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

Li Shen's VIP event has ended, and he feels refreshed and invigorated; the frustration he felt earlier has vanished without a trace.

Indeed, whether in this life or the past, spending money brings happiness.

Although he was a little tired, Li Shen was in very good spirits.

"So, when are you going to send the money?"

When Li Shen came before Li Shimin, Li Shimin offered him a cup of tea.

Li Shen took the drink and drank several mouthfuls to catch his breath.

"Hehe, Father, don't worry, I will never break my promise. As soon as the money from Tibet arrives, I will send half of it immediately."

Li Shen chuckled and patted his chest, assuring everyone that he was a very trustworthy person and that he would naturally pay for the services he received.

"That's good. Don't disappoint me, or you should know the consequences."

Li Shimin nodded.

"Hehe, I know, even if you gave me a hundred lives, I wouldn't dare disobey Father's orders."

"Your Majesty truly deserves to be called the Heavenly Khan. He genuinely cares for the world. For the sake of the people of Tibet, he even sacrificed his own family for the greater good. I admire you. Your Majesty truly deserves to be called Emperor Taizong!"

Li Shen chuckled and whispered to his father, his tone full of sarcastic mockery.

It implies that the emperor would even betray his son for money.

He expressed sympathy for Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and Li Zhi, saying it was unfortunate to have such fathers; luckily, he was the one who paid for the services.

If it were Li Zhi who spent money on this, he would definitely beat himself to death.

Thinking of this, Li Shen was extremely pleased with himself. Money can make the devil turn the millstone, and it can also make the millstone turn the devil.

Everything in this world can be bought with money. If you can't buy it, it just means you don't have enough money.

What does it matter if he's an emperor? He was still brought down by his own money.

Just as Li Shen was feeling smug, a tremendous force came from his thigh and kicked him away.

"Ouch!!" Li Shen rolled several times on the ground. "Who? Who attacked me?"

Li Shen looked around in a daze and saw his father sitting in a chair with one leg stretched out and hanging in mid-air.

Looking at his face again, his eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes were wide open, glaring angrily at Li Shen.

"You scoundrel, I'm not even dead yet, and you've already given me a temple name? Have you been hoping I'd die soon all along?"

Li Shimin was furious. This rebellious son was getting bolder and bolder, and he had become complacent and arrogant without warning.

Not only did he mock himself, he also gave himself a temple name, which is common knowledge. Only emperors are given temple names after they die.

Generally speaking, emperors before the founding emperor are referred to as "Zu" (祖), such as Taizu Li Hu, Shizu Li Bing, and Gaozu Li Yuan.

The next generation is the clan.

This tradition has been passed down since the Han Dynasty.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Emperor Taizong will likely succeed Li Shimin after his death, just like Emperor Taizong of the Han Dynasty, Liu Heng.

However, the fact that Li Shen uttered these words while Li Shimin was still alive is a grave offense of disrespect.

Li Shen was also a little confused. He had really gotten carried away and spoken without thinking, forgetting about this matter.

"Father, please calm down. I was talking nonsense. Please forgive me." Li Shen quickly knelt down and begged for forgiveness.

This matter is even bigger than what just happened; cursing the emperor and the death of one's father are heinous crimes.

Even Consort Wei turned pale with fright, and was furious with her son. She finally managed to calm the Emperor's anger.

Now you're doing this again? Aren't you just asking for trouble?

"Your Majesty, I am guilty. It is all my fault for disciplining you. Please allow me to punish you personally."

Consort Wei stood up, and before Li Shimin could speak, she had already walked over, snatched the family law from Li Shen's hand, and started whipping him.

"Oh, Mother, I was wrong. Oh dear!"

Li Shen tried to escape, but Consort Wei grabbed him by the back of the neck and he had nowhere to run. He could only cling to his mother's leg and beg for mercy.

At this moment, Consort Wei finally made Li Shen feel like he was a child in his previous life, constantly being spurred on by his mother after being caught.

Li Shen was beaten until he cried out in pain, screaming and howling.

Li Shen wanted to slap himself twice. Why did he speak without thinking?

As the saying goes, loose lips sink ships; the ancients were right.

Li Shen had been beaten by his mother before, but this was the first time he had been beaten so badly. His arms, body, and buttocks were all slapped.

He now regrets taking off his clothes; perhaps wearing a cotton-padded coat would have helped him withstand a beating.

It's unclear how many blows she struck before Consort Wei finally stopped, panting. After all, she was old and couldn't fight anymore.

Li Shen was finally relieved, feeling pain all over his body.

"Mother, please calm down. Don't get upset and harm your health. It's all my fault. I spoke without thinking. I am guilty."

Seeing his mother's face flushed from the strenuous activity, Li Shen said with concern.

Although Li Shen's soul is not someone else's son, his body is, and blood is thicker than water. His mother's love for him over the past twenty years has been genuine.

Even a stone would have warmed up over the years.

Let alone people, Li Shen has developed feelings for even the four children he raised for several years.

"Your Highness, he is right. Don't let this rebellious son upset you. Have some tea and rest for a while. Let me handle this."

A devilish voice rang in Li Shen's ears. Li Shimin had already arrived beside Consort Wei, reached out and took the family law to persuade her.

"Mother," Li Shen pleaded pitifully, clinging to his mother's leg.

His mother's head was half a head taller than his emperor father's. If he weren't the emperor, he wouldn't be worthy of his mother. Li Shen was still thinking wildly at this moment.

"Hmph." Consort Wei snorted, then forcefully pushed Li Shen away and returned to her seat.

"Hehehehe."

Li Shimin mimicked Li Shen's earlier actions, slapping the family law while giving Li Shen a series of cold laughs.

"Oh...yes...I'm scared. I really didn't mean to."

Li Shen retreated repeatedly.

"Tenth Prince, have you been hoping for my death all along? Are you eyeing the money in the imperial treasury?"

Li Shimin said coldly.

"No, no, I hope Father will live as long as the heavens and live to be a hundred years old." Li Shen immediately shook his head.

"Hmph, give up on that idea. Even if I were to be buried with the entire imperial treasury in Zhaoling, I wouldn't leave you a single thing."

Li Shimin was so angry he was confused.

"Yes, yes, yes, I will never covet anything from the imperial treasury. I will also become a monk and observe mourning at Zhaoling Mausoleum, chanting scriptures and praying for blessings day and night."

Li Shen retreated while expressing his loyalty.

Li Shimin stopped wasting words with Li Shen, gave a wink to the eunuch beside him, and before Li Shen could react, Li Shimin grabbed him from both sides.

At Li Shimin's instruction, Li Shen was then pressed down onto the bench.

"Father, didn't you say we wouldn't fight anymore? A ruler's word is his bond."

(I've been writing this poem for two days, does nobody know the second half?)

The spring breeze along Yangzhou Road stretches for ten miles, but even with the beaded curtains rolled up, nothing compares.