Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

The fact that Li Shen was in charge of the palace's New Year's Day banquet this year had already spread far and wide.

Prince Ji's residence also began sending things to the palace early on.

Today, all the cooks from Prince Ji's residence have entered the palace to make preliminary preparations, and the slaughterhouse has also delivered fresh ingredients, since the weather is cold and they are not afraid of spoilage.

Originally, Li Shen planned to prepare a simple meal of ordinary dishes from the Prince Ji's residence, but even that would be considered a feast of delicacies compared to others.

But then I thought, since I'm already here, it's not in my nature not to put on an act. So I'll just let these people see what I'm made of.

Let them know what true luxury is.

"By the way, you and the others don't need to go back to your residence. I've already sent someone to inform you that your wives will be brought here soon."

Empress Zhangsun suddenly remembered this matter and said it to her sons.

"Thank you, Mother." Li Chengqian and the other two quickly expressed their gratitude.

Li Shen then cheekily approached and continued to massage Empress Zhangsun's legs, playing the role of a filial son and grandson.

The three brothers gritted their teeth in anger, while the other concubines were left speechless with amusement. It was no wonder that this person was favored; with such shamelessness, it was truly something only a select few could achieve.

Empress Zhangsun was talking to her four sons about what they had just eaten that day, and she was asking why Li Shimin had drunk so much.

Li Chengqian answered them one by one.

After a while, Empress Zhangsun got up to leave.

“Your father is resting. He can’t be alone when he wakes up. You all stay here and don’t cause any more trouble.”

"Gao Ming, as the elder brother, you must keep an eye on them, understand?"

Empress Zhangsun knew that her two sons did not get along with Li Shen, and even had some grudges.

The fact that Li Shen and Li Zhi fought twice is enough to show this point, and she also knows some of the things Li Zhi did to Li Shen.

"Don't worry, Mother. We are all brothers. We were just joking. Nothing will happen."

Li Chengqian bowed and agreed.

Empress Zhangsun nodded and led the concubines away. After all, these were all the emperor's women, even though they were his sons.

But they were all grown up and could not have long-term contact with the concubines.

The group of people didn't dare to be too presumptuous, keeping their heads slightly lowered and not daring to raise their eyes too high.

"Shen'er, His Highness the Crown Prince and the others are all your elder brothers. You must show them proper respect, understand?"

Before leaving, Consort Wei gave her son a warning look, and Li Shen, seeing this, nodded repeatedly in fear.

"I will heed my mother's teachings."

My own mother, such a refined and cultured lady, has also become corrupted by my own father and has started hitting her children.

He really wanted to talk to his mother privately and reason with her, because hitting children doesn't solve the problem, and nowadays everyone is advocating for quality education.

Li Shen still vividly remembers being beaten up yesterday; the beating was incredibly brutal.

I still have to sleep on my stomach at night.

After seeing Empress Zhangsun to the door, the group returned to the study, where the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Li Chengqian, Li Tai, and the other two stared intently at Li Shen, making Li Shen feel somewhat uneasy.

"Ahem... You all heard what Mother just said, right? She told us not to cause trouble."

Upon hearing Li Shen's words, Li Tai was the first to speak angrily:

"Hey, Tenth Brother, you're really good at playing tricks. You've managed to fool us like this."

"Fourth Brother, I was just joking with you guys to lighten the mood. We're just killing time anyway."

Li Shen said in a simple and honest manner.

"Sigh, tenth brother, you seemed so convincing just now that I almost believed you."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian sighed and smiled bitterly, wishing it were true.

"Brother, where are the gods in this world? Even if they exist, they are not something that ordinary mortals like us can see."

Li Shen spread his hands, and seeing Li Chengqian's disappointed look, he understood what was going on.

"Of course I know that, brother. Ah, let's not talk about that. You just said you have a big deal and want to bring Qingque on board."

There are no outsiders here, so why don't you speak freely?

After shaking his head and sighing, Li Chengqian got down to business.

"Yes, Lao Shi, what big deal do you have? Why don't you tell us? But don't try to cheat us."

You just asked for 500,000 strings of cash; how many people can actually afford that?

Upon hearing this, Li Tai also inquired about it.

Everyone knows that following Prince Ji guarantees a life of luxury.

Li Shen thought for a moment, his expression a mixture of difficulty and hesitation, quite complex.

"What's wrong? Is there something you're having trouble telling me, Tenth Brother?" Li Chengqian asked.

"There are indeed some difficulties. I only just thought of this myself, and I don't know if it will work out."

Moreover, it would be best to discuss this matter with Father; even if I told you, you probably wouldn't be able to get involved.”

Li Shen said with difficulty, his meaning quite clear: cooperating with the three of you is useless; we still have to cooperate with our Emperor father.

Now Li Tai was starting to panic:

"Tenth Brother, if there's anything we can't help with, even if Zhi Nu and I aren't capable, isn't there still our eldest brother, the Crown Prince?"

Does this mean that even the Crown Prince cannot participate in what you are trying to do?

Or are you looking down on the three of us brothers and don't want to cooperate with us?

Seeing how much Li Shen looked down on them, Li Zhi also stared at Li Shen.

On the contrary, Li Chengqian showed no emotional change. It wasn't that he didn't care, but rather that he had encountered this kind of thing far too many times over the years.

The father and son played without him participating, so he could only stand aside and watch blankly.

Li Shen sighed softly:

"Oh, Fourth Brother, what are you saying? If there's an opportunity to make money, how could I not want to help you?"

However, this matter concerns the state, and you hold no official positions and have no decision-making power.

Although the eldest brother is the crown prince, in the end, it is still up to Father to make the decision on this matter.

It's not that I'm deliberately hiding my abilities; perhaps next time, when I have some good ideas for making money, I'll definitely call on my brothers.

Li Shen's tone was somewhat apologetic, but the meaning behind his words was quite clear.

"Heh, Li Shen, do you think that my fourth brother and I are powerless and can't help?" Li Zhi asked with a cold laugh.

Li Shen met Li Zhi's gaze and smiled just as brightly.

"Ninth Brother, why be so blunt? Some things are better left unsaid; saying them out loud can hurt feelings."

“You…” Li Zhi was furious. This Li Shen was so arrogant, he actually admitted it so easily.

"Hmph, no matter what, we are still princes." Li Zhi snorted unconvinced.

Li Shen said indifferently:

"So what? What can you decide? You just show your face in court every day, no one cares about your thoughts."

Do you know why? Because nobody in the entire court respects you. Your only title, a prince, was given to you by your father.

You have nothing of value and no power whatsoever.

If I were you, I wouldn't even go to court; it would be so much better to stay home and sleep.

(My computer broke down, but I'll fix it and keep using it. Fellow readers, please help promote my book. Thank you.)