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

Da'an Palace.

Li Yuan was idly counting the flying coins and copper coins on the table over and over again.

He felt that in two more days the money wouldn't be his anymore.

This is the gambler's mentality.

Although Li Yuan already had hundreds of thousands of strings of cash, he still felt heartbroken even if he lost a single copper coin in a bet.

"Grandpa, stop counting. Half of this money belongs to my mother."

After Li Chengqian walked in and saw Li Yuan, he said with a smile.

Li Yuan's hand, which was counting money, stopped in mid-air. He looked up and said with a dissatisfied expression:

"Why should I? This is money I earned through hard work running the betting shop. Your mother wants half of it just by talking? She's so greedy!"

Li Chengqian slowly began to speak:

"My mother said that she personally went to Ganlu Palace to bring my father to Lizheng Palace, and it was on the eighth day."

This is what we call the house taking all the winnings. It's only fair that she gets half the money.

Li Yuan slammed the flying coins in his hand on the table, glared at Li Chengqian, and roared:

"This is cheating! I, the founding emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty, have to cheat to win against those old killers when I run an betting pool? Don't I have any face left?"

Li Chengqian rolled his eyes and said speechlessly:

"Grandpa, stop pretending to be so high and mighty. When Cheng Yaojin went to the Ganlu Hall to deceive Father, wasn't that cheating? If they could resort to underhanded tactics, why can't we set up a scheme?"

Li Yuan paused for a moment, then stroked his beard without saying a word.

Li Chengqian continued:

"Think about it carefully. Which casino in the world doesn't have a rigged system? If the dealers just honestly relied on luck, the casinos would have lost everything long ago."

This is called strategic planning and overall control.

Li Yuan's eyes lit up as soon as this theory was presented.

Yes, it was Cheng Yaojin and his gang of bastards who first broke with martial ethics.

It's better to win everything and give half to your daughter-in-law than to lose everything to Cheng Yaojin.

"You little brat, you're right."

It was that bastard Cheng Zhijie who betrayed me first, and I'll make him pay it back with interest.

"Half it is fine. Seeing those old bastards get their comeuppance is enough for me; I'll just consider it money spent for entertainment."

The grandfather and grandson exchanged a glance and then burst into arrogant laughter in unison.

Time flies, and it's already the eighth day.

The Duke of Lu's Mansion.

A bonfire had been set up in the backyard, with a whole sheep roasting on it, and a row of Cheng Yaojin's treasured wines were placed next to the table.

Yuchi Jingde, Niu Jinda, Duan Zhixuan, Li Ji and other military generals sat around the table.

Yuchi Jingde, holding a wine bowl, asked with a dark face:

"Old Cheng, my five strings of cash are completely wasted. It's been eight days since His Majesty lasted, and he still hasn't gone to the Hall of State Affairs."

"What kind of bewitching potion did you give His Majesty, you old codger?"

Cheng Yaojin laughed triumphantly:

"Old Hei, that's what you call brains. I, Old Cheng, saw right through him long ago. His Majesty values ​​face the most. I just went to the Ganlu Hall and said a few tough words like a grown man, and His Majesty fell for it."

Niu Jinda looked at Cheng Yaojin in surprise:

"Old Cheng, how dare you do this? If the Empress finds out, you'll be in big trouble!"

Cheng Yaojin said nonchalantly:

"What are you afraid of? Her Majesty the Empress is in a bad mood right now, she doesn't have time to care about me. Besides, as long as ten days pass, I'll get my ten strings of cash back doubled. Then I'll invite you all to Pingkang Lane and book the entire Zuixianlou restaurant for a good drink."

Yuchi Jingde snorted coldly:

"Don't be too happy yet. Given His Majesty's temper, I don't think it's going to work out."

"What a load of rubbish!"

Cheng Yaojin took a big gulp of wine.

"It's been eight days now, and there's still no movement from the palace. I'm sure to win this time."

A group of military officers were seething with hatred as they looked at Cheng Yaojin's smug and self-satisfied appearance, but they were helpless to do anything about it.

Meanwhile, at Taiji Palace, Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin held a memorial in his hand, but didn't turn the page for a long time.

These past two days, he had walked to the entrance of the Lizheng Hall several times, but Cheng Yaojin's words, "A man must never bow his head," kept echoing in his mind.

He refused to go in.

"Wang De".

Li Shimin irritably threw the memorial onto the table.

Wang De quickly stepped forward: "This old servant is here."

"Is there any movement from the Rissei-den (Hall of State Affairs)?"

Li Shimin asked casually.

Wang De replied cautiously:

"Your Majesty, the Empress has been reviewing the account books these past few days and has also bought new clothes for all the ladies of the harem. She seems...she seems to be in a good mood."

Li Shimin's face instantly darkened.

Feeling good?

I'm here every night, unable to sleep, and she's actually in a good mood?

Just as Li Shimin was about to lose his temper, a young eunuch rushed in from outside the palace.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has arrived."

Li Shimin suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, so excited that he almost ran out.

Guanyinbi has arrived? Has she finally come to admit her mistake?

Li Shimin quickly straightened his dragon robe, sat back on the dragon throne, picked up the memorial he had just received, and pretended to be very busy.

"Let her in."

Empress Zhangsun walked in slowly, carrying a bowl of hot soup in her hand.

When she saw Li Shimin's feigned seriousness, she chuckled to herself.

We've been married for so many years, who doesn't know who?

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Empress Zhangsun bowed slightly.

Li Shimin did not put down the memorial, but simply grunted an "hmm" through his nose.

"What brings the Empress to Ganlu Palace? My palace is too small to accommodate you."

Empress Zhangsun ignored him, carried the hot soup to the imperial table, and gently put it down.

"His Majesty has been working day and night for the sake of the country these past few days, neglecting even the inner palace."

"It breaks my heart to see this."

Li Shimin snorted coldly before putting down the memorial.

"The harem? My harem is now ruled by the Empress. What difference does it make whether I go to the Hall of State Affairs or not?"

Empress Zhangsun lowered her head slightly, and when she raised it again, her eyes instantly reddened.

A tear welled up in her eye, threatening to fall but not quite.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong."

Empress Zhangsun's voice trembled with sobs.

"These past few days, I have been reflecting on my actions every night, and I really shouldn't have contradicted Your Majesty."

If Your Majesty refuses to forgive me, I will stand here until Your Majesty calms down.

When Li Shimin saw Empress Zhangsun crying, he panicked.

He quickly stood up and grabbed Empress Zhangsun's hand.

"Guanyinbi, what are you doing? Stop crying."

Li Shimin hurriedly wiped away Empress Zhangsun's tears.

"I didn't mean to blame you. I'm just... I've just been too busy with state affairs these past few days and haven't been able to get away."

Empress Zhangsun leaned against Li Shimin's chest and sobbed softly.

"Will His Majesty return to the Lizheng Palace tonight?"

Li Shimin nodded repeatedly:

"Go back, go back now."

He turned and roared at Wang De:

"What are you all standing there for? Prepare your carriage and stand in the government hall."

Wang De quickly responded loudly, "Prepare the carriage and stand in the Zheng Hall."

As night fell, the banquet at the Duke of Lu's mansion was just reaching its climax.

Cheng Yaojin, his face flushed from drinking, stood on a stool, gesturing wildly as he boasted to the crowd about his past glory in Wagang Village.

"Let me tell you, back in the day, I, Old Cheng, was... surrounded by a bunch of women..."

Before he could finish speaking, the butler rushed in.

"My lord, news has come from the palace."

Cheng Yaojin, his interest extinguished, waved his hand impatiently.

"What's the panic? Has His Majesty stayed at Ganlu Palace again? I already knew that, why are you making such a fuss?"

The butler said with a mournful face:

"No, sir. News just came from the palace that His Majesty has returned to the Lizheng Palace with the Empress."

With a "crack," the wine bowl in Cheng Yaojin's hand fell to the ground.

The air at the scene became quiet.

Yuchi Jingde was stunned for several seconds before suddenly bursting into a terrifying burst of laughter.

"Hahahaha! Old Cheng, you old scoundrel. Your ten strings of cash are gone. The dealer wins everything. Hahahaha."

Niu Jinda and the others burst into laughter.

Cheng Yaojin was completely stunned.

The eighth day, it just so happens to be the eighth day.

He not only lost ten strings of cash, but he also became a laughing stock.

Lizheng Hall.

Li Shimin lay comfortably on the soft couch, feeling extremely relaxed.

Empress Zhangsun sat in front of her dressing table, removing the pearl hairpins from her head.

"Guanyinbi, the reason I have been in Ganlu Palace these past few days is actually to reflect on my actions."

"I've come to terms with that little brat Gao Ming's robbery, so I won't pursue it further."

Empress Zhangsun put the hairpin into the box and turned to look at him.

"It would be best if Your Majesty could understand. But Gao Ming is indeed very sensible; he brought me some things again today."

Li Shimin casually asked, "What did you send?"

Empress Zhangsun clapped her hands.

Qiuyue immediately led several eunuchs in, carrying two boxes.

When the box was opened, it was found to be filled with copper coins.

Li Shimin sat up straight, his eyes fixed on the screen.

"Where...where did this money come from?"

Empress Zhangsun walked to the box, picked up a copper coin, and said:

"It was sent from Da'an Palace. Gao Ming and the Emperor opened a betting pool, wagering on how many days it would take you to enter the Lizheng Hall."

Those military officers all bet on five days and ten days, no one bet on the eighth day. Since I'm going to pick you up today, I'll naturally get half of the money the dealer won.

Li Shimin's expression froze completely.

Betting on yourself?

Those bastards still dared to place bets?

No wonder Cheng Yaojin came over and said those strange things to him.

Is my wife treating me like a tool?

"Li Chengqian! Cheng Zhijie! I'm not finished with you!"