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

Seeing her like this, Li Shimin was even more furious, feeling as if he had punched a cotton ball; Consort Yin simply didn't listen to him.

"So you've finally given up acting, huh?!" Li Shimin gritted his teeth.

Consort Yin did not answer, but only smiled: "Your Highness, Prince Qi and Yin Hongzhi have committed a heinous crime that is unforgivable."

"I understand right and wrong, and I am unforgivable."

"I wish to renounce worldly life and become a nun, practicing Buddhism with my hair intact, to continue atoning for the sins of the two, and to pray for the well-being of the Tang Dynasty. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to grant my request!"

As she spoke, she performed a deep bow, kowtowing with both hands on the ground.

Li Yuanchang stood to the side, his expression changing slightly.

It was not unprecedented for a Tang Dynasty emperor to send his concubines to temples to repent.

However, there is a difference between active and passive in this, and this difference is enormous.

Li Shimin yielded; it was Li Shimin's idea.

Consort Yin's request was tantamount to slapping Li Shimin in the face.

She saw Li You's body and even buried it herself, but in the end she changed her mind and still wanted to become a nun.

As expected, Li Shimin was furious!

Pointing at the other person: "You!"

"Your Majesty, please grant my request!" Consort Yin pleaded devoutly, her eyes calm, no longer caring whether Li Shimin would be angry.

Because everyone she cared about was dead, what difference would it make if she were to die now?

"Good, very good!"

"You want to become a monk to atone for your son's sins, is that it?" Li Shimin laughed angrily.

"Very well, then I will grant your wish!"

"Guards, strip her of all titles and honors, and banish her to Changhong Temple to practice asceticism with her hair intact, to repent for her sins!"

"Without my order, you are not to leave even a step!"

"Until she realizes she was wrong!"

Li Shimin turned and stormed off in a huff.

Ugh.

Li Yuanchang sighed inwardly. Now, Consort Yin De had lost even her last bit of protection.

Abolishing one's title is tantamount to being reduced to a commoner.

Taking back all the rewards meant leaving her with nothing – no servants, no money, no jewels.

In ancient times, apart from a few state-run temples, the conditions were generally very harsh.

The hardships were far beyond what later generations could imagine.

And he was also placed under house arrest.

If Consort Yin had no one to help her and had not bowed to Li Shimin, her fate would most likely have been to die of illness at Changhong Temple within a few years.

But Consort Yin was completely unfazed. This composed woman even exclaimed, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness!"

This statement became her most powerful rebuttal to the ruthless emperor.

Li Shimin, who was about to board the carriage, faltered and turned back angrily.

Like mother, like son!

He threw out an extremely offensive remark, then strode away, not even bothering to offer a stick of incense.

Consort Yin was not angry; instead, her oval face, facing the mountain breeze, revealed a knowing smile.

This laugh was like that of a prisoner who had been imprisoned for twenty years and had just been released—an unprecedented feeling of comfort and freedom.

Li Yuanchang couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, why must you do this?"

"Changhong Temple is not a good place to go."

She turned back and smiled calmly: "I've survived twenty years in prison. What is there to fear in a life of quiet contemplation and spiritual practice?"

When she casually recounted her twenty years of imprisonment, Li Yuanchang instantly understood, and his eyes filled with pity as he looked at her.

She had no feelings for Li Shimin.

Her entire life was spent enduring hardship and compromising for the sake of her family. The moment King Qi died, she no longer needed to act.

This woman has carried a heavy burden.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, I've put you in a difficult position."

"I should keep my promise."

Li Yuanchang smiled wryly: "You didn't exactly go back on your word; at least you didn't cut your hair."

Consort Yin chuckled softly, "Your Highness, please take care. I must go and face my cultivation."

Li Yuanchang nodded: "Your Majesty, please take care."

……

After the King of Qi was buried, Chang'an entered a short period of peace.

From the outside, the case seemed to have come to a complete close, but Li Yuanchang, who held a high position, knew that it was not over yet.

The Dali Temple is still investigating and the case has never been closed. He even learned that someone else in Qizhou has been arrested.

All these pieces of news kept him on edge.

Historical records indicate that the case of the King of Qi's rebellion was uncovered through investigations, one person leading another, eventually bringing the fire to the Eastern Palace.

In this time of intertwined calm and the eve of a storm, the seventeenth year of the Zhenguan era arrived!

Li Shimin held another court banquet in the new year. The banquet was a joyous and prosperous occasion. Li Chengqian, who had not appeared for a long time, also showed up and presented a gift to Li Shimin.

Wei Zheng's role as Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince seemed to have an effect, and the relationship between father and son seemed to have returned to normal, which at one point reassured the court and the public.

But Li Yuanchang knew that it was just a temporary resurgence.

January.

Li Yuanchang's position in the Ministry of War became increasingly secure. Relying on his outstanding work ability and his continuous optimization of the Tang Dynasty's military system using modern knowledge, he won widespread support from both superiors and subordinates.

Even Li Jing, who rarely left his home, wrote a memorial praising Li Yuanchang's abilities, believing him to be the undisputed number one in the Ministry of War.

In addition, the Prince of Han's residence has also frequently reported some good news.

Situ Lan and Cui Wanqing are both pregnant with their second children, and Qi Senluge is also pregnant.

Chi Lian is also pregnant.

As her "secretary," she had the advantage of being close to the emperor and was favored countless times, but her belly remained flat for several years.

This wouldn't have been scientifically sound in ancient times, because there were practically no safety measures available, and Li Yuanchang was known for never wearing fish intestines.

In addition, the commercial empire led by the Han Prince's Mansion was also at its zenith!

Distilled spirits, soaps, and inks remained popular, and later products like mosquito coils, dried bean curd sticks, and preserved eggs became all the rage throughout the Tang Dynasty.

These inventions are all minor inventions, requiring neither extremely high levels of smelting nor a large amount of manpower and resources as a foundation.

Most importantly, it perfectly avoided areas sensitive to power.

Things like composite bows, telescopes, and even gunpowder, Li Yuanchang either hid them or simply didn't manufacture them.

When this news reached Li Shimin's ears, he didn't say anything, since a considerable portion of the money earned went into the national treasury and directly boosted the livelihoods of many people.

In terms of taxation and livelihood, Li Yuanchang's commercial empire had permeated every aspect of the Tang Dynasty, penetrating its very core.

This move, which binds them together, would not only bring down the business empire, but even if Li Yuanchang himself wanted to fall, the imperial court would have to support him.

Even the Northern Song Dynasty could only catch up.

January 26th.

Chang'an remained cold, with snow covering the post roads in the suburbs.

On this day, Li Yuanchang secretly carried out a task.

That was to send people from Youzhou to bring all the Wu family women to Lantian County for resettlement, which was handled by the Black Ice Bureau.

Although it was called an invitation, strictly speaking, it was also a form of forced removal.

Since Wu Zetian wouldn't show herself, Li Yuanchang had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure.

At this moment, he arrived in the bustling Lantian County with his personal guards under the guise of official business.

The streets were bustling with activity, filled with vendors, goods were plentiful, and people were thronging about. It was a peaceful and prosperous place. Lantian County was somewhat similar to a district of a municipality in later times for Chang'an.