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

Su Gui smiled wryly and nodded: "I originally planned to dedicate myself to officialdom and serve the country. I have already submitted my application and intend to participate in the imperial examination."

"Just when he was full of ambition, bad news suddenly came from Chang'an."

"My qualifications have also been revoked because I once held a nominal position in the Crown Prince's Palace for a period of time, so no one in the prefectures and counties dared to accept me."

As he spoke, his expression betrayed helplessness and disappointment, but then he smiled and said, "However, every cloud has a silver lining; perhaps this is a good thing."

Li Yuanchang immediately had an idea.

He wanted to keep Su Gui, the future top prime minister, back then. This guy has great potential and is definitely no less than Changsun Wuji!

But he didn't do that at the time, mainly to draw a clear line between himself and Li Chengqian.

Now that hidden danger no longer exists; the bomb has already exploded.

"Brother Su, do you have nowhere to go now?"

Su Gui laughed and said, "A real man has a home everywhere. If I can't take the imperial examination, I can't take it."

Li Yuanchang admired his magnanimity.

Then, Su Gui changed the subject: "I came to Chang'an this time because of my sister."

"Your Highness, how is my sister now?"

His gaze turned serious and concerned, completely different from the other members of the Su family of Jingzhao martial arts; he was not afraid of getting into trouble.

Li Yuanchang said, "I visited her not long ago. She is doing alright and has a secure livelihood, but she is exhausted and depressed."

Upon hearing this, Su Gui sighed and frowned.

"A few years ago, my sister often complained to me that the Crown Prince was indulging in debauchery. When I asked her what was wrong with the Crown Prince, she wouldn't say."

"The next news we received was that the Crown Prince had been deposed for treason."

"My sister often cried, saying that it was because the Crown Prince not only ignored her advice, but also neglected her, barely speaking to her for years."

"At first, I thought it was a blessing for my sister to become the Crown Princess, but now it seems like a terrible disaster!"

At this point, Su Gui was also heartbroken and clearly had no good feelings towards Li Chengqian.

Li Yuanchang guessed that the other party probably didn't know about Li Chengqian's affairs. Su Qing probably didn't have the nerve to say it at the time, but she definitely knew that Li Chengqian had homosexual tendencies.

"Brother Su, the past is past and cannot be retrieved. What matters is the present."

"We need to figure out a way to get her out of the Dali Temple first. Although it offers some protection, it's essentially a prison for her."

Upon hearing this, Su Gui nodded emphatically, her face filled with gratitude, and then asked curiously, "Your Highness, why did you offer to help my sister?"

"Weren't you like that back then?"

Li Yuanchang said, "Back then, when the Crown Prince was still alive, I didn't want to get involved in the struggle for the throne. Now the situation is different."

Su Gui understood and nodded.

"Your Highness, what should we do now to save him?"

"My sister's identity is special. Although she wasn't killed by the higher-ups, she's basically being treated like a criminal."

Li Yuanchang was allowed to enter Zhaoling Mausoleum after he learned that Su Qing had died of natural causes, which shows that Li Shimin felt guilty towards this daughter-in-law.

Based on this deduction, there is a high chance that the person will be brought out.

"I do have a plan, but my status makes it unsuitable for me to intervene directly. I need your help to coordinate both internally and externally."

"Oh?" Su Gui's eyes lit up instantly.

"Your Highness, what should I do? I'll do anything to get my sister out of there!"

Li Yuanchang waved.

Su Gui immediately listened intently.

"..."

The next day.

Li Yuanchang stayed a few more days under the pretext of preparing to go to the East Sea to find the elixir of immortality, and used this pretext to obtain a private audience with the emperor.

He was still reporting on his itinerary when...

"Report!"

Upon hearing this word, Li Yuanchang's expression changed even before Li Shimin's.

"His Majesty."

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?" Li Shimin coughed.

"Your Majesty, a man has come from outside the palace. He claims to be from the Su family of Jingzhao. He is shirtless, carrying a bundle of thorns on his back, and kneels in front of Xuanwu Gate, saying that he wants to take the blame for his sister."

"Apologize nearby? Take the blame for your sister?"

"Who is his sister?" Li Shimin frowned; this was the first time he had encountered such a thing.

"Your Majesty, it is Su Qing, the former Crown Princess, at the Dali Temple." The Imperial Guard general clasped his hands in greeting.

Li Shimin was taken aback upon hearing this.

He had almost forgotten about Su Qing, and when she was mentioned again, he couldn't help but think of Li Chengqian, who had already passed away.

He stood there stunned for several breaths before slowly coming back to his senses, a hint of sadness appearing in his eyes.

"He is indeed loyal and righteous. The entire Su family of Jingzhao is trying to distance themselves from this matter, but he is sticking to them."

"Let him go."

"The Crown Prince rebelled and brought about his own downfall. The Crown Princess bears some responsibility as well. When I bestowed this marriage upon him, I hoped that the well-read Crown Princess would be able to assist the Crown Prince."

"But what about now!"

Li Shimin's tone was somewhat displeased.

In ancient times, when it came to the marriages of princes of the rank of crown prince, there were indeed assistants in the selection of the crown princess, and if one were to insist on assigning responsibility, there would certainly be such assistants.

"yes!"

The Imperial Guards clasped their hands in a fist salute.

"Wait a minute!"

At the critical moment, Li Yuanchang stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, wait a moment."

"The story of the Su family members carrying thorns to save their sister is a beautiful tale. If they are driven away like this, it may affect His Majesty's reputation."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes visibly hesitated for a moment.

Reputation was a point that the ancients could not avoid.

"This person is of upright character and deserves praise, but I have not done anything to Su Qing. Even after the Crown Prince's rebellion, I have not mistreated him. I have only allowed him to live in the Dali Temple."

Li Yuanchang said, "Your Majesty, that is natural, but while we may think this way, the people of the world may not think the same way."

"Perhaps to outsiders, the former crown princess, who has been demoted to a commoner, is under house arrest."

"When future generations talk about this matter, they will probably say that the Crown Prince died of illness during his exile, and the Crown Princess was imprisoned and died."

Li Shimin's expression changed immediately!

It's become ugly!

He understood better than anyone the power of public opinion.

Li Yuanchang was not afraid. He first stoked the fire, and then offered a solution. This was a complete process.

Many people stir up trouble but are reprimanded by their superiors, largely because they fail to provide solutions.

"The Crown Prince's rebellion has long been over, and those who should be punished have been punished. I think it would be better to take this opportunity to complete this beautiful story."

"Firstly, it demonstrates Your Majesty's magnanimity, and secondly, it dispels the rumors circulating among the people about Your Majesty."

"Even though the Crown Prince rebelled, His Majesty did not kill him. The Crown Prince died of illness. His Majesty, out of affection for his family, punished him slightly and then restored the former Crown Princess's freedom."

"In this way, who will dare to gossip behind their backs and say that the Li Tang royal family has no kinship!"

Li Shimin's eyes shifted.

At this point, Su Qing is indeed insignificant.

"call!"

"That's enough!" He exhaled a breath of stale air, a deep frown forming between his brows, looking extremely tired.