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

The spacious tent was filled with weeping.

Li Su lay on her sickbed, her face pale, with bright red bloodstains on the bedding, her delicate features filled with death.

"Three great monks." Songtsen Gampo turned around.

An elderly man dressed in a foreign robe quickly walked out; he appeared to be a foreign doctor.

Tibet had its own system, including its own writing system and medical practices, which were already in their rudiments before Princess Wencheng entered Tibet.

This foreign doctor was clearly highly respected, equivalent to Li Shimin's imperial physician.

Li Yuanchang did not stop them, but instead used etiquette as an excuse to forbid anyone from touching Li Su's body.

Tibet was even more conservative than the Central Plains; no one dared to put their ear to Li Su's chest to listen to her heartbeat, which was a good thing.

Chi Lianchong and Yuan Chang, who were not far away, nodded slightly, indicating that the Corpse Dissection Technique had begun and Li Su was in a state of absolute suspended animation.

But faced with the equally mysterious Tibetan medical techniques, Li Yuanchang was also somewhat apprehensive.

Everything has to be lied about, otherwise it's all just empty talk.

Everyone calmed down and waited quietly for the foreign doctor to examine and save them.

Most people were unaware of this, and even Tang Jun was hoping for a turnaround.

The three monks also took pulses and checked breathing. With the help of palace maids, they also examined the mouth. Their expressions remained very solemn.

Finally, he moved Li Su's eyelids.

It was at this moment that Li Yuanchang's palms became sweaty. The pupils of a dead person will dilate, something that even the Corpse Dissection Technique cannot accomplish.

He wasn't sure if Tibetan doctors had this common knowledge.

The foreign doctor's brows furrowed and relaxed at times.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment. Li Yuanchang frowned, and the only sound in the air was the sobbing of the dowry members.

I don't know how much time has passed.

The Tibetan doctor turned around and sighed, "Your Majesty, the princess is dead; there's nothing we can do to save her."

These eight words definitively marked the end of Princess Wencheng's life.

Suddenly, cries erupted at the scene.

Upon receiving the news outside the tent, thousands of Tang Dynasty imperial guards knelt down in unison, crying out in sorrow, "Respectfully bidding farewell to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty! Respectfully bidding farewell to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty!!"

The sound lingered and echoed endlessly.

At this moment, the Tibetan doctor walked up to Songtsen Gampo and whispered something to him.

Songtsen Gampo's heroic and valiant face showed a hint of helplessness and confusion as he looked at Li Yuanchang: "Your Highness, what happened to you? How did you end up like this?"

Li Yuanchang said in a deep voice: "The famous doctors in the army have all examined the princess. They said that her heart disease is difficult to cure. In addition, due to the hardships of the journey and the mistaken consumption of tribute, her health has been deteriorating. It has been like this since Hexi."

"Zanpu..." Lunqin Fucha wanted to point to Li Yuanchang.

"Shut up!"

Songtsen Gampo gave a low shout.

Lun Qin Fucha was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.

"It is absolutely true that the princess died on her way to a marriage alliance; there is no need to elaborate."

"The great pearl of the Tang Dynasty withered at the gates of the plateau. I, the Zanpu, bear an inescapable responsibility for this loss, which is also a loss for the entire Tibetan Empire. I, the Zanpu, am deeply saddened."

"The princess brought peace and exchange between the two countries. No one wants to see this happen. I'm sure the princess, if she were alive, would not want to see conflict between the two countries caused by her death!" Songtsen Gampo said in a deep voice.

"yes!"

The Tibetan envoys all put their hands to their chests.

A hint of appreciation flashed in Li Yuanchang's eyes, but judging from his overall vision, Songtsen Gampo truly deserved to be called the first king of Tibet!

At this moment, Songtsen Gampo looked at Li Yuanchang with great respect: "Your Highness, although the princess is dead, the Tang Dynasty and Tibet have already made a marriage agreement, and she is now the Queen of Tibet, Your Highness Jamsa."

"The king wanted to take the princess's body back to Tibet, build an immortal statue for her, place it in a temple, and have the Tibetan people worship her day and night."

Li Yuanchang thought to himself, "Just as I thought."

The important thing was not Li Su, but the marriage alliance.

This marriage would allow Songtsen Gampo to gain political prestige, cultivate an image as a leader destined by heaven, and acquire advanced civilizations and trade opportunities.

Therefore, even the corpses had to be taken back by the Tibetans.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid that won't work."

When these words were spoken, even the usually composed Songtsen Gampo frowned slightly.

Li Yuanchang took out a letter: "Your Majesty, take a look. This is the princess's last letter before she died. She knew her health was deteriorating, so she wrote it in advance."

Songtsen Gampo accepted it.

The handwriting was neat and beautiful, and there were traces of coughed-up blood on it.

The suicide note clearly stated that he was not fortunate enough to have that blessing, and hoped that his actions would not affect the alliance between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet. He also left a last wish that he be buried within the territory of the Tang Dynasty.

Songtsen Gampo frowned, looking troubled.

Li Yuanchang cupped his hands in respect: "I hope the Zanpu (king) will fulfill the princess's last wish!"

"We hope the princess will fulfill her last wish!"

All the Tang soldiers inside the tent bowed in unison.

Princess Wencheng died as a bride in a political marriage, which made her a meritorious figure in a political sense. In ancient times, people believed in returning to one's roots after death, so the Tang army was almost united.

Songtsen Gampo glanced regretfully at Princess Wencheng, whom he had never met but who was already dead.

"Ugh."

He sighed, "Well, since the princess has left a last wish, I, the king, will not force her to do it."

"But the king wanted to hold a grand funeral for the princess, with ten thousand monks praying for her to go to heaven after her death."

"There shouldn't be any problem with this, right?"

Li Yuanchang was in a difficult situation. There were only two hours left, and in ancient times, funerals of this caliber were usually held in days.

If permission is granted, the truth will inevitably be revealed.

Not allowing it would be too inhumane.

"Your Highness, this is a national gift from Tibet. You wouldn't refuse even this small courtesy, would you?" A minister from Tibet immediately spoke up.

Li Yuanchang took a deep breath and looked directly at Songtsen Gampo: "Yes!"

"But the princess's true form must not be revealed; she must be placed in a coffin, and our Tang army must guard her every step of the way."

"Princess Wencheng was a princess of the Tang Dynasty in life and in death. We must uphold her dignity even in death, and we hope the Zanpu (King) can understand."

Songtsen Gampo narrowed his eyes, a hint of doubt flashing in his brown pupils.

But instead of bringing it up in person, he gave Li Yuanchang a deep look.

"Very well, Your Highness."

The Tibetan envoys hesitated to speak, but were silenced by a single look from Songtsen Gampo.

Li Yuanchang cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Then please move aside. The female officials of the Tang Dynasty need to prepare the princess's appearance. Let's prepare for the funeral together."

"After the funeral, I will take the princess back to her homeland. As for the alliance meeting, due to unforeseen circumstances, I must wait for His Majesty's decree."

"We'll see how Your Majesty decides."

Songtsen Gampo nodded, then led his men away.

Watching the person walk away, Li Yuanchang let out a deep breath. Thankfully, it was a close call.

All that's left is to follow the procedures. All that's needed is a burial, with the female corpse replaced by one that has decomposed over time. That will completely cover up the whole affair.

Even if an investigation were to be conducted later, there would be no way to verify the facts.

"Your Highness." Chi Lian came to Li Yuanchang's side.

"You stay here and proceed according to the original plan. My prediction was correct. Songtsen Gampo wanted a marriage alliance, not a woman."

"yes!"