I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 535 - 51: Sudden Awakening, Father and Son (Part 1)

Li Shimin was just as Gu Yi had guessed.

He realized the struggle between his two sons was gradually getting out of his control and intended to break it all over again.

And in such a situation, the truth finally began to surface.

...

Meanwhile, the atmosphere between the Eastern Palace and Prince Wei’s Mansion was worlds apart.

Inside Prince Wei’s Mansion, the silence was as heavy as a mountain.

Li Tai sat there in his study, trembling uncontrollably.

Li Shimin had summoned him back.

Clearly, he didn’t fully trust him.

This brought him immense fear, making it impossible for him to calm down.

Thoughts kept flashing through his mind about whether someone would reveal everything and how Li Shimin would react if they did.

All of this filled him with extreme terror.

In contrast, although the atmosphere in the Eastern Palace was still heavy,

Li Chengqian was quite composed.

The reason, too, was simple.

He didn’t feel he had done anything wrong.

"How can a king always be restrained by others?" he said to Gu Lei.

This was Li Chengqian’s truest thought.

He had already backed down, so since those people continued to press him, why should he hold back?

As for what Li Shimin would think,

in Li Chengqian’s eyes, he might just be angry and scold him for a while.

After all, those were Li Tai’s people.

Back then, Li Shimin could even bear to kill Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji; now having just killed two ministers, so what?

The difference in the brothers’ characters was abundantly clear at this point.

Li Chengqian was indeed very much like Li Shimin.

Toward enemies, he wouldn’t show any mercy.

Time passed swiftly.

No one knew what had happened in Taiji Hall until the message finally spread at sunset.

— Chai Lingwu sentenced to death, but due to his father’s merits, his sentence was commuted to exile.

All the key conspirators under Prince Wei’s command,

would face trial.

Indeed, some of them, under Li Shimin’s pressure, couldn’t hold on and confessed everything.

This outcome filled Li Tai with despair; even the ministers, upon hearing, felt Li Shimin had already made a decision.

But Li Shimin was impartial and also punished Li Chengqian.

His rights to participate in governance were revoked;

all those under his command who participated in the conspiracy to harm the ministers were executed.

Even some of the Crown Prince’s followers, even if they didn’t get involved in this matter, were demoted for "failing to advise".

The court was in an uproar!

In just one day, Li Shimin had thoroughly shattered the entire court of Great Tang.

Whether it was Li Chengqian or Li Tai, both of their powers were swiftly weakened.

And precisely because of this—

nobody could be sure about the position of Crown Prince.

They dared not speak carelessly.

Li Shimin’s methods today had made everyone who had sought to exploit the situation afraid to imagine; if this was just the first time, who knows what would happen if it happened again?

Opportunism?

Who would dare to gamble now?

In the Taiji Hall, it was exceptionally quiet.

Li Shimin sat there on the dragon throne, his expression unusually complex.

He was also having a hard time.

At this point, how could he not understand the state of the Tang Dynasty court now?

It can be said—

they were just one step away from the situation he had with Li Jiancheng all those years ago.

But who could he blame?

Li Chengqian was the Crown Prince; for him, this act could be entirely seen as safeguarding his own power.

And Li Tai—

under his countless dotings, it seemed only natural that other thoughts might arise.

In the past, he didn’t care at all about these things, but now he was very clear.

The development between the two brothers to this stage was entirely related to him.

Thinking of these things made Li Shimin’s expression even more complex, and tears welled up in his eyes unknowingly.

He thought of Li Yuan.

Perhaps only by experiencing it himself could he truly understand Li Yuan’s state of mind in the end.

He himself had now actually reached this point, even though the two brothers had not yet reached the end, but the rift seemed irreparable.

Moreover, the most critical issue was—what was to become of the future ruler of Great Tang?

Similar to Gu Jing’s concerns, a heavy thought also weighed on Li Shimin’s heart—with a scheme so coarse, how could Chengqian not see through it?

Yet even seeing through it, he was still consumed by anger and lost control to such an extent!

With such a temperament, how could he possibly take on this vast kingdom?

These issues all troubled Li Shimin, making it difficult for him to find peace of mind.

The foundation of Great Tang, as heavy as a thousand-pound weight.

He could not allow the legacy he built with his life’s blood to follow the downfall of Yang Guang with the wrong successor!

Countless thoughts collided and surged in the dead silence of the hall.

Tears had already rolled down unnoticed.

Li Shimin sat like this until nightfall when he finally took action, quietly speaking to the attendant who stood silent in the corner:

"Summon...summon the Crown Prince."

...

Night.

The moonlight was like a streamer, the Milky Way shallow.

Li Chengqian walked over slowly, his expression still so calm.

Even at this moment, he still didn’t feel he had done anything wrong, and he didn’t take Li Shimin’s punishment seriously at all.

In his view, he had already held back.

Many people would have to wait until he ascended the throne to be killed.

Due to foot ailments, he staggered, struggling to follow the attendant leading the way, and finally reached the Taiji Hall.

"Your son greets father..."

Li Chengqian bowed according to etiquette, suppressing his labored breathing.

But before he could finish, Li Shimin shouted: "Kneel down!"

Li Chengqian’s body paused slightly, quickly glancing at his father’s rage-distorted face.

In an instant, he lowered his eyes, kneeling unsteadily with his ailing leg.

Before both knees touched the ground, Li Shimin’s gaze, filled with burning anger and pain, was firmly fixed on him like a branding iron, and his hoarse voice thundered down:

"Who gave you the courage?!"

"Conspiring against ministers—"

"Even I—have never done such a thing!"

The look in his eyes was incredibly complex.

There was anger; there was also the pain of disappointment.

He would rather Li Chengqian endure everything and wait for the day he ascends the throne to settle accounts.

At least it would appear he could control his emotions.

Unlike now.

Li Chengqian trembled slightly, keeping his head down without a response.

The hall instantly fell silent.

Li Shimin looked at Li Chengqian, his expression growing more complicated.

The words Gu Quan had once said flashed abruptly through his mind.

At this moment, he finally fully agreed with Gu Quan’s judgment.

This son was indeed too much like him.

As stubborn as he was.

Li Chengqian remained kneeling, offering no explanation, but his actions already demonstrated his stance.

The father and son thus fell into a silent standoff.

If it were Li Tai, Li Tai would absolutely have admitted his fault, self-examining in front of Li Shimin at such a moment.

But Li Chengqian wouldn’t.

He didn’t feel he was wrong; instead, he thought he had been very merciful.

Just like how Li Shimin had once exceeded all standards of Li Jiancheng.

Everything has cause and effect; Li Shimin’s excessive cultivation truly nurtured Li Chengqian into a second himself.

But regrettably—

there could never be two completely identical people in this world.

Time flowed amidst suffocating silence.

In the hall, candlelight was torn apart by an unidentified night breeze, casting wavering shadows upon the frozen figures of the father and son.

Li Shimin’s expression grew more complex.

Who knew how much time had passed.

Finally, he acted, staring intently at Li Chengqian, asking in a deep voice: "Chengqian, do you know your fault?"

"I have no fault."

Li Chengqian answered without the slightest hesitation.

He slowly raised his head, met Li Shimin’s gaze firmly, and after taking a deep breath, bowed once more, repeating: "I have no fault!".....

....

(Ps: Begging for monthly votes, I hope my brothers will support me a lot.)