hsntnovel Chapter 2652 Li Shimin's Self-Doubt
Chapter 2652 Li Shimin's Self-Doubt
Inside the Shenlong Hall, Li Shimin lay on his bed, with Xu Hui and Consort Xu massaging his head beside him.
Empress Zhangsun sat beside Li Shimin, feeding him a bowl of hangover soup spoonful by spoonful.
Consort Wei, meanwhile, sat at a tea table to the side, elegantly demonstrating her tea ceremony skills.
The other concubines sat around Li Shimin, chatting idly; a group of beautiful women.
Li Shimin squinted, feeling that this kind of life was truly wonderful. No wonder that rebellious son stayed at home all day and never came out.
People used to say that a gentle life is a graveyard for heroes, but now that he's a hero with nothing to do, he suddenly thinks that a gentle life isn't so bad after all.
Life is short, so seize the day and enjoy it while you can—this was a phrase that the rebellious son often uttered.
Looking back now, it makes some sense. I've been on the throne for over twenty years, but how much time have I actually had to enjoy life?
Even when he occasionally visited the villa, he was always concerned about state affairs, and often he would bring along important officials from the court.
"Erlang, what's wrong?" Empress Zhangsun asked when she saw Li Shimin in a daze.
"Alas, I suddenly realized that I have spent my life on the battlefield, served as emperor, and now enjoy wealth and honor. It has truly been a worthwhile life."
Li Shimin sighed.
"Hehe, why is Erlang so sentimental? Could it be due to Shen'er's influence?" Empress Zhangsun asked with a smile.
In the Tang Dynasty, apart from her good son Li Shen, there was no one else who knew how to enjoy wealth and luxury.
Moreover, they can articulate extravagance and debauchery in a very eloquent manner.
"Don't mention that rebellious son. If it weren't for him, would I have such a headache?"
Every time he's by my side, he makes me so angry that I get a splitting headache and lose ten years of my lifespan.
The mere mention of Li Shen caused Li Shimin to scoff.
In just one day, Li Shimin was so angry with Li Shen that he almost died. Being with Li Shen always gave him the urge to beat him up.
Li Shimin simply couldn't stand Li Shen anymore, which is why he sent all his sons home, especially that scoundrel.
He was constantly talking about cheating and swindling; he not only cheated him, but he was even so heartless that he wanted to cheat Xiao Shisan and Xiao Shisi.
If he hadn't run fast, they would have caught him on the spot and thrown him into the Ministry of Justice prison to reflect on his actions.
"Second Brother, don't be angry. Shen'er is still young. Isn't it normal for him to like to play around?"
Among the sons of noble families in Chang'an, which one wasn't a spoiled brat by nature? They'll all mature and become more sensible as they grow up.
"After all, he's still just a child." Empress Zhangsun comforted her husband as he was angry.
But when Empress Zhangsun said that Li Shen was still a child, Li Shimin's beard twitched twice.
He couldn't help but glance at his empress twice.
"Guanyinbi, I finally understand the true meaning of the saying 'A doting mother spoils her son.' That rebellious son dares to act so recklessly because of your pampering."
I investigated his past. Before the age of nine, he was a steady and quiet person who never wanted to interact with others.
He would refuse when many spoiled young men from the Imperial Academy asked him to go hunting, using his studies as an excuse, let alone go to brothels and pleasure boats.
Until he was nine years old.
Li Shimin paused at this point, and the rest was self-evident: after the age of nine, he would be pampered by everyone.
"Is Erlang blaming me? Shen'er saved my life, and he is my son. Shouldn't I love him?"
Shen'er does like to be mischievous, but he has never made a mistake on matters of principle. Over the years, he has shared the Emperor's burdens and served the court. Has he not made any contributions?
Moreover, without Shen'er's help, it's hard to imagine what Gao Ming would be like now.
"I am truly content to have such a son; it is all thanks to my sister's excellent parenting skills."
Although Empress Zhangsun was virtuous, she was the head of the palace and was on equal footing with the emperor.
In the imperial harem, sometimes a person's word carries more weight than the emperor's.
Moreover, only Empress Zhangsun had the qualifications and courage to argue with the emperor.
Seeing that Empress Zhangsun was somewhat angry, Li Shimin quickly took his beloved wife's hand:
"Guanyinbi has misunderstood. How could I blame you? You manage the entire harem and keep its customs in perfect order."
Not only do you have to manage the concubines, but you also have to educate your children. You've worked so hard all these years.
I was just saying that the tenth prince sometimes acted too recklessly; I wasn't denying what he did to the court.
I am very pleased about this.
You're right, the Imperial Concubine was indeed skilled at raising her son.
Li Shimin quickly admitted his mistake; he was just venting his frustrations. He had to acknowledge Li Shen's significant contributions to the court.
"Your Majesty flatters me. I dare not take credit for it. It is all thanks to the Empress's constant and effective guidance."
Consort Wei walked over with a cup of tea and said softly.
Although her son was prone to misbehavior, in the eyes of Consort Wei, who came from a prestigious family, it was not a big deal.
It's just that some of the things they did were indeed a bit excessive.
However, compared to his contributions to the Tang Dynasty, it was completely insignificant.
The nearly 10,000-mile road that Li Shen built during the Tang Dynasty alone is enough to be recorded in history and praised by later generations.
But her son did not take credit for it; all the roads he built were built in the names of His Majesty, the Empress, and herself.
This has greatly increased the popularity and support for His Majesty. Isn't this a sign of filial piety?
What displeased Consort Wei the most was that Li Shen would provoke the Emperor for no reason and even deliberately provoke him, causing her to live in constant fear.
"Erlang, Shen'er is good. Erlang shouldn't always be so hard on Shen'er. If this goes on for too long, won't it break Shen'er's heart?"
Empress Zhangsun earnestly advised him, saying that she felt His Majesty always exploited Li Shen and frequently robbed him of his property, which was not good.
Every year, they send so many gifts; such filial piety is truly rare. How many of their twenty-odd children can do that?
"Your Majesty, I think the Empress is absolutely right. Prince Ji has been well-educated and reasonable since childhood, and he is honest and upright. What is most rare is that he is very filial."
At this moment, Consort Yan, the birth mother of the eighth prince Li Zhen, spoke up, saying that Li Shen had once saved his life, and she should speak up for Li Shen out of both sentiment and reason.
"Yes, Prince Ji is exceptionally talented, humble, polite, filial, loyal, and trustworthy. It is evident that His Majesty has provided excellent guidance in his upbringing."
Consort Yang, the mother of the third prince Li Ke, also expressed her approval.
"Indeed, His Highness Prince Ji is indeed filial."
"Yes, His Highness Prince Ji is indeed both intelligent and talented."
In no time, Li Shen's aunts, stepmothers, and even his stepmothers surrounded his father and began to praise him.
Li Shimin lay in the middle, suddenly feeling somewhat dazed. Was this still his own harem? Had he come to the wrong place?
Could it be that I've had too much to drink and ended up at Prince Ji's residence?
He opened his eyes and looked around to make sure he was okay before he felt relieved.
Yes, they are indeed his concubines, but why are they all speaking well of that rebellious son now?
Was I really wrong? Should I have kept bullying that bastard?
At this moment, Li Shimin began to fall into deep self-doubt.
(I was wrong, I was too lazy. I said I would start correcting typos, but I only did it for one day and then I lost interest.)