Chapter 4: No Wonder Your Son Ultimately Drove Himself to Despair

“Silence!” Changsun Wuji’s face darkened as he shouted sharply.

He hurriedly glanced outside.

Although the Xuanjia Guards had been stationed outside for protection, and without orders from either of the two, no outsider could possibly approach, his heart still raced with unease.

Li Shimin patted his shoulder. “Fujii, there’s no need to worry.”

“Your Highness, be cautious—walls have ears.”

Changsun Wuji had to be this careful. If even the slightest detail leaked, those aligned with Prince Qin would lose their heads.

“No need to be so cautious. Wuguo has already cleared the household staff,” Li Shimin said calmly. Then he turned to Wen He, his gaze deepening, a slight smile playing on his lips as he asked, “The Xuanwu Gate Incident you mentioned—is that something that will happen to us in the future?”

“Yes,” Wen He nodded straightforwardly and continued, “According to historical records, soon after, the spy you placed by Li Jiancheng’s side will inform you that the Crown Prince and Li Yuanji plan to move against you at Kunming Pond. Upon learning this, Brother Changsun, I advise you to strike first. Incidentally, on the third day of the sixth lunar month, Venus will reappear. Fu Yi will secretly petition Your Majesty, claiming this is a sign that Prince Qin is destined to rule the world. Li Yuan will confront you, and you will expose Li Yuanji and Li Jiancheng for their illicit relations with the imperial consorts. Then, on the fourth day of the sixth month, Your Majesty will summon you to confront Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji at court.”

“On the fourth day of the sixth month, you will lead Changsun Wuji, Yuchi Jingde, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Yuwen Shiji, Gao Shilian, Hou Junji, Cheng Zhijie, Qin Shubao, Duan Zhixuan, Qutu Tong, Zhang Shigui, and others into court, ambush them at Xuanwu Gate, and then…”

Wen He didn’t need to finish. Li Shimin and Changsun Wuji already knew the inevitable outcome.

At such a critical juncture, there was no turning back for Li Shimin, Li Jiancheng, and Li Yuanji—it would be either your death or mine.

Both Changsun Wuji and Li Shimin understood this fully.

“So it succeeded?” Changsun Wuji asked the obvious question.

He looked at Wen He excitedly; though he suspected the answer, he still needed confirmation.

“Of course,” Wen He replied, meeting his gaze.

“Am I truly a good emperor?” Li Shimin hesitated, his breath quickening slightly.

“You will become the Heavenly Khagan who strikes fear into foreign tribes. Future generations will hail you as the strongest carbon-based life form in seventh-century East Asia.”

“Heavenly Khagan, huh!” Li Shimin clenched his fist.

Though he didn’t understand what a carbon-based life form was, being called Heavenly Khagan must be a laudatory term for great achievements in later eras.

The former Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian, was revered by the steppe peoples as the Sage Khagan.

This was once what his own father aspired to.

But now, his father was old and had handed over affairs of state to the noble clans and the Crown Prince.

The Tang Dynasty had only just been established, and most of the realm had been conquered by Li Shimin himself. How could he bear to see the Tang fall into the same pattern as the Sui?

“Eldest brother, fourth brother, I do this for the foundation of the Tang Dynasty. Forgive me!” Li Shimin clenched his fists and shouted silently in his heart.

Changsun Wuji lowered his eyes, his expression full of joy.

He had followed Li Shimin for many years and understood perfectly what this posture meant.

It was just like the night before the uprising in Jinyang when Prince Qin was just as resolute.

“You mentioned the third day of the sixth month, when Venus reappears and Fu Yi petitions saying: ‘Prince Qin is destined to rule the world?’” Li Shimin suddenly shifted the topic.

Wen He nodded, puzzled.

Could Li Shimin be planning to move against Fu Yi?

He knew little about Fu Yi, only that he was a well-known opponent of Buddhism.

But given his secret petition, it seemed likely he was aligned with Li Jiancheng or Li Yuanji.

Otherwise, why would he frame Li Shimin?

“Since Grand Historian Fu says so, then I shall grant him that honor. Fujii, send someone secretly to inform Fu Yi that today, Venus appears again over Qin territory, a sign that Prince Qin is destined to rule the world,” Li Shimin said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Wen He drew in a sharp breath, his heart sinking.

This meant they would strike earlier than expected.

He lowered his gaze to conceal the surprise that flickered on his face.

I was naive.

This is not a drama or a novel.

Before me stands the living, breathing Li Shimin.

How could I be so careless?

Wen He pondered in silence for a long while. He knew he must change his attitude toward these historical figures.

He was no longer a mere bystander.

“I will see to it immediately. But might this be too hasty?” Changsun Wuji expressed concern.

He knew Prince Qin was growing impatient, but if things were rushed, accidents might occur.

Li Shimin laughed heartily and pointed at Wen He. “He just said it himself—that in a few days, you will advise me to strike first. With Venus descending, Prince Qin will hold the world. Isn’t this prophecy timely?”

Changsun Wuji immediately understood Li Shimin’s meaning.

“Your Highness wishes to claim the mantle of righteousness. If the rebellion succeeds, charges of fratricide and betrayal of the father will be recorded alongside you. But with this righteousness, the historical record will at least be somewhat softened.”

He pondered secretly and then cupped his hands in agreement.

As he left, he deliberately glanced at Wen He.

Caught off guard by his sudden gaze, Wen He felt a pang of guilt.

After Changsun Wuji departed, Li Shimin suddenly sneered and said, “Do you know why Fujii just looked at you that way?”

“Could he be planning to imprison me?” Wen He blurted out.

Li Shimin was momentarily taken aback—he hadn’t expected Wen He to be so self-aware. Then he chuckled and nodded.

“Damn, that old schemer. No wonder your son ended up forcing his death!” Wen He couldn’t help but curse.

Li Shimin’s smile froze instantly. He strode over to Wen He in three rapid steps and covered his mouth with his hand.

“What did you say?” Li Shimin’s eyes blazed as he pressed his voice low and tense.

Wen He was startled. He had just reminded himself to be cautious, yet his tongue had slipped again.

He quickly shook his head, signaling Li Shimin to release him.

Li Shimin glanced toward the door, saw no movement, and finally let go.

“Fujii was forced to take his own life? Why?” Li Shimin asked in disbelief.

Wen He grimaced and replied in two words: “Power.”

Li Shimin fell silent, gradually calming himself.

He knew all too well what those words meant.

He turned and knelt, sitting quietly for a long time without speaking.

Wen He kept his mouth shut, his eyes darting around the study in nervous curiosity.

“If we let Gaoming and Fujii get closer…” After a long pause, Li Shimin spoke, almost as if asking.

Wen He turned to look at him. Indeed, Li Shimin’s gaze was fixed intently on him, as if awaiting a response.

After a moment of silence, Wen He blinked and gave an awkward smile. “Um, who did you say Gaoming is?”