Transmigrated into Li Chengqian, he effortlessly ascended the throne and became emperor.

When Li Shimin left Li Tai's side hall, he walked with his hands behind his back. Although his steps were still steady, the low pressure around him made the accompanying eunuchs wish they could shrink their heads into their chests.

What kind of rare treasures hasn't General Tian Ce seen in his life?

The imperial seal of the previous dynasty, the Ferghana horses of the Western Regions, even half of the Tang Dynasty's territory—if he wanted them, it would be as simple as cracking his whip.

But unfortunately, he didn't have that hideous, ugly grass bird.

"That kid, he never seems to care much about Qingque..." Li Shimin muttered under his breath, his tone sour that even the midday sun couldn't melt it away.

He turned and walked straight toward Chengqian's residence.

The hall was quiet and still, with the ice jars used to cool the room emitting a cool breeze that dispelled the late autumn heat.

The eunuch guarding the door was about to speak when Li Shimin silenced him with a sharp glare.

He waved the crowd away and stepped across the threshold quietly by himself.

Passing around the screen painted with landscape pictures, Li Shimin immediately saw the small figure curled up on the soft couch catching up on sleep.

Although he saw his own son every day, Li Shimin had to admit that his eldest son was just... too good at being good-looking.

Or rather, since waking up from that serious illness, Chengqian seemed to have been reborn.

Li Shimin took a deep breath, slowly walked to the edge of the couch and sat down, his gaze falling on Li Chengqian's face.

Those long eyelashes, like two small fans, hung quietly, casting a faint shadow under their eyelids, trembling very slightly with their breath, like two resting butterflies.

In his sleep, Chengqian was less like a little adult than usual, with a slight upturn at the corners of his mouth, showing a kind of unguarded obedience.

Li Shimin's gaze shifted downwards, finally settling on Chengqian's hand draped over the outside of the blanket.

That hand was small and fair, like a tender bamboo shoot, but at this moment it was covered with several faint red marks.

Is this what you call making bird wounds for bluefin finches?

Li Shimin's heart tightened again, and that emotion called jealousy once again entwined around him like vines, mixed with a lot of heartache.

"Silly boy..."

Li Shimin sighed, and his large, calloused hand, which had been used to wielding spears and swords for many years, reached out uncontrollably.

He had only intended to gently pat his son's head, but when his fingertips touched the smooth, creamy cheek, the feel was so wonderful that he couldn't bear to let go.

Li Shimin couldn't resist gently poking that rosy cheek with the pad of his index finger.

He's not awake.

Tap it again.

The soft flesh sank into a small dent, then slowly bounced back.

Li Shimin, in a playful mood, perhaps to avenge the "Blue Sparrow," reached out and gently scratched the tip of its pert little nose, and even mischievously pinched its thin lips.

Li Chengqian, who was having difficulty breathing, finally frowned and let out a dissatisfied groan.

Who dares to be so presumptuous as to disturb his afternoon nap?

He opened his eyes groggily, his vision still blurry.

What came into view was a magnified, handsome face that was both somewhat embarrassed and dignified.

Oh, it's Li Erfeng.

That's fine.

The confusion in Li Chengqian's eyes instantly turned into admiration and surprise. His peach blossom eyes, which had been half-closed due to sleepiness, seemed to light up a sky full of stars the moment he saw the person who came.

"Father?"

"Ahem, you're awake?" Li Shimin casually withdrew his mischievous hand, straightened his back, and tried his best to maintain the dignity of a strict father. "The sun is high in the sky and you're still lying in bed. What kind of behavior is this?"

If it were anyone else, they would surely be so frightened by this reprimand that they would roll off the bed and beg for forgiveness.

But who is Li Chengqian?

That was a master of manipulation who knew Li Shimin's temperament better than the lines on his own palm.

Instead of being afraid, he snuggled into Li Shimin's arms like a lazy kitten, resting his head on Li Shimin's lap and letting out a small yawn.

"Why is Father here? He didn't even wake Chengqian."

Li Shimin stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, casually ruffling the black hair, and said stubbornly, "Just passing by, thought I'd drop in to see you, you lazybones."

Li Chengqian chuckled inwardly.

Just passing by? The Prince of Qin's mansion is so big, you just happened to be passing by the front yard and then you went to the special occasion of dismissing your attendants and coming in to sit and wait?

Something's clearly up.

Moreover, judging from the old father's hesitant and even slightly aggrieved expression, Li Chengqian probably guessed what had happened.

I reckon he went to Li Tai's place.

"Are you tired, Father? Would you like Chengqian to massage your legs?"

"Hmph." Li Shimin snorted coldly, grabbed Li Chengqian's injured hand, and frowned. "What happened to this hand?"

Li Chengqian's eyes flickered, and he tried to pull his hand back: "No...it's nothing, I just accidentally scratched myself."

"You've made it?" Li Shimin asked languidly. "Not by making birds?"

Li Chengqian looked up abruptly, as if his tail had been stepped on, his face filled with shock: "That big mouth of Qingque! We clearly made a pinky promise!"

really.

Li Shimin was furious.

It wasn't that she was angry that Li Tai had betrayed her, but that this kid had never cared about her like this before!

"Why?" Li Shimin stared into Li Chengqian's eyes, his tone tinged with a bitterness he himself didn't realize. "Father has always treated you well, hasn't he? Why did you only make Qingque's brocade, and not Father's?"

The dignified General of Heavenly Strategy, the future Emperor Taizong of Tang, was now like a child who had begged for candy but hadn't gotten any.

If Fang Xuanling and his men saw this, they would probably be utterly astonished.

Li Chengqian immediately looked flustered, as if he had been stumped by the question.

He lowered his head, his long eyelashes trembling uneasily, his hands twisted together, and his injured little finger looked particularly pitiful.

After a moment of silence, just as Li Shimin was wondering if he had pushed too hard, Li Chengqian spoke softly, his voice barely audible.

"Because... I want to coax Qingque."

"To coax him?" Li Shimin asked, puzzled.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, as if gathering his courage, and raised his head to look directly at Li Shimin.

"Father, I know that many people outside are talking about what happened between my eldest uncle and third uncle, and I know that you are very sad and in a difficult position."

"I'm afraid..." Li Chengqian sniffed, "I'm afraid that we brothers will end up like Uncle and Father."

"I want to be good to Qingque. I want Father to come back and see our brotherly love and harmony, so he can be even a little bit happy, even if it's just a tiny bit..."

"I don't want my father to fight with those bad guys outside and then come home to worry about us arguing."

Li Shimin's throat tightened slightly, and with trembling hands, he held Li Chengqian's injured little hand in his palm and gently blew on it.

"Silly child, this is an adult matter, you don't need to worry about it." Li Shimin's voice was a little hoarse, and his eyes were even a little hot.

"But Yu Nu is the eldest son." Li Chengqian grasped Li Shimin's rough hand and rubbed his cheek against his father's palm. "The Master said that the eldest brother is like a father. Father doesn't have time to discipline his younger brothers, so I will take good care of them for Father."

Li Shimin was deeply moved, but his awkwardness had not completely subsided.

He coughed somewhat awkwardly: "Then... then we can't just give it to Qingque, Father doesn't have any either."

I still want that broken bird.

Li Chengqian almost burst out laughing.

Li Erfeng is sometimes really adorable.

After all that groundwork, it's time to close the net.

Li Chengqian suddenly straightened up from Li Shimin's embrace, cupped Li Shimin's face in his hands, and forced the great Tang war god to look him in the eye.

He blinked his eyes, which seemed to hold the stars and the sea, and a smile that was both innocent and slightly mischievous appeared on his lips.

"Ah Ye is such a fool."

Li Shimin was taken aback: "Huh?"

Li Chengqian leaned closer. "Qingque only has an ugly little grass bird because he's the younger brother and needs to be coaxed."

"But Father..."

He tilted his head slightly. "Yu Nu is entirely Aye's."

"From head to toe, everything is given by Father, and everything belongs to Father."

Li Chengqian opened his arms and rushed into that broad, warm embrace again, tightly hugging Li Shimin's neck, and whispered in his ear:

"Why should Father care about a mute little grass bird when he already has the finest jade servant in the world?"