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

Time flies like water, and in the blink of an eye, it was June of the seventh year of Wude.

Summer in Chang'an is as hot as a giant steamer. Cicadas chirp desperately, the golden tiles of Taiji Palace are scorched and oily, and even the air seems to be distorted.

Li Chengqian's body was already delicate, and after the serious illness he suffered in the spring, he was like an orchid in a greenhouse, easily wilted by the slightest breeze.

These past few days, he has been suffering terribly from the summer heat.

There were four or five ice basins in the bedroom, but they still couldn't stop the waves of heat.

Li Chengqian lay listlessly on the bamboo mat, wearing only a very thin plain gauze shirt.

Because of the heat, her originally pale cheeks flushed an unnatural red, fine beads of sweat on her forehead dampened her temples, and a few strands of hair clung messily to her face.

He was holding a round fan, fanning himself idly, and humming to himself from time to time.

"Jade slave?"

Accompanied by a series of hurried footsteps, Li Shimin strode in.

He had just returned from the military camp, still in his uniform, exuding a fierce aura and the smell of sweat. But the moment he stepped into the inner room, all his sharpness melted into gentle tenderness.

Seeing his son in such a half-dead state, Li Shimin immediately frowned.

"Why is it so hot? Are those servants dead? Where's the ice? Where's the plum juice?"

Li Shimin waved his hand, ignoring the hardness and discomfort of his armor, and sat down on the edge of the couch, reaching out to touch Li Chengqian's forehead.

"Ah Ye..."

Li Chengqian struggled to open his eyes, the corners of them red and moist. His voice was soft and hoarse, with a strong nasal tone, "It's so hot... Am I going to melt?"

Hearing the word "melted away," Li Shimin felt both amused and heartbroken.

He took the fan from the maid and fanned his son himself with even and gentle force: "What nonsense are you talking about? You are a human, not made of snow."

"I'm made of snow." Li Chengqian pouted proudly, turned over, and buried his face in Li Shimin's thigh. He didn't mind the cold and hard iron plates on the armor. Instead, he rubbed against them comfortably. "Father, you feel so cool."

Li Shimin stiffened, then sighed helplessly, his eyes full of doting affection.

Since that night when he resolved his inner conflict, the child has become increasingly unrestrained in his presence, but also increasingly close to him.

This complete dependence brought Li Shimin, who was ostracized by the Crown Prince's faction in the court and suffered countless grievances in front of his father, an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and healing.

"Perfect timing, I have some good news for you, Father."

Li Shimin gently stroked Li Chengqian's sweat-dampened back with one hand, his voice deep, "Your grandfather is going to Renzhi Palace to escape the summer heat, and he has ordered your father to accompany him, as well as your fourth uncle Yuanji. As for the Crown Prince... your grandfather left him in Chang'an to oversee the country."

Renji Palace!

Li Chengqian's previously confused mind instantly cleared up.

In June of the seventh year of the Wude era, the Renzhi Palace Incident occurred, which was the prelude to the famous Yang Wengan Mutiny.

This was a crucial turning point in the escalation of the conflict between Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng, and also the most dangerous political struggle before the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

Historically, Li Shimin did go this time, but he did not bring his family.

But now...

"Father wants to take you with him." Li Shimin looked at his son. "Chang'an is like a furnace; your body is weak and you can't handle it. Renzhi Palace is in Yijun County, where the mountains and rivers are beautiful, and the climate is cool and pleasant. It's a good place to recuperate."

In fact, Li Shimin also had his own selfish motives.

The political situation is now treacherous, with the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi eyeing him covetously.

He dared not think about leaving this precious heart he had so painstakingly nurtured in Chang'an, in case it fell victim to those two men's cruelty.

He only feels at ease when he has it by his side and keeps it under his watchful eye.

Li Chengqian blinked. Of course he would go! Not only would he go, but he would also stick to Li Shimin at all times, making his presence felt!

So he suddenly sat up, no longer complaining about the heat, and hugged Li Shimin's neck, planting a loud kiss on his stubble-covered face: "Father is the best! I want to go! And I want to bring my little red horse with me!"

Li Shimin was overjoyed by the kiss and laughed heartily: "Take them! Take everything! Bring your glass beads and your soft jade pillow! We'll set off tomorrow!"

……

The following morning, the grand royal procession departed from Chang'an.

Although it was a trip to escape the summer heat, it was still an imperial journey, and the ceremonial procession was of extremely high standard.

Banners obscured the sun, and carriages and horses moved like dragons.

Li Chengqian did not ride in the carriage specially prepared for Li Yuan and his grandson, but instead lingered in Li Shimin's luxurious and spacious carriage.

The carriage was covered with thick Persian carpets, and ice cubes were placed in the four corners, with a cool breeze blowing.

The table was filled with fresh seasonal fruits, and even grapes that had been brought as tribute from the Western Regions.

Where was the majesty of the General of Heavenly Strategy in Li Shimin at this moment?

He removed his heavy armor and changed into a light, round-necked, narrow-sleeved brocade robe. He was holding a silver knife and carefully peeling and cutting the melon in his hand into pieces.

"Come on, open your mouth."

Li Shimin used a silver skewer to poke a piece of crystal-clear melon flesh and held it to Li Chengqian's lips.

Li Chengqian lay sprawled on the soft couch like a boneless little cripple, his head resting on Li Shimin's thigh. He took a big bite, his cheeks bulging as he chewed, like a little hamster eating.

"Is it sweet?" Li Shimin asked expectantly.

"It's barely passable." Li Chengqian swallowed the melon, wrinkled his delicate little nose, and looked critical. "It's not as good as the one my uncle sent the other day."

This act of getting the better deal and then acting innocent would have been met with a slap from anyone else.

But Li Chengqian was just too good-looking.

That disdainful little expression wasn't annoying at all; instead, it exuded an innate air of nobility and arrogance, as if he was born to enjoy the best of everything in the world.

Li Shimin was not angry at all; on the contrary, he became even more excited and immediately pushed the remaining melons aside, saying, "Then we won't eat them. Father will send someone to replace them."

"Never mind, we're out and about, so let's just make do." Li Chengqian waved his hand, looking magnanimous and understanding, then got up and peered out the car window.

Outside the window, the landscape of Guanzhong unfolds like a scroll painting. The majestic Qinling Mountains stretch endlessly, lush and verdant.

Wildflowers bloom profusely by the roadside, and occasionally birds fly across the sky.

"Wow--"

Li Chengqian let out a short exclamation, pointing at a herd of water buffalo grazing in the distance, his eyes wide. "Father, look! What kind of monster is that? It has two big horns, it's all black, and it's so ugly!"

Li Shimin peeked out and couldn't help but chuckle: "Silly Yunu, that's an ox. Used for plowing."

"Cow?" Li Chengqian tilted his head, asking innocently, "Is it the cow we eat as beef? It looks so ugly, how can its meat taste good?"

"This..." Li Shimin was speechless for a moment.

The laws of the Tang Dynasty prohibited the private slaughter of oxen, but as members of the royal family, they could occasionally indulge in this practice.

He patiently explained, "The ox is the foundation of agriculture, so we shouldn't call it ugly. Look at its immense strength; it helps farmers cultivate wasteland, and that is its beauty."

"Oh……"

Li Chengqian nodded as if he understood, then curled his lip in disdain, "What's the use of being strong? You'll still be led by the nose. You're so stupid."

Then, pointing to a crooked tree by the roadside, he asked, "Why is that tree growing crooked? Did it disobey the teacher and get its back broken?"

"That was blown by the wind."

"Why is this mountain so high? It blocks the sun, I don't like it."

"This is the terrain of the mountain, providing shelter from the wind and rain."

Along the way, Li Chengqian was like a walking encyclopedia of "100,000 Whys," except that every question he asked carried a spoiled and arrogant air that made people grit their teeth.

They see wildflowers and say their colors are tacky; they see birds and say their calls are unpleasant; they see farmhouses and say they are dilapidated.

Anyone else would have been driven crazy by this brat.

But Li Shimin enjoyed it immensely.

He felt as if he had come to know his eldest son all over again.

Chengqian used to be very proper, like a little adult. Although you couldn't find fault with him, you always felt there was a layer between you and him.

Chengqian is now so lively and energetic. He can be cute, complain, and show his dislike. This is what a five-year-old should be like!

Moreover, seeing his son's curiosity about everything because he had never seen the world, Li Shimin felt an overwhelming sense of protectiveness and accomplishment as a father.

"Father, I want to drink water." Li Chengqian, tired of calling out, turned around and opened his arms to Li Shimin.

Without saying a word, Li Shimin scooped his son into his arms, his movements so practiced they were heartbreaking.

He held the bowl of honey water to his son's lips with one hand, while holding a handkerchief in the other, ready to wipe his mouth at any moment, coaxing him, "Drink slowly, don't choke."

"Father." Li Chengqian suddenly reached out and tightly grasped Li Shimin's collar.

"What's wrong?" Li Shimin lowered his head and asked softly.

Li Chengqian buried his face in his chest, his voice muffled but with an unusual firmness: "No matter where we go, even to the top of that mountain, Yu Nu will stay with Father. Father, you must not leave me."

Li Shimin's heart trembled, thinking it was the child's unease after leaving home, and he couldn't help but tighten his arms, holding the small bundle in his arms even tighter.

"Okay. Father promises you."

"Though the world is vast, wherever Father goes, he will take Yunu with him. He will never let go."