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

Inside the Ganlu Hall, the dragon-shaped incense burner was burning brightly, keeping the chill of the early autumn night wind outside the heavy vermilion doors.

Empress Zhangsun gently raised her hand and removed the bright armor from Li Shimin, which was stained with the dust and dew from the banks of the Wei River.

Li Chengqian, like a pendant, reluctantly released his grip on Li Shimin's leg and obediently stepped aside.

"Erlang, you've worked hard." Empress Zhangsun took the hot towel handed to her by a palace maid.

Li Shimin sighed deeply, reached out and grasped his wife's soft hand, but his gaze involuntarily drifted to Li Chengqian, who was blowing on the armor beside him.

"Guanyinbi, I'm alright." Li Shimin's voice was hoarse and filled with deep weariness. "It's just that today, by the Wei River, I emptied the national treasury. All that gold and silver... that's the blood and sweat of the Tang people, yet I had to feed those wolf cubs of the Turks."

At this point, a fierce glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes, and he clenched his fist tightly until his knuckles turned white.

"Don't be angry, Father."

Suddenly, a pair of soft little hands enveloped Li Shimin's large, calloused hands.

Li Chengqian approached at some point and carefully pressed his face against the back of Li Shimin's hand. "Yu Nu has heard Master say that if you want to take something, you must first give something. Father, you're fishing for a big fish. Those bad guys will have to pay back everything they took with interest later."

Li Shimin looked down at Li Chengqian's clear eyes, which were full of admiration and trust, and the knot in his heart miraculously dissipated in that instant.

"Excellent!" Li Shimin scooped Chengqian up to his knees and laughed heartily, "My Jade Slave is far superior to those old men in the court who only know how to complain about being poor!"

After laughing, Li Shimin's expression became serious.

Looking at his son, who was as delicate as a porcelain doll, in his arms, he felt a strong urge to make amends.

Today, by the Wei River, he bowed his head.

But he absolutely could not let his son follow suit and bow down.

"Guanyinbi," Li Shimin turned to Empress Zhangsun, "I have made up my mind. The investiture ceremony next month cannot be rushed. Yu Nu is my eldest son, the future crown prince of the Tang Dynasty. I want to give him a grand ceremony like never before."

Empress Zhangsun nodded slightly, her eyes smiling: "Your Highness can decide. You have always doted on Yu Nu, and she is a sensible and well-behaved child. She deserves to be honored this time."

Li Chengqian blinked, then suddenly lowered his head, twisting his small hands around Li Shimin's sleeve. His voice became timid, carrying a pitiful and aggrieved tone.

"Father...Yu Nu...Yu Nu doesn't want the ceremony."

Li Shimin was stunned: "Why?"

Li Chengqian raised his head, his eyes reddening again, a tear threatening to fall. He sniffed, "Father just said that the national treasury is empty... all that gold and silver has been given to the Turks. Although Yunu is young, she knows that the family is broke. Holding a grand ceremony at this time will cost so much money... Father has already worked so hard, Yunu doesn't want to make things difficult for Father."

As he spoke, he took out a jade pendant that Li Shimin had given him earlier from his pocket and carefully placed it on the table.

"Give this back to Father, and use it to buy food. Yu Nu will be happy as long as she has a clean set of clothes to wear and can stay with Father and Mother every day. Really, I don't need those fancy ceremonial regalia, nor the golden crown... although... although Yu Nu really likes that golden crown..."

The last sentence was spoken so softly it was like a mosquito's buzz, and a hint of longing flickered in his eyes, yet he forced himself to give it up despite the pain.

Sure enough, Li Shimin felt a tightness in his throat and a stinging sensation in his nose.

Look! Look, this is my good son!

He's only seven years old! He already knows how to care about national affairs and how to feel sorry for his father!

This child, who clearly loves pretty things and would frown for ages over the slightest wrinkle in his clothes, is now even declining the Crown Prince's investiture ceremony in order to save me money!

That was a once-in-a-lifetime honor for him!

"nonsense!"

Li Shimin slammed his hand on the table, making the teacups jump.

"Who said we're broke? That's money for outsiders! When have I ever lacked money for my own son?"

Li Shimin pulled Li Chengqian into his arms and said, "Even if I have to sell that elite steed, even if I have to pry off the gold bricks from the Ganlu Palace, I will never let my Yu Nu suffer!"

"Father..." Li Chengqian buried his face in his arms, a slight smile on his lips, but his voice was trembling with tears, "Really, it's not necessary..."

"Shut up! Listen to Father on this matter!"

Li Shimin interrupted him domineeringly, turning to roar towards the outside of the hall: "Summon Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xiao Yu to the palace! Immediately! Even if they're asleep, drag them out of bed!"

……

Half an hour later.

The imperial study was brightly lit.

The three prime ministers, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, and Xiao Yu, stood below the steps, disheveled and looking bewildered.

They thought the Turks had returned to fight, but when they entered, they saw His Majesty the Emperor holding His Highness the Crown Prince, pointing at a list presented by the Ministry of Rites and flying into a rage.

"What is this? Huh? What are those incompetent idiots in the Ministry of Rites doing?"

Li Shimin pointed at the above proposal and cursed, "The Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony uses a traveling hat with three beams and gold cicada embellishments? How shabby! So shabby! Is this how you treat a beggar?"

As a veteran minister, and known for his uprightness, Xiao Yu couldn't help but step forward and bow, saying, "Your Majesty, according to ancestral rules, this is indeed the standard for the initial appointment of the Crown Prince. Moreover, the national treasury has just been replenished... it is indeed not advisable to be extravagant..."

"What kind of ancestral rule is this?!"

Li Shimin cursed, pointing at Li Chengqian, who was sitting obediently on the couch beside him drinking dairy milk, and said emotionally, "Look at the Crown Prince! What did he just say to me? He said that to save me money, we shouldn't even have a grand ceremony! A seven-year-old child! He already knows how to share the burden of the emperor! If I really hold it according to this meager standard, am I still human? Where would I, as his father, put my face?"

The three high-ranking officials exchanged glances, their eyes all turning to the Crown Prince, who was taking small sips of cheese.

Li Chengqian put down the jade bowl and looked at them with innocent, wide eyes: "Actually...actually, as long as everyone is happy, Chengqian can wear old clothes. Don't blame Father, blame Chengqian instead."

Fang Xuanling's lips twitched. He thought to himself, "Your Highness, this Shu brocade robe you're wearing is worth ten gold pieces. Where did you get this old clothes?"

Du Ruhui's eyelids twitched wildly, but seeing such a delicate and lovely child say such heartbreakingly sensible words, even the most hardened hearts softened a bit.

"Your Majesty..." Fang Xuanling sighed, cupped his hands, and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince is so filial that it moves heaven and earth. In that case, the rites can indeed be... slightly modified."

"What do you mean 'slightly'? It's a major change!"

"I want to reform the system!"

Li Shimin paced back and forth in the imperial study, speaking at an extremely fast pace, giving his ministers no chance to refute him:

"The Crown Prince's crown must not have three beams; I hereby bestow upon it nine beams! It shall be in the style of the imperial robes! This gold cicada is too vulgar; replace it with the purple jade from the East Sea! Each piece must be as large as a pigeon's egg!"

Xiao Yu gasped, "Your Majesty, the Nine Beams... that's an imperial system! I'm afraid..."

"What's there to be afraid of? He's my eldest son, the whole world will be his in the future. What's wrong with me letting him wear it early?" Li Shimin glared at him. "And the clothes! What kind of tattered fabric did the Ministry of Rites order? Doesn't the Imperial Wardrobe still have a few bolts of shimmering brocade confiscated from the Sui Palace? Bring them all out! Make ceremonial robes for the Crown Prince! Red! The brightest red! My son is so handsome, he'll look best in red!"

Li Chengqian was inwardly overjoyed, but outwardly he had to feign being flattered, tugging at Li Shimin's sleeve and shaking it: "Father, isn't that too precious? What if it gets dirty..."

"If it gets dirty, just throw it away! I'll have someone weave another one for you!" Li Shimin declared with boundless pride. "Besides the crown and robes, the ceremonial guards must be increased! Transfer half of my left and right Imperial Guards to serve as the Crown Prince's protectors. On the day of the grand ceremony, I want him to receive the homage of all the officials at Chengtian Gate, and I will personally bestow the crown upon him!"

"Also! Inform the Court of Imperial Sacrifices that the music and dance must be rearranged! Make it something festive, something with a 'all nations paying tribute' melody!"

Du Ruhui silently calculated the expense, his heart bleeding.

This is hardly the appointment of a crown prince; it's practically half the scale of an enthronement ceremony!

But can we save this money?

Looking at Li Shimin's "I'll fight anyone who dares to oppose me" attitude, and then looking at Li Chengqian's pitiful "I'm too obedient to deserve this" look.

Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling exchanged a glance, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

This father and son, one is truly willing to give, the other is "truly" unwilling to accept.

This time, His Highness the Crown Prince has won a complete victory.

"Your Majesty, we... obey your command." The three could only bow in unison to accept the order.

"Hahaha! Good!" Li Shimin was in high spirits. He picked up Li Chengqian and kissed him hard on his rosy cheek. The stubble on his beard made Li Chengqian shrink back. "Yu Nu, did you hear that? This is all you deserve! Who told you to be your father's darling!"

Li Chengqian hugged Li Shimin's neck: "Father is the best! Yunu loves Father the most! When Yunu wears her beautiful clothes, she will definitely show them to Father first!"

"Of course! My Yu Nu, dressed in that outfit, will undoubtedly be the most handsome young man in Chang'an!"

The night was deep, but the Imperial Study was filled with warmth and affection.

The Minister of Revenue will suffer greatly; he'll probably cry his eyes out when he receives this imperial edict tomorrow.