Daqing Reborn Prince, Intercepting Si Lili at the Beginning

Chapter 10: Li Hongcheng’s Visit? Going to Zui Xian Ju?

“Ah, come on, Old Huang, it’s been so long, why are you being so formal now? Come over here, let’s be like before!”

Seeing Old Huang suddenly kneeling, Li Chengyuan hurriedly stopped him.

According to the system’s arrangement, Old Huang was someone he met when he sneaked out of the palace as a child. At the time, Old Huang was severely injured, penniless, and suffering from both hunger and pain. Li Chengyuan gave him a meal and some money, helping him get through that difficult time.

So, according to the memory, the two were not exactly strangers in this life.

Hearing this, Old Huang revealed a simple smile but still hesitated a little while looking at the royal robes Li Chengyuan was wearing. After all, there was now a difference in their statuses.

Although Old Huang was a great master, deep down, he was still just a blacksmith.

Seeing this, Li Chengyuan smiled and said, “You’re not coming? In that case, I might just eat all this meat myself!”

“Meat?” Hearing Li Chengyuan’s words, and the smell of cumin-grilled meat wafting through the air, Old Huang couldn’t hold back any longer. He ran over immediately.

“Coming, coming, Your Highness, save some for me!”

As he spoke, Old Huang was already reaching for the meat.

Li Chengyuan, far from being angry, started playfully competing with Old Huang for the meat. Old Huang let go completely, engaging in a friendly tussle with Li Chengyuan. The two competed, grabbing meat and stuffing it into their mouths.

In no time at all, the dozen or so skewers that Li Chengyuan had grilled were all snatched up. Their ravenous eating left Sangwen staring in disbelief.

Fortunately, Li Chengyuan had saved one skewer for Sang Wen. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have had a single bite.

After handing the skewer to Sang Wen, Li Chengyuan turned to look at Old Huang and sighed, “Old Huang, you’re impressive! After all these years, I still can’t out-eat you when it comes to grabbing meat!”

Old Huang chuckled, “Your Highness is too kind. This is the only skill I’ve got!”

Seeing Old Huang fully relax, Li Chengyuan smiled, picking up another handful of skewers and splitting them in half with Old Huang. The two ate and chatted, mostly about trivial matters.

As for Old Huang’s martial prowess, Li Chengyuan didn’t bring it up at all.

Old Huang, being someone skilled at pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger [1], naturally didn’t mention it either. Since Li Chengyuan didn’t bring it up, he wasn’t about to say a word.

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Old Huang’s arrival finally gave Li Chengyuan a sense of confidence, making even the meat taste better.

Old Huang was also delighted. He had originally thought that after Li Chengyuan regained his royal status, he would become distant. But now he found that Li Chengyuan was still as genuine and warm as before, and this realization filled Old Huang with comfort, making him relax even more.

The two drank a jar of wine each. Afterward, both were a little tipsy.

After eating, Li Chengyuan arranged a room for Old Huang and then took Sang Wen for a nap.

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In the afternoon, Li Chengyuan had Sang Wen copy more of Journey to the West, finishing over four thousand characters and completing the first chapter entirely!

At this rate, in half a month, they could finish 20 chapters, and then it could be published as the first volume!

After Sang Wen finished copying, Li Chengyuan took the manuscript and corrected the mistakes. Just as they were busy working, a servant reported that the son of King Jing had come to visit.

Li Chengyuan narrowed his eyes.

Li Hongcheng, the son of King Jing?

He was one of Li Chengze’s people!

In the plot, this son was quite capable. If he could be drawn over to his side, he’d be a significant asset. However, Li Chengyuan wasn’t too interested in him. Playing around with him was fine, but recruiting him? No, that wasn’t necessary.

“Invite him to the main hall.”

Li Chengyuan gave an order and then had Sang Wen help him tidy up his clothes.

Once everything was ready, Li Chengyuan headed to the main hall.

As soon as he entered the hall, he saw Li Hongcheng, who looked a bit foolish.

Seeing Li Chengyuan, Li Hongcheng hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting.

“Hongcheng greets His Highness, the Third Prince!”

“Alright, we’re brothers, no need for formalities,” Li Chengyuan waved his hand and then directly asked, “You came to see me for something?”

Li Hongcheng straightforwardly replied, “Your Highness, it’s like this—Second Prince knows that you enjoy having fun. Coincidentally, I’m quite familiar with Zui Xian Ju, so the Second Prince asked me to invite you there tonight.”

“The Second Brother asked you to invite me to Zui Xian Ju?” Li Chengyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled without giving anything away and asked, “Hongcheng, there were quite a few rumors about me in court today, weren’t there?”

“Uh…” Li Hongcheng hesitated for a moment, then nodded, “There were indeed a few gossips, but not many!”

“Hmm! So, Second Brother wants me to go to Zui Xian Ju and fan the flames a bit more?”

Li Hongcheng gave an awkward smile and this time didn’t respond.

Even though Li Hongcheng didn’t say anything, Li Chengyuan had already pieced everything together.

Previously, he had turned down Li Chengze’s invitation, claiming he wanted to indulge in leisure.

So now, Li Chengze wanted to give him a push, stirring the pot so that Li Chengyuan would end up in the spotlight even more.

At that point, whether or not Li Chengyuan could continue to play around would soon become evident.

Now that Old Huang had arrived, Li Chengyuan no longer needed to “play.”

Earlier, he had wanted to “play” because he had no foundation, no confidence. And considering his unique position, blindly involving himself in the fight for the throne would have been a death wish.

But now that Old Huang was here, Li Chengyuan felt more secure.

As long as he could build his power within the court, he could start preparing to kill the emperor.

Technically, he should now be actively participating in the battle for the throne.

But after a moment of reflection, Li Chengyuan dismissed that thought.

Because Fan Xian hadn’t yet arrived in the capital!

He and Fan Xian were brothers. The Emperor would never allow both of them to be in the court at the same time.

Li Chengyuan feared that if he rose to prominence too soon, the Emperor wouldn’t let Fan Xian come to the capital.

If that happened, and he was left fighting alone in the capital, it would be too difficult.

Especially since many of the opportunities to intercept key moments relied on Fan Xian being present.

So, for now, he still needed to eat, drink, and play.

Only then would the Emperor feel at ease.

That way, the Emperor would allow Fan Xian to come to the capital, as a third whetstone for the Crown Prince.

And once Fan Xian arrived, that would be the best time for Li Chengyuan to make his move.

After thinking it over, Li Chengyuan looked up at Li Hongcheng and smiled, “In that case, I’ll join you tonight and have some fun. To be honest, I’ve been curious about Zui Xian Ju for a while!”

Seeing that Li Chengyuan agreed, Li Hongcheng’s face lit up with joy.

“That’s great! Don’t worry, Your Highness, I know Zui Xian Ju like the back of my hand. Tonight, I’ll make sure you have a great time!”

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you then!”

“You honor me, Your Highness!”

After the two agreed on the time and place for the evening, Li Hongcheng took his leave.

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Footnotes:

[1] Pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger (扮猪吃虎 – bàn zhū chī hǔ): A Chinese idiom meaning to hide one’s true strength or ability, pretending to be weak or foolish to deceive others and gain an advantage.