Li Chengqian said in disbelief: "How is it possible? He didn't pass the news to Erchen at all, and Erchen didn't let him commit suicide."
He had planted an insider with Li Tai, and he just wanted to know Li Tai's movements.
Although Li Chengqian wished that Li Tai would die, he never thought of sending someone to assassinate Li Tai.
It's not that Li Chengqian cares about brotherhood that much.
But he knows that once he does this, no matter whether he succeeds or not, he will not end well.
Not to mention that the eunuch didn't report Li Tai's whereabouts to him, even if he did, he wouldn't send someone to assassinate Li Tai.
"Then how do you explain that Qingque was assassinated and you committed suicide as an insider at Qingque?" Li Shimin said with some disappointment: "Qingque has been frail and sick since he was a child, so I will naturally love him. As the eldest brother, you,
There is no tolerance for others. If I am still alive, you dare to send someone to assassinate Qingque. If I die, wouldn't you want to drive all your brothers to death?"
"Haha." Li Chengqian sneered and said, "Since my father has determined that it was my son who sent someone to assassinate Qingque, I might as well execute him directly."
"Insolent!" Li Shimin shouted angrily.
"presumptuous?"
Li Chengqian said in a somewhat shaky tone: "I've had enough of being the prince for a long time. Apart from the title of prince, what does this prince look like to me? My father doted on Qingque and gave him more fiefdoms. My sons and ministers have never done that.
I’m sorry to complain. But with my father’s intelligence, how could I not see that Qing Que is coveting the position of the crown prince?”
"My father thought that his son and Qingque were fighting because he cared so much about this position. In fact, he had no attachment to this position at all. Sometimes he thought about how great it would be if he were not the prince.
."
"But I want to live. Once Qingque becomes the prince, how will he let me go? In order to survive, I can only fight with him. What I am fighting for is not the throne, but my life." Li Chengqian said hysterically.
.
After long-term depression and Li Shimin's suspicion, Li Chengqian finally collapsed.
He felt that Li Shimin would definitely dethrone his position as crown prince this time. Thinking of his miserable end, Li Chengqian simply broke the pot and threw it away.
Li Shimin felt refreshed. He had always been very strict with Li Chengqian. Although he knew that Li Tai coveted the position of prince, Li Shimin also felt that Li Chengqian, as his elder brother, should be tolerant.
But he had never considered it from Li Chengqian's perspective.
Although he had no intention of deposing the prince, his various behaviors made Li Chengqian feel no sense of security.
From Li Chengqian's perspective, he was not wrong.
Since ancient times, how many deposed princes have had a good ending?
The former Sui prince Yang Yong was demoted to a commoner, but as soon as Yang Jian died and before Yang Guang ascended the throne, he couldn't wait to issue an imperial edict and directly killed Yang Yong.
With this lesson in mind, Li Chengqian naturally understood what a miserable end he would have if he lost his position as prince, and he naturally wanted to fight with Li Tai.
As Li Chengqian said, what he is fighting for is not the throne, but his life.
Li Shimin opened his mouth, wanting to explain something, but in the end he said nothing.
Li Shimin sighed inwardly and said coldly: "Come here, from today on, the prince is banned from the East Palace. Without my order, he is not allowed to leave even half a step, and he is not allowed to see anyone!"
Li Chengqian said nothing, glanced at Li Shimin, and left with the imperial army.
…
The news that Li Shimin had banned Li Chengqian was not long before the minister Xungui received the news.
Changsun's family
After Changsun Wuji heard the news, he frowned deeply.
Neither Li Chengqian nor Li Tai was his ideal candidate for the crown prince.
Both of them have grown up, and Li Shimin is now in his prime. When Li Shimin dies, neither Li Chengqian nor Li Tai will be fully fledged, and they will not rely too much on him after they succeed to the throne.
The most ideal candidate for the crown prince in his mind is Li Zhi.
Li Zhi was young and had no advantage over his two elder brothers. Even if he grew up, no one would think that Li Zhi could inherit the throne.
When Li Shimin is about to die, he will find a way to depose Li Chengqian and make Li Zhi the crown prince. Li Zhi has no team and can only rely on him.
Although whether Li Chengqian or Li Tai becomes the prince now, it has no influence on him.
But in comparison, he still hopes that Li Chengqian will be the prince.
Li Chengqian has been influenced by Li Shimin since he was a child, and he strongly rejects the aristocratic family. When the time comes to abolish Li Chengqian, the aristocratic family will also contribute.
But Li Tai is different. The family has always supported Li Tai. Once Li Tai becomes the prince, it will be difficult to abolish him.
However, assassinating the prince is a serious crime. Even if Li Chengqian is the prince, once he is confirmed, he will be deposed. This will disrupt his plan.
"I have been patient for many years, do I have to endure it until death?" Changsun Wuji was a little unwilling.
…
"Have you heard? I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince sent someone to assassinate His Royal Highness King Wei and was imprisoned by His Majesty."
"How is this possible? Why did His Highness the Crown Prince send people to assassinate King Wei?"
"His Royal Highness King Wei is very favored by His Majesty and threatens His Highness the Crown Prince. Naturally His Highness the Crown Prince wants to get rid of him."
"How can we discuss this kind of thing? Be careful of death."
The news that Li Chengqian assassinated Li Tai and was placed under house arrest by Li Shimin spread quickly throughout Chang'an as if it had wings.
For ordinary people, this news has no impact on them at all.
But for those who are scholars or officials, this news is very important.
If it was really Li Chengqian who sent someone to assassinate Li Tai, then his dethronement is certain.
The only remaining legitimate sons among the princes are Li Tai and Li Zhi.
Li Zhi is young and has no chance of competing for the crown prince position, so the crown prince position is likely to fall to Li Tai.
Before Li Chengqian, there was Li Tai who competed with him for the throne, and Li Shimin's love for Li Tai made people dare not take sides easily.
And if Li Chengqian is deposed and Li Tai succeeds to the throne, no one can compete with Li Tai.
They had to consider whether to join Li Tai early. If they joined Li Tai late, they would definitely not be reused.
…
"Sir, the news that the prince sent someone to assassinate King Wei has spread throughout Chang'an," Butler Cui said.
"Well done, please let me know and we will take the final step tomorrow," Cui Hao said.
This incident was planned by the Cui family.
Li Tai never gave him a clear answer regarding the mutiny.
If things come to pass this time, Li Tai can be directly promoted to the position of prince.
If it fails, Li Tai can also make a decision.
For the Cui family, it can be said that there is no harm at all.
…
Furong Garden
Li Shimin looked at the very haggard Empress Changsun and said, "Mr. Guanyin, you should go and rest first, otherwise Qingque will definitely feel distressed when she wakes up and sees you like this."
"Where can I sleep now?" Queen Changsun cried.
But her tears had long since flowed away.
Li Shimin sighed and did not persuade him again.
At this moment, Li Mu walked in.
"I have some things to deal with. Let's go out for a while." Li Shimin said.