To Princess Taiping, entering the Imperial Palace was as easy as entering her own mansion; there was no need for her to report. Taiping entered through the Black Tortoise Gate and walked along the Thousand Steps Corridor to Xianchi Palace Hall. She saw a bright yellow imperial canopy in front of her. Knowing that her brother must be there, she hastened her steps.
As he got closer, he saw his brother, Li Dan, lying on a chair with a fishing rod in his hand. He seemed to be fishing. Princess Taiping raised her hand to stop the palace maids from crouching down to greet and report. She looked closely and saw that her brother was sleeping with a thin blanket around his waist.
There was a table next to the chair with dried fruits, dried meat and various snacks on it. There was also a tin pot and a jade cup with some wine left in it. Taiping angrily called out, "Brother, the fish has taken the bait!"
"Ah!"
Li Dan was startled awake and scrambled to pick up the fishing rod. When the hook came out of the water, there was only bait on it and no fish took the bait. Li Dan glared at Taiping and said, "You! You really know how to make trouble. I was sleeping soundly and was woken up by you."
Princess Taiping sat down on the rope bed and grumbled, "Brother, this Taiping Son of Heaven is really free and unfettered. He doesn't care about the affairs of the country at all. That's fine, but with the matter of the heir apparent, one careless mistake will cause endless trouble in the future. How can you sleep soundly with such an important matter unresolved?"
Li Dan was startled and then burst into laughter. He pointed at Princess Taiping and said, "I was wondering why you came. So it's about the heir apparent. Ha ha, of course I don't need to worry about this matter because it's already been resolved."
Princess Taiping was startled and hurriedly leaned forward and said, "It's already been resolved? How did you solve it? "
Li Dan said, "Speaking of which, the heir apparent position should belong to Chengda. But Longji's meritorious service is outstanding and this country was seized by him. If I don't appoint him as the heir apparent, I feel that it's unfair to him.
I'm in a dilemma. I didn't expect Chengda to hear about this and immediately came to the palace to tell me that he doesn't want to be the heir apparent and is trying his best to recommend his third brother to me. You see, in this way, won't the problem of choosing a successor be easily solved? "
Li Dan stroked his beard and said in a gratified tone, "Lingyue, the throne is something that can make one lose all rationality and conscience. Since ancient times, how many people have been willing to kill each other for the sake of this supreme position?
The so-called blood was thicker than water, but in front of this supreme imperial power, it was a joke. However, the throne that so many people yearn for day and night will eventually be abandoned by some people. As the saying goes, 'Some people rush to the examination hall at night, some people resign and return to their hometown'. Successful people are like me, like me. "
Li Dan picked up the wine cup on the table and drained it in one gulp. Savoring the taste of the wine, he said proudly: "Lingyue, I admit that in terms of ability, breadth of mind and boldness, I am inferior to my father and grandfather. But when it comes to teaching children, from Great Ancestor to all the ancestors, who can compare to me? "
Princess Taiping's expression suddenly changed: "Li Chengqi voluntarily resigned from the position of Crown Prince?"
Originally, in terms of feudal etiquette and imperial law, Li Chengqi, who was both the eldest son and the legitimate son, was the undisputed candidate for the position of Crown Prince. But now that Li Chengqi voluntarily resigned from the position of Crown Prince, this was terrible.
Li Chengqi's actions immediately became the undisputed support of the imperial family for Li Longji. Li Longji had already made great contributions that no one could deny. Now that Li Chengqi voluntarily resigned, what reason did she have to oppose this matter?
Taiping said anxiously: "Imperial Brother, you absolutely cannot do this! Establishing a legitimate son is a law passed down by our ancestors! If we violate this rule, our descendants will all covet the throne and fall. Won't our Tang dynasty be plagued with troubles from then on? "
"Hehe …"
Li Dan laughed a few times, his laughter a bit cold. "Established by the ancestors? Lingyue, is there an ancestor's law for a wife to substitute for her husband? Is there an ancestor's law for a mother to substitute for her son? Is there an ancestor's law for an empress dowager? Since ancient times, which dynasty and generation has avoided killing each other when establishing a legitimate son?
Will we be able to ensure eternal peace if we insist on establishing a legitimate son? That's just a way of deceiving ourselves. Now that Longji has made great contributions to the country and his elder brother has taken the initiative to resign, isn't this a good thing for brothers to respect each other? Why shouldn't we be happy to see this happen? "
"This …"
Faced with Li Dan's series of questions, Princess Taiping was truly speechless. After thinking for a bit, she said again, "But does Imperial Brother really think that Chengqi is willing to relinquish his position? Longji killed House Wei and obtained the support of the generals. Could it be that Chengqi is doing this to protect himself … "
Li Dan was displeased when he heard this. He said to Princess Taiping, "Lingyue, I know my son very well. Chengqi is not a cowardly and incompetent child. Back when the divine dragon coup d 'état, my five sons followed me into the southern yamen to seize military power. Chengqi charged at the front alone. When have I ever felt fear?
Imperial Brother was suspicious of me, so Longji and the other two sons were expelled from the capital, while Chengqi and Chengyi remained in the capital as hostages. At that time, in order to avoid arousing suspicion, I did not step out of the house. Moreover, Chengqi did not care about the Emperor's suspicions and worked hard to deal with the nobles in the court. This was my chance to survive. Do you think Chengqi is a person who is afraid of trouble?
Chengqi and his five brothers are very close. They are not people who would kill each other for a mere throne. Now that the new dynasty has just been established, there are many things waiting to be done. If Chengqi is determined to take the throne, it is best that he does not give in now! Lingyue, you think too much. "
Princess Taiping saw that the conversation was not agreeable and did not continue. She only thought in her heart, "Whoever started the trouble should untie it. To solve this problem, I still have to rely on Li Chengqi. I have to take advantage of the fact that Imperial Brother has not made his decree to the world to persuade Chengqi to change his mind."
Thinking of this, Princess Taiping avoided talking about this matter and talked about other things with Li Dan. After a while, she stood up and took her leave. Li Dan didn't suspect anything. He was still tipsy, so he collapsed on the chair. In a short while, he became a fisherman who had fallen asleep.
Taiping left the Imperial Palace and immediately set out for Li Chengqi's mansion in Longqing Square.
Li Chengqi entered the Imperial Palace and resigned from the position of Crown Prince to his father. After getting his father's permission, he was overjoyed. He excitedly returned to the mansion and took out a jade flute. Taking advantage of his excitement, he played the "Three Plays of Plum Blossom". His heart was full of joy.
Li Chengqi was six years older than Li Longji. When he was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace, he was already very sensible. He had seen too many tragedies in the palace. For the sake of the throne, the mother killed the son, the wife killed the husband, the son killed the father …
When his father was imprisoned in the Eastern Palace, he did not know how many times he would wake up in the middle of the night because he was afraid of being framed by cruel officials. His birth mother was beaten to death by his grandmother because of a groundless accusation.
Experiencing all kinds of hardships in life made Li Chengqi have an unusual understanding of life since he was young. Regarding the throne, he was as indifferent to it as his father. Now that he could finally relax, he was very happy.
At this moment, someone suddenly came to report: "Your Highness, Princess Taiping has arrived!"
Li Chengqi put down the jade flute in surprise. Before he could tidy up his clothes and go out to greet her, he saw that Princess Taiping had already walked into the back garden. Li Chengqi hurriedly walked forward and bowed: "I did not know that Aunt Daren has arrived. Your nephew did not go out to greet you. Please forgive me."
Princess Taiping said: "We are family, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Chengqi, I have long heard that you are proficient in music. Just now I heard your "Three Plays of Plum Blossom". You really have great attainments. My family's Chongjian only knows how to be brave and fierce. You should let him get closer to you and learn some elegant things. "
Li Chengqi smiled modestly: "Chongjian loves martial arts, but I am afraid he cannot learn my interests. He has always been good friends with San Lang. San Lang's Jie Gu is also excellent. If cousin wants to learn music, San Lang can do it. "
Princess Taiping raised her eyebrows and said: "Speaking of San Lang, I heard that you resigned from the position of Crown Prince to the Emperor? Chengqi, you are the eldest son of His Majesty. According to the etiquette, you should be the Crown Prince. Why did you give up? "
Li Chengqi was stunned. Only now did he understand the reason for his aunt's sudden visit. Li Chengqi hurriedly explained: "Aunt, the Crown Prince is the foundation of the country. Chengqi has always been lazy and indifferent. How can I bear such a big responsibility?"
Princess Taiping stared at him and asked in a deep voice: "Chengqi, do you think that Longji has the support of the military and has misgivings? Is that why you gave up the position of Crown Prince?"
Li Chengqi was stunned.
Princess Taiping said: "Chengqi, you are the Crown Prince. All the officials in the court are very supportive. Aunt will also fully support you. As long as you are willing, aunt can immediately ask the Emperor to appoint you as the Crown Prince. You will be in command of the Sixteen Guards of the Southern Palace and form the most elite Six Commanders of the Eastern Palace.
Moreover, on that day, only the winged cavalry and ten thousand cavalry troops accompanied Longji. The other guards of the North Gate Imperial Army did not participate. The North Gate Imperial Army can take this opportunity to regroup.
All the officials in the court are on your side. When you have the military power in your hands, your position will be as stable as Mount Tai! But as long as you give up today, you will never have a chance. Chengqi, you have to think clearly! "
Li Chengqi's astonished expression gradually turned into a tranquil smile. Although the one standing in front of him was Princess Taiping, whose prestige, status, authority, and talent were far beyond his reach, because of this tranquility, he seemed to be even more ethereal and elegant than Princess Taiping.
Li Chengqi smiled and said in a gentle but firm voice, "Chengqi appreciates Aunt's kind intentions. Many people may care about the throne, but not everyone cares about it. If third brother can shoulder this burden for me, Li Tang, I will only be grateful and happy to him. I don't want to sit on this throne! "
When Princess Taiping left King Song's Mansion, her heart was full of depression. Li Chengqi and Li Longji were willing to fight, how could she be the bad guy?
"No way! As long as the matter is not settled, there is still a chance. I will immediately mobilize the officials to oppose this! "
Princess Taiping thought and stepped into the carriage. The carriage started. Li Chengqi stood at the door and bowed deeply. Princess Taiping was so dispirited that she did not even bother to return the greeting.
The guards of honor moved slowly and suddenly passed by the Yang residence. Princess Taiping saw the gate of the Yang residence and suddenly thought of the agreement with Yang Fan today. She could not help but let out a soft cry and hurriedly ordered: "Stop the carriage!"
Taiping thought: "He should be back at this hour?"
After a while, her personal guard hurried back from the gate of the Yang residence and reported to her: "Your Highness, General Yang is on a trip and is not in the residence."
Taiping was startled and asked: "Going on a trip? Where is he going? "
The guard said: "The door of the Yang residence said that General Yang is on a trip to Dong Ying with his son. This trip will take more than half a year."
Hearing this, Princess Taiping was at a loss.
On the Ba, Yang Fan swung the stirrup and got off the horse. Yang Nianzu stood at the bow and waved to him. Yang Fan smiled at his son and waved to Wan 'er and A' Nu standing at the bow. He turned his head to look back at Chang 'an and sighed sadly. He stepped onto the ship.
In the distance, on the plain, under the weeping willow.
Princess Yuzhen's graceful figure seemed more graceful than the willow branches. She looked at the cloud-like sail on the big ship in the distance and gently broke off a willow branch. The tears in her eyes were as clear as dew.
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