In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

"Loving someone can drive you crazy." Li Yuanchang uttered sweet words effortlessly, and at this moment he was also a little carried away.

He really missed Qin Keyu; she was just too beautiful.

Qin Keyu was in a dilemma.

"Your Highness, not here."

"Let's talk about it when we get to the Prince's mansion, please." She pleaded.

Li Yuanchang was taken aback and suddenly realized that he might have indeed acted recklessly. This was the Qin residence, which in the Tang Dynasty was considered immoral and taboo.

Forcing my way in, what do you take them for?

"I apologize, I acted impulsively." Li Yuanchang stood up.

Qin Keyu looked embarrassed, quickly stood up, straightened her disheveled skirt, and didn't know what to say; her mind was completely blank.

All that remained was that indescribable thrill and heart-pounding feeling.

In a sense, that was her first kiss; the last time she was really drunk.

"Ke Yu".

"Your Highness."

"You go first."

"You go first."

The two exchanged a smile, which eased the awkward atmosphere slightly, but Qin Keyu was too embarrassed to look at them.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

"So fast?" Qin Keyu looked up, clearly somewhat disappointed.

"Yes, go talk to your father about the marriage proposal first, then go back to the palace to make preparations. I will then send a grand entourage to pick you up," Li Yuanchang said with a smile.

In fact, it was very common for nobles to take concubines in ancient times, and there were basically no ceremonies. Some even had to go there themselves, and their status was very low. However, Li Yuanchang still sent an honor guard.

Qin Keyu smiled shyly: "Then you're not allowed to lie to me!"

"I'm not lying."

Qin Keyu mustered her courage, rushed forward, stood on tiptoe, kissed Li Yuanchang, and then quickly fled, leaving only the beaded curtain swaying.

Li Yuanchang was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but smile.

He really didn't want to leave; he really wanted to hear the sounds Qin Keyu made.

After a while.

Li Yuanchang approached Qin Zun and brought up the matter directly.

Qin Zun was not hesitant at all, and even flattered that his disobedient and rebellious daughter could actually enter the Han King's mansion.

He readily agreed, even feeling that Li Yuanchang was at a disadvantage, and kept asking Li Yuanchang to discipline Qin Keyu properly.

If Qin Keyu does anything to disgrace the Han King's family, there's no need to worry about the Qin family's reputation; just teach her a lesson directly.

It's fortunate that Qin Keyu didn't hear these words; otherwise, her prejudice against her father would have been even stronger.

Li Yuanchang set the date for the next day.

Immediately afterwards, he returned to the Prince's Palace.

Upon receiving the news, Situ Lan smiled broadly, overjoyed. She was all alone in the backyard, which was quite boring. Now that Qin Keyu would be with her, she would have someone to talk to.

Before Li Yuanchang could even speak, Situ Lan immediately dispatched fifty servants to tidy up the courtyard in preparation for welcoming Qin Keyu.

She was very generous and not jealous at all. Not only were all the bedding and porcelain new, but she even had the servants lay out festive carpets in the courtyard.

It was already past midnight, and the backyard of the Prince of Han's mansion was still bustling with activity, brightly lit.

If Li Yuanchang hadn't dragged Situ Lan to sleep, Situ Lan would probably still be busy right now.

Out of gratitude and guilt towards Situ Lan, Li Yuanchang took advantage of this night to make love to her fiercely.

……

Youzhou.

It belonged to Hebei Circuit and was the true northern region of the Tang Dynasty, serving as a core area for defense against nomadic peoples.

It was also the most chaotic place in ancient Chinese history.

In the twelfth year of the Zhenguan era, the Tang Dynasty had not even fully resolved some of its problems.

Because of the existence of numerous tributary states, this area is home to a diverse array of ethnic groups, including Turks, Khitans, and Uyghurs, making it a truly mixed and diverse place.

The most common people you encounter here are soldiers.

With the establishment of numerous governorates, one could see troops passing through, training, or even farming every day.

Compared to the prosperity of the Central Plains, these places, which had only been conquered by Li Shimin for a few years, were more chaotic and barbaric.

But amidst the chaos and barbarity, Youzhou was actually a very special place.

It had all the characteristics of a military fortress, a transportation hub, and even a commercial metropolis in the early Tang Dynasty, attracting countless merchants from various countries.

Many Han Chinese from the south who wanted to make money would come to this harsh and cold place to try their luck.

Inside Youzhou City, the cold wind howled, making it far colder than the Central Plains; in ancient times, it was a truly bitterly cold place.

Inside an old, dilapidated house, a light flickered in the cold winter, yet it was extremely conspicuous.

A soft knock sounded on the door.

Inside the dilapidated room, the woman put on her outer garment, carried a lantern, and held a stick in one hand, cautiously walking towards the back door.

"Who?"

"Miss Ling Han, it's me."

Upon hearing this, the woman's pale face relaxed, and her tense body eased somewhat.

"Song Sanlang, I'm sorry, there are many women in my household, and it's really inconvenient to open the door so late at night. If there's a chance, I will definitely apologize another day."

The young man outside the door was no more than twenty years old, dressed as a businessman in a black, close-fitting outfit. He looked travel-worn, with bronze skin that exuded a resolute air.

He smiled and said, "Miss Ling Han, it's alright. I shouldn't have come so late."

"But the girl told me last time that if I had any news, I should tell you immediately, day or night, so I came here as soon as I got back to Youzhou."

Upon hearing this, the woman's peach blossom eyes trembled, and she couldn't help but take a step forward, getting closer to the door.

"You found out?"

Song Sanlang stood outside the door and said, "Yes."

"The person you're looking for is quite famous."

"The King of Han shone brightly in Liangzhou, eliminating corrupt officials, recovering embezzled funds, killing three tigers with arrows, protecting the territory and its people, and even the Emperor was greatly pleased."

"In addition, the King of Han had already quietly married the eldest daughter of the Minister of Works in Liangzhou. The couple were very loving, and the King of Han accompanied the Queen of Han back to visit her family many times. Their harmonious relationship was already a well-known story in Liangzhou, which was truly admirable."

"I also heard from my uncle that the Princess Consort of Han, with the support of the Prince of Han, seems to be doing some business, and quite a big deal of it. They've bought up all the sorghum in the area."

There was no sound from inside the door as he spoke.

Song Sanlang frowned: "Miss Ling Han, are you still there?"

The woman inside the door covered her lips, tears streaming down her face, slowly falling to the ground.

After waiting for half a year, all her hopes and dreams were shattered!

"Miss Ling Han?"

Song Sanlang knocked on the door several times.

The woman said in a trembling voice, "I am here. Thank you so much, Song Sanlang, for helping me find out the information. I will never forget such a great kindness."

"Miss Ling, are you crying?"

"No, Song Sanlang, you look travel-worn, go back and rest."

Song Sanlang remained silent, hesitating for a long time instead of leaving through the back door.

"Miss Ling, I've thought about this for a long time. You are an extraordinary woman. If you are willing..."

The woman inside the door interrupted, "Song Sanlang, I've always considered you my older brother."

The young man outside the door looked slightly embarrassed and bitter, unable to utter a single word.

"It's alright, I know Miss Ling has someone in her heart."

"But you are a shrewd and capable woman. I am now in business on my own. If you can help me, no, if we can do business together, I think we can become a major business in Youzhou, making a fortune every day!" Song Sanlang earnestly invited.