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

The next day.

The sky was overcast, with no rain or thunder, but also no sun.

It seemed as if even the heavens were feeling sorry and reluctant for Li Su's marriage alliance.

But the date has been set, and it has to continue even if it hailes.

Early in the morning, a storm was brewing outside Chang'an City. A continuous stream of carriages and horses, like long dragons, kept driving out, and the huge marriage alliance procession consisted of four thousand people.

With the addition of members of the royal family and civil and military officials seeing them off, the scene was unprecedented and unparalleled.

To demonstrate the imperial favor, Li Shimin mobilized two thousand people for a grand send-off ceremony. He even ordered the slaughter of pigs and sheep to be offered as sacrifices to Heaven, praying for a smooth journey for Princess Wencheng to the Tibetan kingdom.

The entire process alone took a whole morning.

Li Yuanchang stood in the most central area, expressionless as he watched these superficial gestures and Li Shimin's hypocritical performance.

Looking at Princess Wencheng, whose name is etched in history but who was forced to sacrifice her life, he had almost made some kind of preparation.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Princess Wencheng met with Li Shimin one last time amidst the blessings of numerous monks.

Everyone waited.

There were many people at the scene. Suddenly, Li Yuanchang felt someone approaching him. He looked over with his cold gaze and saw that the person was dressed in brocade robes, with fair skin and an air of nobility.

The current emperor's son-in-law, Chai Lingwu!

Li Yuanchang's eyes were icy cold: "What's that smell? It stinks!"

Chai Lingwu's face turned ugly for a moment, then he revealed a cold smile, walked to Li Yuanchang's side, and mocked him in a voice that only the two of them could hear.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Han seems to be in a bad mood?"

"How can I be in a good mood if you don't die?" Li Yuanchang retorted.

Chai Lingwu was speechless, his eyes filled with hostility, but he didn't retaliate.

"Your Highness, I truly envy you. His Majesty has entrusted you with such an important task, allowing you to lead the Imperial Guard in negotiations with the Tibetan king."

"Even the most powerful officials in the Three Provinces and Six Ministries didn't have a chance to do this; you must ensure Princess Wencheng is delivered safely."

He deliberately emphasized the last sentence, as if he knew that Li Yuanchang and Li Su had an unusual relationship and was deliberately retaliating against them.

"You don't need to worry about that."

"You should really think of a way to cure your illness."

"What do you mean?" Chai Lingwu asked, his eyes filled with displeasure.

"What a hero Duke Chai was, but alas, his descendants are incompetent. It is said that the prince consort still has no children. It seems that Prince Consort Chai is in poor health."

"If you can't get it up, don't be embarrassed. Tell me, and I'll introduce you to a good doctor." Li Yuanchang's eyes were full of sarcasm, and he spoke quite loudly, so that at least those around him could hear him.

In ancient times, the continuation of bloodlines was highly valued. Saying someone had no son was already considered extremely offensive, but having no descendants was the ultimate humiliation.

The nearby imperial relatives all bowed their heads, not daring to look.

Chai Lingwu's face instantly turned as red as a monkey's bottom, veins bulging on his forehead: "You!!"

"You're the one who's impotent! This prince consort is perfectly healthy!"

"Look, you're getting impatient." Li Yuanchang remained calm and composed, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

"If someone says that the Duke of Wei doesn't understand military strategy, he certainly won't get angry, because everyone knows that's nonsense."

"After all, lies are only funny, but the truth is the most hurtful."

"Bastard!" Chai Lingwu's face turned ashen, as if he had been stepped on. His dignity as a man had been trampled on, and in his rage, he wanted to push Li Yuanchang.

Li Yuanchang's skills were far beyond what Chai Lingwu could fake; with a slight sidestep, Chai Lingwu missed his target.

At the same time, Li Yuanchang secretly stuck out a foot.

boom!

Chai Lingwu yelled and his body went awry as he fell down the steps, knocking over the bronze artifacts and landing face-first in the dirt.

The commotion attracted the attention of many people.

Chai Lingwu was so ashamed that he wanted to curse, but he held back. Making trouble in such a big setting would cost him ten lives.

"Guards! The prince consort is ill and should not be exposed to sunlight for long. He may become delirious. Quickly send him back to the Chai residence!" Li Yuanchang shouted.

"yes!"

The Imperial Guards acted immediately, fearing that it would disrupt the proper conduct of the ceremony.

Li Yuanchang now has the authority to command the Imperial Guards, and even the military tallies for the Left and Right Vanguards are in his possession.

The phrase "physically weak, should not be exposed to sunlight for long periods" was met with laughter from some in the crowd.

"You!" Chai Lingwu was so angry that he vomited blood on the spot.

"puff!!"

The blood mist filled the air, immediately drawing gasps from those around. Could it be that Prince Consort Chai was truly as rumored...?

Li Yuanchang stood on the steps, tall and imposing, a stark contrast to Chai Lingwu being carried away below.

Li Yuanchang's gaze was indifferent as he looked down at the crowd.

Chai Lingwu was filled with boundless hatred, wishing he could devour Li Yuanchang.

But over the years, Chai Lingwu, the son of an official, has actually lost the right to be Li Yuanchang's opponent. Even Li Tai, whom he supports, can no longer do anything to Li Yuanchang.

Soon, Li Yuanchang's famous saying, "The prince consort is often ill and should not be exposed to sunlight for long," will circulate among the aristocratic circles of Chang'an.

These words were an extreme insult, more hurtful than any form of revenge. He can forget about ever getting rid of the "shrew" label.

Fifteen minutes later, all the procedures were completed.

Li Shimin personally escorted Princess Wencheng into the golden carriage that symbolized nobility.

Li Yuanchang stood to one side the whole time, his gaze meeting Li Su's several times, but Li Su avoided it each time.

But he could clearly see that the other person's eyes were swollen from crying, even though they were covered up with rouge and powder.

"Seventh Brother."

Li Yuanchang came to his senses and cupped his hands in greeting.

"This mission is of great importance. The journey to Tibet is long and arduous, and we will have to cross the high plateau. The conditions will be tough, so I'm afraid you'll have to work hard. But you must deliver the team safely and complete the tasks I have entrusted to you." Li Shimin's eyes were serious, as if he were entrusting a national mission to someone.

"Your Majesty, I understand," Li Yuanchang said, but he couldn't empathize at all. He didn't agree with the marriage alliance in the first place, let alone sacrificing Li Su.

Li Shimin nodded and then patted him on the shoulder.

"Your mission is to deliver the person to Baihai. Once there, the Tibetan army will be responsible for escorting you through the most difficult high-altitude mountain range. However, it is estimated that you will not be able to return until next year."

"Don't worry about Liangzhou and the Prince of Han's residence. I will send people to keep an eye on things for you."

His reassuring tone was meant to reassure Li Yuanchang that he could send the bride without worry, promising that what happened before would not happen again. He was personally overseeing Liangzhou and would not allow those whom Li Yuanchang might have offended to take advantage of the situation.

It was already quite an achievement to get the emperor to make such a guarantee.

Anyone else would have been deeply moved, but after seeing the cold-blooded ruthlessness of imperial power, Li Yuanchang's heart had long been "de-enchanted".

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will certainly do my utmost!"

Li Shimin said solemnly, "It's not about going all out, it's about ensuring the person's safe arrival. This matter concerns the long-term future of the Tang Dynasty!"