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

A marriage that strengthens family ties?

A strange glint flashed in Su Qing's beautiful eyes.

She wasn't unwilling; this was definitely a top-notch opportunity for Su Gui's career. She was just a little insecure, so she looked outside and mustered her courage.

"good!"

"I'll handle this."

Li Yuanchang was so excited that he slapped his thigh and stood up.

Su Qinghua turned pale, because the person slapped her thigh.

"Holy crap, forgive me, forgive me, I didn't mean it, I..."

"No, it's nothing." Su Qing was embarrassed but didn't take it to heart, though her heart was racing.

Li Yuanchang was extremely embarrassed; it really wasn't intentional.

To be fair, it feels really good.

"In that case, shall I go out first and wait for your news?"

Su Qing nodded: "Your Highness, please wait here. I'll go out and talk to my brother."

"Okay, I'll be waiting for your good news!" Li Yuanchang's smile was extremely infectious.

Su Qing also revealed a rare smile, a smile that could launch a thousand ships, before walking out.

The moment she opened the door, the afterglow of the setting sun shone directly into her face, piercing through her long dress. Although nothing could be seen, the outline of her legs was vaguely visible.

"hiss."

Li Yuanchang couldn't help but gasp.

How long are Su Qing's legs?

He had seen countless beautiful legs, of all shapes and sizes, but this was the first time he had ever seen such long legs.

Could Su Qing be what later generations called "nine-head body proportion"?

He shook his head, clearing his mind of all distractions.

After waiting for about half a cup of tea, Su Qing brought Su Gui in.

No one knows what the siblings talked about, but as soon as Su Gui entered, she immediately knelt on the ground: "Your Highness, I am willing to follow you and serve the Prince of Han's Mansion with utmost loyalty!"

Li Yuanchang was overjoyed!

The phrase "follow" doesn't mean taking a position in the Ministry of War; it's tantamount to acknowledging a lord, making one a retainer, similar to figures like Wang Hongzhi, rather than an ordinary subordinate.

These two things may seem the same, but in reality they are worlds apart. For a retainer, the loss of one is the loss of the other, and the honor of the other is the honor of the other.

For example, Kou Zhu was initially just a subordinate, but after being rescued, he became a retainer and was entrusted with Li Yuanchang's most crucial secret mission.

Acquiring Su Gui is equivalent to Li Shimin gaining right-hand men like Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, which will only make the Prince of Han's mansion stronger.

"Hahaha!"

"Brother Su, you're too kind. You follow me as my subordinate, but we're also brothers!"

"Come on, get up!"

Li Yuanchang was overjoyed, and the unhappiness in the court was dispelled.

He managed to inherit Li Chengqian's estate.

At this time, no one knew what abilities this guy possessed or how far he would grow in the future.

"Your Highness, I wouldn't dare."

"You are a great benefactor to my brother and me, and now you are willing to take us in. Su Gui is extremely excited and dare not be disrespectful." Su Gui's eyes were clear, her speech was extraordinary, and she was very polite.

"Hey, your sister and I are bosom friends, there's no need for such formalities."

Upon hearing the words "close friends," Su Qing couldn't help but glance at him. Li Yuanchang had previously avoided her like the plague, but now he was unusually proactive, which she found somewhat difficult to understand.

In her view, she was a hot potato, and her younger brother Su Gui was just a learned scholar who was of no benefit to someone of Li Yuanchang's stature.

If Li Yuanchang were willing, he could easily ask anyone to join him, and countless people would flock to him.

Why was Li Yuanchang so good to him?

She didn't deny their close friendship, but rather tacitly acknowledged it, indicating a psychological closeness.

"so!"

"It's getting late, so how about we have a couple of drinks here and discuss your upcoming entry into the Prince of Han's residence?"

Li Yuanchang was impatient because he was about to go find the elixir of immortality for Li Shimin. He was worried that without a wise, mature, and steady leader in Chang'an, he would be at ease.

Su Gui was the best candidate sent by heaven.

"Okay." Su Gui smiled, somewhat pleased, as she could sense Li Yuanchang's high regard for her.

Su Qing smiled charmingly: "If that's the case, then I'll go and prepare some wine and dishes for His Highness the Prince of Han immediately."

The atmosphere of a gathering of close friends immediately emerged.

Li Yuanchang laughed and said, "How could I let you do it yourself?"

"It's alright. As your older sister, I'm naturally happy that my younger brother has a bright future. I have nothing to repay you with but a feast."

"Besides, I'm just an ordinary woman now." Su Qing smiled, her teeth very white, and she seemed ten times more cheerful after coming out.

"Yes, Your Highness, my sister's hometown dishes are very good," Su Gui added.

"oh?"

"Then I, the king, must try it."

The three of them looked at each other and smiled.

"..."

The people from the Han Prince's Palace brought a large amount of cloth, salt, food, and so on.

Su Qing put on an apron, tied her hair up, and prepared a table full of sumptuous dishes with exceptional neatness and efficiency, which directly shocked Li Yuanchang!

This is the former Crown Princess, how could she know these things?

The more he learned, the more shocked he became.

This Su Qing is a typical woman who is elegant in public and skilled in the kitchen. She is a stunningly beautiful woman with a tall and slender figure, and she also comes with a "top-notch dowry".

What was Li Chengqian thinking when he went to find such a virtuous wife?

Frankly speaking, even without Wei Zheng or other grand tutors, Su Qing alone, if he had listened to advice, would have had a very hard time falling into trouble.

Sure enough, you shouldn't eat too much.

At the banquet, Su Qing did not accompany them. She maintained her high level of manners, leaving Li Yuanchang and his companion alone after preparing the food.

After a few drinks, the two became sworn brothers, and with the addition of Han Wang's staff, their relationship continued to improve.

Finding the right opportunity, Li Yuanchang brought up the matter of going out to find the elixir of immortality.

"Your Highness, this..."

"Speak your mind, it's alright," Li Yuanchang said, waving his sleeves.

Su Gui frowned deeply: "How could Your Majesty do such an absurd thing... The path to immortality is elusive and unattainable. Since Qin Shi Huang, countless emperors have pursued it, but didn't they all end up dead?"

"Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural order of human life."

"It's already wrong to even look for him, let alone to let you, the Minister of War, do such a thing. The pillar of the Tang Dynasty is being used for this kind of thing."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Li Yuanchang's eyes. This was what it meant to have one's own opinions; it had nothing to do with age.

"That makes sense, but there are just too many factors at play, so this matter is already a done deal."

"Alright." Su Gui sighed, probably sensing that Li Shimin was getting old.

Li Yuanchang then added, "What I'm worried about now is that after I leave, there will be no one to oversee the Han Prince's residence."

"In Liangzhou, there are many trusted confidants such as Wang Hongzhi, Song Yu, and Wan Jun. In the backyard of Chang'an, there is the Princess of Han. For safety, there are Guo Chao, Huang Tu, and others leading a large number of guards. In addition, there are many of my confidants such as Cheng Chuliang."

"Several elders in the court, such as Fang Xuanling and Cheng Yaojin, can also help me take care of things."

"But what I lack is a wise and resourceful person to coordinate all parties and make strategic plans for me."