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

Upon hearing their emperor's question, everyone couldn't help but exchange bewildered glances.

Seeing the puzzled expressions on everyone's faces, Li Shimin turned to Canyue beside him and asked:

Has the Duke of Lai given the notification?

Upon hearing this, Canyue quickly replied:

"Your Majesty, the message has been sent!"

Hearing the affirmative answer, Li Shimin became even more puzzled.

"That can't be right! Kemin didn't come to such an important event!"

This is a battle of generational change, and as a senior strategist, Kemin will definitely not be absent!

As for why Du Ruhui didn't come, that story begins an hour earlier.

One hour ago.

The Duke of Lai's Mansion.

Seeing Du Ruhui about to leave, Du He rolled her eyes and asked:

"Is Father going out?"

Upon hearing this, Du Ruhui nodded.

"Yes! His Majesty needs to speak with me. I'll be going to the palace. You all stay home and don't go out today!"

Hearing her father's instructions, Du He obediently nodded, then brought over a bowl of white fungus soup and said:

"Father! This is some white fungus soup that Mother made. Please have a bowl before you go!"

Looking at the white fungus soup served to him, Du Ruhui had no doubts.

He picked up the white fungus soup and drank it all in one gulp.

"Mmm! It tastes good!"

After saying that, he waved his hand at Du He and said:

"Alright, alright! I have to go now. You stay home and take good care of your mother!"

Upon hearing this, Du He nodded obediently as always.

"good!"

Seeing this, Du Ruhui said nothing more and turned to walk out the door.

Watching her father's retreating figure, Du He couldn't help but smile slightly.

He slowly extended one hand and began the countdown.

"five!"

"Four!"

"three!"

"two!"

"one!"

As the last sound faded, Du Ruhui, who had been striding out, suddenly stopped.

He instinctively clutched his stomach as a sharp pain shot through his abdomen, causing him to instinctively clench his legs together.

puff!puff!

Feeling the waste about to get out of control in his stomach, Du Ruhui did not hesitate at all and turned to head towards the outhouse.

He said as he ran:

"Wait for the carriage! I need to use the restroom first! I'll be right back!"

Watching his father rush to the outhouse, Du He couldn't help but reveal a hint of amusement.

"Hehe! I've severed His Majesty's arm right from the start; the credit is mine!"

A few days ago, as soon as he received Yao Guangxiao's secret letter, he went directly to Sun Simiao and asked for a laxative.

In Sun Simiao's words, this laxative is a good thing. Not only is it harmless to the body, but it also lubricates the intestines, promotes bowel movements, beautifies the skin, detoxifies, and replenishes blood and qi.

With the thought of doing what's best for her father, Du He directly ordered double the dosage. Today, her father wouldn't be able to leave the outhouse even once. What I said wouldn't matter even if His Majesty came!

Thinking of this, he turned to the servants waiting nearby and said:

"Alright, alright! Take the carriage back. Father isn't going out today. Lock the gate for me!"

Upon hearing their young master's words, the waiting servant couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

"Young Master! Master, he..."

Seeing his hesitant look, Du He confidently spoke up:

"Don't worry! Father stayed in the outhouse today, he won't be out for a while!"

Upon hearing this, the servant couldn't help but show a strange expression.

But seeing that the master hadn't come out of the outhouse yet, he had no choice but to nod and lead the prepared carriage back.

……

Inside the Taiji Hall.

A soldier rushed in to report.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! General Qin says we can begin!"

Upon hearing this, everyone present, including Li Shimin, couldn't help but feel a jolt in their hearts.

coming!

Upon realizing this, Li Shimin quickly spoke up:

"Never mind Ke Ming, proceed according to plan!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

At Li Shimin's command, everyone inside the Taiji Hall walked out of the hall.

Li Shimin, sitting on the dragon throne, watched the departing figures of everyone with a flickering gaze in his eyes.

He gently stroked the dragon throne beneath him and sighed softly.

Just then, an old figure slowly walked in.

Upon seeing the person who had arrived, Li Shimin couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

"Father? What brings you here?"

Seeing his unfilial son's puzzled look, Li Yuan casually found a place to sit down.

"Never mind me, I'm just here to watch the show."

As he spoke, Li Yuan clapped his hands.

Then several palace maids brought in fruit platters and melon seeds.

Upon seeing this, Li Shimin was speechless.

Got it!

My father came to see me make a fool of myself.

……

On the other side!

Beneath the Xuanwu Gate.

Xue Rengui looked up at Qin Qiong on the city wall and said:

"General Qin, today's Tang Dynasty has brought about a complete transformation!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong looked at the six guards of the Eastern Palace below with a relaxed expression and said:

"You intend to use these five thousand cavalry to storm Xuanwu Gate? Are you underestimating me?"

Upon hearing Qin Qiong's words, Xue Rengui showed no anger; in fact, he couldn't help but smile.

"Hahaha! General Qin, you flatter me. I would never dare to underestimate you. With you guarding Xuanwu Gate, it is naturally a formidable fortress!"

Then Xue Rengui slowly put away his smile, revealing a mocking expression.

"But General Qin, what if the Xuanwu Gate is gone?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Qiong couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Then his expression changed drastically.

"Oh no! The city gate!!"

However, it was all too late.

As explosions echoed from below, the once impregnable Xuanwu Gate was blasted into pieces.

Immediately, one of the defenders below drew his sword and held it to his colleague's neck, saying:

"Don't move! His Highness the Crown Prince said this battle will be bloodless!"

The same thing happened in various parts of the city wall.

The Xuanwu Gate guards, who had originally intended to resist, instantly lost their will to fight upon hearing the words "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Their first reaction was: Oh no! Someone is plotting a rebellion!

Second reaction: Oh, it's His Highness the Crown Prince, then it's alright!

Upon seeing the smoke clear, Xue Rengui did not hesitate at all and immediately gave the order.

"Charge! Follow me to capture Xuanwu Gate! In this battle, the six commanders of the Eastern Palace shall bear the greatest credit!"

Du He: What are you all chattering about? I severed His Majesty's arm! There's no need to say who deserves the credit!

Seeing the six guards of the Eastern Palace advancing straight ahead below, Qin Qiong, whose face had been grim, suddenly revealed a mocking expression.

He turned to his adjutant beside him and said:

"Let's go! We'll head to Zhijie's place; now we'll have him trapped!"

Inside Xuanwu Gate.

As soon as Xue Rengui rushed in, he ran right into the Xuanjia Army led by Hou Junji and Yuchi Gong!

Hou Junji and Yuchi Gong couldn't help but smile as they watched Xue Rengui and the six guards of the Eastern Palace rush in, and said:

"General Xue, it seems you can't leave!"