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

It was late autumn, and the winds were subtly shifting.

The first frost after Li Shimin ascended the throne seemed to come earlier than in previous years.

The Da'an Palace, originally named Hongyi Palace, appears particularly cramped and gloomy compared to the magnificent Taiji Palace.

The autumn wind whipped up withered leaves, swirling them in the empty courtyard. Even the palace eunuchs and maids looked dejected, as if their souls had been frozen before winter even arrived.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!"

This announcement was like a pebble thrown into stagnant water.

Li Yuan was half-reclining on a couch, holding an amber wine cup in his hand, his eyes cloudy and indifferent.

Upon hearing the announcement, he merely snorted through his nose and made no attempt to get up.

However, the next moment, a fiery red figure rushed in like a small cannonball.

"Grandpa!"

Wearing his signature crimson casual clothes, Li Chengqian pounced on Li Yuan's couch, tilting his delicate, beautiful face upturned, his eyes shining brightly.

Li Yuan almost spilled the wine in his hand. He subconsciously wanted to scold him, but he met those clear, bottomless eyes.

"What? That bastard... did your father bully you?" Li Yuan frowned, his tone stiff, but he didn't push the person away.

He still couldn't completely see his grandson as a traitor.

"It's so quiet here, Grandfather." Li Chengqian pouted and reached out her small hand to touch Li Yuan's thin silk robe. "When I have snacks in the East Palace, I'm always surrounded by many people, but when I think of Grandfather all alone here, I can't eat."

Li Yuan was stunned for a moment, and it seemed that a corner of the ice in his heart was melted by this warm little hand.

"Hmph, this old man is used to peace and quiet," Li Yuan said stubbornly, but his body betrayed him as he shifted to the side, making room for his grandson. "What are you doing here? Spying on me for your dear father?"

"No way!" Li Chengqian retorted angrily, like a cat with its fur standing on end. "Father is so busy he doesn't even have time to eat, how could he have time to care about me? I ran away here by myself."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian pulled a paper package from his pocket as if presenting a treasure. Inside were several steaming, soft, and sweet red bean pastries.

"This was just made by the Imperial Kitchen. Father doesn't have any, so I brought it with me, hidden in my bosom. It's still warm!" Li Chengqian picked up a piece and held it directly to Li Yuan's lips. "Grandfather, try it. It's so sweet."

Li Yuan looked at the pastry, then at his grandson whose eyes were full of anticipation.

As if possessed, he opened his mouth.

"Is it tasty?"

"...It's acceptable."

"Then eat more, Grandfather. Yu Nu will bring you food every day from now on!" Li Chengqian climbed onto the folding chair and snuggled up to Li Yuan like a clingy doll. "Grandfather, do you know how to play backgammon? Those eunuchs in the Eastern Palace are all too stupid. Nobody can beat me. It's no fun."

Li Yuan's competitive spirit was ignited, and he scoffed, "You little brat, how dare you speak so arrogantly! Back when I was playing backgammon in Guanzhong, your father was still playing in the mud!"

"Then let's have a competition!"

"Let's compete!"

The oppressive air in Da'an Palace finally began to circulate amidst the shouts of the old man and the young man.

Half an hour later, Li Yuan was beaming. Although he had lost more than he had won, he was happy because his grandson had made him happy.

Seeing that the atmosphere was just right, Li Chengqian knew it was time to serve the main course.

He deliberately lost a game, then sighed dramatically, "Grandpa is really amazing! Father was right, experience is the best teacher. Chengqian still has a long way to go to learn from Grandpa's skills."

Li Yuan was stroking his beard smugly when he heard this, and his expression darkened slightly: "Your father? He would say good things about me?"

"Of course he said it!" Li Chengqian's eyes widened, his face showing a "why don't you believe me?" expression. "Father said that the Tang Dynasty was conquered by my grandfather, and that my grandfather's horsemanship and archery skills are the best in the world. A few days ago, it was cold, and Father was reviewing memorials in the Ganlu Hall. His feet were numb from the cold, and he kept saying that the Da'an Palace was located in a low-lying area, and he was afraid that my grandfather's leg pain would flare up again."

Li Yuan sneered, "Ocean's tears."

"Really!" Li Chengqian exclaimed anxiously, pulling a crumpled list from his sleeve. "Look, this is a list from Father. He wants to add floor heating to Da'an Palace and renovate the back pavilion, replacing it with the best fox fur carpet. But Father is afraid Father will be angry, so he doesn't dare to send it over. He's just sighing and lamenting there."

Li Chengqian stuffed the list into Li Yuan's hand, his eyes instantly reddening, tears welling up in his eyes, threatening to fall, making him look extremely pitiful.

"Grandpa, please forgive Father. He was calling out to you in his dream last night. He said he wasn't a good son, but he wanted to be a good emperor. If you ignore him, he won't even have the heart to be emperor anymore."

Li Yuan held the list, his hand trembling slightly.

Although the handwriting on the paper was childish, all the items listed were for his chronic leg pain.

Regardless of whether Li Shimin truly believed this, at least this grandson was desperately trying to piece this broken family back together.

"Alright, stop crying." Li Yuan sighed, reaching out to wipe Li Chengqian's eyes. His tone finally softened. "I'm not dead yet, why are you crying like that? That rebellious son... if he were even half as sensible as you, I wouldn't be in this situation..."

The words weren't finished, but the meaning was already conveyed.

Just then, Li Chengqian caught a glimpse of the court attendant in the corner of the hall, who was writing furiously with a pen.

The Tang Dynasty had a strict system of official historians, and every word and action of the emperor had to be recorded.

Although Da'an Palace was deserted, it still had the basic facilities.

This is the one I've been waiting for.

Li Chengqian suddenly sat up straight from Li Yuan's embrace, took Li Yuan's hand, and spoke in a clear and loud voice, making sure that the historian in the corner could hear him clearly.

"Grandpa, the Master taught Yunu that of all virtues, filial piety is the most important. Today, Grandpa praised Chengqian for being sensible and filial, but Yunu dares not take credit for it."

Li Yuan was taken aback: "Oh?"

Li Chengqian turned around, his small frame ramrod straight, and said with a face full of admiration, "Yu Nu's filial piety is all learned from Father! Father often says that as a son, one should be considerate of one's parents' hearts and show them care and concern. Although Father is busy with state affairs, he always thinks of his father. Yu Nu simply did what Father wanted to do but dared not do."

As he said this, he glanced at the corner seemingly unintentionally.

The attendant in the corner trembled, almost spilling ink on the paper. He quickly lowered his head and began to write furiously, as if he wanted to record every single punctuation mark Li Chengqian made on the desk.

Seeing this, Li Yuan, being an old and shrewd man, could easily see through his grandson's little scheme.

But he just narrowed his eyes and didn't expose him.

Seeing Li Chengqian's earnest attempt to maintain his father's image, Li Yuan's long-simmering resentment inexplicably dissipated.

That's it.

We've already given up the country, what's the point of keeping this pride?

It's rare to have such a lovable grandson. For the sake of this child, what's wrong with saving face for that unfilial son?

"Your mouth..." Li Yuan shook his head helplessly, reached out and pinched Li Chengqian's nose, and finally a long-lost, heartfelt smile appeared on his lips, "It's like your mother's, not like a member of the Li family."

"It doesn't matter who she looks like, as long as Grandma likes her!"

That evening, at Ganlu Palace.

Li Shimin was stunned when he saw the copy of the daily records that had been sent to him.

His gaze was fixed on that line of text: "The Emperor Emeritus smiled and said, 'My grandson is filial and resembles his father.' He then received items to keep warm and ordered wine to be served to the Emperor."

This was the first time Li Yuan had shown him goodwill in public since the night at Xuanwu Gate.

Even if this kindness was obtained by his son through deception.

"Erlang, what's wrong?" Empress Zhangsun walked in carrying a bowl of ginseng soup and asked worriedly when she saw that Li Shimin looked unwell.

Li Shimin raised his head, his eyes were actually a little red.

He handed the daily records to Empress Zhangsun, his voice hoarse: "Guanyinbi, look... our Yunu, he..."

After reading it, Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth in amazement and exclaimed, "This child..."

Li Shimin sighed deeply, pressing the thin piece of paper to his chest. "I have always felt guilty towards my father, yet I did not know how to face him. This child saw it all and kept it in his heart, and actually went to Da'an Palace all by himself."

"I am truly blessed to have Yu Nu."