Chapter 23

Li Jiancheng became the focus of everyone in the hall after drinking three cups of wine. Unwilling to be overshadowed, Li Shimin also took the opportunity to become the main character of the banquet.

The two main figures released their auras, secretly competing with each other, neither giving in.

Except for a few people with ulterior motives, most in the hall had not yet seen through the game, thinking that the brothers had a deep bond and did not take it seriously.

After all, it was only the fifth year of Wude, and there was no real conflict between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin.

The two brothers represented two extremes. One, as the crown prince, had a strong political foundation but a relatively weak military base. The other, as the Heavenly Strategist General, had outstanding military capital but a weaker political foundation.

Therefore, Li Shimin tried to make up for his shortcomings, intentionally or unintentionally accumulating a political base. Li Jiancheng also intentionally or unintentionally increased his military support.

Both sides were in a stable development phase, with no signs of conflict.

Luo Shixin also noticed something and felt greatly relieved. To be honest, he did not want to get overly involved in this tragic family affair. However, he knew that some things were unavoidable. But getting involved too early and becoming a calculating politician was too exhausting. It was better to fight the Turks and earn more merits; find a wife and start a family—do some meaningful things.

Now that Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin had not yet started their conflict, it was the best possible situation.

"General Luo, you don't have a residence in Chang'an yet, right?"

Due to the four cups of wine from Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin, the atmosphere became lively, and the banquet began to take shape, with people drinking, chatting, and enjoying the dance.

To be honest, Luo Shixin had no artistic appreciation for ancient dances and had no idea what they were performing.

However, as palace performers, their appearances were undoubtedly excellent, so he could just enjoy the beauty.

When the wine and conversation were flowing, Li Jiancheng suddenly asked Luo Shixin.

Luo Shixin thought, "It's finally here!" and shook his head, replying, "Not yet! I didn't expect to be transferred to Chang'an, so I didn't have time to prepare."

Li Jiancheng said seriously, "General, you have rendered great service to our Tang Dynasty. If you don't even have a place to live, wouldn't it make the world laugh at our Tang for mistreating its heroes? I have a vacant property in Yongxing Fang, and I will give it to you."

When Li Jiancheng finished speaking, Luo Shixin received many envious looks. Yongxing Fang was a place where the royal family and nobles gathered, and in the寸土寸金 (highly valuable land) of Chang'an, it was a prime location.

"This... it's not quite right!" Luo Shixin felt a bit troubled. Although Cheng Yaojin had advised him to accept it, he could tell that this was Li Shimin's secret instruction. He didn't want to accept favors without earning them, and he could afford to buy a house. Accepting Li Jiancheng's favor without reason made him feel uneasy.

Regardless of his past or present life, Luo Shixin was the kind of person who didn't like to owe others.

Li Jiancheng said, "What's not right? Are you dissatisfied, General?"

At this point, Luo Shixin knew how to be flexible and nodded, "Alright, then I will thank Your Highness for your kindness."

Li Jiancheng was delighted, "That's the spirit! My father and I will never mistreat any hero." His words were loaded with meaning, seizing every opportunity to win people's hearts.

After the banquet, Li Jiancheng sent a young eunuch to escort Luo Shixin to his new residence.

Luo Shixin had originally planned to stay at Qin Qiong's house for a few days and slowly consider buying a house. Given Li Jiancheng's enthusiasm, he could only inform Qin Qiong and follow the eunuch to Yongxing Fang.

Chang'an's city planning was neat and strict. The Zhuque Avenue, which ran north to south, divided the city into eastern and western sections. Yongxing Fang was located in the third street of the eastern section, the sixth ward, north of Yongchang Fang across the Chunming Avenue, and south of Chongren Fang, just two wards away from the East Market of Chang'an.

The mansions in the ward were all luxurious and magnificent, and the people passing by were mostly in groups, with high status, truly a prime location for officials and nobles.

After walking for a while, the young eunuch pointed to a mansion on the left, "General, this is your new residence."

Luo Shixin looked and was amazed. The crown prince's generosity was indeed extraordinary. The mansion in front of him was an incredibly luxurious residence: two fierce qilins (mythical creatures) sat majestically on either side of the gate, the gate frame was made of stone with a round arch, and the top of the gate was adorned with various carvings and paintings, each unique and distinct. The entire gate exuded grandeur and uniqueness. More impressively, the sign "Luo Mansion" was already hanging on the eaves.

The young eunuch knocked on the gate.

An elderly man came out and bowed from a distance, "By the order of the crown prince, I will temporarily manage Luo Mansion, and the servants are also temporarily provided by His Highness until you hire your own."

Luo Shixin felt greatly relieved, thinking, "Li Jiancheng is truly remarkable, meticulous and considerate, leaving no room for criticism."

The talk of temporary provision was just a formality. These people were clearly the servants and managers of the mansion, but because the mansion was given to him, Li Jiancheng did not want a house full of the crown prince's servants to cause any misunderstandings. He used the term "temporary provision" to allow Luo Shixin to choose trustworthy subordinates.

The young eunuch took his leave first.

Luo Shixin expressed his gratitude and walked around the mansion. The interior was luxuriously built and richly decorated, with a symmetrical three-court structure and a wall with a central screen. The roofs were all round-topped, and the main house and side rooms were connected by corridors, surrounding the courtyard. The eaves of the main house were decorated with circular patterns, while the side rooms had no decoration, showing the roof tiles directly. The eaves, pillars, and beams of the main house and side rooms were all carved from wood, and the walls and the eastern screen wall were adorned with various types of calligraphy and paintings, making the entire courtyard look extremely luxurious and elegant.

Luo Shixin had never imagined he would live in such a house and couldn't help but say, "I really am living like a lord now."

Looking at the sky, it was nearly dusk, and there was nothing to do. He thought about practicing his martial arts and getting some rest, planning to start his new position the next day. Thinking about his new position, Luo Shixin realized he had no idea what a Right General of the Cavalry Guard did, let alone how to temporarily take over the duties of the Right General of the Cavalry Guard.

"I need to find someone to ask!" Luo Shixin changed into a loose-fitting martial arts outfit and rode out of the mansion.

He remembered that Cheng Yaojin lived in Chongren Fang, not far away, and rode there.

On the way, he encountered a group of people. There were more than thirty of them, surrounding a luxurious carriage, behaving arrogantly and recklessly.

Luo Shixin was controlling his horse when he suddenly heard a shout, "How dare you! Men, drag this guy down and beat him up!"

Luo Shixin didn't know what had happened, but people were already rushing at him, grabbing his reins and legs.

PS: I had to work overtime, so the update is late, sorry. The next update will also be late because I have some personal matters to attend to. Please understand.

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