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Li Jiancheng's mood was naturally affected by Zheng Guanyin's words, and he felt a twinge of discomfort. However, he quickly realized this and adjusted his emotions, saying, "Oh, do I have a treasure now? Well, I will be gentle; we can't hurt our treasure!"
Treasure my foot! Li Jiancheng thought, his inner feelings contrasting sharply with his words. After all, the child Zheng Guanyin was carrying was undoubtedly the offspring of his previous incarnation and had nothing to do with him.
Hmm, I need to have my own children! Li Jiancheng thought. Not only would he have Zheng Guanyin and Lu Lingling help him bear a few more children, but once he became emperor, he would find several beauties to have more children.
Historically, Li Shimin had taken his sister-in-law, Consort Qi, as his own. It seemed that Consort Qi was quite beautiful; once I become emperor, I could do the same!
As for Li Shimin's concubine from the Changsun Clan, known for her virtue and beauty, there were no records of her appearance in history. That could be dealt with later!
For a moment, Li Jiancheng was lost in thought.
Zheng Guanyin noticed the change in Li Jiancheng's expression; her strange thoughts bubbled up again but she had to suppress them forcefully. "This humble servant thanks Your Highness for your understanding!" she said.
Hearing her words brought Li Jiancheng back to reality. Although Zheng Guanyin was pregnant, it was still early enough for them to be intimate!
Li Jiancheng knew he needed to be gentle and that their encounters... would probably have to be limited to just once! He couldn't indulge himself too much! Tomorrow night would be Lu Lingling's turn!
Lu Lingling was older but still only around thirty. At this age, her charm was at its peak!
...
The night passed quickly. After getting up the next morning, Li Jiancheng established a new rule for the Eastern Palace: everyone must drink boiled water; no raw water is allowed!
He also set other requirements, such as regular meal times and portions! The various places in the Eastern Palace must be kept clean and tidy! When people saw him in the Eastern Palace, they should try to avoid formalities...
The Crown Prince had changed! Everyone thought this way!
The Crown Prince really was different! Zheng Guanyin confirmed her thoughts. But it couldn't be fake! Could it be that the recent Yang Wengan Incident had frightened him? Zheng Guanyin speculated in her heart.
"I was confined by Father Emperor in a room for several days. At night, I dreamt of an old Daoist priest with white hair and a youthful face who told me many things. Among them was that drinking boiled water is good for one's health," Li Jiancheng explained to Zheng Guanyin.
If he didn't explain himself like this, how would she know where his ideas came from?
"So it turns out Your Highness changed because of a dream about such a Daoist priest!" Zheng Guanyin exclaimed upon hearing this, feeling enlightened.
Li Jiancheng still held the title of Crown Prince while overseeing state affairs. Since he had just returned last night, he decided not to go to Tai Chi Palace today to handle political matters. He would go tomorrow instead!
After finishing breakfast, Li Jiancheng summoned Crown Prince’s Assistant Wang Gui and Left Guard Commander Wei Ting to his study.
"Greetings, Your Highness!" Wang Gui and Wei Ting greeted him as they entered.
Li Jiancheng waved his hand dismissively. "No need for formalities, gentlemen. I've already said that within the Eastern Palace, these courtesies should be minimized. Please sit!"
Wang Gui and Wei Ting sat down on the chairs, feeling somewhat anxious as they wondered why the Crown Prince had called them over so early.
"My Lords, you should know why I was summoned to Ren Zhi Palace by Father Emperor," Li Jiancheng asked with a smile.
"I have heard some rumors, saying that His Highness sent Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan to deliver a batch of weapons to Yang Wengan. However, Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan reported His Highness for colluding with Yang Wengan to rebel, which angered the Emperor and led to His Highness being called over," Wang Gui replied.
"Yes, I have also heard it this way. Later, Yang Wengan really did raise an army in rebellion, and everyone is quite worried about His Highness's safety!" Wei Ting added.
Li Jiancheng nodded, "Indeed, that is the case. Thank you all for your concern; I have returned safely now, so it seems it was just a false alarm!"
"This shows the Emperor's wisdom! He knows that Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan are two worthless scoundrels who falsely accused His Highness," Wang Gui said.
Li Jiancheng waved his hand, "The Emperor is wise, no doubt. It is true that claiming I colluded with Yang Wengan to rebel is indeed slander. However, it is also true that I sent Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan to deliver a batch of weapons to Yang Wengan. This puts Father Emperor in a difficult position. Although he has allowed me to return, he does not know how to explain this to Prince Qin or silence the rumors."
"Well..." Wang Gui was at a loss for words. Yes, the nature of this matter concerning the Crown Prince is quite serious if pursued.
"Your Highness, if there is anything I can do, please let me know!" Wei Ting suddenly realized that the Crown Prince had called them over likely to resolve this issue.
Wang Gui also caught on and looked at Li Jiancheng, feeling somewhat anxious.
Li Jiancheng understood that there was no need for further pretense and nodded, "Yes. It will indeed be a bit of a burden for both of you. Yesterday when Father Emperor allowed me to return, he specifically instructed me that the person who directed Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan to deliver weapons was not me but others from our Eastern Palace. The ones they implicated were you two!"
"I understand now; it means that Lord Wang and I will bear the responsibility for directing Er Zhu Huan and Qiao Gong Shan to deliver the weapons, correct, Your Highness?" Wei Ting confirmed.
"Exactly! Both of you will have to endure some hardship temporarily; I will remember this. Father Emperor will not impose too harsh a punishment!" Li Jiancheng nodded.
"Rest assured, Your Highness! I am willing to go through fire and water for you!" With this understanding, Wang Gui straightforwardly expressed his loyalty.
"Yes! Serving Your Highness, I would rather die than refuse!" Wei Ting echoed his sentiments. He understood that taking the blame for the Crown Prince was actually the Emperor's intention. How could he refuse? He certainly could not; he could only accept it wholeheartedly.
"Alright. The Emperor's punishment will be announced in the next few days; prepare yourselves!" Li Jiancheng said.
"Then we take our leave!"
"We take our leave!" Wang Gui and Wei Ting stood up to say.
"Very well, go ahead!" Li Jiancheng waved his hand.
After Wang Gui and Wei Ting left, Li Jiancheng summoned his horse attendant Wei Zheng.
"Your humble servant greets His Highness!" Wei Zheng entered and also paid his respects.
"No need for formalities! Lord Wei, as I have said before, there’s no need for such etiquette in Eastern Palace!" Li Jiancheng said.
Wei Zheng thought to himself that while Li Jiancheng could say this, he felt he could not act so casually! So he did not dwell on this issue and asked, "Your Highness, why did you call me here?"
" Lord Wei, here's the thing: you need to find a room in our Eastern Palace to use as a secret chamber," Li Jiancheng said.
"A secret chamber? For what purpose?" Wei Zheng asked, puzzled.
"It's for arranging confidential tasks," Li Jiancheng replied.
"Isn't the prince's study suitable for that?"
Li Jiancheng shook his head. "The study won't do; it lacks the necessary soundproofing. The study is a place for discussing general matters, and I sometimes allow servants to enter. The secret chamber I need must ensure that when we speak inside, no one outside can hear us at all. Moreover, this chamber should only be accessible to me or those I choose to bring in. Do you understand what I mean, Lord Wei?"
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