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

The study in the Li residence was completely silent.

Cheng Jun's simple word sent a shiver down Li Jing's spine.

As far as he knew, Cheng Jun was notorious for his eccentricities.

His way of speaking is different from others; others might beat around the bush for a few minutes before revealing their true intentions.

Cheng Jun is different. He goes around in circles, not just a few sentences, but he starts by inventing the phrase "the dagger is revealed when the map is unrolled," which is sure to confuse anyone.

Hearing him speak, Li Jing sensed something significant was about to happen. He put down his brush, his expression grave, and asked:

"My dear nephew, what have you done wrong?"

Cheng Jun was stunned. "I didn't do anything wrong."

Li Jing asked in surprise, "If I haven't done anything wrong, why are you calling me that?"

Cheng Jun chuckled dryly and said, "Because your son probably calls me 'Dad' too right now."

Li Jing's pupils dilated in shock upon hearing this. "What?!"

Cheng Jun explained, "Actually, it's like this... Dejiang went to the Censorate to see me today, saying he wanted me to teach him. So I gave him an idea: we'll switch roles today, he'll be me, and I'll be him."

"That's why I've come here."

"As for Dejiang, he is currently serving in the Censorate in my place. Once his term is over, he will come to stay at my house."

After listening to his explanation, Li Jing remained silent for a few seconds and said with some helplessness:

"I told my son to go to the Imperial Medical Academy for a follow-up appointment, but he actually went to find you instead. That brat is getting more and more opinionated..."

Cheng Jun asked doubtfully, "Wasn't this arranged by you?"

Li Jing shook his head and said, "Several days have passed, and I had long forgotten about it. I didn't expect my son to still remember it. Alas..."

He sighed, then looked at Cheng Jun and said:

"Don't call me 'old man' like you did before. Hearing you call me that makes me feel like you've done something terrible."

Cheng Jun grinned and asked, "Uncle Li, what does Dejiang usually do at home?"

Li Jing slowly said, "Going to the Imperial Academy to study means either studying at home, practicing martial arts, eating, or going out to meet with friends."

Cheng Jun nodded repeatedly, waiting for him to continue, but then he stopped and asked, "That's all?"

Li Jing countered, "What else do you think should be included?"

Cheng Jun frowned and said, "I remember his age, about the same as mine, how come he seems to be living such an easy life?"

Li Jing looked at him and said, "Isn't it only natural that the son enjoys the benefits of his father's business?"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jun fell into deep thought.

So this is what life is like for spoiled brats... No wonder I feel like my life as a beast of burden is wrong.

It turns out it really wasn't my problem...

.............

Huai De Fang, Cheng Mansion.

Li Dejiang sat at the entrance of the main room, drinking tea while curiously observing the Cheng residence.

There wasn't much difference between the Cheng family residence and the Li family residence.

If there's any difference, it might be the servants.

The servants of the Li family would rest after they had finished the tasks assigned by their master.

The servants of the Cheng family were different.

In just this short time, the servants of the Cheng family had walked back and forth in front of him no less than fifteen times, either carrying large and small bags or moving things.

Li Dejiang discovered that the servants in the Cheng family seemed to have endless work to do.

Like cattle and horses.

Just then, a loud, booming laugh came from afar.

Hearing the sound, Li Dejiang looked over and saw two burly young men in purple robes walking towards him, chatting and laughing.

When they saw Li Dejiang sitting at the entrance of the main room, the two of them were both taken aback.

The person in front of me looks somewhat familiar.

The leading youth strode over, sized up the other person, and said:

"Who are you?"

Li Dejiang looked at Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang as they approached, stood up, and bowed, saying:

"My name is Li Dejiang, and my father is Li Jing, the Minister of War. I am here to meet Cheng Dalang and Cheng Erlang."

Cheng Chumo suddenly realized why the man looked familiar; he was his third brother's friend. He asked:

"Are you here to see my third brother?"

Li Dejiang shook his head and said, "No, I am him now."

Cheng Chumo asked in surprise, "What do you mean?"

Cheng Chuliang looked at him, also puzzled.

Li Dejiang immediately explained the reason why the two had swapped identities to participate in the transformation program.

After listening to him finish speaking, Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang exchanged glances, both noticing the interest in each other's eyes.

Cheng Chumo found it increasingly amusing and said:

"I see... In that case, you're not addressing us correctly."

Cheng Chuliang nodded in deep agreement and echoed:

“Brother is right, Dejiang. Now that you have switched identities with my third brother, you should call me elder brother, me second brother, and my steward Zhongbo.”

"The two of us will call you Third Brother!"

Cheng Chumo grinned and said, "That's right! Since it's an exchange, we must see it through to the end. My Chuxia once said that details determine success or failure!"

"Third brother, you need to get serious!"

Seeing the Cheng brothers' serious expressions, Li Dejiang hesitated and said, "Is this how it should be...?"

Cheng Chumo solemnly replied, "Of course it should be like that. When my third brother goes to your house and sees your elder brother, he will definitely greet him warmly as 'Big Brother.'"

After saying that, he turned to look at Cheng Chuliang, "Isn't that right, Second Brother?"

Cheng Chuliang replied without hesitation, "That's right! I bet my third brother is calling Minister Li 'Father' right now."

Upon hearing this, Li Dejiang seemed to understand something. "No wonder Brother Chuxia succeeds in everything he does. It turns out he's so serious."

Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated, clasped his hands in greeting to the Cheng brothers, and said affectionately, "Eldest brother, second brother."

Cheng Chumo chuckled, patted him on the shoulder, and said, "Third brother, come on, I'll take you to Leyun Tower for some fun today!"

Upon hearing the name Leyunlou, Li Dejiang's eyes flickered. He knew Leyunlou; it was also located in Pingkangfang and was the largest brothel in the area.

"I've never been there before, would that be inappropriate?"

Li Dejiang hesitated for a moment.

Cheng Chumo chuckled and said, "That's even more true if you haven't been there. My dear third brother, the first time he went to Leyun Tower, I was the one who took him!"

Upon hearing that Cheng Jun had also come this far, Li Dejiang breathed a sigh of relief and solemnly said, "I will listen to my elder brother."

Cheng Chumo smiled with satisfaction, gave Cheng Chuliang a look, and said, "Then let's go now!"

Li Dejiang responded and followed the Cheng brothers to the entrance of the Cheng residence, waiting for the servants to bring out the horses so they could go to Leyun Tower.

At this time, there was a sound of horse hooves in the distance.

The three of them turned to look.

Cheng Yaojin was seen riding his horse toward them.

Cheng Yaojin saw them at that moment, raised his whip, and lashed it across the horse's rump.

Soon, he took the reins, rode his horse, and stopped beside the three of them.

As he dismounted, Cheng Chumo and Cheng Chuliang greeted him in unison:

"father!"

Cheng Yaojin nodded: "Mm."

Li Dejiang clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Father."

Cheng Yaojin's eyes narrowed, revealing a look of doubt:

"Ok?"