226 Chapter 226
◎Crown. ◎
Li Shimin actually did not quite agree with Li Chengqian's request for the candidate for the Crown Princess, but since his eldest son, who was never in a hurry to get married, took the initiative to speak, he did not say anything to spoil the fun. However, when talking to Zhangsun about the noble ladies of marriageable age, he specifically mentioned that the eldest daughter of Secretary Su Tan was not bad, and the Su family had a good family tradition, so she could be considered.
But as to whether he could decide on the Su family girl, Li Shimin said: "In the end, it all depends on your mother's opinion. If she doesn't like Su Tan's eldest daughter, I'm afraid..."
As he spoke, he looked at his eldest son's expression. There must be some reason why Cheng Qian mentioned this person specifically, Li Shimin thought, and he could also use this to test his son's attitude.
Li Chengqian's expression was very calm: "My mother will like her."
Li Shimin frowned and thought for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Indeed, your mother will definitely give it some thought. After thinking about it, she will know it was you who wanted her. Since you like her, how could she not like her?"
After saying this, he nodded at Li Chengqian and said, "You are plotting against my father."
Li Chengqian smiled and said, "How did I plot against you? And it's the other way around. Father, what are you trying to plot against me first?"
Li Shimin didn't beat around the bush this time, but asked directly: "Cheng Qian, why must it be a girl from the Su family?"
Li Chengqian thought for a moment and said, "Father, if you're really that curious, why not go and perform the Fengshan ceremony next year? There's still time to start preparing now."
Li Shimin said, "There will be a solar eclipse next year."
Li Chengqian said, "The solar eclipse will be in May, so it won't delay your Fengshan in February."
Li Shimin paused and asked, "Why do I have to go to Fengshan?"
Li Chengqian shook his head honestly: "I don't know what will happen, but Fengshan is very important. I must verify it."
Mount Tai and Fengshan, two sacred words in feudal society, could they truly contain some magical power? What exactly were Fusu and Liu Ju hiding?
Li Shimin's doubts were not only not resolved, but increased. However, he soon had no time to wonder about these things because the people he sent to investigate the flood came back.
After more than half a month of investigation, it was found that the dams in some places did collapse because they could not withstand the large floods, resulting in devastating floods. In some places, there was indeed shoddy work, and the dams were not strong enough to block the floods. It was also found that corrupt officials used the construction of dams to extort money from the people.
Li Shimin was furious and dealt with these people with thundering means. He also announced them to the world so that all the ministers could learn from them and be careful in their words and deeds in the future and not deceive their superiors or their subordinates, otherwise they would end up infamous for eternity.
By the time everything was done, it was already the end of September. Li Shimin ordered people to return to Taiji Palace to prepare for the crowning ceremony of the crown prince.
This time the coming-of-age ceremony was not only held a year earlier than in the previous life, it was also more grand. The Khan invited many foreign envoys to watch the ceremony, and the emperor also said he wanted to attend.
This was the largest event Li Chengqian had ever participated in in his two lifetimes. He wasn't nervous at all, but he mainly felt that the procedures were too complicated.
Seeing him pacing back and forth restlessly, Li Ying said, "So-called etiquette means it has to be fancy and confusing, so that people can't understand it, in order to scare the common people. Otherwise, how can you consolidate your feudal landlord rule?"
Li Chengqian rolled his eyes and said, "Let me give you a piece of advice. Not everyone has a good temper like me, Fusu, and Liu Ju. If you want to carry out your work smoothly in the future, you'd better learn the art of speaking first, otherwise you'll probably be complained about."
Li Ying curled her lips: "You are good at speaking, do you still need me to learn the art of speaking?"
Li Chengqian spread his hands and said with a smile: "Do I really need your job?"
Li Ying sighed and said, "I knew it wasn't easy to be a social slave!"
…
On the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, Li Chengqian, who had not slept well the night before, woke up before dawn. He could not fall asleep again and tossed and turned for a long time. Finally, he gave up the idea of taking another nap, got up, put on his shoes, pushed the door open and went out.
After Li Chengqian did a set of radio gymnastics at the door, he was about to wake up the prince when the palace servants who were preparing to help him wash and change clothes arrived.
Everyone who served the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace knew about this - the Saint and the Queen were so anxious about it that their hair turned white, but it was still rare to see it happen so early in the morning like today.
After all, today is the day of his coronation, and the prince might be so excited that he can’t sleep.
Fortunately, Li Chengqian didn’t know what everyone was thinking, otherwise he would have to explain to them clearly that he was not excited but impatient.
The complicated ceremony of crowning begins with washing up early in the morning.
Li Chengqian ate two mouthfuls of rice and took a few candies, planning to hide them on his body to maintain his strength for today's ceremony.
After washing up, Li Chengqian first put on the crown prince's formal dress to pay his respects to the emperor and the emperor emeritus. He had to change clothes several times today, so how to hide the candy was Li Chengqian's main concern.
As for the various rituals and ceremonies, Li Chengqian had memorized them by heart, to the point where he could not make any mistakes even with his eyes closed.
After a long day of tossing and turning, the crowning ceremony for the Tang Crown Prince was only halfway complete. Afterwards, Li Chengqian had to pay his respects to the Emperor and the Retired Emperor. The Heavenly Khan also pulled out several of the older princes and had them pay their respects to the Crown Prince as well. Afterwards, the court officials also paid their respects, as did the various foreign states and vassal states.
October was already winter, and it got dark early. By the time everything was over, the sun was about to set, and Li Chengqian's last piece of candy had completely melted in his mouth.
There will be a palace banquet in the evening, but before that, Li Chengqian finally has some time to rest.
After changing out of his cumbersome clothes, Li Chengqian planned to lie down for half an hour, so when Li Shimin came in, he saw that the prince, who had been neatly dressed and handsome just now, had instantly turned into a disheveled and naughty boy.
Li Shimin laughed: "After wearing the crown, you are an adult. Cheng Qian, where are your etiquette? Where are your upbringing?"
Li Chengqian didn't even want to get up, and casually said, "The dog ate it."
Li Shimin shook his head and laughed, "You're becoming more and more childish. How come you've become a child after wearing the crown?"
Li Chengqian rolled over on the couch, tilting his head to look at him, and asked in confusion, "The coming of age ceremony is indeed important, but why do you keep bringing it up?"
Li Shimin sighed and replied: "Because Cheng Qian has grown up, when you become a father, Cheng Qian, you will understand Aye's feelings."
Li Chengqian had been a father, but he really could not understand many of Tian Khan's actions.
Thinking too much was pointless. Li Chengqian then noticed that Tian Khan was still wearing his formal dress. He pointed at him and asked, "Aren't you tired?"
Li Shimin stretched his arms and said, "Of course I'm tired. I saw that you looked exhausted, so I came to see you first before going back to change clothes."
"Oh." Li Chengqian moved, but didn't turn his head to the other side. He said dryly, "I'm fine. I ate a few candies and I can hold on."
Li Shimin laughed dumbly: "You are probably the first crown prince to eat candy at the crown ceremony. I am afraid there will be no second one in the future."
Li Chengqian complained, "I'm hungry. If I faint from hunger, wouldn't that bring even greater shame to the Tang Dynasty and to your Khan?"
"Okay, you're a good kid. I've got some snacks for you." Li Shimin smiled and pointed outside. "Eat something to fill your stomach first."
Li Chengqian stretched his neck and said, "This is so close yet so far away."
Li Shimin laughed even more: "Our Tang Dynasty's crown prince is getting lazier. Now he is not afraid of being seen and laughed at." As he spoke, he went over and took a plate of cakes, and it seemed that he wanted to feed it to Li Chengqian himself.
"No one here laughs at you except you..." Li Chengqian jumped up in shock after seeing what he was doing. "I'll eat by myself! Father, you look tired. Go change your clothes!"
Li Shimin handed him the plate and said with a smile, "I'll go right away. When you're full, come over and I'll take you to the palace banquet."
Li Chengqian agreed without hesitation.
…
After the crown prince's coronation ceremony, Li Tai once again made a request to Li Shimin, saying that he wanted to go to the court to help his father share his worries.
Li Chengqian was very surprised when he learned about this. Li Tai was not so anxious in his previous life. But when he thought about it, it was not surprising. After all, in his previous life, Tian Khan would personally give Li Tai what he wanted, and Li Tai would not need to fight for it.
In this life, Tian Khan has always paid attention to the different treatment of the crown prince and the princes. Even if he favors Li Tai, he only makes him surpass the other princes. Not only is there a big gap between him and the crown prince, but he also highlights the differences of the crown prince everywhere. Therefore, if Li Tai wants the privileges he had in his previous life, he can only fight for it himself.
This time, no one told Li Chengqian about this matter in a roundabout way. It was Tian Khan who told him on his own initiative.
After the last incident, Li Shimin punished some people and conducted a thorough investigation. Although there were still some people with ulterior motives, they dared not take any action before the saint made a clear statement.
Li Tai brought up the matter again, and Li Shimin calmly refused it in front of him, but he was very sad when facing Li Chengqian.
"Haven't I been good enough to Qingque? Why is he always so unsatisfied?" Li Shimin sighed sadly. "This child has always been smart and considerate. He's made this request again and again. Doesn't he know that it will be very difficult for Aye?"
For Tian Khan, even if his sons were not friendly and respectful to each other, they should at least be able to live in peace. But now the intentions of Li Tai and Li Chengqian to fight with each other are becoming more and more obvious, and Tian Khan's attitude of wanting to avoid it is also very obvious. However, Li Tai just doesn't appreciate it and keeps trying to get support from his father.
Li Chengqian didn't say anything. How should he explain this?
Why did Li Tai dare to bring it up again and again? Wasn't it because Tian Khan always let it go lightly? Even if he said in front of Tian Khan that he wanted to be equal to the prince, Tian Khan would not punish him in the slightest. Naturally, Li Tai dared to act recklessly.
"Cheng Qian, you say..." Li Shimin looked at him.
Li Chengqian interrupted him: "It's better for you to handle it. If I do it, Aye, you know what methods are used to deal with the enemy."
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