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

As spring turned to autumn, the side hall of Chengqian Hall was transformed into an extremely luxurious warm pavilion.

The ground was warm from the fire, and several layers of thick wool felt, a tribute from Persia, were laid on top. Stepping on it barefoot felt as soft as sinking into the clouds.

At this moment, Li Chengqian was sprawled out on the specially made rosewood chaise longue, completely lacking any decorum, wrapped in a crimson Shu brocade robe, with the white fox curled up in his arms.

"Your Highness, the grapes are peeled."

Green Bamboo knelt to one side, holding a crystal-clear glass bowl in her hands, which contained a few peeled and seeded grapes from the Western Regions, chilled with crushed ice.

Li Chengqian lazily opened his mouth, and the grape was brought to his lips.

The cool, sweet and sour juice burst in his mouth, and Li Chengqian squinted his eyes comfortably, just like the fox in his arms that was dozing off.

There's no way around it, he's been living too comfortably lately.

Since that life-for-life drama came to an end, Li Shimin's guilt and affection for him have reached unprecedented levels.

To allow him to recuperate, Li Shimin not only exempted him from all his studies, but also had the Imperial Medical Bureau staff on duty in shifts for twelve hours a day.

Behind a beaded curtain not far away, several musicians from the Imperial Music Bureau were playing a newly arranged piece with their heads bowed.

It wasn't the stirring "Qin King's Battle Song," but rather a soft, gentle Jiangnan folk tune that Li Chengqian had specifically requested.

Li Chengqian gently tapped Xue Nu's back with his fingers in time with the rhythm. Xue Nu let out a comfortable moan, turned over, and revealed her soft white belly.

Just then, a noisy argument suddenly broke out outside the hall.

"Get out of my way! I need to see my brother! How dare you stop me?"

The voice was clear and crisp, yet carried a hint of arrogance; it was unmistakably Li Tai's.

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow. In the past six months, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun had truly gone so far as to cut off all ties with their family so that he could recuperate in peace. Li Tai, his younger brother who usually loved to visit the East Palace, had been kept out of the house for six months.

"Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that His Highness the Crown Prince needs to rest and is not receiving guests." The guard at the door spoke respectfully, yet with an undeniable air of firmness.

"Get some rest! It's been half a year! If Big Brother doesn't see the light of day soon, he'll rot away!" Li Tai said angrily. "I have something good to show Big Brother, so get out of my way!"

Hearing the commotion outside, Li Chengqian tried to sit up, and Green Bamboo quickly reached out to help him, even stuffing a large pillow behind his back.

"Go, let Qingque in," Li Chengqian said lazily. "Don't let him make a racket outside and disturb my Xuenu."

Green Bamboo accepted the order and left.

A moment later, the beaded curtain was suddenly flung open, and a round figure rushed in.

Li Tai's steps as he rushed into the warm room stopped abruptly the moment he saw the person on the bed.

On the couch, Li Chengqian, dressed in crimson with his black hair flowing freely, held a white fox and looked at him with a half-smile. Li Tai, the chubby boy who prided himself on his literary talent and romantic charm, was momentarily stunned.

"Qingque, what's wrong? It's been half a year, don't you recognize your elder brother?" Li Chengqian deliberately lowered his voice.

Li Tai snapped out of his daze and strode to the bedside. He wanted to sit down, but then hesitated because he was afraid of crowding Li Chengqian, so he awkwardly sat down on the footstool.

"Big brother!" Li Tai looked Li Chengqian over carefully, his eyes suddenly reddening. "You...how could you..."

"What's wrong?" Li Chengqian touched his face. "Have you lost too much weight?"

"You've gained weight!" Li Tai blurted out, then realized his mistake and quickly covered his mouth, but his eyes still honestly scanned Li Chengqian's round cheeks and wrists, "...you're a whole size rounder than before."

Li Chengqian's mouth twitched.

That poor kid, he really doesn't know how to talk.

"Cough cough..." Li Chengqian coughed twice at the right moment, a blush rising on his pale face. "Nonsense, this is... this is edema."

This cough startled Li Tai, who hurriedly tried to pat Li Chengqian's back, saying, "Brother, don't be angry! It's good to be a little chubby! It looks more auspicious! Father said it's a sign of good fortune!"

Just then, a deep, hearty laugh came from the entrance of the palace.

"Qingque is right! This is a sign of good fortune!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Shimin, dressed in a bright yellow robe, strode in, followed by Empress Zhangsun.

"Your son greets Father and Mother."

Li Tai quickly stood up and bowed.

Li Chengqian also made a move to get up, but Li Shimin rushed forward and pressed him back down onto the pillow.

"Lie down! Who told you to move?" Li Shimin said sternly, but his tone was full of affection: "The imperial physician said you need to nourish your qi and blood further. You've only just started to feel better, don't overdo it again."

Li Chengqian leaned back softly, blinking his big eyes and looking at Li Shimin with feigned grievance: "Father, Qingque is making fun of your son for being fat."

Li Shimin turned and glared at Li Tai, then flicked the chubby boy's forehead: "You brat, how dare you talk to your older brother like that? Your older brother has survived a great calamity and is destined for good fortune! This is called handsome and dashing, don't you understand?"

Li Tai covered his forehead, looking as aggrieved as a 200-pound child: "Your subject was just saying it casually... Your subject hasn't seen your elder brother for a long time, so I specially brought the newly acquired calligraphy copybook."

Empress Zhangsun smiled as she watched this scene. She walked over and sat down by the couch, gently smoothing Li Chengqian's slightly disheveled temples.

Her gaze lingered on her son's noticeably rounder face, her eyes filled with satisfaction.

"I think Yu Nu is very good," Empress Zhangsun said softly. "She looks like a New Year's picture doll that is pasted up during the festival, both festive and endearing."

"A New Year's picture doll?" Li Chengqian looked down at himself, then naturally switched to his "green tea" mode, tilting his head and rubbing against Empress Zhangsun's palm like a kitten seeking petting: "Then I'll be Father and Mother's New Year's picture doll from now on, dressed in red and green every day, to entertain Father and Mother, okay?"

Li Shimin was deeply moved. With a wave of his hand, he exclaimed with boundless generosity, "Good! As long as Yu Nu is happy, she can wear whatever she wants! Even if you want to cover the entire Chengqian Hall with gold bricks, I will do it for you!"

Li Tai, standing to the side, stared in disbelief at the scene.

He glanced at his father, whose dignity had been completely shattered, then at his mother, whose face was full of affection, and finally his gaze fell on his eldest brother, who had clearly gained weight but was still pretending to be weak.

"Father..." Li Tai weakly raised his hand, "That calligraphy copybook..."

"What calligraphy copybook? Can't you see your elder brother is resting?" Li Shimin waved his hand impatiently. "Your handwriting looks like chicken claws scratching. Don't show it to your elder brother. Go away, go play somewhere else."

Li Tai: "..."

I can't live like this anymore!

Li Chengqian was secretly delighted to see Li Tai's discomfiture, but on the surface he put on a brotherly and respectful demeanor and gently tugged at Li Shimin's sleeve.

"Father, don't blame Qingque, he meant well." Li Chengqian's voice was soft and gentle. "I've been quite bored these past few days, so let Qingque stay and chat with me. I'd like to hear about what's happening outside. I heard some new foreign merchants have arrived in the West Market?"

When Li Shimin saw his son plead for him, his expression softened: "Since it is your elder brother who has spoken, then let him stay. However, I warn you, you are not allowed to disturb your elder brother, nor are you allowed to mention those messy political matters that trouble him."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Tai felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly approached the bedside.

At this moment, sunlight streamed through the window and fell onto the tatami mat.

Li Chengqian leaned against the soft pillows, peeling grapes in his hand, teasing Xue Nu in his arms while listening to Li Tai vividly recount the gossip of Chang'an.

Li Shimin sat to one side reviewing memorials, occasionally glancing up to interject a few words, while Empress Zhangsun did needlework beside him, occasionally handing him a cup of warm honey water.

The atmosphere was just right.

"Father," Li Chengqian suddenly spoke, his voice somewhat languid, "I want to eat that crispy mountain from that shop."

Li Shimin didn't even raise his head, and with a flick of his vermilion brush, he said, "Buy it! Send the imperial kitchen to learn! If they can't make it, I'll punish them!"

Li Chengqian couldn't help but laugh out loud, his eyebrows curving into crescents, the soft flesh on his cheeks trembling slightly, gleaming softly in the sunlight.

At that moment, Li Shimin looked up and saw his son's smiling face.

Although she's gained some weight, she now has a more down-to-earth charm, no longer looking like she might ascend to heaven at any moment, unlike half a year ago.

Li Shimin put down his vermilion pen and breathed a long sigh of relief; his Jade Maiden had finally come to life.

"Guanyinbi," Li Shimin turned to Empress Zhangsun, his voice low and pleasant, "look at this child, isn't he even more handsome than the Sudhana in the painting?"

Empress Zhangsun smiled and nodded: "Yes, our Yunu is the most beautiful child in the world."

Listening to his parents' mutual flattery, Li Chengqian silently buried his face in Xue Nu's fluffy fur, covering his slightly reddened ears.

but……

Li Chengqian secretly pinched the soft flesh on his waist, then glanced at Li Tai, who was talking incessantly about the fun of cockfighting.

If he continues to be raised like this, when it's time for him to actually take charge of the country, he might not even be able to climb a horse.