Chang'an City, the Imperial Palace.
Deng Dengdeng, holding a telegram, rushed into the inner palace.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Disaster has struck!"
The shrillness of his voice could be heard for miles.
Li Shimin had already handed over state affairs to Li Chengqian, with the reform of the system largely settled. Now, he had only two things to do in the palace.
One was to indulge in pleasure, and the other was to act as a demanding supervisor.
How delightful!
Empress Changsun and Concubines Yin and Yang had been taken to Australia by Li Xiuning, and for a time, there was no one in the palace to confide in.
A while ago, the old fellow, having nothing better to do, had gone among the common folk incognito. Besides executing a few corrupt officials, he had brought back two women.
With the Empress absent, he made the decision to take concubines unilaterally.
He had even specially built a Nuanshang Pavilion for these two new concubines in the palace, the name alone sounding rather improper!
"Your Majesty, Chief Eunuch Deng has arrived!"
The voice of a palace maid came from outside. Li Shimin immediately began to curse.
"Make him wait!"
"Bang!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Deng Dengdeng actually burst in.
Li Shimin, enraged, poked his head out from under the covers.
"How dare you!"
"Trespassing into the imperial bedchamber, who gave you the guts!"
"Guards, drag this scoundrel out and give him thirty strokes!"
Though he was the Emperor, he was still human, and no one would be in a good mood when disturbed at such a moment.
After half a day of tilling the soil, he was just about to sow the seeds...
If he hadn't been executed on the spot, it would have been an act of mercy...
"Thump!"
Deng Dengdeng immediately knelt on both knees, holding the telegram high above his head.
"Your Majesty, a telegram from the Eldest Princess!"
"A passage has appeared above Australia, and foreign enemies are invading!"
"Duke Anguo is critically injured and dying!"
As he spoke, his eyes turned red, and he felt an immense sense of urgency...
If Duke Anguo were to die, who would I go to for batteries...
"What!"
Li Shimin turned pale with shock, threw aside the covers, and jumped out of bed.
He lunged towards Deng Dengdeng and snatched the telegram.
Deng Dengdeng: ...
What a bully!
If you want to stroll with your bird, fine, but don't point at my face...
However, Li Shimin's attention was entirely on the telegram, completely forgetting his current predicament.
After quickly reading the telegram, an inexplicable rage surged to the crown of his head.
"How dare they!"
"To dare to injure My Son-in-Law!"
"Who gave them the guts!"
Well, whether intentionally or not, when Li Tai sent the telegram, he had included information about Fang Er's injury and...
He had no idea that Li Chengqian, in order to appear more outstanding before him and avoid being sent to Lingnan to be fed to mosquitoes, had specially brought two eunuchs who were adept at flattery by his side. Through constant exposure, he had learned a bit.
Li Shimin was very pleased, but as a father, he had to maintain his authority at all times.
However, he felt that he could not let this guy continue, otherwise, he might burst out laughing.
"Alright, who taught you this skill of sycophancy!"
"You learn nothing good all day!"
"I asked you to come to tell you that something has happened in Southern Australia, An Zhi is seriously injured, and I must go and take charge of the overall situation!"
"Therefore, you handle all matters in the court as you see fit."
"For minor matters, convene a council and let the ministers vote."
"For major matters, make your own decisions, but remember to first ask Yaoshi for his opinion. He is experienced and has unique insights, so listen to his advice."
"Then..." Li Chengqian scratched his head, "Father, what is considered a minor matter, and what is considered a major matter?"
Old Li glared: "Can't you weigh whether a matter is big or small yourself?"
"The Xuanjia Army has been assembled, and I am leaving now. Guard the imperial court well!"
"If there's any mistake, I'll send you to Lingnan!"
Li Chengqian flinched in fear.
"Yes, your son obeys!"
Old Li nodded with satisfaction and strode out of Nuanshang Pavilion.
Li Chengqian did not dare to linger and walked out behind him.