Li Ke said that he didn't know about Li Chengqian and Li Tai before he came, and he only returned to Chang'an simply because Li Shimin asked him to go back to Chang'an to celebrate his birthday, but Li Xiu didn't believe it very much, and even he was sure that Li Ke didn't tell the truth, so he finally stared at him and questioned him directly.

In the face of Li Xiu's questioning, the expression on Li Ke's face couldn't help but stiffen, and then he reluctantly smiled and wanted to deny it, but in the face of Li Xiu's blazing eyes, he found that he couldn't quibble no matter what, and finally sighed weakly and said: "It seems that Mr. has guessed, indeed, the reason why I came back is not only what I said on the surface, but in fact, I also have a bit of luck in my heart, after all, now that the eldest brother and the fourth brother are both defeated, I feel that I may have some opportunities, so I took the risk to come back and give it a try." ”

Seeing that Li Ke admitted that the purpose of coming back was not simple, Li Xiu was not angry at all, but said very calmly: "Ke'er, I am very happy that you can tell me the truth, and it also proves that I didn't see the wrong person at the beginning, in fact, it is normal for you to have such thoughts, and you don't think that only I can guess this matter, and other people can also guess it." ”

"Sir, you're not angry?" Li Ke couldn't help but show a surprised expression when he heard Li Xiu's words, because Li Xiu persuaded him not to come to Chang'an from the beginning, but because of his selfishness and a little luck in his heart, he didn't listen to Li Xiu's words, so he thought that Li Xiu would be angry when he found out, but the truth surprised him very much.

"Hehe, why should I be angry, you are already an adult, you will naturally have your own thoughts, and in the face of the throne, few people can not be moved, not to mention that you are also one of His Majesty's most outstanding sons, if you don't have such thoughts, I will feel strange." Li Xiu also said with a smile at the moment.

At the beginning, Li Ke chose to stay in Yangzhou and not come back, because he knew that his identity was sensitive at that time, but he didn't know how to hide his edge, if he stayed in Chang'an, I was afraid that sooner or later it would pose a threat to Li Chengqian's position, so he decided to stay away from Chang'an, but as time went by, Li Ke has also become an adult, and the situation has also changed, such as Li Tai and Li Chengqian's fight is so miserable now, which made Li Ke's mind change, plus Li Shimin's summons, Only then did I decide to go back to Chang'an to try my luck.

"Thank you sir for your understanding, student...... The student ...... "Li Ke never expected Li Xiu to understand himself so well, in fact, this is the first time he has talked about this to others, and even when facing his mother, he didn't reveal half a point, because he felt that no one would understand him, but now Li Xiu's words moved him very much, and even his eyes were slightly red."

"Ke'er, although I understand you, but you shouldn't be too happy, because this does not mean that I will be on your side, in fact, my attitude has not changed at all, if possible, I still want to persuade you to leave Chang'an as soon as possible." However, seeing Li Ke's excited appearance, Li Xiu poured a basin of cold water on him at this time.

Li Ke couldn't help but be stunned when he heard Li Xiu's words, but he wasn't too excited, but calmly pondered for a while, and then spoke again: "Sir, when I saw my father yesterday, I obviously felt that my father liked me very much, and now the eldest brother is getting more and more nonsense, although the father has always refused to set up another prince, but he is already very sad about the eldest brother, not to mention the fourth brother, in terms of talent and learning, none of our brothers can stand him, but in addition to this strength, he is too far behind in other aspects, I can't even do the basics of dealing with people, so I don't think I'm completely out of the woods. ”

Li Ke finally boldly confided in Li Xiu the most secret thoughts in his heart, and even if it was possible, he still wanted to get Li Xiu's support, with Li Xiu's current status, if he could really support himself, then his advantage would be greater.

Hearing Li Ke's words, I saw that Li Xiu shook his head with a wry smile, and then spoke again: "The fight between your eldest brother and the fourth brother has indeed made your father very hurt, and even a little bored with it, and it is precisely for this reason that he also loves you, a son who has performed well, but you must not be like your fourth brother, because of this kind of affection, you have an illusion, thinking that as long as you pull Cheng Qian down, you can get the throne, if you really think so, I'm afraid that the end will be even worse than Li Tai in the future. ”

"This ......" Li Ke also showed a contemplative expression again when he heard Li Xiu's words, although he felt that Li Xiu's words were very reasonable, but he always felt a little uncomfortable in his heart.

Seeing that Li Ke was silent, Li Xiu also knew that he didn't fully listen, but he was not discouraged, but smiled indifferently again: "Ke'er, didn't you just say that your father always praised you and said that you are most like him?" ”

"Yes, yesterday my father said this several times, and in the end I was a little embarrassed, after all, my father was already a great soldier at my age, and he followed the emperor's grandfather to fight the world, in comparison, my little political achievements in Yangzhou are really a little unproductive." Li Ke's eyes lit up when he heard Li Xiu's words, although his words were full of modesty, but there was a hint of smugness in his expression, after all, among the many princes, only he could get such praise from his father.

"Hehe, your father's praise for you is not wrong, among the many princes, it is true that you are the most like your father, but behind this layer of praise, there is another meaning, I'm afraid you didn't hear it at all." The thoughts in Li Ke's heart naturally couldn't escape Li Xiu's eyes, but at this time, he shook his head helplessly and smiled, sometimes he really didn't understand Li Shimin, because some of his practices were too easy for Li Ke and others to misunderstand.

"Another meaning?" Li Ke showed a puzzled expression again at the moment and said, he really couldn't figure out what Li Xiu's words meant, obviously a word to praise himself, what else could it mean?

Seeing that Li Ke didn't understand, he saw Li Xiu shake his head again at this time and said, "Ke'er, do you know what the biggest knot in your father's heart is?" ”

"Heart knots?" Li Ke couldn't help but be stunned when he heard Li Xiu's words, although he was very smart, and he did often guess what his father thought in his heart, but he never considered what knots his father had in his heart?

Seeing that Li Ke couldn't answer, Li Xiu spoke again: "Actually, your father's heart knot is a very taboo topic, in fact, many people know it, but they have never dared to discuss it openly, when I say this, you must be able to guess it!" ”

"What the gentleman said is...... Xuanwu Gate? Li Ke also immediately woke up when he heard Li Xiu's reminder, and said very cautiously at the moment, when he said the three words "Xuanwu Gate", he also showed a somewhat solemn look on his face, even if he was a prince, he was very taboo about what happened in Xuanwu Gate.

"Yes, at the beginning, Xuanwumen can be said to be the biggest tragedy in your royal family, and although your father got the throne, in fact, he has always been very uneasy in his heart, but it is this uneasiness that makes your father always strive to be an excellent emperor, because he wants to prove to everyone that he, the emperor, will definitely not be worse than anyone else, at least...... At least not worse than your dead uncle! Li Xiu also said with a sad face at the moment.

As a witness to the deeds of Xuanwumen, Li Xiu actually didn't want to recall the original incident, but this time in order to persuade Li Ke to give up his unrealistic illusions about the throne, he could only tell the matter.

"I see, my father has worked hard over the years, although it is related to his character, but the greater motivation is to prove himself!" Li Ke also nodded in agreement when he heard this.

"Your father's efforts over the years have also been seen by all, not only sweeping away the threats around the Tang Dynasty, but also governing the country in an orderly manner, forming a prosperous image that has not been seen for a thousand years, but this has not made your father completely relaxed, because he has a bigger worry, do you know what?" Li Xiu continued at this time.

"Greater worries? What is that? Li Ke asked again puzzled, although he is Li Shimin's son, if you talk about Li Shimin's understanding, ten of him together are not as good as Li Xiu.

"This worry is actually related to you princes, because your father gave you princes a bad start, he stepped on the throne with blood and bones, but as a father, he also very much does not want his son to follow his old path, so after he ascended the throne, he almost immediately made your eldest brother the crown prince, hoping that through this method, other sons will die, so as to avoid the tragedy of fratricide when he inherits the throne." When Li Xiu said the end, he couldn't help but sigh and said.

"It turns out that the eldest brother was made the crown prince, and there is such a consideration behind it." Li Ke also nodded again and again when he heard Li Xiu's words, what Li Xiu said today was not something he could usually come into contact with, so it made him feel like an eye-opener.

"Yes, in the matter of inheriting the throne, your father has a bottom line, that is, no matter who continues to be on the throne, he must not hurt other princes in the future, and Cheng Qian, as the eldest brother, used to take great care of you brothers, and he was made the crown prince since he was a child, as long as he successfully ascends the throne, he will definitely not be embarrassed to be younger brothers."

When Li Xiu said this, he suddenly paused, and then turned his head to Li Ke and said: "Ke'er, since you know the bottom line in your father's heart, then think about it carefully, your father said that you are most like him, is this sentence really complimenting you?" ”