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

Chang'an!

Taiji Hall!

"Your Majesty, a battle report has arrived from the front lines. His Highness the Crown Prince, leading the Xuanjia Army and the Six Guards of the Eastern Palace, launched a surprise attack on the Xueyantuo royal court, severely damaging the Xueyantuo and killing the Yinan Khan in battle. He is now on his way back to the capital."

Upon hearing the battle report from the Ministry of War, Li Shimin slammed his fist on the dragon throne.

"Hahaha, excellent! The Crown Prince truly lives up to his title as the heir apparent of our Great Tang! This time, he has dealt a heavy blow to the Xueyantuo and subdued the Ashina tribe. For the next ten years, there will be no more war in the north of the Great Tang!"

Seeing Li Shimin's gratified expression, the civil and military officials below also hurriedly offered their congratulations.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty! May the Tang Dynasty live ten thousand years!!!"

However, while some were happy, others were sad. Seeing the people around him cheering for Li Chengqian, Li Tai couldn't help but clench his fists, his face turning terribly gloomy.

Seeing his expression, Li Ke couldn't help but sneer.

Haha! Li Tai, Li Tai! What makes you think you can compete with your elder brother for the position of crown prince?

During this period, with his elder brother away on campaign, Li Tai's family held absolute power in the court, and many officials who were originally wavering turned to Li Tai's side.

Just then, his father suddenly summoned him back to the capital to participate in politics. What was this? It was clearly a plea for him to help his elder brother stabilize the situation first, and then the brothers would join forces to deal with Li Tai after his elder brother returned.

Yes, that must be what Father means, so I must defend the position for my elder brother.

However, Li Shimin had no idea what Li Ke was thinking. In his view, Ke'er had almost started competing with Qingque as soon as he returned to the capital, which clearly showed that he had the idea of ​​vying for the throne!

Since that's the case, once that rebellious son returns victorious, the two of them will surely join forces temporarily when they see that he's powerful. Let's see how he deals with it then. I'm simply a genius.

If Li Shimin knew what Li Ke was thinking now, he would be so angry he would vomit blood!

Half a month later.

The gate of Chang'an City.

Li Chengqian couldn't help but sigh as he looked at the city of Chang'an before him.

"Phew~ I'm finally back. I wonder how that rebellious father is doing now. The system has gotten so thin from starvation during this time."

Looking at the five-figure achievement points in the system space, Li Chengqian felt his fear of insufficient firepower was about to flare up.

These achievement points were earned by beating up my dad during the last martial arts competition.

The system has really suffered during this period of being away on expeditions.

System: [Hungry~ Food~]

Just then, Li Chengqian saw a familiar figure at the city gate.

Upon seeing Li Chengqian's army, the latter also hurriedly rode forward.

"Big brother!!!"

Li Ke looked at Li Chengqian and the army behind him with a face full of admiration and said:

"Brother! You're amazing! You personally led the campaign against the Xueyantuo, subdued the Ashina tribe, and even killed Yinan Khan in battle! Any other minister would have been ennobled for that!"

Seeing his younger brother's adoring expression, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile and say:

"Hahaha! Just lucky! By the way, why did the old man suddenly summon you back to the capital?"

Upon hearing his elder brother's question, Li Ke did not hide anything and immediately told Li Chengqian what was on his mind.

After hearing his younger brother's conjecture, Li Chengqian couldn't help but show a strange expression.

"Are you sure that's what the old man thinks? Or that he wants you to join forces with Li Tai to counterbalance me?"

"How could that be? How could I possibly go against my brother? Are you kidding me? Isn't that just asking for trouble?"

Li Ke asked with a surprised look, and upon hearing his younger brother's words, Li Chengqian couldn't help but smile slightly, then stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said:

"Hahaha! Let's go to the Eastern Palace, I'll let you taste its fine wine!"

However, as soon as Li Chengqian finished speaking, Li Ke spoke up somewhat uncertainly:

"Brother! You've just returned to the capital, shouldn't you go to the palace to pay your respects to Father first?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian showed a disdainful expression.

"Go see that rebellious father? Tell him to wait. He didn't even come out of Chang'an to greet me when I returned in triumph. He's so ignorant!"

Let's ignore this unfilial father and go home for a drink!

After saying that, Li Chengqian stopped wasting words and, after exchanging a few words with Hou Junji and Xue Rengui, he grabbed Li Ke and headed towards the East Palace with Qingya!

At this moment, Qingya had already changed out of her Hu clothing and into a heroic women's martial arts robe. Combined with her slightly chubby face, the contrast between her and her previous appearance was striking!

Li Ke, who was standing to the side, also noticed the woman following behind his elder brother and couldn't help but ask:

"Brother! Is this the princess of the Ashina tribe?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian glanced at Qingya, who had a docile expression behind him, and said:

"That's right! It's mainly because your older brother is so handsome. I can't take my eyes off him when I see him, and I insist on coming back to the Tang Dynasty with you."

Sigh! What can I do? Being too charming can be a problem!

Upon hearing this, Li Ke's face darkened immediately. "If I hadn't seen that you were practically drooling, I would have almost believed you."

My older brother is good in every way, except he's too shameless.

Seemingly sensing his younger brother's thoughts, Li Chengqian immediately spoke up:

"You kid, don't you believe me? Ask her yourself!"

After speaking, both brothers looked at Qingya behind them.

Seeing this, the latter nodded shyly and said:

"Yes! I wanted to be my husband's woman myself!"

Upon hearing Qingya's reply, Li Chengqian immediately raised his arrogant chin, while Li Ke felt as if he was about to grind his back teeth to powder.

"Li Chengqian, you deserve to die! Why?! No! Tell me this isn't true! Tell me!"

Seeing his younger brother's funny antics, Li Chengqian couldn't help but slap his hand away and say with a smile:

"Hahaha! Stop causing trouble, kid. There's nothing we can do about it!"

……

The Eastern Palace!

Upon receiving news that her prince was returning, Wu Zetian instructed the kitchen to begin preparing the banquet early in the morning.

"Don't forget to start simmering the old duck soup early!"

"Go to the ice cellar and fetch some ice; His Highness loves chilled lotus seed soup!"

Wu Zetian was preparing methodically when, just then, a maid rushed in and said:

"Your Highness! Your Highness! His Highness is back!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Zetian was overjoyed and forgot all about the kitchen matters, immediately walking quickly towards the door.

……

Inside the main hall of the East Palace.

Wu Zetian rushed over, and when she saw Li Chengqian, she could no longer contain herself.

"Your Highness!"

Upon hearing the sound, Li Chengqian looked in the direction of the sound, and when he saw his beloved Mei Niang, he couldn't help but smile slightly.

"I'm back!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang's beautiful eyes immediately welled up with tears.

Ignoring Li Ke and Qingya beside him, he went straight up and hugged Li Chengqian's neck!

"Your Highness! It's good that you're back! I sent people to the Ministry of War to inquire... They said they haven't heard from you... I was so worried!"