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

Historically, the sixteenth year of the Zhenguan era was actually the peak of the confrontation between the two factions of Li Chengqian and Li Tai. Even when Wei Zheng became the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, he only maintained a superficial calm, and the contradictions between the two sides were irreconcilable.

Just like Li Shimin and his elder brother back then.

But now, history has taken a turn, and Li Tai's political career has ended prematurely.

Strangely, Li Zhi never seemed to be considered for succession and still did not receive special attention from Li Shimin.

On the contrary, another person emerged on the page ahead of time: King Li Ke of Wu!

Early October.

With the weather turning cooler, it's the perfect time to go out.

After a period of rest, Li Shimin seemed to be in a better mood and announced the start of the "Autumn Hunt".

It was an autumn royal hunting event. The martial Tang Dynasty held similar events almost every year, but this time it was different because Li Shimin specifically requested that Li Ke accompany him.

Li Chengqian was the crown prince and was to oversee the country, so it was normal that he didn't bring this along.

It's normal that Li Tai didn't bring him.

But none of the many princes in Chang'an were brought along; only Prince Wu, Li Ke, was brought. In the past, male members of the imperial family would usually show their faces at such royal events, but this time only Li Ke was present.

Every action of the emperor will arouse countless speculations among his subordinates. Whether it is excessive or correct, this matter has indeed aroused some discussion.

"Brother, what do you think of this Prince Wu, Li Ke? I've rarely heard of him. Li Tai left, and Li Ke has come. His Majesty wouldn't be thinking of...?"

Li Yuanchang glared at Cheng Chuliang: "You're commenting on topics even your own father wouldn't dare discuss. Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Cheng Chuliang chuckled and scratched his head with his large, fan-like hand: "Isn't there no one else around?"

Li Yuanchang glanced out of the carriage and said, "This is the main street, don't you think?"

Cheng Chuliang had no choice but to shut up.

"Alright, you should head back to Lantian County first. Officials from the central government will be arriving there in the next couple of days."

"His Majesty has chosen to hunt at the royal hunting grounds in Wangchuan, which falls under the jurisdiction of Lantian County. Instruct Kou Zhu and his men to clear the hunting grounds overnight and to have the army seal off the area. We must ensure there are no assassins or unknown risks!"

"I will arrive later," Li Yuanchang said.

Cheng Chuliang was extremely serious. His battlefield experience and promotion had made him much more mature, although he still couldn't control his mouth.

"Yes, brother, don't worry, I know how serious this matter is."

"Go."

After Li Yuanchang finished speaking, he lowered the curtain.

Cheng Chuliang led his guards and quickly passed through the bustling long street, heading straight out of Chang'an.

Li Yuanchang also urged Guo Chao and the others to hurry up, as he was rushing to the government office to make preparations.

When the emperor went out for a casual trip, he would have thousands of people and countless departments working together, much like in later generations. It wasn't something that could be done on a whim.

This trip was an autumn hunt, which involved security, supplies, weapons, armor, warhorses, and other transportation, and fell under the purview of the Ministry of War.

In addition, the hunting grounds in Wangchuan were less than five or six miles outside Lantian County, and Li Yuanchang also controlled the local garrison there.

Therefore, almost all the heavy responsibilities fell on his shoulders during the entire autumn hunt, and he would be held accountable for even the slightest mistake.

With time running out and the task at hand, the Han Prince's convoy sped through the streets of Chang'an.

Cavalrymen led the way to avoid hitting civilians.

But suddenly.

boom! !

With a loud crash, the carriage shook violently, and Li Yuanchang lost his balance. If it weren't for his quick reflexes and extremely strong core strength, he might have been thrown out of the carriage.

It was an expensive carriage that came out from a side road, and it almost collided head-on with Li Yuanchang's carriage.

"Your Highness!"

"Your Highness!"

In an instant, exclamations arose and horses neighed.

The guards rushed forward immediately.

The curtain was drawn back, and Li Yuanchang came out.

"We deserve to die!"

"I am fine."

When he caught a glimpse of another carriage that had been hit and whose wheels were broken, he frowned, jumped off the carriage, and ran quickly towards it.

This carriage was extremely valuable, and it was accompanied by many attendants and even guards, clearly indicating that it had an extraordinary background.

The people on the other side clearly realized that the Prince of Han's guards were no ordinary people, so no argument broke out immediately after the two cars collided.

"Gentlemen, is anyone injured?" Li Yuanchang asked with a hint of shame, explaining that the carriage had been traveling too fast in their haste.

In ancient times, there were no traffic lights, so those who rushed across the river naturally bore more responsibility.

Before the guards could speak, an angry female voice rang out from inside the carriage.

What do you think?

"Are you blind? Seize them and hand them over to the authorities!"

His voice, slightly arrogant and condescending, immediately suggested he was not someone to be trifled with.

The guards frowned.

Just by standing there, no one on the other side dared to move.

Someone hurried to the carriage and whispered, "Your Highness, the other party is also someone important."

"Background? What's your background?"

"How much more powerful is Chang'an?"

Upon hearing these two sentences, Li Yuanchang's expression turned strange; this was quite an overstatement.

The next second, the carriage curtain was lifted, and the woman inside stepped out angrily.

The impact had clearly injured her; she had bumped her forehead and looked somewhat shaken, her face now contorted with anger.

At first glance, Li Yuanchang's eyes lit up slightly.

This woman is exceptionally young and beautiful, perhaps only fourteen or fifteen years old, but she has her hair styled in a flying fairy bun, indicating that she is already married. She is dressed in a standard peach-colored palace dress of the Tang Dynasty, which looks extremely dignified.

Her forehead was adorned with a peony pattern, and her face was fair and her lips were red, making her extremely exquisite. Her eyes had a hint of arrogance, but also revealed an innate nobility in her bones.

Such refinement could never be cultivated in ordinary wealthy families.

When she saw Li Yuanchang, she was also stunned, her beautiful eyes sparkling with amazement.

Suddenly, the tense atmosphere seemed to cool down abruptly.

"Madam, my men were reckless and failed to notice your carriage. I apologize."

"I will compensate you for the carriage," Li Yuanchang said in an approachable manner.

"This king? You are...?" The woman's arrogance vanished without a trace, replaced by curiosity.

"This is the current King of Han," Guo Chao said.

The woman was shocked upon hearing this.

"You, you're Uncle Seven??"

Her words left Li Yuanchang stunned.

Guo Chao and the others all opened their eyes wide. Anyone who could call Li Yuanchang "Seventh Uncle" must at least be a member of the imperial clan.

"Who are you?" Li Yuanchang did not recognize this woman, and had never even seen her before.

"Seventh Uncle, I am Gao Yang."

"Gao Yang pays his respects to Seventh Uncle." The woman smiled and performed a courtly Tang Dynasty salute.

"We pay our respects to the King of Han!" His attendants bowed in unison.

Li Yuanchang's pupils dilated instantly!

Gaoyang?

"You are Princess Gaoyang, His Majesty's daughter?" He couldn't help but raise his voice.