hsntnovel Chapter 2817 Li Shimin's Kindness
Chapter 2817 Li Shimin's Kindness
There's a saying: "You have a path to heaven but choose not to take it; you have no gate to hell but choose to barge in."
Although Li Shimin had never heard this saying before, he was thinking the same thing.
Upon hearing of Li Shen's arrival, a smile slowly appeared on that calm face.
"Hehe, Wang De, did you see that? I knew this rebellious son would come, and I even knew he was here to apologize."
I just didn't expect him to arrive so late.
Li Shimin was all smiles. When he heard the news from outside, he thought Li Shen would come that day. He didn't expect him to be so many days late.
"Your Majesty is wise and insightful. How could Prince Ji possibly be a match for Your Majesty?" Wang De quickly bowed and flattered him.
“Go and call this rebellious son over. Since we have nothing to do today, let’s play with him for a while.”
Tell the Empress that I will not be having lunch at the Lizheng Hall today.
Li Shimin gave an order to Wang De.
"Yes, this old servant will arrange it right away." Wang De immediately understood his master's meaning; he was looking for some fun.
After Wang De left, Li Shimin sat there and changed his posture a few times, feeling that he didn't feel good and lacked his father's domineering aura.
He stood up, checked the surroundings, and finally pulled the rocking chair next to the glass room, lay down, and turned his head to look in the direction of the South China Sea Pool.
But he quickly got up, picked up the newspaper from the table, and took a blanket back to the rocking chair.
When Li Shen was led into the glass room, he saw his father holding a newspaper and covered with a blanket.
He was lying in the rocking chair, seemingly reading a newspaper, yet also appearing to be asleep.
The scene was very peaceful and warm. Li Shen's first thought was that it would be great to have a camera so that he could take a beautiful picture.
Or you could take a photo with the dog and call it "Old Man and Dog".
It must be said that this scene did touch the heart of Li Shen, this unscrupulous businessman, and he was reminded of that song, "When You Are Old".
"Your son greets Father." Li Shen slowly approached his father and bowed.
"You've arrived." Li Shimin put down his newspaper, turned to look at Li Shen with kind eyes, and softly uttered three words.
"Yes, Father, your son has come to apologize."
Normally, if his father had just teased or scolded him as usual, Li Shen wouldn't have felt guilty.
But now that his father was treating him so kindly, Li Shen felt a little guilty.
"What's wrong? Did you get into trouble again?" It was the same voice, tinged with a hint of reproach, but mostly with doting affection.
With a thud, Li Shen knelt down. "I am guilty. I did not think things through. I did not anticipate that someone would spread rumors and failed to control the gossip outside. I beg Father to punish me."
Li Shen inwardly cried out in horror; who could withstand such a subtle attack? Li Shen wasn't afraid of his father's toughness; he had come prepared to be beaten.
He never expected his father to pull this stunt. He really wanted to tell his father, "Can't you speak properly? Don't be so gentle."
"You didn't spread these rumors, so what does it have to do with you? Get up."
Li Shimin remained calm, but Li Shen became increasingly uneasy. Was he going to behead him as a sacrifice to the heavens?
Is it a harbinger of an impending storm? Or the darkness before dawn?
"Father, I am willing to be punished. Please, Father, bring out the family law." Li Shen slowly lay down on the ground, tentatively looking at his father.
To everyone's surprise, his father remained motionless, as serene as an old man. He merely glanced at Li Shen, who was lying on the ground, and then spoke:
"Forget it, it's not your fault. Get up."
I am neither a foolish ruler nor an unreasonable person. I punished you before because you were in the wrong first.
This was neither your wish nor your doing. How could I punish you without distinguishing right from wrong? Wouldn't that make me unreasonable?
“This…” Li Shen was a little confused as he lay on the ground. He slowly got up but still knelt down, turned his head to look at Wang De who had returned, and asked in his eyes.
What exactly is going on today? Is it a show of fatherly love, a show of understanding, or is there something else going on?
When Wang De met Li Shen's gaze, he smiled without saying a word, and shook his head slightly to indicate that he understood as well.
This gave Li Shen an even bigger headache. Why had his father started changing his ways? He hadn't told him beforehand.
“Well… Father, I know I’m guilty and I will do my best to make amends. I started working on getting people to stop these rumors a couple of days ago.”
They also sent people to investigate the source of the information, but there are no results yet; the other party is doing a very secretive job.
Li Shen braced himself and began to report his response and support.
Judging from the current situation, either his father has gone mad, or he has some grand scheme in mind, so he needs to be careful.
"Yes, you did a good job. I trust you completely with your work." Li Shimin nodded slightly.
As he sat up, Wang De quickly went over to help him up.
After Li Shimin got up, he went to the tea table, poured a cup of tea for Li Shen, and handed it to him.
"Come on, have a cup of tea before we talk."
"Thank you, Father." Li Shen trembled as he accepted the teacup. He began to calculate how much money he had left in his treasury, and whether it would be enough to settle this matter.
Judging from my father's current state, things are probably not going to end well.
Li Shimin poured himself another cup of tea and said softly:
"Tenth Prince, I am aware of the rumors circulating outside. To be honest, I don't think they are all wrong."
"You have indeed made a wise decision, possess great wisdom, have the world in your heart, and are wholeheartedly devoted to the people. I think you are absolutely right about that."
"This... I'm terrified." Li Shen's hand trembled slightly, and he quickly bowed. What exactly did his father mean by this?
At this moment, Li Shimin suddenly sighed:
"Alas~~~ It's a pity you're not the eldest son. Although you're outstanding and have great ambitions, it will be extremely difficult for you to inherit the throne."
I am willing to do so, but the entire court will not agree. How can I explain this to the people of the world?
You are the most outstanding among the princes, and the one I have the highest hopes for. You are very much like me back then.
In my heart, you were truly the best candidate for the crown prince, but unfortunately..."
"Pfft~~~~"
Before Li Shimin could finish speaking, Li Shen spat out a mouthful of calming tea, staring at his father in disbelief.
Suddenly, Li Shen threw the teacup on the ground and lay prostrate on the ground.
"Father, just tell me what you want. I'm timid, don't scare me."
Li Shimin looked down at Li Shen, who was prostrate on the ground, and slowly a victorious smile appeared on his lips.
Then he regained his kind expression and sighed again:
"Sigh~~~~ Get up. I didn't say anything. Why are you so timid and cautious?"
"Wang De, quickly help Prince Ji up."