Chapter Nine: The Guilty Party Complains First

As soon as Li Shimin's words fell, a soft weeping sound began to rise, followed by a heart-wrenching cry: "Your Majesty (Father), you must take a stand for Zhen'er!"

The two individuals bowed once again

"Zhen'er, what is the matter with you?" Ignoring the weeping Yan Fei, Li Shimin inquired of Li Zhen with a mix of surprise and anger

Li Zhen, after all, is a prince of the Tang Dynasty, being the son of Li Shimin. Even if he has committed a grave mistake, it is naturally up to him to administer punishment. There is no need for outsiders to teach him a lesson

Thank you, Father Emperor

There is no way around it; that little gold medal is truly intimidating, as if I were personally present

When he lifted his head, he happened to see his son, who was currently kneeling beneath the grand hall, with a pair of buttocks that resembled inverted copper basins.

The young eunuch respectfully bowed and exited the grand hall

The entire Western Inner Courtyard was filled with kneeling figures, yet only Li Yuanba stood idly in place, wearing a look of glee and mischief on his face

Thank you, Your Majesty

No!

However, Han Wang Li Zhen was different. This entire matter originated from him. Upon hearing Li Yuanba's words, his expression changed in an instant; his chubby little face became flustered, and he unexpectedly burst into tears once again.

The Yan Fei gazed at the departing figure of Li Yuanba, her beautiful eyes flickering with a cold glint. Suddenly, she grabbed Li Zhen and, without looking back, headed towards the outer West Inner Courtyard.

Your Majesty, the Yan Empress requests an audience with His Highness, the Han Prince!" At that moment, a eunuch entered, bowing and hurrying in, carefully kneeling to pay his respects

Grabbing the gold medal and tucking it into his bosom, Li Yuanba said: "What has just transpired is already well understood by all of you, even if I do not speak of it! In any case, this matter has made me very angry, and the consequences will be severe! I will inform His Majesty of this incident, so you may await His Majesty's judgment!"

It is outrageous, it is outrageous. To dare to assault a prince within the imperial city is simply audacious beyond measure. Where do you place the laws of our Great Tang? Where do you place the dignity of our royal family? Yan Fei, can you command the Imperial Guards to capture and detain this person?

Swish!

Li Shimin waved his hand without raising his head and said with authority: "Be at ease!"

The dark-faced man dared not show any reluctance, swiftly picking up the gold medal from the ground. He held it with both hands and carefully presented it to Li Yuanba. His dark complexion had even turned a purplish-black due to blood congestion, and his expression resembled that of someone suffering from constipation, which instantly made Li Yuanba feel as if he had swallowed a bowl of chilled sour plum soup on a scorching summer day, a sensation so sour it was beyond description. His dark complexion had even turned a purplish-black due to blood congestion, and his expression resembled that of someone suffering from constipation, which instantly made Li Yuanba feel as if he had swallowed a bowl of chilled sour plum soup on a scorching summer day, a sensation so sour it was beyond description

Does that mean that whenever one sees that little gold medal, it is akin to seeing Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin? Who is Li Shimin? He is like seeing the emperor himself; who would dare not kneel?

Now, that little rascal has brought his mother to see me, which surely means he has done something outrageous again

While reviewing the memorials, Li Shimin paused at the words he heard, furrowing his brow and saying: "How could these two come to see me together? Could it be that that rascal Zhen'er has gotten into some trouble again?"

Li Shimin, who was just sketching on the memorial, was startled by the sudden shout. His right hand trembled violently, and he thought to himself, "What is happening now?"

The man with the dark face felt such regret that he nearly turned his insides blue. He thought to himself, why couldn't he just patrol the palace honestly instead of meddling in this trivial matter? Well, now he had kicked a metal plate, hadn't he? The unfamiliar young man before him, with that little gold medal, had the authority to make even the imperial consorts and princes step aside. As a mere commander of the Right Wing Guard, how could he possibly offend someone like that?

Having already set the tone for Li Zhen's crime in his heart, Li Shimin shook his head and waved his hand, saying: "Let them in!"

In less than a minute, the graceful Lady Yanfei, leading the Han Prince Li Zhen, who had two prominently rounded buttocks and still bore traces of tears on his face, entered the grand hall and gracefully performed a bow.

After a wait of nineteen years, the long-awaited awakening of the fourth brother has finally arrived. During these past several years, Li Shimin, who has endured the torment of guilt from fratricide, suddenly feels a renewed vitality.

Your humble son pays his respects to Your Majesty

Li Zhen's chubby little face was still streaked with tears. He sobbed slightly and said, "Father Emperor, just now in the Western Inner Court, I was playing with my young servant when suddenly a boy of about fifteen or sixteen rushed out and gave me a hard slap on the backside. After that, he even chased after me. Until now, I still do not understand what exactly happened. I implore Father Emperor to take justice for me!"

Enough, there is no need for further words. If you wish to appeal, we shall discuss it before His Majesty shortly!" Saying this, Li Yuanba ignored the group still kneeling on the ground, took the warm, jade-like hand of Xia'er, and headed towards the Divine Dragon Hall.

Damn it, are you trying to send me to prison with all this shouting and grabbing? Do you really think I'm a soft persimmon, easy to bully? If I don't teach you arrogant guys from hetushu.com a lesson, you won't realize how many eyes your grandpa Yuan Ba has!

Li Zhen's crying appearance made Yan Fei feel a pang of distress. She stood up, gently wrapped her arms around Li Zhen's head, and softly patted it a few times. Then, she looked up at Li Yuanba and said, "Esteemed sir, this matter is ultimately just a minor scuffle between brothers. Even if it reaches His Majesty, it would only result in punishment for the two little ones. In my opinion, it would be better to let this matter go. What do you think?"

... ...

"Speak, today you and your mother have come together, what is the purpose of your visit?" Li Shimin continued to review the memorials.

Oh, now you understand it was just a little playful scuffle between brothers. Why didn't you say so earlier?

Li Shimin was quite familiar with this eighth son. This young man had been spoiled by his mother since childhood, and he took advantage of his status as the Prince of Han to act recklessly in the palace. On one occasion, he even injured his uncle, Changsun Huan, the second son of Changsun Wuji, breaking his right leg.

Your servant pays respects to Your Majesty

With his keen eyesight, he could naturally discern that Li Zhen's two buttocks were definitely the result of artificial means. Who would dare to assault a prince within the imperial palace? That would be akin to having the audacity of a bear and the courage of a leopard

Looking at the numerous palace maids and eunuchs kneeling on the ground, Li Yuanba curled his lips. He first pulled up the little girl Xia'er, then pointed at the dark-faced general and said: "Hey, you! Yes, don’t look at anyone else, I’m talking to you! Do you see that gold medal on the ground? Pick it up for me!"

Upon hearing the explanation of the reasons, Li Shimin was immediately filled with great anger.

Everyone, regardless of whether you are a prince, a princess, or a member of the imperial guard, palace maid, or eunuch, knelt down in unison.

Upon hearing this, King Jin Li Zhi let out a sigh of relief. He had never intended for his benefactor to come to harm, even though he had not sided with Li Yuanba earlier.

Beheading? Is this what you call a minor disturbance?

Li Yuanba is indeed a person who seeks revenge for even the slightest grievance, regardless of whether you are his sister-in-law. If it weren't for this gold medal, given your Yanfey's protective nature, you would certainly end up serving a prison sentence, and who knows, you might even lose your head.

As he watched Li Yuanba's figure slowly fade away, the dark-faced general let out a heavy sigh and thought to himself, "Damn it, it seems I have no choice but to make a trip to the Two-Yi Hall! Alas, why am I so unfortunate!"

At this moment, Li Shimin, who is reviewing memorials in the Hall of Two Instruments, feels very pleased

This is simply a blatant slap in the face of the royal family, a slap in the face of Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty

As for the Yan concubine, she wept even more, her tears resembling rain on pear blossoms, evoking deep sympathy in me