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

In October, autumn was in full swing in Chang'an, with a vast, cloudless sky.

The grand ceremony for the investiture of the Crown Prince finally arrived as scheduled, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Minister of Rites, who not only went bald but also nearly lost his voice from shouting.

Taiji Palace, Chengtian Gate.

The enormous gilded dragon pillars gleamed in the rising sun. The newly composed "Joy of Ten Thousand Nations" music and dance performance by the Court of Imperial Sacrifices was grand and magnificent. The bells and chimes rang out in unison, and the stirring yet graceful music pierced through the layers of palaces and soared into the sky, as if to completely dispel the previous gloom.

The embroiderers in the Imperial Clothing Bureau really pulled out all the stops.

The "Flowing Light Brocade" personally selected by Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin) truly lived up to its name. This fabric, a secret treasure of the former Sui Dynasty court, would flow with subtle patterns like water ripples under changing light angles.

"Your Highness, it's time to depart." The eunuch knelt on the ground, straightening the last wrinkle in his robes.

Li Chengqian nodded slightly and adjusted the expression on his face.

It's one thing to act cute and manipulative normally, but you have to be reliable in crucial moments.

……

Outside Chengtian Gate, officials stood solemnly.

When the crimson figure appeared atop the high city wall, the crowd, which had been whispering, instantly fell silent.

Li Shimin had been waiting there for a long time. As he watched Li Chengqian walk towards him step by step, his pride was almost overflowing.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Li Chengqian walked up to Li Shimin and was about to perform the full kneeling ceremony.

"No need!"

Li Shimin disregarded etiquette in the slightest, and in front of everyone, he strode forward, grabbed Li Chengqian's arm, and even straightened his slightly crooked nine-beam crown.

This scene made Wei Zheng, who was sitting in the audience, tremble. He was about to step forward to remonstrate that it was "inappropriate according to etiquette" when Fang Xuanling, who was standing next to him, stepped on his foot without making a sound.

"Today is the Crown Prince's joyous occasion. His Majesty is happy, so you should go with him," Fang Xuanling said in a low voice.

Wei Zheng glared at the filial father and son on the city wall, but ultimately swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Li Shimin, holding Li Chengqian's hand, turned together to face the civil and military officials below the city gate, and to the people of Chang'an further away.

"My eldest son, Chengqian, is intelligent, kind, and filial. I hereby appoint him as Crown Prince, placing him in the Eastern Palace to ensure the dynasty's longevity and to unite the hearts of the people!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

A deafening roar of worship filled the air, and countless banners fluttered in the autumn wind.

Night falls in the Ganlu Palace.

The elaborate ceremony finally came to an end, the noise subsided, and the city lights began to twinkle.

Li Shimin did not rest; he remained seated behind his desk, reviewing the mountain of memorials.

Although he was happy today, as an emperor, he knew that the shame of the Wei River Alliance had not been truly washed away, and the Tang Dynasty was still fraught with crises.

Just then, a small head peeked out from the entrance of the hall.

Just as the eunuch on duty was about to report, Li Chengqian raised his index finger and made a "shh" gesture.

As if sensing something, Li Shimin looked up from the memorial and met those bright, sparkling eyes.

"Yu Nu?" Li Shimin put down his vermilion brush, his tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxing. He beckoned, "Why isn't my Crown Prince asleep yet? You must be exhausted after a long day."

Li Chengqian did not change out of his solemn crown prince robes. He still wore the heavy nine-beam crown, and like a little lucky baby who had stolen an adult's clothes, he ran in quickly with his short legs.

"Ah!"

Li Shimin skillfully caught Li Chengqian and gently placed him on his lap. He reached out and touched the cool jade ornament on Li Chengqian's head, saying with some concern, "Why won't you take it off? It's so heavy. What if it damages my jade servant and stunts its growth?"

As she spoke, she reached out to help him remove his hair ornament.

"I won't take it off!"

Li Chengqian covered his head and leaned back to avoid Li Shimin's hand.

He held his chin up, his crimson robes shimmering in the candlelight, making his little face flushed and giving him a touch of spoiled and stubbornness rarely seen on him.

"What? Still not enough of looking beautiful?" Li Shimin chuckled, pinching his cheek. "You usually complain about me putting on an extra layer of clothing, has your personality changed today?"

Li Chengqian blinked, his long eyelashes fluttering.

"Because it was given to me by Aja."

"Standing on the city wall today, looking at the people below, Yu Nu was actually a little scared. But when I felt Father holding my hand, I wasn't afraid anymore."

Li Chengqian lowered his head, looking at the priceless shimmering brocade he was wearing, his fingers gently tracing its delicate texture.

"Yu Nu was reluctant to take it off. I wanted to wear it a little longer, just like Father was holding me."

These words were like a perfectly tailored sugar-coated bullet, instantly dispelling the weariness and anxiety Li Shimin felt due to state affairs, turning it into a gentle pool of water.

How can there be such a sensible and lovable child in this world!

Li Shimin felt a lump in his throat and his nose tingle.

He pulled Li Chengqian into a tight embrace, his chin resting against the hard nine-beam crown, yet he didn't feel any discomfort.

"Silly child..." Li Shimin's voice was a little hoarse, "You are my son, who else would I love more than you? If you like something, I would even find a way to pluck a star from the sky to make a crown for you!"

"Actually..." Li Chengqian's muffled voice came from Li Shimin's arms, "What made me happiest today was not becoming the crown prince, nor wearing beautiful clothes, nor hearing those ministers shout 'Long live the emperor!'"

"Oh? What is that?" Li Shimin asked curiously.

"What makes me happiest is having such a father and a mother."

Li Chengqian leaned over and planted a big kiss on Li Shimin's stubble-covered face.

"Yu Nu listened to the teacher tell history, saying that the children of the royal family were the most pitiful, neither father nor son. But Yu Nu felt that she was the happiest child in the world. As long as she could be her father and mother's child, even if she didn't become the crown prince, even if she had to herd sheep by the Wei River, Yu Nu would be happy!"

boom--

Li Shimin felt that the bottom line he had held firm to for many years had completely collapsed.

To hell with imperial tactics! To hell with the idea that strict fathers produce filial sons!

I'm going to spoil him rotten! Spoil him to death!

Anyone who dares to say a bad word about my Jade Slave will have their entire family property confiscated!

Li Shimin's eyes were red-rimmed. He held Li Chengqian and spun him around in the hall several times, his laughter so loud that the eunuchs outside the hall looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Herding sheep? Who dares to let my crown prince herd sheep!"

Li Shimin stopped and looked at his son, who was smiling broadly in his arms. He spoke with a bold and unrestrained tone, pointing to the huge map of the Tang Dynasty behind the imperial desk.

"Yu Nu, remember this. This entire Tang Dynasty is the pasture I have laid out for you! You don't need to suffer by the Wei River; I want the whole world to be your backyard garden! I want you to be the happiest and most honored crown prince in all of history!"

Li Chengqian hugged Li Shimin's neck tightly, buried his face in his father's broad shoulders, and a sly smile appeared on his lips.

"Ah-ye is the best!"