty becomes suspicious of Prince Wei, he will distance himself from him and favor you, Your Highness!”
Du He and Hou Junji nodded, deeply impressed.
Li Chengqian smiled but said nothing more. Some plans were best kept to himself.
Two days later, in the imperial palace, Li Shimin looked up in mild surprise.
“The Crown Prince has invited me on a hunting trip?”
Li Chengqian stood before him, his face calm and respectful.
“Father, you work tirelessly for the empire. I feel guilty for not easing your burdens. This trip will allow you to relax and enjoy the fine weather.”
Li Shimin stroked his beard, nodding in approval. “Very well. Since you have gone to such lengths, I won’t refuse.”
“The day after tomorrow then?”
“Yes,” Li Chengqian replied.
At dusk, the imperial hunting party arrived at the royal forest. The golden glow of the setting sun bathed the trees in warm light. Li Shimin led his sons and daughters, with Prince Wei, Li Tai, and Prince Wu, Li Ke, among them.
Night fell over the hunting lodge, a grand villa nestled among the hills. The artificial lake shimmered under the silver moonlight, its surface rippling gently with the night breeze.
Inside a dimly lit chamber, Li Chengqian studied the forged decree before him, a faint smile playing on his lips. He turned to the black-clad servant kneeling nearby. “Take it.”
The servant, his face obscured by a hooded cloak, took the decree and swiftly disappeared into the shadows.
An hour later, at the center of the villa, laughter filled the grand hall. Li Shimin sat on an ornate chair, playfully teasing a young girl before him.
“Xiao Yizi, I heard you’ve been practicing Feibai Calligraphy. Show Father what you’ve learned.”
Princess Jinyang grinned. “Of course, Father!” She turned to fetch her brush and paper—
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing louder.
A guard rushed in, his face pale. “Your Majesty, something has happened.”