Deposed? I couldn't be happier! I wouldn't even be a dog to the crown prince.

"Clatter".

The half-eaten lamb leg rolled twice on the gold brick floor, covered in a layer of dust, and lay there all alone, much like Li Chengqian's broken heart at that moment.

Inside the Taiji Hall, there was a deathly silence.

All eyes darted back and forth between Li Shimin's raised hand and Li Chengqian's terrified face.

Even the musicians responsible for playing the music had their drumsticks hanging in mid-air, forgetting to bring them down.

Abdication?

How much did Your Majesty drink?

This is the throne! It's something that people all over the world would fight tooth and nail for, even at the cost of fathers and sons turning against each other and brothers killing each other!

Why is it that when it comes to this father and son, it's like giving out lucky money during Chinese New Year, they just force it on them?

"Father...Father Emperor?"

Li Chengqian swallowed hard, trying to pull his hand out of Li Shimin's iron grip, but after several attempts, he couldn't budge it.

"You...you must have drunk fake alcohol?"

He chuckled dryly, his voice trembling. "This joke isn't funny at all, really. It's terrifying."

"Who's joking with you?"

Li Shimin, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, slurred and roared, "I am perfectly sober! I've figured it out, I'm tired, I want to take care of my grandson! This empire is yours, I trust you!"

As he spoke, he actually tried to pull Li Chengqian toward the dragon throne.

"Come on, sit down and try it! This chair is a bit hard, but the view is great from this height."

"I won't sit!"

Li Chengqian let out a piercing scream, a sound even more tragic than when Jieli was forced to dance.

He suddenly unleashed a strange strength, flung Li Shimin's hand away, and leaped and bounded three zhang away as if his buttocks were on fire.

He hid behind a huge dragon pillar, peeking out half his head and looking at his father with a wary expression, as if he were looking at a human trafficker.

"Father! You're trying to kill your son!"

"To harm you?"

Li Shimin was stunned, his face showing deep hurt. "I gave you this vast empire; this is because I love you!"

"Love my ass! This is clearly murder!"

Li Chengqian pointed at the glittering dragon throne, his face full of disgust and fear.

"Look at that chair! It's rock hard; sitting on it for too long will give you hemorrhoids!"

"Think about your life. You have to get up at dawn and review memorials late into the night. You even have to rush to eat a hot meal. 365 days a year, 007 every single day, without even a weekend off!"

Is this a life fit for a human being?

"Your son is only eight years old! He's at the age where he needs to grow! You want me to be the boss of this corporate slave? Do you want me to die young?"

These words were like a machine gun, firing rapidly across the Taiji Hall.

The officials and civil servants were sweating profusely, and they all lowered their heads, wishing they could disappear into the ground.

Is His Majesty the head of a corporate slave?

Only the Crown Prince would dare to say such treasonous things, and say them with such confidence.

Fang Xuanling's lips twitched; he wanted to laugh but dared not, and his stomach ached from holding it in.

Li Shimin was also stunned by the scolding.

He looked down at himself, then at the dragon throne.

Is it really that bad?

I think...it's alright?

"Chengqian, it's not that exaggerated." Li Shimin tried to salvage some of the emperor's dignity. "Once you become emperor, you possess the whole world, and you can do whatever you want..."

"Do whatever you want?"

Li Chengqian sneered, "You want to go to the West Market to eat sesame cakes? Will Wei Zheng allow it? You want to build a temporary palace? Will Dai Zhou pay for it? You want to sleep in late? Won't those censors spit all over your face?"

"I wouldn't even give this kind of 'freedom' to a dog!"

He took a deep breath, stepped out from behind the pillar, and looked at Li Shimin with a sincere expression.

"Father, look at yourself."

Li Chengqian pointed to Li Shimin's chest, which, though somewhat tired, was still broad and sturdy.

"How old are you this year? In your early thirties!"

"He's in his prime, full of vigor and vitality! Look at those biceps, look at that physique, he could kill a bull with one punch!"

"You abdicate now? That would be irresponsible to the Tang Dynasty! It would be a waste of your talent!"

"In my opinion, you can serve for at least another fifty years!"

"Fifty years from now, when you are too old to walk, I will reluctantly help you with your burdens. That will be true filial piety!"

Li Shimin was a little dizzy from all the flattery.

Work for another fifty years?

Wouldn't that make me an old monster?

but……

Hearing my son praise my good health and my vigor, I feel so comfortable.

"Ahem, I... I'm not that good either."

Li Shimin stroked the stubble on his chin, his expression softening considerably, but he still hesitated. "But I have indeed been experiencing back pain and fatigue lately..."

"That's due to a lack of exercise!"

Li Chengqian's eyes darted around, and he immediately cut off the conversation.

"That's because you've been sitting on the dragon throne for too long, and it's also psychological!"

"With a positive mindset, even at eighty, you're still a beautiful flower!"

After saying this, he glanced at the ministers watching the commotion around him, and then at Li Shimin's hand that was about to grab him again, and alarm bells rang in his mind.

Don't stay here for long!

If Old Li gets drunk and starts acting crazy, and tries to force the imperial seal into my arms, I'm really doomed.

Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, running away is the best!

"Ouch!"

Li Chengqian suddenly clutched his stomach, his face contorted in pain, and let out a groan.

"It hurts! My stomach hurts!"

"The mutton brought back from the grasslands must have been unclean! Or the celebratory wine must have expired!"

"I need to go to the outhouse! I need to find the imperial physician!"

As he shouted, he gave Xu Xiao a wink.

Xu Xiao was such a shrewd person; without saying a word, he rushed over and picked up Li Chengqian.

"Your Highness! Your Highness, please hold on!"

Xu Xiao howled even more pitifully than Li Chengqian, carrying the person as he rushed out of the palace, shouting, "Imperial Physician! Quickly, summon the Imperial Physician! His Highness has been poisoned!"

"Hey? Chengqian! What's wrong?"

Li Shimin was startled, and sobered up a bit. He was about to chase after them to see what was going on.

But the master and servant ran faster than rabbits, rushing out of the main hall in the blink of an eye, leaving only a cloud of dust and Li Chengqian's loud, fading shouts.

"Father! Your Majesty! I am unwell and must take my leave now!"

"Keep drinking! Keep dancing! Don't worry about me!"

"Remember this! You are in your prime! The Tang Dynasty cannot do without you!"

The sound disappeared into the night.

Li Shimin stood still, his outstretched hand frozen in mid-air.

He glanced at the empty doorway, then at the abandoned leg of lamb on the ground.

This acting...

Isn't that a bit too over-the-top?

Weren't you full of energy while you were eating lamb leg? How come you get a stomachache as soon as the topic of being an emperor comes up?

"That unfilial son..."

Li Shimin shook his head helplessly, but a smile appeared on his lips.

He really didn't want to be emperor.

How could there be someone in this world who regards imperial power as dirt? And this person is none other than my own son.

This gave Li Shimin both a sense of inexplicable frustration and a deep sense of relief.

At least, there's no need to worry about fathers and sons killing each other.

"His Majesty……"

Changsun Wuji cautiously approached, "Then what about the matter of succession..."

"What position are you passing on to!"

Li Shimin glared at him irritably, then flicked his sleeves and sat back down on the dragon throne.

"Didn't you hear what the Crown Prince said? I'm in my prime! I can rule for another fifty years!"

"Keep drinking! Keep dancing!"

Although he said that, Li Shimin's heart was filled with unease.

That unfilial son is running so fast, there must be something fishy going on.

And he just said that I "lack exercise" and that it's "psychological"?

I know my own body; it is indeed tiring.

"no."

Li Shimin put down his wine cup, his eyes gleaming.

"I must go and see the Eastern Palace."

"What if this kid really does have a way to make me 'rule for another fifty years'?"

"Besides, he's gone. The main character of my victory celebration is gone. What's the point of celebrating then!"

Thinking of this, Li Shimin could no longer sit still.

He suddenly stood up, ignoring his ministers below, and waved his hand dismissively.

"Prepare the carriage! To the Eastern Palace!"

"I must go and see if this rebellious son really has a stomachache, or if he's just putting on an act for me!"