Li Xiang, who came from the modern era, understood that Li Chengqian had actually always been opposed to rebellion, but it was only because of the instigation of Li Yuanchang, Du He and others that he finally embarked on a path of no return. Therefore, Li Xiang had his men monitor Li Yuanchang and Du He 24 hours a day.
They must not be allowed to have any form of contact with Li Chengqian. The demolition of the mourning hall in the Eastern Palace had just made the emperor have some good impression of them, but if they had any contact with these people again, all the good impression they had just had would vanish into thin air.
"Zhao Yuanhui."
After Li Xiang finished speaking, a burly man came in from outside the door. This was Li Xiang's chief guard.
"Follow me to the main gate of the East Palace and follow my instructions later."
After Li Xiang left, several young eunuchs came quickly behind him and carried the armchair towards the door. You should know that there were no chairs in the Tang Dynasty. After Li Xiang drew the picture, he gave it to the craftsmen of the East Palace, and they rushed out quickly.
If it were in the past, these people might not have been so obedient, but after the changes in recent days, as long as they have a brain, they will naturally know who the next master of the East Palace will be. How can they not do their best to work for the young master?
There was already a hint of chill in Chang'an City in late autumn, and the sky was gradually darkening. What good could come of Li Yuanchang coming to the Eastern Palace at this time?
For Han King Li Yuanchang, the Eastern Palace was not unfamiliar as he came here almost every three or two days. But today, when he got off the sedan chair carried by eight people, he saw that the gate of the Eastern Palace was blocked, and there was a little child sitting in the middle. Wasn't that Li Xiang, the eldest son of the Eastern Palace?
Li Yuanchang did not have the opportunity to attend court affairs, so he did not know much about what was happening in the court. However, since the capital was in such a big commotion, he knew that this kid was different from before. Why did he block his way today?
Li Yuanchang and his men slowly walked to the door, waiting for Li Xiang to come over to pay their respects, but Li Xiang was actually sitting in his seat, with no intention of getting up. This made Li Yuanchang very angry. After all, I am your grandfather's generation, have you learned all your etiquette?
"How dare you refuse to kneel before His Majesty the King of Han? What crime should you take?"
Li Yuanchang gave a look and the lackeys beside him immediately ran over. They usually surrounded Li Yuanchang and did evil things. Coupled with Li Shimin's tolerance, the whole Chang'an City was also running sideways.
However, the changes in the court in the past two days were too great, and they had not received any news from the court, so naturally they would not take the prince's illegitimate son seriously.
"ah…"
Before the eunuch could understand what was happening, a piercing pain came from his left hand. When he looked over, his left hand had been separated from his body. The entire East Palace was filled with screams.
Li, who was standing next to him, raised his knife and chopped off the guy's left hand without any hesitation.
"For frightening His Royal Highness the Grandson for no reason, according to the law, one of his hands must be cut off..."
Qian Ping, the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace, straightened up. Although he was the prince's dog, it made no difference whether he served as a dog to either of them. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was looking for trouble at the door, he had to follow him happily.
It was only at this time that everyone saw Li Xiang dozing off in his seat. Didn’t you scare His Royal Highness the Crown Prince by speaking so loudly just now?
"You are so brave! I scared you too. Are you going to chop off my hand too?"
Li Yuanchang said angrily that he didn't care about a servant's hand, not even his life, but the problem was that you cut off his servant's left hand in front of him, which was equivalent to slapping him in the face.
"So it's the Prince of Han who's here. What's wrong with you guys? Why didn't you wake me up just now? I just closed my eyes for a moment, and this happened. Why did you chop off someone's hand? Is there any law in the world?"
Li Xiang looked like he had just woken up. Although he spoke sternly, he didn't even have the intention to stand up.
Li Yuanchang was also puzzled. When did I offend you?
"Your Highness, you were resting when he took two steps forward for no reason, coming close to you and speaking rudely. If he had startled you or made any other moves, we, the servants, would not have been responsible. Guard Li was acting in accordance with the laws of the Tang Dynasty. There are many unruly people in the world, but you are the only eldest grandson of the emperor. Cutting off his left hand is reasonable and legal."
Qian Ping seemed to be explaining to Li Xiang, but actually he was explaining to Li Yuanchang. While speaking, he also described the distance just now. Li Yuanchang's eunuchs were used to being arrogant and did not take the prince's illegitimate son seriously. He had indeed crossed the safe distance just now. We regarded him as an assassin, which was understandable. Even if the case was brought to the Dali Temple, those gentlemen could not say that we did anything wrong.
"That's complete nonsense. I need to see your father for something important. Get out of my way."
Li Yuanchang didn't understand what was going on here, but he really had something important to discuss with Li Chengqian, so he naturally didn't have the time to waste with Li Xiang. He wanted to go in directly, but Li Xiang's stool was placed in the middle of the East Palace gate, with hundreds of guards and servants on both sides, so there was no way for him to get in.
"Your Highness, my father is in poor health and has already informed all officials that no visitors will be received within a month. Please return."
Li Xiang said while picking at his fingernails, "The slave next to him whose hand was chopped off has fainted now. You, Li Yuanchang, don't care about your own slaves, so I will care even less. If he dies, you will be the one to bury him."
"Bullshit, you're talking about someone else. Do I have an ordinary relationship with your father? Hurry and inform your father. If you delay things, you can't afford to delay."
Li Yuanchang naturally knew that Li Chengqian was under house arrest, but he never cared about such things. Relying on the love of the retired emperor Li Yuan and the tolerance of Li Shimin, various court regulations were not a big deal in his eyes, so he never obeyed them.
"What if I don't go?"
Li Xiang put down his hands that he had been fiddling with for a long time, and then stood up with his hands behind his back. The steps of the East Palace were forty centimeters high. At this moment, he looked down at Li Yuanchang with a cold look in his eyes. Li Yuanchang was also puzzled. Why did a thirteen-year-old kid feel so scared?
"You're totally disrespectful! I'm a generation older than your father. Is this how you treat the elders of the Li family?"
Li Yuanchang said angrily.
"You are my great-grandfather's illegitimate son. The Tang Dynasty royal family can be either you or not. I am the eldest grandson of the current emperor and the eldest son of the crown prince. How can you compare with me in terms of status in your family? When ordinary people divide their property, can a illegitimate son be compared with the eldest grandson?"
Li Xiang's words made Li Yuanchang tremble all over...