Zhenguan Xiaoxian Wang Li Shen Li Shimin

This isn't a mistress's child. Su Xiaoxiao has a legitimate status, and this child also has a legitimate status, being included in the family genealogy.

Li Shimin's expression remained unchanged, calm and composed.

"That's still a child born out of wedlock."

“But Father…” Li Shen wanted to argue, but he was speechless when he saw his father’s actions.

Inside, a hand resting on his knee was rubbing his fingers together, a gesture identical to Li Shen's, and he was saying:

"However... bestowing a name upon him is not impossible, after all, he is of royal blood, my grandson, but..."

Li Shen curled his lip, narrowed his eyes, and revealed his contempt. He didn't learn the good things, but he learned this stuff pretty quickly.

"How much money does Father want?"

"What kind of talk is this? I can't ask for money for bestowing a name? I am the emperor. If this gets out, what will the people of the world say about me?"

"Would an emperor be so poor that he had to sell his name?"

Upon hearing Li Shen's words, Li Shimin immediately became furious and spoke with righteous indignation.

(ˉ▽￣～) Tch~~, Li Shen once again revealed a disdainful look. Where did he learn this from? So hypocritical.

“What Father says is true. I was too superficial. I wonder how much Father needs for his writing fee.”

Although he was disdainful, he still went along with his father's words.

Upon hearing about the writing fee, Li Shimin smiled slightly, revealing a look that suggested the boy was teachable, and held up one finger.

"Ten thousand strings of cash?" Li Shenyi frowned.

But Li Shimin shook his head and said:

"Is my calligraphy only worth ten thousand strings of cash? This is the Emperor, the Heavenly Khan. It should be at least a million strings of cash."

"What? One million strings of cash? Has Father gone mad?"

Li Shen was so surprised he almost ate the table. "I'm asking for a name, not asking for a son with a large sum of money."

What name could be worth a million strings of cash? Even the name of the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, wasn't worth a million strings of cash in Li Shen's eyes.

A billion copper coins! Even a huge sum of money wouldn't be enough to pay for a child.

"You scoundrel!" Li Shimin shouted angrily when he heard Li Shen say that he had gone mad.

"Father, this is too expensive. I just want a name, not the position of crown prince. How can it cost so much?"

When I bought my older sister a princess, it only cost 100,000 strings of cash.

Li Shen was truly speechless. He hadn't even spent this much money when he bought his sister a princess title.

"Times have changed. You weren't as rich back then as you are now," Li Shimin said candidly.

This made Li Shen even more frustrated. Wasn't this just blatant price gouging?

“Father, I do have some spare money, but it doesn’t have to cost a million strings of cash just to name the child. If you would agree to give the child a princess title, I would be willing to pay a million strings of cash.”

"What do you think, Father?" Li Shen immediately retorted, knowing it was impossible; Li Chengqian's daughter was the princess.

Only after Li Chengqian ascended the throne would his children become princes and princesses.

Li Shen's children, who received imperial favor, would at most be granted the title of prince or princess.

Princess Wencheng was only a county princess before she married Songtsen Gampo. She was only granted the title of princess as a result of the marriage alliance, and was married off as his own daughter.

To Li Shen's utter surprise, Li Shimin actually fell into deep thought after hearing Li Shen's words and took them to heart.

After a moment, he shook his head seriously:

"No, we can't break the rules. Otherwise, if the Li family has too many titles in the future, it will put a great burden on the court."

Li Shen was also somewhat surprised. His father had actually considered it carefully. How much did he love money?

If this door could be opened, Li Shen would buy all his children to become princes and princesses.

He can still afford one a year.

"Since Father thinks it won't work, then forget it. Son, just pick a name yourself. I've already thought of a few names."

Li Shen shook his head with a look of regret.

"Oh? What names has Shen'er come up with?" Empress Zhangsun asked hurriedly.

“Replying to Mother, names have always carried auspicious meanings since ancient times.”

So I'm planning to name this child Zhaocai (招财), Laifu (来福), which have good meanings. Li Zhaocai, Li Laifu, or even Li Bafang Laicai (李八方来财) would also be fine.

Li Shen counted on his fingers as he introduced several names to Empress Zhangsun.

"Pfft!" Li Shimin spat out a mouthful of tea, almost throwing the teacup in his hand.

Empress Zhangsun and Consort Wei also looked at Li Shen with strange expressions.

To give a little girl such a name, she really is a miser!

"You scoundrel!" Li Shimin was furious. Although he guessed that Li Shen was saying this to him on purpose, Li Shimin really couldn't guarantee that Li Shen wouldn't do it.

Li Laifu is clearly the name of a servant. If the world knew that someone in the royal family was named Li Zhaocai, such a vulgar name as Li Laifu, the royal family would lose face.

The main reason is that others certainly wouldn't dare, but Li Shen might.

"Isn't this good?" Li Shen looked at his father smugly, thinking to himself, "I may not be your match in a fight, but I'm the best when it comes to words."

"Are you trying to anger me to death?" Li Shimin suddenly clutched his chest and grabbed Consort Wei on the other side with his other hand, as if he was in great pain.

Upon seeing this, Li Shen immediately knew something was wrong and thought to himself, "Oh no!"

Sure enough, when Consort Wei saw that Li Shimin was in pain, she immediately got up to pat his chest and soothe him, while also giving him a stern look.

"Shen'er~~ Come over and apologize to His Majesty. You're becoming more and more unruly."

Li Shen desperately wanted to shout that his mother was faking it, but seeing Consort Wei's expression, he didn't dare.

He quickly got up and came over to bow:

"Father, I was wrong."

"Ahem~~" Li Shimin coughed a few times and said:

"Tenth Prince, as a prince, you should be wholeheartedly committed to upholding the dignity of the royal family."

I am not one to covet wealth and status. After all, he is my grandson. The reason I asked you for money is to let you know that nothing in this world comes easily.

My Li family raised an army to establish the Tang Dynasty, and we don't know how many lives we paid for it. Everything you enjoy now is provided by the people.

I want you to learn to cherish what you have now.

"Yes, I will remember your teachings, Father." Li Shen bowed respectfully. He was impressed; his father was indeed the emperor, and his words were truly eloquent.

They made asking for money sound so noble; if I hadn't just seen my dad secretly looking at me with a smug expression, I would have believed it.

"It's good that you understand my good intentions. The weather is getting warmer, and the inner palace is a bit damp. Your mother's Daji Palace also needs some repairs."

Here's what we'll do: you donate 100,000 strings of cash for repairs, so the outside world will know about your filial piety.

Li Shimin spoke earnestly to Li Shen again.

Repairing the Great Auspicious Hall? Li Shen almost went berserk and killed his father. Does the Great Auspicious Hall even need your repair? I care about whether it's repaired or not.

Besides, 100,000 strings of cash could rebuild a grand hall.