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

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. I never expected Your Majesty to return from Chengdu this year. I was unable to greet you; I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness..."

Li Shimin: "......."

Looking at his own crown prince bowing to him in a solemn manner, even though he, Li Shimin, was the emperor, when had this rebellious son ever been so polite to him, with such a thing as welcoming the emperor?

I'd be grateful you didn't disguise yourself as a bandit and attack my imperial carriage!

"Heh, heh heh, Gao Ming's words hurt me. Although we are ruler and subject, we are also father and son. You are already tired and overworked from handling state affairs every day. Why would you need to trouble yourself with such a small matter?"

Li Shimin spoke with a smile, but the smile on his face was more or less an act.

The father and son looked at each other with fake smiles, which made Empress Zhangsun secretly facepalm.

Here we go again... This father and son really can't wait for me to move into the Zhaoling Mausoleum!

She took a deep breath and spoke, breaking the eerie atmosphere.

"Your Majesty, all the officials are waiting outside the hall. Perhaps we should hurry inside..."

Li Shimin nodded, but then extended his hand to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, please..."

"Father, please..."

Empress Zhangsun: "......"

Rolling her eyes in annoyance, Empress Zhangsun looked at the two sworn enemies and took the lead in walking towards the Taiji Hall. Only then did Li Shimin and Li Chengqian finally exchange a glance and slowly follow behind.

"Your Majesty... um, Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!"

He Ding almost misspoke, but fortunately he reacted quickly.

Then, seeing the Emperor and Crown Prince behind Empress Zhangsun, they quickly shouted again.

"His Majesty is here!"

"His Royal Highness is here!"

Only after Li Shimin and Li Chengqian appeared did the officials rise from their seats and bow in respect.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress... Your Highness the Crown Prince..."

Li Shimin sat with a smile on the dragon throne in the Taiji Hall, a seat he hadn't sat on in a long time. He looked down at the officials from the Wude and Zhenguan reigns of his father, Emperor Taizong, who were all respectfully present.

But I felt a tightness in my chest and a sense of unease.

Leaving aside the intelligence reports that the Hundred Cavalry Commander had been submitting to him these past few days, in which his own Crown Prince had bestowed upon these important officials countless praises, the poems alone were enough to ensure that these officials would be remembered for all time.

"My beloved ministers, you may rise. Hahaha, on my return from Chengdu, I passed through various prefectures and counties in Guannei Road and saw a peaceful and prosperous scene everywhere. The people were living in peace and contentment, praising the great Tang Dynasty. This is all thanks to the efforts of you, the pillars of the court."

While Li Shimin spoke eloquently, the officials secretly glanced at the Crown Prince's seat next to the Emperor's.

Li Chengqian smiled, but it was impossible to discern his true thoughts.

The officials then humbly bowed, saying, "Your Majesty flatters us; we dare not claim credit for this..."

Li Shimin watched with a smile as the expressions of the crowd changed, and then his gaze slowly fell on Yuchi Gong, the Duke of E, who was at the front of the line of officials.

"Duke of Eguo has guarded Beihai for many years and made great contributions to the establishment of Baikal County in the Tang Dynasty. I am very pleased. I heard that the Crown Prince has rewarded you, and I also want to reward you!"

He smiled faintly, and as he was watched by all eyes, especially after noticing the gaze of his own crown prince, Li Shimin decisively began the first round of his struggle with the crown prince after returning to the capital.

"While I was in Chengdu, I unexpectedly acquired a magnificent steed, no less impressive than my own, truly extraordinary. Upon my return to the capital, I have specially brought this steed with me to bestow upon you, Jingde..."

The officials, who had been expecting something, and even Yuchi Gong, were taken aback, and then a look of disappointment flashed in their eyes.

"This humble general bows in gratitude to Your Majesty for the reward!"

He thought that His Majesty the Emperor would also bestow upon him a poem, just like the Crown Prince, so that Yuchi Laohei could not only be remembered in history but also receive additional imperial favor.

However, this idea only lasted for a moment before he rejected it outright.

While the eldest son is indeed proficient in both literary and military arts, his literary talent is not particularly evident in poetry and prose; rather, he focuses more on the study of classical texts and the teachings of sages.

Expecting His Majesty to write poems for him?

After expressing his gratitude, Yuchi Gong returned to his seat along with the other officials.

As the court musicians on both sides began to play ceremonial music, dancers entered the hall to perform and add to the festivities.

A welcoming banquet for His Majesty the Zhenguan Emperor was thus officially launched.

"Fourth Brother, why do I feel like our Imperial Brother is holding back some big move today? His smiling face is really creepy..."

Beside Li Zhi, Li Zhen couldn't help but whisper to Prince Wei, Li Tai, who was standing to the side.

Upon hearing this, Li Tai gently shook his head.

"Tsk tsk tsk, just watch and see. My elder brother is quite petty with Father. Father's 'Letter of Admonition to His Son' is still framed and hanging in his study in the Xiande Hall of the Eastern Palace. Father, ah..."

"This is going to be tough~"

Li Tai picked up his wine glass, ate his food, and watched the dancers below perform.

In reality, their attention was focused on the movements of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, just like all the officials and dignitaries present at that moment.

Li Shimin clinked glasses with his eldest son, the Crown Prince.

On one hand, their eyes met, as if swords were flashing and shadows were unfolding between them in another dimension.

The clanging and banging was quite intense...

As a few drinks were consumed, the atmosphere at the banquet gradually became more lively, and Li Chengqian suddenly revealed his true intentions.

“Father, you have bestowed rewards upon the Duke of E, but you can’t just ignore the Duke of Huo, can you? The Duke of E returned at least once during his time stationed in Baikal County, while my uncle was stationed there for nearly four years.”

Seeing that Li Shimin was about to speak, Li Chengqian smiled faintly: "Father, I'm sure the pillars of our Great Tang here are not lacking in gold and silver. As for things like giving a precious sword to a hero and a fine horse to a fierce general... isn't that a bit cliché?"

Li Shimin's expression froze the moment he was about to say something.

She looked at her son in astonishment.

Just as he was about to ask He Ding to bring out the imperial treasure sword that he had specially prepared, his outstretched hand froze in place.

Li Chengqian chuckled mischievously, "Father, in my eyes now, you're no different from someone who's naked."

Your henchmen in the court have all now pledged allegiance to your son.

Even the head of your secret service is my lackey. Tell me, how can you fight against me?

Empress Zhangsun could only remain silent as she watched the emperor and his minister, father and son, begin their "battle."

At least the Crown Prince shouldn't cause the Emperor to embarrass himself too much in front of all the officials... right?

"Hehe, then what does Your Highness think I should reward Duke Huo with?"

Li Chengqian was just waiting for him to say those words.

Upon hearing this, his smile deepened, and he even stood up and bowed to his father.

"I have heard that when Father Emperor was in Chengdu, in addition to his diligent work in government affairs, he also often composed poems and essays... I have heard of many of Father Emperor's excellent works since I was young. How about... I present a poem to Duke Huo?"

coming!

Although the officials seemed oblivious to the commotion from the throne, all seemingly "concentrating" on chatting, drinking, or watching the dances, they were clearly all listening intently.

Listen to the ceremonial music, and you can hear the emperor and his son exchanging witty remarks.

“Heh, heh…”

Li Shimin pretended to be thirsty and took a sip of wine.

"Presenting a poem is indeed a good idea, but... I have just returned, and I am weary from the journey, so I cannot think of a suitable masterpiece to present to Duke Huo. How about this..."

He suddenly put the wine glass down on the table and tapped it.

Once the surrounding music and rituals had ceased, he addressed the officials who had looked over.

"Duke Huo has made great contributions, and the Crown Prince suggested that I compose a poem in his honor. I think this is a good idea, but I am really tired and exhausted, and I don't have any good lines to offer. How about this, let's enjoy ourselves together as ruler and subject, and play the 'Flying Flowers' game?"

"If a suitable verse is found at the end, I will order it to be presented to Duke Huo and recorded by the historians."

Li Chengqian smiled, but Li Shimin pretended to ponder before anyone could say anything.

Thinking back to the poems I brought back this time.

"Since that's the case, I have just returned from Chengdu Prefecture. Now that the silk industry there has developed so well, how about we start with 'Shu brocade'?"

He suddenly turned to look at his own crown prince, a half-smile on his face.

“Gao Ming has been taught by famous teachers since childhood, and now he has been studying with Master Li and Master Kong for many years. Why don’t we let the Crown Prince go first?”

Ha, how shameless of you to so brazenly shift the blame onto me.

Li Chengqian sneered inwardly as father and son exchanged glances.

The smile grew even wider.

"Very well, since that's the case, then I, your humble servant, will offer my initial suggestion to set the stage..."

Li Chengqian stood up, holding a wine cup, looking thoughtful with a furrowed brow, which made Li Shimin's eyes flash with a hint of smugness.

"You brat, I am your father. Even if I am shameless, no one would dare to say anything against me. But you... I don't believe that you can produce a masterpiece so quickly on such an abrupt topic."

Just as Li Shimin was feeling smug, he suddenly heard Li Chengqian clear his throat.

"The snow before the Linde Hall has not yet melted, and the spring edict from Jiannan has already arrived far away."

"Three thousand pieces of Shu brocade are used to implement the new policy, and a million coins are used to build a bridge between magpies."

"Mandarin ducks on the Jinshui River startled by the sound of the zither; the lights of Lishan Mountain dimmed the silk of the mermaid."

"On the night when the beauties of the six palaces receive the emperor's favor, who remembers the old imperial robes of Zhaoling?"

Li Shimin was stunned, and Empress Zhangsun was taken aback.

Even the officials, after Li Chengqian blurted out the words, were stunned for a moment before suddenly gasping in shock.

What the hell!

Is this a sarcastic remark about His Majesty's dissolute lifestyle and neglect of the Empress?