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

Cold sweat kept dripping from Pei Ji's forehead. He raised his hand to wipe it away, but it kept reappearing, as if he could never get it clean.

Chen Huai'an said it was because he misjudged people.

But anyone with a brain can hear the sarcastic tone in it.

A hint of crimson appeared in Li Shimin's eyes, and he asked in a cryptic tone, "Oh? Huai'an, are you telling the truth?"

"This is someone under the command of the pure and virtuous Duke of Wei. We can't wrongly accuse him; after all, we can't afford to offend him!"

"Otherwise, the consequences will be severe, and you may not be able to bear them. I will not be able to protect you either."

"Huh?" Chen Huai'an feigned surprise. "Your Highness, I do hold an official position, a sixth-rank official. It's not high, but it's not low either, is it?"

"Am I so afraid to even offend a mere steward under the Duke of Wei?"

"What do you think?" Li Shimin sighed. "As the saying goes, even a seventh-rank official is subject to the prime minister's authority. Our pure and virtuous Duke of Wei's steward must be at least a fourth-rank official."

"How dare you offend someone as lowly as a sixth-rank official?"

"Moreover..." Li Shimin drawled, glancing at Pei Ji, "According to what you said, He Mingzang's wealth is piled up like a mountain of gold and silver, with all kinds of porcelain, famous paintings, and glassware casually piled together, and as for copper coins... they are countless."

"If he weren't a fourth-rank official, where would he get the ability to amass so much money?"

Pei Ji could no longer bear their conversation and said expressionlessly, "If what you say is true, I will definitely investigate this matter and give everyone an explanation."

After saying this, he kowtowed to Li Yuan: "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you immediately verify whether what Chen Huai'an said is true and whether the enormous wealth he described actually exists."

"If it is true, I implore Your Majesty to immediately order the arrest of He Ming and interrogate him on the spot."

Li Shimin sneered inwardly, fully aware of Pei Ji's intentions.

Although it's still unclear how Chen Huai'an managed to extract the information from He Ming, such a vast amount of wealth certainly couldn't have been embezzled by He Ming alone.

He would never believe it if you told him that Pei Ji wasn't involved.

Therefore, He Ming should not have betrayed Pei Ji.

This can be seen from Pei Ji's unwavering decision to seek out Li Yuan.

Now that He Ming has betrayed him, Pei Ji needs to find a way to shift the blame.

Meeting with He Ming, ostensibly for interrogation in front of everyone, but in reality for insinuations and threats, shifting all the blame onto He Ming to protect themselves.

How could Li Shimin possibly grant his wish? He said directly, "No need. In my life, I have seen mountains of knives and seas of fire, and I have seen raging storms and towering waves. I consider myself to have witnessed all kinds of great things."

"However, I've never seen mountains of gold and silver."

"How about this, Lord Bingqing Yujie, the Duke of Wei, please accompany me and Huai'an on a trip to see these mountains of gold and silver for yourselves!"

Upon hearing this, Pei Ji's face turned ashen.

Li Shimin didn't give him a chance to refuse at all, and then said to Li Yuan, "Father, you are getting old, I can handle these trivial matters. You should rest first. I will go with Huai'an and the Duke of Wei."

Li Yuan hesitated for a long time, then waved his hand weakly, "You decide what to do."

"Your subject takes his leave." Li Shimin cupped his hands and nodded to Chen Huai'an. "Huai'an, go and see the gold and silver mountains of the Duke of Wei's family."

"......"

Just as Li Shimin set off with Chen Huai'an and a group of imperial guards, a scene of filial piety, brotherly love, and deep affection between mother and son was unfolding in the Gulin Courtyard.

"You little brat, I've been giving you too much credit, haven't I? Get out of my way right now. Do you know how serious this is? This isn't a place for you to mess around."

Cheng Yaojin, his face dark with anger, shouted at Cheng Chumo, who was guarding the side door of the Gulin Courtyard. He was furious.

Upon receiving the report from his attendant, Cheng Yaojin immediately realized that something serious had happened and was about to report it to Li Shimin.

But Li Shimin was not in the Eastern Palace. I heard that he was summoned by Li Yuan, apparently because of Pei Ji.

Upon learning this, Cheng Yaojin did not hesitate to bring his men here, wanting to go in first, take a look, and guard the place.

Tang Heshang's elder brother and Li Zhen's nominal stepmother shared the same thoughts.

Several people rushed over.

Unexpectedly, these three brats, each carrying a stick, refused to move aside no matter what.

Cheng Yaojin gritted his teeth and said, "You brat, I'll say it again, get your ass back home right now, do what you're supposed to do, and don't waste my time here."

Cheng Chumo stood tall and proud, not giving an inch. Hearing his father's words, he snorted and said, "At home, you call me 'little brat,' and I don't care."

"Now that my business is successful, I've made a fortune, and I've accomplished such a great feat, what should you call me?"

"Huh? Say something!"

Cheng Yaojin: "..."

What should I call you?

Am I supposed to call you "Dad"?

"That mother..."

"Duke Su, let it go, let it go. He's just a child, he doesn't know any better. Let me talk to him." At this moment, a man who was about the same age as Chen Huai'an stepped forward to persuade him.

This man is Tang Songling, the elder brother of Tang Heshang, who is now serving as the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, a fifth-rank official.

Cheng Yaojin remained silent with a dark expression. Tang Songling breathed a sigh of relief and helplessly called out to his younger brother, "He Shang, stop fooling around. This matter is of great importance and must be reported immediately. Get out of the way."

Tang Heshang resolutely refused: "Brother, don't make things difficult for me. Our mother only has two sons. You disregard martial virtue and were born before me. In the future, our father's title and the vast family business will all be yours to inherit."

"Brother, I really want to improve, so please don't make things difficult for me, or don't blame me for being ruthless."

Tang Songling: "......."

"...Would I ever mistreat you? Don't give me that crap, or I'll turn around and punch you. Get out of my way."

As he was about to step forward, Tang Heshang stopped him with a single sentence: "If my sister-in-law knew you were hiding money in my room, and it wasn't a small amount..."

"You dare threaten me?"

"You even used the hidden money to go to Piaoxiang Courtyard..."

"Brother," Tang Songling said earnestly, "we are brothers born of the same mother, you can't let your elder brother die!"

Everyone: "..."

Behind them, a woman dressed in fine clothes couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward to patiently advise, "Xiao Zhen, do you think that just because your father isn't in Chang'an, no one can control you?"

"Come back with me right now, and don't get involved in this."

She was Zhang, Li Shiji's second wife, not Li Zhen's biological mother.

However, since marrying Li Shiji, she has treated Li Zhen very well, and the two are like mother and son. Therefore, Zhang did not speak very politely.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhen casually waved his hand and said, "What are you saying, you spendthrift woman? If I don't make money for you, where will you get those spices worth hundreds of coins?"

"Listen to me, go home and cook dinner. I'll eat when I get back. Don't delay my business."

"......"