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

"It doesn't matter, what matters is that two people love each other."

Wu Meiniang's expression changed in an instant. Just a moment ago she was calling him "husband," but now she sneered, "Is it really not important? If you hadn't seen the virgin blood, His Highness the Prince of Han would probably be so angry that he'd want to kill me?"

Li Yuanchang was speechless after being rebuked and could only awkwardly force a smile.

The only way to silence Wu Meiniang's lips was with a kiss.

As the saying goes, one act can erase all enmity!

Wu Zetian also knew that it was pointless to dwell on these things now, as the separation back then was an inevitable political decision.

She didn't press the matter further, and the atmosphere between them warmed up again with a kiss.

It's a mutual attraction between soul and physiology.

Wu Meiniang didn't think about what would happen in the future; she just cherished this moment, and even if it was just a dream, she would stay up until dawn.

She wasn't shy at all; she was completely open and unreserved, offering herself freely and responding without restraint.

This night is going to be crazy.

……

The next day.

The rooster crows, and the sun shines brightly.

There is still no sign of heavy rain, including at sea.

The first thing Li Yuanchang did upon waking was to reach out and hug someone, but the bed was empty. He was startled awake and jumped up.

She had just rushed out from behind the curtain, without even having time to put on her shoes.

But they bumped right into Wu Zetian, who was carrying a tray.

"What, afraid I'll run away?" Wu Meiniang smiled sweetly, her eyebrows and eyes becoming even more beautiful, shedding the last trace of girlishness and gaining a touch of womanhood.

Li Yuanchang slapped his forehead and burst into laughter.

"Where have you been?"

"I'm going to make you breakfast." Wu Meiniang gestured to the steaming plate in her hand.

Li Yuanchang reached out to look.

Wu Zetian glanced down at him with disdain: "Put your pants on first."

Li Yuanchang then realized that he was completely flying in the wind, and burst into laughter.

"Never mind, I'll do it."

Wu Meiniang put down the tray and helped him change his clothes and comb his hair.

All morning, Li Yuanchang felt like he was dreaming, wondering if it was all unreal.

"Meiniang, is this true?" he asked with a smile, touching Wu Meiniang's delicate hand.

"This is what I owe you all these years. I have never cooked for you or dressed you." Wu Zetian's eyes were full of tenderness.

"It's not your fault. From now on, let's stay together." Li Yuanchang looked into her eyes.

She smiled sweetly: "Stop touching me, let's eat, it'll get cold soon."

"become!"

"Let's go for a walk after we finish eating," Li Yuanchang suggested.

"Aren't you busy anymore?"

"By the way, I haven't had a chance to ask you yet, what are you doing here?" Wu Meiniang asked in surprise, as she was serving porridge, her hair styled in a bun, sunlight shining on her profile.

Li Yuanchang was genuinely taken aback for a moment, completely unprepared for this turn of events. The Empress was taking care of him like a little woman, the sun was shining brightly, and everything was perfect.

"It's not too busy, my subordinates can handle it."

"The reason I came here is a long story."

"It's a long story, don't you want to tell me?" Wu Meiniang said, somewhat displeased.

Li Yuanchang smiled and touched her waist, then slid down to her hips.

"I have a mission to accomplish here today."

As he spoke, he told Wu Meiniang about Li Shimin's search for the elixir of immortality, but he didn't mention his conflict with Changsun Wuji or his current situation.

He didn't want Wu Zetian to continue down the same path.

"Immortality, elixir of immortality?" Wu Meiniang's voice rose.

"This emperor is old."

Her tone was hostile and disdainful.

Li Yuanchang was startled. Luckily, they were in another place. If these words had reached Li Shimin's ears, he would have been beheaded.

Wu Zetian was only twenty years old, how dare she do that?

"Ahem, Meiniang, watch your mouth."

"Isn't that right? If immortality truly existed, Qin Shi Huang wouldn't have died." Wu Meiniang blurted out, her eyes filled with unwavering resolve.

No wonder Wu Zetian buried herself after her death in history, without even leaving a single word on her tombstone, emphasizing that she had no attachment to anything.

Li Yuanchang was speechless; what she said was indeed reasonable.

Wu Meiniang served Li Yuanchang some food and then asked, "But why was this task assigned to you? You are the Minister of War, a General, and you still hold so many responsibilities remotely?"

"This doesn't make sense."

She hit the nail on the head, and her tone was completely aligned with Li Yuanchang's.

Li Yuanchang was somewhat overwhelmed by the questions; the Empress was too clever for her wits.

"Your Majesty believes I am a reliable person and have a higher chance of finding the elixir of immortality."

"The affairs of the Ministry of War will be handled by my former superior, Li Ji."

Wu Zetian looked at him and said, "Is that really so?"

"Isn't this ostracizing you?"

Li Yuanchang was alarmed!

Wu Zetian's political acumen was truly remarkable.

She truly deserves to be called the only woman in Chinese history to have truly become emperor, with the world submitting to her, officials supporting her, and the army changing its flag.

Others, at most, ruled from behind the curtain or ascended the throne in local areas, which was vastly different from Wu Zetian's situation.

"no."

You're overthinking it.

Wu Meiniang didn't ask any more questions, and then said, "The East Sea is far away, and the sea is dangerous. Aren't you going to go out to sea yourself?"

"Yes, but I already have some clues about Penglai Immortal Island." Li Yuanchang said while taking a deep breath.

Wu Meiniang reached out and wiped the corner of his mouth.

"Would you like me to help you find reliable sailors and men?"

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow: "You can find it?"

Wu Meiniang smiled sweetly: "You underestimate me too much. Businesses from the Northern Song Dynasty have already crossed oceans to Japan to exchange for some scarce resources."

"I have both sailors and helmsmen."

Li Yuanchang readily agreed: "Sure!"

"After we finish our meal, we'll go."

Wu Meiniang smiled and nodded, feeling happy to be able to help Li Yuanchang.

Soon after, the two left the manor together and headed to Mingzhou City.

The Mingzhou government has already calculated the specific materials and manpower needed overnight.

Aside from the need to select and recruit experienced sailors, which required some effort, supplies were a piece of cake for Li Yuanchang and Wu Meiniang.

Although the Northern Song Dynasty was slightly inferior to the Southern Qin Dynasty within the Tang Dynasty, the shrewd Empress Wu Zetian had already begun to expand outwards, and the nomadic tribes in the northern deserts were basically in contact with the Northern Song Dynasty.

The Northern Song Dynasty also had a presence in places like Silla and Wa (Japan), and even established branches there.

Li Yuanchang was extremely shocked when he learned of this!

Wu Zetian's actions were akin to those of a multinational giant in later generations, with a strategic vision that extended directly to the global market.

In the 7th century Tang Dynasty, this was considered incredibly advanced and ahead of its time.

Moreover, Wu Zetian had many subordinates, both civil and military, with connections everywhere. They came from different backgrounds, but according to Li Yuanchang's observation, they were all well-organized.

Although it cannot compare to the Black Ice Guard or the Dali Temple and other imperial institutions, it is still very strong.

In her, Li Yuanchang saw a saying: the strong never complain about their environment.

Despite starting at a lower level, Wu Zetian defied fate and turned her life around.

With her current resources, she has more than enough to support and endorse someone.

It's hard to believe she's a woman!