This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

Cheng Jun continued, "The sages said, 'Repay kindness with kindness, and repay injustice with justice.' This means we should repay courtesy with courtesy, and an eye for an eye. Do you understand?"

Li Chengqian pondered and said, "However, a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan."

Cheng Jun asked, "What grand plan do you have?"

Li Chengqian said, "I did it for the sake of brotherhood."

Cheng Jun then asked, "And the result?"

Li Chengqian fell silent.

Cheng Jun said in a deep voice, "You are not only the Crown Prince, but also the eldest brother. Brotherly affection is not something that can be suppressed; it is straightforward and clear!"

"Right is right, wrong is wrong. What belongs to the eldest brother is rightfully his. If the eldest brother gives it to you, the younger brother can take it. If the eldest brother doesn't give it to you, the younger brother can't take it. If he dares to take it, whichever hand reaches out, you hit that hand, and then clearly tell him why you hit him."

Cheng Jun solemnly said, "This is how an elder brother should act."

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "I understand."

Cheng Jun smiled and said, "You really understand how you treated the King of Wei just now. You did a good job, showing the demeanor of an elder brother."

Li Chengqian chuckled, then looked Cheng Jun over and remarked:

“Cheng Jun, I’ve noticed that although we’re the same age, you understand more principles than I do.”

"Through past and present lives, I've lived thirty years longer than you. My experience is far beyond what a mere teenager like you can compare to..." Cheng Jun smiled and said.

"From reading books."

"That's about it for this matter. I have to go back now."

With that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and prepared to leave.

The crown prince grabbed his arm and said solemnly, "Wait, don't go yet."

Cheng Jun asked curiously, "Is there something else?"

Li Chengqian pursed his lips and said, "I need to see my father and mother. They must be very sad right now."

Cheng Jun asked in confusion, "You are the Crown Prince, why do you need to tell me what you're doing?"

Li Chengqian said earnestly, "I want you to come with me and help me comfort my father."

"..."

Cheng Jun's eyes narrowed, and he used his other hand to remove Cheng Jun's hand, saying, "I'm not suitable to go."

The Crown Prince said, "No, you are suitable. No one is more suitable than you."

Cheng Jun reminded him, "King Wei's current position is all because of me."

The Crown Prince nodded and said, "So you should go even more. What if you apologize to my father and he recovers?"

"What a terrible idea you came up with!"

Cheng Jun rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Apologizing to Li Er now is just asking for trouble."

Li Chengqian scratched his head, also feeling that it was somewhat inappropriate, and said expectantly, "It's fine if you don't go, but give me an idea that can comfort my father."

Cheng Jun stared at him, pondered for a few seconds, and said, "If you really want to comfort His Majesty, I'll give you one word."

The prince asked eagerly, "What word?"

Cheng Jun raised a finger and said solemnly, "Noisy."

"Quarrel?"

The crown prince pondered the word, then asked in bewilderment, "I asked you to come up with a way to comfort my father, but you want me to argue with him. How can that comfort him?"

Cheng Jun explained, "My older brothers are at home, that's how it is."

"So, my father doesn't hold grudges, and naturally he won't be sad for long. All of this is thanks to my eldest and second eldest brothers, who are good at using the word 'quarrel'."

Li Chengqian seemed to understand something and quickly asked, "Then... how do we 'make noise'?"

Cheng Jun said, "When you see His Majesty, just say whatever you're thinking."

Li Chengqian asked suspiciously, "Is it really that simple?"

Cheng Jun said seriously, "It seems simple, but it's not simple at all. Think about it carefully. In your daily life, have you ever said whatever you were thinking in front of His Majesty?"

After thinking it over carefully, Li Chengqian muttered to himself, "It seems there really isn't one. I dare not..."

Cheng Jun said, "You can give it a try this time. It will be a breakthrough for you, and it will also comfort His Majesty."

The crown prince nodded and said, "Then I'll give it a try..."

"Is there anything else? See you later."

Cheng Jun cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, then turned and left.

By this time, the sky was already bright, and civil and military officials were entering the imperial city one after another, heading to their respective offices to begin handling their official duties for the day.

Cheng Jun, however, did the opposite and headed out of the palace.

After leaving the Vermilion Bird Gate, Cheng Jun arrived at the shade of a tree not far from the palace gate, where he released his Akhal-Teke horse, 'Adolf'.

Cheng Jun untied the reins from the tree, mounted his horse, and was about to leave when suddenly the shout of Zhu Zishe, the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, came from afar:

“Imperial Censor Cheng, I was just looking for you. The Court of State Ceremonies has received news that envoys from Goguryeo and Baekje will arrive in Chang’an this afternoon.”

As Cheng Jun turned his horse around, he nodded to him and said, "Understood."

Zhu Zishe came to his side and noticed that he looked like he was in a hurry to leave. He asked curiously, "Imperial Censor Cheng, are you going on official business?"

Cheng Jun shook his head and said, "No."

Zhu Zishe asked, "What are they going there to do?"

Cheng Jun looked at him and said solemnly:

"Emergency shelter."

…………

In the Ganlu Hall, Li Shimin sat on his dragon throne, paying no attention to the memorials on his desk. At that moment, he held a small wine jar in his hand and took a big gulp.

As he tried to drink more, he discovered the small wine jar was empty. He angrily threw the jar away and roared:

"Ananda, bring me some wine!"

Zhang Anan quickly came over carrying a small wine jar.

Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "Bring the large jar over!"

Zhang Anan advised with concern, "Your Majesty, this is strong liquor prepared by Cheng Jun. Drinking too much may harm your health. It would be best for Your Majesty to drink it in moderation."

Li Shimin rebuked him, "I told you to take it, so take it. Are you going to disobey the imperial decree?"

Zhang Anan immediately looked conflicted.

At this moment, Empress Zhangsun, dressed in her usual empress attire, walked in with red eyes.

Just then, Empress Zhangsun overheard the conversation between the emperor and his servant and said in a gentle voice, "Anan, go and fetch the large jar of wine. His Majesty doesn't drink like this every day, it's alright. Also, bring me a small jar of wine."

Zhang Anan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "This servant obeys your command."

Empress Zhangsun walked to Li Shimin's side, saw an empty wine jar on the table, and slowly sat down. When Zhang Anan brought the wine jar, she personally filled Li Shimin's cup, then filled her own cup and said, "Second Brother, I will drink with you."

Li Shimin glanced at her with drunken eyes and asked, "Have you heard about Qingque?"

Empress Zhangsun took a sip of wine and hummed in agreement, "I have been having people keep an eye on His Majesty's movements. I already knew about His Majesty's return when he came back."

As she spoke, she comforted him, "It's good that Qingque went to his fiefdom; it's the best outcome for him."

With tears in his eyes, Li Shimin said, "I know, but Guanyinbi, I still feel sad."

Empress Zhangsun's eyes were also filled with tears as she said, "Qingque is scheming and... too ruthless. Perhaps he will change after a few years in his fiefdom."

"Ugh."

Li Shimin sighed and said with a bitter smile, "All the mistakes are mine. I have been too lenient with him, which is why he has become like this."

"We can't entirely blame my second brother."

Empress Zhangsun choked up and said, "I have also made mistakes."

Seeing her like this, Li Shimin felt even more distressed and said, "Never mind, let's not talk about it anymore, let's drink!"

Just then, the sound of footsteps interrupted their drinking.

The two looked outside the hall and saw Li Chengqian, dressed in the Crown Prince's everyday clothes, walking towards them.

As soon as Li Chengqian entered, he smelled the strong aroma of wine in the hall. Seeing their red eyes, he said with heartache:

"Father, Mother, please drink less."

Li Shimin beckoned and said, "Gao Ming, come sit over here and have a drink with me."

Li Chengqian immediately sat down next to the two men and poured himself a full glass of wine.

Li Shimin, holding a wine cup, asked somewhat absentmindedly, "Qingque is about to go to her fiefdom. What are your thoughts on today's events?"

Li Chengqian said, "Father, my fourth brother is just young and ignorant. He will change after he goes to his fief. Once he has changed for the better, Father will issue an edict to bring him back."

Li Shimin glanced at him again and asked, "Today, I gave Qingque a question, but I haven't given you one yet. I'll give you one."

Li Chengqian quickly replied, "Father, please speak."

Li Shimin asked, "If I were to depose you from your position as crown prince, what would you do?"

Li Chengqian pursed his lips. In the past, he would have said that his father's will was divinely ordained, but today, he decided to say what he meant. He first took a sip of wine, then exhaled and said, "Your subject will be very unhappy."

Li Shimin looked at him, somewhat surprised that he would say such a thing.

Li Chengqian took another sip of wine, his face slightly flushed, and said, "Your subject also hates Father Emperor. Father Emperor is unfair to me."

Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "Your grandfather treated me the same way back then."

Li Chengqian blurted out, "Therefore, discord among children is often due to the lack of virtue in the parents."

Li Shimin's eyes narrowed. "Hmm?"

Empress Zhangsun also stopped drinking and turned to look at him.