Daqing Reborn Prince, Intercepting Si Lili at the Beginning

Chapter 35: Li Chengze’s Broken Defense and Helplessness! Qingniao’s First Cry!

Evening, in the Prince Li Jun’s Mansion.

The poetry gathering had concluded.

However, many were reluctant to leave.

On numerous faces, the shock from earlier couldn’t be concealed.

That song “When Will the Bright Moon Appear” had left a profound impact, touching the hearts of the literati present!

There’s a saying: If you don’t write poetry, encountering such a poem is like a frog in a well looking at the moon in the sky!

If you do write poetry, encountering such a poem is like a speck of dust gazing at the vast heavens!

Only true scholars understand just how exceptional Li Chengyuan’s poem was!

Thus, everyone present held genuine respect for him.

This included the Crown Prince and Li Chengze.

At least in terms of talent, both were thoroughly convinced by Li Chengyuan.

The Crown Prince even wanted to purchase Li Chengyuan’s original manuscript of “When Will the Bright Moon Appear.” However, before he could make an offer, Li Chengyuan declined, expressing that he intended to keep it for himself.

The Crown Prince could only give up in resignation.

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Despite the reluctance, night had fallen, and all the guests began to leave one by one.

The Crown Prince and Li Chengze were the first to depart.

Before leaving, the Crown Prince said little, only advising Li Chengyuan to work hard and take advantage of the poetry gathering’s influence to recruit more students.

As for Li Chengze, before leaving, he called Li Chengyuan aside for a private conversation.

“Third Brother, I admit it—today, I was wrong. I apologize!”

Li Chengze was flexible. Although he had suffered today, he took the initiative to apologize to Li Chengyuan.

Li Chengyuan looked at him and shook his head, saying, “Second Brother, there’s no need for this. I’ve always believed in ‘If people don’t offend me, I won’t offend them. But if they do, I will cut them down without mercy.’ So as long as you don’t target me in the future, I will also handle things objectively. Today’s incident is forgotten.”

Li Chengze’s mouth twitched at these words.

As expected of a scholar, always so eloquent!

If people don’t offend me, I won’t offend them. But if they do, I will cut them down without mercy!

And he dares to say he holds no grudges?

But Li Chengze didn’t want to argue further.

He had been muddled today.

Originally, he and the Crown Prince were rivals. If he antagonized Li Chengyuan, wouldn’t that push him into an alliance with the Crown Prince?

However, Li Chengze had no choice.

In the royal family, if you don’t fight, you’ll be eliminated.

He couldn’t just stand by and watch Li Chengyuan surpass him!

Moreover, he hadn’t done much—just sent someone to stir up some trouble for Li Chengyuan, so he wouldn’t rise too quickly.

But he hadn’t expected Li Chengyuan to act so out of line, not even bothering to collect evidence, just seizing the chance to beat him up!

How was anyone supposed to play like this?

It could only be said that he was unlucky today!

“Third Brother, rest assured. I still hold the same belief: you and I both want a share of the pie, but before we get it, we need to deal with those holding the pie. Otherwise, our fighting will only benefit them.

So, I promise I won’t target you in the future. You can come to me whenever, and we can exchange ideas. How does that sound?”

“I’m fine with that!” Li Chengyuan said nonchalantly, “In any case, my stance is simple: you can fight as you like but don’t involve me. Whoever provokes me, I’ll deal with them. If I can’t identify a suspect, I’ll just attack indiscriminately. After all, the only ones who can target me are either you or the Crown Prince, no one else.”

“…”

Li Chengze felt utterly defeated this time!

How did I end up with such an unreasonable and stubborn younger brother?

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After exchanging a few more words, Li Chengyuan sent Li Chengze off.

Returning to the main hall, he found that some guests had already left.

Li Chengyuan stepped forward to see each guest out personally.

Particularly those he wanted to recruit as retainers; he invited them to the manor the next day to discuss matters.

This included the “mad dog” He Zongwei.

Learning that he had caught the attention of the Third Prince, Zongwei was overjoyed, believing that his time to shine had finally arrived.

Little did he know that in Li Chengyuan’s eyes, he was merely a mad dog that could be discarded at any time!

After all the guests had been seen off, only two people remained.

One was Yang Wanli, and the other was Lin Wan’er.

As for Yang Wanli, Li Chengyuan had the steward Huang entertain him for the time being.

Li Chengyuan himself privately dined with Lin Wan’er.

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In the dining hall, Li Chengyuan and Lin Wan’er sat opposite each other, each at a small table.

The tables were laden with a variety of dishes and drinks.

Sangwen and Lin Wan’er’s maid stood by to serve them.

Since Li Chengyuan was Lin Wan’er’s cousin, he wasn’t afraid of rumors for inviting her to dine. After all, they were close relatives!

However, precisely because of this, there was no chance for him to win her over.

There was no helping it. Although Li Chengyuan and Fan Xian were blood brothers,

And Lin Wan’er wasn’t related to him by blood (since the Eldest Princess and the Emperor weren’t true siblings),

They were still, by title, cousins!

There was no possibility of them being together!

Besides, Lin Wan’er’s marriage involved control over the Imperial Treasury.

No matter what, the Emperor would never give him control over that.

So unless he were to kill the Emperor right now, successfully ascend the throne, exile the Eldest Princess from the royal family, and withstand the pressure from Prime Minister Lin—only then would there be a sliver of possibility!

But to do all that just to intercept Lin Wan’er? He’d have to be crazy!

It wasn’t worth it, not by a long shot!

Without Lin Wan’er, Li Chengyuan felt no regret.

She was good, but he wasn’t the type to commit to one woman.

If he married her, he’d have to forsake an entire forest of women!

Li Chengyuan was not a man of singular devotion.

So, such a girl would be better suited for Fan Xian.

Both he and Lin Wan’er were lovebirds, so they were quite fitting!

And once Fan Xian had Lin Wan’er, Li Chengyuan wouldn’t hesitate to claim other women for himself!

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Still, regardless, Lin Wan’er was his cousin and soon to be his sister-in-law.

So maintaining a good relationship with her was necessary.

From childhood, Li Chengyuan would visit her occasionally.

Thus, though they weren’t close, they weren’t strangers either.

Especially after this meal, Lin Wan’er felt even more comfortable around him.

But it was purely sibling affection.

As for her asthma, Li Chengyuan could cure it with the Huíyuándān (Returning Essence Pill).

But, as he’d said before, he didn’t want any complications until Fan Xian arrived in the capital.

So, Lin Wan’er’s condition would have to wait.

Fan Xian would be in the capital within the next couple of years; Lin Wan’er could endure—she wasn’t going to die!

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After dining with Lin Wan’er, Li Chengyuan personally escorted her out of the manor.

Looking up at the sky, he realized it was already night.

Li Chengyuan thought of chatting with Yang Wanli but felt exhausted.

After all, he’d been reciting poetry all day—it was mentally draining.

So, he had the steward Huang entertain Yang Wanli for the night, deciding to talk business tomorrow.

Li Chengyuan returned to his chambers to bathe and change clothes.

Afterward, he summoned Qingniao into his room.

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Inside Li Chengyuan’s bedroom,

Qingniao, having just finished bathing, wore a thin, light robe. Her face was flushed with nervousness, making her look delicate and lovely.

Seeing the beautiful and charming Qingniao, Li Chengyuan couldn’t resist stepping forward and gently pulling her into his arms.

“Your Highness…”

Qingniao murmured nervously.

Li Chengyuan asked, “What’s the matter? Not ready?”

“N-no…” Qingniao shook her head hastily. After taking a deep breath, she suddenly looked up at him, her voice nervous but firm. “Your Highness, I’ve made up my mind. Qingniao belongs to you and you alone. Please, Your Highness, be gentle…”

A beauty’s confession!

Li Chengyuan could no longer hold back.

Gently holding her, he kissed Qingniao softly on her tender lips.

“Mmm!”

Qingniao let out a soft gasp.

The night was filled with music, as Qingniao’s first cry echoed.*

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Footnotes:

Huíyuándān: A medicinal pill in traditional Chinese medicine known for restoring vitality and treating chronic illnesses like asthma.