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

During the period of national mourning, alcohol and music are prohibited in Chang'an City, and violators will be severely punished.

But these rules obviously couldn't control those lawless spoiled brats.

Pingkangfang, the backyard of Cuiwei Tower.

A cellar that was originally used to store ice has now been converted into a private room.

White banners hung above, while the cellar below was filled with the aroma of wine and meat.

Cheng Chumo, holding a wine bowl, was boasting about his achievements in Hedong:

"Chong-ge, Du-he, it's a pity you didn't go to Hedong with us."

"Brother, following His Highness this time has truly broadened my horizons."

Changsun Chong wasn't someone who had just met Cheng Chumo; he glanced at him.

"Don't give me that. What else can you do besides cause trouble, Young Master Cheng? In Hedong, at best, you're just serving tea and water to His Highness."

Cheng Chumo immediately became anxious:

"Bullshit! I'm the vanguard charging into battle."

You didn't see the day Jiangzhou fell. His Highness gave the order, and I blew up the city walls.

And then there was that Prefect Wang Chong, who threatened His Highness with hostages. What happened in the end?

His Highness immediately ordered an arrow to break the roof beam, nearly crushing the old man to death.

Du He looked at Cheng Chumo with a grin and asked:

"Brother Chumo, stop just talking about how impressive you were. Why don't you tell us about what happened in Black Wind Forest?"

Upon hearing the words "Black Wind Forest," Cheng Chumo was visibly taken aback.

This was his darkest moment.

How did Du He find out?

"Brother Chong, don't listen to his nonsense. They encountered a giant worm in Black Wind Forest that day."

Good heavens, that tiger standing up was taller than several big men stacked together. You have no idea, back then, Chu Mo…”

Cheng Chumo quickly interrupted Du He.

"Yes! That tiger was as tall as a three-story building. The situation was critical. To cover His Highness's retreat, I fought that beast for three hundred rounds with a horse spear. It was a truly earth-shattering battle."

Changsun Chong chuckled:

"Chu Mo, that's enough. Your boasting is more unbelievable than the songs sung by the top courtesan in Pingkang Lane."

A tiger three stories tall? You think it's some ancient ferocious beast, Taotie, descended to earth? Why don't you just say you punched a hole in the sky?

Du He was even more ruthless in directly exposing the truth:

"Brother Chong, don't believe him. I heard it. The tiger just roared once, and someone's legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground."

And his crotch was soaked.

Cheng Chumo jumped up angrily and roared:

"Bullshit! When did I wet my pants? That was just a tactic."

Du He looked at Cheng Chumo with disdain:

"Tactics my ass. If Brother Xue hadn't jumped down from the tree and smashed that tiger's brains in three punches, you'd be tiger dung by now."

Upon hearing the words "Brother Xue," Cheng Chumo rushed forward and covered Du He's mouth.

"You idiot! Are you out of your mind?"

His Highness repeatedly emphasized that Brother Xue is our Eastern Palace's secret weapon, our trump card.

"Anyone who dares to utter a single word about Brother Xue killing the tiger with his bare hands will be skinned alive by His Highness."

Du He nodded vigorously, indicating that she understood.

Seeing this, Changsun Chong asked curiously:

"Is there really someone that powerful? Someone who can kill a tiger with three punches?"

Cheng Chumo released his grip and looked at Changsun Chong, saying:

"Brother Chong, I'm not bragging, but if that Brother Xue came to Chang'an, even if all the generals of the Twelve Guards were tied together, they wouldn't be enough for him to beat with one hand."

Your Highness has truly struck gold this time.

Changsun Chong was taken aback for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.

The Eastern Palace.

After leaving Taiye Pond, Empress Zhangsun did not return to Lizheng Hall, but went to the East Palace.

Li Chengqian looked at his mother with a wronged expression.

Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but chuckle as she looked at her son's sulky expression.

She reached out and tapped Li Chengqian's forehead:

"Alright, stop giving me attitude. Do you really think your father is deliberately treating you like an outsider?"

Li Chengqian curled his lip:

"Isn't that right? Even that old man Pei Ji has a role, but he's the one who's locked up in the East Palace."

So the whole world was putting on an act, and I was the only one kept in the dark and treated like a fool.

Empress Zhangsun said helplessly:

"You have such a temper, you're easily angered. If your father had told you the truth beforehand, could you have acted so convincingly?"

How could someone be able to verbally abuse Cui Mingan and his gang so severely in the funeral hall?

"If I don't push you a little, how can the aristocratic families believe you've truly lost your composure?"

Li Chengqian knew his mother was right, so he remained silent.

Empress Zhangsun sighed:

"Brilliant! This game is far too big. It involves five prominent families and seven powerful clans, and it touches upon the very foundation of the imperial court."

Your father confined you to your quarters, ostensibly as punishment, but actually to extricate you from this vortex.

Li Chengqian raised his head and looked at Empress Zhangsun, asking:

"Mother, what happened to Grandfather...?"

Empress Zhangsun lowered her voice and said:

"Your imperial grandfather is doing very well. He's currently hiding in a secret chamber in the Da'an Palace."

Upon hearing news of Li Yuan, Li Chengqian's worries finally dissipated.

He immediately became excited.

Three generations joined forces to orchestrate the scheme.

This time, won't the powerful families be completely uprooted?

"Are Father and Grandfather planning to use this opportunity to eradicate the cancerous growths in the court?"

Empress Zhangsun nodded:

"This time, the aristocratic families have extended their reach to the Da'an Palace. Your father has already reached his limit."

But to move against the five clans and seven noble families, we must have a legitimate reason, and we must uncover all their crimes.

Empress Zhangsun paused for a moment before continuing.

"Besides, you are now the crown prince, and your reputation is of utmost importance. We can't let you bear the infamy of this dirty work of confiscating the property of aristocratic families."

"Your father is taking all the blame upon himself to pave the way for you."

Li Chengqian remained silent.

It turned out to be the case.

Father wasn't just fishing; he was protecting his reputation.

"And what about Consort De..."

Li Chengqian asked curiously.

Empress Zhangsun sneered:

"I just went to Taiye Pond and put Consort De and that Imperial Physician Liu into a pig cage and sank them."

Li Chengqian gave a thumbs up:

"Your Majesty is so powerful! But you just let the trail go cold like that?"

Empress Zhangsun waved her hand:

"Why keep her around? Since the Wang family of Taiyuan dared to extend their reach into the inner palace, I will let them know who is in charge of this inner palace."

With Consort De dead, that old scoundrel Wang Gui will definitely cause trouble at tomorrow's morning court session.

Your father is just looking for an excuse to deal with them. I'm just stirring up trouble.

Seeing that even his mother had taken action, Li Chengqian felt an itch to do the same.

"Those aristocratic families all thought that with the Emperor's grandfather dead and me enfeoffed in the Eastern Palace, I could rest easy and make my plans."

"Wait until they reveal all their cards, then Father will deliver the fatal blow."

Li Chengqian turned to Empress Zhangsun and said in a coquettish tone:

"Mother, the play has reached its climax. Your son can't just stand backstage and watch, can he?"

Although the connection with Consort De has been severed, the Wang family of Taiyuan is certainly still making other moves in Chang'an. Your Majesty thinks…”

Empress Zhangsun rolled her eyes at him:

"Your father knew long ago that you couldn't stay idle."

As she spoke, Changsun Wugou took out a token from her sleeve and placed it on the table.

Li Chengqian was stunned when he saw the token.

That's the highest-level authority token of the Hundred Cavalry Division.

Empress Zhangsun stood up and patted Li Chengqian's head:

"Your father asked me to pass on a message to you."

Li Chengqian picked up the token and stroked it with obvious affection:

"What did Father say?"

Empress Zhangsun looked helplessly at her precious son and continued:

"Since you can't stay idle, I'll lend you this knife for a few days. Just don't cause any major trouble."