Volume 1 Chapter 15: The Imperial Edict

The next morning.

Li Chengqian made arrangements for the newly arrived personnel.

However, the truly capable individuals had yet to arrive, so he remained unhurried.

Among the people Su Chan’er had found from other regions, there were several destined to bring a unique fate to the Tang Dynasty. Yet at present, these few were still local refugees or prisoners wrongfully accused.

This was the perfect moment to win hearts and minds. Moreover, having such a group of servants by his side was like establishing a small kingdom for himself—one that would not attract undue attention.

For the remainder of the day, Li Chengqian and Su Chan’er awaited the imperial edict.

Though he was indeed under house arrest, once the English emissary arrived, the crown prince would surely have to make an appearance.

Su Chan’er, however, was uncertain about this matter. Seeing Li Chengqian so confident, she couldn’t help but ask, “Your Highness, do you really think the Emperor will issue an edict for you to go to the Honglu Temple or the Sifang Pavilion?”

She asked because news of Mahmud, the English emissary, arriving in the Tang capital had reached the royal court as early as last month.

Yet, whether the Emperor would receive him at the Honglu Temple or the Sifang Pavilion was not disclosed to Li Chengqian.

Judging by this, the Emperor seemed not to value him much as crown prince. And now that he was under house arrest, would the Emperor truly issue such an edict?

Su Chan’er felt uncertain.

Li Chengqian chuckled softly, “Don’t worry. I speak only truth. The edict will surely arrive today. Oh, and stop calling me crown prince. You and I are husband and wife now; you should call me ‘husband.’”

“Ah?” Su Chan’er blushed like a ripe apple. “H-Husband.”

Li Chengqian sat quietly in the Deer Garden courtyard, waiting.

By evening, Wang De came rushing in, holding the imperial edict with a joyous expression, shouting, “The edict has arrived! Crown Prince Li Chengqian, receive the decree!”

“By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Tang Dynasty and the Kingdom of England have always been friends. Today, the English delegation has arrived in Chang’an and is resting in the Xuanwu Tower. To showcase the grandeur of Tang, a state banquet will be held tomorrow at the Honglu Temple. As my eldest son, Crown Prince Li Chengqian should attend. Therefore, the house arrest order is hereby lifted for three days. So it is decreed!”

“Thank you for your gracious favor! I accept the decree! Long live the Emperor, long live, long live, forever and ever!”

Li Chengqian, Su Chan’er, and the newly arrived guards kowtowed deeply.

Wang De hurried forward to support the prince, beaming, “Your Highness, this is a great opportunity to lift your exile. This old servant is truly delighted.”

In truth, Li Chengqian was grateful to Wang De, the eunuch.

Although just a eunuch, Wang De never looked down on him for being crippled. When Li Chengqian was nearly deposed, it was Wang De who fervently pleaded on his behalf.

Moreover, just yesterday, Wang De risked his life to deliver news to him. Li Chengqian would never forget such kindness.

He smiled, saying to Su Chan’er, “Chan’er, bring me my golden phoenix hairpin.”

In the Tang Dynasty, both men and women wore their hair long, and thus both used hairpins.

As crown prince, his hairpin was naturally precious and also carried symbolic meaning as a talisman.

“Yes, husband.” Su Chan’er hurried off and soon returned with the golden phoenix hairpin. “Husband.”

Li Chengqian took the hairpin from her hands and handed it to Wang De.

“Ah!” Wang De was startled and quickly waved his hands. “Your Highness, you must not. This old servant is unworthy to receive such a treasured object.”

Seeing Wang De about to kneel, Li Chengqian hastily reached out to steady him, saying, “Wang De, you have treated me well. Had you not warned me in advance yesterday, I would have been caught unprepared. I will never forget your kindness. It’s only a hairpin, a small token. Please accept it.”

Tears streamed down Wang De’s face.

Such a crown prince was clearly loyal and affectionate! The rumors about him were nothing but slander.

Pitying how the Emperor had harshly struck the prince, leaving scars still visible on his face, Wang De’s heart ached deeply.

Unable to help himself, he asked, “Your Highness, is the wound on your face any better?”

Li Chengqian touched the scar on his face. “Haha, the golden wound medicine that Xiao Deyan gave me really is extraordinary. After just one night, it itches a little. By tomorrow, the scar should have healed. It’s nothing serious.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Wang De glanced behind him and said, “Your Highness, this old servant still has some official business to attend to... I must take my leave now.”

Li Chengqian smiled warmly, “Go ahead.”

Once Wang De had left, Su Chan’er stared at Li Chengqian in amazement. “Husband, you’re incredible. How did you know so precisely?”

Li Chengqian chuckled, “I am the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. Before being deposed, no matter how little the Emperor valued me, proper protocol must still be observed.”

“Truly remarkable.”

Su Chan’er’s face lit up with joy.

Her husband really was quite extraordinary.

She hadn’t noticed it before.

Though the crown prince had previously managed affairs with great order, under the Emperor’s prosperous reign, as long as he was not arbitrary, things would naturally go well. That could not fully be credited to his own talents.

But these past two days, Li Chengqian seemed to have unlocked a secret power, leaving Su Chan’er genuinely astonished.

Yet, as she looked at him in surprise, he muttered, “But… we must not rejoice too soon.”

Su Chan’er, sharp as ever, immediately thought of Prince Wei, Li Tai. “Husband, are you worried that Li Tai will cause trouble at tomorrow night’s banquet?”

Li Chengqian shook his head. “Not just Li Tai, but also Li Yuanchang.”

“Ah?” Su Chan’er hadn’t expected this.

Li Yuanchang had always been close to Li Chengqian—they were like brothers, sharing everything, even a bed. She understood Li Tai’s hostility toward her husband, but Li Yuanchang was simply idle and unambitious. Could he be the same?

Seeing her puzzled expression, Li Chengqian smiled and asked, “Guess what I learned when I interrogated Yang Tai and the other two yesterday while you were away?”

Su Chan’er pondered briefly and then realized, “Those three must be backed by Han Wang Li Yuanchang. So the person who reported the issue to the Emperor, even if not Li Yuanchang himself, must be one of his officials.”

Startled, Su Chan’er exclaimed, “Does that mean Li Yuanchang also covets the throne?”

Li Chengqian nodded slightly. “He hides it deeply. He’s even more dangerous than Li Tai. The person who introduced me to Chènxīn was him… just to stab me in the back. I suspect the grievances reported were fabricated by both Li Yuanchang’s and Li Tai’s men.”

Compared to Li Tai, Li Yuanchang’s schemes were far more cunning and sinister.

No doubt, the fact that Li Chengqian was under house arrest was deeply unsatisfactory to Li Yuanchang as well.