Chapter 35: I Had Intended to Treat You as an Ordinary Person

Chapter 35: I Originally Intended to Interact with You as an Ordinary Person

Li Shimin was well aware that Li Qing was not in the habit of waking up early, but today’s morning court session was a mandatory formality. After all, one cannot invest someone as the Prince of Qin if the Prince himself is not present, right? That would turn it into a posthumous title—how terribly inauspicious.

After a quick, perfunctory breakfast, Li Qing followed Wang De toward the Taiji Palace.

The Tang Dynasty during the Zhenguan era was a time of gathered stars and a deluge of brilliant scholars. The imperial court was a scene of burgeoning vitality, with all things flourishing in competition. Most of those present were figures whose names would become legendary: Fang Xuanling, Zhangsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, Cheng Yaojin... Looking across the sweep of history, this could truly be called a top-tier lineup.

In the Tang Dynasty, whether one was a civil official or a military general, there was no need to fear being so accomplished that one would overshadow the sovereign. After all, the one who truly overshadowed everyone else was already sitting on the dragon throne.

Furthermore, without exaggeration, the political atmosphere of the Zhenguan era surpassed all other dynasties. Compared to Emperor Wu of Han, there were no chancellors suffering the "five deaths and seven dismissals"; compared to the Ming founder, Emperor Zhu, there was no high-pressure rule of the Embroidered Uniform Guard; and compared to that later, decadent dynasty, there was no literary inquisition where one might lose their head over a poetic turn of phrase.

As for suspicion, that was non-existent. Just imagine, what monarch would think of granting meritorious officials hereditary governorships, allowing them to defend the royal house for generations? Had it not been for Zhangsun Wuji’s strenuous objections, Li Shimin might have actually gone through with it. Even when Hou Junji rebelled, the old emperor still had the grace to beg the court to preserve a thread of lineage for his family. It is fair to say that as long as one did not commit some egregious act of self-destruction during the Zhenguan era, Li Shimin would never strike down a meritorious official.

The court was a place of enlightened rulers and virtuous ministers; the petty, vicious factionalism seen in later eras was virtually non-existent. At most, there were a few individuals who simply did not get along. Take Tang Jian and Li Jing, for instance; their friction was purely a personal grudge. Back in the fourth year of Zhenguan, Tang Jian was sent as an envoy to the Turks to persuade them to submit. The Jieli Khan had already agreed, but unexpectedly, Li Jing launched a surprise attack. Tang Jian nearly lost his life in the chaotic fighting, which led him to tell everyone he met that Li Yaoshi (Li Jing) was nothing but a dog.

In short, Li Qing was the last to enter the Liangyi Hall. Unsure of where he was supposed to stand among the rows of civil and military officials, he did not dwell on it. Feeling hungry, he simply leaned against a corner and pulled two *jianbing guozi* (savory crepes) out of his system, holding them in his hands to eat.

Just as he was enjoying his meal, a rough, booming voice sounded in his ear.

"Little brother?"

Li Qing turned to see a burly man with a thick, bristly beard.

"What is that in your hand? It smells wonderful..." The man wiped away a trace of drool and pulled a string of cash from his pocket. "I didn't have breakfast this morning. Do you think you could spare one for me?"

"No need for money; let's just consider this a way to make friends." Li Qing refused the payment and handed over the untouched crepe.

"Good! Old Cheng recognizes you as a friend." The man grinned, took the crepe, and then, without further ado, shoved the money into Li Qing’s pocket with his other hand. "As the saying goes, 'Even brothers must settle accounts clearly.' I can't let you lose out. Since you accept me as a friend, take the money."

"Fine." Li Qing did not stand on ceremony and kept the coins.

"Straightforward! You suit my temperament." The big man clapped a hand like a palm-leaf fan onto Li Qing’s shoulder. "I am Cheng Zhijie. May I ask your name, little brother?"

"Li Qing." Li Qing realized only then that the man before him was none other than the legendary Cheng Yaojin. He really was a glutton; he had tracked the scent right to him.

"This is your first time at court, isn't it? You look unfamiliar," Cheng Yaojin remarked, chewing on the crepe while looking Li Qing up and down. "Why aren't you wearing court attire? Aren't you afraid His Majesty will punish you?"

"Punish me? Surely not..." Li Qing scratched his neck. "It’s just court in casual clothes. Besides, I think Brother Li has a pretty good temper. He shouldn't be upset over such a small matter, right?"

*Brother Li?* Cheng Yaojin took a moment to figure out who "Brother Li" was. However, he had one great virtue: he never bothered to overthink things he couldn't understand.

"Attending court without official robes is a crime of disrespect..." Cheng Yaojin paused, scrutinizing Li Qing again. "Could it be that you are some young talent found among the common folk, whom someone intends to recommend to His Majesty? Hmm... if you haven't been granted a position yet, that's possible. Who recommended you? How could they be so irresponsible? Tell me, and I’ll go have a word with them for you!"

Old Cheng was filled with righteous indignation. He genuinely felt the person who sent this kid was irresponsible. Such a compatible young fellow—he had to seek justice for him!

"Forget it, Old Cheng. You can't afford to offend that person." Li Qing’s playful side emerged. He patted Old Cheng’s shoulder with a look of feigned regret.

"Hey, I don't believe it! Is there anyone Old Cheng can't afford to offend?" Perhaps stung by Li Qing’s expression, Cheng Yaojin rolled up his sleeves, brimming with fighting spirit. He refused to believe there was anyone in the Great Tang he couldn't handle. And even if he couldn't handle them, couldn't he just run?

Li Qing nudged his chin toward Li Shimin up ahead. "The one who recommended me is sitting right up there. Go ahead, Old Cheng."

Cheng Yaojin glanced at the throne, then back at Li Qing, and let out a scoffing laugh. "You're just teasing me, little brother. How could it be His Majesty? If you’re going to tease me like that, I won't be your friend anymore."

"I originally intended to interact with you as an ordinary person, but I didn't expect it to result in alienation." Li Qing stood with his hands behind his back, looking regretful. "No more pretending. I’ll lay my cards on the table: I am His Majesty’s sworn brother, the newly appointed Prince of Qin."

"You can eat whatever you want, but you can't just say whatever you want, little brother." For the sake of the crepe, Cheng Yaojin grabbed Li Qing and whispered, "To put it mildly, that’s the crime of deceiving the Emperor—it’s a capital offense! To put it strongly, that’s contempt of imperial power, and it’ll get your entire clan wiped out!"

"See, you don't believe me." Li Qing spread his hands. What was wrong with this society? Why did no one believe him when he told the truth?

Cheng Yaojin took a deep breath. Why was this kid so stubborn? He whispered to Li Qing, "If you are the Prince of Qin, then I am... an Immortal!"

Old Cheng had weighed his options; anything higher than a Prince was the Emperor, and he certainly wouldn't joke about that. Even though Emperor Erfeng wouldn't behead him for a slip of the tongue, a thorough thrashing was inevitable. So, he decided calling himself an Immortal was the safer bet.

The moment he finished speaking, Wang De’s booming tenor voice echoed throughout the Liangyi Hall.

"By decree: I have received the mandate of Heaven and follow the teachings of my predecessors... My sworn brother, Li Qing, possesses profound character and clear understanding... He is hereby invested as the Prince of Qin, ranking above all princes and dukes, granted one golden carriage, the robes of a monarch, a pair of jade discs, six thousand catties of gold, nine sets of court music, and an honor guard of forty soldiers."

Cheng Yaojin stood dumbfounded, staring at Wang De reading the edict, then back at Li Qing beside him.

"Old Cheng, Prince of Qin, Immortal," Li Qing pointed at himself, then at Old Cheng, and chuckled.