A forgery scandal erupts.
After the value and influence of the "Linde" trademark were fully showcased, those who had purchased Linde furniture naturally became especially attentive to any news related to it.
Soon, customers who had not bought their furniture from official stores quickly realized they had been duped with counterfeit goods.
Altogether, more than twenty individuals were affected, each of them either wealthy or distinguished. Upon discovering they had been deceived, they immediately rushed to Jingzhao Prefecture to report the crime, causing a sensation throughout Chang'an.
When Li Zhe received the reports, he was nearly paralyzed with fear on the spot. He now knew who the true mastermind was, and with a prince involved, how could a minor prefectural official like himself handle such a case?
He quietly sent someone to inform Li Tai while hastily reporting the incident to Li Daozong, the Minister of Justice, hoping for guidance.
Even though Li Daozong was Li Shimin’s cousin, he dared not make a hasty decision on a case involving Li Tai.
Biting the bullet, he discreetly informed Li Shimin of the matter.
Li Shimin, upon hearing the account, was furious. His own son, involved in business, had resorted to forgery—and the target of that forgery was another of his sons.
He searched his memory for any precedent in history, but found nothing as absurd as this.
His chest heaved with rage, and he was tempted to order Li Tai’s execution on the spot.
Li Daozong, seeing Li Shimin’s anger, quickly interjected, “Your Majesty, please quell your anger for now. There may be more to this than meets the eye.”
Li Shimin, eyes bloodshot, asked, “With so many coming forward, what explanation could there possibly be?”
Li Daozong replied, “Regardless, I beg Your Majesty to summon the Prince of Yue and question him directly before making any decision.”
Li Shimin took several deep breaths after hearing this, finally managing to suppress his fury.
He turned to Zhang Anan and said, “Go and summon Qingque. I want to hear his explanation myself.”
Li Shimin was truly enraged today. He had always doted on Li Tai, whose past conduct had been commendable. Yet recently, for reasons unknown, Li Tai had made repeated mistakes.
Other errors could be overlooked, but he had already been admonished once over the counterfeit furniture, and now dared to repeat the offense.
Li Tai was in a state of panic. He could not fathom how his imitation furniture, crafted to be indistinguishable from the genuine article, had been so easily exposed as fake.
He paced anxiously back and forth in his room, unable to devise a perfect solution.
So many people had discovered the ruse at once; even if he bankrupted himself, he could not afford to pay triple compensation.
What’s more, he still had a dozen sets of completed furniture awaiting sale. Now that the scandal had broken, wouldn’t all of it be worthless?
Dou Xin had already collapsed on the floor in terror.
Li Tai had entrusted him with such a crucial matter, and he had bungled it twice.
He feared that Li Tai might kill him in a fit of rage.
Just as both were at their wits’ end, Zhang Anan arrived at the Prince of Yue’s residence.
When Li Tai heard that his father was aware of the incident, he too collapsed in despair like Dou Xin.
Zhang Anan shook his head quietly and spent considerable effort to help Li Tai to his feet.
He whispered encouragement, “Your Highness, you must summon your resolve and explain the situation clearly to His Majesty.”
His gaze subtly flicked toward Dou Xin, who lay helpless nearby.
He continued, “I imagine Your Highness has his own difficulties in this matter.”
Li Tai’s pupils contracted at Zhang Anan’s words and glance—he was clearly reminding him that someone needed to take the fall, and that person was Dou Xin.
Li Tai hesitated only briefly before nodding imperceptibly to Zhang Anan, expressing his gratitude.
He then said, “Thank you, Chief Steward Zhang. I will accompany you to the palace to explain matters to my father.”
With that, he led the way out, not sparing Dou Xin another glance.
Dou Xin exhaled deeply upon Li Tai’s departure, grateful that Li Tai had not killed him on the spot.
He was still pondering how to resolve the issue.
But he did not realize that his survival depended solely on Li Tai not yet shifting the blame before Li Shimin. Killing him now would invite suspicion of silencing a witness.
As Li Tai approached the Hall of Taiji, he could feel Li Shimin’s wrath emanating from within.
No sooner had he nervously crossed the threshold than Li Shimin thundered, “Wretched child, kneel before me!”
The roar was so forceful it seemed to shake dust from the ceiling.
Li Tai’s trembling legs buckled, and he dropped to his knees.
Before Li Shimin could question him, Li Tai hastily pleaded, “Father, please hear me out—this was all the fault of my subordinates!”
Li Shimin snatched a teacup and hurled it at Li Tai, striking him squarely.
The hot tea scalded Li Tai, making him shiver violently, yet he dared not utter a sound of pain.
Li Shimin raged, “Your subordinates again… Are none of them decent?”
At this, Li Tai’s face flushed crimson.
He realized that lately, whenever he erred, his favorite excuse had been: the steward’s fault.
But at this moment, he cared little for his dignity; his life was at stake.
He braced himself and said, “Father, I speak the truth this time.”
Seeing Li Shimin poised to act again, he quickly added, “I have been diligently studying with my tutor of late, and have had no time to manage business affairs!”
Li Shimin paused, his expression icy.
He replied, “I do not believe your subordinates would dare commit such acts without your permission.”
Li Tai protested, resolute, “I am not deceiving you, Father—I truly have been devoting myself to my studies recently.”
Li Tai dared not argue about whether his subordinates obeyed him. He clung to his claim of focused study, for that at least was true.
On the subject of forgery, he might put a foot wrong, but on his studies, he was confident—he had indeed been reading diligently.
But Li Shimin, consumed by anger, had no patience for such sophistry.
He snorted coldly and declared, “Whether or not you knew, the law holds you responsible. You shall bear the consequences.”