Chapter 530 - 352: Farewell
Li Chengqian nodded in strong agreement.
Whether Li Shimin liked him as a son or not, he was the rightful Crown Prince, and Li Shimin had to maintain the Crown Prince’s dignity. Even if Ran Yan’s medical skills were mediocre, as long as an edict was issued for her to consult with the Imperial Physician, it would be considered giving face to the Crown Prince.
Li Shimin was not a careless person. If he truly neglected this matter, it would show that he no longer regarded the Crown Prince with importance.
"That is exactly why I am unsettled," Li Chengqian sighed.
Liu Pinrang knew that Prince Wei and Prince Wu were far more outstanding than the Crown Prince. Prince Wu, Li Ke, hardly ever deliberately ingratiated himself with the Emperor, but he was a man of action. No matter what he was like behind closed doors, in public, whether handling big issues or small matters, or in terms of personal integrity, he had the grand demeanor of a monarch.
At the age of seventeen, Li Ke had ventured alone into enemy territory to negotiate, resolving a military stalemate without bloodshed. At that time, he walked with such ease among the tens of thousands of enemy troops that a single arrow won their awe and respect. Such poise and spirit captivated both the enemy and the people of Great Tang.
As for Li Tai, he was brilliantly literate, knowledgeable in classics and history, and highly proficient in poetry and painting. Gentle and elegant in demeanor, he had been exceedingly filial from a young age, revered above all other princes.
In contrast, Li Chengqian seemed much less luminous. His glory days were all before the age of eighteen. When Li Shimin led campaigns himself, Li Chengqian managed state affairs very appropriately; control of the situation came naturally to him, even at a young age. Perhaps due to his mischievous nature, he was outwardly respectful but rebellious in secret, gradually losing dignity, up to the present, indulgent in pleasures and weary of state affairs. Aside from Li Shimin, Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji was probably the most disappointed.
"After all, Your Highness is the legitimate eldest son, the rightful Crown Prince. Until the Emperor makes a decision, if Your Highness is diligent and determined to govern well, the Emperor will surely not reject you," said Liu Pinrang. Although he had long understood the Crown Prince’s character, he had just been reassigned and it was not appropriate for him to advise further. After saying just that, he swiftly changed the subject, "Actually, there is a reason I have not yet recommended Pharmacist Su to Your Highness."
"Oh?" Li Chengqian was preoccupied with this matter and, upon hearing Liu Pinrang bring it up, he raised an eyebrow slightly, "Do tell."
Leaning forward, Liu Pinrang lowered his voice, "Pharmacist Su’s mother is a Hu lady, and Pharmacist Su himself is quite mysterious. There have been rumors that he was once an assassin. This claim can’t be verified, and if we rashly get involved, it may be detrimental to Your Highness. It would be safer to stick with Lady Xian Liang, even if her medical skills are not as miraculous as rumors suggest. The Emperor understands Your Highness’s affectionate concern for Princess Jinyang."