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Chapter 246
Chapter 246
Chapter 246
Li Er remained emotionless before the Martial Excellence Hall as he witnessed Hou Junji’s tragic end in a dead-end situation. His attention shifted towards the Eastern Palace, where an unexpected fire had erupted. While Hou Junji’s rebellion seemed connected to Li Chengqian, the blaze in the Eastern Palace left Li Er bewildered. Had their original plan been to ignite the Eastern Palace, exploiting the chaos to infiltrate it?
However, Li Er quickly dismissed this theory. In warfare, swiftness was paramount, especially during a rebellion. Time was not on the rebels’ side, as delays could lead to unforeseen complications. Even if Hou Junji lacked wisdom, he wouldn’t engage in such a convoluted scheme.
Suddenly, the thunderous sound of approaching horse hooves echoed in the distance, prompting the guards to ready their weapons and encircle Li Er. Under the circumstances of this fateful night, exceptions were made for riding inside the palace.
Li Er remained composed as he observed a palace general racing towards him. The general said, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince, invited Prince Yongle and his wife to a banquet in the Eastern Palace tonight. Shortly after, a massive fire broke out in one of the Eastern Palace halls…”
Li Er’s world seemed to spin. His sword fell to the ground, and he lost his strength. He stumbled and sat on the grand hall steps, surrounded by anxious guards. The square before him was tainted with the smell of blood.
From the Martial Excellence Hall to the Eastern Palace, fires raged uncontrollably. The monarch, who had endured a lifetime of warfare and emerged from the crucible of bloodshed, now faced a scene he knew all too well, yet his heart was heavy with unprecedented sorrow.
Chengqian… was gone!
At that moment, profound grief consumed Li Er. Despite knowing from the moment he laid eyes on Hou Junji that his eldest son was plotting rebellion, he had never considered killing Li Chengqian. Perhaps it was because he had ascended to the throne by eliminating his brothers and compelling his father to surrender that Li Er, who had severed most familial ties with his hands, held family bonds in high regard.
Among the many emperors throughout history, he had a unique fondness for his children. Over the years, with numerous royal marriages, Li Er had only allowed his daughter to be wed to Silla. As for what had occurred, Gaoyang, his daughter, was sent to Silla. It resulted from her grave mistakes, and she was reaping what she had sown.
Li Er had taken great care to nurture his relationships with his sons, even displaying some favoritism towards Li Tai, which was not uncommon in ordinary families, let alone in the imperial realm. However, despite his efforts, he never anticipated that his sons would not reciprocate his desired loyalty. Gaoyang had plotted against Changle, Li Tai sought the position of the Eastern Palace, and now Li Chengqian was planning a rebellion.
Li Er couldn’t help but wonder if this was a punishment from fate for his past actions. Though he didn’t typically believe in such concepts, the news of Li Chengqian’s betrayal made him reconsider.
His disappointment in Li Chengqian’s rebellion ran deep, but surprisingly, he wasn’t as furious as expected. He could empathize with his son’s motivations to some extent. However, there was one unforgivable aspect – plotting harm against Su Li.
Li Er had heard countless reports of Su Li’s battlefield prowess, and he knew the significance of a warrior who could triumph against overwhelming odds. The mere plots and schemes could not easily eliminate such a formidable opponent.
Sitting on the steps, Li Er stared at the flames engulfing the Eastern Palace, tears unknowingly filling his eyes. The intense grief left him with an inexplicable sense of desolation. Memories of his interactions with Li Chengqian flooded his mind, and then, unexpectedly, he coughed up blood, experiencing a sharp pain in his chest.
Li Er collapsed, and significant events unfolded before him, much like the night when Emperor Taizong Li Yuan summoned his three sons, only one of whom would survive.
As the night progressed, a massive fire erupted in the Eastern Palace, and the sounds of battle echoed throughout the imperial palace. Officers and generals were on edge, awaiting news. When morning came, the palace gates finally opened, revealing the cancellation of the morning court.
Only a select few, like Zhangsun Wuji, were privy to the previous night’s events. The Crown Prince had conspired with Hou Junji to rebel, leading to a failed attack on the palace and Hou Junji’s suicide. The Emperor had also learned of the Crown Prince’s plan to ambush Prince Yongle during a banquet, causing him to fall into a coma.
The court was concerned as something momentous occurred, and the news deeply affected all prominent figures.
Three days had passed since the shocking incident within the imperial palace. During this time, Li Er had refused to attend court and had declined to see his officers. Even Zhangsun Wuji, who used to enter the palace casually as if it were his own home, had been kept outside the gates. Now, Zhangsun Wu Fei entered the palace with urgency. Her face was pale, and a white cloth was wrapped around her forehead.
As she entered the sleeping chamber, she witnessed the scene inside, and her eyes welled up with tears as she gazed at Li Er lying on the bed.