Chapter Three: Nonsense

Beside Li Shimin, Zhangsun Wuji nearly burst into laughter but quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

He thought to himself: This fellow is truly talking nonsense!

How old is Prince Jin?

Usually gentle, humble, and uninterested in worldly affairs—how could he possibly pose a threat to Li Chengqian?

Li Shimin shook his head inwardly. "This is utterly ridiculous! That child... he’s still just a kid!"

Li Chengqian also waved his hands repeatedly, half laughing, half exasperated: "Brother Zhao, surely you must be joking with me?"

"That child... he’s just a little over ten years old, his temperament so mild, and he’s always shy around me—how could he threaten me?"

Zhao Mu paid no mind, only smiled faintly and said, "Your Highness, one must not judge a person by appearances alone."

"Although Prince Jin is young and seems gentle, that is precisely his advantage."

He paused, then continued, "First, because he is young, the court officials rarely see him as a threat and do not consider him a strong candidate for heir apparent, which gives him the chance to quietly amass strength."

"Second, his benevolent and filial nature endears him deeply to His Majesty, making this his greatest political capital."

"Third, His Majesty’s heart still bears the eternal pain of the Xuanwu Gate Incident—a shadow he can never fully cast off."

"He personally extinguished his own brothers to claim this supreme throne."

"Would he be willing to see his sons repeat such a fratricidal tragedy?"

Nearby, upon hearing the words "Xuanwu Gate," Li Shimin’s body jolted sharply, his face growing grave.

That bloody chapter of history was a scar in his heart that would never fade.

Just as Zhao Mu said, he would never want his sons to endure such bitter strife again.

Watching Li Chengqian’s expression change, Zhao Mu went on, "To prevent a second Xuanwu Gate and to preserve the lives of you brothers, His Majesty’s most likely choice would be the prince who appears least threatening, mild in nature, young, and currently unable to form a power base—Prince Li Zhi."

"Appointing him would at least spare you and your brother."

"His Majesty might not bear to see you tear each other apart, only to end up mutually defeated."

Li Chengqian pondered deeply.

Zhao Mu’s analysis sounded absurd, yet, upon reflection, it was not entirely without reason.

Who could truly fathom the intentions of the emperor?

From the next room, Li Shimin listened, the scorn on his face fading, replaced by a heavy seriousness.

The more he considered Zhao Mu’s words, the more unsettling they became.

Indeed, although the boy was young, his mother was a favored palace maid, his uncle was Zhangsun Wuji, and he himself was famed for his benevolence and filial piety.

If Chengqian and Qingque’s rivalry grew too fierce and disappointed the emperor utterly, supporting a young, unestablished but high-born prince for the sake of the Tang dynasty’s stability might well be a choice.

"Come to think of it... there might be some truth to it," Li Shimin muttered, then shook his head.

"But it’s still too early to say for sure—after all, the boy is young and his character not yet set."

Li Chengqian’s smile stiffened after hearing Zhao Mu’s reasoning.

He had never considered the matter from this angle.

That timid ninth brother who always shyly called him "Crown Prince Brother"—could he really be a threat?

He took a deep breath, suppressing his shock, and hurriedly asked, "Then... Brother Zhao, who is this second person you mentioned? Who is the second person?"

Zhao Mu’s gaze shifted away from Li Chengqian and stared quietly out the window.

"This second person is the current Minister of Works, Duke of Zhao, Zhangsun Wuji."

Boom!

Li Chengqian suddenly sprang from his seat, his face pale as death, shouting in disbelief: "Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"

"Uncle... how could he be my rival? He’s my very own uncle!"

Uncle had always been his staunchest supporter and the emperor’s most trusted minister—how could it be otherwise?

Next door, Zhangsun Wuji looked as if struck by lightning, frozen in place as the tea cup in his hand crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

"Your Majesty, this... this young man spreads treacherous slander! Seditious talk!" Zhangsun Wuji almost fell to his knees before Li Shimin.

Li Shimin’s face darkened until it seemed to drip with gloom.

He steadied the trembling Zhangsun Wuji and said sternly, "Fu Ji, calm yourself. I want to hear what flowers this man can spin."

Though he spoke calmly, inside Li Shimin’s murderous intent toward Zhao Mu had risen to its peak.

This Zhao Mu first dared to slander the sovereign’s father, then sow discord among the princes, and now tried to drive a wedge between himself and Fu Ji!

Such a villain must be eliminated before he becomes a grave threat!

Li Chengqian still refused to believe it and shook his head repeatedly: "Brother Zhao, you must be mistaken."

"Uncle has always cared for me and is utterly loyal to the Tang dynasty. History is full of stories of maternal relatives meddling in politics and powerful ministers usurping authority, but my uncle..."

"Your Highness, do you know that power is the most corrosive thing to the human heart?" Zhao Mu interrupted.

"Lord Zhangsun holds the highest office beneath the emperor and wields immense authority, with loyal followers throughout the court and provinces."

"Though he is His Majesty’s trusted minister and your own uncle, once his power grows strong enough to threaten the throne, events may no longer be within his control."

Li Chengqian was stunned. He had never considered this, nor dared to.

But Zhao Mu gave him no chance to evade, continuing, "Your Highness, consider why Lord Zhangsun is so devoted to assisting you. Both you and Prince Wei are born of the Empress, yet why does he favor you above all?"

Li Chengqian opened his mouth to retort but found no words.

Indeed, why did his uncle single him out?

He had never thought beyond the notion that an uncle simply protects his nephew.

But hearing Zhao Mu’s words, doubt crept quietly into his heart.

"That is because..."

His voice was dry and faltering; he dared not say more.

For he had a faint suspicion of the cruel truth but was unwilling to accept it.

Zhao Mu spoke the harsh reality for him: "Because Your Highness is the guarantee for the Zhangsun family’s continued power!"