I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 532 - 50: Return to the Court, Palace Coup

Li Chengqian’s personality is indeed extreme.

This is related to his situation.

No matter when, someone in his high position is bound to receive endless attention, and especially with the current flourishing culture of the Great Tang, all of this inevitably gets magnified.

Ever since becoming a cripple.

The gazes from people around him constantly provoked him, particularly the change in Li Shimin’s attitude towards him; after Empress Zhangsun passed away, the relationship between this father and son completely changed.

Li Shimin used to truly spoil him, but his foot ailment was also a thorn in Li Shimin’s heart.

This was completely unavoidable.

In the original history, Li Chengqian was far more extreme than he is now.

No, perhaps extreme isn’t the right word.

His personality had become somewhat pathological.

Not only is there that well-known affection for young men.

Li Chengqian had an affinity for the Turkic culture, often dressing up as a Turkic man in the Eastern Palace, along with those inner officials, conducting affairs in the Turkic way.

Moreover, he often went on countryside excursions with close members of the royal family.

These excursions were not merely for leisure.

He’d have the guards divided into two groups, each wearing armor and holding bamboo poles, staging mock battles against each other.

Though they weren’t using sharp weapons,

Li Chengqian required them to fight with deadly seriousness; victors would be rewarded, while those who weren’t earnest would be punished.

Due to repeated remonstrations from ministers, who also reported his behavior to Li Shimin,

Li Chengqian even attempted to assassinate his own teacher.

Although he ultimately failed,

this already demonstrated how pathological his personality had become.

The most widely known is perhaps when he drunkenly declared that if he were to one day gain control of the world, he’d go to the Turks to live as a commoner, and even if he became a great general among the Turks, his life wouldn’t have been in vain.

In records about Li Chengqian, he can be seen as having two sides.

His foot ailment indeed changed his life.

Even now it does.

Learning from the Gu Clan indeed made Li Chengqian stronger, far more than his original historical self could have been compared to.

This includes his governing abilities as well.

But his personality still inevitably becomes more extreme.

Simply put—

his original historical self was somewhat pathological, now he is purely extreme.

He needs external things to cover up his foot ailment.

Whether it’s wealth or power,

Li Chengqian needs these to conceal a wound in his heart.

And when he feels threatened, all of this becomes increasingly out of control.

Now is such a time—

The schemes of Li Tai and Chai Lingwu are not particularly clever, primarily targeting Li Chengqian’s personality.

How could Li Chengqian not see through it?

He initially knew how to endure, but as the enemy grew bolder, he could no longer control himself.

.....

Compared to the time of the expedition, the atmosphere on the return journey is much more peaceful.

Especially after experiencing a great victory.

The entire Tang Army, from top to bottom, was incredibly excited.

However, the speed of the return trip was significantly slower.

The reason is simple: Li Shimin’s body couldn’t handle it.

Even though he wasn’t riding a horse,

the bumps of the long journey still caused him great discomfort.

Yet Li Shimin did not completely reach a dead end.

He had a very open perspective on death.

Unlike the original history, where he began to seek so-called longevity in his later years.

There were indeed opportunists who brought it up.

But Li Shimin completely rejected it, even reprimanding them.

According to his words: "If there truly was immortality, why did those wise rulers of the past die?"

Li Shimin indeed stayed true to his original aspiration.

Even today, he still remembers the grand vow he made at Julu, which is exceedingly rare for an emperor.

Gu Jing always accompanied Li Shimin by his side.

Li Shimin seemed to genuinely see him as a form of solace, often discussing state affairs with him, speaking with earnest guidance for future generations, and also carrying a deep reflection on past acquaintances.

Due to the need for the Imperial Carriage to travel slowly for recuperation, the army’s return was slow, finally reaching the gates of Chang’an amid the biting cold winds of the year-end.

Outside the city gates.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian, dressed in formal court attire, held himself steady as he led a vast assembly of civil and military officials, knelt on both sides of the imperial road, respectfully welcoming the Emperor’s return.

The chants of "Long live the Emperor" echoed to the skies.

Whether it was the officials of the court or the people of Chang’an, they all greeted Li Shimin with smiles on their faces.

——The news of the great victory had already spread extensively.

Witnessing the Emperor’s safe return, both officials and citizens were all filled with joy and excitement, everyone celebrating!

Under countless gazes, Li Shimin, enduring his illness, slowly stepped down from the imperial carriage. Though his body appeared stooped, his eyes remained as sharp as ever, slowly sweeping over those kneeling to welcome him. Finally, his steps stopped in front of Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

"Well done."

These four deep and clear words resounded like a thunderclap in Li Chengqian’s ears!

He trembled violently, raising his head in disbelief, his eyes instantly welling up with an uncontrollable acidity and flush.

Father... actually praised him publicly at this time, in this place?!

His throat moved, countless words pressed at the edge of his lips, Li Chengqian was about to speak—

But Li Shimin had already stretched out his hand, naturally gripping his arm!

"Let’s go," the Emperor’s voice calm, as if it were just the most ordinary walk between father and son, "into the city."

The officials were stunned!

Although Li Shimin’s action was casual, it still set off endless speculation among the officials.