Chapter 56: Li Shimin Has Arrived

Fang Xuanling also stepped forward to echo the sentiment, "What the Prince of Qin says is entirely correct. The Crown Prince's actions truly demonstrate the sense of responsibility befitting the heir apparent of our Great Tang!"

Emperor Gaozu's expression softened slightly; in truth, he was more than eager for Li Jiancheng to leave the capital. With a Crown Prince whose rebellious intentions were clear and who had made full preparations remaining in Chang'an for even a single day, he would not be able to sleep in peace.

"Very well. Since my son possesses the resolve to offer his life in service to the country, Our heart is deeply gratified. Effective immediately, We bestow upon the Crown Prince the title of Grand Marshal of the Youzhou Military Expedition, along with the authority of the imperial battle-ax, to proceed to Beiping and oversee military affairs. Furthermore, we order the Duke of Ying, Li Xiaogong, to serve as the Imperial Inspector and accompany the army."

Li Jiancheng was actually quite pleased to have Li Xiaogong go with him, as it was always more comfortable to use one's own people. "Your subject obeys the imperial decree."

Emperor Gaozu continued, "Additionally, as for those five thousand cavalrymen of yours, We confer upon them the name 'Brave Dragon Cavalry,' placed entirely under your command. Their grain and provisions shall be allocated monthly by the Ministry of Revenue."

Many officials of the Qin Prince's faction who were unaware of the inside story felt a surge of indignation upon hearing this. When the Prince of Qin went on campaign, he had to raise his own provisions.

Yet when it came to the Crown Prince, they were to be allocated monthly? How utterly unreasonable!

Only Xu Maogong smiled coldly in his heart. Provisions? Once they reached Youzhou, there would be no shortage of excuses to delay the supplies.

That very day, after the court assembly was dismissed, Li Jiancheng hurried back to his residence to summon his close confidants and arrange matters for the northern expedition.

"My lords, now that His Majesty suspects me of treason, all the officials and subordinates of the Crown Prince's Household must accompany me to Beiping."

Wei Zheng nodded. "Your Highness's foresight is commendable, but... the Imperial Grandson's illness is severe; it is not fitting for him to travel to the frontier regions."

"That goes without saying. Since the Grandson is seriously ill, he may remain in Chang'an to recuperate. I shall leave all of his subordinates behind, and simultaneously grant him three years' worth of stipends in advance."

Wei Zheng remained silent for a moment. He understood very well that Li Jiancheng's arrangement was essentially equivalent to abandoning Li Chengche.

However, he felt no sympathy for Li Chengche; such a useless piece, once discarded, was best forgotten.

At that moment, a palace attendant suddenly reported, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Imperial Grandson requests an audience."

Li Jiancheng was slightly startled, then said, "Hurry, invite him in."

Li Chengche walked in slowly, his complexion pale and his steps unsteady, clearly not yet recovered from his illness.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Imperial Father."

Seeing him looking so frail, Li Jiancheng could not help but feel a pang of sorrow. Although he did not particularly care for Li Chengche, this was, after all, his own flesh and blood.

With this thought, his tone softened considerably. "Che'er, your health has not yet healed; why are you not resting quietly in your chambers?"

Li Chengche managed a faint smile. "This subject heard that Your Father is about to set out on a campaign to the frontiers, and has come specifically to bid you farewell. The journey is long and fraught with unpredictable wind and snow; I pray Your Highness takes good care of your health and returns victorious at the early date."

Hearing this, Li Jiancheng felt an even deeper sense of guilt. "Good child, it is touching that even in your illness you still concern yourself with your father."

Li Chengche continued, "This subject dares to offer a humble suggestion—on this journey, Your Father need not be overly eager to achieve military glory. Make steadiness your primary concern, and defending the territory your first priority. If you can pacify the borders for three years, your own renown will naturally rise. Why worry that the great enterprise cannot be accomplished?"

Li Jiancheng was startled upon hearing this. Pondering these words carefully, he unexpectedly found them to be profoundly reasonable.

He patted Li Chengche on the shoulder. "Che'er, though you are frail and ill, you see through things more clearly than your father."

Li Chengche smiled faintly, then broke into a fit of violent coughing. Cui Yingying hurriedly rushed to support him. "Your Highness, you ought to return to your chambers to rest."

Li Jiancheng quickly instructed, "Hurry, escort the Grandson back to recuperate properly. When I return in triumph, we shall share a cup of celebratory wine together."

Before leaving, Li Chengche glanced back at his father once more, a flash of an unreadable, complex emotion crossing his eyes.

He knew that Li Jiancheng was, in all likelihood, never returning.

Though this father had never shown him much affection, he had at least not treated him as harshly as Zheng Guanyin had. Yet, just now, Li Chengche had not spoken a single word that would truly benefit him.

Upon returning to his room, Cui Yingying sighed. "My lord, their current situation..."

Li Chengche smiled faintly. "My father's move is clearly a scheme to save his own skin. However, these matters have nothing to do with me. Yingying, remaining in the Crown Prince's Mansion is fraught with extreme danger. You..."

Cui Yingying interrupted Li Chengche. "A wife for a day, bound to follow for a lifetime. Since this handmaid has married Your Highness, I shall share whatever fortunes or misfortunes come our way for the rest of my days. Wherever Your Highness is, there shall your wife be."

Hearing this, Li Chengche felt deeply moved. "Thank you."

He could not make any grand promises at present, for he could hardly guarantee his own survival, but he locked Cui Yingying's kindness deeply in his heart.

Early the next morning, within the Crown Prince's Mansion, aside from the dozen or so attendants and servant girls left behind to care for him as the Imperial Grandson, everyone else had been taken away by Li Jiancheng.

This included his five younger brothers and the primary matriarch Zheng Guanyin; only he was left behind.

Of course, the reason given for his retention was entirely upright and proper: his severe illness made him unsuited to endure the hardships of Beiping.

After sending off his father and the rest of the retinue, Li Chengche sat upon his bed, holding a volume of *Records of Heroes of the Late Han* in his hands.

Outside the window, the spring breeze blew gently, swaying the weeping willows. Everything was so peaceful and serene.

Yet, for such a peaceful and serene scene to unfold within the Eastern Palace felt somewhat desolate.

Li Chengche stretched lazily and was about to catch up on some sleep when he heard the sound of footsteps pushing open the door behind him.

Turning his head, he saw Cui Yingying carrying a bowl of steaming medicine. "Your Highness, it is time to take your medicine."

Li Chengche nodded. After drinking the medicine down, he remarked with a trace of irony, "This medicine tastes even more bitter than yesterday's."

"The Imperial Medical Bureau changed the prescription for Your Highness. Today's brew follows a new formula, said to be specially formulated to treat exhaustion."

Having finished the medicine in one breath, Li Chengche handed the empty bowl back to Cui Yingying.

"The Eastern Palace, which was so bustling just yesterday, is today as desolate as a ghost town."

Cui Yingying offered a wry smile. "Indeed, Your Highness... the Crown Prince left you with only thirteen manservants and ten maidservants in total."

"I suppose I should be grateful my father didn't leave me with zero. By the way, why didn't you stay and keep me company earlier?"

"Your Highness, it is like this: today, both the Prince of Qin's Mansion and the Prince of Qi's Mansion sent numerous people to inquire after Your Highness's health, but I turned them all away."

The Prince of Qi's faction made sense; before leaving, Li Jiancheng likely instructed his third younger brother to look after his ailing son.

Yet the arrival of people from the Prince of Qin's Mansion felt rather inexplicable.

"What were people from the Prince of Qin's Mansion doing here?"

"I am not certain. They all came with warm inquiries, and upon leaving, they dropped off numerous supplements—genuine, high-grade restorative medicines, every single one of them."

How terribly ironic. His own blood uncles, like Li Chengzong, came to visit bringing cheap, counterfeit imitations of luxury tonics.

Meanwhile, emissaries from the faction of his enemy, the Prince of Qin, came bearing authentic, precious remedies.

"How interesting..."

Just as they were speaking, the voice of Li Shimin drifted in from not far away: "Where is my unfortunate nephew?"

Li Shimin had come in person?

Li Chengche hurriedly lay back down upon the bed, feigning an appearance of profound weakness.

Li Shimin walked slowly into the bedchamber of the Eastern Palace, followed by Changsun Wuji and Xu Maogong, while several attendants carried precious tonics including medicinal herbs, brocades, antlers, and ginseng.

Seeing Li Shimin approach slowly, speaking in a gentle tone, "Nephew Chengche, I heard that your illness has not yet healed, and I have been deeply concerned in my heart, so I came specially to visit you."

Lying abed with a pale complexion and shallow breath, Li Chengche forced his eyes open upon hearing the voice, his tone hoarse, "Uncle... why have you come in person? This nephew is unfilial, causing you such trouble and anxiety."

Li Shimin strode forward quickly, personally taking Li Chengche's hand. Finding it icy cold, he could not help but frown, "How are the physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau performing their duties? To let you waste away to such a state! Someone summon the chief imperial physician of the Medical Service immediately to treat the Grandson. Draw whatever medicinal ingredients are needed directly from the inner storehouse—let there be no mistakes!"

"Understood, Your Highness," an attendant acknowledged the order and departed.

Changsun Wuji stepped forward slightly, saying in a soft voice, "Your Highness the Grandson, the Prince of Qin has been burning with anxiety. Last night, he personally perused the *Essential Prescriptions for Emergencies*, discovering an ancient formula for the 'Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill,' and has already ordered it to be prepared for Your Highness. Within three days, it will be delivered here, and by then, Your Highness's constitution shall surely improve."