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

Half an hour later.

A commotion arose outside the gate of Da'an Palace.

Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Jingde, Niu Jinda, Duan Zhixuan, and more than a dozen other top military generals of the Tang Dynasty walked in arm in arm.

They were discussing which restaurant to go to for a meal when Xiao Shunzi abruptly intercepted them and took them to Da'an Palace.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Cheng Yaojin shouted:

"Your Majesty, did you summon us here because the renovation of Da'an Palace unearthed some fine wine? I, Old Cheng, must have a good drink today."

As soon as he finished speaking, the group of military officers walked into the courtyard.

Then, everyone stopped in their tracks at the same time.

In the center of the courtyard, the retired Emperor Li Yuan and Crown Prince Li Chengqian sat on either side of a table, looking at them with smiles on their faces.

The red paper on the table, along with the large characters written on it that read "Bet on how many days it will take for the current emperor to enter the Hall of State," caught their attention.

"This...this..."

Cheng Yaojin stammered, his calves starting to cramp.

Using the Emperor's private life as a bargaining chip? That's a business that could lead to the execution of nine generations of one's family.

The Emperor Emeritus is His Majesty's biological father, and the Crown Prince is His Majesty's biological son. If the two of them play around, they'll at most get a scolding.

But if those foreign officials dared to get involved, Li Shimin would definitely chop them up and feed them to the dogs.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, I... I suddenly remembered that my wife stewed mutton today and told me to go home and eat it early. I'll take my leave now."

Cheng Yaojin reacted the fastest, turning around to try and escape.

Although Yuchi Jingde didn't react immediately, he knew that following Cheng Yaojin was definitely the right thing to do, and said:

"Yes, yes, my sow gave birth today, I have to go back and help deliver the piglets."

"stop."

Li Chengqian spoke slowly.

"Lord Lu, I was just planning to visit Aunt Cui's residence tomorrow to offer my condolences and chat with her about this girl named Cuiyun."

Cheng Yaojin suddenly turned around, his face turning green.

"Your Highness! This is absolutely unacceptable. If my wife finds out about this, I'll never have a good life again."

Li Chengqian ignored him and turned to look at Yuchi Jingde.

"Duke of E, your wife must be very interested in Qingyue Tower. I plan to go and tell her the stories inside."

Yuchi Jingde was even more decisive, immediately kneeling down with a thud.

This prince is too ruthless; he deliberately targets the most vulnerable points.

Li Chengqian stood up and walked up to them with a smile.

He grabbed Yuchi Jingde and forcefully pushed the group of military officers to the gambling table.

"Uncles and elders, don't be nervous. This is just a little entertainment inside our Da'an Palace, just for fun."

Father is too busy with state affairs to possibly know.

Li Chengqian pointed to Li Yuan, who was sitting in the dealer's position.

"Besides, with the Emperor himself in charge, what are you afraid of? Even if the sky falls, the Emperor will hold it up."

Li Yuan immediately patted his chest in agreement and shouted loudly:

"That's right. I'll take the hit. If Erlang dares to utter a single fart, I'll pelt him with gold ingots. If any of you dare not place a bet today, you're disrespecting me."

The military officers looked at each other, their faces more bitter than if they had eaten bitter herbs.

These two, grandfather and grandson, are both incredibly cunning. It seems they won't be leaving Da'an Palace without paying a hefty price today.

Cheng Yaojin gritted his teeth, ready to give up entirely.

Whether you stick your neck out or not, you'll get stabbed anyway.

He pulled out a ten-string coin from his pocket and slammed it into the "more than ten days" box.

"I'll keep him here for more than ten days. I know His Majesty's temper best; he's obsessed with saving face and suffers for it. The Empress is furious this time. If His Majesty can't bring himself to admit his mistake, he won't be allowed in for half a month."

Seeing that Cheng Yaojin had already placed his bet, Yuchi Jingde decided to go all out and put five strings of cash on the "five days" bet.

"I don't think His Majesty can hold out for five days. He will definitely find an excuse to beg the Empress for mercy."

With these two leading the way, the other generals also became bolder.

Anyway, the law doesn't punish everyone. With the retired emperor and the crown prince taking the lead, what's there to be afraid of?

"I'll bet for ten days! Three strings of cash!"

"I'll bet five days! Two strings of cash!"

For a time, the Da'an Palace was bustling with activity. The military officers not only placed bets but also began to discuss the relationship between Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun.

"Let me tell you, His Majesty has been very irritable in court these past few days. He even scolded Wei Zheng yesterday. This is clearly due to unsatisfied desires."

Cheng Yaojin said with a sly grin.

"That's right. I was on patrol last night and saw that the lights in Ganlu Palace were still on. I guess His Majesty is sleeping alone and can't sleep because he's worried."

Niu Jinda also joined in the commotion.

Li Chengqian looked at the mountain of coins and gold and silver piled on the table and smiled so much that his eyes narrowed.

These old killers, who usually seem so careless, are surprisingly good at gossiping, even more so than the concubines in the imperial harem.

Li Yuan was overjoyed and instructed the eunuchs to carry the money into the treasury.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, we shall take our leave now."

After boasting for a while, Cheng Yaojin pulled Yuchi Jingde away.

After leaving Da'an Palace, Yuchi Jingde sighed:

"Old Cheng, are you stupid? How could His Majesty's temper last more than ten days? I think even five days would be risky."

Your ten strings of cash are completely wasted.

Cheng Yaojin snorted and stroked the stubble on his chin.

"You don't know anything. Do you think my money is so easy to earn? Since I've placed the bet, I have to find a way to make it win."

"What do you want to do? Do you think you can control whether His Majesty enters the Hall of State Affairs or not?"

"I have a clever plan."

Cheng Yaojin left smugly.

the next day.

Ganlu Temple.

Li Shimin sat behind his desk, two black smoke rings around his head, his whole being exuding restlessness.

For several days now, he has been unable to enter the Lizheng Hall, nor even the harem of his concubines.

Last night, he wanted to go to Consort Yang's place to sleep, but as soon as he stepped out the door, he was stopped by Consort Yang's personal maid.

It is said that the Empress has issued an imperial decree, and anyone who dares to let His Majesty in will never be allowed to stay in the inner palace again.

Li Shimin had no choice but to return to Ganlu Palace to rest.

It wasn't that Li Shimin refused to bow his head.

Empress Zhangsun was truly angry this time, and she wouldn't give him any way out.

Just then, Li Chengqian walked in carrying a bowl of ginseng soup.

"Father, you didn't sleep well last night? How about I talk to Mother and ask her to let you rest at Lizheng Palace tonight?"

Li Chengqian deliberately looked at Li Shimin and said.

Li Shimin glared at him.

"Nonsense. I slept soundly in the Ganlu Palace. Who said I wanted to return to the Lizheng Palace?"

Li Chengqian suppressed a laugh and nodded repeatedly.

"Yes, yes, Father is in good health, it doesn't matter where you sleep."

Just then, Wang De walked in from outside.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Lu requests an audience."

Li Shimin frowned and said:

"What's that old scoundrel doing here so early in the morning? Speak up."

Before long, Cheng Yaojin walked in and immediately gave a proper bow.

"Your subject Cheng Zhijie greets Your Majesty."