Let me help you.

Upon hearing Li Shimin’s words, Li Tai’s expression changed at once. With that single sentence, he was forced to confront the very problem he’d agonized over for half the day back at his manor—over twenty sets of high-end furniture. If he had to pay triple compensation for all of them, he truly faced a long stretch of hardship. Yet, at this moment, he dared not haggle further with his father; otherwise, he could not guarantee he’d leave the Hall of Supreme Harmony on his own two feet.

The thought filled him with sorrow, and he burst into tears right there in the grand hall. Li Shimin, seeing his son cry, felt both bewildered and irritated. Stern-faced, he asked, “What are you crying for? Do you feel wronged?”

Through tears, Li Tai replied, “Father, your son has no money to pay the compensation!”

Li Shimin was taken aback. He could not help but ask, “You’re only returning the money you earned from selling furniture—how could you have no money?”

He paused, considering a possibility, then continued, “Did you squander all the money you made so quickly?”

Li Tai hastily shook his head, unwilling to admit it. If he truly had spent all the money, Li Shimin might well beat him again, for Li Shimin was a great advocate of thrift and strongly opposed wastefulness among his children.

Seeing his father’s puzzled look, Li Tai explained, “Father, according to the law, your son must pay triple fines for selling counterfeit goods!”

Li Shimin, after hearing the explanation, turned to Li Daozong, who stood nearby. Li Daozong confirmed, “According to commercial law, triple compensation is indeed required.”

At last, Li Shimin understood why Li Tai was crying. Triple fines could easily bankrupt him. Now, even the father struggled, for he was not much wealthier than his son; otherwise, he would not have driven Empress Zhangsun to raise chickens and ducks herself. The more he thought about it, the more vexed he felt by Li Tai’s blunder, and he stood up, intent on venting his anger with a beating.

But fortune favored Li Tai this time. Just as Li Shimin rose, Fang Xuanling and Li Zhi entered to report the day’s progress. Fang Xuanling immediately took in the scene and asked, “Your Majesty, what is happening here?”

Li Shimin merely snorted, refusing to answer.

Li Daozong then explained the situation. Fang Xuanling, after hearing his account, was left speechless. According to the law, there were only two paths—either pay compensation or go to prison. Even if one served time, upon release, he would still be required to pay. This was under the revised statute. Li Zhi’s opinion was even harsher: confiscate the offender’s assets and shut down their workshop.

Fang Xuanling had thought triple fines or imprisonment would be deterrent enough. Adding asset seizure and closure seemed overly strict. Yet, reality had swiftly disproved his assumptions—the law had barely been issued, and someone had already tempted fate. Worse yet, the offender was none other than a prince.

As Li Shimin and the others found themselves at an impasse, Li Zhi spoke: “Father, your son has recently earned some money. I can help Fourth Brother with his debts.”

His words drew a chorus of gasps in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Li Shimin, scarcely believing it, asked, “Zhinu… you can help your fourth brother repay his debts?”

The others were equally stunned. Li Zhi had just been granted his fief, which he had yet to collect. Any money he had must have come from selling furniture. Yet, if selling furniture was so profitable, how could Li Tai be unable to pay?

Everyone instinctively turned their gaze to Li Tai. At this moment, he felt utterly desperate. How could he explain it? Should he confess that, because his furniture was counterfeit, it could only be sold through repeated transactions, which greatly increased sales costs? Or admit that he sold too few pieces and had not recouped his investment?

Either explanation would reveal he fully understood the workshop’s situation, and then his father would surely beat him to death. Now, he could only remain silent, letting others believe he lacked ability and had been deceived by his subordinates. He knew it was humiliating, but at that moment, saving his skin was more important than saving face.

His silence had the desired effect. Li Shimin snorted coldly and said, “Useless thing.” Fang Xuanling and Li Daozong quietly turned their heads away.

Li Zhi’s thoughts were much the same, for he did not fully understand Li Tai’s predicament. Only Zhang Anan, standing in the corner, knew the truth. He had seen Li Tai in utter panic. Knowing the inside story, Zhang Anan was more shocked than anyone.

Though angry, Li Shimin knew the matter had to be settled. He said to Li Tai, “It seems you are not cut out for business. Since Zhinu is willing to help you repay your debts, why not give him your workshop?”

Li Tai had no objection—he had never wanted to run that troublesome workshop any longer. To hand it over to Li Zhi would relieve him of some obligations. He quickly agreed, saying to Li Zhi, “Thank you, Ninth Brother, for rescuing your elder brother from calamity. I am forever grateful…”

Li Tai poured out his thanks, all of them sincere—Li Zhi had indeed helped him greatly.

Li Zhi replied, “Fourth Brother, you are too polite. We are brothers, after all; we should support and help each other.”

Li Zhi’s fine words came easily. His main motive in helping Li Tai repay the fine was to maintain their relationship and lull him into complacency, thus gaining an advantage in future struggles. After all, the matter had developed to the point where, aside from costing Li Tai more money, it had little impact on Li Zhi himself. Li Tai could easily find a scapegoat to placate the public’s resentment. To Li Zhi, paying the fine was no trouble at all, and now, unexpectedly, he had gained a workshop as well.

With Li Zhi stepping forward, the customers who had bought counterfeit goods were soon appeased. Li Zhi provided each family with a genuine set of furniture and double compensation. As for the furniture itself, he reclaimed it for his own workshop. With some anti-counterfeiting measures, he could resell it for the price of a genuine piece.

Moreover, Li Tai’s workshop greatly pleased Li Zhi. It contained not only many skilled workers but also ample materials and completed furniture. All in all, Li Zhi had not lost money in this exchange and had performed admirably before Li Shimin.