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The two brothers hurried to the entrance of the residence. "We pay our respects to Father!"
"Your humble son did not know you had arrived, and I apologize for the late welcome. Please forgive me!" Li Yuanji added quickly.
"There's no need for formalities. Yuanji, I heard from your elder brother that you three were going to drink together tonight, so I thought I'd join in on the fun!" Li Yuan said with a smile.
"That's wonderful! Father, your unexpected visit brings great honor to our humble abode!" Li Yuanji quickly flattered, thinking that it was indeed Li Shimin who had invited their father. Did he do so without realizing his intentions?
It must be that Li Shimin wanted to please Father! He surely doesn't know my plans, Li Yuanji thought to himself.
Then, Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin, and Li Yuanji exchanged greetings before ushering Li Yuan into the main hall of Prince Qi's Residence.
Qin Shubao naturally could not enter; he had to stay in the side hall for dinner, waiting for Li Shimin afterward.
Two of Li Yuan's guards entered, one following the emperor closely. While the emperor dined, he stood guard beside him. The other guard remained in the side hall for dinner and would switch places with a guard in the main hall afterward.
The four of them sat down at the table, and Li Jiancheng discreetly glanced at the screen; the figure behind it had vanished.
The person who had just been hiding behind the screen was Yuwen Bao. He wasn't foolish; upon hearing that the emperor had arrived, he realized that today's assassination attempt had failed. With Li Yuanji's hint, he quickly made his escape when Prince Qi and the Crown Prince went to greet their father. Of course, Yuwen Bao took the back door.
Now everyone was present, though there was one more person than expected—Father had not been accounted for in Li Yuanji's plans. He quickly instructed for dishes to be served and wine poured.
"Come, elder brother, second brother, let us raise a glass to Father! May you have blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and live a long life!" Li Yuanji felt quite irritated inside but had to pretend to be very happy on the surface.
"Cheers to Father! May you have blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea and live a long life!" Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin naturally echoed.
"Ha ha, good! Cheers! We are family; there's no need for excessive formality!" Li Yuan laughed heartily as he raised his cup and drank with his three sons.
With their father in such high spirits, the three princes seemed to relax and began to act more casually at the table, showcasing a lively scene of brotherly camaraderie.
After several rounds of drinks and various dishes,
"Yuanji, did you invite your elder brother and second brother over for any particular matter?" Li Yuan began to inquire about serious matters.
"Father, you know your humble son enjoys hunting. I was wondering if we could go hunting together one day," Li Yuanji replied.
This was originally an excuse to invite Li Shimin over for drinks. But now that the assassination plan against him could not be carried out, they had no choice but to settle on this hunting idea instead.
Indeed, Li Yuanji loved hunting. During the second year of Wu De, when Li Yuan assigned him to guard Bingzhou, he had over thirty carts loaded with nets. He once said, "I would rather go three days without food than go a single day without hunting."
Now in Chang'an, hunting was not so easy. Without the emperor's permission, who would dare hunt? In the capital city, could one not use hunting as an opportunity for rebellion?
Thus, during his time in Chang'an, Li Yuanji felt an itch for hunting but found himself helpless. Now was a chance to persuade their father into taking them on a hunt; it would count as a gain after all.
"Very well! I will have someone prepare for it. At the beginning of next month, I will take you three to the Chang'an South Hunting Ground for a hunt!" Li Yuan nodded in agreement.
As long as there is no open conflict among the three sons, what does it matter if they go hunting once?
"Thank you, Father Emperor, for your permission!" Li Yuanji said, feeling happy that his father had agreed.
"Thank you, Father Emperor!" Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin also expressed their gratitude. Although they were not as enthusiastic about hunting as Li Yuanji, both had been on the battlefield and certainly did not mind the activity.
"Make sure you three prepare well. Once the date is set, I will inform you!" Li Yuan continued.
"Understood!" Li Jiancheng, Li Shimin, and Li Yuanji all nodded in agreement.
"Then I shall return to the palace!" With matters settled and everyone having enjoyed their meal, Li Yuan announced his departure.
"I shall also take my leave and accompany Father Emperor back to the palace!" Li Shimin immediately offered to leave with him.
Hmm, it seems this second son is rather afraid of being left alone and wants to follow me? Li Yuan thought to himself but said nothing.
"I humbly escort Father Emperor!" Li Jiancheng stood up and spoke before Li Yuanji could. He then turned to Li Shimin and said, "Since Second Brother is escorting Father Emperor back to the palace, I won't intrude. I'll leave this matter to you!"
Li Jiancheng's eagerness to speak was likely due to his concern that Li Yuanji might try to keep Li Shimin from leaving, which could interfere with his assassination plans.
"Rest assured, Elder Brother. I will ensure Father Emperor returns safely to Tai Chi Palace!" Li Shimin replied.
"Yuanji humbly escorts Father Emperor as well, Second Brother!" At this point, there was no way for Li Yuanji to keep Li Shimin from leaving, so he could only bid farewell.
"Shimin, let us go!" Li Yuan said.
"Yes, Father Emperor!" Li Shimin followed Li Yuan out.
Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji saw them off at the door. After they left, instead of returning to the living room, Li Yuanji pulled Li Jiancheng into the study.
"Elder Brother, did you know in advance that Father Emperor would come tonight?" Li Yuanji asked directly, feeling quite dejected.
Li Jiancheng shook his head. "How would Elder Brother know? It was clearly Shimin who called Father Emperor here. Didn't you see they came together and left together?"
"Could it be that Prince Qin has sensed our plan?" Li Yuanji worried again.
"That shouldn't be possible. Only we two know about this; how could Prince Qin find out? Besides, look at how happy Father Emperor seems. If they knew about our plan, wouldn't Father Emperor be angry? He would definitely scold us harshly!" Li Jiancheng pretended to analyze the situation.
Li Yuanji nodded. "That's true. Prince Qin might just be afraid and called Father Emperor here for that reason. He even brought Qin Qiong along."
Qin Qiong is none other than Qin Shubao.
"It should be. If he wants to harm us, he must first guard against us!" Li Jiancheng agreed.
"Ah, this time he escaped a disaster. It will be harder to find another opportunity later!" Li Yuanji sighed.
"Fourth Brother, don't lose heart. As long as we think of a way together, there will definitely be more chances," Li Jiancheng encouraged.
"That's all we can do! I'm just afraid he will strike first!" Li Yuanji replied.
"That won't happen for now. In Chang'an City, he can't mobilize troops. Besides, if he dares to act recklessly, would Father Emperor let him off?" Li Jiancheng reassured him.
"That's true!" Li Yuanji nodded.
"Yuanji, don't worry too much. It's getting late; I'll take my leave now!" With that, Li Jiancheng stood up to leave.
"Alright! It's late, so I won't keep you any longer, Brother," Li Yuanji said as he got up to see him off.
After sending off Li Jiancheng, Yuwen Bao approached.
"Let's go to the study!" Li Yuanji said.
Once in the study, Yuwen Bao anxiously asked, "Your Highness, why did the Emperor come tonight?"
"General Yuwen, this wasn't part of the plan; I was surprised too! We've missed this opportunity and will have to wait for the next one," Li Yuanji replied, clearly frustrated.
"When will the next time be?" Yuwen Bao's mood seemed quite urgent.
"I haven't thought that far yet! When I do, I will let you know."
"I will wait for your news, Your Highness!"
"Yes. It's already very late; you should rest early!"
"I take my leave!"
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