My father, Li Shimin, please call me Crown Prince

Chapter 46: Your Majesty, do you want to spank me again?
The average life expectancy of ancient people was very low, but this had little to do with health.

The death rate remains high because of war, hunger and disease.

For princes and nobles, especially the royal family, they had no worries about food and drink, and were treated by famous doctors. Unless they had some special illnesses, it was common for them to live to their sixties or seventies.

People in their forties are in the prime of life.

Li Shimin is forty-four years old this year, and he is still as vigorous and energetic as ever.

Taiji Palace training ground.

Li Shimin is performing martial arts.

Although he was the crown prince, Li Shimin never neglected his martial arts.

Although he was busy with state affairs over the years, Li Shimin would also improve himself when he had free time.

Li Shimin was very fond of hunting. He never missed autumn hunting and winter hunting and often held large-scale hunting activities.

Influenced by Li Shimin, the princes, including Li Chengqian, became fascinated with hunting at a very young age.

Often, whoever came first in hunting would be rewarded by Li Shimin.

Ever since Li Chengqian broke his leg, he has never participated in hunting activities again.

But now, of course, it’s different.

When Li Chengqian arrived, Li Shimin was still practicing riding and archery in the training ground and had no intention of stopping.

On the contrary, the arrival of the prince made him even more excited.

Li Shimin also held a hard bow in his hand, and it was a stone bow.

Riding on a horse, from a hundred steps away, arrows kept hitting the bull's eye.

After shooting in a circle and emptying his quiver, he stopped.

Li Shimin rode his horse to Li Chengqian and dismounted.

He boasted: "Cheng Qian, how is it? My archery skills are still as good as before."

Li Chengqian said: "Your Majesty's archery skills have always been so great."

"I have been following your Majesty since I was a child. Your Majesty loves hunting the most, so I know it."

"Except the King of Wei, who else can understand your majesty's archery better than me?"

"Oh, maybe not. After all, I haven't participated in the hunting tour held by His Majesty for several years."

"So, Your Majesty is demonstrating your archery skills to me?"

Li Shimin lost his temper and explained, "Cheng Qian, I didn't mean that. I was just performing martial arts when you came."

Li Chengqian did not dwell on this point, and said: "In fact, I should thank His Majesty for rewarding me with the Western Domain Horse and the Night-Shine Jade Lion."

"I really like it. This may be the best gift I have received from His Majesty in recent years."

Li Shimin replied: "As long as you like it."

Li Chengqian continued: "Although it was first given to the King of Wei by your majesty."

"Speaking of which, I should also thank the King of Wei. If he hadn't refused it, I don't think I would have had the chance to get this BMW."

This matter was directly pointed out by the prince, which made Li Shimin feel a little embarrassed.

I could only smile and say, "Qingque has you as his elder brother in his heart. The fact that he can think of you at this time shows that he has always respected you in his heart."

Li Chengqian said: "So Your Majesty, how do you think I should thank the King of Wei?"

Li Shimin really thought about it, and then said: "Qingque is your brother, you should just accept this gift."

Li Chengqian shook his head slightly and said, "That won't do. Reciprocity is the key. If it gets out that I accepted the gift from the King of Wei but didn't return the favor, how would others view me?"

"So, I must prepare a gift for the King of Wei, a gift that suits his taste."

"What kind of gift would the King of Wei like?"

"Oh, yes, I remember now, hasn't he always wanted to live in Wude Hall?"

"But now I feel that the Wude Hall might be a little small for the King of Wei. After all, the King of Wei has a big belly, and His Majesty has allowed him to ride in a sedan chair into the palace."

"The Wude Hall is so small, how can it be suitable for the King of Wei to live in?"

"I think it would be better to give my East Palace to the King of Wei. The East Palace is so big, it is just right for the King of Wei." "Besides, the East Palace is so close to the Taiji Palace. Wouldn't it be much more convenient for Your Majesty to see the King of Wei?"

Li Chengqian's words immediately made Li Shimin blush slightly.

I don’t know whether it was because he felt guilty towards the prince or because he was angry.

Subconsciously, he shouted: "Cheng Qian!"

"Your Majesty, please call me Prince!"

Li Chengqian replied word by word.

Hearing these words, Li Shimin's anger, which had just risen, became even more intense.

"Prince!!!"

"Do you still remember that you are the prince?"

"What do you want to do? Do you want me to depose you from your position as Crown Prince?"

Li Chengqian responded bluntly: "Isn't this good? It just happens to suit your and King Wei's wishes."

"You miss the King of Wei, and you let the King of Wei stay at the Taiji Palace. What will the ministers in the court and the people of the world think of such behavior?"

"You also let Fang Xuanling serve as the Grand Secretary of the Wei Wang Literature Institute!"

"Aren't you preparing for the King of Wei to succeed me as the Crown Prince?"

"What do you want me to think?"

"I obediently gave up the position of Crown Prince. Isn't this enough to satisfy you, Your Majesty?"

Li Shimin's momentum suddenly dropped significantly.

The tone also softened.

"Cheng Qian, it's not what you think."

"Oh, I misunderstood Your Majesty. I just don't know if the officials in the court and the people of the Tang Dynasty will misunderstand Your Majesty as I did."

Faced with the prince's refusal to back down, veins popped out in Li Shimin's arms and his anger, which had just subsided, suddenly rose again.

Because he had just been riding a horse, the whip was on the eunuch Zhang Ananda next to him.

Zhang Ananda bowed slightly, and the palace maids and eunuchs beside him had already knelt on the ground and did not dare to look up.

As if sensing that something bad might happen, Zhang Ananda quickly hid the horsewhip behind him.

Zhang Ananda's actions caught Li Shimin's attention, and he just happened to see him putting the whip behind his back.

Li Chengqian followed Li Shimin's gaze and saw the horsewhip that Zhang Ananda had hidden behind him.

He sneered, "Your Majesty, are you going to whip me with a horsewhip again like you did in the Purple Palace?"

"There are rumors out there that it was your Majesty's whip that woke me up."

"So Your Majesty wants to slap me again?"

Li Shimin was forced into a situation where he had no way to retreat, and his mentality suddenly exploded.

"Prince, do you think I don't know what you did?"

"You asked the eunuchs to spread rumors among the people, saying that if I dare to invade Goryeo, they will shoot out one of my eyes."

"Do you hate me so much that you want to shoot my eyes out?"

"Okay, I'll fulfill your wish today."

"Bring it!"

Zhang Ananda was a little confused. After a slight hesitation, he handed over the whip behind him.

"I'm talking about the bow! Bring me my bow and arrows."

"The prince wants to shoot my eyes, right? Let him shoot, let him shoot!"

"I will grant him his wish!"

Zhang Ananda didn't dare to take the bow and arrow. He knelt on the ground without hesitation and refused to move.

(End of this chapter)