Tang Dynasty: Taking the Empress Dowager to a brothel, Father Emperor, what a coincidence!

Li Shimin looked at the paper and pen laid out on the table, and his eyes twitched.

If this were written down, Changsun Wuji would never be able to hold his head high in front of Li Chengqian for the rest of his life.

This isn't a confession; it's a huge incriminating statement.

He forced himself to speak:

"Guanyinbi, isn't this unnecessary?"

Fu Ji is, after all, the Minister of Works of the current dynasty, and also your own elder brother.

If word gets out, where will he put his face? It would be better to just have him dock his salary for six months and then confine him to his room for a few days to reflect on his actions.

Empress Zhangsun turned her head and looked coldly at Li Shimin, saying:

"Your Majesty cares about the Duke of Qi's reputation, but doesn't he care about Gao Ming's?"

Li Shimin was so speechless he rolled his eyes.

"When have I ever stopped feeling sorry for Gao Ming? I just feel there's no need to make things so tense."

"Is it unnecessary?"

Changsun Wugou pointed at Changsun Wuji and shouted,

"If Changsun Wuji dares to swagger around in the Eastern Palace today, will he dare to draft an imperial edict for His Majesty tomorrow? If he dares to sow discord between Gaoming and Qingque today, will he force His Majesty to depose the heir tomorrow?"

Even though I am still alive, he dares to treat the Crown Prince Gao Ming like this.

"If I were to die someday, would Gao Ming be killed by him?"

Empress Zhangsun's words startled Li Shimin, who waved his hands repeatedly.

"Guanyinbi, you're exaggerating. Fuji doesn't have that kind of guts."

"He doesn't have the guts? He even managed to get Grand Tutor Li involved; what wouldn't he be capable of?"

Empress Zhangsun glanced at Li Shimin.

"If Your Majesty feels that I have acted unfairly or that I am being unreasonable, you may issue an edict now to depose me from my position as Empress."

When the time comes, His Majesty can choose whoever he wants to be the Crown Prince, and whoever he wants to be the Emperor's brother-in-law.

Your Majesty, I only wish that Gaoming can live a peaceful life!

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin immediately lost his temper.

Well, he couldn't control his wife's temper.

He glanced at Changsun Wuji, who was kneeling on the ground looking at him expectantly, and then at Li Chengqian, who was hiding behind Changsun Wugou and pretending to be innocent. He cursed inwardly.

Am I having an attack today?

Why get involved in things that have nothing to do with you?

"I...I still have some memorials to review. As for your family affairs, I will no longer concern myself with them."

Li Shimin quickly turned around and left.

They ran faster than rabbits, without the slightest hesitation.

He was afraid that if he arrived even a step too late, the Empress's anger would be transferred to him.

Wang De, accompanied by several eunuchs, quickly followed behind Li Shimin and disappeared in a flash.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty, please save me!"

When Changsun Wuji saw Li Shimin running away, he shouted in despair.

Li Chengqian watched his father's retreating figure and curled his lip.

No wonder that old man was able to sit in that position; when he sensed something was wrong, he ran faster than a rabbit.

Empress Zhangsun did not glance at Li Shimin as he left, but instead looked at Zhangsun Wuji and said:

"What? Which other patron is the Duke of Qi looking for?"

Changsun Wuji stared blankly at his younger sister.

Where does he have any backing?

Wasn't our biggest backer just scared away?

"Your Majesty, if this document falls into the wrong hands, my life will be ruined."

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. I will never dare to go to the Eastern Palace again. I beg Your Majesty to show leniency..."

"Give them a break?"

Empress Zhangsun snorted coldly.

"Changsun Wuji! Have you forgotten what the Changsun family has relied on to achieve its current glory?"

"Is it really all thanks to your schemes and tricks?"

Changsun Wuji lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to utter a single word.

"That's because I sit here in the Lizheng Hall, because I am the Empress of the Great Tang Dynasty."

Empress Zhangsun pointed at his nose and reprimanded him sternly.

"If you do not write it, I will issue an imperial decree immediately."

From this day forward, I have absolutely no connection with the Changsun family. Whether you, Changsun Wuji, live or die, whether the Changsun family prospers or declines, is none of my concern.

Changsun Wuji raised his head and looked at Changsun Wugou with a shocked expression.

How could his own sister say such heartless things?

Is this still the same younger sister who was always devoted to the Changsun family?

If this really breaks down, Changsun Wuji will be devoured alive by his political enemies in the court tomorrow.

You have to understand how many people he has offended over the years.

Without the Empress's protection, he, the Emperor's brother-in-law, would be nothing at all.

As for governing the country?

With figures like Fang Xuanling in the imperial court, Changsun Wuji seemed less important.

Changsun Wuji hurriedly rushed to the small table and grabbed the writing brush.

But that hand was trembling, and it couldn't hold the pen steady no matter what.

Li Chengqian then came over, casually took a piece of pastry and stuffed it into his mouth, and thoughtfully helped Changsun Wuji smooth out the imperial edict.

"Uncle, don't rush, write slowly. Make sure your handwriting is neat, otherwise Mother won't be able to read it."

Changsun Wuji almost coughed up a mouthful of blood.

He gritted his teeth and began to write with humiliation.

"Your subject, Changsun Wuji, is arrogant and presumptuous, and has trespassed into the Eastern Palace..."

Li Chengqian watched from the side, occasionally offering a few pointers.

"Uncle, your statement about sowing discord among the princes is not insightful enough."

They should be charged with attempting to interfere in the affairs of the nation, a crime deserving of death.

Only then will the Empress Dowager feel your sincerity.

Changsun Wuji raised his head and glared fiercely at Li Chengqian.

If it weren't for this little brat, how could I have suffered such humiliation today?

Li Chengqian took two steps back in terror, then shouted:

"Mother, my uncle is glaring at me. Does he not want to write anymore?"

Empress Zhangsun snorted coldly:

"Changsun Wuji, write according to Gao Ming's instructions."

In Empress Zhangsun's eyes now, there is no longer any mention of the Zhangsun family or the Li family.

Now, all she can see is her precious son.

Changsun Wuji lowered his head in humiliation and continued writing.

After about an incense stick's time, Changsun Wuji finally finished writing this humiliating confession.

He pressed his handprint tremblingly, raising both hands above his head.

Fu Gui walked over, took it, and respectfully handed it to Empress Zhangsun.

After glancing at it and confirming that nothing was missing, Empress Changsun slammed the confession onto the table.

"Go back to your Qi State Duke's mansion and reflect on your mistakes behind closed doors. Without my imperial decree, you are not allowed to set foot in the Imperial City."

Changsun Wuji quickly kowtowed to express his gratitude, then got up and fled from the Lizheng Hall.

That back view looked as disheveled as could be.

After he left, Empress Zhangsun let out a long sigh.

She didn't want to do it this way, but if she didn't, she wouldn't be able to.

If the Changsun family were to ride roughshod over his son in the future, how would his son cope?

She folded the confession and handed it directly to Li Chengqian.

"Take it."

Li Chengqian was stunned. He didn't expect his mother to hand over such a big handle to him.

"Mother, this was written to you by my uncle. Is it inappropriate for me to take it?"

"Stop pretending in front of me."

Empress Zhangsun rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.

"If he dares to use his seniority to boss people around in the Eastern Palace again, throw this thing in his face."

Let's see if he dares to be so presumptuous again.

Li Chengqian was overjoyed.

This is Changsun Wuji's own confession.

With this thing, will that old fox still dare to swagger in front of me?

You absolutely must keep a low profile.

Li Chengqian obediently accepted the confession and carefully placed it in his pocket.

"Your Majesty, thank you. Please don't be angry, it's not worth ruining your health. Let me massage your shoulders."

Li Chengqian eagerly approached and massaged Empress Zhangsun's back and shoulders.

Empress Zhangsun closed her eyes, enjoying her son's filial piety, and then whispered:

"Gao Ming, I know you're smart, and I also know you've suffered some grievances."

But your uncle is still your uncle. This time, I've given him a warning on your behalf. You should be more restrained in the future and stop making your father angry in court.

Li Chengqian readily agreed.

If you promised not to cause trouble in the imperial court, then it's alright to cause trouble elsewhere, right?

After staying in the Lizheng Hall for a while, Li Chengqian made an excuse and slipped away.

As soon as he stepped out of the Lizheng Hall, Li Chengqian immediately put on an arrogant expression.

He reached out and touched the confession in his arms, then burst out laughing.

"Your Highness, shall we return to the East Palace now?"

Xiao Shunzi then walked over and asked in a low voice.

"Why go back to the Eastern Palace?"

Li Chengqian laughed and waved his hand.

"Let's go to Da'an Palace. How can we not share such a joyful occasion with our Imperial Grandfather?"

Xiao Shunzi was taken aback:

"Your Highness, you've just gotten into trouble, shouldn't you lay low for a while?"

What if His Majesty blocks your way?

"Avoid my ass! I have some killer weapons now, who dares to mess with me?"

Li Chengqian scoffed disdainfully.

"Besides, Father is probably sulking in some corner right now, he doesn't have time to care about me."

The big heist we discussed with Li Yuan before is now being put into practice while the iron is hot.

I've been so busy battling with Changsun Wuji these past few days that I almost forgot about the important matter at hand.