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

Upon arriving at the East Palace, Cheng Jun saw a burly middle-aged guard standing at the entrance; it was none other than Fifth Ren.

Fifth Ren saw Cheng Jun walking towards them and quickly bowed, saying:

"See Imperial Censor Cheng."

Cheng Jun nodded slightly and asked, "Where is His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Fifth Ren said, "His Highness is reading in the palace."

Cheng Jun carried the small box and headed to the East Palace Hall.

From afar, they discovered that Li Chengqian was intently carving something with his head down.

"Didn't you say you were going to study? Is this how you study?" Cheng Jun muttered to himself, then tiptoed over and, seeing Li Chengqian engrossed in carving and unaware of his presence, said:

"What is Your Highness busy with?"

Li Chengqian shuddered, his hand trembled, and he cut his finger. "Ouch!"

He hissed, relieved it was just a scratch and no blood, but he still put his finger in his mouth and sucked on it, then looked up at Cheng Jun and complained:

"Why are you like a ghost, coming over without making a sound?"

Cheng Jun smiled and said, "I was afraid of bothering you."

As he spoke, he looked at the object in Li Chengqian's hand, which was square and resembled a seal, and asked curiously, "What is Your Highness doing?"

Li Chengqian pointed to the table and said, "I'm carving something."

Cheng Jun asked, "Is this... a seal?"

Li Chengqian grinned and said, "You're spot on. What I carved is a seal."

Cheng Jun asked in confusion, "Why don't you just have your subordinates carve it? Why do it yourself?"

Li Chengqian shook his head as if shaking a rattle drum, and said:

"I don't trust my subordinates to do it. If someone finds out, it'll be a huge problem!"

Is it that serious...? Cheng Jun became increasingly puzzled, "What kind of seal did you carve?"

Li Chengqian turned the seal over so that the characters on the bottom were facing him.

Upon looking at it, Cheng Jun saw eight characters written below the seal.

Those who receive orders from heaven will live long and prosperous lives.

Cheng Jun's eyes narrowed as he looked at Li Chengqian and asked, "Are you imitating something from Qin Shi Huang?"

Li Chengqian chuckled and said, "Yes, that's it. The accurate name is the Imperial Seal of the State!"

"I've finished carving the characters at the bottom; all that's left is to carve the five dragons at the top!"

"..."

"This kid's got some nerve, forging the Imperial Seal of the State..." Cheng Jun smirked and said.

What are you doing with this?

Li Chengqian solemnly said, "Isn't my father now trying to suppress the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families? As the Crown Prince, I should do my part."

Cheng Jun solemnly replied, "Your Highness is too modest. What you have done is far from a small contribution; you have done the work of your entire clan."

Li Chengqian was taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Cheng Jun pointed to the square object on the table and said:

"This is the Imperial Seal of the State, not an ordinary thing. Whether it's real or fake, once people find out and report it to their superiors, do you think your entire family will thank you?"

Li Chengqian understood that he was being advised to stop, but he didn't stop. Instead, he continued carving, saying at the same time:

“You don’t understand. My father likes this kind of thing. He’s wanted it for a long time.”

"I am now helping him realize his dream. With it, he will truly be mandated by Heaven. My father will be able to easily subdue the Five Clans and Seven Noble Families."

Cheng Jun clicked his tongue inwardly, realizing that he was actually a filial son.

Li Chengqian continued, "Furthermore, by giving this to my father, I can indirectly let the world know that the Imperial Seal of the State came from my hands. Wouldn't that make me even more deserving of the mandate of heaven? This is a perfect opportunity to kill two birds with one stone!"

Cheng Jun pondered for a moment and said, "What if someone finds out that this thing is fake?"

Li Chengqian frowned. "Why don't you trust my skills?"

Cheng Jun looked at the square "Imperial Seal of the State" in his hand, with five dragon knobs that looked like earthworms, and said, "It's not that I don't believe in your craftsmanship, it's that I don't believe in you."

"If you're looking to die, go die somewhere else and don't splatter my blood."

Li Chengqian put down his carving tools and complained, "What kind of teacher are you? You're always putting me down."

Cheng Jun stared at him and said, "You shouldn't be such a student. Why do you always think about including my entire family in the equation?"

Li Chengqian said patiently, "I've been thinking about this for several days now, and I think it's a very reliable idea!"

Cheng Jun shook his head and said, "You're not reliable at all. Just tell me, is this thing you carved a dragon?"

Li Chengqian countered, "Have you ever seen a dragon?"

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

Li Chengqian said, "That settles it then. You haven't seen it, so how can you say that what I carved isn't a dragon?"

Cheng Jun solemnly asked, "Your Highness, have you ever seen a dragon?"

Li Chengqian said, "No."

Cheng Jun said, "That's it then. How do you know you carved a dragon and not an earthworm?"

"..."

Li Chengqian looked at him and said, "I don't care. I'll carve it first and then send it to my father. If he thinks it doesn't look right, I'll just say I found it outside. Anyway, it won't be my fault. And with my sincerity, my father won't blame me. He might even praise me!"

Cheng Jun understood; he was trying to curry favor with Li Shimin. After a moment's thought, he said, "Then give it a try."

Anyway, there's no loss. Just like Li Chengqian said, what he's giving isn't the Imperial Seal of the State, but his heartfelt sentiment. Given Li Shimin's personality, if he knew the reason behind it, he would probably praise him a few times.

Li Chengqian grinned and immediately continued carving, while asking, "I heard that the two Cui families among the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Families wanted to assassinate you?"

Cheng Jun sat cross-legged opposite him and said, "Yes, but fortunately, I was well prepared and didn't give them a chance to make a move. On the contrary, they were caught red-handed by me and Changsun Wuji."

"At the morning court session today, His Majesty issued an edict ordering the execution of Cui Caiqi, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and others involved in the matter, along with their families, and exile."

Li Chengqian snorted, "They deserved it! They dared to attack the censors, they were really tired of living. My father is still too soft-hearted, he only exiled their families. In my opinion, he should have been more ruthless!"

Cheng Jun did not respond, but instead opened the small box and counted the small gold beads inside.

Li Chengqian glanced at it out of the corner of his eye, then stared blankly at the small box in Cheng Jun's arms, asking, "Where did you get so much money?"

Cheng Jun said, "I exchanged it for His Majesty's refined salt."

Li Chengqian said enviously, "That's great! So much money, enough to go to Leyun Tower ten times."

Cheng Jun laughed and said, "Would you like me to take you to Leyunlou for a meal? It's time to pay back the three meals I owe you."

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up, but he quickly shook his head and said, "Let me get the Imperial Seal of the State out first."

Cheng Jun was somewhat surprised that he chose to go to Leyun Tower over receiving praise from Lao Li.

Cheng Jun didn't say much. He had come here to show Li Chengqian the small box in his hand and make him envious. Now that he had achieved his goal, he put away the small box and got up to leave.

As soon as he stood up, Cheng Jun felt a sway in front of his eyes and was stunned for a moment. What happened? Did I get up too fast and have a hypoglycemic attack?

Something's not right... Cheng Jun didn't feel dizzy or his vision was blurry. Looking around, he noticed that everything in the East Palace was shaking, and his heart skipped a beat.

The Crown Prince's filial piety has moved heaven and earth?