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

Li Yuanchang walked away with a smile.

The two faced each other, and the awkwardness only intensified.

"I have met the Khan."

"Greetings, Princess." Murong Khan was tall and imposing, but he appeared slightly flustered at the moment.

One reason is that Princess Honghua was a princess of the Tang Dynasty, and her status was too high. Even the Turkic Khan had to treat her with respect.

The second reason is that Murong Khan himself was not very old, even younger than Li Yuanchang, and it was his first marriage.

Although he had concubines, they were not considered wives in ancient times. He was married off when he ascended the throne.

Moreover, most nomadic peoples in the 7th century maintained some unique customs, such as the practice of sons succeeding fathers and brothers succeeding brothers.

To put it simply, he was a stepmother, and his sister-in-law was someone he could have... you know. So once he ascended the throne, he had an entire harem.

However, this rule was clearly not in accordance with Han Chinese etiquette, and Li Shimin ordered Tuyuhun to prohibit such behavior before the marriage alliance.

At least Princess Honghua was exempt, which was essentially another form of protection.

"Princess, there have been many events in the palace these past few days, which have disturbed you. I am deeply ashamed." Murong Khan behaved very gently, which was largely due to his pro-Tang stance and the fact that he had been immersed in Han Chinese culture since childhood.

"Khan, you flatter me."

"I am doing well in the palace. With the Khan and my seventh uncle protecting me, I am very safe," Princess Honghua said.

"Oh, that's good, that's good." Murong Khan said with a smile, and then didn't know what else to say.

The two stood facing each other, in a very awkward situation.

Li Yuanchang had no choice but to step in and smooth things over.

"Princess, the Khan was watching you from outside and was too embarrassed to come in."

Murong Khan's eyes widened immediately, as if to say, "Your Highness, what are you doing...?"

Princess Honghua was surprised, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she glanced at Murong Khan.

Murong Khan was extremely embarrassed.

"Hahaha, Khan, don't be afraid. Show your warrior spirit. After today, you'll be husband and wife, and you'll see each other every day." Li Yuanchang laughed heartily, trying to lighten the mood.

Murong Khan was extremely embarrassed; it was rare to see such an expression on the face of a king of a nomadic people.

Princess Honghua couldn't help but smile, and looked at him with her beautiful eyes.

"Khan, you can actually just come in."

"This is Tuyuhun, so there's no need to be too reserved."

"Yes, yes," Murong Khan replied, stealing a glance at Princess Honghua, his eyes filled with admiration.

Seeing this, Li Yuanchang was relieved.

This Murong Khan was still a young man just beginning to experience love, so he certainly wouldn't treat Princess Honghua badly. Plus, with such a powerful figure like the Tang Dynasty behind him, it was almost impossible for a tragedy to occur.

Seeing that the two needed space for their first meeting, Li Yuanchang gave a look, signaling the others to leave. Then, he also prepared to leave.

Murong Khan gave him a grateful look.

Li Yuanchang smiled. He probably wouldn't be in this state again in his life; he was already a seasoned veteran.

But right now.

"Report!"

"Report!!"

The rapid clatter of boots and frantic shouts erupted instantly, as if the sky were about to collapse.

Li Yuanchang paused, his eyes sharpening as if he had a premonition.

A royal general burst in, looking nervous and sweating profusely.

"Khan, urgent report from beyond the Great Wall! Bato, in alliance with nine tribes, has killed the envoy and rebelled!"

"A total of 50,000 troops are about to besiege the city!"

boom!

These words struck like a bolt from the blue, instantly changing everyone's expression, especially the palace maids and attendants, whose faces turned deathly pale.

"Huh?" A commotion erupted around them.

"What did you say?!" Murong Khan roared.

"Khan, it's true, it's true! Hurry, or it will be too late!" his trusted general shouted, his expression panicked.

An army of 50,000 and ten tribes united in rebellion—this was simply beyond the capacity of Fuai City to resist.

Murong Khan was struck dumb, staggered back two steps, and felt as if he had been drained of all his strength.

He was prepared for a rebellion, but he didn't expect it to be all ten tribes at once. How could these people who were usually loyal to him suddenly turn against him?

Immediately afterwards, more and more people rushed in, shouting, "Khan, let's go!"

"The rebels are almost here!"

"If you and the princess head east, we can buy ourselves some time!"

In just a few words, the entire palace was thrown into chaos, a sense of impending doom filled the air, and everyone was filled with fear and unease.

The only one who could remain calm at the scene was Li Yuanchang.

"The city must not be abandoned!"

"Qinghai Lake is surrounded by plains on all sides. Once we leave the city, we're doomed to be overtaken, and we won't even have the strength to fight back!"

His words hit the nail on the head.

"That's right!"

After a brief moment of panic, Murong Khan recovered, his expression grim but resolute: "Once we leave the city, we will surely be caught!"

"But all ten tribes have rebelled!" someone shouted.

"Don't panic!" Murong Khan shouted angrily.

Then he rushed to Li Yuanchang and said, "Your Highness, I will stay and hold off the rebels."

"Take the princess away immediately and take a shortcut back to Shanzhou to seek help for me."

The fact that Murong Khan could say such a thing shows that he had courage and responsibility, but Li Yuanchang was also well aware that Murong Khan, who had succeeded to the throne at a young age, did not have the ability to quell the rebellion.

At least he wasn't powerful enough to take on ten people at once. If he had that ability, Tuyuhun wouldn't be in its current state.

"Khan!" Princess Honghua's face turned pale. "I will not leave."

Murong Khan was moved. The Han women's unwavering loyalty was something that nomadic peoples did not have; women usually followed the strong.

"Your Highness, it's too late!" he insisted through gritted teeth.

Seeing that no one was willing to come up with a solution.

Li Yuanchang took a deep breath and suddenly said in a deep voice, "Let's fight!"

All eyes turned to them, and the palace fell silent.

The generals of the Tuyuhun royal palace were all stunned. Should they engage in battle?

They seemed to have misheard.

"Your Excellency, these are the ten great tribes. The people of Bathor are all elites, while we..."

"Only fifty thousand? Listen to me, we can hold them!"

"If we abandon the city and flee, we will lose all our population and wealth. Tuyuhun will be gone, and we won't be able to escape."

"They've rebelled, storming the palace, but they're actually rebelling against the Tang Dynasty. I must suppress them; there's no precedent for a Tang prince fleeing!"

Li Yuanchang's eyes were sharp and fearless, fully displaying the martial spirit of the Tang Dynasty.

Historically, when Tuyuhun rebelled, Tang general Xi Junmai suppressed it with just over a hundred men. Li Yuanchang could certainly do the same!

Once he ran away, Han Paopao's infamy remained.

Moreover, with his departure, the pro-Tang forces of Tuyuhun will definitely be completely wiped out, which is not in line with the core interests of the Han people!

Upon hearing this, the Tuyuhun officials immediately calmed down, as if they had been given a reassurance. Putting everything else aside, with the Tang prince present, the Tang army would certainly not stand idly by.

They, who were initially in a panic, seemed to have found some support.

"good!"

"Your Highness, I will fight alongside you to resist the rebels!" Murong Khan gritted his teeth, inspired by Li Yuanchang, and was ready to go all out.

"Chi Lian, you are in charge of the princess's safety." Li Yuanchang left her with a hundred men.

"yes!"

"Let's go!" Li Yuanchang shouted in a low voice, and without any hesitation, he walked straight out.