Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

With Li Chengqian confined to his quarters, Li Shimin began his questionable actions.

On this day, at the grand court assembly, Li Shimin announced that he would grant Prince Wei, Li Tai, the authority to establish the Hongwen Academy to recruit talented individuals.

This news caused an uproar throughout the court!

What does Your Majesty mean by this? Could it be that Your Majesty is considering changing the heir apparent?

At that moment, Wei Zheng immediately stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't! His Highness Prince Wei is a vassal king. What right does he have to open the Hongwen Academy to recruit talented people?"

Your Majesty, I humbly request that you rescind your decree and, in accordance with the laws of the Tang Dynasty, allow Prince Wei to proceed to his fiefdom!

Upon hearing this, a hint of resentment flashed in Li Tai's eyes as he looked at Wei Zheng.

That old scoundrel is trying to ruin my plans again!

Li Tai hurriedly cupped his hands to Li Shimin, and managed to squeeze out a few tears from his fleshy face as he spoke:

"Father! I do not want to go to my fief. I cannot bear to leave you and Mother. I would rather not be a prince than be able to serve you both!"

His expression was so sincere and touching that even Li Shimin, sitting on the dragon throne, was deeply moved!

However, Wei Zheng was a man who would not tolerate such behavior.

He immediately spoke:

"Your Majesty! Prince Wei's words are utterly wrong. As a prince of the Great Tang, you have enjoyed the offerings of the people since childhood. Now that you have grown up, you should have the responsibility to govern the people of the Great Tang. But now, Prince Wei is not ambitious and only cares about his own family while neglecting the people. What kind of reason is this?"

If Your Highness the Prince of Wei insists on this, I request that Your Highness be demoted to a commoner. This way, Your Highness can serve Your Majesty and fulfill Your Highness's filial piety, achieving the best of both worlds!

Surely His Highness Prince Wei, in order to please His Majesty and the Empress, wouldn't care about the mere title of Prince?

As Wei Zheng finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent. Pei Ji, who was standing next to Wei Zheng, subconsciously took half a step to the side, pretending not to know him!

At this moment, Li Tai, who was standing at the front, had a livid face. Although he still looked pitiful at Li Shimin on the surface, he had already cursed Wei Zheng's ancestors for eight generations in his heart!

Damn you, Wei Zheng, you've already met your end!

"Wei Zheng! How dare you! Since when did it become your place to interfere in the affairs of this princely position?"

Just then, an imperial censor stepped forward and shouted.

He immediately cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Li Shimin and then spoke:

"Your Majesty! Filial piety is the most important of all virtues! His Highness Prince Wei is benevolent and filial, which is a blessing to the Tang Dynasty. Moreover, there is true affection even outside the law. He simply wants to spend a few more years with his father. What is Wei Zheng's true intention in making such a fuss?"

Just then, another person stepped forward.

"Your Majesty! I wish to impeach Wei Zheng for flattering the masses and for his insubordination!"

……

Upon seeing the two people who stepped forward, Li Shimin, whose expression had been somewhat unpleasant due to Wei Zheng's words, suddenly showed a look of surprise.

Are these two people from the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Zheng family of Xingyang?

Why would these people stand up for Qingque?

Thinking of this, Li Shimin couldn't help but take a deep look at Li Tai, who was looking at him with a pitiful expression.

Am I overthinking things?

Although he knew that these people's sudden support for Qingque was definitely not well-intentioned, it did give him a way out.

He immediately coughed and said:

"Minister Wei is upright and incorruptible, and I am deeply gratified by his concern for the country and its people. However, I also cannot bear to disappoint Qingque's filial piety. It is alright to postpone his enfeoffment by a few years!"

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Zheng family of Xingyang immediately took the lead and shouted:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Seeing this, the others echoed their agreement.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

When Wei Zheng saw this, he couldn't help but open his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't say anything.

Despite his frequent and scathing criticisms of Li Shimin, he is precisely the one who knows Li Shimin's bottom line best.

As someone who had been constantly pushing the boundaries of Li Shimin's principles, he knew perfectly well that he absolutely could not speak up under these circumstances. Although Li Shimin had a high tolerance, he was also a ruthless killer.

Wei Zheng was just upright and outspoken, but he wasn't reckless!

When Li Tai saw that Wei Zheng did not speak again, he subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

That damned Wei Zheng, I'll make you pay one day!

After the morning court session ended.

Inside the Liangyi Hall.

"Someone! Summon Li Junxian!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing His Majesty's order, the young eunuch hurriedly ran out to deliver it.

A moment later, a handsome general strode in.

Upon seeing Li Shimin, Li Junxian quickly bowed and said:

"Your Majesty, this humble subject greets you!"

Upon seeing this, Li Shimin raised his hand and spoke:

"Rise! Go and investigate why the Wang family of Taiyuan and the Zheng family of Xingyang spoke up for Qingque at court this morning!"

Upon hearing his emperor's words, Li Junxian couldn't help but narrow his gaze slightly.

This matter concerns aristocratic families and His Highness Prince Wei; there's probably a big problem here!

Thinking of this, he quickly bowed and said:

"I obey your decree!"

Watching Li Junxian's departing figure, a cold glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes, and he couldn't help but mutter to himself:

"The Wang family of Taiyuan, the Zheng family of Xingyang, ha! I hope you don't have any improper thoughts, otherwise... hehe!"

……

at the same time!

The Eastern Palace!

Inside the room, Li Chengqian's brows twitched a few times before he slowly opened his eyes and stretched comfortably.

"Ah~ this isn't a lockdown, it's a holiday!"

Boom boom boom!

"Has Your Highness woken up?"

Just then, Wu Zetian's voice came from outside the door.

Hearing the commotion, Li Chengqian was slightly taken aback, and then slowly spoke:

"Yes! You're awake. Come in!"

As soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, the door slowly opened, and Wu Zetian walked in carrying some food.

Upon seeing Li Chengqian, who was still in bed, her eyes were filled with resentment.

She wanted to stay and serve the prince last night, but he kicked her out.

She was starting to doubt her own charm.

Looking at Wu Zetian's resentful eyes, Li Chengqian couldn't help but feel a little guilty.

Wasn't Wu Zetian beautiful? Didn't he feel anything?

Of course not. It's just that some of Wu Zetian's special attributes made him a little panicked, which is why he's been hiding these past few days.

After putting down the tray she was carrying, Wu Zetian came to Li Chengqian's side and spoke gently:

"Your Highness! Let me help you undress!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian was slightly taken aback, then subconsciously nodded and stood up, letting Wu Zetian do as she pleased.

After having breakfast with Wu Zetian, Li Chengqian immersed his consciousness in the system space.

I haven't used the purple talent card I won in yesterday's lottery yet!

Purple Talent Summoning Card:

After use, it can summon historically renowned talents who will join the host in a reasonable manner, with a default loyalty of 100%!

Note: All summoned characters have had their past life memories erased, and the system has edited a new set of memories to fit the current context!