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

Li Chengqian was in a great mood after leaving the Prince of Yue's residence.

Having dealt with these two oddballs, Li Gang and Li Tai, we've already got more than half the fun going for the Qujiang Poetry Gathering.

"Your Highness, shall we return to the palace?"

Xiao Shunzi followed behind and asked cautiously.

"Go back to what palace?"

Li Chengqian pursed his lips.

"Go to the Duke of Qi's mansion. My cousin, who took the blame for me, is still suffering at home. I need to go and check on him."

Inside the Duke of Qi's mansion, after returning from the palace, Changsun Wuji kept chugging cold tea to suppress the anger in his heart.

He has really lost face today.

"My lord. The Crown Prince... His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

The butler then ran into the front hall and shouted.

The teacup in Changsun Wuji's hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

"Close the door. Go and close the door quickly."

Changsun Wuji jumped up and down, roaring.

"Just say I'm sick and can't get out of bed, and I won't see anyone."

The butler quickly ran out.

Li Chengqian arrived at the gate just as the gate of the Duke of Qi was closing.

Looking at the tightly closed door, Li Chengqian sneered:

"Closing the door and refusing customers in broad daylight—is Uncle trying to keep out thieves or his orphan?"

Xiao Shunzi leaned closer and asked, "Your Highness, shall we knock?"

"Why are you knocking? Do I need to knock on my own uncle's door to go to his house?"

Li Chengqian turned to look at the two Imperial Guards behind him.

"Go and open the gate for the Duke of Qi."

Two guards from the Eastern Palace rushed forward and kicked the gate directly.

"Bang!"

The door made a sound, but surprisingly, it wasn't damaged at all.

The two guards exchanged a glance, turned and ran to the side, calling to the others, and together they lifted a very thick wooden stick.

"One, two, three, crash!!!"

The gates of the Duke of Qi's mansion were flung open with a crash as they were rammed.

Hearing the commotion, Changsun Wuji, who was in the front hall, rushed out in fright.

Just as I reached the main gate, I saw Li Chengqian walk in with his hands behind his back.

Changsun Wuji took three steps back, his hand pointing at Li Chengqian trembling uncontrollably.

How dare this little brat ram his own front door?

"Uncle, your front door isn't very sturdy."

Upon seeing Changsun Wuji, Li Chengqian greeted him with a smile.

"Even before I could exert much force, it opened by itself."

"I'll have the Imperial Household Department send you two nice ones later."

Changsun Wuji forcibly suppressed the urge to vomit blood, and bowed respectfully, saying:

"This old minister... greets Your Highness. Your Highness, what brings you here?"

"I heard that my cousin was punished by the Empress Dowager and confined to his quarters, and I feel really bad about it."

Li Chengqian said with a look of self-reproach,

"That's why I came to see my cousin and took him out for a walk to clear his head."

When Changsun Wuji heard that Li Chengqian actually wanted to lead Changsun out, his scalp tingled instantly.

"Your Highness, you mustn't."

Changsun Wuji shook his head and said,

"The Empress issued an imperial decree, punishing Chong'er by confining him to his quarters for six months and making him copy the Book of Rites one hundred times."

"Your Majesty's decree is of utmost importance; this old minister would never dare disobey. Your Highness's kindness is appreciated."

Upon hearing Changsun Wuji's words, the smile on Li Chengqian's face vanished instantly.

"Uncle, are you using the Empress Dowager to pressure me?"

"I came to see my cousin out of good intentions, but you locked the door and wouldn't let me in during the day, and now you're using my mother as an excuse? What are you so guilty about?"

Changsun Wuji was bewildered: "What is this old minister feeling guilty about?"

"The gate was tightly shut even in broad daylight, and not even my own nephew could be seen."

"Have you been secretly forging imperial robes in your residence? Or have you been secretly hoarding weapons in preparation for a rebellion?"

Li Chengqian pointed at Changsun Wuji's nose and questioned him.

Changsun Wuji was so frightened that his vision went black and he almost couldn't catch his breath.

"Your Highness, please be careful with your words. You mustn't say such things carelessly."

Even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn't dare to rebel.

"Since there was no rebellion, then it must be mistreatment of the imperial family."

Li Chengqian persisted relentlessly.

"My cousin is a member of the royal family. Did you beat him so badly that he can't get out of bed? I must see my cousin with my own eyes today."

After saying that, Li Chengqian didn't give Changsun Wuji any time to react and rushed towards the backyard.

Changsun Chong was sitting in his study at that moment, copying the Book of Rites with a miserable expression.

Hearing the commotion in the front yard, especially upon hearing Li Chengqian's familiar voice, Changsun Chong dropped the pen in his hand.

"Has the Crown Prince arrived?"

Without a second thought, Changsun Chong crawled under the desk.

The study door was kicked open by Li Chengqian.

But when he went inside, he found that there was no one there.

"Cousin? Cousin, where are you?"

There was no movement.

Xiao Shunzi, with his sharp eyes, pointed to a corner of clothing sticking out from under the table and said:

"Your Highness, the eldest son is over there."

Li Chengqian walked over, grabbed Changsun Chong's clothes, and dragged him out.

"Cousin, why are you hiding? I've come to pick you up to go out and have fun."

Li Chengqian considerately patted the dust off Changsun Chong's clothes.

Unexpectedly, Changsun Chong grabbed Li Chengqian's leg and started crying:

"Your Highness! I beg you, please spare me."

I really can't go out, my dad will beat me to death. I still have to copy the book, and I've only copied half of it.

Li Chengqian pulled Changsun Chong up and said earnestly:

"Cousin, copying books is so boring. There's a poetry gathering at Qujiang Pool in three days. I'll take you there to see the splendor of the Tang Dynasty."

"You are the most talented scholar in Chang'an, how could such an occasion be complete without you?"

Changsun Chong shook his head desperately:

"I'm not going. I'm no talent at all, I'm just a good-for-nothing."

"Your Highness, please go by yourself."

At this moment, Changsun Wuji rushed into the study, panting heavily.

Seeing Li Chengqian pulling Changsun Chong out, Changsun Wuji immediately became furious.

He rushed over and grabbed Li Chengqian's other leg.

"Your Highness! I beg you. Chong'er really can't go out."

If he causes any more trouble with you, this old minister's entire Qi State Duke's family, including nine generations of relatives, won't be enough to go around.

Li Chengqian looked at Changsun Wuji, who was putting on an act, and a wicked smile appeared on his face.

He bent down and whispered in Changsun Wuji's ear:

"Uncle, I always carry that confession with me. If you don't let my cousin go, I'll take it to Wei Zheng right now for his opinion."

Changsun Wuji froze, and his hands involuntarily fell to his sides.

His confession is his Achilles' heel.

If Wei Zheng were to see this, Changsun Wuji could imagine what kind of person he would become at the court assembly the next day.

Li Chengqian waved to Xiao Shunzi:

"Xiao Shunzi, my cousin's legs are so weak with joy. You guys support him, let's go."

Two guards from the Eastern Palace immediately stepped forward, one on each side, and lifted the limp Changsun Chong, dragging him out.

"Dad! Help me! I don't want to go!"

Changsun Chong cried out in despair, his hands flailing wildly in the air, but he could only watch helplessly as he drifted further and further away from his father.

Changsun Wuji watched his son being dragged away, unable to utter a single word.

Only two lines of tears slid down his cheeks.