Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

Li Shimin thought about many things in that instant.

Li Tai came to express his filial piety and also to advocate for Dou Fengjie.

Dou Fengjie was blatantly threatening that Xi Simin had the funds, but if he wasn't satisfied, the supply might be cut off!

The problem is that even with the combined efforts of the Imperial Pharmacy of the Palace Secretariat and the Imperial Medical Bureau of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, they still couldn't find a good remedy for rubella that could provide immediate relief!

Even if he could extract a single pill of acetaminophen for the imperial physicians to study, who could guarantee that they would be able to crack it or replicate it?

As for the bluebird...

Because of Li Shimin's constant instigation, eleven-year-old Lishi had already awakened and set his sights on the generals in the army.

Li Tai, who only had 333 marriages and 667 households under his control, was originally not worth mentioning.

However, the danger increased dramatically after he recommended Zhishi Sili as the consort of Princess Yongjia.

Zhishi Sili was originally a great general of the Turks, and his son Zhishi Shaode was a Sijin of the Zhishi tribe of the Turks!

Even Ashina Simo, who came from the Turkic royal family, did not have the same influence in the Turkic community as Zhishi Sili.

Ashina Simo had a high nose and deep-set eyes, and his appearance as a non-Turk was disliked by the people of the old Turkic Khaganate. His wife's clan, the Yan Tuo clan, was just a small tribe in the Yin Mountains. Although they were brave, they could not gain the recognition of the Turks.

If Li Tai gets closer to Zhi Shi Si Li, it's hard to say whether the Eastern Palace can still suppress the Yue Prince's Mansion.

It would be a joke if a whetstone could easily break a knife.

Empress Zhangsun smiled sweetly, "Qingque has grown up; she even worries about her aunt finding a husband."

"How about we discuss this further with Father and Mother before giving Qingque an answer?"

The steps have been built, and Li Tai has to get down.

However, Li Shimin and his wife had to seriously consider this proposal.

The princess's marriage to a barbarian general was intended to win him over, so it wasn't entirely unexpected.

Would Princess Yongjia be willing?

Empress Zhangsun's expression turned slightly cold: "His Majesty has been too indulgent towards Yongjia, which has led to her tarnished reputation and being disliked by Dou Fengjie."

Li Shimin smiled wryly: "Let me think it over."

Logically speaking, Li Tai's absurd idea is the best solution at present.

But Yongjia's pitiful appearance made Li Shimin unable to bring himself to be ruthless.

Zhishi Sili was a barbarian general whom Li Shimin wanted to win over, so it wouldn't make sense for him not to marry a princess.

Can you have your cake and eat it too?

"By the way, according to Taiyuan Yuancong's report, Duke Hou Junji of Lu originally planned to marry into the Helan family, but suddenly changed his mind and wants to find a son-in-law from the list of successful candidates next year."

"It is speculated that Dou Fengjie may have persuaded Hou Junji to change his mind."

"Hiss, Hou Junji is such a proud person, how could he listen to other people's advice?"

Li Shimin then remembered something.

Has Hou Junji, who couldn't understand the hints, suddenly gotten the hang of it?

"Isn't His Majesty pleased with this outcome?"

Empress Zhangsun covered her mouth with a fan, her eyes crinkling with a gentle laugh, making her appear exceptionally charming.

Li Shimin could not deny these words.

Although he did not want to see his generals marry into powerful families, he could not change the fact.

Cheng Yaojin's second wife was from the Cui family of Qinghe, while Niu Jinda's first wife was from the Pei family of Hedong.

Hou Junji changed the system to "catching a son-in-law after the imperial examination," which might set a trend and make the generals change their bad habit of marrying into powerful families.

Actually, it doesn't necessarily have to be a scholar who passed the imperial examinations. Scholars who passed the provincial examinations and became Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest level of the imperial examinations) from various prefectures can also become sons-in-law.

"Your Majesty, even Qingque knows how to be filial. Why don't you go to Da'an Palace and pay your respects to the Emperor Emeritus?"

Empress Zhangsun offered her advice.

Li Shimin nodded solemnly.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident left a deep rift between him and his son.

In front of outsiders, the retired Emperor Li Yuan and Li Shimin appeared to be a loving father and a filial son.

When only the father and son were facing each other, Li Yuan cursed loudly, smashed bowls and pots, and Li Shimin argued back.

In a blood-soaked, cult-like system of succession, how difficult it is to avoid bloodshed!

Moreover, this was not an innovation of the Tang Dynasty; the Sui Dynasty was the pioneer.

When they are apart, they miss each other; when they meet, they are disgusted by each other. This is the most noble father and son in the Tang Dynasty.

"When I go to the Shanglin Bureau, I will shoot a deer and send it to Da'an Palace."

The Da'an Palace was originally built by Li Yuan for Li Shimin to live in, but he ended up living there himself, as if fate was playing a joke on him.

-----------------

"My lord, some foreigners have appeared in the West Market, selling nine-eyed pearls, ochre, and braided hair. They have rough faces and claim to be from Tibet."

Dou happy went to the West Market and gave a flamboyant explanation.

Dou Fengjie took a long breath.

Cedarwood is essential for making cedar perfume.

Knowing that the nearest cedar trees were in the Himalayas, only the Tibetans could easily obtain them.

However, this should be the most embarrassing moment for Tibet. The young Xibuye Qizong Nongzan ascended the throne as Zanpu in a time of crisis and tried his best to defend the area south of the mountains.

The entire plateau was still under the dominance of Dayangtong, and the area around the former Supi Kingdom was leaderless. The exiled prince Mangbo Jiesunbo attempted to restore the throne, but the nobles of Supi refused to support him.

In short, the entire plateau was in chaos.

Unfortunately, the Tang Dynasty was too busy to deal with the Tuyuhun, and had no interest in the plateau.

Aside from altitude sickness, the most real problem is that it's too cold.

Nine-eyed beads, besides being pretty, had no practical significance, and the Tang Dynasty did not believe in Bon religion.

Ochre, on the other hand, after years of mutual influence, became a favorite facial ornament for women in the Tang Dynasty.

Even Lady Dou, the Dowager Lady of Lu State, had some ochre makeup on her face, showing that the love of beauty knows no age.

"Nephew! Isn't your aunt beautiful?"

Of course she's beautiful. Beauty comes in different forms at different ages, but unfortunately, Dou Niangzi's beauty is more like that of a woman in her twilight years.

"Fifth Brother has made up his mind. Next year, he will find a handsome and learned young man to marry after the list of successful candidates in the spring boudoir examination!"

"Since the news got out, his affairs at the Ministry of War have been going smoothly."

Lady Dou held a gold ornament shaped like a crimson eagle in her hand, admiring it with obvious delight.

Dou Fengjie smiled and agreed.

Without the marriage alliance, Li Shimin would naturally be less wary, and Hou Junji also possessed ample military expertise, making it easy for him to control the Ministry of War.

Watching Dou Niangzi fiddling with the gold jewelry that clearly had a highland flavor, Dou Fengjie swallowed his words.

You never know if the gold ornaments from the plateau were dug out from the skulls of nobles.

According to the Tang Huiyao, when a nobleman from Dayangtong died, his brain was dug out and filled with pearls and jade, his nose was cut off and inlaid with gold, and his teeth were dug out and replaced with silver.

But what if I tell Madam Dou something that frightens her?

"Aunt, please advise my fifth cousin to be more open-minded and not to be dissatisfied because of the court's reprimands."

Dou Fengjie abruptly changed the subject.

Lady Dou said seriously, "This hits Wu Lang's weakness right here. He's proud and arrogant and can't stand being insulted."

So what if you can't stand being bullied?

Li Jing led six armies to destroy the Turks and capture the Khaganate of Jieli, but upon his return, he was still impeached by Xiao Yu.

While personal grudges certainly played a role, the will of the imperial court also accounted for a considerable proportion.

Those who can withstand hardship can enjoy a peaceful old age.

Those who cannot tolerate being bullied may not have a good end!

Li Shimin was merciful; in other dynasties, a general who had made such great contributions as Li Jing would likely have died because his achievements threatened the emperor.