I am Li Shen and Li Shimin, the free kings of the Tang Dynasty

Although Cheng Chusi was Cheng Yaojin's eldest son and the future heir to the Duke of Lu's mansion, he was not as worldly-wise as an ordinary official.

He was a bodyguard for the emperor, serving as his security guard. They would stand guard outside the emperor's door while he slept.

This is a sign of trust in them, and also a testament to the Emperor's boundless grace.

However, it's not accurate to say that he was close to the emperor; they didn't have much interaction.

Li Shimin was so imposing at this moment that even Cheng Yaojin, let alone Cheng Chusi, might not be able to withstand him.

Sweat streamed down his sides, and his hands began to tremble slightly.

He was not telling the truth.

"Your Majesty, everything I have said is true, and I dare not utter a single falsehood. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may confront Prince Ji."

In the end, Cheng Chusi gritted his teeth and persevered, feeling he couldn't betray Prince Ji. Prince Ji was their moneybag.

The main thing is that Prince Ji did not rebel, so everything else is negotiable.

Li Shimin looked at the nervous Cheng Chusi, and after a long while, he waved his hand:

"You may leave now. Remember, don't tell anyone about what happened today, understand?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I accept your decree and take my leave." Cheng Chusi, as if granted a pardon, quickly bowed and withdrew.

Watching Cheng Chu leave, Li Shimin stood up:

"Wang De, go and find out what's going on."

"Yes, this old servant will go right away." Wang De accepted the order and left.

It's quite obvious that Li Shimin had spies in Songtsen Gampo's residence, which is normal.

Li Shimin went to the study, drank tea and waited. In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wang De hurriedly returned.

"Your Majesty, this old servant has returned." Wang De bowed upon his return.

"How is the situation?" Li Shimin asked.

"This... is roughly the same as what Cheng Chusi said, but Cheng Chusi may have missed one thing."

"Oh, what is it?" Li Shimin asked curiously upon hearing Wang De's words.

He wanted to know what Cheng Chusi was hiding.

"Your Majesty, during his visit, Prince Ji inquired about a matter with the Tibetan king, namely the attack on key cities in Qinghai and Your Majesty's assassination attempt."

His Highness Prince Ji wanted to find out from the Tibetan king who the Tibetan spies were, and who had colluded with other countries to provide Tibet with blueprints for siege equipment.

There were also powerful crossbows from the Imperial Guards.

Wang De reported the truth.

"Did Songtsen Gampo truthfully inform the Tenth Prince?" Li Shimin immediately asked upon hearing Wang De's words.

Wang De shook his head:

"No, the Tibetan king said he didn't know either, and he blamed everything on the Western Turks."

Li Shimin was somewhat disappointed, yet also somewhat relieved; his expression was quite complex.

But then he chuckled twice:

"Hehe, it seems my tenth son is quite popular. This eldest son of the Cheng family actually concealed the truth for the sake of the tenth son."

"Yes, Your Majesty. Prince Ji is indeed worthy of being Your Majesty's son. He is a dragon among men and has won the hearts of these纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy and powerful families)."

Wang De smiled apologetically.

"What? Are you saying I'm following a rebellious son, swindling and cheating everywhere?" Li Shimin tilted his head, somewhat unwilling.

What does it mean to win the hearts of spoiled brats? Back then, he had the aura of a tyrant, and many heroes and valiant men voluntarily attached themselves to him.

Wang De realized he hadn't flattered her well, and quickly apologized:

"Yes, yes, look at this old servant's loose tongue. His Majesty has always had the bearing of an emperor and is revered by all people. Prince Ji is merely borrowing His Majesty's power."

Upon hearing Wang De's words, Li Shimin sighed, "Alas..."

He leaned back in his chair, looking at the ceiling, and suddenly felt a pang of emotion:

“Wang De, having too many sons isn’t necessarily a good thing,” he said, his face full of worry.

None of his sons were easy to deal with. Those who were sent to other places were constantly being impeached, and the ones in Chang'an were causing him even more worry.

The tenth son, in particular, had his own ideas from a young age, was disobedient, and was skilled in all sorts of trickery and deception, but never learned to be good.

He had tried to teach his son, but each time he would get so angry that he would lose control and want to beat him.

Perhaps this can be considered a kind of family bliss, since there's nothing else to do anyway.

Wang De did not answer; he understood what His Majesty meant.

No one knows what Li Shimin was thinking, he just stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Your Majesty, why don't you go back and take a nap? We've already tried the calming incense sent by the Prince Ji's residence, and it's very effective."

Wang De broke the silence, trying to distract Li Shimin and prevent him from being so upset.

"By the way, remember to remind me tomorrow to ask that rebellious son for money. Since he's using me as a trump card, how can we not give him half of the money?"

"Ten thousand catties of gold—how could it fall into his hands alone? This is all the hard-earned money of the people; I will take it from the people and use it for the people."

Wang De's reminder immediately brought to mind Li Shimin's memory of Li Shen asking for money.

This unfilial son is actually using his father's power to cheat and swindle money; he deserves a share of that money.

Five thousand catties of gold and eight hundred thousand strings of cash were enough for him to hire people to repair the palace.

"This... Your Majesty, this is not a good idea. Prince Ji has just sent 300,000 strings of cash. If we ask him to give another 5,000 catties of gold, I'm afraid Prince Ji will go crazy."

Wang De reminded him from the side. Prince Ji was greedy for money, and the 300,000 strings of cash were only because he was in the wrong and had no other choice. Moreover, in the end, the 300,000 strings of cash belonged to His Highness the Crown Prince.

But if we were to try to snatch five thousand catties of gold from Prince Ji, this young prince would probably fly into a rage.

Tomorrow is the Yuanzheng family banquet. His Majesty has invited all his children from Chang'an to enjoy family time. What if Prince Ji has a stroke and causes a scene at the banquet?

"Humph!"

Li Shimin gave a cold snort.

"That's not his money. Doesn't he know where his money came from?"

Let's see what he's done this year.

He cheated and swindled, committed all sorts of evil deeds, extorted money from Silla, and cheated his elder brother.

I sent him to guard the town of Xizhou. Once he arrived there, he began to amass wealth, accept bribes, and engage in arson, murder, and looting.

Each and every one of these things is enough to cost him ten lives. Because of his actions, I have lost sleep for countless nights, and I have at least lost ten years of my life.

I cannot rest easy unless I make amends to him.

Li Shimin became more and more agitated as he spoke. This rebellious son caused trouble outside, and he had to clean up his messes at home, owing him countless favors.

What's a little money?

"Alas," Wang De sighed inwardly, silently mourning for Prince Ji. It seemed Prince Ji was in for a rough time this year.

Tomorrow's family dinner is sure to be a lively affair.

Prince Ji is Your Majesty's medicine; he can untangle your knots in your heart and cure your worries.

~~~~~~~

"Your Highness Prince Ji, the eldest son of the Cheng family of the Duke of Lu's mansion is outside requesting an audience."

Li Shen had just returned to the Prince's residence and hadn't even had time to change his clothes when a servant came to report to him.

"Please ask him to wait in the front hall."

Li Shen knew that Cheng Chusi must have come for something, otherwise he wouldn't have come over so soon after they parted.

The only possibility is that his father, the emperor, contacted him and asked him some questions.

(Why is it getting later and later?)