My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

half a month later.

The mining of silver and gold veins in the southern suburbs has finally gotten on track.

The Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue took over the subsequent excavation, smelting, and warehousing work, and a strict supervision system that was so tight that not even a fly could get in was quickly established.

Only then did Li Shimin reluctantly leave the huge mine that haunted his dreams, turning back every few steps.

He returned to the Taiji Palace, which he had left long ago, covered in the indelible smell of mud.

In just over a month, the atmosphere in Chang'an has been completely transformed.

Prices in the market did not skyrocket due to the massive influx of money; instead, they became more stable under the court's swift and effective regulation. Merchants flocked to the market, and all industries flourished.

The relief funds for the disaster area were allocated like flowing water, and no official dared to embezzle a single penny at this critical juncture.

The soldiers on the border were paid their back pay and interest in full, and even received an extra six months' worth of bonuses.

The faces of ordinary people were filled with genuine smiles of peace and contentment.

Everywhere in the streets and alleys, people were praising the wisdom of the Tang emperor and the Prince of Qin, who possessed extraordinary abilities and could conjure up mountains of silver out of thin air.

The fate of the Tang Dynasty was like oil being poured over a raging fire, flourishing and reaching its zenith.

Early morning, Taiji Palace, Taiji Hall.

The deep, melodious sound of the Jingyun Bell slowly rang out.

Li Shimin washed away his makeup and put on a brand-new, crisp bright yellow dragon robe. Wearing a flat-topped crown, he sat spiritedly on the dragon throne that symbolized the highest power in the world.

Although he had lost weight from working in the mines during this time, his imperial aura of absolute power and confidence was more profound and imposing than ever before.

"My beloved subjects, rise."

Li Shimin slightly raised his hand, his voice booming, echoing faintly throughout the hall.

All the civil and military officials stood up in unison and lined up on both sides.

Today was a rare, relaxed morning court session.

There was no Minister of Revenue complaining of poverty, nor a high-ranking official in the Ministry of War lamenting his misfortune.

All the reports that came forward were about how to spend money, how to carry out large-scale construction projects to repair water conservancy, and how to recruit soldiers and expand military equipment.

Li Shimin was in a great mood. With a wave of his hand, he wrote a scathing critique.

It had the arrogant air of a nouveau riche entering the city, buying whatever he wanted without ever haggling.

but.

As the morning court session continued, Li Shimin sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze casually sweeping over the assembled officials below, but his relaxed brows gradually furrowed.

He always felt that something crucial was missing from this bustling imperial court.

His gaze unconsciously fell on the front of the line of military officers and princes.

There, should have stood the foundation of the future Tang Dynasty, the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.

But now, that spot is completely empty, not a soul in sight.

"Where is Chengqian?"

Li Shimin interrupted the Vice Minister of Works, who was enthusiastically reporting on the water conservancy project.

He looked sharply at Changsun Wuji, who was standing at the head of the table, his tone carrying a clear hint of doubt.

"Why did the Crown Prince not attend court today?"

He remembers it very clearly.

Ever since the Crown Prince returned from his eastern expedition against Japan with the army, having been tempered amidst mountains of corpses and seas of blood, Li Chengqian seemed like a completely different person.

Not only was he efficient and decisive in his work, but he also displayed an unprecedented fervor for court affairs.

Even when he himself was squatting in the southern suburbs mining without any regard for his image, it was the Crown Prince who was alone in the Eastern Palace.

He handled the daily affairs of the vast Tang Dynasty in an orderly manner without making the slightest mistake.

How come we haven't seen a trace of such a diligent and hardworking Crown Prince today?

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji immediately stepped forward from the head row of civil officials.

He held the ivory tablet in both hands, his expression somewhat unnatural, even carrying a hint of strangeness and hesitation.

"Reporting to Your Majesty."

Changsun Wuji lowered his head slightly and answered cautiously, choosing his words carefully.

"His Highness the Crown Prince... has asked for leave from me."

"A request for leave?" Li Shimin was taken aback.

"What happened at the Crown Prince's Palace? Or has Chengqian encountered some difficult decision?"

"His Highness sent word that he is unwell, suffering from a cold, dizziness, and needs to rest in bed." Changsun Wuji swallowed, his voice low.

Li Shimin's brows furrowed into a tight knot.

Feeling unwell? Have you caught a cold?

What kind of joke is this about the Tang Dynasty!

Chengqian, a cultivator, had just returned victorious from that island nation after fighting his way in and out seven times.

He spent a whole month amidst the clash of swords and the shadows of war, swinging a spear shirtless in the snow without even sneezing.

His blood and energy, tempered by malevolent energy, were as vigorous as a tiger unleashed from its cage.

Even the most conservative imperial physician in the palace once privately remarked that the Crown Prince was now so strong that he could kill a bull with a single punch.

Why did I suddenly catch a cold and end up bedridden?

"How long has he been ill?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice, his tone carrying a hint of imperial authority.

Changsun Wuji wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and answered with a forced smile.

"Your Majesty, including today, His Highness the Crown Prince has... has missed the morning court session for seven consecutive days."

Seven days!

The crown prince of the Tang Dynasty did not appear in the court for seven whole days!

Li Shimin's doubts were magnified countless times in an instant, and an inexplicable sense of vigilance and anger surged into his heart.

He knows his eldest son all too well.

Although his temperament became somewhat irritable after returning from the eastern expedition, his emphasis on the throne and dedication to government affairs would absolutely not allow him to skip work for seven consecutive days under the pretext of a mere cold.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

"absurd!"

Li Shimin slammed his hand on the imperial desk, abruptly stood up from the dragon throne, and swung his bright yellow robe with a sudden wave.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, have been ill for seven days. Why hasn't the Imperial Medical Academy sent me a detailed medical record?"

He swept his cold gaze across the silent officials below and let out a cold snort.

"Court adjourned!"

"Damn it! Bah, no, Wang De, he's been corrupted by that rebellious son! Prepare the horses! I'm going to the Eastern Palace myself to see if Li Chengqian is truly bedridden or if he's up to some shady business behind my back!"

Half an hour later.

The Tang emperor's entourage did not display a full retinue. Li Shimin only brought a few dozen of his most elite Imperial Guards and rushed to the Eastern Palace in a great hurry.

but.

When Li Shimin kicked open the carved door of the Crown Prince's palace and rushed in with a heart full of worry and doubt.

What greeted him was not a weak prince bedridden with illness.

There was only an empty bed, with the bedding neatly folded, and a personal eunuch kneeling on the ground, trembling and almost crying.

Where are they?!

Li Shimin grabbed the eunuch by the collar and half-lifted him up, his eyes wide open like an angry lion.

"Where did the Crown Prince go?!"

The young eunuch was terrified, his face ashen, and he tremblingly extended a finger, pointing towards the direction outside the imperial city.

"Back...back to Your Majesty..."

"His Highness the Crown Prince..."

The young eunuch swallowed hard, his voice trembling with tears, and uttered a name that instantly sent Li Shimin's blood pressure soaring.

"His Highness... went to the Prince of Qin's residence."