Volume 1 Chapter 4 Lord Xiao Requests an Audience

“Your Highness, it’s getting late. You should rest first. I’ll send someone to summon the imperial physician,” Su Chan’er said, looking at the Crown Prince with concern.

The Emperor was truly perplexing—he struck the Crown Prince harshly one moment, then treated him gently the next. The Emperor’s thoughts were impossible to fathom.

If the scar on Li Chengqian’s face wasn’t treated soon, it might become permanent. He was already crippled; with this new scar, how could the Crown Prince ever face anyone?

“No rush,” Li Chengqian said softly, gently grasping the Crown Princess’s hand. “Chan’er, I will take care of my wound. But right now, I need you to handle something for me personally.”

Su Chan’er knelt gracefully before him. “Your Highness, please speak.”

“Investigate Chengxin’s social circle,” Li Chengqian instructed.

Su Chan’er shivered slightly, feeling a hint of grievance.

Rumors outside said that the Crown Prince and she had a deep bond. Yet, though married for years, Li Chengqian had never touched her, only holding her hand in public. At home, he would repeatedly wash his hands, and they never shared a bed at night. Strangely, he often shared a bed with Chengxin.

This Crown Princess had endured too many grievances. Now that Chengxin had betrayed him, did the Crown Prince’s heart still linger on her?

She could not refuse, swallowing her pain with a forced smile. “Yes, Your Highness. I’ll go at once.”

Li Chengqian was no straight man, but he cared little about the host’s thoughts—after all, he had transmigrated into this body. He was certainly not interested in male favorites anymore.

Taking this opportunity, he explained clearly.

He reached out, holding Su Chan’er’s hand. “Don’t worry. From now on, I will cherish you. I want you to investigate Chengxin because her betrayal is suspicious.”

He was under house arrest—without the Emperor’s order, he could not leave the Crown Prince’s residence for three months. Even though the punishment seemed mild, stepping on the Emperor’s wrath could cost his life.

But while he couldn’t leave, the Crown Princess could.

Su Chan’er hesitated. “Your Highness, are you saying Chengxin was coerced?”

“Even if she wasn’t coerced, someone must have tempted her.”

Realization dawned on Su Chan’er, and she quietly left.

Li Chengqian muttered, “Such a fine wife, and you want a male favorite? You’re only hurting yourself. Ouch… that really hurts.”

According to later historical records, after Li Chengqian’s downfall, anyone who could sever ties with him did so.

Under Tang law, concubines and minor wives were not official spouses—they were slaves or property. In cases of collective punishment or extermination, as long as they were uninvolved in treason or conspiracy, these women and servants could be spared.

Royal family members, however, usually faced execution only if personally implicated.

In other words, Li Chengqian and his co-conspirators would be executed; others like Su Chan’er would be exiled or demoted to slavery.

After Li Chengqian’s downfall, everyone who could cut ties did so—except for Su Chan’er.

Historical records say she was exiled, but in truth, by then he was already dead. After his death, Su Chan’er left a suicide note expressing her wish to be buried with him and then took poison to end her life.

That was why Li Chengqian’s words seemed oddly compelled.

But the pain in his wound made him hiss softly.

Taking a bronze mirror, he examined the injury, grumbling, “Old Deng really hit hard.”

Fortunately, the residence had plenty of wound medicine. He applied some, feeling the coolness gradually soothe the pain.

“Your Highness,” came a gentle call from outside the door.

Li Chengqian turned. “House steward, what is it?”

“Lord Xiao requests an audience.”

Xiao Deyan?

Like Su Xu, he had helped compile the “Territorial Records” and was also aligned with Prince Li Tai.

Heh…

Late at night, just as Li Chengqian returned, Xiao Deyan came to the residence.

Now, aside from the Grand Eunuch Wang De, who still supported him and felt pity, the rest of the court avoided the former Crown Prince like the plague, fearing association with the Crown Prince’s faction.

Li Chengqian was spared death as Crown Prince, but others branded as part of his faction faced dire consequences.

The court situation was delicate. After Li Chengqian was accused of corrupting the harem, everyone believed Li Tai would soon be made the new Crown Prince, and Li Chengqian would be deposed.

Though the night’s events spread through the government offices like wild wind, no one could guess Emperor Taizong’s intentions. Even with the light punishment, officials dared not get close to the Crown Prince.

Xiao Deyan coming now—heh—was like a weasel paying a visit to a chicken.

“Your Highness?” the steward urged again. “Lord Xiao is still waiting at the main gate. Will you see him?”

Li Chengqian smiled teasingly. “See him? Of course. Tell him to wait in the Deer Garden. Have someone prepare a banquet there—I want to drink and enjoy the moon.”

The steward was stunned.

Drink and enjoy the moon?

What play was this Crown Prince acting out?

“Why aren’t you moving?” Li Chengqian turned back and gave the steward a cold look.

Startled, the steward hurried to comply.

Once outside, the steward furrowed his brow as he glanced back at Li Chengqian’s room.

Strange!

The Crown Prince seemed like a different person—nothing like before.

Though worried, he knew the Crown Prince now aimed to please everyone and offend no one. Hastily, he told a nearby maid, “Go at once and have a banquet set up in the Deer Garden. The Crown Prince wishes to drink and admire the moon.”

The maid muttered, “We’re almost killed, and he still wants to drink?”

“Silence!” the steward snapped. “Are you trying to get us all killed?”

The maid was frightened into silence.

The steward then went to meet Xiao Deyan.

Seeing him, the steward forced a broad smile. “Lord Xiao, such a late hour—thank you for coming. The Crown Prince has said to invite you to drink in the Deer Garden.”

Though usually arrogant, today the steward was obsequious, calling him “Lord Xiao” repeatedly.

Xiao Deyan’s lips curled in a barely concealed sneer. “When did you become so humble, steward?”

The steward’s eye twitched violently.

Xiao Deyan showed no mercy, pretending to joke but actually mocking, “Did the Crown Prince fear a spark might burn everything down, so he told you all to keep a low profile and offend no one?”

The steward was embarrassed, stammering helplessly.

Seeing the steward’s flushed face, Xiao Deyan was satisfied. “Lead the way.”