My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

In the Tang Dynasty, the Eastern Palace Study was the place where the regent oversaw the administration of the country.

Prince Li Tai of Wei was sitting upright behind his desk, frowning as he looked at a report concerning the grain transport in Guanzhong.

He was slightly plump and had a fair complexion. He was favored by his father, the emperor, and was also intelligent.

Since becoming regent, I have been living in constant fear. Although I have no right to approve anything, at least I am qualified to read it, aren't I?

Holding a pen in my hand, even though I can't write, at least it looks like I'm writing, right?

And who knows, maybe it will happen in the future, right?

As for why it was in the East Palace study?

That must be because he didn't dare to go to Li Shimin's Ganlu Hall!

We had no choice but to settle for the East Palace's study.

However, my brother's fate is currently unknown, and there has been no news for so long.

Maybe when Father returns, I'll be the Crown Prince!

Then it will be perfectly legitimate for us to be here.

Li Tai thought to himself, a hint of high spirits rising within him.

The hall was brightly lit, with only a few trusted eunuchs standing outside, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Sudden--

In the open space less than three steps in front of Li Tai, the air suddenly distorted violently without warning, and the light flickered wildly!

"Um?!"

Li Tai was so startled that his vermilion brush trembled, and a drop of red ink fell onto the report.

He looked up in horror and saw a figure rapidly shifting from illusion to reality within the distorted light and shadow.

The man sat in a strange chair with two large wheels, dressed in an oddly styled narrow-sleeved outfit, and held a hard leather box in his arms. His face...

Big brother?

Do not!

Crown Prince Li Chengqian?

Li Tai froze instantly, his eyes widening like copper bells, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg, his brain completely shutting down.

My elder brother?!

wrong!

Isn't he...isn't it said that his leg ailment was cured by a master in some secluded place?

How could...he appear here in this way?!

What kind of magical arts or sorcery is this?!

Or was I hallucinating from staying up all night reviewing official documents?!

Just as Li Tai was terrified and his mind went blank—

Li Chengqian, in his wheelchair, looked at his younger brother's foolish appearance and his mischievous smile widened.

He didn't give Li Tai any time to react. He swung his right hand around the hardcover notebook in his arms and, taking advantage of the momentum from landing, swung his arm!

"Smack!!!"

A crisp, extremely loud slap echoed throughout the entire side hall!

Li Chengqian used considerable force this time; the hard edge of the notebook even grazed Li Tai's fair face before his palm slapped him hard!

It was painful, and also had a humiliating "scratching" sensation.

"Awooo—!"

Li Tai's head snapped to the side from the blow, and his cheek visibly swelled up quickly. The searing pain caused him to let out a scream and cry that sounded inhuman.

He was completely stunned. His ears were ringing, stars were flashing before his eyes, and half of his face was numb, leaving only a burning pain.

More importantly, he is still in the dark—how could his older brother have come back?

And he came back suddenly?

Could it be that he has learned magic?

"You...you...stabbed..."

Li Tai covered his face, rambling incoherently, wanting to shout "assassin" and "royal brother" at the same time.

The immense shock left him speechless; he could only stare in terror at the smiling Li Chengqian before him.

"hey-hey."

Looking at the clear red handprint on his younger brother's face and his dumbfounded expression, Li Chengqian felt a great sense of relief, as if a lot of the pent-up anger in his heart had been released with that slap.

He waved the slightly deformed notebook in his hand and mouthed "shh" to Li Tai.

Upon hearing the King of Wei's cries of pain and unusual movements inside, the guards outside the palace immediately drew their swords and rushed in, shouting, "Protect His Highness!"

However, when they rushed into the hall, they only saw Prince Wei, Li Tai, covering his face, slumped behind a table, his expression distorted, his eyes filled with fear and confusion.

Inside the palace... it was completely empty; apart from the King of Wei, there wasn't a soul in sight.

"Your Highness?! Where are the assassins?"

The head guard looked around warily; the doors and windows were intact, and there were no signs of forced entry.

Li Tai pointed to the empty space where Li Chengqian had just appeared and disappeared, his fingers trembling, his lips quivering, and his words incoherent.

"The...the...slap...is gone..."

The guards looked in the direction he was pointing, but there was nothing there.

Looking more closely at His Highness Prince Wei, the red, swollen handprint on his face, even with some minor scratches, was clearly visible and still fresh.

"Pfft...cough cough~!"

The guards exchanged bewildered glances.

assassin?

Assassination by slapping?

And they even deliberately slapped him in the face?

They disappear on the spot after you finish fighting?

This...sounds so much like a ghost story?

Or... Your Highness was so exhausted that you hallucinated and slapped yourself?

But the size and force of that slap mark don't seem like something I would have done myself...

Several guards couldn't help but twitch their lips, wanting to laugh but not daring to, desperately holding it in, their expressions quite interesting.

The way she looked at Li Tai also carried a hint of indescribable sympathy and...amusement.

Li Tai looked at the guards' faces contorted with suppressed laughter, and then felt the burning pain on his face.

He wanted to cry but couldn't, he couldn't defend himself, and he was filled with shame and indignation.

He was the Prince of Wei, the emperor's most beloved son. How could he have ever suffered such a humiliation?

He was still slapped in the face by the Crown Prince, who should have been limping and hiding in shame, in such an inconceivable way, and with such an absurd "weapon"!

"Get out! All of you, get out of here!"

Li Tai finally regained a sliver of reason from the shock and pain, and roared at the guards, his voice distorted.

The guards, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, quickly lowered their heads, suppressed their laughter, and withdrew from the hall.

But the shrugging shoulders and suppressed snickers made Li Tai increasingly annoyed.

As soon as the door closed, bursts of laughter came from outside the hall, clearly indicating that they had been holding it in for a long time.

Every laugh felt like a needle pricking Li Tai's heart.

The palace doors closed, and Li Tai slumped into a chair, his face clearly marked with red marks, his head buzzing.

He touched his cheek with trembling hands; it was hot and swollen to the touch, and he could even feel the tiny scratches from the corner of the notebook.

"Li Chengqian... Li Chengqian!!! Your mother... you bastard!!!"

Li Tai squeezed out the name through gritted teeth, his eyes filled with resentment.

But then, a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

How did he get back?

What is that strange chair?

Li Tai stood up, rushed to the palace gate, intending to order a city-wide search, but then stopped himself.

How so?

The prince suddenly appeared out of nowhere, slapped me, and then disappeared.

At that point, the search warrant will likely be issued no sooner than Wei Zheng starts criticizing it.

He's been getting a lot of flak lately!

Oh shit!

I really want to chop that old bastard up!

I really don't know how my father could bear it!

Li Tai paced back and forth in the hall, his face contorted with pain, his mind in turmoil.

No, I must write to my father immediately!

No, we can't say it outright. We have to hint at it indirectly, reminding Father Emperor to be careful of the Crown Prince's suspicious behavior!