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

Li Yuanchang sensed it out of the corner of his eye and sneered inwardly.

I won't come out and object!

Others may not know, but I do not know that you, Changsun Wuji, are not close to Li Tai at all, and that you find him difficult to control.

Seeing that Li Yuanchang remained silent, Changsun Wuji frowned.

At this moment, Li Shimin saw that his ministers were all hesitant and indecisive.

"Summon the Prince of Wei; I want to examine his studies in person."

Upon hearing this, everyone bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

Li Yuanchang did not object.

Regarding the selection of the crown prince, although he could offer his opinions, he also found himself in a dilemma.

Based on personal relationships and abilities, he supported Li Ke more.

But this would mean making an enemy of the entire Tang Dynasty.

As for Li Tai, he certainly didn't want him to become emperor, but there was no need for him to object at this moment, because the fat man was simply incapable of being emperor.

As for Li Zhi, he was born to stand with Changsun Wuji, and in fact, Li Yuanchang did not want Li Zhi to ascend to the throne.

But if one doesn't work, and the other doesn't work either, you still have to choose one in the end.

In such a dramatic and complex situation, Li Yuanchang, who knew the script, might as well do nothing, observe the situation quietly, and protect himself wisely.

And so, while we waited, Li Tai arrived.

He had lost some weight, but was still overweight; the long period of confinement had diminished much of his former vigor.

Upon entering the hall, Li Tai immediately launched into an Oscar-worthy performance.

"Father!!"

"Father, what's wrong?"

Li Tai suddenly knelt before Li Shimin and burst into tears, his cries heart-wrenching.

Perhaps because of Li Chengqian's matter, Li Shimin's eyes suddenly reddened, and he patted Li Tai's head.

"Blue Sparrow, get up."

"I'm fine, just suffering from a minor illness."

"Father, you have so much white hair now. You weren't like this before. It's all my fault, all my fault. I haven't been able to share your burdens, and I've even made you angry!"

As he spoke, he pounded himself hard.

Li Shimin stopped it.

Li Tai burst into tears, overcome with grief: "Father, I want to return to your side and serve you forever!"

"Your Majesty, Mother has left me. Father, please take care of your health!"

"If only Father could recover, your son would be willing to cut his own flesh to cure his illness!"

"..."

His wailing and grief moved Fang Xuanling and others, who couldn't help but tear up and worry about Li Shimin's health.

Watching this guy's performance from below, Li Yuanchang couldn't help but sigh, "Not everyone can be an actor."

There's a reason why this fatso was favored by Li Shimin before.

Despite valuing family ties and suffering repeated setbacks, Li Tai's filial piety and weeping were like a sharp dagger precisely piercing the most vulnerable part of this great emperor's heart as he entered his later years.

When a parent's love for their child erupts, the truth or falsehood seems to become irrelevant at that moment.

Li Shimin wiped away Li Tai's tears and smiled, "Good Qingque, how could I bear to use my son's flesh to cure my father's illness?"

"In the past, when you made a mistake, I imprisoned you."

"Do you blame me?"

"No, I don't blame you!" Li Tai blurted out, his expression extremely serious.

"Father's concern for me is for my own good, so that I may strive to improve myself and reform myself. It is a sign of your deep love for me. How could I possibly blame you?"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zheng, who was standing to the left front of Li Yuanchang, visibly sighed.

If Li Chengqian had this awareness, even if it was only superficial, things wouldn't have come to this...

Li Shimin was extremely pleased upon hearing this!

That kind of satisfaction is like a person who has been hurt receiving a completely new answer.

"Good, very good!" Li Shimin patted his shoulder heavily, then gestured for him to sit on his lap.

Li Tai did as instructed, his gaze subtly sweeping over the assembled ministers below, from Changsun Wuji to Fang Xuanling, and then to Li Yuanchang…

Almost all of them were important officials of the court, and he seemed to have a vague premonition of something.

At this moment, Li Shimin suddenly asked, "Qingque, in front of all the ministers of my Great Tang Dynasty, and your uncles and elders, I have a question for you."

Upon hearing this, Li Tai shuddered, grabbed Li Shimin's hand, and looked up.

"Do you think you are capable of taking on the position of Crown Prince?"

The blunt and direct question caused Li Tai's pupils to contract and his heart to pound.

Everyone below turned their gaze to him.

Li Tai felt his luck had suddenly turned around; his chubby face became rosy, and he even stammered a little.

"Father, Your Majesty, you...you know my abilities!"

"You know how filial I am!"

"Your subject will certainly be a good crown prince!"

"Your Majesty, I am capable of this task, I can share the heavy burden with you, and I will serve the Tang Dynasty to the death!"

Li Shimin's pale lips parted again: "I'll ask you again, if you become the crown prince, how will you treat your brothers?"

"For example, Zhinu? Ke'er?"

"Will you treat them kindly?"

Having been betrayed and rebelled multiple times, Li Shimin had no energy left to beat around the bush. The Xuanwu Gate Incident was a shadow over his entire life, and now he needed a definite answer.

When the question was asked, Changsun Wuji became nervous.

Even Li Yuanchang, who had a god-like perspective, was nervous.

This seemingly casual question was actually a ploy to get Li Tai to make a promise in front of the high-ranking officials of the court. Behind this promise was Li Shimin's decision to make Li Tai the crown prince!

The entire palace was dimly lit, and the atmosphere entered an extremely subtle phase, with everyone's breathing becoming so clear.

Li Tai felt that he was only half a step away from his lifelong dream, just half a step away!

Sweat dripped from his fat head and big ears, and his legs trembled with excitement.

Seeing the expectant look in Li Shimin's eyes, he said directly to reassure him, "Father, I will treat my brothers well and ensure they can rest easy!"

"After I die, I will kill my own son and pass the throne to Zhinu."

Upon hearing this, the entire audience was stunned, thinking they had misheard.

In their minds, Li Tai was a smart man, so why was he spouting such nonsense?

Li Shimin was struck dumb, as if by lightning, and remained frozen on the dragon throne.

Li Yuanchang almost burst out laughing. This fatso overacted; his cleverness backfired.

Sometimes, even the smartest people can make mistakes when they're talking too much.

Inside the closed palace, the light continued to dim, until it gradually swallowed the light in Li Shimin's eyes.

"Father, Father," Li Tai asked cautiously, wondering if his answer was not good enough.

Looking at his once proud second son, Li Shimin thought of the past and of Empress Zhangsun, and tears streamed down his face.

At this moment, he was not some great emperor of all time, but merely a failed father.

"Alas." Many ministers sighed inwardly at this moment.

"Father, don't you believe me? I really will treat my brothers well!" Li Tai was eager for an answer.

This also extinguished any remaining goodwill Li Shimin had towards him.