The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"Then let's decide on this."

Li Shimin rubbed his temples, knowing that he probably wouldn't have any peace and quiet today.

However, this is ultimately a good thing. The political gains from connecting with the Lingnan waterway are the most important.

"Someone, order the Imperial Kitchen to prepare a meal." Li Shimin waved his hand and instructed, "Also, summon Xuanling and the others, and tell them that I have important matters to discuss with them."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Soon, a eunuch received the decree and withdrew.

Then, Li Shimin asked various questions, which Chen Huai'an patiently answered one by one.

Just as the two were engrossed in their conversation, a group of palace maids entered carrying food, preparing for the meal.

However, just as the palace maid was serving Chen Huai'an the dishes, her foot slipped, and all the dishes on the tray fell to the ground, shattering the porcelain plate into pieces.

Fortunately, the palace maids were far away, otherwise the water would have splashed all over Chen Huai'an.

Li Shimin frowned and scolded, "What have you done? The floor of this palace is flat, how could you still fall?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down, Your Majesty, please calm down, this servant did not mean it..."

The palace maid was terrified and knelt on the ground, her petite figure trembling slightly.

"Your Majesty," Chen Huai'an said, seeing that the palace maid was young and perhaps had only recently entered the palace and was not yet familiar with the place. Since it wasn't a serious matter, he advised, "It's just a small thing; why get angry?"

"A trivial matter?" Li Shimin scoffed. "What trivial matter is there in the world?"

That's what he said, but in the end he didn't get angry: "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and get things sorted out!"

"Yes...it is Your Majesty."

Not only the palace maid who spilled the food, but the other palace maids were also frightened and hurriedly went to clean up.

However, one of the palace maids was perhaps in too much of a hurry and accidentally knocked over the candlestick, causing the candle flame to fall to the ground.

As it happened, a plush carpet was laid on the floor.

That's it, a fire broke out instantly.

Li Shimin could no longer contain himself and angrily said, "What kind of work are you doing? Can't you even do your job? You broke the food while serving it, and when I asked you to clean it up, you even knocked over the candles."

"Do you all think I'm too kind, too good to you all?"

Chen Huai'an sighed and said nothing.

This was a matter within Li Shimin's palace, and he shouldn't interfere.

"His Majesty......"

The palace maid who had knocked over the candle trembled, tears welling in her eyes; she was clearly terrified and unable to utter a single word.

"Hurry up and put out the fire!"

With Chen Huai'an present, Li Shimin forcibly suppressed his anger, but his tone was still not very good.

Water was always kept in the temple, and since the fire was small, it was quickly extinguished.

"Get out! All of you, get out of here!"

A group of palace maids hurriedly cleaned up the mess, not daring to further anger Li Shimin, and hastily withdrew.

But... an accident still happened.

One of the palace maids wrapped the spilled food in a burnt carpet and walked out with her head down, just as she bumped into Wei Zheng who had just entered the room.

Suddenly, Wei Zheng, who was dressed neatly and cleanly, was drenched in soup.

Wei Zheng immediately became furious: "What are you doing? Why are you in such a panic? Can't you see anyone?"

"you......"

He wanted to continue his outburst, but Li Shimin, who had witnessed everything, could no longer tolerate it and roared, "All of you, get back here!"

Wei Zheng's words caught in his throat.

No, are you that angry?

What's wrong?

Li Shimin stood up and sternly ordered the eunuch beside him, "Go and summon Guanyinbi to me!"

"Let her see, let her see what kind of mess she's making of her harem!"

"Time and again, I have tolerated it all, but I have reached my limit!"

Wei Zheng was somewhat bewildered; why was he suddenly so angry?

Chen Huai'an gave him a look, and the latter understood, silently coming in and sitting down.

Before long, Empress Zhangsun walked in. She had already learned what had happened on her way here.

Seeing the kneeling palace maids and noticing Wei Zheng and Chen Huai'an present, she knew that if she couldn't give a reasonable explanation for what happened today, it probably wouldn't be easily forgotten.

Having outsiders present is one thing, not having outsiders present is another.

Let alone the royal family, even for a family in Chang'an with a little bit of standing, it would be very embarrassing if their servants made one mistake after another when entertaining guests.

"Your Majesty, it is my fault for failing in my duty and for mismanaging the inner palace. Please punish me!" Empress Zhangsun stepped forward and admitted her mistake.

"Punishment?" Li Shimin was clearly not so easily fooled. "I think you really need to be punished properly!"

"Look at the people you're in charge of, is that even acceptable?"

"Have I been too lenient with you, or with them?"

Empress Zhangsun's heart sank; the situation seemed more serious than she had imagined.

Wei Zheng hesitated, as Empress Zhangsun had spoken up for him many times, and he had to acknowledge these favors.

Moreover, Empress Zhangsun was heavily pregnant, and he couldn't bear to see it any longer. So he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that everything has a reason. These palace maids look familiar to me; they must be veterans of the palace."

"Making mistakes one after another is indeed unacceptable, but I urge Your Majesty to calm down first and inquire about the reasons before taking any action...wouldn't that be more appropriate?"

Li Shimin snorted coldly and said nothing.

Chen Huai'an then gently asked the palace maid kneeling not far from him, "You seem restless and somewhat distracted. Is something wrong?"

Empress Zhangsun looked grateful, knowing that Wei Zheng and Chen Huai'an were helping her. She gave the palace maid a look, signaling her to answer honestly.

Chen Huai'an's question only made things worse. The palace maid, who had only been frightened, burst into tears and choked out, "Your Majesty, Your Highness, my lords, I... I didn't mean to."

"But... but I was recently punished by the Emperor Emeritus, and I haven't had a rest for three days. I'm so exhausted that I made a terrible mistake... Please punish me, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin's expression immediately changed.

Chen Huai'an and Wei Zheng immediately fell silent.

They never expected it would be for this reason.

This immediately involved matters within the royal family, and no one could interfere.

"Why has the Emperor Emeritus punished you?" Li Shimin asked in a deep voice. "What mistake did you make, or what did you do to offend the Emperor Emeritus?"

"This servant...this servant doesn't know." The palace maid cried pitifully, "The Emperor Emeritus has been getting angry for no reason lately, and this servant doesn't know what she did wrong to displease him."

Li Shimin paused for a moment: "You haven't rested for three days?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"What about the others? Is it the same for them?"

The palace maids answered one by one, and almost all of them answered yes.

Li Shimin sighed. He knew perfectly well that Li Yuan was punishing him rather than the palace maid.

These palace maids suffered the misfortune for themselves!

Looking at the palace maids before him, Li Shimin sighed and said, "Since there is a reason for this, then I have wronged you."

"You have been wronged, and I apologize to you. I hope you can forgive me."

"..."