The banquet that Li Yingqi had hosted for the Great Tang envoys was very grand. Due to Li Xuan's terrible performance, there was no highlight at all. Furthermore, Han Cangshui hadn't played the role of instigator. Therefore, during the banquet, Li Yingqi publicly expressed his displeasure and criticized Li Xuan.
"It's all because of this trash. He caused me to lose a city's tax. If you guys were more hardworking, I wouldn't have to pay Sun Mo so much."
Li Yingqi got Li Xuan to reflect on his mistakes for a year. At the same time, he praised Li Ziqi and Sun Mo and rewarded them with a large amount of wealth and official positions.
However, what made people feel the most envious was that Li Yingqi had conferred the title of Jinling City Lord to Sun Mo. In the future, as long as Sun Mo didn't commit any major crimes like rebellion, he would be pardoned. At the same time, he would be allowed to have 10% of the taxes that the city had to pay to the national treasury.
This was Jinling! Let alone the Great Tang, even in the Nine Provinces, it would be a top-notch city, rich, fashionable, and luxurious!
Being able to become a city lord was definitely a dream that many people yearned for.
However, those high-ranking officials smelled something strange from it.
In the past, the owner of Jinling was Prince Li Zixing. Most of the taxes collected went into his treasury, and the country didn't get much.
Li Yingqi arranged for Li Xiu's fief to be in Jinling in order to push her out to fight against Prince Li. Later on, the Eldest Princess won, and the taxes paid to the national treasury increased. However, Li Yingqi always felt that she had embezzled a portion of it.
Li Xiu was brimming with talent and was not inferior to any man. If she was in power, she would definitely have the bearing of a prime minister. Li Yingqi was not at ease leaving her in such an important place like Jinling.
Right now, Li Xiu and Sun Mo were so close. In addition to their relationship with Li Ziqi, honestly speaking, Li Yingqi felt a little nervous.
This force was enough to influence the politics of the court and threaten his throne.
How interesting was it to be an emperor? Hence, Li Yingqi was afraid that he would be forced to abdicate. Hence, he thought of giving Jinling to Sun Mo.
Not only could he show that he was more generous than the Qi King, but he could also sow discord between Li Xiu and Sun Mo, making them stand against each other.
"Sun Mo and Li Xiu will definitely fight to the death for the rights to Jinling. Haha, I'm really a genius!"
An unparalleled genius master teacher?
The talented Princess Royal?
I'm sorry, but you're all my chess pieces!
After sending Sun Mo away, Li Yingqi started to lead a befuddled life again.
"My most hated enemy is dead. I'm so lonely!"
Li Yingqi drank fine wine and enjoyed the singing and dancing.
These beauties were all selected from unmarried girls under the age of 16 in the country. They were as attractive as unbloomed purses.
Compared to the Prince of Qi, who preferred women older than him, Li Yingqi only loved young women. He had read in an ancient book that sleeping with a young woman every day would fill him with energy.
In the past, the Imperial Censors had repeatedly admonished Li Yingqi for this, but after Li Yingqi had beaten six of them to death in one breath, no one dared to say anything more.
"Haha, well done, but you'll look even better if you take off your dress!"
Li Yingqi finished the wine in his cup in one gulp. He stood up and walked quickly to the stage. "I'll help you undress!"
The beauties immediately pretended to be frightened, like frightened rabbits, and avoided Li Yingqi.
The musicians were not surprised at all. This was already a routine.
Li Yingqi chased after the girls like he was playing with butterflies. He touched them and kissed them. Suddenly, he staggered and fell to the ground. Then, he started twitching.
"Your Majesty!"
The beauties and eunuchs knelt down in unison, their faces ashen. They saw the Emperor foaming at the mouth and urinating, wetting his dragon robe.
The news of the Emperor's stroke quickly spread throughout the palace. Then, it was sealed and forbidden to discuss it.
Li Yingqi's father and mother were already dead, so he was supreme in the palace. With the stroke unable to move, the second most respected person was Li Xuan.
The current Empress was not Li Xuan's biological mother, and she was not good at fighting in the palace. She had always been vegetarian and praying to Buddha, so she had no authority.
When Li Xuan, who was reflecting on his mistakes in the Crown Prince Palace, heard the news, he was first pleasantly surprised, then terrified. He did not dare to stay for a moment longer and went straight to the palace.
Li Xuan asked the imperial physician in detail about Li Yingqi's illness and knelt in front of the bed for a few minutes before he was called out by Han Cangshui.
"Xuan 'er, what do you plan to do?"
Han Cangshui asked, looking around.
"I'll be filial in front of Father's bed and pray for Father's blessings!"
Li Xuan's answer was conventional, which naturally made Han Cangshui even more disappointed.
"Fool!"
Han Cangshui was angry. "Are you a member of the royal family? Have you learned the ways of an emperor? There can only be one person who can sit on the throne. "
"Ah?"
Li Xuan's heart trembled when he heard that.
"Whether or not His Majesty can wake up, and if there are any repercussions after he wakes up, these are all things worth considering. Besides, even if there are no major problems after he wakes up, so what?"
Han Cangshui stared at Li Xuan. "The country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. Can't you temporarily manage the affairs of the court?"
"..."
Plop! Plop!
Li Xuan's heart was beating very quickly, and sweat appeared on his forehead. He wanted to sit on the throne, but after thinking for a few minutes, he still shook his head.
What if he failed?
"Trash!"
Han Cangshui couldn't bear to watch on anymore. "You are kind and can't bear to seize the throne, but what about your younger sister? Don't forget that your performance in the Five Countries Mock Battle was extremely terrible, while Li Ziqi is incomparably outstanding. In addition, with Li Xiu's support, do you think you can still ascend to the throne? "
"It... it can't be, right?"
Li Xuan gulped. "Even if I want to ascend to the throne, those officials most probably won't agree to it!"
"Are you stupid? Is your Crown Prince Faction just for show? Get those officials who support you to submit their petitions. As for those who are neutral, pay them a visit personally now and hint at some benefits. "
Han Cangshui was speechless.
"This... aren't you looking down on yourself too much?"
Li Xuan didn't wish to go. He felt that he was the Crown Prince, and there was no need for him to be so humble.
Pak!
Han Cangshui couldn't take it anymore and directly slapped Li Xuan's face.
"As long as you ascend to the throne in the future, they will all have to kneel before you. Whether they live or die, won't they be at your mercy? Besides, this is called being courteous to the wise! Do you understand? "
Han Cangshui growled, "Quickly go. If anything happens, I'll take care of it for you."
Li Xuan gritted his teeth and went all out.
He could also sense that his aunt and Ziqi were very close. If they were to join forces to fight for the throne, he really wouldn't be a match for them.
The Crown Prince Faction became active, and Li Xuan kept visiting the various elders and loyal officials.
No one suspected that Li Yingqi's sudden stroke was man-made. Firstly, the Imperial Academy of Medicine's skilled doctors had already examined him. Moreover, although Li Yingqi wasn't a fatuous ruler, he was lustful and couldn't live without women. When he first ascended to the throne, he had to participate in the consort selection every year.
Li Yingqi had many sons, but most of them were mediocre. They weren't as outstanding as Li Xuan. In addition, Li Xuan had been the Crown Prince for ten years and had a certain level of popularity and foundation. Therefore, when he went around, many people decided to support him.
Li Xuan saw that the momentum was great and that he was getting closer and closer to the throne. He gradually became arrogant. Occasionally, in private, he would even address himself as the Emperor.
This advantage was maintained until Li Xiu and Li Ziqi arrived in Chang 'an. It began to be curbed and even took a turn for the worse.
"Why is this happening?"
Li Xuan panicked. This was because if he went to find the officials again, they would either feign illness or be half-hearted.
This was a bad omen.
As Li Ziqi was a princess, she didn't have the qualifications to be the Emperor. But now, there were officials supporting her.
...
When Han Cangshui came to the Crown Prince Palace and found Li Xuan, he discovered that this fellow was drinking and was already drunk.
"What are you doing?"
Han Cangshui was very angry. (At such a critical moment, you are actually drunk?)
"Aunt is persuading me to give up the throne for the sake of the Great Tang."
Li Xuan cried. He respected Li Xiu very much, but today, Li Xiu had hurt his heart.
"You agreed?"
Han Cangshui's eyes narrowed.
"Is there any use in not agreeing? Aunt's influence in the royal court is very great! "
Li Xuan felt that he couldn't win.
"If you don't even dare to fight for it, you have already lost!"
Han Cangshui encouraged him.
"Your Highness, Zheng Qingfang pays his respects?"
A eunuch knocked on the door and reported.
"Grandpa Zheng is here?"
Li Xuan was delighted. "Teacher, I'll go meet Grandpa Zheng first. If he supports me, then I won't be afraid of Aunt Xiu!"
Zheng Qingfang was a doyen of three dynasties. Although he had already retired, his influence was immense.
When Li Xuan saw Zheng Qingfang in the guest hall, he quickly went over, not giving Zheng Qingfang a chance to bow. "Grandpa Zheng, Father is critically ill. Why don't you quickly return to the royal court to preside over the situation?"
"Without you, the Great Tang can't do it!"
Li Xuan still knew how to say such beautiful words. He directly put on a high hat for Zheng Qingfang.
Zheng Qingfang didn't feel complacent just because he was flattered a little. After he insisted on bowing, he earnestly persuaded, "Your Highness, for the sake of the Great Tang, please give up the throne to Princess Ziqi!"
"What?"
Li Xuan was stunned. He instantly felt as though he had fallen into an ice cave. If even Zheng Qingfang supported Li Ziqi, how could he win?
"Grandpa Zheng, why is this so?"
Li Xuan grew anxious. "Did I do anything to make you unhappy? I can change! "
"..."
Zheng Qingfang bitterly smiled. If Li Ziqi wasn't there as a comparison, Li Xuan would also make do.
To speak the truth, the patriarchal Zheng Qingfang also didn't really want to support Li Ziqi's ascension. After all, in the history of the Great Tang, there had never been a female empress. However, Ziqi was too outstanding. Moreover, she had a teacher like Sun Mo.
Before he came to meet the crown prince, Li Xiu had looked for him and publicly expressed her support for Li Ziqi's ascension.
What did this mean?
Even if Li Xuan ascended to the throne, it was useless. Li Xiu could start a coup. In addition to Sun Mo's influence in the great teacher world, even if he couldn't topple Li Xuan, he would be able to deal a heavy blow to the Great Tang.
"Your Highness, why don't you let Ziqi give it a try first? If she doesn't do well, will you ascend to the throne? "
Zheng Qingfang suggested.
"Can you even try to be the emperor?"
Li Xuan mocked. No matter who sat on the throne, they wouldn't take the initiative to come down.
The conversation between the two of them ended on bad terms.
When Han Cangshui saw Li Xuan returning with an expression as though his father had died, she knew that nothing good had happened.
"Teacher, that old fogey, Zheng Qingfang, has also sided with Li Ziqi!"
Li Xuan was in great pain. "Our chances of winning are too small."
"You want to give up?"
Han Cangshui questioned.
"What can I do?"
Li Xuan felt very helpless. The two most influential people in the hall, Li Xiu and Zheng Qingfang, were both standing on Li Ziqi's side.
"We can only strike first to gain the upper hand!"
Han Cangshui also knew that they wouldn't be able to win through a simple competition. They could only use underhanded means to kill them.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
