My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

The sound wasn't loud.

But it was like a million thunderbolts from the heavens, simultaneously exploding in Li Shimin's mind.

Holding a plate of exquisite pastries, standing quietly behind the rocking chair like a ghost, was none other than Empress Zhangsun, the mother of the nation!

On her dignified and beautiful face was a smile that was flawless yet chilling.

but.

Having just uttered those bold words, Li Shimin's mind was clearly still reeling from the inertia of his "invincible" status.

Before his body could react to the danger, his spoiled mouth, relying on muscle memory, somehow managed to act.

Following up on the previous conversation, I subconsciously replied again.

"That's right!"

Li Shimin sat in a rocking chair with his back to the empress, and even patted his chest triumphantly.

"I am incredibly brave! In this world, who can harm me..."

The word "fear" was still stuck in my throat.

Li Shimin's voice suddenly sounded like a broken erhu with its strings forcibly snapped.

Stopped abruptly.

His once smug face instantly lost all color at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It turned into a deathly pale white.

Throughout the entire Tang Dynasty, no one could speak to the emperor in such a tone.

There is only one person.

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Li Shimin remained seated in his rocking chair, still patting his chest.

I dared not move an inch.

At this moment, time seemed to have been paused forever.

"Gulp."

A perfectly clear swallowing sound suddenly rang out in the quiet back garden.

The air outside the Qingliang Hall seemed to have been completely sucked out in that instant.

The breeze stopped flowing, and the leaves stopped swaying.

Even the four palace maids who were fanning the wind wished they could dig a hole and bury themselves in it, shivering as if they were being shaken in the dead of winter.

The phrase "I am incredibly brave" still echoed awkwardly in the air.

Emperor Taizong of Tang (Li Shimin).

This emperor, who swept across the battlefield, commanded respect throughout the land, and dared to draw his sword to fight even a Nascent Soul stage Arhat, was a figure of unparalleled power throughout history.

At this moment, she was frozen in an extremely stiff posture on that luxurious rosewood rocking chair.

It’s over.

It's all over.

The "invincible dad" image that he had painstakingly built up in front of his son shattered into pieces of glass that could never be pieced back together.

"Why aren't you saying anything?"

Empress Zhangsun held a plate of exquisite lily cakes, her beautiful face, regal and radiant, adorned with a flawless and gentle smile.

She leaned forward slightly, her voice as soft as a spring breeze.

"I heard it all clearly when I was outside in the corridor."

"His Majesty said that you are not afraid of any of the gods or Buddhas in the heavens, and you don't even care about Lord Wei's mouth."

"Your Majesty, I am curious: in this world, who else can frighten our 'exceptionally brave' Emperor of the Celestial Dynasty?"

hiss--!

Li Shimin gasped.

Beads of cold sweat, the size of soybeans, instantly poured out of his forehead like a waterfall.

It dripped down his cheeks and onto his clothes.

He doesn't dare to look back now.

He knew his wife, whom he had been married to for many years, all too well.

Empress Zhangsun was usually gentle and virtuous, and never interfered in court affairs. But if she spoke to you in such an incredibly gentle tone, even with a hint of a smile...

That means the storm is no longer just brewing.

It's already hanging over the top of your head!

"Click...click click..."

A sickening mechanical grinding sound came from Li Shimin's neck.

This dignified pseudo-Nascent Soul stage expert actually took a full ten breaths to turn his stiff neck little by little.

What met their eyes was Empress Zhangsun's beautiful eyes, which seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

"Guanyinbi..."

Li Shimin forced out a smile that was a hundred times uglier than crying.

His once dignified, square face was now completely scrunched up like a steamed bun.

"A misunderstanding! This is all a huge misunderstanding!"

Li Shimin ripped off his black sunglasses and tossed them aside.

He suddenly sprang up from the rocking chair, his movements so swift that they seemed nothing like those of an emperor enjoying a life of salted fish.

"What I meant just now was... that I am so brave so that I can stand in front of you, Guanyinbi!"

Li Shimin patted his chest, making a solemn vow, frantically trying to justify himself.

"Whether it's those traitors from the previous dynasty or those demonic Buddhas from the West!"

"As long as I am here, no one will be able to harm a single hair on your head! My bravery is all for protecting you!"

Such sweet words, if spoken under normal circumstances, might have been touching.

But placed in the context of this massive social tragedy, it seems somewhat pale and powerless.

Standing to the side, King Li Chen of Qin almost burst out laughing at Old Li's humble and begging-for-survival appearance.

Instead of trying to smooth things over, he thoughtfully poured a large bucket of grease onto the raging fire.

"Wait, Father, that's not right."

Li Chen crossed his arms and blinked innocently.

"Your Majesty, I just heard you say that the majesty of the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty is absolutely not to be challenged by anyone."

"You even said that if you can't even control the harem, you might as well quit being emperor."

boom!

As soon as Li Chen said this...

Li Shimin's eyes widened instantly, almost as big as copper bells, his eyeballs practically spitting fire.

Rebel!

This rebellious son who betrayed his master and ancestors!

When did I ever say I wanted to suppress the harem?! You're driving your own father to his death!

"Li Chen! Don't you dare spout such nonsense!"

Li Shimin was so angry that he trembled all over and pointed at Li Chen's nose, cursing loudly.

"Guanyinbi, don't listen to this unfilial son's nonsense! He's just jealous that I'm resting today and is deliberately trying to sow discord between my husband and me!"

Empress Zhangsun ignored Li Shimin's explanation.

She gently placed the lily cake in her hand on the small coffee table.

Those beautiful, gentle eyes slowly swept across the entire back garden.

Sudden.

The Empress's gaze fell behind a cluster of peonies in full bloom, not far from the rocking chair.

A meaningful smile curved at the corners of her lips.

"Your Majesty said you had no intention of suppressing the harem, and I naturally believe you."

Empress Zhangsun smiled slightly, but her voice rose a few decibels.

"However, since Your Majesty was so wise, mighty, and heroic just now..."

"I'm sure that regal display you just witnessed has been completely recorded, hasn't it?"

"Should I write it down?"

Li Shimin was taken aback, not understanding what the Empress meant by those words.

He followed the Empress's gaze and turned to look at the clump of peonies.

next second.

Li Shimin's old face, which had just regained some color, turned ashen again.

Behind the dense peony bushes, all that could be seen was...

A familiar figure dressed in an apricot-yellow four-clawed python robe was squatting there furtively, his rear end sticking out.

Prince Li Chengqian of the Tang Dynasty!

At this moment, Li Chengqian turned his face to another direction, whistling, pretending to be intently admiring the clouds on the horizon.