Daqing Reborn Prince, Intercepting Si Lili at the Beginning

Chapter 24: Li Chengyuan’s Plan! The Capital is Boiling!

“Your Highness, we will all follow your lead. Whatever you say, we’ll do!”

Mr. Thirteen, steady and prudent as always, was the first to express his stance.

The other three quickly followed suit with agreement.

Li Chengyuan waved his hand, “I appreciate your loyalty, no need for more words.

The reason I’m telling you all this is, first, so you can help me identify any oversights.

As the saying goes, ‘Two heads are better than one.’ If I rely solely on myself, I’ll inevitably miss things.

Secondly, by understanding the situation, you can assist me more effectively.”

Everyone nodded in understanding.

“Good. Now, let me brief you on the current situation.”

Everyone already had a general grasp of Li Chengyuan’s circumstances.

What they didn’t know was his true heritage and the existence of Fan Xian.

This time, Li Chengyuan intended to reveal a bit more to them to prevent confusion when Fan Xian entered the capital.

He didn’t want anyone mistaking friend for foe, causing unnecessary misunderstandings.

However, he wouldn’t tell them everything, worried that they might accidentally let something slip.

Secrets, after all, are more likely to be exposed the more people know about them.

Even with absolute loyalty, it’s impossible to guarantee total security. Hence, Li Chengyuan only revealed part of the truth.

“Besides what I’ve just said, there’s another important detail: I have a twin brother.”

“What?” Everyone was stunned.

“Wait, Your Highness, aren’t you the son of the Empress?” Mr. Thirteen asked in confusion.

Li Chengyuan shook his head, “The Empress is not my birth mother; she’s merely my adoptive mother. The Crown Prince and I are not born of the same mother. My real brother is someone else.”

“Who is he?” Gong Yu asked curiously.

“His name is Fan Xian, and he’s currently in Danzhou, officially known as the illegitimate son of the Minister of Revenue, Fan Jian.”

Hmph! The group exchanged surprised looks.

Li Chengyuan ignored their reactions and continued, “What I want to say is, that my brother’s identity is far from simple. If he enters the capital, he will undoubtedly rise to power quickly.

When the time comes, if I join forces with him, our chances of success will be significantly greater!

But right now, the problem is that the Emperor doesn’t truly intend for me to succeed him.

He only sees me as a sharpening stone for the Crown Prince.

So if I act too aggressively, the Emperor will surely block Fan Xian from entering the capital.

That’s why I’ve been holding back, waiting for Fan Xian to arrive before making my move. But as the saying goes, ‘plans cannot keep up with changes.’ I can’t hide anymore now.”

“So that’s how it is!” Everyone finally understood.

“What does Your Highness plan to do?” Mr. Thirteen asked.

Li Chengyuan said, “My idea is to temporarily stabilize things with the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the Second Prince. Then, at a later stage, I’ll find an opportunity to ally with the Crown Prince. As long as we ally, the one who will be most anxious won’t be the Second Prince but the Emperor. The Emperor wants to temper the Crown Prince, but he would never allow the Crown Prince’s power to grow too strong! So once I ally with the Crown Prince, the Emperor will try to weaken him. That will be the perfect opportunity for Fan Xian to enter the capital!”

Li Chengyuan’s thoughts were clear.

The opportunity for Fan Xian to enter the capital would come when he became engaged to Lin Wan’er and seized control of the inner treasury from the Crown Prince.

What Li Chengyuan was doing now was forcing the Emperor into a position where he would have to weaken the Crown Prince.

Only then could Fan Xian enter the capital. This was the two-birds-with-one-stone plan that Li Chengyuan had devised.

Li Chengyuan’s plan was well thought out, but Mr. Thirteen had some concerns, “But, Your Highness, if you do this, people will think you’ve thrown your lot in with the Crown Prince. If the Second Prince falls, the Crown Prince’s position will be solidified, and by then, you may no longer have a chance to compete with him. After all, everyone will believe you are one of the Crown Prince’s men. If you turn against him then, you might be seen as treacherous.”

However, Li Chengyuan casually waved his hand, unconcerned, “Mr. Thirteen, you’re overthinking it. I’m only allying with the Crown Prince, not pledging allegiance to him. Even if there’s a misunderstanding, it doesn’t matter. By then, I have a way to make the Crown Prince willingly give up his position.”

Hearing this, Mr. Thirteen immediately responded, “If that’s the case, then I have no objections!”

Li Chengyuan glanced at the others.

They all shook their heads, indicating they had no issues. If even Mr. Thirteen had no concerns, they certainly wouldn’t either.

“Since that’s settled, I’ll say no more. You now know what you need to know. Your task remains the same: focus on low-profile development. There isn’t much happening in the capital at the moment, which is the perfect time for us to expand. Once Fan Xian arrives, the conflicts will intensify, and we won’t have the luxury of steady growth. So, take advantage of this period. Mr. Thirteen, I’ll leave the matters of the bookstore and Miaoyin Pavilion in your capable hands.”

Mr. Thirteen immediately replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will give my all!”

’

After chatting with his trusted aides, Li Chengyuan left Miaoyin Pavilion. Before leaving, he even took several of the pavilion’s women with him.

After all, since he had returned, he needed a reason. Besides, with the poetry banquet in three days, he was short of entertainment.

He could take the women back to rehearse, ensuring they would be ready for the event.

’

That evening, Li Hongcheng came to see Li Chengyuan.

Li Chengyuan gave him a few instructions, to which Li Hongcheng readily agreed.

Among those in the capital who enjoyed hosting poetry gatherings, Li Hongcheng and Li Chengze were the most prominent in both status and position.

It was no wonder they got along so well, as both loved discussing poetry and literature with scholars.

Their residences held poetry banquets almost every month, without fail.

That’s why Li Chengyuan sought out Li Hongcheng’s help—when it came to poetry banquets, he was the man to turn to.

And Li Hongcheng did not disappoint.

His network among scholars and poets was extensive, and in just one night, word of the poetry banquet at the Li Junwang Manor had spread throughout the capital!

But that wasn’t all. By the next morning, the latest edition of the newspaper had also reported on the event!

Now, everyone in the capital knew that the Third Prince, Li Chengyuan, was hosting a poetry banquet at Li Junwang Manor.

In no time, the entire city was abuzz. Every scholar in the capital was eager, scrambling to find connections to secure an invitation to the event!

’’

Footnotes:

1. 1. 1. 1. Li Junwang: Junwang is a title for a prince of the second rank, lower than a Qinwang (first-rank prince) but still a member of the royal family.

1. 1. 1. 1. Miaoyin Pavilion: A high-class establishment in the capital known for entertainment, possibly a brothel or musical house where influential people gather.