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

The Palace of the King of Wu.

Unlike the bustling Wei Prince's Mansion, which was once filled with countless guests, this place is extremely quiet, even a bit deserted, presenting a state of being closed to visitors.

Li Yuanchang knocked on the door himself.

Footsteps came from inside, and a very young boy opened the door. He was shocked the moment he saw Li Yuanchang.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Han!"

He immediately opened the door, bowed, and clasped his hands in greeting.

"You know me?" Li Yuanchang asked with a smile.

"Your Highness, I have seen the portraits of many officials in Chang'an. This was at the request of the Prince of Wu, to avoid any misunderstandings caused by encountering someone who does not recognize them."

Li Yuanchang nodded, thinking to himself that Li Ke was indeed very cautious in his actions.

"Is the King of Wu in his residence?"

"Yes, he is recovering from his injuries. The court officials arrived not long ago, and His Highness lay down after they left."

"Please come in, Your Majesty. I will go and invite you immediately."

"it is good."

Li Yuanchang entered the mansion with two other people, carrying some tonics.

The Wu Prince's Mansion is not only quiet, but also very serene. At first glance, you can hardly see any valuable ornaments, but there are quite a few calligraphy and paintings.

A person's residence can reflect their inner world. The Han Prince's residence was a place of harmony and joy, which was somewhat out of place with the strictness of the era.

Li Ke also followed an unconventional path, seemingly living in seclusion. Most of his household attendants were young men, with only the guards being slightly older.

Li Yuanchang strolled leisurely into the main hall, and had barely sat down when Li Ke hurriedly brought people over.

"Uncle Seven's arrival is an incredible honor for Ke!"

He greeted us from afar with a cupped hand, his face beaming with a warm smile. He possessed everything: good looks, refined demeanor, height, manners, and eloquence.

With the blood of two dynasties flowing through his veins, he was practically the template for royal offspring.

"Haha, Your Majesty, you are too polite." Li Yuanchang returned the greeting.

"I have just finished my work and found some tonics in my residence to bring to King Wu in order to check on his injuries."

Upon hearing this, Li Ke was overjoyed and personally accepted the gift.

"Seventh Uncle, you are an elder, and I am truly ashamed that you have to make such a special trip for me."

Li Yuanchang glanced at his arm, which was still in a sling.

"King Wu took that blow for me. If it weren't for you, I might not be here now. It was only right that I made this trip."

Li Ke did not make a big deal out of it, but said, "It's nothing, just a minor injury."

"Seventh Uncle, come, sit down and let's talk."

After the two sat down, a servant served tea.

Li Ke smiled and said optimistically, "Although I was injured, I benefited from Uncle Qi's good fortune this time. Not long ago, Father Emperor sent someone to bestow honors upon me."

"Not only were he rewarded with gold and silver treasures, but he was also exceptionally allowed to enter the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to study."

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow.

The Court of Imperial Sacrifices is one of the Nine Courts, in charge of sacrificial rites. This in itself is not a promotion, but allowing Li Ke to study here is equivalent to officially keeping Li Ke in Chang'an.

This is the key point!

Li Yuanchang sighed inwardly. He had thought that Li Chengqian would feel a little better after Li Tai was deposed.

That's good, since Li Tai left, Li Shimin immediately promoted Li Ke.

As soon as Li Ke arrived, Changsun Wuji and his men immediately became restless, and the situation only became more and more chaotic.

"Seventh Uncle, you seem unhappy?" Li Ke, with his keen perception, asked tentatively.

Li Yuanchang came to his senses and smiled, "No, I just feel that the credit for protecting the emperor should go to you."

"My reward is too high. Your Majesty, please allow me to bring a sword into the palace."

Upon hearing this, even Li Ke, with his usually composed personality, was taken aback.

Good heavens, someone brought a knife into the palace!

He looked at Li Yuanchang with increasing awe, but not at all jealousy.

"No, Seventh Uncle, it was all thanks to you for protecting me. If it weren't for your meticulous defenses and quick response, something terrible might have really happened."

"Ke just happened to be there and got some credit for it. He's already very happy to be able to study at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

Li Yuanchang hesitated for a moment.

He didn't want to get involved in the struggle for the crown prince position in the Li Tang dynasty, but each time, various unexpected events would drag him into it.

First, Li Tai caused trouble, then she had that kind of relationship with the Crown Princess. Fortunately, she didn't get pregnant; if she had, it would have been even more troublesome.

Now Li Ke is taking the hit again, and he can't dodge it even if he wants to.

"King Wu, is it possible to speak with him alone?" he suddenly whispered.

Li Ke was startled and immediately dismissed everyone.

"Seventh Uncle, please speak freely. Once you enter Ke's ears, it will cease to exist." He said seriously, knowing that Li Yuanchang was about to say something important.

Li Yuanchang nodded.

He first asked, "King of Wu, do you prefer your fiefdom or Chang'an?"

The air fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

Asking a prince this question carries multiple layers of meaning.

After hesitating for a long time, Li Ke finally said, "In the fiefdom, you are free."

Seeing his hesitation, Li Yuanchang already had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

Li Shimin's words, "You are as brave and decisive as I am," probably planted a seed in the heart of this capable, charismatic, and well-born prince long ago.

Strictly speaking, the seeds of faith in Li Shimin's sons were all planted by Li Shimin himself at Xuanwu Gate.

Anyone who wants to be emperor can win the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

This is a joke from later generations, but in the hearts of people like Li Ke, isn't that exactly how it is?

"clear."

"You and I are actually quite similar; we are both kings who were away from home, but were left behind in Chang'an."

"But I, like you, do not wish to stay in Chang'an; I only wish to go to my fiefdom."

He did not point it out directly, but used himself as an example to persuade Li Ke.

"oh?"

"Seventh Uncle, why do you want to return to your fiefdom so much? You are now the Minister of War, and you also command part of the troops in Gyeonggi Province and Sannam West Province." Li Ke asked in confusion.

In his view, no one would want to go to a fiefdom.

Even if he only entered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to study, he would not want to return to his fiefdom.

Li Yuanchang took a sip of tea and said earnestly, "While the glory of being at the forefront is boundless, true happiness lies in the ordinary."

"If you live your whole life in your fiefdom, as long as you don't make any mistakes, no one will bother to harm you."

"But once you step into Chang'an, troubles and grudges will come after you as if they have grown wings."

The most important thing for a person is to be content.

"Those who wield immense power are not necessarily happy, nor are those who are unknown, but those who are content are sure to be happy."

"Look at Hou Junji, isn't he a living example?"

"Sometimes being out of power is actually God's protection, while what seems like an opportunity is often full of traps."

Li Ke's expression trembled, his face becoming solemn and complex.

The implication couldn't be clearer; he knew he had been seen through.

"Seventh Uncle, do you think Ke should leave?" He looked at Li Yuanchang intently, wanting to know more from him.

Li Yuanchang took a deep breath: "Whether you stay or leave is just a matter of appearance; the core issue is what Your Highness truly thinks."

"If you have ideas in your heart, it's the same no matter where you are."

"We are destined to meet, and I don't want to see His Highness the King of Wu follow in the footsteps of the King of Wei."

His answer was both very direct and very tactful.

He knew Li Ke could understand, so he made no attempt to beat around the bush.

He would never have said that to someone else.