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

The person guarding the East Palace gate today is still Fifth Ren.

Cheng Jun greeted him and then entered the East Palace. When he arrived at the main hall of the East Palace, he saw Li Chengqian leaning against the back of the soft couch with his legs bent, playing with something in his hand.

Cheng Jun walked over and greeted him, "Your Highness, what are you busy with?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian looked up and said with delight, "Cheng Jun, you've come at the right time. Help me see how my carving is doing."

As he spoke, he handed him the things he was holding.

Cheng Jun took the object and looked down at it. He found that it was about four inches in diameter, with five dragons intertwined on the top knob, and the front was engraved with eight seal characters: "Received the mandate from Heaven, may it live long and prosper." He couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment, "You're still carving the Imperial Seal of the State?"

Li Chengqian explained, "Last time we were almost finished, but then an earthquake happened, and I was too scared to continue..."

Cheng Jun interrupted him, saying, "That's not right. This doesn't look like it was finished today. You've been secretly carving it for several days, haven't you?"

Seeing Li Chengqian scratching his head, unsure how to respond, Cheng Jun asked:

"Weren't you worried that carving this thing would cause an earthquake? How come you dare to do it now?"

Li Chengqian said, "I figured it out that night. The earthquake had nothing to do with my carving this thing."

“I believe that as the Crown Prince, I have a father, the Emperor, above me. If a son does something wrong, it is the father’s responsibility. So, if Heaven is to blame someone, it should blame my father, not me.”

Li Chengqian solemnly asked, "Master Cheng, do you think what I said is correct?"

Cheng Jun looked at him, neither saying he was right nor wrong, but said, "You're quite open-minded."

After saying that, he handed the item back to Li Chengqian, saying, "The item is well made and very exquisite."

Li Chengqian took it and grinned, saying, "I think so too."

“I intend to give it to my father as a sign of my filial piety.”

Cheng Jun stared at him and asked, "Your Highness, although what you carved is very exquisite, it's not quite real. If His Majesty thinks you're trying to fool him with a fake and gets angry, how will you deal with it?"

Li Chengqian said seriously, "So, you go and deliver it."

"You're very brave."

"..."

Cheng Jun was silent for a few seconds, then chuckled and decisively said, "I'm bold, not stupid. I'm not going!"

Li Chengqian muttered, "Then forget it, I'll keep it for myself..."

Cheng Jun frowned and said, "This thing is useless, why are you keeping it?"

Li Chengqian said, "I'll save it to smash walnuts and eat."

Walnuts, also known as walnuts, were introduced from the Western Regions via the Silk Road, hence the name walnut.

Seeing that Cheng Jun remained silent, Li Chengqian asked curiously, "Do you need something from me?"

Cheng Jun nodded and said, "I'd like to invite you to dinner."

Li Chengqian immediately sat up straight, looking at him expectantly and asked, "Are we going to Leyun Tower?"

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

Li Chengqian promptly lay back down and resolutely refused, "I'm not going!"

Cheng Jun asked, "You're not going to eat anything good?"

Li Chengqian shook his head and said, "I have no money."

Cheng Jun pondered for a moment and said, "I didn't ask you to pay, so I'll pay this time."

Li Chengqian chuckled, looking unconvinced, and asked, "How many dishes? Two or three?"

Cheng Jun said, "Dozens of tables."

Li Chengqian was stunned. "So many? What kind of banquet are you hosting? Why are there so many people?"

Cheng Jun said, "A Gentlemen's Banquet."

"A banquet for gentlemen..." Li Chengqian pondered the phrase, then said with some disappointment, "Only men?"

Without hesitation, Cheng Jun replied, "No, there are both men and women."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian sat up straight again and said seriously, "I will be there on time at noon."

"You only went there because there's a young lady in the room, right..." Cheng Jun rolled his eyes and said.

"Your Highness, you must report to His Majesty before you go."

Li Chengqian asked in confusion, "It's just a meal, why do I need to tell my father about it?"

Cheng Jun explained, "Among those attending this banquet are talented individuals from the neighborhood, as well as the sons of military officers. I promised them that I would treat them to a meal when the censors were being selected, and I cannot break my promise."

"Besides them, there were also more than a dozen young ladies who helped me a lot this time, some of whom were daughters of ministers."

Cheng Jun looked at him and said, "So many people are eating together, and Your Highness the Crown Prince is also present. Don't you think His Majesty should know?"

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince's expression turned serious, and he understood Cheng Jun's intention.

Cheng Jun was paving the way for him to become the heir apparent.

There were over a hundred talented young men in the neighborhood, and dozens of sons of military officers.

Now, the talented young men in the neighborhood have become officials, and most of the sons of military officers will inherit their titles in the future.

This is already a very large force.

As the crown prince, his dining with these people led outsiders to categorize them as part of the crown prince's faction.

Therefore, once the matter gets out, someone with ulterior motives could report it to Li Shimin, and the outcome would be unpredictable.

However, if one reports to Li Shimin first, the outcome will be different.

Reporting to Li Shimin meant that he, as the crown prince, would not hide anything from the emperor.

Li Chengqian was somewhat tempted, yet also hesitant. "What if my father doesn't agree?"

Cheng Jun shrugged and said, "What else can I do? If His Majesty doesn't agree, I won't invite you."

Li Chengqian immediately said, "No, I must go!"

"Wait here, I'll go tell my father right away!"

After saying that, he quickly left the East Palace and headed towards the Ganlu Hall.

Cheng Jun then found a cushion, sat down, and waited for his message.

Not long after, Li Chengqian excitedly ran back and shouted, "My father has agreed!"

Cheng Jun smiled and said, "Then let's meet at Qingfenlou at noon."

After saying this, Cheng Jun cupped his hands in greeting and got up to leave.

Meanwhile, inside the Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin sat on his dragon throne, glancing down at the memorials while asking the head eunuch, who was tidying up the imperial desk, a question:

"Ananda, how is the food at Qingfenlou?"

Zhang A'na said, "This servant has never eaten it."

Li Shimin said "Oh," and then added, "I would also like to try the food at this restaurant."

"Gentleman's Banquet... Cheng Jun certainly knows how to come up with names."

"With Cheng Jun as his teacher, the Crown Prince is becoming more and more promising."

Li Shimin spoke in a disjointed manner.

Zhang Anan, however, discerned Li Shimin's thoughts and asked, "Your Majesty, is it inappropriate for the Crown Prince to attend Cheng Jun's banquet this time?"

Li Shimin waved his hand and said, "There's nothing wrong with it."

"Since I have chosen the Crown Prince as my heir, I should trust him."

"Besides, Cheng Jun is an imperial censor, the eyes and ears of the emperor. I am at ease with him there."

Li Shimin put down the memorial, turned to look at him, and said:

“Those talented young men in the neighborhood lack a mentor. As an imperial censor, Cheng Jun cannot openly guide them. The Crown Prince is the most suitable to be their mentor. With the Crown Prince around, those talented young men in the neighborhood will have many opportunities to gain experience in the future.”

"If they are well-trained and can be put to great use, it will be a blessing for the court, and I will be able to appoint them directly."

Zhang Anan frowned and said, "However, if the entire court knew about this, I'm afraid there would be criticism..."

Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "That's perfect. I can take this opportunity to show my attitude to the civil and military officials and let them know that I trust the Crown Prince."

His Majesty has really changed... Zhang Anan thought to himself as he looked at him.