Chapter 237:

Chapter 237:

Chapter 237

If Su Li were easily swayed, he wouldn't be worth Li Tai's attention. Faced with Su Li's indifference, Li Tai maintained his pleasant demeanor and engaged in small talk to fill the silence. After a conversation that seemed to drag on without much substance and seeing Su Li growing impatient, Li Tai promptly excused himself without unnecessary delays. When prolonged, some matters might not be productive, and a higher interaction frequency better conveys one's sincerity.

Li Tai visited the Princess's Residence daily for the next few weeks. Initially, Su Li tolerated a few exchanges, but as time passed, Li Tai's visits were met by Changle instead. Even Change grew reluctant to see him Eventually. Several consecutive days saw Li Tai turned away at the entrance with the explanation that the Prince and the Princess were occupied teaching the young prince.

Although the door remained technically open, Li Tai would spend much of the day at the Princess's Residence, sipping tea and not catching a glimpse of Su Li. Even with a thick-skinned demeanor, Li Tai couldn't help but feel somewhat embarrassed after a while. Over time, he naturally grasped Su Li's message.

Nevertheless, he wasn't disheartened. Unable to find an opening through Su Li and Changle, he shifted his focus elsewhere.

When Li Tai first visited the Princess's Residence, young Su Che received stern scolding from Su Li for playing with gunpowder. Although Su Che had been embarrassed and avoided people for a few days, being just a toddler, his moods shifted rapidly. Before long, he was once again running around the courtyard with boundless energy. Consequently, the opportunities for the uncle and nephew to meet increased. Li Tai tried to get close to Su Che, often playing with him and occasionally bringing small gifts. Before long, Su Che had grown fond of his uncle, and they became close.

In the eyes of someone as astute as Li Er, directing all his wisdom towards understanding a person led to many previously perplexing matters becoming clear. Li Er was convinced that Su Li was truly a person who sought no conflict with the world. Su Li's actions were straightforward, and his intentions typically aligned with the country's and its people's greater good. Li Er had mentioned to Li Chengqian before that having Su Li was indeed a stroke of luck for the Tang Dynasty. Li Er's only concern was the possibility of Su Li's intentions changing.

“Father, Master Su once told me that the key to ruling lies in balance and complementarity. When dealing with those above, one must balance favor and authority. When dealing with those below, one should display kindness and discipline,” Li Chengqian calmly began to speak. “Regarding the noble clans, it's indeed necessary for you to show your power to remind them of the emperor's authority. However, the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families also have their uses for the Tang Dynasty. As the Crown Prince, I believe showing some benevolence could also help them understand the leniency of our royal family.”

Li Chengqian's words were well-argued and grounded, and even Li Er struggled to develop a counterargument. However, when a father decided to discipline his son, there was no need for extensive reasoning. Sometimes, strong disciplinary actions could be more effective than a thousand words.

Li Er believed he didn't need a reason to discipline Li Chengqian if necessary. “Even so, you should understand that the noble clans are displeased with Su Li. How do you think they will react if you become too close to him once he’s gone?” Li Er's voice was filled with anger.

Li Chengqian’s expression instantly turned sour. “Why should I care about Su Li’s feelings when I make decisions?” Seeing his son’s reaction, Li Er couldn’t help but furrow his brow. “Chengqian has always had a bit of a rebellious streak. Is it because I’ve given too much attention to Su Li, and that’s causing his discontent?” Li Er couldn’t help but think along those lines.

After all, both father and son were extraordinary individuals. Who would want to hear their parents constantly talking about other people’s children? Li Er believed that if he were twenty years younger, he might not fare better in similar circumstances than Li Chengqian. Sometimes it was wiser to be lenient than to confront head-on.

With this in mind, Li Er quickly formulated a second approach. “Chengqian, Su Li is an extraordinary individual. I must treat him with respect. Although I’ve granted him power, he shows no attachment to it. This demonstrates that Su Li has no ambitions, and we can interact with him without worry. In this matter, Li Tai understands more than you... I’ve heard he’s visited the princess’s residence frequently lately...” Before he could finish his sentence, Li Chengqian’s face had already turned ashen.