Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

Seeing Li Tai's expression, Li Chengqian immediately sneered and said:

"The Wang family of Taiyuan gave 200,000 taels of silver, and the Zheng family of Xingyang gave 150,000 taels. Wow! I have to say, these aristocratic families are truly wealthy!"

Upon hearing Li Chengqian's words, Li Tai was immediately startled.

He looked at Li Chengqian with disbelief and said:

"You know that?"

"Heh! I also know you only stayed in your concubine's room for three minutes before..."

However, before Li Chengqian could finish speaking, Li Tai suddenly lunged forward to cover Li Chengqian's mouth.

Ideal is full, the reality is very skinny.

Li Chengqian was immediately displeased when he saw that this chubby boy dared to lay a hand on him.

So, as soon as Li Taigang got close, Li Chengqian immediately threw two punches.

Thus, a chubby national treasure was born.

Upon seeing this scene, Li Shimin couldn't help but gasp and subconsciously touched his eye socket.

There is no true empathy in the world unless you have experienced the same treatment.

He looked at his Qingque with a pitying expression, his eyes seeming to say: I understand you, Qingque. Why did you provoke him? This rebellious son is incredibly ruthless!

Li Tai, however, remained stubbornly defiant.

"Nonsense! It's because I didn't sleep well! Yes, I didn't sleep well!"

Seeing his younger brother's vulnerable state, Li Chengqian glanced at him calmly.

"Oh, I see. Alright then. I was originally thinking of having Sun Simiao take a look at it for you, but it seems that's not necessary now..."

Before Li Chengqian could finish speaking, Li Tai immediately became restless!

He looked at Li Chengqian with longing and said:

"Ahem, actually, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking a look. It's not that I'm incapable, it's just that I want to give myself a boost!"

Seeing his awkward expression, Li Chengqian couldn't help but roll his eyes at him.

"Don't rush to the fiefdoms yet. Let's finish repairing the book first. It'll probably take many years to complete, so it'll be a good opportunity to make those powerful families bleed a little dry!"

Li Tai was somewhat puzzled by Li Chengqian's words.

"It shouldn't take that long, the King has already completed half of the Kuodi Zhi (a historical record of the land)."

However, as soon as Li Tai finished speaking, Li Chengqian gave him a disdainful look.

"You don't think my Great Tang Dynasty only has this much territory now, do you? Who do you think you are? The future territory of the Great Tang Dynasty will be at least several times larger than it is now. You've got plenty to build!"

Li Shimin, who was standing to the side, did not refute Li Chengqian's words.

Expanding territory—which capable ruler doesn't expand territory?

How could he be satisfied with the small amount of territory he has now?

Li Chengqian then continued:

"The reason why noble families are willing to pay is because they hope you can compete with me for the position of crown prince. But once you go to your fiefdom, you will be worthless in their eyes, and they will definitely not be willing to pay for your book repair anymore."

Upon hearing this, Li Tai couldn't help but nod.

He wasn't stupid; he naturally saw through the intentions of those powerful families.

Moreover, in his view, relying on the power of aristocratic families was actually a shortcut.

Whether it's compiling books or vying for the position of crown prince, powerful families are readily available forces.

Moreover, the aristocratic families' demands were simple: they only wanted to receive concessions after he ascended the throne. Faced with the prospect of the throne, he naturally agreed to these conditions.

Whether he will fulfill his promises after ascending the throne depends on his mood.

What does the promise made by the King of Wei have to do with the Emperor of my Great Tang Dynasty?

However, Li Tai never dreamed that Li Chengqian would be so stubborn and shameless.

Not only did they suppress him openly, but their underhanded tactics also caused those powerful families to suffer heavy losses.

Moreover, he now understands that his father never intended to change the crown prince; he was merely a whetstone from the beginning.

It was precisely because Li Tai understood this that he no longer wanted to play.

Just then, Li Chengqian stepped forward, patted his shoulder, sighed softly, and said:

"Sigh! Go back now. Visit your father and mother more often in the palace, and also visit the Eastern Palace more often. As for the matter of taking up a fief, it's not the right time yet."

Seeing Li Chengqian's unusually earnest expression, Li Tai couldn't help but purse his lips.

But in the end, she nodded in agreement.

In fact, when his father was still the King of Qin, his dream was to compile a book and make a name for himself in history!

But later, when his father launched the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he wondered if he could also compete.

Looking back on his time at the Prince of Qin's mansion, he still longed to be that chubby little boy following behind Li Chengqian!

……

Meanwhile, the results of the palace examination quickly spread.

Many people were quite surprised that Zhang Heng became the top scholar in the imperial examination.

They originally thought that even if Ma Zhou and Zhang Heng were among the top three in the first class, they would still be no match for Cui Yan, who came from the Cui clan of Qinghe.

This immediately sparked the gossip of everyone on the streets.

"I never expected that a student from a poor family could become the top scholar in the imperial examination. This has really made those powerful families lose face."

"Hahaha! So even we poor scholars can trample those scions of wealthy families under our feet!"

……

Inside the restaurant, everyone was chatting amongst themselves, but the scions of prominent families in a certain area had a gloomy expression on their faces as they listened to their conversation.

These people are really bold, daring to make such a fuss about our noble families. They are courting death and do they think everyone is like Ma Zhouzhangheng?

Time flies, and a month has passed since the end of the imperial examination.

And the day of Li Chengqian's wedding was drawing ever closer.

The Crown Prince's wedding was a major event for the nation.

As the saying goes, it involves three letters and six rites, an eight-bearer sedan chair, and a formal marriage.

For Li Chengqian's marriage, the officials of the Ministry of Rites were so busy that they worked non-stop for a month.

The Su residence!

Inside a small courtyard.

"Miss! The official from the Ministry of Rites is already talking with the master in the front hall! It seems it won't be long before you go to the Crown Prince's Palace to become the mistress of the house, hehe~"

Looking at the chattering girl in front of her, Su Wan couldn't help but remind her:

"Don't speak recklessly, especially after you go to the Crown Prince's Palace. You must be even more careful with your words and actions. The Crown Prince's Palace is not like home. You must know the saying that trouble comes from the mouth!"

Upon hearing this, the little girl couldn't help but lower her head, looking as if she had done something wrong.

"Yes, Miss, Xiaoyun will never dare to do it again!"

Su Wan nodded without saying anything more, but her gaze couldn't help but drift towards the front hall.

At the same time, the scene of her first meeting with Li Chengqian in the Imperial Garden couldn't help but appear in her mind.

As she thought about it, a slight smile crept onto her lips.

Your Highness! Hehehe~ You have no idea, I often dream about you, and in my dreams, you're in a terrible state~

Compared to the grandeur of the Su family mansion, the Weiguo Duke's mansion, the Luguo Duke's mansion, and the Yingguo Duke's mansion were much quieter.

After all, their daughter wasn't the principal wife, and Jiaozi would be following behind Su Wan's sedan chair.