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

Consort Yin nodded: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. I understand and I will not make things difficult for you."

Her tone was so calm and composed that it was hard to believe it came from a desperate woman.

Even Li Yuanchang was impressed.

This woman endured countless hardships and sufferings, from the destruction of her family to being taken by her enemies and giving birth to her son. She remained in the deep palace for twenty years, bearing humiliation and burdens for the sake of her family, which is how she developed such emotions.

"Very well, then I will go now."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Her politeness and understanding made Li Yuanchang feel a little embarrassed.

Li Yuanchang quickly returned to Li Shimin by the same route and conveyed Consort Yin's request.

However, Li Yuanchang omitted the sarcastic or mocking remarks.

With his intercession, Li Shimin finally calmed down and agreed. To show his magnanimity, he issued another edict, ordering Li You to be buried with the rites due to a Duke.

But being removed from the royal family remains unchanged.

Li Yuanchang was also entrusted by Li Shimin with full authority over this matter.

Although the funeral was to be conducted with the rites due to a duke, it was, after all, a death resulting from rebellion, so it was impossible to make it too grand; it was merely a formality.

Two days later, at Qiheng Mountain.

Li Yuanchang was ordered to handle the funeral arrangements.

The ceremony was rather shabby, only of the standard for a duke, but apart from the officials from the Ministry of Rites who came to go through the motions, almost no one from the court attended.

The desolation at the scene perfectly illustrated the fickle nature of human relationships.

Both were princes, but the entire court attended Prince Jin's wedding.

As for the funeral of the King of Qi, they could not avoid it.

Li Yuanchang stood on both sides with his men, and saw Consort Yin carefully tidying up Prince Qi's clothes and makeup.

When he committed suicide in front of Li Shimin, he rammed his head against a pillar, leaving a large wound on his head, but it was concealed by makeup at this moment.

In the dead of winter, the corpse did not rot or stink; it was just pale, as pale as a sheet of paper, more frightening than a ghost.

But Consort Yin showed no fear. She even stuck her head into the coffin, pressed it against Li You, and murmured, "You'er, I'm sorry, your mother failed to protect you."

"sorry."

"When you get there, stay with your uncle. He will protect you."

Her rambling revealed neither sadness nor joy; in fact, this woman was so strong that she shed not a single tear.

Li Yuanchang rarely admired a woman, but Consort Yin was definitely one of them.

She has an incredibly strong core and is incredibly stable emotionally. She neither cries nor makes a scene. Despite the pain of losing her son and the tragic death of her younger brother, she did not break down.

It is unclear how much time has passed, but relevant personnel have repeatedly reminded that the auspicious time for the burial is almost over.

Li Yuanchang held her down with one hand, giving Consort Yin more time. Once she saw him, she would never see Li You again in her life, not even as a corpse.

"Your Highness, close the coffin." Consort Yin suddenly raised her head.

Li Yuanchang nodded and then ordered his men to carry out the order.

When Consort Yin stood up, perhaps because she had been squatting for too long, her body swayed slightly.

Li Yuanchang reacted quickly and helped him up.

Her wrists, beneath her palace attire, were so thin it was unbelievable.

"Thank you." Consort Yin forced a smile.

Li Yuanchang withdrew his hand: "Consort Yin, please accept my condolences."

Consort Yin nodded slightly, then looked quietly at the coffin, which had slowly closed.

Li You's body was gradually separated from the body. Yin Fei's heartbroken eyes were filled with tears as the ropes slowly lowered the coffin into the dark, cold pit.

At that moment, Consort Yin could no longer hold back her tears, which slid down her oval face.

Tears are silent; the greatest sorrows are often unspeakable.

Li Yuanchang glanced at her, unsure of what to say. Consort Yin was actually the most unfortunate one.

Li You's tragedy began with his rebellion, but Consort Yin's tragedy began in her childhood.

Half an hour later.

The funeral is now completely over.

Consort Yin was strong-willed; afterwards, she even gave her own jewelry to the four tomb keepers and thanked each of them.

Not a single person was left out; their manners are truly exceptional.

Even if she had been demoted, there was absolutely no need for this order. The order was issued by Li Shimin, and everyone had to comply.

However, Consort Yin's repeated bows of thanks seemed more like an act of distancing herself from imperial power; she was simply acting as an ordinary mother.

Li Shimin gave the order, and Consort Yin accepted her thanks.

"Do you really have to oppose me like this?"

Suddenly, a deep, cold, and magnetic voice rang out.

Li Yuanchang was startled. Li Shimin!

Everyone turned around in unison, and saw a hundred riders escorting a carriage quietly approaching just a few dozen meters away from the tomb.

Li Shimin, dressed in black, appeared somber and simple. He stepped down from the carriage, his eyes showing slight dissatisfaction.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

Everyone bowed in greeting.

Li Shimin walked step by step to Consort Yin De.

Consort Yin De maintained her bowing posture.

"I'm asking you a question!"

Consort Yin slowly raised her head. The wind ruffled her temples. Although her exquisite face was wrinkle-free, it carried the vicissitudes of time and the glory and disgrace of life.

"I don't understand what Your Majesty means."

"Don't you understand what I mean?" Li Shimin's eyes were unfriendly.

"You still harbor resentment towards me, but it is your good son and your good brother who are rebelling!" he roared.

He believed that Consort Yin should cry, kowtow to him to beg for forgiveness, and feel remorse.

But Consort Yin had none of these.

Everyone around stiffened, awkwardly lowering their heads, unsure whether to stay or leave.

Fortunately, Li Yuanchang gave a look at this moment, and most people began to retreat one after another, after all, it was a royal family matter.

"I know they have already paid the price," Consort Yin said calmly, without even the desire to argue with Li Shimin.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice, "So, you resent me?"

Consort Yin shook her head slightly; dressed in mourning clothes, she was still unreasonably beautiful.

"Your Majesty is merely driven by a competitive spirit; I harbor no resentment whatsoever."

Her gaze toward Li Shimin held no resentment, only calmness, indifference, and detachment as if she were facing a stranger.

This disregard and indifference was sharper than arrows, tearing apart Li Shimin's majesty as the greatest emperor of all time, as if it were a silent indictment of his imperial hegemony.

Snapped! !

With a slap, Li Shimin struck Consort Yin hard across the face, causing her, already weak and having not eaten for days, to collapse to the ground.

Li Yuanchang's expression changed, and he instinctively leaned forward, but then suddenly stopped.

This is about Li Shimin's sister-in-law.

Consort Yin did not cry or make a fuss. Apart from her oval face turning slightly red, her expression did not change at all. This was even more offensive than when she scolded Li Shimin.

Even Li Yuanchang was ashamed when he saw this; it was simply the ultimate revenge!

He kept giving her meaningful glances, as if to say, "Sister-in-law, stop this. If this continues, I won't be able to protect you."