The Great Tang Dynasty's Trans-Dimensional Conference: Little Rhinoceros Arrives

Chapter 50 Little Sizi Asks Li Shimin for Money

Standing at the head of the assembled officials, Changsun Wuji's eyelids twitched as he listened, while Fang Xuanling beside him remained expressionless, head bowed, listening intently.

Yuchi Jingde, watching from a distance, finally realized, "I sensed something was off about the atmosphere even before the morning court session started. These corrupt officials really aren't up to any good!"

With a glance, Yuchi Jingde saw that Cheng Yaojin was still dozing off, and he was furious. He quietly reached out and pinched Cheng Yaojin's waist hard.

"Awooo!"

As the ministers listened with great interest to Wei Zheng's angry rebuke of Li Shimin, a pig-like scream suddenly echoed through the hall. Cheng Yaojin was instantly awakened by the pain and realized that everyone in the hall was staring at him, including Li Shimin.

"Zhijie, what's going on! Why are you wailing like that in the court!"

When Li Shimin saw that Wei Zheng's spellcasting was suddenly interrupted by Cheng Yaojin's shout, he was overjoyed, but he did not show any abnormality on his face. Instead, he glared angrily at Cheng Yaojin.

"Your Majesty, my stomach hurts!" Cheng Yaojin clutched his waist, feeling the burning pain, and couldn't help but grimace.

"Oh, if your stomach hurts, why are you holding your back?"

Upon hearing Li Shimin's words, Cheng Yaojin immediately realized what was happening and clutched his stomach, letting out a low groan.

The instigator, Yuchi Jingde, stood to the side, wanting to laugh but not daring to, his face turning red from holding it in. Fortunately, he had naturally dark skin, so no one noticed anything unusual.

"Since Zhijie is unwell, let him rest in the side hall first!"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!" Upon hearing this, Cheng Yaojin immediately clutched his stomach and walked out.

"Since there's nothing else, let's adjourn the morning court session today!" he said, and then walked towards the east wing.

Li Shimin originally intended to use Cheng Yaojin's commotion as an excuse to escape, but Wei Zheng did not give him a chance to run away at all.

"Your Majesty, this old minister has not finished speaking!"

"Well, look at my memory, Wei Qing, you may continue!"

Although somewhat embarrassed, Li Shimin had no choice but to return to his desk and sit down, knowing that Wei Zheng would be talking for who knows how long.

"Ahem, Your Majesty, where was I in your discourse?"

Li Shimin wanted to curse at Wei Zheng's sudden remark, but in order to maintain his image, he could only speak politely, saying, "Minister Wei just spoke about the way of being a ruler!"

"Oh, the way of a ruler! Your Majesty is the ruler, and should be a role model for all the people... If you indulge in beautiful women and playthings all day long, it will not only harm Your Majesty's health, but the court officials will also follow suit, and in the end, the ruler will no longer be a ruler, and the ministers will no longer be ministers. If court is suspended for even a day, it will have no end. If this continues, the Tang Dynasty will be in danger!"

After hearing the whole story, Li Shimin finally understood. It turned out that his "unjustified" absence from court for the past two days had led Wei Zheng to mistakenly believe that he was indulging in debauchery in the harem. Originally, Li Shimin was very dissatisfied with Wei Zheng, but now most of his dissatisfaction dissipated.

However, his expression was still somewhat unpleasant. Wei Zheng had said so much, and he still couldn't find a way to refute him. Was he supposed to tell Wei Zheng that he hadn't actually indulged in debauchery, but had "just" played Candy Crush all night?

Li Shimin hadn't yet figured out how to explain when another minister spoke up.

"Minister Wei, you are mistaken! Since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has been diligent in governing and loves his people, wholeheartedly devoted to our Great Tang. He is truly a rare and wise ruler. Even if he occasionally indulges in pleasure and relaxation, what is wrong with that?"

Wei Zheng's impassioned speech, which lasted for half an hour, had initially been viewed as a spectacle by some, but they were surprised to find that he not only insulted Li Shimin but also dragged down the ministers below him, prompting some to finally speak up in rebuttal.

After saying this, Fang Xuanling couldn't help but frown and turn back to look at the minister who had just spoken.

"Vice Minister of Rites, a member of the Wang family? Ha, you've already chosen your path to death!"

No one knew what Fang Xuanling was thinking at that moment, but Li Shimin, sitting at the head of the table, was holding his forehead with one hand, and his face, which was covered, was becoming increasingly ugly.

Even Wei Zheng himself didn't expect that someone would dare to step forward at this time, and he couldn't help but silently pray for this person.

"Fine, go ahead and flatter me. I'll get my kicks from yelling, and you'll all be the ones to appease me in the end. But if you manage to piss me off, don't blame me!"

The Vice Minister of Rites was still talking non-stop, completely unaware of the strange expressions on Ji Shimin's and the others' faces.

"Throughout history, emperors, such as the retired emperor...!"

"Enough! Shut up!"

Li Shimin couldn't stand it anymore. It was one thing for you to praise me, even if you said something irrelevant, but now you've dragged Li Yuan into it. This is simply unbearable!

Li Shimin's roar startled the court officials, especially Wang Zhengyuan, the Vice Minister of Rites, who almost fell to the ground, prompting everyone to cast pitying glances at him.

Wang Zhengyuan only realized this at this moment. He had been an official in the court for many years and naturally knew Li Shimin's sore spot. Just now, he had spoken carelessly and actually mentioned the faults of the retired emperor. Wasn't this slapping Li Shimin in the face in public?

In the Tang Dynasty, filial piety was the foundation of governance. You could find fault with Li Shimin during court sessions, as long as you felt you were in the right. However, you absolutely could not overstep the bounds of etiquette to criticize the retired Emperor Li Yuan. This was the bottom line!

However, it was clear that Wang Zhengyuan's words had crossed the line, and he realized that his career was now completely over.

Li Shimin took a few deep breaths and then stopped paying attention to the Vice Minister of Rites, turning his head to look at Wei Zheng.

"What Minister Wei said is quite true. Although the facts are not as you described, at least there is always a wise mirror in the court of our Great Tang Dynasty constantly reminding me, which makes me very gratified! Of course, I also hope that you can all serve as a constant reminder to me, just as Minister Wei has!"

"Your Majesty's wisdom is truly a blessing to our Great Tang Dynasty. I congratulate Your Majesty and the Great Tang!" Changsun Wuji led the way, and many ministers immediately offered their congratulations to Li Shimin.

Despite this apparent truth, none of the ministers present took Li Shimin's last words seriously. After all, Wei Duidui was already enough of a headache for Li Shimin. If all the civil and military officials were like that, Li Shimin would probably be driven to his death in a few days!

Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Li Shimin waved his hand, and the court assembly finally came to an end.

Li Shimin finally returned to the Lizheng Hall and was about to take a nap when he was surprised to find that two maids had been waiting for him with Xiao Sizi for quite some time.

Empress Zhangsun was sitting next to Xiao Sizi, listening to her chatter about the news of the past two days.

Li Shimin has not yet told Empress Zhangsun about treating her illness, as he does not yet know the specific situation with Lin Fan and does not want to put too much pressure on the Empress!

"Dad, you're back!"

Upon seeing Li Shimin enter the main hall, Xiao Sizi immediately waved and shouted.

"Sizi, why did you come so early?"

Li Shimin, sporting dark circles under his eyes, quickly sat down at the table.

"I really want to go find my boyfriend as soon as possible. Dad, who got all muddy? Your eyes are so swollen, hehe!"

Little Sizi was also curious when she saw the dark circles under his eyes! She thought her father had been beaten up.

"Uh, well...hehe, it's nothing, Dad just didn't sleep well last night!"

Li Shimin was extremely embarrassed. He dared not tell Xiao Sizi that he had played games all night.

"Your Majesty, please have some ginseng tea. You must be exhausted from the busy affairs of state these past few days."

As she spoke, Empress Zhangsun came to Li Shimin's side and began to massage his shoulders, her eyes filled with heartache.

"Father, this costs a lot of money!"

Just as Li Shimin was moved by the Empress's actions, Xiao Sizi suddenly spoke up.

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