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

"Luoyang? What would I do in Luoyang?!"

Li Chengqian was somewhat bewildered by his father's sudden action. The heavy twelve-tassel crown in his arms was digging painfully into his chest.

The twelve strings of jade beads, which symbolized supreme power, now looked like hot iron chains.

Li Shimin ignored his son's astonishment and straightened his clothes, which were a little messy from the earlier tugging.

"What are we going to do? We're going to do serious business, of course!"

This Heavenly Khan of the Tang Dynasty, under the horrified gazes of the entire court, actually came up with an excuse so outrageous that even the old man at the village entrance would find it shameful.

"Your younger sister, Chang Le, has been married to that boy Changsun Chong for some time now."

Li Shimin's face remained neither red nor white, and even showed a hint of taking it for granted.

"Judging by the days, her belly should be showing signs of pregnancy by now, right?"

"I've spent most of my life fighting on horseback and scheming against you civil officials in the court. I didn't even get to properly hold you siblings when you were little."

Li Shimin became more and more engrossed in his storytelling, and his tone even revealed a hint of a loving father's bittersweet longing.

"Now that the Tang Dynasty is at peace, I am going to Luoyang."

"I will personally go and protect Chang Le! After she gives birth, I will personally teach my grandson to ride horses and shoot arrows, and enjoy this family bliss!"

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Inside the Taiji Hall, there was complete silence.

Changsun Wuji stared wide-eyed, his mouth agape.

He glanced at Li Shimin, then looked down at his toes.

Taking care of grandchildren?

You, the dignified founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, the Heavenly Khan who swept across Eurasia, actually managed to fabricate such a reason just to shift the blame for the fate of the empire onto an eight-year-old crown prince?

Besides, Princess Changle and Changsun Chong have only been married for a few months! There's not even a trace of them yet, where are you going to hold your grandson?!

Even more outrageous is that Changsun Wuji, as Princess Changle's father-in-law, didn't even dare to mention that he was going to Luoyang to take care of his grandson. The Emperor, however, stole the spotlight first.

"Your Majesty...this...this is not right!"

Wei Zheng finally recovered from his shock. He stood up shakily, his voice trembling with excitement.

"Though the Tang Dynasty is strong, a country cannot be without a ruler for a single day! You are in the prime of your life, and in good health. How can you so easily abdicate because of... because of such a personal matter?!"

"presumptuous!"

Li Shimin glared and immediately displayed his rogue-like imperial majesty.

"When did it become your business, Wei Heizi, to meddle in my family affairs?"

"I'm old, and I mean it! This empire belongs to the Li family. The Crown Prince is more capable than I am, so passing the throne to him is perfectly legitimate!"

Li Shimin gave his ministers no chance to continue offering advice.

He turned around and glanced at Li Chengqian, who was still holding the crown and staring blankly.

A sly glint flashed in his eyes, even carrying a hint of smug satisfaction at his successful prank.

"You brat, the responsibility of leading the Tang Dynasty is now in your hands. Don't even think about slacking off; that old man Dai Zhou is watching the accounts every single day."

"Father! You must be joking!"

Li Chengqian finally realized what was happening. Seeing his father's posture as if he was about to slip away, he became completely anxious.

He casually shoved the precious twelve-tassel crown into the arms of the old eunuch beside him, and then ran to grab Li Shimin's sleeve.

"If you really leave, won't all the officials in the court drive me crazy every day? How will I take my afternoon nap? How will I go for a drive in the Western Regions?"

However, Li Shimin had already taken precautions.

This war god emperor, who once charged in and out of the battlefield seven times and whose body was recently transformed by Li Chengqian's body-strengthening pills.

At that moment, an incredibly terrifying speed erupted.

"Whoosh—"

A gust of wind howled.

Li Shimin's figure was like a sharp arrow released from a bow, nimbly dodging Li Chengqian's attack.

"My mind is made up! From this day forward, Li Chengqian shall ascend the throne! All officials shall obey the new emperor!"

This announcement was like a thunderclap.

Li Shimin ran headlong toward the gate of the Taiji Hall without looking back.

That speed, that footwork, was even more ferocious than the Great Snow Dragon charging across the plains!

Even the Imperial Guards stationed outside the palace gates only felt a blur before their eyes.

All that could be seen was a dark afterimage, accompanied by a gust of wind, which rushed out of the main hall with a "whoosh".

"Protect His Majesty... no, stop His Majesty!"

Changsun Wuji was so anxious that he slapped his thigh and shouted at the top of his lungs.

But who dares to stop them?

The Imperial Guards looked at each other, weapons in hand, but could only watch helplessly as the Emperor of Tang Dynasty disappeared in a flash, like a child skipping school.

Li Chengqian stood on the high steps of the Taiji Hall.

He watched the dust kicked up by his father as he fled, his lips twitching violently.

That usually languid, sophisticated face, which seemed to have everything under control, was now as black as the bottom of a pot.

I got scammed.

I was really screwed over by my own father.

This old fox, in order to enjoy life with a clear conscience, actually abandoned all shame and pulled off a classic "golden cicada shedding its shell" trick.

"Your Highness... no, Your Majesty."

Fang Xuanling cautiously approached, swallowed hard when he saw Li Chengqian's murderous expression.

"The late emperor has already issued a decree regarding this enthronement ceremony..."

"What kind of coronation? What kind of grand ceremony is this!"

Li Chengqian suddenly turned his head, his deep eyes burning with raging anger—pure rage after being deprived of his dream of becoming a salted fish.

"I haven't had enough fun yet! This world is so big, why should I be stuck here all alone, toiling away behind these four high walls?"

He gritted his teeth and stared in the direction where Li Shimin had disappeared.

"Trying to run away?"

"No way!"

Li Chengqian sneered, his laughter revealing a sinister, even slightly manic, aura.

"Old Xu!"

"This old servant is here!" Xu Xiao, who had been hiding in the shadows, immediately appeared.

"Go to the East Palace."

Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying an undeniable determination to launch a desperate counterattack.

"Put me in the secret room of the study, and bring me that 'big sphere' made of pig iron and sheepskin."

"He has to do this hard labor today, whether he wants to or not!"