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

The two didn't say much, and it wouldn't be appropriate for others to see them, so Li Yuanchang dealt with it quickly and simply.

After finishing their business, the two took a walk and chatted for a while.

Li Su asked him many questions about Liangzhou and the Han Prince's Mansion, and even asked if the Han Princess would dislike her. It was clear that she longed for and was excited about going to Liangzhou.

She even said she would take good care of Li Yuanchang and wouldn't cause him any trouble; her thoughtfulness was heartbreaking.

Finally, the sun sets and night is about to fall.

Li Yuanchang had no choice but to leave.

Li Su reluctantly escorted him to a certain palace gate.

Even after Li Yuanchang had walked a long way, she was still standing there, leaning against the archway, small and frail like a lone boat, waiting for Li Yuanchang to come and pick her up again.

But the thought of leaving with Li Yuanchang soon made him smile uncontrollably.

……

three days later.

After heated debate in the Council of State, the main dowry for the marriage alliance was finally finalized.

The Tang Dynasty will gift silkworm eggs, winemaking, and knitting techniques, along with 500 volumes of various books, most of which are Buddhist scriptures and some purely literary works.

There were also a large quantity of gold, silver, and jade artifacts, as well as a small amount of farming tools and seeds.

Furthermore, the Tang Dynasty would allow the sons of Tibetan nobles to study in Chang'an, and even to enter the Imperial Academy.

However, all the skilled craftsmen were shut down due to Li Yuanchang's repeated opposition, and core technologies such as papermaking were not leaked.

Overall, compared to the historically renowned and extremely grand Princess Wencheng's marriage to the Tibetans, the Tang Dynasty gave far less.

These key elements will pose significant obstacles to the overall national strength of Tibet.

After reviewing it, Li Shimin approved it.

Immediately thereafter, the marriage alliance between the two great empires was fully launched.

At this moment, Li Shimin also officially issued the edict.

"My lords, His Majesty has issued a decree confirming the candidates," a servant from the Inner Palace said with a broad smile.

Discussions took place in the Council of State Affairs.

"Which princess is it?"

"His Majesty issued an edict, bestowing upon Li Su, a member of the imperial family, the title of Princess Wencheng, to be sent to the vassal state for a marriage alliance, to promote the culture of our Great Tang Dynasty, and to maintain friendly relations between the two regions."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the Political Affairs Hall smiled; after so much work, it was finally settled.

Li Yuanchang muttered to himself, "Sure enough, it really is Princess Wencheng. It seems that the historical rumors that she was the daughter of Li Daozong, the Prince of Jiangxia, are not true."

"etc!"

"Who are you calling Princess Wencheng??"

Suddenly, Li Yuanchang stood up abruptly, startling Changsun Wuji and the others.

"Your Highness, it is Li Su, a member of the imperial clan, who became the Queen Mother," the eunuch from the Inner Palace repeated.

boom!

Li Yuanchang was struck dumb, his eyes wide open.

Just as everyone was wondering what was wrong with Li Yuanchang, he rushed forward and grabbed one of the palace attendants: "Are you talking about Li Su, the one who accompanies Consort Yang?"

"Yes, it's her."

"His Majesty has met Li Su several times and knows her to be well-educated, gentle, and sensible. He values ​​her highly and has chosen her for this marriage alliance, bestowing upon her the title of Princess Wencheng. He has also posthumously granted numerous titles to the Prince Zhi's lineage, truly a testament to His Majesty's boundless grace!"

The eunuchs were still reporting the good news, but Li Yuanchang staggered back two steps, his whole body numb.

"King Han, what's wrong?"

"Your Highness the Prince of Han?" Fang Xuanling and the others all exclaimed.

Li Yuanchang's ears were ringing, his eyes were glazed over, and he couldn't hear any sounds from the outside world.

Li, Li Su...she's Princess Wencheng??

Li Su, whom I've known for a long time and have a very good personal relationship with, is actually the historically famous Princess Wencheng?!

What a joke!

"Where is His Majesty?"

He yelled, and his whole body went completely off the rails.

It was as if fate had played a cruel joke on her; how could Princess Wencheng be Li Su?

If it were someone else he didn't know who was going to be sent for the marriage alliance, he could let it go, since he couldn't stop the will of the two great empires. But since this person was Li Su, he was unwilling to accept it.

The people from the Imperial Household Department were stunned.

"I'm asking you a question!" Li Yuanchang roared, unusually losing his composure.

"Your Highness, the King of Han, His Majesty is currently resting at Zhaolu Palace."

bass! !

Without saying a word, Li Yuanchang rushed out.

The bigwigs of the entire Politics Hall were left completely baffled.

"What's wrong with the King of Han? Why is he so out of control?"

"Does Your Highness know Li Su?"

"Possibly."

"But how many levels above the King of Zhi are there? What kind of interaction could a prince like the King of Han possibly have with the King of Zhi?"

"He wouldn't be going to...?"

"..."

Zhaolu Palace.

This is one of Li Shimin's temporary palaces for rest. Today, he is in a good mood and plans to visit a new concubine in his harem.

But before it even started, it was interrupted.

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Han requests an audience outside the palace."

"Tell him to come later."

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Han says he has something important to tell me."

Li Shimin frowned, somewhat disappointed, but he quickly regained his composure: "You may leave now."

"yes!"

A young girl in a high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) slowly sheds her palace attire.

"Let the King of Han come in directly."

"yes!"

A moment later, Li Yuanchang rushed in with hurried steps, his expression solemn, serious, and even a little unpleasant.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

Li Shimin stared at him with suspicion: "Prince of Han, what's the matter that you're in such a hurry? Why are you arguing with the Minister of Works in the Hall of State Affairs again?"

"No."

"Your Majesty, all the details have been discussed and agreed upon by the ministers. I did not argue with anyone."

"However, there might be something wrong with the choice of this princess." Li Yuanchang frowned, raised his head, and tried his best to suppress his eagerness.

After all, Li Shimin had a keen eye for detail; if he could see that Li Shimin had ulterior motives, it would be unlikely that he would be able to retract his decision.

In any case, Li Yuanchang was determined to prevent Li Su from entering Tibet!

He can't control other people, but he can't control Li Su!

"Oh? What's wrong?" Li Shimin took a sip of tea.

Li Yuanchang had already come up with an excuse.

"Your Majesty, this Li Su, even the King's descendant, strictly speaking, his grandfather and the Emperor Gaozu were distant nephews."

"Firstly, the relationship is too distant. I am worried that arranging a marriage alliance between Li Su and Tubo will cause dissatisfaction among some forces within Tubo and lead to a repeat of the Tuyuhun Rebellion."

"You should know that the rebel Bato was able to quickly gather ten tribes because of the Tang court's humiliation of Tuyuhun."

Secondly, the relationships are too complicated.

"When the Tang Dynasty makes peace with Tibet through marriage, it is necessary to clarify the superior-subordinate relationship. Although both sides have simultaneously canceled military confrontation, Tibet has already gained substantial benefits. Our Tang Dynasty must take the initiative in the official positioning."

"Either father-in-law and son-in-law, or nephew and uncle."

"But Li Su's actual relationship with His Majesty is too distant, and her birth mother is of the same generation as Empress Zhangsun, who is also of noble birth. In that case, how can they be considered superior and subordinate?"

"This choice is risky, and the relationship with our Tang Dynasty's superiors is unclear. Your Majesty, it is an extremely inappropriate one!"

Li Yuanchang spoke eloquently, as if he were engaging in a debate with a group of scholars, and he persuaded them with great fervor.

He couldn't accept Li Su going to Tibet, that barbaric land. He had already told Li Su that he was going to take her to Liangzhou!