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

Li Yuanchang shook his head: "I'm afraid that won't work."

Why?

"The Tang Dynasty has its own rules, and your Zanpu (king) cannot disrespect the Tang Dynasty." Li Yuanchang casually made up an excuse, but in reality, he didn't want to be monitored.

Although Li Su didn't say it, she clearly enjoyed traveling and sightseeing.

"You!" a Tibetan envoy shouted.

Guo Chao and the others' eyes immediately sharpened.

Lun Qin Fucha sensed something was wrong and immediately pressed down on his subordinate, bowing and apologizing: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. It was my fault for not disciplining him properly."

Li Yuanchang waved his hand: "It's alright."

"The Tang and Tibetan alliance is about to convene, and the wedding is imminent. These are all inevitable events, so please, envoy, do not rush things."

"Once we reach Baihai, everything will fall into place naturally. Now, please act according to my wishes."

Lun Qin Fucha felt slightly relieved upon hearing this: "Yes."

"We are also worried that the process will take too long and make the Zanpu wait too long. In addition, we are also afraid that any accidents may occur along the way, after all, this is the first marriage and alliance between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet."

"Since the King of Han has said so, then we can rest assured."

Li Yuanchang's gesture of extending his hand was neither particularly warm nor cold; he actually had no goodwill towards the people of the Tibetan Empire at that moment.

During the Tang Dynasty, the Tibetan Empire frequently crossed the border and plundered people, and in its later stages, it even reached Chang'an.

Despite the fact that the Tang Dynasty destroyed many countries and fought countless battles, the only country that could truly be considered a centuries-long nemesis was Tibet.

After bowing respectfully, Lun Qin Fucha left.

Li Yuanchang leaned against a tree and dozed off for a while.

"Your Highness, Your Highness!"

Suddenly, a burst of enthusiastic and excited voices rang out.

Li Yuanchang opened his eyes and saw Li Suhui running towards him, her lotus feet stepping on the lush grass, a gentle breeze blowing the black hair at her temples, so beautiful that even butterflies couldn't resist chasing after her.

This is the real her, not the shell imprisoned by the queen.

"Why are you back so soon?"

"Your Highness, we've picked them! We've picked them! There are so many colorful berries on the mountain!" She exclaimed excitedly, like a child.

Li Yuanchang was both amused and exasperated: "Silly girl, this and this are not edible."

"Huh?" Li Su was immediately disappointed: "Then I'll go again..."

"Eh."

"Only some parts are inedible, these are still fine." Li Yuanchang casually picked one up and took a bite.

"Your Highness, you haven't washed yet..." Li Su didn't even have time to stop him, his eyes wide open.

"Haha, it's alright. A little dirt won't make you sick," Li Yuanchang laughed. In fact, these fruits and vegetables in ancient times were as clean as could be.

Without chemical fertilizers and pesticides, you could eat it raw without any problems. At most, there would be some dust on the surface, but it wouldn't cause any harm. It was only in later generations that you had to wash it thoroughly.

puff……

Li Su was amused by the rhyme, and her eyes curved into crescent moons.

"good!"

She picked one up, took a small bite, and the white teeth and bright red fruit made a crisp clinking sound.

The juice splattered out instantly, hitting Li Yuanchang squarely in the face.

Li Su was stunned, and then a blush crept up her face.

"Hahaha!" Li Yuanchang burst into laughter.

Li Su felt extremely embarrassed, her face turning bright red. She took out a handkerchief to wipe Li Yuanchang's face.

He glanced at the Imperial Guards not far away, and Li Su's movements also paused slightly, realizing that his identity was different from before and something was amiss.

Li Yuanchang took it, wiped it himself, and then said, "Let's go inside the carriage."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Li Su bowed and resumed her identity as Princess Wencheng.

Li Yuanchang reached out his hand, and Li Su took his, and they boarded the carriage.

"Your Highness, may I come in for a moment? I have important matters to discuss with you." Li Su's lying manner appeared somewhat nervous, even giving the impression of trying to cover something up.

In fact, the Imperial Guards were outside and couldn't hear anything.

"Okay." Li Yuanchang suppressed a laugh and cooperated.

Once inside the carriage, no one could see inside anymore, and Li Su could be herself without any restraint, instead of being Princess Wencheng.

Li Yuanchang accompanied her to chat and write, eat and travel together, just like a real trip to enjoy the scenery.

With such companionship, Li Su completely forgot about her trip to Tibet and all the things she didn't want to do, immersing herself in the world with Li Yuanchang.

"..."

The next day, the group set off again, but stopped after only two days.

They were either sightseeing, visiting temples and shrines, soaking in hot springs, or catching butterflies, which made the Tibetan envoys very anxious.

But Li Yuanchang always had a legitimate reason, and the Tibetan envoys were completely helpless and could only wait.

As time went by, Li Yuanchang and Li Su became closer and more familiar with each other. If one did not know their identities, one would think they were a married couple.

Along this journey, their feelings for each other continued to grow, but they always adhered to the red line, treating each other only as brother and sister.

However, even if you walk slowly, you are still moving forward.

As time passed and we looked back, we realized we were already far from Chang'an.

In mid-to-late May, in late spring and early summer, we finally arrived in Shanzhou.

Because of the Tuyuhun incident, the entire Shanzhou was made a scapegoat and wiped out by Li Shimin. Therefore, the new governor of Shanzhou learned his lesson and led the government troops to welcome and escort him early on.

Unfortunately, a sudden downpour struck.

The rain made the roads muddy, so Li Yuanchang ordered the entire wedding procession to make a short stop in Shanzhou.

The group continued on to Chiling, then entered Tuyuhun, took the Qinghai Road to the Tangfan Ancient Road, and finally arrived at Baihai.

Strictly speaking, Shanzhou may be the last node in the Central Plains, so it is obvious that Li Su is not as happy as he was two months ago.

Fear, unease, and resistance occasionally appeared on her face. The faster you walked and the closer you got, the closer you were to the shattering of her beautiful dream.

These were things that Li Yuanchang could clearly sense up close, but he wasn't entirely sure yet, so he could only stall for time on the road.

Boom!

In Shanzhou, amidst thunder and rain, night gradually fell.

Li Yuanchang sat at his desk in the side hall of the imperial palace, writing several letters.

If it weren't for Princess Wencheng's journey to Tibet, he probably would have returned to Liangzhou a month ago. But now he has traveled back and forth to Shannan West Road twice, passing by his home without entering Liangzhou.

He felt guilty towards Qin Keyu and Cui Wanqing, who were pregnant. He had been there for Situ Lan when she was pregnant, but he hadn't been there for either of them.

He might not even have time to get back when the baby is born.

He could only send greetings and express his concern through letters.

Just as I finished packing the letter, creak...

Some noise came from the Zhu family gate.

Li Yuanchang turned his head to look at him: "Why are you here? Didn't I tell you to stay close to Susu?"