The northern suburbs of Chang'an City.

Under the blue sky and white clouds, the fields are full of greenery, the spring breeze is blowing, the birds are singing and the flowers are fragrant, which is refreshing. A convoy of horses and carts marched down the wide road.

Li You was about to leave Chang'an, and Li Chengqian came to see him off, and the two rode side by side, walking in front of the team. Along the way, Li Chengqian was silent and the atmosphere was depressing.

Li Chengqian pointed to a hillside on the side of the road and said, "Fifth brother, let's go to that hillside, I have something to tell you." ”

Li You turned back to his entourage and said, "Don't come with you." ”

The two rode to the hillside, dismounted and stood at the top of the hill. Li Chengqian looked at the vast land from afar, still silent. Li You silently stayed by his side, looking at the green field.

Li Chengqian's heart is extremely uncalm at the moment, and he has a lot to say. Li Chengqian is the crown prince, everyone is in the limelight, he has no friends, he faces pressure from all sides every day, but he can't vent, and his heart is very depressed.

Li Chengqian has had a really hard time, since he became the crown prince, Li Shimin, Empress Changsun, Changsun Wuji, Zhang Xuansu and the people around him have strict requirements for him, every word and deed to him, every move towards him, persuasion at every turn, and even direct reprimand, and one person's opinion, makes him at a loss. He cannot resist, otherwise he will be considered unfilial or behave in a perverse manner.

He didn't have a happy childhood, and he grew up with more stress. Li Ke, especially Li Tai, was targeting him all day long, carrying out all kinds of conspiracies against him, but Li Shimin doted on Li Tai and defended Li Tai everywhere. Li Tai attacked Li Chengqian, and Li Chengqian could only defend passively, otherwise he would be considered narrow-minded and unable to tolerate others.

Li Chengqian's heart is like a heavy boulder pressing on his heart every day, which makes him breathless, and only when he is asleep can he relax a little, but he is often awakened by nightmares.

He didn't want to be this prince for a long time, but he knew what would happen to him if he didn't treat this prince, so he could only grit his teeth and face the embarrassment every day.

Since Li You began to help Li Chengqian, Li Chengqian began to feel a glimmer of hope in life, and people became cheerful and happy. But new pressure has come, and people have begun to compare him with Li You again.

Li You is the only confidant he can open his heart to, and he is also a brother who truly loves him and cares about his feelings. Li You was leaving Chang'an, and Li Chengqian knew what it was for. Although Li You tried his best to help Li Chengqian, his qualifications were mediocre, and when he encountered difficulties, especially when he needed to make a major choice, he would always be troubled by various problems and could not make the right choice.

For example, the Flying Tiger Army's theft and sale of war horses, even if he is asked to deal with it now, he still doesn't know how to do it, he can't wipe his face, he is always worried about all aspects of the problem in his heart, but he can't grasp the core of the matter, the combat effectiveness of the Flying Tiger Army.

Li Chengqian thought about it repeatedly for a long time, and felt that he still couldn't deal with similar things in the future, that is to say, he didn't have the ability to kill an emperor at all.

That day, Li Chengqian suddenly had an idea in his heart: if he was not the prince and gave up the position of the prince to Li You, he would not have to face people's harsh faces, nor would he have to face so many difficult problems to solve. Moreover, when Li You becomes the crown prince and becomes the emperor in the future, there is no need to worry that he will not be able to tolerate himself.

This idea was like a seed that took root in Li Chengqian's heart. Since having this idea, Li Chengqian has increasingly regarded the position of the crown prince as a burden, especially when he encounters problems and is depressed, he wants to unload the burden even more.

As a result, the seedlings generated by this seed gradually grew in Li Chengqian's heart.

Li Chengqian had such an idea, but he did not dare to tell anyone, he could imagine that once he made his thoughts public, there would be a storm that he could not bear.

What Li Shimin and Empress Changsun think, let's not care. The eldest grandson Wuji, Zhang Xuansu and the people around him, they all thought that they would be able to ascend the throne in the future, and they were so good that strong opposition was inevitable.

After Li Chengqian thought about it, he felt more and more lonely, and the only person in this world who could confide in him was Li You beside him.

Li Chengqian finally made up his mind, he stared at Li You and said, "Fifth brother, eldest brother has an idea. I don't want to be this prince anymore, I want to recommend you to be the one. ”

If it were anyone else, he would definitely be shocked when he heard Li Chengqian say this, thinking that he was testing himself, and quickly confessed that he didn't have such thoughts.

Li You is different, he knows Li Chengqian too well. He understands the pressure Li Chengqian is facing. Historically, he was forced by such pressure to take risks and embark on the road of rebellion.

Li You didn't panic, he stared at Li Chengqian, pointed to a stone on the ground and said, "Big brother, come, sit down and say." The two brothers sat down side by side.

Li You said: "Big brother, I know your situation, and I also know your feelings. Over the years, you have been under too much pressure, and today, here are the two of us, just say what you have in your heart. ”

When Li Chengqian heard such intimate and comforting words, his nose was sore, and tears couldn't help but flow, and then he hid his face and cried bitterly.

Li You looked at the sobbing body of the brother in front of him, and felt deep sympathy for him in his heart. He didn't speak, just silently accompanied Li Chengqian. At this time, it was also difficult for him to calm down.

Li You doesn't want to be the emperor, let alone the prince, especially Li Shimin is a strong emperor, and now it is the peak of the Spring and Autumn Period, no matter who comes to be the prince, he will feel very embarrassed. Li You was unwilling, he had to try to persuade Li Chengqian to cheer up.

Finally, Li Chengqian's emotions calmed down, he wiped his tears, and said with some embarrassment: "Fifth brother, the eldest brother has lost his temper, making you laugh." ”

Li You smiled and said, "Big brother, this is my own brother, thank you for your trust in me." ”

Li Chengqian looked at Li You's eyes and said: "Fifth brother, the eldest brother is not joking, he really doesn't want to be this prince, I think that the only person who is most suitable for Datang to be this prince is the fifth brother." ”

Li You shook his head and said, "Big brother, I know what you said is true. However, this is not possible. ”

Li Chengqian said: "Why can't it? I will recommend you to my father, your prestige is very high, and no one will object to it. ”