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

As night falls, the palace shines brightly.

Li Shimin hosted a family banquet, which was attended by almost all the imperial relatives in the palace, including some prominent concubines in the harem. No ministers were present, but the scale of the banquet was still very high.

During the banquet, Li Yuanchang was even pulled to sit next to Li Shimin, a privilege not even granted to Li Chengqian.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy, creating a harmonious and happy scene.

But this is only on the surface. Li Yuanchang sits here, praised and echoed by everyone, but in reality, he has no sense of belonging.

All he wants now is to get back to Liangzhou as soon as possible.

Midway through the banquet, Li Shimin was carried away because he had drunk too much and could not hold his liquor, leaving Li Chengqian to preside over the event.

After Li Shimin left, the family banquet became much more relaxed, and many relatives, including Li Chengqian, began to actively visit Li Yuanchang.

He responded politely to each of them, as if it were just a formality.

Not long after, Li Chengqian also got drunk.

Li Yuanchang decided to pretend to be drunk as well.

Several key figures got drunk, and the family banquet came to an early end.

As Li Yuanchang left the palace, he was escorted out by several eunuchs and guards.

"call!"

Breathing in the fresh air, Li Yuanchang finally relaxed a bit. Looking at the extremely majestic and noble palace complex, he felt no envy whatsoever.

He preferred his Han Prince's Mansion to the deceit and hypocrisy of family relationships; that was home.

He had already decided that he would go straight back to Liangzhou first thing tomorrow morning.

Suddenly, the eunuch leading the way, carrying a lantern, stopped.

"We have come to greet the Crown Princess!"

Li Yuanchang looked up sharply.

"Who's that up ahead? Is it the Crown Prince?"

"Your Highness, no, it's His Highness the Prince of Han. We are escorting him out of the palace."

Immediately, the group at the other end of the palace fell silent, then quickly made way for each other, passing each other without saying another word.

Even with poor visibility and surrounded by numerous palace maids and eunuchs, he still managed to spot the tallest and most elegant woman in the crowd at a glance.

Fragments of that night flashed uncontrollably through Li Yuanchang's mind.

"Crown Princess," Li Yuanchang called out.

Immediately, the line on the side stopped, and a hint of panic flashed in Su Qing's beautiful eyes, but she had no choice but to stop when she was called back.

"I have met Seventh Uncle."

Li Yuanchang returned the greeting, as if nothing had happened.

"How has the Crown Princess been lately?"

"Reporting to Seventh Uncle, everything is fine."

Li Yuanchang nodded: "The Crown Prince is drunk and is still in the palace."

"Thank you for the reminder, Seventh Uncle. I'll be right there."

Li Yuanchang nodded: "I shall take my leave now."

"Respectfully seeing off Uncle Seven."

Their conversation was like ordinary small talk, with each person tacitly maintaining a distance from the other.

Su Qing didn't look at Li Yuanchang once the whole time, keeping her head down the whole time, as if she would feel like she was cheating on him if she made eye contact with him.

Only after Li Yuanchang had walked far away did she slowly raise her head, looking relieved, yet her gaze held a hint of complexity.

She had intended to win over Li Yuanchang, but after that unexpected incident, she was too ashamed to continue and could only keep her distance.

When Su Qing arrived at the palace, she saw the drunk Li Chengqian and wanted to take care of him. However, when she saw the two very young, fair-skinned attendants beside Li Chengqian, a hint of doubt flashed in the depths of her eyes, followed by disgust.

"Your Highness, it's time to go back."

"Go back by yourself, I want to drink for a while longer."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian placed his hands on the two attendants to maintain his balance.

"Your Highness, you are drunk!" Su Qing suppressed her anger, her snow-white hands clenched tightly under her palace dress, as if she had vaguely heard or knew something.

"None of your business!"

"Don't you understand?!"

Su Qing was reprimanded in front of everyone, and the eunuchs and palace maids dared not speak.

Su Qing's chest heaved, clearly enraged, especially when her gaze swept over the two fair-skinned attendants, where she could no longer suppress the murderous intent in her eyes.

But this wasn't the Crown Prince's Palace, so she didn't dare cause trouble.

"Your Highness, let's go back." Her tone softened slightly.

"Get out!" Li Chengqian was drunk and had lost all patience.

Su Qing was disappointed, utterly disappointed.

"Yes."

She turned and left as if she had never been there, without saying a word.

Upon returning to the palace, she retraced her steps and couldn't help but think of Li Yuanchang again.

Thinking of his victory over Tuyuhun and his great prestige, and then thinking of Li Chengqian, she felt that he was utterly hopeless.

……

The former Han Prince's Mansion.

After Li Yuanchang returned, he had another drink with Li Chongzhen.

The other three were not in Chang'an due to official business, so Li Yuanchang was unable to meet them on this trip, which was also his biggest regret.

It is worth mentioning that all four of them were promoted that year. Although they were not high-ranking officials, they earned their promotions through their own efforts, without relying on their fathers.

This surprised Li Yuanchang greatly. Historically, there are not many records about the four men. They were all second-generation officials who lived a stable life but did not achieve much.

But for some reason, the four of them suddenly stood out.

After drinking, Li Chongzhen spoke the truth, saying that Li Yuanchang was progressing too fast and that the four brothers were afraid they would not be able to keep up, and that they would no longer have the opportunity to drink together.

In response, Li Yuanchang gave Li Chongzhen a severe dressing down, believing that brotherhood was based on loyalty, not status.

The next day.

As soon as it was light, Li Yuanchang prepared to return home. The old Han Prince's mansion began to be packed with large and small bags, and carriages were parked one after another by the mansion.

"Big brother, are you really leaving?"

"Please let us stay a little longer. You've rendered such a great service this time; His Majesty can't be so harsh, can he?"

"In ten days, that kid Cheng Chuliang will be back. He's been clamoring to see his older brother for ages." Li Chongzhen was very reluctant to part with him.

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "I would also like to get together with you, but it's not a good idea for me to stay here, especially since both of you are pregnant. I'm worried about you."

"It's been almost four months since I came here."

Upon hearing this, Li Chongzhen sighed, "Alas, ever since my elder brother went to Liangzhou, we've seen each other far too often."

Li Yuanchang patted him on the shoulder.

"What's the big deal? We're still brothers even if we don't meet. Keep up the good work, and we'll meet again at the top someday."

A simple "See you at the summit" is like the most powerful encouragement.

Li Chongzhen's usually carefree expression turned serious: "Alright, I also want to be like my elder brother, charging into battle and achieving unparalleled feats!"

"Let my dad see, he's misjudged!"

puff! !

"Hahaha!" Li Yuanchang burst into laughter, instantly recalling how his father had called him a piece of dog shit.

"Very well, I'll be waiting to see!"

"Then, brother, please be careful on your journey."

"good!"

As the two were saying goodbye, a series of light footsteps sounded outside the Prince of Han's residence. It was Eunuch Chang leading his men, and the two sides bumped into each other.