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

The news of Wei Zheng being confined to his quarters quickly spread throughout the court and the country.

This silenced all the ministers who had originally intended to advise Li Shimin.

No, I'm kidding, that's Wei Zheng!

Normally, all of them combined can't compare to him.

Now that even he has failed, what are they still doing? Sending their entire families to their graves?

For a moment, the entire court fell into an eerie silence.

Prince Wei, Li Tai, moved comfortably into the Wude Hall. While everyone was eager to see how the Crown Prince would react, the Eastern Palace fell into an eerie silence.

Li Chengqian acted as if nothing was wrong, spending his days shopping with Wu Meiniang and Li Qingya, buying New Year's goods as if preparing for the New Year.

Inside the main hall of the East Palace.

As soon as Li Chengqian returned with Wu Meiniang and Li Qingya, he saw Du He pacing back and forth in the hall, looking anxious.

Seeing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile slightly.

He certainly knew why Du He had come, and he had known for a long time that Li Tai had moved into the Wude Hall.

But he didn't take it to heart at all.

If it were the original Li Chengqian, he might have been anxious, because at that time he needed Li Shimin's attitude.

He would panic when Li Shimin favored Li Tai, because his position was entirely up to Li Shimin, and his enemy was Li Tai.

But he is completely different in this life.

Given his current strength, Li Tai poses no threat to him whatsoever; the only person in the entire Tang Dynasty who can rival him is Li Shimin.

In other words, he already possesses the power to speak with the old man on equal terms, so what if Li Tai is favored?

When a knife is held to his neck, who dares to say he isn't the crown prince?

When Du He saw Li Chengqian return, she hurriedly came to greet him.

"Your Highness! Your Highness! Are you aware that the Prince of Wei has moved into the Wude Hall?"

"I know!"

Seeing Li Chengqian's calm expression, Du He was momentarily stunned.

"Your Highness isn't worried? That's the Hall of Martial Virtue! His Majesty's actions are extremely disadvantageous for Your Highness!"

"Disadvantages? What's disadvantageous about it? Isn't it just that we want the fourth brother to be closer to the Liangyi Hall so it's more convenient for him to work?"

Seeing that his lord still seemed indifferent, Du He became anxious. How could his lord not understand the deeper meaning behind it?

"Your Highness! This... It should be Your Highness's responsibility to handle state affairs for His Majesty. You are the Crown Prince, yet the Prince of Wei, a mere vassal king, is helping His Majesty review memorials. This is truly inappropriate!"

What should we do if His Majesty wishes to change the heir apparent?

However, upon hearing his words, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Is that not appropriate? What if the old man doesn't want to change the heir, and just wants Qingque to do the work?"

Upon hearing this, Du He couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

He couldn't quite figure it out for a moment.

"Why is that? If you want someone to help with state affairs, why not ask His Highness?"

"He did approach me, but I refused. Once I become emperor, I'll have endless memorials to review. Since that's the case, why shouldn't I enjoy a few more years of carefree living while I'm still the crown prince?"

I curse the old man to live to be a hundred years old and never die!

hiss~

Upon hearing his lord's words, Du He couldn't help but gasp.

For a moment, I couldn't tell whether it was a blessing or a curse.

But Li Chengqian felt that this was the most vicious curse he could think of.

"Your Highness! This..."

Even Du He was at a loss for words when he heard Li Chengqian's words.

Li Chengqian couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Don't think so much, come on, since you're already here, let's have a drink!"

As he spoke, he pulled Du He toward the East Palace.

Li Chengqian was deeply moved by his brother, who had stood firmly by his side in both his past and present lives.

Perhaps because the end of the year was approaching, the entire city of Chang'an and even the entire Tang Dynasty seemed to have pressed the pause button.

Everyone is preparing for the Chinese New Year.

Lunar New Year's eve.

This afternoon, Li Shimin hosted a banquet for his officials; this was the last time the emperor and his ministers would meet this year.

Inside the Taiji Hall, unusually, no one was discussing politics; instead, there was a scene of singing and dancing in peace and prosperity.

Even Wei Zheng, upon seeing this extravagant scene, did not say much. Instead, he focused on the food on the table and began to work diligently.

Just kidding, we only have a big feast like this a few times a year, so we have to eat our money's worth today.

While thinking about this, Wei Zheng picked up a leg of lamb and started showing off, showing no trace of the refinement expected of a scholar.

Upon seeing this, Changsun Wuji, who was sitting next to Wei Zheng, instinctively moved away.

How embarrassing! I don't know him! I don't know him!

Li Shimin couldn't help but glance at Li Chengqian beside him, only to find that Li Chengqian was also engrossed in eating, completely ignoring him.

Upon seeing this, Li Shimin couldn't help but twitch his lips slightly, and then he coughed and said:

"Ahem! Brilliant! Go and offer a toast for me!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian subconsciously raised his head, still holding a half-eaten lamb leg in his hand and chewing on the unfinished lamb meat, nodding with his mouth full of oil.

Then he picked up a wine glass and walked down.

Arriving at Li Jing's table, Li Chengqian casually wiped his mouth with his hand, then looked at Li Jing with a simple smile and said:

"Father-in-law! Your son-in-law toasts you!"

Seeing this, Li Jing couldn't help but turn pale.

This guy is really bringing up the wrong thing. He's definitely doing it on purpose. Just thinking about his precious daughter marrying this bastard after the New Year makes Li Jing feel like his heart is bleeding.

He forced a smile, picked up his wine glass, and said:

"Thank you, Your Highness! You're too kind!"

After saying that, he downed the wine in his glass in one gulp, then turned his head away and ignored Li Chengqian.

Hehe! This old man Li is quite arrogant!

Li Chengqian didn't care about this. After all, he had taken away the man's only daughter, along with her pot. If it were him, he would have killed her long ago.

I understand! I understand!

Then he came to Li Ji.

"Father-in-law! Your son-in-law respectfully greets you!"

Then came Hou Junji.

"Father-in-law, your son-in-law..."

Others couldn't help but twitch their lips slightly when they saw Li Chengqian's actions.

His Highness the Crown Prince doesn't seem to feel any qualms about calling his father-in-law!

Upon seeing this scene, Li Shimin, sitting on the dragon throne, couldn't help but instinctively cover his face.

That was so embarrassing! I should have known better than to let him go and offer toasts!

Changsun Wuji, who was not far away, nodded with a look of satisfaction upon seeing this scene.

My nephew has grown up! Hehe! You bunch of bastards were always so arrogant, but look what happened, my nephew has taken you down!

Thinking of this, Changsun Wuji was filled with pride, and Changsun Wugou, sitting next to Li Shimin, couldn't help but smile slightly.

"Your Majesty! Our Gaoming has grown up!"