Tang Dynasty: Father, if you don't rebel, I will!

The grand assembly has ended.

With the approach of Lunar New Year's Eve, the countdown to the Wude era of the Tang Dynasty has officially begun.

East Palace.

Wang De was extremely busy today, as the Lunar New Year's Eve was approaching and the Eastern Palace was undergoing a thorough cleaning.

"Brother, tomorrow is New Year's Eve. Please don't be so busy with state affairs. Even Father isn't as overworked as you..."

Xiande Hall.

Li Chengqian glanced helplessly at Li Tai and Li Ke, who were facing away from him with evasive eyes, and then looked at Chang Le, Yu Zhang, and several other little girls who had surrounded him.

The whole situation is crystal clear.

He smacked his lips, glanced at the reports concerning Tuyuhun and Longyou Road that the female officials had just brought over, and had no choice but to put them down for the time being.

"Alright, today I'll take advantage of the good fortune of you guys, Chang Le, and give myself a break."

Hearing that their elder brother was finally able to escape from all this endless tedium and catch his breath, Li Tai and Li Ke couldn't help but exchange a glance, both of them letting out a sigh of relief.

They were also acting on the orders of Empress Zhangsun.

We absolutely cannot allow His Highness the Crown Prince to be preoccupied with political affairs on such an important day as New Year's Eve.

"That's wonderful, Your Majesty! This New Year's Eve, Father has arranged for the curfew in Chang'an to be lifted for three days. Chang'an will definitely be very lively then. Why don't you take us out to see it?"

As soon as Chang Le finished speaking, several little ones of similar age from Yuzhang and Chengyang gathered around him.

They all blinked their big, watery eyes, looking at their elder brother with hopeful expressions.

Given this situation, even if Li Chengqian was a workaholic, he could only surrender.

"Alright, alright, do whatever you want, your royal brother will take you out..."

Seeing that Li Tai and Li Ke looked a little nervous, Li Chengqian rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry about us. We have the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Six Guards of the Eastern Palace. Besides, I, your elder brother, am not weak and helpless. How could I not protect Chang Le and the other young girls?"

They received the promises of several young maids from Chang Le, made by Li Chengqian.

They immediately cheered and jumped for joy.

They all raised their little hands, some sweetly saying they wanted to see the fireworks, others saying they wanted to see the acrobatics, and still others wanting to eat pretty sugar figurines...

Li Chengqian nodded with a look of doting affection.

However, looking at the eunuchs and maids of the Eastern Palace who were sweeping, Li Chengqian couldn't help but take a deep breath.

Having transmigrated to this world, half a year has already passed without my realizing it.

During these six months, despite having a cheat code, he still dared not slack off in his political affairs.

Perhaps it's because I've changed so much that I subconsciously can't help but put more pressure on myself.

I felt that if I didn't accomplish all of this, it would be a true failure.

This is also a great disrespect to China in this world.

"Wang De, go and fetch me some red paper..."

Li Chengqian watched as the eunuchs climbed ladders and hung wooden blocks, each engraved with talismans or inscribed with the character "福" (fortune), on both sides of the palace, and suddenly spoke.

"Brother, what are you trying to do?"

Li Tai saw that his elder brother seemed to be preparing to write, without even needing Li Chengqian to ask him to.

He then hurriedly began grinding ink.

At the same time, he couldn't help but look expectant, as if he had realized something.

"Hehe, just writing some little things."

Li Chengqian smiled faintly. As Wang De brought him red paper, Li Chengqian picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and pondered for two seconds.

The next moment, the slender yet noble and upright style of the Slender Gold script reappeared from his brush.

The female officials standing nearby couldn't help but tiptoe and peer in their direction.

The first line reads: "The mighty Tang Dynasty swept away the fierce winds, the winter snow melted and the spring waters flowed long."

The second line reads: "The Turks surrender, the northern border is at peace, and all people rejoice in the prosperous New Year."

The horizontal scroll reads "Great Potential".

Li Chengqian picked up his pen, and for the first time, a sharp and heroic spirit, which was usually associated with seriousness, tyranny, and even a bit of cunning, suddenly appeared on his face.

"how?"

Li Chengqian smiled as he looked at his two younger brothers.

Both of them nodded repeatedly.

"It's inspiring! Not only are the words you write inspiring, but your calligraphy, while perhaps less unrestrained than Father's flying white style, is the kind of calligraphy that someone who holds the reins of power should write!"

Li Tai's eyes shone brightly, and he tilted his head, unable to resist appreciating the work once again.

"Your Majesty, when you have time, could you please write a calligraphy sample for me?"

Li Chengqian smiled faintly. This Slender Gold style calligraphy wasn't given to him by some kind of cheat code; rather, it was something he had truly learned and practiced diligently in his previous life.

Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile at such praise.

He immediately picked up his brush again and splashed ink...

The first line of the couplet reads: "With the blessings of Heaven, Wu De joyfully sends off his divine troops in a great victory amidst the snow."

The second line reads, "Bestowed with imperial grace, in the Zhenguan era, we braved the winds and laughed as the sun and moon rose and fell in a single day."

The horizontal scroll reads "All Nations Return to Tang".

"Excellent! My son has such a fine writing style!"

Tai Chi Hall.

Li Shimin personally directed the process, watching as the couplets, carefully arranged by eunuchs Sun Yi and others, were pasted onto the pillars on either side of the main gate of the Taiji Hall.

These novel peach charms were sent from the Eastern Palace; I only glanced at them.

Li Shimin fell in love with it.

"Hahaha! The sun and moon rise in a single day, what ambition! You truly deserve to be my crown prince!"

Li Shimin stood with his hands on his hips, repeatedly studying the meaning of the text, especially the large characters in the horizontal inscription "All Nations Return to Tang".

It hit his sweet spot perfectly.

"If all nations submit to Tang, and if my reign truly achieves such a glorious feat, even Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han could not compare to my Zhenguan era..."

Li Shimin was thinking happily to himself.

"Wang De, what kind of peach wood charms, uh, what kind of couplets are posted at the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace?"

Wang De hesitated for a moment, opening his mouth several times, but each time he looked as if he was reluctant to speak.

This, however, greatly piqued Li Shimin's interest.

In a good mood, he immediately set off for his son's Eastern Palace.

Just as they arrived at Xiande Hall, they happened to encounter a group of female officials who were walking out of the hall, each carrying a red paper that was clearly a couplet.

"This servant greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be well..."

Everyone was startled and quickly bowed in respect.

Li Shimin glanced at the couplets in their hands.

"This is?"

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince said that with New Year's Eve approaching, he bestowed upon each of us a pair of Spring Festival couplets, instructing us to take them home and paste them up, symbolizing that the new year of our Great Tang Dynasty will surely be even more prosperous and peaceful, and that Your Majesty's Zhenguan era will surely be a golden age for all time..."

A sweet, charming voice rang out as a person respectfully bowed to Li Shimin and spoke.

Li Shimin, who was already in a good mood, couldn't help but smile and stroke his beard.

He looked the other person up and down.

"Whose daughter are you?"

The girl, dressed as a female official, bowed again.

"This servant is the eldest daughter of Duke Ying, Wu Shihuo."

Wu Shun spoke with his head bowed and eyes lowered.

Li Shimin suddenly realized that this person must have been someone his father had told him to add.

"Hmm, not bad. Your father governed the region well as an official, and your daughter has also been well-educated. From now on, follow the Crown Prince and do your job well."

As Li Shimin spoke, he nodded and, amidst the respectful gazes of the crowd, strode towards the Eastern Palace.

Just after Li Shimin left, Wu Shun, who had just stood up, immediately felt strange gazes from all around him.

She pursed her lips and hurriedly walked towards the palace gates.

Li Shimin walked at a brisk pace, but when he arrived at Xiande Hall...

I watched as the couplets were being carefully pasted up.

The smile on his face suddenly froze.

The first line reads: "May the people live in peace and prosperity, bringing blessings for generations to come, and may the nation and its people be forever secure."

The second line reads, "May your father and mother be at peace, their merits endure for a thousand years, their glory lasting forever."

The horizontal inscription reads "Doing everything personally."

Li Shimin: "......"

"What does this unfilial son mean? Why is he doing everything himself? Does his 'fatherly peace' imply that I am complacent and unambitious?"

Li Shimin glared angrily, wishing he could rush up and tear that damned couplet down.

Wang De, who was standing to the side, bowed his head.

"Your Majesty must have misunderstood. Your Majesty has just bestowed such an honor upon His Highness the Crown Prince and entrusted him with such an important task. Moreover, it is the eve of the Lunar New Year. His Highness the Crown Prince must have been wishing Your Majesty good health and that the Empress and the others are safe and happy..."

Wang De hurriedly explained.

In his view, His Highness the Crown Prince must indeed mean the same thing.

However, Li Shimin looked at the "personally handling all matters" sign that was prominently displayed.

For some reason, upon seeing the words "Father's well-being," he inexplicably concluded that this unfilial son was definitely implying something, and his expression immediately turned grim.

He snorted coldly and didn't go into Xiande Hall.

They immediately headed towards the Lizheng Hall, where the Empress was staying.

"This unfilial son, he's getting less and less likable as he gets older..."

The female officials of the Eastern Palace returned home one after another, carrying the couplets given to them by the Crown Prince.

Chang'an City, the Duke of Ying's Mansion.

Having been informed in advance by Li Yuan, he, who was originally serving as a prefect in a local area, also came to Chang'an this year.

"Cough cough cough...."

"Father, how is your health? You've been taking this medicine every day, but why is there no improvement?"

As soon as Wu Shun returned to his residence, he was about to go to his father's house to pay his respects when he heard a hoarse cough coming from inside.

The smile on his face immediately turned into worry.

Upon entering the room, his mother, Madam Yang, and his first wife, Madam Xiangli, were anxiously attending to him.

"Shun'er is back. Cough cough cough. Did your business at the Eastern Palace go smoothly today? Did you not receive any punishment from the Crown Prince?" Wu Shiyue coughed as he looked at his eldest daughter.

But they asked immediately.

Wu Shun nodded, his eyes filled with worry.

But he still took out the couplets he had brought back.

"His Highness the Crown Prince wrote some things called Spring Festival couplets and bestowed them upon us. This is my daughter's copy. She said to hang them in front of the door, similar to the peach wood charms we use."

Beside them, the Wu brothers, Wu Yuanqing and Wu Yuanshuang, had been expecting something.

Upon seeing that it was just a few pieces of red paper, he immediately curled his lip.

"This prince is far too stingy. For the New Year, he only sends two pieces of paper. This..."

"Shut up!!!"

Samurai Go was so angry at his two foolish sons that he scolded them on the spot.

This triggered another bout of violent coughing.

However, a pair of murderous eyes were fixed on the two of them.

"Are you trying to bring disaster upon the Duke of Ying's mansion?! Even if it's not the Crown Prince's own handwriting, or even if it's someone else's, anything bestowed by the Crown Prince is still an imperial favor!"

"Go! Go kneel in the ancestral hall! You are not to come out without my permission!"

Xiangli's expression changed.

"Master, tomorrow is New Year's Eve..."

"So what if it's New Year's Eve?! If what these two unfilial sons said today gets out, this will be the last New Year's Eve for my entire Yingguo Duke's mansion! Go! Don't say another word. These two unfilial sons are the ones you've spoiled and controlled in the past!"

"Look at Shun'er, then look at Zhao'er, and even the youngest, Si'er, is already helping to manage the household. Why are these two unfilial sons the only ones who don't do anything productive?! Cough cough cough..."

At this exciting point, Wu Shiyue coughed violently again.

Xiangli harbored resentment in her heart, and subtly cast a fierce glance at Yang, who had just entered the mansion.

"My lord, you can't blame them. Those two brothers really lack experience. Perhaps... my lord, look, the Duke of Song and the Duke of Zhao in Chang'an have both sent their people to the Crown Prince. Why don't you..."

Upon hearing this, Samurai Go was nearly driven mad with rage by the idiot, Sasori.

"Do you think the current Crown Prince will accept just anyone? Xiao Rui of the Song State Duke's family has only recently come of age, yet he is already able to manage the new policies and businesses in Bingzhou in an orderly manner."

"The two sons of the Duke of Lu have followed the current Crown Prince and fought countless battles against the Turks on the grasslands, surviving the brush with their lives!"

"And then there's the eldest son of the Duke of Wei. These two rebellious sons are completely ignorant of all the intricacies of my humble merchant background. Am I supposed to swallow my pride and send these two clueless idiots to the Eastern Palace?"

"Should my entire Duke Ying's mansion be beheaded because of these two rebellious sons?"

"And then there are the second sons of the Fang and Du families. Which one of them didn't diligently complete every task assigned by His Highness the Crown Prince?"

"When His Majesty was selecting female officials for the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, if it weren't for my connection with the Retired Emperor and his favor, do you think I, a mere Duke of Ying, could have gotten Shun'er in?!"

Samurai Go was already seriously ill, and after saying so much, he became even weaker.

"Get out! You and your three children, all of you, get out of here and go to the ancestral hall!"

"From this day forward, all affairs of the manor shall be handled by the Second Madam!"

Seeing that Xiangli was about to say something, Wushige's face instantly contorted with rage and ferocity.

"If you dare utter another word, I will divorce you today!"

Now, no matter how resentful Xiangli was, she could only grit her teeth and silently lead her two good-for-nothing sons out of the room.

"Shun'er, when you work in the Eastern Palace, has His Highness the Crown Prince given you any guidance?"

Samurai looked at his eldest daughter with hopeful eyes.

When Wu Shihuo was young, he was a well-known and handsome merchant in the area. He was young and rich. His second wife, Yang, whom he is now marrying, is a descendant of the royal family of the previous dynasty.

Now, she is past her prime, and of her three daughters, the eldest is already quite beautiful.

The second daughter was even told by a mad Taoist priest that she possessed a destiny or divine mandate.

As for the youngest daughter, it's clear that she's a stunning beauty.

Wu Shun opened her mouth, then lowered her head: "I've disappointed my father, His Highness the Crown Prince... he... he didn't treat his daughter any differently. Or rather, His Highness treated all of us female officials the same, just like any other clerk in the government office..."

Samurai Go: "...Ah, I should have thought of that too..."

Wu Shiyue sighed, clearly disappointed, and slowly lay down again with Yang's help.

"How could His Highness, a prince unlike any other in history, be swayed by matters of the heart... Enough, enough. Just focus on your duties in the Eastern Palace and don't harbor any improper thoughts..."

Lizheng Hall.

Li Shimin was grumbling about the Crown Prince's faults with a mixture of helplessness and distress.

He said things like, "He doesn't know how to please me at all," and "All my sons have been corrupted by this Crown Prince Li Chengqian," and so on.

Empress Zhangsun responded half-heartedly.

But in her hands, she was learning to knit something using wool yarn.

After talking for a long time and drinking two pots of tea, Li Shimin finally got tired of talking.

Just then.

Suddenly, Sun Yi walked in with small, quick steps.

"Your Majesty, there are several monks outside the palace who claim to be from the Shaolin Temple, requesting an audience with you. They also sent this in..."

Li Shimin frowned when he saw the brocade box handed to him by Sun Yi.

Turn it on.

A golden bead, carefully placed inside, caused Li Shimin's expression to change slightly.

"This is... a relic!"

Without even asking, Li Shimin already knew who the relic came from.

After a long silence, he finally sighed.

"Let them in..."

East Palace.

"Brother! Brother, Father is up to his old tricks again..."