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

"Your Highness's admonition is absolutely correct."

"This year, the insect plague in Liangzhou has damaged too many crops. To be honest, this is a fact that deeply worries me."

"But now that Your Highness has come and is working with us, Liangzhou will surely find a way out."

"Today's banquet is all from my salary and the accumulated wealth of my family, and is by no means obtained through corruption or illegal means. Your Highness can rest assured."

Li Yuanchang saw not a trace of pity for the people under his rule in his eyes, and even after he reprimanded him, he did not feel anything was wrong.

If you ask, it's about salary; if you ask further, it's about currying favor in officialdom.

Frankly speaking, even if he were clean, Li Yuanchang wouldn't want to associate with such a person.

"All right."

"But I do not like drinking alcohol, so I will use tea instead."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of several high-ranking officials, including the birthday celebrant Gao Shen, changed slightly, and their movements as they raised their wine glasses faltered.

The atmosphere became awkward for a few breaths.

Li Yuanchang said he wouldn't drink, which basically cut off any possibility of building rapport or cultivating a relationship, but no one dared to force him.

Gao Shen forced a smile once more on his slightly stiff face: "Your Highness, since you don't drink, then forget it."

"How about we watch the dance?"

"I have a concubine in my household whose dancing is so beautiful and exquisite that it is absolutely necessary to see her!"

When the topic of beautiful women came up, most of the older men at the table immediately lit up, as if they all knew about Gao Shen's concubine.

Li Yuanchang didn't want to break off relations until he found out anything, so he remained silent.

Soon, people came.

A red carpet was laid out in the lobby, and vases and other items were removed, leaving a large open space.

"This humble servant, Hai Ling, greets Your Highness, Master, and all the esteemed officials."

A slender woman stepped forward to greet him. She had a sweet face and her eyes sparkled like peach blossoms. As her eyes moved, it seemed as if a red apricot blossom was peeking over the wall.

Her features were small and delicate, and she wore a flowing embroidered robe that outlined her beautiful figure, with her arms and legs faintly visible beneath the robe.

Li Yuanchang's eyes lit up slightly.

Contrast!

The first word that came to his mind was contrast.

No wonder a bunch of old men like her; she's young, sweet, and has a striking contrast—those who know, know.

Upon seeing this, Gao Shen's eyes immediately lit up.

He urged, "Hailing, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and present a dance to His Highness the Prince of Han."

"Yes, sir."

Hai Ling nodded, glancing at Li Yuanchang with a silken look, her eyes innocent yet intensely alluring.

Then she began to dance, with a musician playing for her on one side.

The music was smooth and beautiful, and Hai Ling danced along with it, her movements as supple as a snake coiling around a branch, as exquisite as a celestial being descending to earth.

Her exaggerated dance moves are breathtaking, and her flexibility is simply incredible; doing the splits is child's play for her.

When she dances, coupled with her innocent yet shy eyes, she's a surefire way to win over men.

The officials sitting with her were all dumbfounded. With an average age of over fifty, they all wanted to strip Hai Ling naked and see what lay below.

Li Yuanchang admired it, because it was indeed beautiful.

But compared to others, he was actually quite calm inside.

Upon arriving in the Tang Dynasty, he encountered top beauties such as Wu Zetian, Consort Yang, and Crown Princess Su.

At the very least, they were carefully selected palace maids who had received training.

To be honest, although Hai Ling is beautiful and alluring, she is far inferior to Wu Zetian, who possesses a natural charm that is beautiful without being seductive and has the grace of a dragon and phoenix.

At this time.

As the music grew louder, Hai Ling's dance became faster, her clothes twirling gracefully, her jade-like feet seemingly propelled by the wind, constantly moving closer and closer to Li Yuanchang.

Li Yuanchang could even see a glimpse of her snow-white ankle through her raised trouser leg and smell a faint fragrance.

During the meal, a deep, aged smile appeared on Gao Shen's lips.

boom! !

Suddenly, Hai Ling tripped and fell during a difficult dance move, landing heavily on Li Yuanchang's knees and knocking over a lot of porcelain.

The guests were immediately shocked.

"Your Highness, please forgive me!" Hai Ling cried out in fear and unease.

"waste!"

"What are you doing? You've disturbed His Highness the Prince of Han! I'll make sure you regret this!" Gao Shen roared angrily.

Hai Mei was scolded, and tears immediately fell down her face. She was extremely aggrieved, and her appearance was pitiful.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" She kept kowtowing.

Li Yuanchang waved his hand, signaling the others to leave.

"I am fine."

Get up.

He reached out and helped the person up.

Hai Ling looked up.

Li Yuanchang's gaze happened to sweep over that patch of snow-white ravine.

"Your Highness, I feel terrible, I can't seem to get up." She bit her lip and shed tears, a hint of pain hidden between her brows, her right hand clutching her ankle.

Li Yuanchang looked at Gao Shen.

Gao Shen immediately said, "Your Highness is kind-hearted and will not punish me, but if I dare to commit this offense again, I will not let me off lightly!"

"Guards, take him away."

"yes!"

"Thank you for sparing my life, Your Highness." Hai Ling looked pitiful, with tears welling up in her eyes, making people want to protect her.

After the brief interruption, the banquet continued for another half hour. The banquet was coming to an end, and the leftovers were gradually cleared away.

Li Yuanchang suddenly spoke up, "By the way, Lord Gao, what was the surprise your son mentioned to me today?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Shen smiled and said, "Your Highness, I'm afraid we'll have to ask you to come and handle this matter."

"Where to?"

"Your Highness, please follow me." Gao Shen gestured for them to enter.

Li Yuanchang stood up and left the table.

Li Zhi and Lu Qi glanced at Gao Shen, but did not follow up.

Li Yuanchang followed Gao Shen out of the main hall through a side door, walked around two long corridors, passed through a stone-built entrance hall, and finally arrived at a quiet little building with lights still on inside.

"Lord Gao, what does this mean?"

Gao Shen bowed and smiled, "Your Highness, you may go in. You will know once you are inside."

Li Yuanchang frowned, looking around. There was almost no one there, and it was very quiet. Although he didn't think Gao Shen would dare to play tricks, he really couldn't guess what the surprise he was talking about was.

"Your Highness, please go in first."

"I assure you, once you go inside, you will know everything. And I do not lie; Your Highness, once you are inside, I will provide you with whatever you require."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang thought to himself, "Since we've come this far, let's go in and unravel the mystery."

He strode forward, taking a long, straight step.

Click...

He pushed open the door and entered. The interior was spotless, filled with the fragrance of books, and a woman's scent instantly filled his nostrils.

Seeing this, Gao Shen, who was standing outside, stroked his beard and revealed a meaningful and ambiguous smile.

Under the lamplight, Li Yuanchang looked around.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from behind.

"This humble servant greets Your Highness, the Prince of Han."