Side Story Chapter 27 (1/2)

Side Story Chapter 27: A Meeting of Brothers!

Translated by: Hypersheep325

Edited by: Michyrr

Gallop!

The sounds of horse hooves and clanging armor rang out in the Great Tang Imperial Palace.

The Imperial Palace was the home of the Son of Heaven, and no one except the Imperial Army that guarded the Imperial Palace was allowed to wear armor. All generals that entered the Imperial Palace, unless they had the approval of the Emperor, were not permitted to wear armor. Riding horses around the Imperial Palace was even more forbidden, and anyone who did would be gravely disrespecting the Son of Heaven.

But at this moment, when the Imperial Army soldiers saw that caped figure in silver armor riding his horse through the Imperial City, appearing like a god of war, none of them tried to stop him. On the contrary, they respectfully bowed to the man as he passed.

This horseman was around twenty-six years old, and he had an energetic and vigorous expression. He appeared like a god descended from the heavens, and the majestic aura radiating from his body would make anyone want to submit to him.

This was the First Prince of the Great Tang, Li Xuantu!

At the same time, he was the heir apparent of the Great Tang, the future True Dragon Son of Heaven!

After ten-some years of training in the army, Li Xuantu naturally exuded a mountainous pressure that intimidated those around him.

“Your Highness, the central gate is up ahead,” a muscular and imposing general behind Li Xuantu said.

Upon entering the palace, Li Xuantu first needed to have an audience with the Emperor in Taiji Palace.

The central gate was the middle axis of the Imperial Palace and had a special status. Although they were Li Xuantu’s trusted subordinates, they could only follow him up to here.

“Mm.”

Li Xuantu gave a slight nod and spurred his horse forward. After traveling another several dozen feet, Li Xuantu suddenly raised his thick eyebrows.

The generals behind him also spotted those two figures in the distance.

“This… the Second Prince and Fourth Prince?”

Standing in front of the central gate were Second Prince Li Chengyi and Fourth Prince Li Longfan, and it appeared that they had been waiting for some time.

When these two saw First Prince Li Xuantu, they appeared rather hesitant, and even more fearful.

“First Imperial Brother is here,” Li Longfan softly said.

Even though they had already made up their minds, Li Longfan still find it hard to suppress his instinctive fear.

They were all Princes, but Li Xuantu was simply too dazzling. In front of this bright son, all of the other Princes lost their luster.

Second Prince Li Chengyi pushed Li Longfan and urged, “A loosed arrow can’t be taken back. There’s no such thing as compassion in the depths of the Imperial Palace. Think about it. Third Brother is ascendant, and he knows what we did in the past. Do you think he’ll just let us go?”

“It’s you guys!” A cold and aloof voice rang out.

The two of them shuddered and raised their heads, only now realizing that Li Xuantu had already ridden up to them. His face had a cold and arrogant look, and his body stood tall like a mountain, casting a shadow over the two of them and exerting a formidable pressure.

In a flash, Second Prince Li Chengyi’s behavior became somewhat unnatural.

“Chengyi pays respects to First Brother!”

“Longfan pays respects to First Brother!”

The two of them lowered their heads and hastily bowed, not even daring to breathe too loudly.

First Prince Li Xuantu’s domineering attitude had long ago branded itself into their souls.

“No one courts favor for no good reason. You were not waiting here just to greet me, yes?”

His armor clattering, Li Xuantu looked down on the two, his sharp eyes penetrating into the depths of their souls and seeing through all their schemes.

Both of them trembled, their expressions turning awkward.

Li Xuantu remained unperturbed and unmoved.

Normally, when a Prince returned from a campaign, he needed to see the Emperor first.

If Li Chengyi and Li Longfan simply wanted to meet him, they would have a chance at the evening feast to be held afterward, or they could meet at any other place in the Imperial Palace.

It was clear that the two had an ulterior motive if they were waiting for him here.

Li Chengyi and Li Longfan shared a glance before finally admitting it.

“I knew that I could not hide it from Imperial Brother!”

“Talk quickly. I still have to see Imperial Father.” Li Xuantu glanced behind Li Chengyi as he indifferently spoke.

He was already used to seeing such things in the Imperial Palace.

Saying this, Li Xuantu walked past the two of them and began to remove his armor, acting like Li Chengyi and Li Longfan simply weren’t there.

Li Chengyi’s gaze darkened at this sight.

First Prince Li Xuantu was accomplished in military arts, martial arts, tactics, politics, administration… He excelled in every field, and seemed to study and train with half the time and double the efficiency. He appeared to advance a thousand li in a single day, and he could comprehend even more things by simply comparing them to his past experiences. He far surpassed the other Princes, and even the Emperor was inferior in some aspects.

This was precisely why Li Xuantu was so arrogant, acting like a high master when it came to all things.

“Since Imperial Brother is pressed for time, your brother will get straight to the point.”

As Li Xuantu turned to face him, Li Chengyi regained his composure and smiled.

“First Imperial Brother should know about Third Brother, yes?”

Li Chengyi watched Li Xuantu as he spoke, but Li Xuantu continued to ignore him and take off his armor.

He didn’t even respond to Li Chengyi’s question, acting as if he hadn’t heard.

The air became somewhat stagnant.

Li Longfan looked embarrassed, and Li Chengyi frowned. The First Prince’s reaction was clearly not what they had expected.

Li Chengyi quickly regained his composure and continued to speak.