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

Inside the mansion.

The drizzle intensified, and rainwater poured down from the roof tiles.

"Situ Bo pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Han!"

Li Yuanchang quickly stepped forward and helped the man up.

"Mr. Situ, you're too polite."

"I had long admired your name on the way here, and now that I have met you, I can see that you are indeed from a scholarly family and have a wealth of knowledge."

Situ Bo was stunned for a moment, not expecting that the troublesome Prince Han, who had just become famous throughout the world and beat up the prince consort, would be so approachable.

Then he smiled kindly and said, "Your Highness, you flatter me."

"I have only been fortunate enough to read a few books of sages and have a slight touch of the literary style of the Tang Dynasty."

"To be favored by His Majesty, who is so far away, is truly a great fortune for our family!"

"It is truly a blessing from our ancestors that we were able to marry our daughter to the King of Han."

"However, Your Highness, rest assured, although my Situ family is a small and humble family and cannot be called a famous or noble family, we are still a scholarly family with very strict family traditions."

"My daughter will certainly not cause any trouble for His Highness the Prince of Han. She will be a good wife and mother and will not disgrace His Highness the Prince of Han's family."

Situ Bo did not have the arrogance of a scholar. On the contrary, he knew that the Situ family was climbing the social ladder by marrying into this family, so he adopted a very humble attitude and spoke with great sincerity.

Upon first meeting them, Li Yuanchang knew that the Situ family was no ordinary people.

But the more he felt this way, the more difficult it became for him to speak.

"Mr. Situ, you flatter me."

"Come, sit down and have some tea."

Situ Bo noticed that he seemed hesitant to speak, and was slightly puzzled, but he sat down as well.

"To be honest, Mr. Situ..."

"I'm waiting for you, also for the sake of our marriage," Li Yuanchang said hesitantly.

"Your Highness, we are aware of the situation. We will not hold a wedding ceremony and will have a low-key marriage. The Situ family has no objections." Situ Bo said solemnly.

Li Yuanchang remained silent, feeling a slight pang of guilt.

The Situ family may seem to be marrying above their station, but in reality, they are being wronged because of the "brothel case." As a scholarly family, they cannot hold a wedding ceremony for their daughter.

It should be noted that this was a major event in ancient times, especially for a scholarly family like the Situ family.

"Mr. Situ, what I was actually thinking was, how about we postpone the wedding a little longer...?"

Upon hearing this, Situ Boru's angry expression immediately changed.

"Your Highness, what's wrong...?"

Li Yuanchang quickly said, "Mr. Situ, please don't overthink it."

"This marriage was arranged by His Majesty, so naturally I cannot go back on my word."

"However, as you know, I am new here and there are so many things to do in Liangzhou. I think it is best to prioritize state affairs and official duties."

"As for romantic relationships, put them aside for a while."

Situ Bo's expression was not good. The wedding could not be held and now it would have to be delayed, but he could not refute what Li Yuanchang said.

He could only frown and ask with a stiff, aged face, "Then, Your Highness, when do you plan to marry into the family?"

"How about I take over the affairs of Liangzhou after I've finished this busy period?" Li Yuanchang asked.

Situ Bo frowned and finally said.

"If that's the case, then we'll do as Your Highness says."

"After all, national affairs are of paramount importance."

Seeing the dejected look on his face, Li Yuanchang felt guilty, but he only wanted to focus on his career and make sure to secure Liangzhou first.

This marriage was forced upon Li Shimin.

His original marriage was ruined by that bastard Li Tai.

"Master Fang, send the betrothal gifts brought from Chang'an to the Situ residence, and also add three cartloads of silk, three chests of jewels, and three hundred strings of cash..."

Before he could finish speaking, Situ Bo suddenly became displeased, stood up, and bowed with his hands clasped.

"Your Highness, this is unnecessary."

"Although the Situ family is a scholarly family, they are also a well-known wealthy family in the area, and they are not the kind of people who come to ask for money."

"If Your Highness is preoccupied with other matters, then I, Situ Bo, will take my leave."

The trusted confidants in the hall sensed something was amiss and all looked over.

Li Yuanchang quickly stood up, trying to persuade him to stay: "Mr. Situ, that's not what I meant. You've misunderstood."

"Your Highness, I dare not."

"I shall take my leave now." Situ Bo was already displeased because the marriage was going to be delayed, especially since the imperial decree had been issued. Now that he heard about the monetary compensation, he was even more unhappy.

Li Yuanchang regretted it.

He had said something wrong; scholars are known for their high aspirations.

Situ Bo was clearly enraged. His stubbornness as a scholar kicked in, and the thought of delaying the process and offering money was an insult to his pride as a member of a scholarly family.

But Li Yuanchang really only wanted to make amends; he didn't expect the old man to get angry so quickly.

He quickly got up and personally saw him off, explaining the situation kindly along the way.

But scholars in ancient times were stubborn mules. Situ Bo did not appreciate it and no matter how much Li Yuanchang apologized and explained, the other party only gave official answers.

After a while, they finally saw the person off.

But the new Prince's Mansion ended in a bitter breakup.

"Well, that's good. I'm new here, and before I even offended the local power, I've already offended my father-in-law." Li Yuanchang watched them leave with a wry smile.

Wang Hongzhi and his confidants could only manage a wry smile; anyone with eyes could see that Situ Bo was unhappy.

"Your Highness, what difference does it make whether it's sooner or later? It's all arranged by His Majesty anyway."

"You wouldn't still be thinking about..." Old Fang hesitated, then stopped himself.

In an instant, the entrance to the new Prince's Mansion fell silent.

Everyone glanced at Li Yuanchang.

The affair between His Highness and Lady Wu has become the talk of the town; everyone knows about it, especially those of them who witnessed firsthand how the two of them were deeply in love and exchanging letters for a month.

But now, it has been forcibly interfered with by imperial power.

"Your Highness, I apologize for my blunder."

Fang Weng realized he had said something he shouldn't have and was very regretful.

Li Yuanchang forced a smile: "It's nothing."

"This marriage is final, but as long as Meiniang is safe, I am at ease. Now I really want to get down to business and tidy up this bedchamber."

"yes!"

"..."

The first night at the Liangzhou New Prince's Mansion was very peaceful after the rain stopped.

But Li Yuanchang didn't sleep well; he had a dream.

In his dream, Meiniang cried and asked him why he wouldn't go to see her.

Why did you divorce her?

Why back down and break your vows to each other?

He had lost count of how many times he had dreamt of Wu Zetian. Every time he woke up in the middle of the night, his heart felt empty, as if a piece of it had been forcibly cut away.

But he had no choice; this was the will of Li Shimin, and indeed, the will of the entire Tang Dynasty!

That seemingly light prophecy carried a weight heavier than a thousand pounds, destined to be destined to meet but not to be together.

Perhaps only when he has enough power to break free from the shackles of constraints and power will he be able to see her again, but by then, things will probably have changed beyond recognition.

Perhaps, living in peace and forgetting each other is truly a kind of wisdom.

a long time.

Li Yuanchang put on his clothes and went to the window. He opened the window and looked north by the pale moonlight.

His clear and resolute face remained expressionless as he clutched the "wedding ring" in his hand, muttering to himself.

"Meiniang, go find a good family to marry into."

"Even if you can't find me, don't wait for me anymore."

"I know your personality. If I reveal the truth, you will definitely be like a moth drawn to a flame, never leaving me. But I'm afraid of implicating you."

"Your pain and your bitterness will be amplified and aggravated by the Wei King's faction in the future!"

"..."

Li Yuanchang closed his eyes tightly; he had never felt so helpless in his past and present lives.

This is a kind of helplessness where one's fate is decided by others.

When he opened his eyes again, a burning desire for revenge blazed deep within them. One day, he would take control of his own destiny instead of being manipulated by power!