Side Story Chapter 4: Danger! (2/2)

To his left and right, Grand Preceptor Zhan Zhongmi and Grand Tutor Chen Yong, both of whom rarely made appearances, had solemn expressions as they looked at Li Taiyi. They appeared to be inspecting him.

The Grand Tutor and Grand Preceptor were knowledgeable and revered, and they had many disciples amongst the officials of court. They would only appear for special incidents.

This was because their opinions could change the opinions of many more.

It could not be for just any matter that they would appear here.

“Paying respects to Imperial Father!”

Taking it in stride, Li Taiyi stepped forward and bowed to the enthroned figure.

Li Taiyi’s words made that figure open his eyes, and light erupted from them. An intimidating aura that had been honed through countless battles immediately focused on Li Taiyi.

This was the reigning Tang Emperor!

Although the Tang Emperor presided over the court, he had studied military texts and had followed his father on campaigns in his youth. Through these experiences, he had developed the awe-inspiring aura of a general.

Anyone else would have been stifled by the Tang Emperor’s ruthless and decisive aura, but Li Taiyi was unmoved, his expression unperturbed, and he stood tall like a pine tree in Taihe Palace.

At this moment, a thunderous rebuke rang out.

“Third Brother, you have committed such a grave mistake. Why are you not kneeling before Imperial Father!?”

The voice came from a tall and imposing figure, his hands placed behind his back and his eyes cold, his body radiating a dignified aura. This was none other than Li Taiyi’s ‘Second Imperial Brother’, Li Chengyi.

Besides the First Prince, who was currently out on campaign, the most favored Prince in the imperial household was undoubtedly Second Prince Li Chengyi.

Not only had he been permitted to participate in state discussions from an early age, he was standing not far from the Emperor and far above the other officials. These were all clear signs of the favor he received.

Moreover, Li Chengyi was able to memorize everything he read, was a diligent student, and knew how to ask questions. When tested on government affairs, he was able to instantly strike at the heart of the matter. There had even been several times when the Emperor had been indecisive, and Li Chengyi found the source of concern and directly brought attention to it, causing the Emperor to look at him in a new light. In this aspect, he was completely different from Li Taiyi.

Later on, the Emperor had even handed over the Bureau of Revenue to Li Chengyi, giving him control over the empire’s finances. From this, one could see how favored he was.

But Li Taiyi also knew that this brother of his was extremely shrewd and was not as virtuous and righteous as he put on. All of it was simply a performance for his father and the court officials to see.

In secret, he was doing his utmost to push his younger brother out of the political picture.

Li Taiyi, despite still recovering from his illness, had only been able to participate in the military examination due to Li Chengyi’s ‘recommendation’ to the Emperor.

He appeared to show brotherly love to his father and the court officials, and then there was Li Taiyi, making a fool of himself and earning the hatred of the court.

But Li Taiyi was hostile to Li Chengyi for another reason.

Right after Li Taiyi had awoken in this world, Li Chengyi had come to visit him with feigned anxiety.

He had an excellent reputation both inside and outside the court, so naturally, no one suspected him.

But the moment Li Chengyi arrived, he had ‘accidentally’ knocked over the medicine that Virtuous Empress Dou had prepared for him, and even used his martial arts to chill it and spill it all over Li Taiyi. Thus, mere moments after waking, Li Taiyi was knocked out by the cold.

Besides that, he had secretly seized all the medicinal ingredients used for the medicines Li Taiyi took, and his subordinates had even seized the ingredients that Virtuous Empress Dou had requested.

This thought made Li Taiyi’s eyes grow even colder.

“What does Imperial Brother mean by this?”

Li Taiyi stood straight and coldly smiled.

“Has Third Brother gone senile? Have you forgotten what only just occurred?!” Second Prince Li Chengyi harshly rebuked, raising his chin as he gave a cold and aloof gaze that was subtly tinged with disdain and revulsion.

Li Chengyi had never liked his third brother.

Li Taiyi’s mother, Virtuous Empress Dou, was highly favored by the Tang Emperor, and this favor had extended to Li Taiyi.

Even though he was notorious for his brutality, he was always able to turn his big problems into small problems, and his small problems into nothing. Everything was tolerated. And at the age of four, Li Taiyi had even been brought to a morning court session!

There was no precedent for such a thing!

All of these things were extravagances that Li Chengyi could never even dream about, as his mother’s status was far beneath Virtuous Empress Dou’s.

Of course, the most important thing was that the War of the Princes had always been cruel, no matter the dynasty. There were many cases throughout history of ‘clumsy’ princes who played the part of a pig so that they could eat the tiger. This was the War of the Princes, the war for the throne.

So long as Li Taiyi lived, he would always be a threat.

So long as Virtuous Empress Dou remained, Li Taiyi had a chance of regaining favor.

He could not permit Li Taiyi a chance to recover.

To cut down a weed, one had to pull it out by the roots!

“Third Brother, it seems that I have always protected you in vain. I know that you have always been stubborn and mischievous, but not to this extent!

“Today, at the imperial horse track, you audaciously chose to publicly strike Huoyuan to death with an arrow. Huoyuan was an official of the court as well as your childhood playmate, yet you spared him no affection. Just because he momentarily misspoke, you exploded in rage and killed him. This is simply unforgivable!

“Such violence! Do the laws of the country still exist in your eyes? Does Imperial Father?!”

Li Chengyi’s face was a sheet of frost, and his voice had a biting cold.

The hall was utterly silent. As all the officials looked at Li Taiyi, a mountain of stifling pressure descended on him.

Atop the gilded throne, the Tang Emperor said nothing, but his expression also turned ice-cold.