Transmigrated into Li Chengqian, he effortlessly ascended the throne and became emperor.

Li Shimin was taken aback: "Leave?"

"Go back to Luoyang." Li Yuan's eyes were bright, and he spoke very quickly. "You are the Grand Chancellor of the Shaanxi East Circuit, and the entire Guandong region is under your jurisdiction. I grant you permission to return to Luoyang, raise the imperial banners, just like the story of King Xiao of Liang in the Han Dynasty! There, you can establish your own officials and govern your region without having to be mindful of the Crown Prince's feelings."

If Li Shimin had actually gone to Luoyang, the Tang Dynasty might have even split into two emperors, one in the east and one in the west.

While this could temporarily avoid Li Jiancheng's sharp edge, it also meant that Li Shimin had completely withdrawn from the power center of Chang'an, and it might even escalate into a civil war in the future.

But for Li Shimin, who was in dire straits at this moment, this was undoubtedly a lifeline.

It was also the only way to save Chengqian's life.

The deathly stillness in Li Shimin's eyes finally showed a ripple.

He looked at his father in shock, seemingly unable to believe that Li Yuan would grant such a privilege—the emperor's banner, which meant that he was being recognized as the little emperor of the East.

This was the first time in eight or nine years that Li Yuan had been so open and honest with himself, no longer as a monarch weighing the pros and cons, but as a father wanting to save the lives of his two sons.

"Father..." Li Shimin's lips trembled, and his eyes reddened again.

The grievances and resentment of so many years strangely dissipated somewhat after his father's arrangement to divide the family property.

He was, after all, still that son who longed for his father's love.

"But Father is old and in poor health..." Li Shimin choked up, his genuine emotions at this moment were not feigned. "If I go to Luoyang, who will take care of Father's medicine and medicine? I really can't bear to leave you by my side and leave you alone in Chang'an..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan was also moved to tears.

He stretched out his withered hand and patted Li Shimin's broad shoulder, just like when he was a child.

"Foolish child, the world is one family." Li Yuan pointed to the night outside the window, his tone gentle. "Chang'an and Luoyang are not far apart; a fast horse can take two days to reach them. If I miss you, or miss Yunu, I will visit you and stay for a month or two. Who dares to stop me?"

Li Shimin lowered his head and looked at Chengqian, who was sleeping soundly on the bed.

The child was sleeping restlessly, his brows furrowed even in his dreams. If he were left here, the next time he might die instantly, with no chance of survival.

For Yu Nu, for Lady Changsun, for the lives of hundreds of people in the Qin Prince's Mansion.

He has to leave.

"Your subject..." Li Shimin knelt heavily, his forehead touching the ground, letting out a suppressed cry of grief, "Your subject obeys the decree! Your subject... thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

This kneeling was no longer for the sake of the etiquette between ruler and subject, but for the sake of the father-son relationship, and for this last way out.

Li Yuan closed his eyes, and two streams of tears slid down his wrinkled cheeks.

He knew that by letting go, the landscape of the Tang Dynasty would be completely changed, but he had no other choice.

……

The next day, just as dawn was breaking.

The Prince of Qin's residence was already brightly lit and bustling with activity.

Although the imperial edict was not officially issued, Li Shimin brought back the oral message from the Haichi Palace last night.

Empress Zhangsun directed the servants to pack their belongings overnight. Everyone moved quietly, but there was a sense of panic in their actions.

Li Chengqian lay on a soft couch in Chengxiang Palace, covered with a thick fox fur coat, holding a cup of hot milk in his hands.

Although his face was still pale, the deathly pallor had dissipated, and he was now half-closing his eyes, looking at the gloomy sky outside the window, like a lazy Persian cat.

"Young Master, it's time to take your medicine," Green Bamboo whispered.

Li Chengqian obediently opened his mouth and drank it, and his obedience made Green Bamboo's heart ache and tears streamed down her face.

"Where is Father?"

"The Prince is discussing matters in the front hall, saying he needs to prepare for his trip to Luoyang," Green Bamboo replied, her eyes red-rimmed.

Li Chengqian nodded and said nothing more.

He knew he couldn't go.

The inertia of history is terrifying.

Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji would never let the tiger return to the mountain.

Once Li Shimin arrived in Luoyang, it was like a dragon entering the sea, making him difficult to control.

They will do everything in their power to stop this trip, and may even turn what was originally an assassination attempt into overt coercion.

……

As dawn broke, the faint light did not bring much warmth to the mansion.

The courtyard was piled high with red lacquered camphor wood chests, containing the belongings of hundreds of people from the Qin Prince's mansion.

The warhorse had been fed its fill of hay and was now snorting restlessly, as if it too sensed its impending journey.

Li Shimin, dressed in military attire, stood below the steps with his hand on his sword.

Although his eyes were bloodshot, they radiated an unprecedented sense of ease.

I'm going to Luoyang.

Although it meant political exile and that he would be far removed from the center of power, it was the only way to save his wife and children's lives.

Once he reaches Guandong, with his prestige and influence there, even if his elder brother ascends the throne after his father's death, he will have a fighting chance, or at least be able to become a powerful vassal king with his own army, protecting Yunu for life.

"Your Highness, Lord Changsun and Lord Fang are waiting in the side hall, awaiting the official imperial decree before we set off," Yuchi Gong said gruffly, a rare smile appearing on his face. "I, Old Hei, have long wanted to return to Luoyang. I've had enough of this awful Chang'an!"

Li Shimin nodded slightly, a faint smile curving his lips.

However, before the curve could fully open, it froze at the corner of her mouth.

The tranquility of the morning was shattered by a series of rapid and chaotic hoofbeats in the distance.

It wasn't the Ministry of Rites officials who came to issue the imperial edict, but rather the palace eunuchs, followed by a troop of imperial guards with grim expressions.

Li Shimin's heart sank suddenly, and a familiar yet nauseating premonition welled up in his mind.

"A divine decree—"

The eunuch's high-pitched voice echoed in the empty courtyard.

"The matter of Prince Qin, Li Shimin, leaving the capital is to be postponed for now. The matter of Luoyang is of great importance and will be discussed later. Prince Qin is hereby ordered to enter the palace for an audience immediately. This is the imperial decree."

Yuchi Gong's smile froze, and the riding whip in his hand fell to the ground with a "snap".

Li Shimin slowly raised his head, and his once all-powerful eagle eyes were now filled with a desolate chill.

He did not accept the imperial decree, but stared intently at the eunuch who delivered it, as if trying to see through the layers of palace walls to uncover the treacherous schemes of the people behind it.

It's always like this.

always like this.

They gave us a glimmer of hope, only to cut it off with their own hands.

"We'll discuss this later..." Li Shimin repeated these four words in a low voice, his voice hoarse as if polished by sandpaper. "Well said, 'We'll discuss this later.'"

……

Taiji Palace, Liangyi Hall.

Just two hours ago, a conversation took place here that was enough to change the fate of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji did not cry hysterically; they knew the old man sitting on the throne all too well.

Li Yuan was not only a father, but also a founding emperor with an extremely strong desire to control the imperial power at that time.

"Father, if Erlang goes to Luoyang, the Tang Dynasty will probably have two suns."

Li Jiancheng knelt on the ground, heartbroken and earnest, saying, "Second Prince enjoys immense prestige in Guandong; he single-handedly built this empire. Now he leaves the capital with resentment, like a dragon entering the sea, or a tiger returning to the mountains. If he raises the banner of rebellion in Luoyang, relying on the strategic advantage of Hangu Pass, Father, will you personally lead the army to punish your own son?"

Li Yuan's hand holding the vermilion brush trembled slightly, and a drop of ink fell onto the memorial, staining it black.

Li Yuanji added menacingly, "Father, Second Brother's Tian Ce Mansion is full of fierce generals. If he goes to Luoyang, who can control him? In that case, in Chang'an, who will listen to Father or that 'little emperor' in Luoyang?"

Li Yuan loved his son, but he loved his throne even more.

Just last night, he felt guilty about his grandson's poisoning and wanted to spare Erlang's life.

But when this paternal love clashed with the consolidation of imperial power, the scales tipped instantly.

"We can't let him go," Li Yuan muttered to himself, as if trying to convince himself. "As long as I'm here, how dare he rebel? If he stays in Chang'an, at least he's still under my watchful eye."