“Shu Bengtu slammed the table, his handsome face flushed with anger. He knew exactly what kind of scoundrel his son was—he was absolutely capable of something like abducting women. But he hadn’t expected his son to be so bold this time, actually daring to lay hands on John Harris’s granddaughter.

John Harris, courtesy name Shiwen, was the grandson of Emperor Xuan of Later Liang and the great-grandson of Crown Prince Xiao Tong. Empress Xiao, wife of Emperor Yang of Sui, was his biological elder sister. Tang Gaozu Li Yuan and John Harris’s wife were maternal cousins, so by that reckoning, Li Shimin should call him “maternal uncle.” Moreover, John Harris was known for his strict and rigid conduct, repeatedly defying imperial will and having been dismissed from the chancellorship three times, yet his temper never changed in the slightest. Even Li Shimin usually gave way to him. Who would have thought that his own lawless son would dare provoke John Harris’s granddaughter?

Just then, a young eunuch rushed into the grand hall, knelt down, and reported, “Your Majesty, the Duke of Song and his son James Harris request an audience!”

Li Shimin immediately felt a splitting headache. Great, now the aggrieved party had come knocking, and as the father, he’d have to clean up his son’s mess. James Harris was probably the father of William Harris; though born of a concubine, he was said to be quite favored by John Harris. This was going to be troublesome. Prince Cheng Yaojin and his son, who were standing nearby, exchanged smiles—this was no longer their concern; they could just stay and watch the show.

On the twenty-second day of the third month in the tenth year of Zhenguan, Emperor Taizong of Tang issued an edict: citing the Prince of Liang’s excessive unruliness, he ordered him to be confined for three months. The daughter of James Harris, the second son of the Duke of Song, William Harris, virtuous and gentle, was bestowed in marriage to the Prince of Liang, with the wedding date to be chosen.

Chapter Two: The Wonderful Life in Great Tang

The engagement between Prince Liang Steven Thompson and the granddaughter of John Harris, William Harris, immediately caused a sensation throughout Chang’an. Although William Harris was a renowned beauty in the city, her father James Harris was born of one of John Harris’s concubines. Despite being much loved by John Harris, he could not escape his status as a son of secondary birth. To make matters worse, William Harris herself was not born of James Harris’s principal wife, but was also a concubine’s daughter—a secondary of a secondary, making her status even lower.

In the Tang dynasty, an era that placed great emphasis on family background, William Harris, despite her beauty, could at best marry a nobleman of similar status, and had absolutely no chance of becoming a princess consort. After all, no matter how unruly the Prince of Liang was, he was still a royal prince of the highest status. Now, however, Emperor Taizong had betrothed a concubine’s daughter to be Li Zhi’s wife, instantly making him the laughingstock of the entire Tang aristocracy, and making it clear to many that His Majesty harbored resentment toward his son, the Prince of Liang.

“Hahaha~ Who would have thought that after teasing a beauty, I’d end up with her as my wife? Such a great beauty, what a bargain for me! This wicked feudal society really is the best!” Prince Liang Eric Thompson, actually the modern man Robert Thompson, said with a laugh as he gnawed on a bear paw. He had thought he was doomed by poison, but unexpectedly woke up to find himself transmigrated—into the tenth year of Zhenguan, the most prosperous era in Chinese history. His new identity was even more remarkable: a royal prince. Though his reputation was terrible, at least he enjoyed a life of luxury and never had to worry about those apartments costing tens of thousands per square meter.

Thinking of this, Robert Thompson—no, he should now be called Prince Liang Edward Thompson—felt a surge of pride. What did a bad reputation matter? He was a prince—who could he possibly fear? With his status and looks, he could win over a few top beauties and sample all the world’s delicacies. That was his ideal life! At this thought, Charles Thompson touched his own face. The Li family genes really were good. He had already met Henry Thompson, who was indeed a heroic young man, and though he himself was not yet of age, he was already quite the handsome youth. Hmm, not much worse than in his previous life! Charles Thompson narcissistically compared his looks from both lives and found he still preferred his original appearance—after all, he’d looked in the mirror for over twenty years. Thinking of his past life, David Thompson couldn’t help but feel a wave of melancholy and confusion.

In his previous life, Robert Thompson was a typical post-80s kid. He studied hard for over a decade, finally got into a third-rate university, but for various reasons, he resolutely dropped out and entered society. Though his family and friends all opposed it, the stubborn Robert Thompson followed his own path.

Once in society, he quickly discovered that life was not always beautiful. With no degree and no experience, he couldn’t find a good job. For the sake of survival, he had no choice but to swallow his pride and take odd jobs—cleaning toilets, carrying bricks—whatever it took. He was young and strong, so he never starved wherever he went. After three years of odd jobs, he used his savings to open a woodcarving crafts shop. He couldn’t get rich, but at least he wouldn’t starve.

Robert Thompson didn’t have many hobbies, except for one: he was a bit of a foodie. Whenever he encountered delicious food, he would try every way to get a taste. Unfortunately, he was always short on cash and didn’t like to cook, so he rarely had the chance to truly indulge himself.