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

Li Yuanchang did not intervene or stop it in the slightest, because he couldn't stop it anyway.

The news sent shockwaves through Chang'an!

This battle for the crown prince position, which has captivated countless people, has finally come to an end.

For most people, Li Zhi might not be the best choice, but he is an option that most people can accept.

Immediately afterwards, Li Shimin went to recuperate.

As crown prince, Li Zhi began to personally lead military campaigns and oversee the country with the help of Changsun Wuji, and frequently received ministers.

Li Zhi, who was never initially considered an heir, was ultimately placed on the throne due to a combination of fate and human intervention.

Li Tai, who was most fervent in his quest for the crown prince position, ended up disappointed.

Sometimes, all the scheming and plotting of humankind is no match for a casual wave of fate.

The crown prince, who had the strongest political foundation, rebelled; Li Tai, who had the highest prestige, was abandoned; and Li Ke, who was the most valiant and decisive, was excluded.

Finally, the one who came up was the Prince of Jin, who had been labeled as cowardly, incompetent, and young.

The seventh day of the eighth lunar month is the beginning of autumn.

Li Yuanchang arrived at the Wu King's Palace.

The outcome is decided; some are happy, some are sad.

The Wu Prince's mansion was even more deserted and desolate than before, and the flowers, plants and trees in the courtyard had not been cleaned for some time.

Sunlight shone on the windowpane, stirring up dust.

A pungent smell of alcohol could be detected from a great distance.

Li Yuanchang entered without having his servants announce his arrival. When he reached the door, he saw Li Ke sitting on the ground, holding a jar of wine in his arms.

His surroundings were in complete disarray, with military classics, ancient scriptures, and paintings and calligraphy all scattered haphazardly.

Li Ke, who was once handsome and valiant like Li Shimin, now had a full beard and looked as decadent as a drunkard.

"Ugh."

Li Yuanchang sighed softly and walked inside by himself.

"I told you, don't bother me. Take your rewards and go home!"

Li Yuanchang did not answer, but simply opened all the windows in the room to let the wind in and dispel the smell of alcohol.

"you……"

Li Ke seemed somewhat displeased, but when he saw Li Yuanchang, he was completely stunned.

Li Yuanchang smiled at him: "King of Wu, it's been a long time."

Li Ke's pupils gradually focused, and he became three-tenths sober.

"Seventh Uncle!"

He stood up abruptly, accidentally dropping the wine jar from his arms.

With a bang, it shattered on the ground, and the rich aroma of distilled liquor instantly wafted out.

"It's good wine, but you shouldn't drink it like this. How long have you been hungover?" Li Yuanchang said with a smile, though he and Li Ke were about the same age.

Li Ke let out a burp, then gave a bitter smile: "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, Uncle Qi."

"I just couldn't control myself and drank a little too much."

"Is that so?" Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow.

Li Ke forced a smile and nodded.

"Alright, I have nothing to do today, how about having a couple of drinks with me?" Li Yuanchang extended an invitation.

Li Ke, intelligent and perceptive, though reeking of alcohol, remained clear-headed. He suddenly looked at Li Yuanchang and asked, "Seventh Uncle, are you here to comfort me?"

"I'm really fine."

Li Yuanchang found a bowl, poured himself some wine, then put down his robe and slowly sat down.

Seeing this, Li Ke also sat down.

"I know your abilities."

Your disappointment was inevitable.

"There are no outsiders here, so you don't need to pretend to be generous."

"Even if I were you, I'd still be unhappy."

The humorous tone made Li Ke laugh, but as he laughed, the brave and righteous King of Wu burst into tears again.

He picked up the wine, tilted his head back, and drank it down to hide his tears.

Li Yuanchang also tilted his head back and drank.

Some things just have to be said; men need a little alcohol between them.

boom!

Li Ke slammed the bowl down heavily.

He no longer hid from Li Yuanchang: "Seventh Uncle, I just don't understand!"

"I really don't understand!"

He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and his eyes were filled with resentment and unwillingness.

His resentment was not like Li Tai's greed, but more like a feeling of being unappreciated despite his talents.

"In terms of ability, how am I inferior to Zhi Nu? I've practiced martial arts since childhood, grown up on horseback, and am proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I excel in military command and administration, surpassing all my brothers in every aspect!"

"In terms of prestige, I have served in the four prefectures of Qin, Qi, Tan, and An. Wherever I went, the people welcomed me with all their heart. Throughout the entire Tang Dynasty, only a handful of people, including my seventh uncle, could govern better than me!"

"In terms of loyalty and filial piety, I am no less than him. I will do whatever my father asks me to do, even if it's just studying at the Court of Imperial Sacrifices!"

"Why, why couldn't it be me in the end!"

As he spoke, his eyes reddened, a mixture of grievance and protest against fate and injustice.

Li Yuanchang's gaze was complex.

"I know your abilities, and so does His Majesty."

"But the selection of a crown prince is not based solely on these factors."

"Then what are we looking at? Our birth? Father Emperor, he also..."

"King Wu!" Li Yuanchang interrupted in time, his expression serious. If these words were to be spoken and spread, Li Ke would be finished.

Li Ke realized he had said the wrong thing and quickly shut up.

Then he smiled bitterly: "There's no point in saying all this now; the outcome is already decided."

"Looking back now, the things I said to Uncle Qi when I first returned to Chang'an, full of fighting spirit, are really laughable."

"It turns out that Uncle Seven had already seen through everything back then."

"Perhaps I should have listened to Uncle Qi and shouldn't have had this thought in the first place."

"Now, it's neither good nor bad."

As he spoke, he painfully drank another glass of wine.

Li Yuanchang snatched the wine from him, saying that at the rate he was drinking, he could drink himself to death.

"King Wu, are you planning to give up on yourself?"

Li Ke shook his head, his expression extremely bitter.

"Seventh Uncle, do you think I still have hope?"

"It's true that Zhi Nu is kind-hearted, but what about Changsun Wuji? He's Zhi Nu's uncle and the Crown Prince's tutor. Will he tolerate me?"

"While my father is still alive, I can remain calm for a few more years. But what if he were to pass away one day? Wouldn't I be like meat on a chopping block?"

Li Yuanchang frowned.

Li Ke's statement was not unfounded, nor was it a case of needless worry.

His speculation is correct. Historically, not long after Li Shimin's death, Li Ke was killed by Changsun Wuji, and it was a wrongful death in which no one could hear his cries for help.

"Seventh Uncle, you're different from me. I can't fight him, but you still have a chance. Be careful!"

He gripped Li Yuanchang's hand tightly, as if he were giving his last instructions.

"Changsun Wuji is by no means a kind person on the surface; the previous rebellion case is a testament to that."

"His eyes can't accept me, and they can't accept Uncle Seven either!"

"I don't blame Uncle Qi for not supporting my rise to power. I know he has his own difficulties. What I said was just a reminder, and I had absolutely no intention of provoking anyone!"

Li Yuanchang knew he wasn't that kind of person, so he patted his hand gently.

"Don't worry, neither of us will ever meet that day."