Adult Tang Dynasty: I, the Scoundrel, Fully Support the Empress - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Targeted by Prince Wei, Li Tai

The Imperial Academy stood on the eastern side of the Nanming Palace, flanked by the Lizheng Academy and the Hall of Scholars.

Most of the students here were either royal princes from the Hundred Heirs Residence or the sons of powerful officials. Over time, the Hundred Heirs Residence would evolve into the Ten Princes’ Mansions.

Speaking of the Ten Princes’ Mansions, Su Yang couldn’t help but find it ridiculous. During the An-Shi Rebellion, nearly all the royal bloodlines from these mansions were wiped out in one fell swoop, saving the rebels a great deal of effort. And the one who set everything in motion? None other than Emperor Xuanzong, Li Longji—the so-called “half a legendary ruler.”

Su Yang had mixed feelings about him. He wasn’t entirely incompetent, but his failures far outweighed his achievements. If the man had died twenty or thirty years earlier, the Tang Dynasty might not have fallen apart so quickly. But that was all in the distant future—something that had nothing to do with Su Yang right now. In fact, it wasn’t even certain that Li Longji would ever ascend the throne in this timeline.

At the moment, as soon as Su Yang stepped into the Imperial Academy, the surrounding students instinctively sucked in sharp breaths. Their gazes darted away, avoiding eye contact with him altogether.

And who could blame them?

Ever since Su Yang had beaten Zhangsun Chong to a pulp in broad daylight, his reputation had been cemented. No one dared to challenge him. After all, word had spread that even the Minister of Appointments had been left utterly humiliated, forced to watch helplessly as his son lay bedridden, wailing in pain.

“So, you’re the infamous troublemaker everyone fears?”

“The Empress’s sworn brother?”

“Su Yang?”

A few voices rang out from nearby. Unlike the others, these newcomers didn’t seem intimidated. In fact, they walked over deliberately, their expressions showing clear interest, as if they were looking to make acquaintances.

And they weren’t just anyone. These were the sons of some of the most esteemed generals in the empire—the legendary figures enshrined in the Hall of Valor.

Leading the group was Cheng Chumo, the eldest son of Duke Lu, Cheng Yaojin.

Beside him stood Yuchi Baolin, the son of Duke Wu, Yuchi Gong.

Then there was Qin Huaiyu, the son of Duke Yi, Qin Shubao.

And finally, Luo Tong, the son of the late war hero Luo Cheng, who had died in battle.

Bound by the legacies of their fathers, these four had grown up together, forming an unshakable brotherhood. They had long been curious about Su Yang, eager to meet him, but they had never had the chance—until now.

To the rest of the world, Su Yang was nothing more than an arrogant, untouchable delinquent. But to them, he was the kind of fearless, straightforward man they respected. Someone who didn’t bow to authority, who had the guts to put entitled nobles in their place.

They had grown sick of the so-called “elite” young lords who strutted around flaunting their family backgrounds while lacking any real skills. But because of their powerful connections, no one dared to touch them.

Now, however, someone had finally stepped up and put one of those frauds in his place. Naturally, that earned their respect.

“That’s right,” Su Yang said, flashing a grin. “That’s me.”

He had no reason to turn down their goodwill. If anything, he was thrilled—these four came from extraordinary backgrounds. Befriending them could only work to his advantage, and he had no doubt he could benefit from their connections in the long run.

Besides, he genuinely liked them. A few minutes of conversation was all it took for them to hit it off. They had the same sense of humor and the same attitude, and before long, they were talking like old friends. Given that Su Yang was slightly older, it was only natural that he took on the role of their leader.

Just then, a mocking voice cut through the air.

“Ha… Birds of a feather, I see. Trash always finds its way to the same garbage pile.”

The words dripped with disdain. The sneer in his tone was unmistakable.

The speaker was none other than Li Tai.

The Empress’s second son. The man who would one day be known as Prince Wei.

Li Tai stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression cold, his gaze filled with hostility toward Su Yang.

And it wasn’t surprising.

After all, Zhangsun Chong was one of Crown Prince Li Chengqian’s men. Su Yang had publicly humiliated him, which meant he had indirectly offended everyone in the prince’s circle.

“Say that again, I dare you!”

Before Su Yang could even react, Cheng Chumo and the others had already stepped forward, their eyes blazing with fury.

Su Yang was their sworn brother now. They weren’t about to let anyone insult him.

Even without Su Yang in the picture, they and Li Tai had never gotten along.

The royal princes, with all their scholarly pretensions, had always looked down on them as nothing more than brutes who knew nothing beyond wielding swords and spears.

But at the end of the day, no one dared to cross the Crown Prince.

As for Li Tai…

He was just another prince, and that didn’t count for much.