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

"Mother, please forgive me. I know I was wrong. Please punish me." Li Chengqian quickly bowed and begged for forgiveness, not forgetting to glance at Li Shen and give him a look that said, "You're such a jerk."

"And you two, now that you're all grown up, don't you know what filial piety is?"

How have I taught you since you were young?

Empress Zhangsun seemed genuinely angry; she had already given him a dressing down, but seeing Li Shimin unconscious still left her feeling unsatisfied.

In the past, when Li Shimin was middle-aged and full of vigor, drinking more wine wouldn't have been a problem. But in the last two years, Li Shimin's health wasn't what it used to be.

Sometimes I get sick, like the chronic diarrhea I had this year, which almost killed me.

Dr. Sun has already given instructions: avoid extreme joy or sorrow, avoid overexertion, and avoid excessive drinking.

Empress Zhangsun was angry because of the last point: excessive drinking, which, according to Physician Sun, was very harmful to the body.

Now that Li Shimin is enjoying his retirement, he has handed over all matters to the Crown Prince. Although he has not yet abdicated, it will be soon.

The two had a deep affection for each other and were preparing to grow old together. If Li Shimin were to pass away first, Empress Zhangsun would not know how she would live on.

Last time, Empress Zhangsun had already prepared to be buried alive with the emperor.

"Mother, please forgive us. We know we were wrong. Please punish us." Li Tai and Li Zhi also bowed their heads and begged for forgiveness.

However, he cursed Li Shen in his heart, thinking that this bastard would only use such despicable means.

"Mother, please calm down. Don't upset yourself. I think the brothers didn't mean it and didn't notice Father."

This was also due to my momentary negligence, and I am willing to accept the punishment as well.

Li Shen's obedient appearance aroused Empress Zhangsun's pity, and she couldn't help but pat Li Shen's head before scolding the three of them:

"Look how sensible Shen'er is, can't you all learn more from Shen'er?"

I know you've all grown up and have your own thoughts. But your father and I are still alive.

I don't expect you to serve me faithfully, but surely you can't be this heartless?"

"Pfft."

Upon hearing the words "heartless child," Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and the other two were so frightened that they immediately knelt down. In the Tang Dynasty, filial impiety was a grave crime.

Being branded as unfilial ruins your life. No matter how talented you are, you'll never be given an important position as an official.

In business, no matter how cheap you offer, no one will do business with you.

You will be looked down upon by your neighbors and relatives, alienated, and verbally abused.

Although all three are princes, Li Chengqian is still the crown prince. If the crown prince is said to be unfilial, he could very well be deposed.

This is no joke.

“Mother, we acknowledge our guilt,” Li Chengqian said, leading the way.

"You lot," Empress Zhangsun said in anger, knowing that the others had simply been careless.

Just as she was about to tell them to stand up, Li Shen spoke up again:

"Mother, please calm down. My brothers didn't mean it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Tai pleaded with Li Shen:

"Tenth brother, please shut up, I beg you."

We can't let this bastard keep talking, or they might be charged with being unfilial.

"Uh...look, Fourth Brother, I'm just pleading for you guys." Li Shen said, sounding aggrieved, after being interrupted.

"Thank you, brother." Even Li Chengqian knew he couldn't let Li Shen continue. This guy was too treacherous; he just loved kicking someone when they were down.

Li Shen shrugged at Li Chengqian, "Fine, if you won't plead for me, then so be it. My good intentions have been taken for granted."

Li Tai's eyes darted around, preparing to change the subject:

"Mother, just now the tenth prince said he was a celestial being reincarnated, and that he came to our Li family to help us."

"To bring benefits to all people and save all living beings."

"A reincarnation of a deity?" Sure enough, these words immediately attracted the attention of Empress Zhangsun and others.

"Shen'er, is what Qingque said true?"

"Mother, there are no gods in this world. Mother, please don't listen to Fourth Brother's nonsense. I think he's drunk too."

Li Shen's clear eyes were completely free of any cloudiness.

"Tenth brother... that's not what you just said. You dared to lie to Mother in front of her. My elder brother Zhinu and I both heard it."

Li Tai was so angry at Li Shen's words that he almost vomited blood. He denied what had just happened. Fortunately, his other two brothers were there.

Otherwise, it really would be hard to explain.

“Mother, what Fourth Brother said is true, I can testify to it.” Li Zhi glared at Li Shen, then reported.

“Mother, I heard it too.”

Li Chengqian also joined in. Since Li Shen had just kicked him when he was down, Li Chengqian naturally wanted to retaliate in kind.

"Shen'er, you're talking nonsense again," Consort Wei reprimanded in a stern voice.

That's the problem with his son; he always likes to lie, and not a single word he says is true.

"Shen'er, you've lied to your brother again?" Empress Zhangsun wasn't angry; it wasn't a big deal.

"Mmm." Li Shen squatted on the ground, massaging his legs as he nodded, feeling no shame whatsoever.

"Hehe, you, you, you're always acting so silly."

Empress Zhangsun chuckled twice, then tapped Li Shen's head with her finger. Li Shen pretended to be in pain, falling backward to the ground and crying out:

"oops."

This immediately made Empress Zhangsun beam with joy, leaving the three brothers dumbfounded.

Could this person be any more shameless? If a child as young as Xixi acted like this, it would be endearing, but you're a grown adult!

And to be so deliberately pretentious is truly disgusting.

They couldn't understand why their mother would fall for Li Shen's tricks. Had Li Shen given her some kind of spell?

Even Li Chengqian felt a pang of jealousy at this moment. This was his own biological mother, yet she treated someone else's son with more affection and kindness than her own brothers.

"Shen'er, are you ready for today's banquet?"

Empress Zhangsun pulled Li Shen to sit beside her. Her main purpose in coming was actually to ask about this, something she had always been in charge of.

This year, His Majesty put Li Shen in charge, and she was afraid that if something went wrong, Li Shimin would be unhappy and punish Li Shen again.

"Don't worry, Mother. Everything is ready. The meat will be delivered after noon, and it will be fresh."

Later, Mother sent someone to inform each person how many tables to prepare.

Li Shen reported this in a low voice.

"Yes, I naturally trust my son to do things. Your father is really something, he even specially asked you to prepare this New Year's Day banquet."

You just got back and haven't had much rest yet, and now I'm going to put you through this again.

Empress Zhangsun nodded in satisfaction. She trusted Li Shen's abilities quite a bit, as he had done a good job of fulfilling his promises to her so far.

“Mother, you are too kind. It is my honor to be able to prepare a feast for Father and Mother. Many people would envy me.”

I've specially prepared several rare dishes for my mother so she can enjoy them.

(I can't help it, all the short dramas I've been watching these past few days have this kind of "tea-like" flavor, and I've kind of caught it.)