Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Du He initially estimated that the number of people attending the banquet would be at most over 300, but judging from the current number of people, there are more than a thousand.

Moreover, the Linde Hall obviously could not accommodate so many people, so banquet tables were also set up in several small halls next to it.

Li Yi covered her mouth and chuckled, "Husband, only some of the people have come."

"If all the family members come, there will be at least thousands of people!"

Not to mention the royal relatives, just the large group of beautiful princesses in Li Shimin's harem, as well as the princes and their families, accounted for a small half of the number.

If all the brothers, children and their families of the retired Emperor Li Yuan came, even if there were a few more spacious places like the Linde Hall, they would not be able to accommodate them all.

Du He said softly: "Yier, your royal grandfather is really fertile!"

Emperor Taizong Li Yuan had 22 concubines, 22 sons and 19 daughters, and all his children totaled 41.

Moreover, all of Li Yuan's children were capable of having children, and each family had more children than the other.

Of course, Li Shimin also inherited Li Yuan's true teachings. He also had 14 sons and 21 daughters, which made him a large family.

Li Yi said coquettishly: "Husband, how can you say that about Grandpa Huang!"

Just as the couple were whispering, a tall and handsome young man, accompanied by two beautiful women in palace costumes, came from behind.

Behind the three of them, there were four well-behaved children with lively eyes.

"Imperial sister, Prince Consort Du, long time no see."

Hearing a familiar yet unfamiliar voice coming from behind them, Du He and Li Yi turned around together.

Li Yi smiled and greeted, "Meet my royal brother and my two royal sisters-in-law."

Du He looked at the handsome man in front of him, then saluted him with his fists clasped.

"Greetings to the King of Wu and the Princess of Wu."

This prince with a tall stature and heroic face was none other than Li Ke, the Prince of Wu, who was known as a man of heroic character. He was also one of the princes most trusted by Li Shimin in terms of his talent.

It’s a pity that he has the blood of the former Sui royal family, and is destined to have no chance of becoming an emperor in this life.

Li Ke first walked up to Du He, glanced at Du Ping'an in Du He's arms, and then said with a smile.

"This kid is really good-looking with a chubby face."

"It's our first meeting, so uncle will give you a little toy."

As he spoke, he took out a brocade box from his sleeve and an exquisite jade pendant and hung them on Du Ping'an's clothes.

Li Yi said with a smile: "Child, thank your uncle quickly."

Nine-month-old Du Ping'an could already understand what people said. He raised his chubby hands and waved at Li Ke, with a cooperative smile on his face.

"Nephew Ping An is really smart, just like his father."

Li Ke sighed, then walked into the hall with his wife and children.

Although he had ambitions to compete for the throne and knew that Du He was a rare talent, Du He was a die-hard fan of the prince, and he knew that no matter what he said, it would be useless.

Besides, there are many people in the Linde Palace and it would be disadvantageous to him if he said too much.

After Li Ke and his group left, Du Ping'an, who had been smiling, suddenly put away his smile and looked around curiously.

Du He laughed and scolded: "You are really good at acting."

He smiles when he receives someone's gift, but stops smiling as soon as the person leaves, mainly to give people face.

This time Li Yi did not speak for her son. She found that although the boy could not speak yet, he was very shrewd.

Just as they were about to walk into the hall, the voice of a naughty child came from behind them again.

"Uncle, let me hug my cousin."

Hearing this familiar voice, Du He knew it was Li Jue without turning around.

"Just hold him for a bit, don't drop him to the ground."

Du He gave Li Jue some instructions before handing Du Ping'an over to him.

Li Jue held Du Ping'an with great effort and said, "Don't worry, uncle. I'm very strong!"

"Ouch, my cousin is getting heavier!"

Don't be fooled by Li Jue's chubby figure. Du Ping'an is a guy with a big frame and solid flesh. Even Du He's arms would ache after hugging him for a long time.

After hearing his son's words, Li Chengqian, who was following from behind, glanced at the round body in the hall, then snorted softly.

"Humph!"

"You're so fat and you're still so proud of yourself?"

"You have to eat less at the banquet later!"

Seeing that his legitimate son's body shape was becoming more and more like his fourth brother Li Tai, Li Chengqian became furious.

When Li Jue heard that his father didn't let him eat more, he curled his lips in dissatisfaction.

Du He and Li Yi smiled at each other, then bowed to Li Chengqian and Su Wan.

"Greetings to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess."

To this important royal banquet, Li Chengqian only brought Crown Princess Su Wan, his eldest son Li Xiang, and his eldest son Li Jue.

As for the other concubines of the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian did not bring them with him.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly, then waved his hand.

"It's getting late, let's take our seats."

Before they entered the main hall, officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs immediately led them to their corresponding positions.

The seating arrangement at royal banquets was the most strict. Li Shimin, his concubines, and the princes sat at the innermost seats.

Next are the members of the Li royal family, followed by a group of princesses and their princes-in-law.

Even legitimate princesses like Li Lizhi and Li Yi did not receive much preferential treatment at this kind of clan banquet.

Because the Linde Hall is relatively small, the princesses and their husbands were assigned to a side hall.

When the princesses met, they all surrounded Du Ping'an and teased him, and Li Lizhi was the first to hold Du Ping'an in her arms.

This group of princes-in-law were divided into several circles. For example, Fang Yiai, Chai Lingwu and Zhou Daowu gathered together to chat.

Du He chatted with the princes-in-law including Wang Jingzhi, Xiao Rui, Chang Sun Chong and Cheng Huailiang.

Before the banquet started, Fang Yiai walked up to Du He with a meaningful smirk on his face.

Apparently he had learned from Li Yuanchang the day before that Du He had also instigated the prince to rebel.

"Fang Yiai is itching for trouble again."

Seeing his smug look, Du He couldn't help but want to teach him a lesson.

At this time, the eunuch walked to the door of the hall and shouted.

"The banquet is ready, please take your seats."

When the princesses and their princes took their seats, the eunuch walked up to Du He and Li Yi and said.

"Your Highness, Prince Consort Du, His Majesty has asked you to take the Crown Prince to the Linde Hall and sit down."

Du He and Li Yi nodded, then followed the eunuch to the main hall nearby, while the other princes-in-law all had envious expressions on their faces.

Inside the Linde Hall.

Li Shimin, who was surrounded by more than ten concubines, waved and said when he saw Du He carrying Du Ping'an in.

"Hurry and bring my grandson here!"

When Li Shimin took Du Ping'an from Du He, a bright smile immediately appeared on his face and he started teasing him happily.

Li Jue, who was sitting next to him, was unhappy and shouted in dissatisfaction.

"Grandpa Emperor, you haven't even hugged your grandson!"