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

"Your Highness! I have seen you. Come out!"

“…Chengqian, it’s just the two of us, father and son, here. My word is law. Come out, and I promise I won’t beat you.”

"...You unfilial son! Don't let me find you, or you'll be sorry!"

Emperor Taizong of Tang, holding a horsewhip, chased after his enemies for miles on foot through the palace halls and gardens. Apart from being slightly out of breath, he showed almost no signs of fatigue.

On the contrary, wherever Li Shimin passed by, the eunuchs and palace maids who knelt and kowtowed seemed to notice that His Majesty seemed to have suddenly become ten years younger.

He was excited and courageous.

"Did you see which direction that unfilial son ran in?"

Li Shimin's majestic gaze swept over these people, and instantly the eunuchs and palace maids hurriedly shook their heads.

Li Shimin immediately let out a cold snort.

"A bunch of trash!"

Then, he spotted a direction, grabbed his whip, and charged off.

Grandpa Sun swept his gaze fiercely over the crowd.

"If anyone hears of what happened today, or if it gets out of the palace... I'll take all your heads!"

Li Yuanchang stared in panic and astonishment at the figure that had suddenly barged into his palace and then peered out from the doorway.

Although Li Chengqian had been in Bingzhou for half a year.

However, many people, both among the common people and in the palace, know that His Highness the Crown Prince does not usually wear the crown prince's robes; instead, he often wears plain white.

"Your Majesty, um, Your Highness, what's going on?"

He put down his paintbrush and asked nervously in a low voice.

He originally intended to address him as "Your Highness the Crown Prince," but when it came to his lips, he silently changed it to "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Li Chengqian turned around, raised an eyebrow slightly, and glanced at the other person's clothes.

"Which of my royal uncles are you?"

"Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, greets His Highness the Crown Prince..."

Looking at Li Yuanchang, who was bowing respectfully to him and whose age was similar to what he remembered, despite the discrepancy in birth date, he was still only one year older than him.

Li Chengqian suddenly realized something.

"Oh, so it's the Seventh Imperial Uncle!"

When Li Chengqian uttered "Imperial Uncle," Li Yuanchang's heart, liver, spleen, and lungs trembled violently.

If there is anything more terrifying than being called "elder brother" by His Majesty the present, then...

Without a doubt, it was the Tang Dynasty Crown Prince Li Chengqian, who had personally sent Prince Qi, Li Yuanji, to his death and shot him through the heart, who called him "Royal Uncle."

"Ahem, His Highness the Crown Prince is about the same age as me, so you may address me as Yuan Chang..."

Li Chengqian looked around the palace.

Everything was within the bounds of propriety, and the food, clothing, and daily necessities were only considered to be moderate.

Then he looked at the galloping horse painting that was almost finished on the other person's table.

The children of the Li Tang royal family seemed to be mostly promising talents in their early years, but unfortunately they went astray later on.

Take, for example, the imperial uncle Li Yuanchang, who is only one year older than him.

He was extremely skilled in calligraphy and painting from a young age, and was especially good at painting horses.

Seeing the other party's nervous and uneasy appearance, Li Chengqian waved his hand: "Seventh Imperial Uncle, why do you say that? As the Crown Prince, I know the basic etiquette."

Li Yuanchang nodded, but inwardly he was groaning.

Etiquette is something that everyone born into royalty knows.

The question is, when will you, Your Highness, comply?

Maybe when she's in a better mood, she's willing to put on an act?

Li Yuanchang wore an awkward yet polite smile as he watched Li Chengqian walk to his desk, his gaze seemingly examining his paintings.

I couldn't help feeling nervous again.

"I, I only paint one picture a month, and the Xuan paper is all bestowed by the Emperor Emeritus..."

Li Chengqian turned his head and looked at Prince Lu, Li Yuanchang, who seemed nervous and afraid that he would use the waste of paper as an excuse. His lips twitched for a long time, and his staring eyes made the other party's heart pound wildly.

"Seventh Imperial Uncle, am I really that terrifying in your eyes?"

Seeing that the other party was trembling and didn't know how to answer for a long time, Li Chengqian shook his head speechlessly.

I looked around the palace again.

"According to your age, Seventh Imperial Uncle, you should have left the palace to establish your own residence by now. Why are you still living in the palace?"

Li Yuanchang said awkwardly, "His Majesty said that the imperial treasury is currently empty, and the Prince's residence will be needed for some time, therefore he will be staying in the palace temporarily..."

Li Chengqian curled his lips.

Hearing Li Yuanchang's words, he understood almost instantly.

Although his own emperor father now has a monopoly on the sea salt business, he also enjoys a large share of the profits from the trade of salt.

But ultimately, the time was still too short.

The reconstruction of houses, roads, and underground drainage systems in Chang'an has already cost a considerable amount of money. Not to mention, the emperor himself has also taken on the expenses for repairing the river channels and embankments from Luoyang to Chang'an.

If these things are still beneficial to the country, can provide timely help to the people, and can earn a good reputation.

So they spent money to build a palace for Li Yuanchang, the seventh son of the retired emperor.

That would be nothing more than icing on the cake; aside from gaining some prestige within the royal family, it would serve absolutely no purpose.

Despite Emperor Taizong's apparent concern for his reputation in other matters, he may not always appear to care much about his image.

But if he has to spend his own money, he can still make very decisive choices...

Just at this time.

Suddenly, a sound came from outside, which made Li Chengqian and Li Yuanchang tense up.

"Surround this area! That rebellious son can't have gone far; he must be somewhere nearby!"

Through the crack in the door, Li Chengqian and Li Yuanchang immediately saw Li Shimin holding a horsewhip, his expression resembling that of Cheng Yaojin visiting a brothel.

Behind him, Eunuch Sun and a group of young eunuchs pretended to surround Li Yuanchang's palace.

Such a display of force instantly terrified Li Yuanchang, causing his legs to tremble.

"Your Highness, what is this all about? I haven't done anything..." Li Yuanchang was so frightened by Li Shimin's imposing manner that he could barely speak.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian merely glanced at the other party indifferently.

Suddenly, he stepped forward and rolled up the galloping horse painting on the other person's table, letting out a cold snort.

"What's the panic? That old Bi Deng isn't here for you. Get out of the way! Let's see how this prince fights this scoundrel."

"Squeak!"

Before Li Yuanchang could react, Li Chengqian kicked the palace door open with a bang.

The scroll that had been rolled up in his hand was held in the other person's hand as if it were a spear.

"Hahahaha! You unfilial son! Let's see where you run to today!"

Li Shimin burst into excited laughter.

Over the past six months, every time his rebellious son Li Chengqian embarrassed him as the emperor, he would silently make a mental note of it.

Now, this little notebook in his heart is more than enough for His Majesty Li Shimin, as a father, to openly and justifiably spank this rebellious son until his backside is bruised and battered...

Li Shimin stomped his foot suddenly, unleashing a fierce aura like a tiger descending a mountain, so powerful that Li Yuanchang, who was already unsteady on his feet, collapsed to the ground with a thud.

"Hey! You scoundrel, take this shot from me, the Crown Prince!"

With a sharp shout, Li Chengqian grabbed the scroll and charged forward.

The two sides were only five or six meters apart.

Suddenly, Li Chengqian hurled the scroll in his hand at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin grinned maliciously.

"Snapped!"

A thunderous crack of a whip struck the incoming scroll.

In an instant, the scroll shattered and scattered, blocking Li Shimin's view. At the same time, Li Chengqian suddenly turned and bypassed Li Shimin, breaking out of the "encirclement" of Eunuch Sun and the others.

"Hahaha! Old Biden, go pick some cotton!"

"You unfilial son! How dare you cheat! Don't run away! You'll have to eat this family punishment today, whether you like it or not!"

Li Yuanchang stared blankly at the departing crowd.

A sense of relief at surviving a catastrophe had just begun to emerge when he saw his painting, which had been shattered into pieces by Li Shimin's whip, and he was immediately overcome with grief.

The winter snow at the end of the year drifted quietly through the once desolate palace.

The Crown Prince and his entourage have returned from Bingzhou today.

The princes, princesses, and concubines throughout the palace were all extremely curious.

however.

The family banquet that was supposed to be held that evening to welcome the Crown Prince and his entourage was not held. Instead, an eerie atmosphere permeated the entire palace, especially the inner palace.

Night fell, and it was time for dinner.

Lizheng Hall.

"Wow!"

Li Shimin, holding a riding whip, suddenly stepped back from the palace door. The warmth that rushed towards him caused the snow on his shoulders to begin to melt slightly, but his gaze immediately swept across the palace.

Empress Zhangsun, Princess Changle (Li Lizhi), Prince Yue (Li Tai), and Prince Zhi (Li Zhi).

They were all sitting at a round table, having their dinner.

Everyone was taken aback when they saw Emperor Li Er suddenly rush in.

"That unfilial son isn't here?"

Li Er's gaze swept across the hall, but Empress Zhangsun showed no intention of rising to pay her respects, remaining seated with dignified elegance.

"This Lizheng Hall is only so big. Does Your Majesty not think you can tell at a glance whether Gao Ming is here or not?"

Li Shimin was immediately disappointed, and then let out a soft hum.

"Someone come and prepare a bowl and chopsticks for me. I will be dining here today..."

As she spoke, her gaze suddenly turned to Li Zhi, who was still quite small and clearly trying to avoid her gaze.

He squinted his eyes.

"Child, open your mouth~"

Li Zhi's face changed instantly, but under the intense gazes of Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, he finally closed his eyes, looking uneasy, and opened his mouth.

"Hmph! Eat your food, why are you eating candy! Zhinu, go lie down over there! Today I'm going to correct this incorrigible habit of yours!"

Wude Hall.

"Someone! Bring me another set of chopsticks and a bowl! I'm dining here today!"

Li Chengqian's sudden voice, accompanied by the figure of the other person walking in, instantly brought Li Yuan, who was immersed in the enchanting song and dance, back to his senses.

Turning his head, he saw Crown Prince Li Chengqian, the man who had almost killed his grandfather, the Emperor, with a single shot.

What are you doing here?!

Li Yuan's shout was clearly laced with a hint of bravado but a lack of genuine fear.

He hurriedly gave the eunuch beside him a meaningful look, as if to say, "If the Crown Prince does anything improper in a moment, remember to protect him."

However, Li Chengqian simply sat down in a seat with an air of nonchalance, glaring at the astonished eunuch beside him who hadn't yet reacted.

"Are you deaf?! Aren't you going to prepare dinner for me?! A meal for three!"

As he spoke, he gave another order to another eunuch standing nearby.

"I will be sleeping here tonight. Prepare a bed for me. Also... if you dare to inform Father Emperor, I will at most receive a whipping tomorrow, but you will all lose your heads!"

"Yes, yes, this servant wouldn't dare. I'll prepare it for His Highness the Crown Prince right away..."

Noticing Li Yuan's gaze, Li Chengqian let out a loud, carefree laugh.

"Look at what Grandfather is saying. I've been chased to the brink of despair by Father in the palace. I'm afraid Father has already set up a net in the harem, just waiting for me to fall into it."

"It's only here with my grandfather; Father would never have imagined that his grandson would come here to hide..."

Li Yuan's lips twitched.

Yes, I never expected you to dare come here...

"Hmph! It seems that your father, the emperor, is also helpless against his own son. Apart from beating him to vent his resentment, he carries out almost all the affairs of the court according to your wishes."

"It won't be long before the throne falls into your hands, kid."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian, who was enjoying the food served by the waiter, paid no attention to it.

While eating, he made a complete lack of royal decorum by pursing his lips.

“My policy is correct. The officials in the court and my father all hope that our Great Tang will prosper, so naturally they will not oppose it. If my father were truly dissatisfied with me as the crown prince, he would not have granted me command of 15,000 Turkic wolf cavalry in Bingzhou.”

"Furthermore, it's unlikely they would chase me around the entire palace with a whip. Even if I were a formidable fighter, with thousands of imperial guards, capturing me would be a piece of cake..."

Li Chengqian chuckled and shook his head, then picked up another piece of his favorite Dongpo pork. He hadn't expected that this dish had already reached the palace.

"Grandpa Emperor, you are not my father, how can you know the joy of my father?"

"Hahahaha!"

A hearty laugh echoed through the Rikjō-den Hall.

"That rebellious son thinks he can hide in the Imperial Garden, cowering among the flowers, so I won't see him. He even wants to ambush me from behind! Hahaha! Don't you know that I am the Supreme General of the Heavenly Strategy Army! A tough man who has licked blood from the edge of a blade and fought his way to the top!"

"With his pathetic skills, he could barely handle those useless trash like Jieli, let alone me?"

"what!"

"I turned around and grabbed that kid like a chick in my hand."

"It was that brat who used the Golden Cicada Shedding Its Shell technique, abandoning even his clothes, that allowed him to escape from my grasp."

"After that, I chased them through dozens of palaces, and now that it's late at night, they don't even dare to return to the Eastern Palace, hahahaha!"

"Right now, they're probably hiding somewhere, starving and suffering! Serves them right!"

"That brat deserves to suffer a bit, otherwise he won't even know that I, the emperor, am above him!"

Li Shimin laughed heartily and drank some wine, which made him feel extremely refreshed, like when he led the Xuanjia Army to defeat Dou Jiande's tens of thousands of troops.

Empress Zhangsun smiled bitterly and shook her head with a sigh.

She wasn't worried that her crown prince would get cold or hungry, after all, this was the imperial palace.

Emperor Li Er chasing after the crown prince with a horsewhip was a father disciplining his son. Before an imperial edict was issued to punish the crown prince for his mistake, the eunuchs and palace maids in the palace dared not neglect the crown prince.

At this moment, she helped the somewhat delirious Li Shimin toward the bedside.

Outside the Lizheng Hall.

Li Zhi followed the palace maid to his palace, weeping and wailing.

Only Princess Chang Le and the King of Yue looked at the night sky filled with falling snowflakes and sighed in unison.

"You've really worked hard, Your Majesty..."

Wude Hall.

“Huff, huff, huff…”

After traveling by carriage all the way back to Chang'an from Bingzhou Road, Li Chengqian was chased by his own emperor father from noon until night. Having just finished his dinner, he immediately lay sprawled out on his bed in the Wude Hall.

A deep sleep.

Li Yuan, watching from the side, had veins throbbing on his forehead.

"This kid, is he really not afraid that I'll kill him with one stroke...?"

The eunuch overheard this but remained silent.

They were all Emperor Taizong's men. It was one thing for Li Yuan to act recklessly on a daily basis, but if he really wanted to make a move against the sleeping crown prince, they would definitely be the first to stop him.

Just then, a report came over the loudspeaker.

"Your Majesty the Emperor Emeritus, His Highness Prince Lu requests an audience... He seems quite alarmed."

......

[Ding! Simulation of the Mechanical Civilization of the Ink Kingdom has ended. Civilization has perished, but its existence lasted for 1120 years.]

[Will you conduct a civilized settlement?]