Li Tai Admits His Mistake

Li Tai had indeed been somewhat carried away these past couple of days. The carpentry workshop he had organized now boasted more than thirty workers, among whom over ten were skilled craftsmen. Following the blueprints he provided, these men had managed to produce a batch of high-end furniture in just a few days.

Originally, Li Tai had intended to sell all of it for profit, but his newly appointed steward, seeking to solidify his standing, had given him a suggestion: present some of the furniture as gifts to ministers with whom he was closely connected. In this way, not only would he spend little, but he could also strengthen his ties with them.

In the past, Li Tai would never have agreed to such an idea, not even if threatened with death. He had always been favored and had never needed to maintain his relationships with ministers through such means. He also knew that if his father discovered this, he would inevitably become suspicious.

But times had changed. Lately, Li Tai had been scolded or beaten by Li Shimin so often that those ministers had started to distance themselves from him. So this time, he didn’t think too much about it—after only a moment’s hesitation, he agreed.

This way, he not only earned money from the furniture but also managed to draw closer to those ministers. Such a win-win arrangement naturally filled his heart with satisfaction.

At this moment, he was lying leisurely on a reclining chair, enjoying a massage at the hands of two palace maids, when Laixing suddenly appeared before him.

Startled by Laixing’s sudden presence, Li Tai hurriedly stood up and greeted him, forgetting in his fluster even to ask why his subordinates had failed to announce the visitor. His mind was preoccupied with wild guesses about Laixing’s purpose.

Laixing, carrying out his mission, had given the staff at the Prince of Yue’s residence no chance to announce him. He was there to conduct a surprise inspection—if Li Tai were forewarned, what would be the point?

After exchanging formalities, Laixing wasted no time and asked directly, “Your Highness, have you been unwell these past two days?”

Li Tai was taken aback by the question and shook his head blankly, replying, “Thank you for your concern, Chief Steward Laixing, but I am in good health.”

Laixing responded, “That is well. Her Majesty was concerned for Your Highness’s health and sent me to inquire after you.”

In truth, Laixing was not being entirely honest with Li Tai. Though not much older than Li Tai, he had served at Empress Zhangsun’s side since childhood and felt a childlike affection toward her. He had long been displeased that Li Tai so often neglected to pay his respects to the Empress.

Just now, to catch Li Tai indulging himself at home had only deepened his displeasure. Under such circumstances, revealing that Li Shimin was presently in the Hall of Governance was out of the question.

Hearing Laixing’s explanation, Li Tai immediately recalled that he had not visited the palace to pay respects to his mother for two days. Feeling a twinge of guilt, he said, “My studies have been rather demanding these past two days, and I have neglected my duty to greet Mother. I am ashamed to have troubled her.”

Laixing replied blandly, “It is good that Your Highness is well, sparing His Majesty and Her Majesty any further worry.”

With that, he bowed to Li Tai and said, “I shall return to report to Her Majesty. Since Your Highness is tired, please take proper rest.”

Still feeling guilty, Li Tai did not suspect anything and instinctively responded, “Chief Steward Laixing, take care. I won’t see you out.”

Laixing bowed again, expressionless, and left the Prince of Yue’s residence without hesitation.

For some time after Laixing’s departure, Li Tai was still pondering why the Empress was so concerned about his health today. Just as he was about to give up trying to make sense of it, the image of Laixing’s sudden appearance flashed through his mind. A sense of strangeness struck him, quickly reminding him of times past when his father would unexpectedly show up to check on his studies.

At this thought, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed, “This is bad—Laixing was sent by Father!”

Without even bothering to tidy his clothes, he hurried toward the Hall of Governance at a speed that seemed to defy the weight of his own bulk.

On the other side, Li Chengqian was far luckier than Li Tai. When Zhang Anan arrived, Li Chengqian was practicing horsemanship and archery at the Crown Prince’s training grounds. Zhang Anan, not wishing to disturb him, simply turned back to the Hall of Governance.

Since the Crown Prince’s residence was closer to the harem, Zhang Anan returned first to report to Li Shimin. Upon hearing that Li Chengqian was practicing riding and archery, Li Shimin merely remarked with mild displeasure, “It is not a grave fault, but it is not commendable either.”

Soon after, Laixing also returned from the Prince of Yue’s residence and reported everything he had seen and heard in exact detail—even emphasizing Li Tai’s expression while receiving his massage.

Li Shimin had already harbored reservations about Li Tai’s recent conduct. Upon hearing Laixing’s report, he was ready to storm over to the Prince of Yue’s residence and thrash Li Tai himself.

Just as he was about to stride out in anger, Li Tai’s rotund figure suddenly appeared at the doorway. Gasping for breath, he bowed to Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, saying, “Your son pays his respects to Father… and Mother.”

Empress Zhangsun, seeing her son so out of breath, felt some compassion for him. Although she knew Li Tai’s purpose today was not simply to pay his respects, she still said, “There was no need to hurry so. Have some tea and catch your breath.”

Hearing these words, Li Tai dared not so much as move forward; instead, he dropped directly to his knees. For at that moment, his father was glaring at him with eyes aflame, and the pressure was more than he could bear.

No one in the room dared make a sound. Even the innocent Li Lizhi sensed their father’s anger.

Only after more than ten heartbeats did Li Tai finally speak, his voice trembling. “Your son was wrong… Please, Father… punish me.”

Li Shimin stepped closer, lowering his gaze to scrutinize Li Tai coldly. After several more heartbeats, he said, “Tell me where you were wrong. If your confession today is not sufficiently clear, then tomorrow you will depart for your new post in Yangzhou.”

At these words, the faces of everyone in the room changed. Li Tai was so frightened that he collapsed to the ground.

He was truly terrified now, for he knew that if his answer failed to satisfy Li Shimin, he would lose his chance to vie for the throne forever.

With this realization, he scrambled up from the floor and clutched Li Shimin’s leg, blurting out in a rapid rush, “Your son was wrong. I was lazy, I failed in my filial duties to Father and Mother, and I should never have privately associated with ministers, violating court protocol…”