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"Then I won't keep you any longer, Brother. What happened today must be kept a secret!" Li Jiancheng urged.
"I understand, Your Highness," Li Yuanji replied with a nod, then left with satisfaction.
Wei Zheng tried to persuade Li Jiancheng a bit more, emphasizing the importance of taking seriously his and Prince Qi's advice and being prepared to strike first. Li Jiancheng recognized Wei Zheng's good intentions and agreed to his suggestions.
Only then did Wei Zheng leave happily.
Li Jiancheng watched his retreating figure and couldn't help but shake his head. He had no intention of taking to heart the words of Li Yuanji and Wei Zheng. He was well aware of the situation and had his own plans; he didn't need others to strategize for him.
Moreover, what would happen to Li Yuan if he eliminated Li Shimin? Therefore, Li Jiancheng felt that it was not wise to eliminate Li Shimin before his own strength had increased. As the Crown Prince, he was destined to ascend the throne. Recklessly getting rid of Li Shimin could backfire and cause him to lose the very position he held.
Additionally, there would be those loyal to Li Shimin who would seek revenge against him. Their methods of retaliation would likely involve ambushes or assassinations, making it difficult for him to defend himself. Thus, such foolish actions were something Li Jiancheng would never undertake.
Li Yuanji, on the other hand, wanted to use Li Jiancheng's hand to eliminate their second brother, Li Shimin, then replace him and ascend to the throne himself, ultimately sitting in the chair at Tai Chi Hall. Li Jiancheng had some inkling of Li Yuanji's intentions.
After achieving his goal in the Eastern Palace, Li Yuanji returned happily to Prince Qi's Residence and summoned General Yuwen Bao to his study.
"General Yuwen, do you know how your brother died?" After closing the door, Li Yuanji asked Yuwen Bao.
Yuwen Bao's brother was Yu Wen Ying. Both brothers were skilled in both literature and martial arts; however, the elder brother leaned towards literature while the younger favored martial prowess.
"Your Highness, wasn't my brother killed by the chaos of war?" Yuwen Bao found it strange that Prince Qi would ask such a question.
Li Yuanji shook his head. "Not at all. I have sent people to investigate, and it turns out that Lord Yuwen was with my second brother, Prince Qin—Li Shimin—when they returned to Chang'an. Someone saw him leave Ningzhou with Prince Qin. But once they reached Ren Zhi Palace, Lord Yuwen disappeared. So tell me, how did your brother die?"
"Your Highness, are you suggesting that my brother was killed by Prince Qin?" Yuwen Bao's eyes widened in shock.
Li Yuanji nodded. "Yes. Based on where Lord Yuwen's body was found, it seems likely. His corpse was discovered in a grove along the route from Ningzhou to Ren Zhi Palace, with only one gunshot wound from behind piercing through to his chest—clearly indicating he was caught off guard. Moreover, considering the timing, by then the rebellion had already quelled; how could he have died amidst chaotic troops?"
"Why would Li Shimin want to kill my brother?" Yuwen Bao asked angrily upon hearing this.
"General Yuwen," Li Yuanji explained, "the Yang Wengan Incident was a carefully orchestrated conspiracy by Prince Qin against Crown Prince. Lord Yuwen must have known something that Prince Qin feared would be revealed before the Emperor; thus he had him killed."
"Your Highness, why are you telling me this? Do you wish for me to avenge my brother?" Yuwen Bao was not foolish; knowing that Prince Qin was Prince Qi's second brother made it clear that there was an ulterior motive behind this revelation.
"Yes. Your brother was a friend of mine; I mourn his death deeply. Initially, I hesitated to tell you the truth because I feared it would upset you and also because— as you said—Prince Qin is my second brother," Li Yuanji said.
Then he shifted his tone: "However, Crown Prince is my elder brother. Since Prince Qin has harmed the Crown Prince without regard for familial ties, why should I hold back? The Crown Prince just summoned me to the Eastern Palace and expressed a desire for us to join forces against Prince Qin. I agreed and saw this as an opportunity for General Yuwen to avenge your brother; hence I revealed the truth about your brother's death."
"I will follow Your Highness's orders. As long as I can avenge my brother, I will have no regrets in death!" Yuwen Bao immediately expressed his stance.
"Good, General Yuwen, do not be anxious! Once I have made the arrangements, I will instruct you on what to do," Li Yuanji nodded in satisfaction.
"Very well, then I shall take my leave!"
"Go ahead!"
Three days later, Li Yuanji arrived at the Eastern Palace once again.
Li Jiancheng welcomed him into the study this time and did not call for Wei Zheng or others to accompany them.
"Fourth brother, have you come up with a good idea this time?" Li Jiancheng asked with a smile.
"Elder brother, I have thought for several days but haven't come up with a foolproof plan. However, there is one method that we might as well try," Li Yuanji said with a feigned sense of helplessness.
"What method? Do tell!"
"Elder brother might consider inviting Second Brother to the Eastern Palace for drinks. Then we can arrange for an assassin to kill him. What do you think?" Li Yuanji suggested tentatively.
"No! If we assassinate him in the Eastern Palace, how can I escape the blame?" Li Jiancheng immediately shook his head. Such an obvious plan was something he had to reject; he couldn't be too naive.
"Elder brother, we could say that Li Shimin died of sudden illness, wouldn't that work?" Li Yuanji continued to probe.
"Would Father believe that?" Li Jiancheng asked.
"Father might not believe it, but what can he do? By then, Li Shimin would already be dead; would Father dare to punish you?"
"He wouldn't kill me, but Father would strip me of my title as Crown Prince!"
"That’s impossible! Li Shimin is dead; if you’re not the Crown Prince, who else would be?"
"Isn't there still Prince Qi?"
"Elder brother is joking. I have no ability to be the Crown Prince, nor do I have any desire for it. Since you feel it’s inappropriate at the Eastern Palace, how about we move it to my Prince Qi's Residence?" Li Yuanji finally began to reveal his true plan.
"Prince Qi's Residence? That might not be good for Fourth Brother," Li Jiancheng pretended to hesitate.
"It doesn’t matter! As long as it clears the obstacles for you to ascend the throne in the future, I will have no complaints!" Li Yuanji put on a righteous facade.
Seeing Fourth Brother so willing, Li Jiancheng was naturally touched: "Thank you so much, Fourth Brother! What are the specific arrangements?"
"I plan to invite you and Second Brother to my residence for drinks tomorrow or the day after. I will arrange for an assassin to hide behind the screen beforehand. We will encourage Li Shimin to drink more, and when he is sufficiently intoxicated, the assassin will strike," Li Yuanji laid out his plan.
Li Jiancheng nodded, "Hmm, not bad. Let's set it for the day after tomorrow! But will Li Shimin come? What reason will you give to invite us for drinks?"
"I've already thought of two reasons. First, it's been a long time since the three of us have had a drink together; it's about time we gathered. Second, our father hasn't taken us hunting in a while. We can discuss it together and persuade him to take us hunting one of these days."
"Oh, those two reasons should be enough to convince Li Shimin."
"Then it's settled, brother! I’ll take my leave now!"
"Alright, safe travels, fourth brother!"
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