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

Li Shimin shook his head: "Then there's no need."

"This matter is over, let's put it behind us completely. I don't want to mention it again."

His expression revealed extreme exhaustion.

Li Yuanchang cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes!"

He let out a deep breath, and only then did he relax a little.

He thought to himself that there was some controversy surrounding Li Shimin's later years in history. It was rumored that Li Shimin died at just the right time. If he had lived more than ten years longer, he might have become senile in his later years.

Was it all triggered by Li Chengqian's rebellion?

Upon entering the palace this time, he sensed that Li Shimin had indeed changed subtly.

Shortly after, Li Yuanchang left the palace after completing his questioning.

No sooner had he left than Changsun Wuji appeared beside Li Shimin.

Li Shimin, dressed in a wide robe, leaned against an eight-immortal chair, his hand supporting his forehead, seemingly suffering from a migraine.

"Wuji, did you hear that?"

"Your Majesty, I heard you." Changsun Wuji bowed.

"Then what do you think?" Li Shimin asked.

Changsun Wuji's eyes flickered slightly. This old fox, who sat firmly at the head of the Lingyan Pavilion, did not speak frankly, but said, "Your Majesty, I dare not say."

"What is there to be afraid of? You are my old buddy. I tell you to speak, so speak!" Li Shimin said in a deep, displeased voice, but this displeasure was not directed at Changsun Wuji.

Instead, Changsun Wuji dared not speak of Li Yuanchang.

Changsun Wuji cupped his hands in greeting: "Yes!"

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty does not believe the truth."

"oh?"

"The King of Han avoided the main issues throughout. He kept talking about his loyalty and motives, but never mentioned how he knew about the coup in the Eastern Palace."

"If what he said is true, that he dared to conclude that the Crown Prince was going to rebel based on just a private hint from Hou Junji, and even dared to go to the Southern Palace to mobilize troops without going through the proper channels, this is completely illogical."

"Let alone him, among the twenty-four meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion, who would dare to do such a thing?"

The words fell to the ground, creating an endless silence.

Li Shimin slowly lowered his hand from his forehead. In his weary expression, a blend of middle age and old age, besides his wisdom, a hint of suspicion also flashed through his eyes.

This paranoia is like a curse that plagues every emperor in his later years.

However, Li Shimin did a better job than any other emperor.

After a brief silence, he shook his head and said, "The Prince of Han has always been shrewd and bold. Whether on the battlefield or in politics, he dares to take unconventional approaches."

"This isn't the first or second time; perhaps that's what makes him so exceptional."

Changsun Wuji, profound and astute, immediately replied, "Your Majesty is wise; indeed, it is not impossible."

"The King of Han's stature is indeed beyond the comprehension of someone like me."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin narrowed his eyes.

Changsun Wuji's seemingly complimentary words actually concealed malicious intent.

If even the capital city of Lingyan Pavilion dares not measure Li Yuanchang's power, how immense must his influence be?

"Wuji, tell me, have I really given the Prince of Han too much power?"

Changsun Wuji remained silent.

"Hmm?" Li Shimin looked over.

After hesitating for a long time, Changsun Wuji said, "The current Minister of War, General-in-Chief, Governor-General, Grand Commander... Doesn't Your Majesty think the Prince of Han resembles someone?"

"Who?"

Changsun Wuji stared directly at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin realized what was happening, and his expression suddenly turned stern.

My past self!

It was almost a conditioned reflex; he became alert and suspicious. As the initiator of the Xuanwu Sect, he knew he had set a precedent for everyone.

As the shadow of the yellow millet fell upon his face, the darker side of the true dragon began to emerge.

Perhaps Li Yuanchang, who was leaving the palace at this moment, did not know that he was walking on the brink of death, nor did he know how he had offended Changsun Wuji, the foremost minister of the time.

Time passed, a full thirty-odd breaths.

Li Shimin straightened his back slightly, and the light illuminated his true dragon face again, the doubt in his eyes still suppressed.

"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them."

"Times are not what they used to be."

"The King of Han made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty."

He concluded with three sentences.

Changsun Wuji's expression remained unchanged, and he said nothing more.

Having navigated the ups and downs of officialdom for decades, he knew all too well when to speak and when not to.

Sometimes, the more you want to gain something, the more you have to give up something else; the closer you get to something, the further you have to distance yourself from it.

He didn't really intend to go too far; he just wanted to skim the surface.

But then, Li Shimin changed the subject, plunging the usually composed and cunning Changsun Wuji into turmoil.

"With Chengqian demoted, the selection of a new crown prince has become the most urgent matter for the Tang Dynasty. As long as a crown prince is not established, the state will be unstable."

"Looking at the royal family, there are only two candidates."

"First, the King of Wei."

"Secondly, the King of Wu."

"Wuji, what do you think?"

The fact that Li Shimin asked about two major matters in a row shows Changsun Wuji's status in his heart.

In addition, there was another hidden reason: the entire Guanlong aristocratic group represented by Changsun Wuji.

Even Li Shimin cannot be ignored.

When he heard the words "King of Wei," Changsun Wuji merely frowned. But when the words "King of Wu" appeared, Changsun Wuji's expression changed completely.

One of these two people he didn't want to accept, and the other he couldn't accept!

"Your Majesty, establishing the Prince of Wei will make it difficult for the court officials to accept the mandate of the king."

"And what about the King of Wu? He made no mistakes, never had any ambition to seize power, was brave and decisive, and learned and knowledgeable," Li Shimin added.

Changsun Wuji frowned: "Your Majesty, establishing the King of Wu will be difficult to gain the support of the people."

One reason is that he is difficult to win over the court officials because he has made mistakes and is morally deficient.

One is that it is difficult to gain the support of the people, which is even more serious.

Li Shimin asked directly, "Wuji, do you think Ke'er isn't your nephew?"

Changsun Wuji solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty, I absolutely had no such intention!"

"The principle of primogeniture (establishing the heir apparent over illegitimate sons) doesn't apply to the King of Wu!"

"Does His Majesty wish for a repeat of the fratricidal conflict of yesteryear?"

One sentence was enough to silence Li Shimin.

He killed his own elder brother, he lived in endless condemnation and guilt, he was also a victim, he had sworn to forbid his sons from killing each other.

But what Changsun Wuji said makes sense. Not following the rules will not only make it difficult to win people's support, but will also breed a lot of hidden dangers.

If Li Ke could be established as emperor, then every prince would want to give it a try.

"Forget it, let's not talk about it anymore."

"I'm tired." He waved his hand, looking exhausted and with a headache, and was considering giving up.

But this did not dispel Changsun Wuji's worries; on the contrary, his eyes became more serious, even wary!

His Majesty actually had this idea!

"yes!"

The moment he bent over, a chilling murderous intent flashed in his eyes, which were as cold as a deep pool.

Li Ke's existence made him more uneasy than Li Yuanchang.

He clearly knew Li Ke's importance; in terms of ability, he was indeed top-notch.

However, due to differing stances, we are destined not to walk together.

If Li Ke becomes the crown prince, Changsun Wuji might be the first to be purged.

He slowly retreated, his seemingly calm exterior masking a turbulent inner world, a tempest of emotions churning within.