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

"Your Majesty, please speak freely," said Consort Yang.

"Well... His Majesty wants me to stay in Chang'an for a few more days. I was thinking of buying some of the finest rouge and face powder from Chang'an to give to the Princess Consort, but I am a rough man. I am good at riding horses and shooting arrows, but I know nothing about rouge and face powder."

"I wonder if Your Majesty could lend me your presence to accompany me on my shopping trip outside the palace? I will have my guards escort you back before sunset."

It would be rude and impossible for an ordinary person to make such a request, as palace women were not allowed to go out without a valid reason.

But if it were Li Yuanchang, it would be different.

Consort Yang naturally couldn't refuse to give Li Yuanchang face.

She smiled and didn't take it seriously at all: "Then the King of Han is really thoughtful. The Queen Consort of Han is truly fortunate to marry the King of Han."

"That's no problem."

As she spoke, she turned around, preparing to look for someone.

Li Yuanchang gave Li Su a wink, and Li Su realized what he meant. Her heart raced, her ears burned, and like a thief, she forced herself to walk out as if possessed.

"Your Majesty, I... I can go."

"Susu, that's fine too. You're a member of the imperial family, so it'll be more convenient for you." Consort Yang agreed immediately.

"Remember, do not cause trouble for the King of Han when you go out, and you must return before dark."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty," Li Yuanchang said.

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. If there's nothing else, I'll head to the Imperial Study first," Consort Yang said softly, her teeth gleaming white.

"Okay." Li Yuanchang stepped aside to make way.

Consort Yang led her entourage away, leaving only Li Su behind.

Li Yuanchang smiled at her and asked, "How have you been lately?"

Li Su's face was flushed, and her eyes were as beautiful as icebergs, yet she was too shy to look at people: "Reporting to Seventh Uncle, everything is fine thanks to your care."

"The people in the Inner Palace have taken good care of me. Those who used to bully me tremble at the mere mention of your name and dare not ostracize me at all. Several of my elder sisters from the imperial clan have even sent me gifts."

"Oh, am I that intimidating?" Li Yuanchang said smugly, finding it quite enjoyable to show off in front of the young girl.

"Mmm-hmm!" She nodded vigorously.

"Your Highness is the Prince of Han, the most dazzling Prince of Han in the entire Tang Dynasty. Who doesn't know that the Prince of Han is bestowed with the Nine Bestowments and deeply favored by the Emperor? He is the first prince of the royal family!"

As she spoke, her eyes were filled with the pure adoration and sense of security of a young girl.

"Hahaha!" Li Yuanchang laughed loudly.

"You're so good with words, you have such a sweet tongue."

"Let's go, leave the palace!"

"I have nothing to do today, so I'll show you around for a fun day," he said in a low voice.

"Seventh Uncle, aren't you going to buy anything for the Princess?" Li Su suppressed her excitement.

"I won't buy it. That was a lie I told. I just happen to have nothing else to do, so I'll take you out for some fun. Shh!" Li Yuanchang made a shushing gesture.

Li Su immediately tensed up, cautiously observing her surroundings, nodding like a thief, her cheeks flushed red, like a shy, delicate flower.

"Hahaha, let's go!"

Li Yuanchang led the way.

Li Su followed behind with small, quick steps. Although she tried her best to suppress it, her heart was about to jump out of her chest.

Ever since her last trip outside the palace, she had been hoping for another chance to see Li Yuanchang and go out again.

Unfortunately, she didn't get the chance to work at the royal banquet last night, and she was still feeling regretful in the middle of the night. But then, a huge reversal happened the next day.

With the help of Consort Yang, Li Yuanchang successfully led Li Su out of the palace.

As soon as they left the palace area, the entire city of Chang'an immediately became noisy and bustling, as if it were a huge amusement park.

Li Su's clear eyes widened with emotion: "Seventh Uncle, thank you."

"Hey, don't say thank you, and don't call me Seventh Uncle. I'm only a few years older than you. Calling me 'Your Highness' makes me sound old. You might as well call me 'Your Highness'."

"Well... alright, Your Highness!" Li Su said obediently.

"Tell me, where do you want to go? We didn't have enough time last time, but today we can explore the whole of Chang'an," Li Yuanchang said with a smile, as if bringing this girl out was also a way to purify his own soul.

All the scheming and bloodshed vanished in Li Su's icy eyes.

"Seventh, Your Highness, I would like to visit Chao'an Temple, may I?"

"I heard from the new people who entered the palace that the place is very efficacious, and I want to go there to ask for a peace charm." Li Su's eyes held a hint of cautious probing, afraid that Li Yuanchang would not be willing to go.

Li Yuanchang was heartbroken.

"No problem, let's go."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Along the way, the two chatted and laughed, talking about interesting palace matters. Li Su seemed to have endless things to say, constantly sharing them with Li Yuanchang.

Most of the royal women who remained in the palace felt insecure, but she was more beautiful than Princess Honghua and more like a caged bird.

Moreover, Li Yuanchang always felt that he had a connection with her, so he helped her whenever he could.

Chao'an Temple is located inside Chang'an, so it only takes a short while to get there.

Li Yuanchang did not go inside; he waited in the carriage.

She returned in just a short while.

"So fast?" Li Yuanchang asked in surprise.

"Your Highness, I'm afraid I'll keep you waiting too long."

"So, did you get what you asked for?"

"I got it." Li Su nodded, spreading out her fair palms, which were so rosy that even someone over eighteen years old might not have them.

A small, safe charm strung together with red thread lay quietly.

Li Yuanchang nodded: "Then let's go."

"Your Highness, here you go." Li Su suddenly spoke, her eyes showing a hint of embarrassment.

"For me?"

Li Su nodded repeatedly: "Your Highness is often away from home, either suppressing bandits or running around. I heard that Your Highness is still fighting in Tuyuhun this time, which is too dangerous."

"Susu wants Your Highness to be safe and sound; I've heard this place is very effective."

Li Yuanchang was taken aback. He looked into her icy eyes and was deeply moved.

He even had an idea.

He secretly wondered whether he should take Li Su away and have the princess adopt her, since she had the status of a member of the royal family and had made meritorious contributions this time.

He slowly took it, held it in his hand, and smiled: "Alright, I will definitely take good care of it."

"If you turn misfortune into good fortune in the future, it will be because you have protected me."

"Your Highness, please don't say such unlucky things. It's best if you never encounter danger in your life!" Li Su said seriously and with great anxiety.

"Haha, okay."

"As a gesture of goodwill, I will invite you to enjoy some Western Region cuisine so that you can experience a different kind of local customs and culture."

Li Su nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with curiosity, as if she were always yearning for the outside world.

"Does Chang'an also have cuisine from the Western Regions?"

"Of course, the Tang Dynasty was vast and rich in resources, revered by all nations. Merchants from all regions came to trade, and the number of registered non-Han people in Chang'an alone reached tens of thousands."

"Many strange and wonderful things from the Western Regions have been brought here, but you certainly can't get them in the palace. I'll show you how to experience them."

"Okay, thank you, Uncle Seven!"

"Don't call me Uncle, call me Your Highness."

"..."