Time Travel: I am the idle king Li Shen and Li Shimin in the Tang Dynasty

Upon hearing Li Shen's words, Li Chengqian's face turned a deep shade of liver, and he remained silent for a long time.

This guy is so mean, isn't he just blatantly trying to hurt himself?

But he couldn't say it out loud, otherwise it would seem that he was unwilling to take the punishment in place of his father.

"My own affairs are none of anyone else's business. It is my fault for not teaching you well. You need not say anything more."

Li Shimin remained unmoved, saying, "You, Li Shen, must either pay me or beat me up."

Li Shen was truly at his wit's end. What could he do when faced with such a shameless father? Could he possibly kill himself by crashing into a pillar in the main hall?

Although this self-inflicted injury might work, Li Shen is afraid of pain.

His mind raced, and he racked his brains. Li Shen had never put his mind to something like this in his entire life.

Everyone watched this farce, not understanding what His Majesty and Prince Ji were really up to.

Li Shen looked up at his three elder brothers, his heart filled with surging hatred, and gritted his teeth:

"Father, it's not appropriate for eldest brother, being the Crown Prince, to be punished in his place. How about letting fourth brother take the punishment instead?"

"Twenty percent."

After Li Shen finished speaking, he whispered two words in his father’s ear.

He wanted revenge because this Fatty Li struck first; otherwise, he wouldn't have been forced into a situation where he had no chance to negotiate.

Li Shimin shook his head, indicating his disagreement.

Li Shen secretly extended three fingers again. Li Shimin looked at them, shook his head, and then extended his palm towards Li Shen.

Li Shen frowned, remained silent, and shook his head as well. He reached out and grasped Li Shimin's hand, withdrawing two fingers.

Li Shimin also frowned and shook his head.

This series of actions left onlookers puzzled. Why were the father and son playing drinking games before even having their meal?

Father and son looked at each other, and Li Shen could see determination in his father's eyes: it was either fight or give in.

"Sigh~~~" Li Shen sighed. He had been mentally prepared for this for a long time. So be it.

However, he was still somewhat unwilling to give up.

“Father, if it’s not enough for Fourth Brother to be punished alone, then there are Ninth Brother and Eldest Brother. The three of them can take the punishment in your place.”

Please grant my request, Father.

After saying this, Li Shen took out the two fingers that his father had previously hidden away. He looked at Li Shimin with a questioning gaze.

Li Shimin pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled, grabbed Li Shen's hand, and got off the bench.

"Yes, you are right. The sins of the father must be paid by the son. I am the ruler of a country, and I am revered as the Heavenly Khan. It is indeed inappropriate for me to be punished by you."

Not only does it violate the natural order, but it also disrupts the fundamental principles of morality.

"Since that's the case, how about the three of you take the punishment for me?"

Li Shimin looked at his three beloved sons with a smile.

All three were dumbfounded. What happened? They were just on the verge of a fight, and now they've made up? Did their father lose a rock-paper-scissors game?

Li Shimin has now regained his former high spirits, with a beaming smile and an amiable demeanor.

He doesn't look like he was in a fit of rage just now.

Sigh... Li Chengqian sighed inwardly. It was obvious that his younger brother had won again, and must have made some kind of shady deal with their father, the emperor.

If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have watched the play. I should have sided with Li Shen. Now, I've not only missed the play, but it seems I also have to perform.

Of the three brothers, only Li Chengqian had a clear understanding; Li Tai and Li Zhi were still somewhat confused, and it seemed like a scene of sons beating their fathers was about to unfold.

How did the tone suddenly change to the point where I have to take the punishment myself?

“Father, I am willing to take the punishment for you. This is what I should do.”

Li Chengqian spoke first, knowing he couldn't avoid it; Li Shen was staring at them.

“Son…Son is willing too.” Li Tai looked at his father and Li Shen and nodded.

"What? Ninth Brother is unwilling? It seems you're not so filial after all." Seeing that Li Zhi didn't speak, Li Shen immediately started to belittle him.

"Hmph, I'm willing to take the punishment for Father, and you don't need to interfere," Li Zhi snorted.

"Well, who's going first?"

Li Shen chuckled and raised an eyebrow at his three elder brothers.

"What? Li Shen, how dare you try to enforce family discipline? You're not qualified."

Seeing Li Shen's reaction, the three immediately guessed what he was thinking, and Li Zhi stepped forward to question him.

"How can I not be qualified? You are being punished in place of Father, but Father just instructed me to carry it out."

Besides, I am the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs, in charge of matters concerning the imperial clan. Do you think I'm qualified?

Li Shen stood up from the ground, displaying his arrogance to the fullest extent, embodying the phrase "using a chicken feather as an imperial edict."

“You…” Li Zhi was speechless and could only look at his father. He knew that if Li Shen were to carry out the family law, Li Shen would definitely take revenge for personal grudges.

"Aye."

"Don't worry, the Tenth Prince is a man of principle, and I did just say that."

Li Shimin sat back down, picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. He had been so engrossed in the performance that his mouth was dry.

"Erlang?"

Empress Zhangsun called out, her eyes questioning, worried that something might have happened, since Li Shen was known for his reckless and impulsive actions.

"Don't worry, it's fine. Have someone tidy up the treasury and clear out a space for it later."

Li Shimin patted Empress Zhangsun's hand to indicate that she would be alright, and also told the empress some good news.

Having served her for many years, the Empress immediately understood her husband's meaning: he had taken a treasure from Li Shen.

And judging from the looks of it, it must be a lot of money, otherwise he wouldn't be so happy.

But isn't it a bit too much to give up three sons for money?

With a "smack!", Li Shen slapped the family law in his hand, revealing an evil smile:

"Hehehe, my three elder brothers, I cannot disobey Father's orders, so I'm sorry to disappoint you. Which of you three will go first?"

Li Shen couldn't contain his excitement and almost burst into laughter several times.

The three brothers couldn't help but shudder at the sight; would this guy take this opportunity to kill them all?

Now that I'm a VIP and have paid for this game, shouldn't I have a good fight?

"Sigh, let me go first, I'm the eldest brother."

Seeing Li Shen's appearance, Li Chengqian sighed and walked over to lean on the bench.

"Tenth Brother, thirty lashes will suffice for everyone." Just as Li Shen was about to carry out the execution, Li Shimin said from behind.

"Huh? Wasn't it supposed to be one hundred?" Li Shen turned around and asked suspiciously. Didn't his father just say one hundred family rules?

"Damn it! If I get punished one hundred times, and the three of them take the punishment for me, how can each of them still get one hundred times? Wouldn't that be three hundred lashes?"

Li Shimin angrily cursed, "Does this bastard really want to kill someone?"

"Oh," Li Shen said, somewhat disappointed. He had planned to give each person a hundred.

Thirty reps weren't enough. Looks like I'll have to put in some more effort.

"Big brother~~~ Please forgive my rudeness, haha..." Li Shen couldn't help but laugh out loud.