Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

In ancient times, families placed great importance on offspring. Not to mention high-ranking nobles like Li Shen, even ordinary people hoped that their families would have many descendants.

With people, there is labor power, more land can be allocated, and people will not be bullied.

As an aristocratic family, a large and prosperous family also means that more talented people can be born.

To ensure the continuation of the family line and achieve the goal of passing down the family line for thousands of years.

The royal family valued offspring. Before the founding of the dynasty, all of Li Yuan's brothers had died, leaving only his cousin Li Shentong as the only surviving member.

However, Li Shentong also passed away during the Zhenguan era, leaving only Li Shimin's generation with more than a dozen brothers.

Aside from those who died young, Li Shimin had only about ten male heirs left.

This is hardly considered a large and prosperous family for the royal family.

Therefore, whether Li Shen could have offspring was extremely important.

"Don't worry, my lady, the Ji Prince's Mansion will surely prosper," Li Shen reassured her.

"But...sigh." Lu Dingniang wanted to say something, but in the end she could only sigh.

Seeing his wife's worried face, Li Shen couldn't bear it: "Then let the doctor examine me tomorrow; there shouldn't be any problem."

Actually, Li Shen was also somewhat unsure of what to do. Logically speaking, he shouldn't be infertile.

However, Li Shen suddenly thought of his brothers. His eldest brother, Li Chengqian, only had two sons, and so did that chubby little Li Tai.

Li Zhi currently has three sons, and he himself has two sons. Could it be that the Li family has some kind of hereditary disease?

Seeing that Li Shen agreed, Lu Dingniang was finally relieved.

"Then I will go prepare the gifts for my entry into the palace tomorrow. My lord, you have had your wine, so please rest for a while."

After saying that, he turned around and walked out.

Li Shen, thinking about whether he could have children, drifted off to sleep.

The next day, Li Shen was woken up early, bathed and changed his clothes, and led Lu Dingniang and more than a dozen carriages to the palace in a grand procession.

Inside the Divine Dragon Palace, Li Shimin had just gotten up, and Consort Xu Hui was helping him change his clothes.

At the age of twenty-one, Xu Hui was beautiful and intelligent, gentle and refined, and her delicate appearance was so endearing that it's no wonder Li Shimin liked her so much.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Ji and Princess Ji are requesting an audience outside the palace."

Wang Xing rushed in to report at this moment.

"Who?" Li Shimin turned around, somewhat surprised.

“Your Majesty, it is His Highness Prince Ji,” Wang Xing repeated.

Li Shimin frowned: "What is he doing here again? He just entered the palace the day before yesterday, was at his residence yesterday, and is here again today?"

"Your Majesty, the Prince Ji's congratulatory gifts for this year have not yet arrived. This old servant wonders if it's because of the gifts?"

Wang De, who was standing nearby, gave a soft reminder.

"Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Ji did indeed bring more than a dozen large carts," Wang Xing nodded in agreement.

"Yes, let him wait at the Lizheng Hall, and then go and invite the Imperial Concubine over."

Li Shimin nodded and instructed that Consort Wei must be present at every meeting, only then would Li Shen restrain himself, otherwise he would be furious.

Wang Xing quickly accepted the order and left.

"Let's go, come with me."

After getting dressed, Li Shimin smiled at Xu Hui.

"Your Majesty, you haven't had your meal yet," Xu Hui reminded him.

"It's alright, let's go to the Lizheng Hall for a meal."

Then he walked out.

When Li Shimin brought Xu Hui to the Lizheng Hall, they immediately heard a lively chatter inside.

When he entered the main hall, he saw all his concubines there, each holding something in their hands, some jewelry, some cloth, and some ornaments.

Upon seeing Li Shimin enter, everyone quickly rose and bowed:

"See Your Majesty."

"Yes, no need for formalities, there are no outsiders here." Li Shimin nodded, strode over and sat down next to Empress Zhangsun.

Then ask in a low voice:

"Guanyinbi, this is...?"

"Second Master, Shen'er came today to deliver gifts, bringing more than a dozen cartloads. It's New Year's Day, so I let them come and choose some. We can't possibly use them all anyway."

Empress Zhangsun replied with a smile that her adopted son was very sensible and never missed a festival.

Moreover, he always brought a portion for these concubines, but due to custom, he couldn't deliver it himself.

Empress Zhangsun understood Li Shen's meaning and simply presented the gift on his behalf. Normally, Consort Wei would do this, but the New Year was a special occasion.

"Where is the tenth prince?" Li Shimin looked around and, not seeing Li Shen, asked curiously. Could it be that he had left after delivering the gifts?

"Shen'er went to Daji Palace, probably to deliver something to Sister Wei. She should be back soon."

Empress Zhangsun replied.

"Hmph, he must have sent something nice." Li Shimin curled his lip, his jealousy rising. For so many years, Li Shen had never sent him anything for the holidays.

"Hehe, look at what Erlang is saying. The items are all the same. Besides, Shen'er is filial, so it's only right to give Consort Wei some nice gifts, after all, she is his birth mother."

Seeing Li Shimin's expression, Empress Zhangsun laughed. This was almost becoming a show; whenever Li Shen came to deliver gifts, His Majesty would get jealous, just like a child.

"I am his biological father, yet I have never seen him be filial to me," Li Shimin said disdainfully.

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, Empress Zhangsun opened a box containing a palm-sized, oval-shaped piece of mutton-fat white jade.

"Erlang, look, this is a jade pendant that Shen'er gave to you. Shen'er said it came from Khotan in the Western Regions. Look at the color, it's not often seen in the palace."

Li Shimin's eyes fell on the jade pendant. He reached out, picked it up, and examined it closely. The jade pendant had auspicious clouds and dragon patterns on it.

The carving is incredibly lifelike and exquisitely crafted. Touching it, it feels smooth and lustrous, polished to a very fine finish.

"It is indeed a top-quality jade pendant," Li Shimin thought to himself.

However, he still put the jade pendant back in the box, frowned, and asked warily:

"Did he mention what trouble he had caused or what he wanted me to do for him?"

Empress Zhangsun was stunned by these words. Just now you said he was your biological father and blamed him for not sending you anything, but now that you have sent him something, you suspect that he has ulterior motives.

No wonder your son doesn't want to give you anything; it's wrong whether you give him anything or not.

"What are you saying, Erlang? Just now, Shen'er said that you didn't have a jade pendant on your waist, so he specially bought it from the King of Kucha and gave it to you."

Erlang, don't think too badly of Shen'er.

Empress Zhangsun scolded, "Your son kindly gave you something, and you still doubt him."

"Jade plaque!" Li Shimin was stunned when he heard these two words, then reached for his waist and said angrily:

"You damned wretch, he hasn't returned my token yet. Is he not going to do it?"

"Token? What token?" Empress Zhangsun looked confused, as if His Majesty had really gotten into trouble.

"My imperial edict," Li Shimin uttered those four words firmly.

(Tomorrow is Halloween. Stay home and avoid encountering ghosts.)