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

Li Shimin, sitting on the dragon throne, looked troubled.

He finalized the new laws of the Zhenguan era, and only a few months have passed. Letting Li Yuanchang go now is tantamount to slapping himself in the face.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Li Yuanchang quickly reacted on the spot.

"Brother, although I have amnesia, I have committed a crime and should be punished."

"Your Majesty, I don't want to put you in a difficult position. This isn't the first or second time Your Majesty has taken care of me."

"Your Majesty, I am willing to abide by the law. However, I urge you to take good care of your health and avoid overworking yourself. I will not be able to stay by your side any longer."

After choking back tears, Li Yuanchang managed to squeeze out two large tears in front of a group of bigwigs.

The entire Liangyi Hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

For a moment, the bigwigs of the Tang Empire couldn't tell whether the Prince of Han was genuinely expressing his feelings or using a feigned retreat as a tactic. But they exchanged glances and felt that this was not like the Prince of Han!

The pressure immediately fell on Li Shimin, and a look of tension appeared on his imposing brows.

Just a moment.

"Very well, considering your remorse, you may be spared the death penalty, but you cannot escape punishment."

Li Shimin warned with his eyes: "Considering your current injury, the punishment will be put on hold until you recover. Go back and recuperate. During your recovery period, you are not allowed to go out at will. Reflect on your actions in the palace."

It was obvious that Li Yuanchang's method worked, and Li Shimin's reprimand seemed more like a show for Wei Zheng and others.

Li Yuanchang was overjoyed, as this was essentially a bail pending trial. Generally speaking, as long as he behaved himself, there wouldn't be any problems.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

"To fail to punish wrongdoing and to delay punishment when it is due—is this the behavior of a wise ruler?" Wei Zheng puffed out his beard and glared, his tone extremely forceful.

Li Yuanchang's lips twitched. This guy was lucky to have met an emperor like Li Shimin. With any other emperor, he wouldn't have lived past thirty-five.

Li Shimin was clearly displeased by the rebuke.

At this moment, a person stepped forward to break the deadlock.

"Your Majesty, Lord Wei, I think it would be better to do this."

"His Highness the Prince of Han has committed a mistake and deserves punishment, but there is still compassion beyond the law. Why not send His Highness to his fiefdom as a form of punishment, so that he can atone for his crime through meritorious service?"

"In this way, the law is fulfilled, and His Majesty's intention to cultivate the Prince of Han and cherish his brothers is also satisfied."

"how?"

Upon hearing this, the ministers all praised him, showing him great respect.

"Hiss...that's a good idea."

"That's right."

"According to the rules of etiquette, His Highness the Prince of Han should have gone to Liangzhou last year."

"..."

Wei Zheng thought for a moment and agreed: "Lord Changsun, what you say makes sense. I have no objection."

Li Yuanchang looked up sharply, "Lord Changsun?"

The man who spoke had a goatee and stood at the head of the group of officials. He was reserved, deep, and unfathomable. Who else could it be but Changsun Wuji?

Li Yuanchang was horrified!

The foremost political figure of the Tang Dynasty, the head of the Lingyan Pavilion, a historically renowned figure, was appearing before him.

Before he could react, Changsun Wuji, the powerful minister who had served for decades before and after the Zhenguan era, smiled and suddenly looked at Li Yuanchang: "Your Highness, what are your thoughts?"

His voice was friendly, unpretentious, and very infectious, like that of a friendly old man next door.

But Li Yuanchang suddenly became alert!

Changsun Wuji was the one who later presided over Li Yuanchang's trial and killed him. This guy was the most complex and capable political figure in the Tang Dynasty. If you judge him by his appearance, you would be making a big mistake!

On the surface, it seemed that Wei Zheng was trying to punish him, but Wei Zheng was just doing his job properly; such a person has no ill intentions.

However, someone like Changsun Wuji, who is extremely shrewd, unclear about his stance, and adept at political maneuvering, can easily be killed if he is not careful.

"Brother, I am willing to atone for my crimes by performing meritorious service, and I am willing to go to Liangzhou!" he blurted out, his voice loud.

Li Shimin was suspicious.

Why did the King of Han, who was still complaining of illness and refusing to go to his fiefdom last year, suddenly become so decisive?

"Are you really willing to go?"

"Your Majesty, I am truly willing to go there and share your burdens for the Tang Dynasty!" Li Yuanchang said sincerely. Seeing Changsun Wuji made him even less willing to stay in Chang'an. The only way he could think of to protect himself was to stay away from Chang'an.

Within a few years, Li Shimin's good sons were about to start a bloody power struggle, along with factional infighting in the court, all of them top-notch old foxes.

He just wanted to be a carefree prince, offending no one.

Li Shimin said, "Alright then."

"You really should go to your fiefdom. Although I am reluctant, rules are rules."

"When you go there, you must not disregard the laws of the country and indulge in extravagance and debauchery."

"Yes, I will follow your teachings, Your Majesty," Li Yuanchang replied.

Li Shimin was slightly puzzled that Li Yuanchang was so honest and obedient.

He thought about it, but he was still worried.

"However, you are not young anymore. Before the late emperor passed away, he instructed that you be taken good care of. I plan to arrange a marriage for you and then send you to Liangzhou. With someone to take care of you, I will feel more at ease."

"Huh?" Li Yuanchang exclaimed, somewhat caught off guard.

"Don't!"

He blurted it out reflexively, afraid of pointing out a fat woman to him.

It was common knowledge throughout the Tang Dynasty that plumpness was considered beautiful.

"Hmm?!" Li Shimin was immediately displeased.

Li Yuanchang stiffened, realizing his lapse in composure, and immediately lowered his head: "Your Majesty, that's not what I meant, Your Majesty..."

Li Shimin interrupted, "Enough. I am the emperor of a country and also your elder brother. This matter is settled."

"This matter will be handled by Consort Yang, who will select a well-educated and sensible woman from among the noble families."

Li Yuanchang felt bitter.

This is practically forcing us into marriage!

He genuinely found these customs of the feudal dynasty somewhat unacceptable, but he knew he couldn't refuse them; this was a result of Li Shimin's multifaceted considerations.

To put his second brother at ease, he had to get married, have children, and start a family so that he wouldn't "think about other things."

"yes!"

"Your subject obeys the decree." For the first time in his two lives, he experienced the meaning of being powerless to control his own destiny.

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction: "Dismissed, I am tired."

Thus, Li Yuanchang's first crisis upon arriving in the Tang Dynasty came to a complete end, a close call without real danger.

As Li Yuanchang walked out of the Liangyi Hall, half of his underwear was already wet; it was so damn oppressive inside!

He hurried out of the palace.

However, he did not notice that in the procession leaving the court, a group of people were standing on a high place, watching him intently, as if he were prey.

"Your Highness Prince Wei, you actually let him escape this calamity." The speaker was filled with resentment.

"King Wei, shall we try to make things worse?" someone asked with a sinister look.

There was a long silence at the scene.

"Not for now. It's too obvious; Father will notice."

"Now is a critical moment. Don't cause trouble. Find an opportunity to win over the Prince of Han again. He was reprimanded this time, and the Crown Prince can't do anything. Extending an olive branch now might have a surprising effect."

"If he can see the situation clearly and be used by me, then all will be well."

"If not..."

The speaker was young and overweight.

Beneath his honest and unassuming exterior lay a hidden cunning and ruthlessness, his eyes fixed on the direction Li Yuanchang had left.

"Yes!" His staff, a veritable dream team, all revealed the expressions of schemers.

"..."