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

After Li Ke left, Li Yuanchang's silence gradually calmed the court situation, ushering in a period of peace.

Changsun Wuji could only go so far. The transfers of Yuchi Baoqi and others were merely lateral moves, without any suppression, after all, the several dukes were still in power.

Surveillance and the division of power were not considered devastating blows to Li Yuanchang.

Liangzhou remained his stronghold, and those who had followed him to the death still did not respect Changsun Wuji.

Time flies, it's early October.

The sweltering heat has passed, and the golden autumn has arrived.

Li Shimin's health improved, and he gradually began to take charge of state affairs.

On this day, Li Yuanchang finally found an opportunity for official business and came to the Dali Temple.

A case of corruption in a local military governor's office caught Li Shimin's attention, and he appointed Li Yuanchang to conduct a thorough investigation.

Li Yuanchang could have easily avoided coming in person; he could have simply sent someone to deliver the message. But he still came in person.

Several officials, including the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, personally received him.

The discussion about the case lasted only about 45 minutes, and then it was basically over.

Seizing the opportunity, Li Yuanchang excused himself to go to the restroom and left the lobby alone.

Based on the information he had gathered, he quickly found the former Crown Princess Su Qing in the kitchen of the Dali Temple.

The term "public kitchen" refers to a kitchen in general.

Women are rarely seen in places like the Dali Temple; most of the people there are female prisoners.

The few dozen or so female servants all did some light chores here, such as embroidery and cooking.

Li Yuanchang looked at Su Qing, who was busy at work, and his gaze became complicated.

Now, stripped of her former glory, she has been implicated by Li Chengqian and reduced to a commoner. Although she is not in a terrible state and has retained her dignity, the transformation from a crown princess to a servant is still too great.

At this moment, her forehead was covered in fragrant sweat, her face, without makeup, looked slightly tired, and her fingers had some blisters from working.

Perhaps sensing that someone was watching, Su Qing subconsciously raised her head.

The moment their eyes met, her gaze was first filled with shock, then confusion, and finally, she looked away.

She carried the miscellaneous items and tried to escape the scene.

Li Yuanchang did not stop them. There were quite a few people at the scene, so he simply took a detour and followed them.

Finally, the two arrived at a storage room, one after the other, where no one was.

Su Qing placed the things on the table, her back to Li Yuanchang.

"Your Highness, I am no longer the Crown Princess. You should leave now. It would be bad for you if someone saw us."

Li Yuanchang said, "Even if you are no longer the Crown Princess, we are still old friends."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing felt a pang of sorrow for her own plight. Her shoulders trembled, and tears streamed down her face as she tried to control her emotions.

Li Yuanchang probably knew that the other party didn't want him to see her in such a disheveled state, so he didn't go forward.

"I tried to contact Su Gui to rescue you, but I couldn't get through."

"The matter has been dragging on for a long time."

"But don't worry, it will be soon. I will get you out of here."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing slowly turned around. Her tear-streaked face was still beautiful, and even seemed to have gained a sense of experience, making her appear more mature.

"Why...why are you helping me?"

"The crown prince is plotting a rebellion, and everyone is avoiding him."

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "As I just said, even if something like this happens, we will still be friends."

"Are you pitying me?" Su Qing looked at him with teary eyes, a trace of her former pride still lingering.

Li Yuanchang shook his head. He knew that if he spoke of Su Qing's pitifulness, she would definitely not leave.

From her perspective, her life was indeed over; she couldn't even go back to her parents' home, and she was a highly sensitive person wherever she went.

"It's not pity, it's heartache."

Su Qing's eyes trembled slightly, and she fell silent for a moment.

After a long while, her parched red lips finally moved slightly.

"Thanks."

Li Yuanchang looked around: "You don't actually live here, do you?"

Su Qing shook her head: "This is just a warehouse. My living place is quite nice. I've been here ever since the Crown Prince's accident."

"The people at the Dali Temple treated me fairly well and didn't make things difficult for me. Over time, I got used to it."

Li Yuanchang could see through her insincerity; going from Crown Princess to a menial servant was a burden no one could bear.

If she truly gets used to it, then the lingering gloom in her eyes will disappear.

Here, she probably wouldn't even have anyone to talk to.

"I will find a way to get you out as soon as possible."

"Hold on for a little while longer."

"If I go out, where else can I go?" Su Qing suddenly asked.

"This..." Li Yuanchang drawled out his words. He had contacted the Su family of Jingzhao before, but there was no response. He felt that they were probably avoiding suspicion and did not want their family to be involved in the treason case.

"Is it that they all don't want anything to do with me and just want me to fend for myself here?" Su Qing seemed to have figured it out and suddenly gave a somewhat sad smile.

"I know even if you don't tell me. I've written many letters hoping someone in my family could plead for me, but I haven't received a single reply."

"The world is cold and indifferent; I am now nothing more than a rat crossing the street."

"I don't really expect you to help me, and you don't owe me anything. If you can, just help me rescue those palace maids who were implicated and sent to be slaves. They are all innocent."

Li Yuanchang said, "Those palace maids are no problem. I can rescue them with a word."

"As for you, don't think too much about it. I can save you."

"Just wait and see."

"When you leave, if you don't mind, you can stay at the Prince of Han's residence."

Su Qing's expression flickered: "You're taking me in, aren't you afraid?"

"If I were afraid, I wouldn't have come. I could have just gone into hiding," Li Yuanchang said. After all, they had been intimate, and he was somewhat unwilling to see her so gloomy and depressed, suffering so much.

Su Qing didn't speak, but just looked at Li Yuanchang, at the pure and open look in his eyes.

This is like a beam of light shining into the unfathomable depths of the Dali Temple.

Although she had no worries about food and drink and was not reduced to slavery, only she knew the bitterness she felt. She was involved in a rebellion and her family was far away. She had thought about suicide many times to end it all.

But in the end, I didn't have the courage.

Li Yuanchang's appearance actually gave her some hope of survival.

"If there's nothing else, I must take my leave," Li Yuanchang said.

Su Qing snapped out of her reverie and hesitated before saying, "Have a cup of tea before you go."

"Consider this my way of thanking you for visiting."

"You're too kind," Li Yuanchang said with a smile. "Between you and me..."

"Cough cough."

He coughed twice, slightly embarrassed.

Su Qing was also a little embarrassed, and instantly recalled that night. This was why the two of them always seemed strange whenever they met. They were clearly not teammates, yet their voices were familiar, but there was a sense of awkwardness mixed with familiarity. They were like friends, family, or something else entirely.

She handed me a cup of tea.

Li Yuanchang took it and drank it all in one gulp.

"Let's go, wait for me."

He left behind only five words, then strode away with an air of charisma that was hard to describe.