My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

but!

His hands, however, held aloft a specially made photographic stone that was polished to an exceptionally smooth finish!

The top of the image-recording stone was flashing with a dazzling red array light.

The camera, without any deviation, was pointed directly at Li Shimin's face!

He recorded it all!

From Li Shimin's words, "I am exceptionally brave," to his stiff turn of the head, and then to his humble explanation covered in cold sweat.

Every frame, in high definition and without any blurring, was captured in the photographic stone by the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty!

Quiet.

The back garden of Taiji Palace fell into a deathly silence once again.

A terrifying, rampaging killing intent belonging to an emperor.

It erupted from Li Shimin's body!

Even the peony petals around them were shaken by this murderous aura and fluttered down.

"Li! Cheng! Qian!"

Li Shimin let out a thunderous roar, as if an ancient tyrannical dragon had awakened.

He pushed aside the rocking chair and strode towards the clump of peonies.

"What are you doing?! I'm asking you, what are you holding in your hand?! What are you doing?!"

Li Shimin's roar made the roof tiles of the entire Qingliang Palace vibrate.

Li Chengqian was caught red-handed, and he trembled with fright, almost dropping the recording stone in his hand.

He quickly hid the photo stone behind his back, turned around, and forced out an incredibly innocent, even somewhat naive, smile.

"Ah? Father, you're calling your son?"

Li Chengqian's ability to feign ignorance was clearly a skill he had learned from the imperial family.

He pointed to the sky and said with a sincere expression.

"Your subject didn't do anything. Your subject was just passing by and saw that the clouds today were very special, so big and white. Your subject is admiring the clouds here."

"Admiring the clouds?!"

Li Shimin was so angry that he laughed. He drew the Emperor's Sword hanging at his waist and pointed the blade directly at Li Chengqian.

"Do you think I'm a three-year-old?! That stone in your hand is still glowing red!"

"You unfilial son! How dare you secretly record the Emperor's embarrassing moment! This is utterly rebellious! Today, I'm going to chop your head off and use it as a football!"

After saying this, Li Shimin raised the Emperor's Sword, as if he was about to rush forward and teach this lawless Crown Prince a lesson.

Actually, Old Li's intentions were not what they seemed.

He didn't really want to kill the crown prince; he clearly just wanted to use the pretext of chasing and beating his son to quickly escape this suffocating, socially devastating scene.

As long as you escape Qingliang Palace and avoid the Empress's wrath, the matter will be over in a few days once the Empress's anger subsides.

however.

There is nothing better than a wife who knows her husband.

How could Li Shimin's little schemes possibly escape Empress Zhangsun's notice?

Just as Li Shimin took two steps, preparing to flee,

"stop."

Empress Zhangsun's voice was not loud.

It didn't even carry any fluctuations of true essence.

It was just two simple words.

But to Li Shimin, it sounded like an incantation with boundless power to freeze him in place.

The peerless general, who was said to be able to take the head of an enemy general amidst a vast army, abruptly stopped his raised right foot in mid-air.

I didn't dare to step on it.

"Guanyinbi..."

Li Shimin, still holding his sword, turned his head, his face full of smiles, and looked at the Empress with a fawning expression.

"This unfilial son is outrageous. I'll go and teach him a lesson, and while I'm at it, I'll smash that memory stone."

"To prevent it from getting out and damaging the royal family's reputation."

Empress Zhangsun's smile slowly faded.

She placed her hands folded in front of her abdomen, her gaze calm yet exuding an undeniable air of authority.

"Does Your Majesty mean that you ignored what I just said?"

Empress Zhangsun raised her eyebrows slightly, her tone gradually turning cold.

"Or perhaps our 'exceptionally brave' emperor feels that chatting with me is beneath you?"

"You haven't even finished speaking, and you're already rushing to change the subject, not even willing to acknowledge me?"

These three questions are a deadly barrage.

This directly pushed Li Shimin to the brink of disaster.

Li Shimin felt a chill down his back and his legs went weak.

He no longer cared about the majesty of an emperor, nor about disciplining his rebellious son.

Clang!

He threw the Emperor's Sword, which symbolized the highest power of the Tang Dynasty, onto the grass without hesitation.

Li Shimin darted back to the Empress's side in an instant, like a gust of wind.

He bowed and scraped, his face full of flattery, and skillfully placed his hands on the empress's fragrant shoulders, beginning to gently knead them.

"Oh dear, Guanyinbi, what are you saying!"

Li Shimin massaged the baby vigorously while showering the baby with flattery.

"I love listening to you speak. Your voice is simply heavenly music! I could listen to it for ten thousand years and still not get enough!"

"I was so angry just now that I didn't pay attention. Come, let me massage your shoulders. You've been helping me manage the harem lately, you must be exhausted."

A powerful ruler, in order to quell the anger in his own backyard.

At this moment, they have completely abandoned all integrity and humbled themselves to the dust.

Standing to the side, Li Chen watched Old Li's arrogant yet obsequious demeanor, and his mouth practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.

He stepped forward, continuing to uphold his glorious tradition as "the greatest filial son of the Tang Dynasty".

"Mother, please don't be fooled by Father's sweet words."

Li Chen fanned the flames from the sidelines, fearing nothing more than a peaceful world.

"When Father was lying in the rocking chair just now, he was so arrogant. He said that even if you were standing in front of him, he would dare to say 'no' loudly."

He also said that he was the only ruler in this palace.

"Li Chen!!!"

Li Shimin completely lost his temper. While massaging the Empress's shoulders, he turned his head and glared angrily at Li Chen, his eyes almost bleeding from their sockets.

"Shut up! When have I ever uttered such treasonous words! If you dare to sow discord again, believe me, I'll deduct half a year's worth of spirit stones from your Qin Prince's mansion's stipend!"

Empress Zhangsun gently patted Li Shimin's hand as he was massaging it.

She glanced at Li Chen, a loving smile flashing in her eyes.

She naturally knew that the father and son liked to bicker and sabotage each other, and that Li Chen was deliberately setting a trap for Li Shimin.

However, it would be interesting to give this emperor, who has recently become a bit arrogant, a good talking-to.

"Alright, stop fooling around."

Empress Zhangsun turned around, looked at Li Shimin who was covered in sweat, and said with a suppressed smile.

"Since Your Majesty is so decisive and so brave."

"Then tonight, Your Majesty will not stay at the Lizheng Palace."

Empress Zhangsun straightened her sleeves, her tone nonchalant.

"I heard from Lord Fang that memorials from all over the country have been piling up lately. Since Your Majesty is not afraid of hard work, then please stay in the Imperial Study in the Taiji Hall tonight and review the memorials all night long. You are not allowed to return to the inner palace until you have finished reviewing them."

Boom!

This was a complete shock to Li Shimin!

Working through the night to review memorials?!