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

Liu Chaoyuan's tone was already very humble. The crown prince could actually command Li Yuanchang to oversee the country, and there was no way he could refuse.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I will arrive on time tomorrow." Li Yuanchang readily agreed.

"Yes, then this humble official will return to report first and await Your Highness's arrival tomorrow."

"Hey, Lord Liu," Li Yuanchang called out to the man and inquired.

"Who will be attending the banquet tomorrow?"

"Your Highness, it should be some officials from the Eastern Palace, as well as some imperial relatives, similar to a family banquet," Liu Chaoyuan said.

Li Yuanchang nodded and then said, "I've heard that one of the Crown Prince's advisors is from the Northern Song family?"

When he returned, he had already asked Su Gui and Chi Lian what was going on.

But even now, no one can explain how it happened. No one knows how Song Sanlang went from being a merchant to becoming a guest of the Crown Prince. It all happened overnight, without any warning.

It should be noted that in the early and middle Tang Dynasty, agriculture was strictly valued and commerce was suppressed. Merchants were politically despised. Strictly speaking, given Song Sanlang's background, it would have been impossible for him to enter the Eastern Palace.

Still a guest of the Crown Prince? This isn't just a promotion, it's like being on a rocket!

As for the name Wu Meiniang, it never appeared in the court or among the public.

"Oh, Your Highness means Lord Song Sanlang, right?"

"Indeed, there is one. When Lord Song took office, His Highness was not in Chang'an. If His Highness is interested, I will certainly help introduce him tomorrow."

Li Yuanchang couldn't have asked for more. Song Sanlang must know where Wu Meiniang was, and he must also know what had happened in the past year.

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, Lord Liu."

"I wouldn't dare."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Liu Chaoyuan left.

After nightfall, Li Yuanchang did not rush back to the backyard. Instead, he summoned all of Han Wangfu's trusted confidants to come over, firstly to coordinate affairs, and secondly to find out what had happened in the past year.

Overall, things are relatively stable.

During Li Yuanchang's absence, Changsun Wuji continued to implement his strategy of prioritizing the interests of the Guanzhong aristocracy, constantly seeking greater political leverage for the Changsun family.

The military reforms previously implemented by Li Yuanchang were completely overturned, returning the country to its original state.

In addition, there were some personnel changes. Changsun Wuji divided and transferred many of Li Yuanchang's confidants and former subordinates, with Lantian County being the most severely affected.

Basically, all the officers in Lantian County were replaced.

Of course, this was not persecution. Changsun Wuji was not that bold. He simply dispersed the people who had gathered together to suppress Li Yuanchang.

These events were actually within his expectations. Although he loathed Changsun Wuji, that selfish and cunning political old fox, he could still accept them.

His red line has not yet been crossed; a small act of impatience could ruin a great plan.

In addition, Li Yuanchang unexpectedly learned a strange piece of news.

That is, Li Shimin did not bring Changsun Wuji with him on this expedition against Goguryeo.

Although Changsun Wuji was a civil official, he was a true all-around strategist. In history, Li Shimin brought almost the entire "top team" of the Zhenguan era with him on this personal expedition against Goguryeo.

Li Jing, Li Ji, Changsun Wuji, Zi Wenben, Zhang Liang, Zhang Jian, Li Daozong, Cheng Mingzhen, Ashina She'er...

Changsun Wuji should have been inside, but Li Shimin didn't bring him, which deviates from history once again.

What's even more intriguing is that as soon as Li Shimin set off, Changsun Wuji assisted Li Zhi in overseeing the country, and Song Sanlang entered the Eastern Palace.

How exactly he got in, and under what pretext, is unknown to outsiders.

That night, Li Yuanchang couldn't sleep.

He waited until the afternoon of the next day, filled with many questions.

Situ Lan escorted him to the gate, demonstrating the finest virtues of traditional Chinese women.

"Your Highness, please take this with you."

"What's this?" Li Yuanchang took a box.

"These are some gifts. Prince Jin is no longer what he used to be; he is now the Crown Prince and the future emperor. As you attend the banquet, shouldn't you offer him something in return?"

"I know Your Highness is not fond of giving or receiving gifts, but this time it was the Crown Prince who made the request, so it is only reasonable for you to give something."

"Most importantly, you have some conflicts with Lord Changsun, and you are irreconcilably at odds with the Wang family of Taiyuan. You absolutely must not let your relationship with the Crown Prince deteriorate further."

Situ Lan, with a virtuous expression, cautiously offered her advice.

The tone was so pleasant that it was impossible not to be happy.

Li Yuanchang smiled wryly: "It seems everyone thinks I'm now in a lower position, and that I need to send some gifts and pull some strings."

Situ Lan placed her hand on his chest, her eyes gentle: "Your Highness, please don't say that. This is not about being subservient, but about wisdom."

"There are no waves in the world that only rise and never fall. As the saying goes, a great man is one who can bend and stretch."

"There's nothing shameful about it."

"In my eyes, Your Highness is the most capable person. In other words, Your Highness is only in your twenties this year, and Your Highness is the ultimate winner."

Li Yuanchang smiled knowingly upon hearing this and touched her oval face.

That's actually quite true. Even if they could outlive Changsun Wuji, his wife, though unassuming and unambitious, was actually quite capable, influenced by her surroundings.

He didn't want his family to worry about him.

"Okay, don't worry, the gift will definitely be delivered."

Seeing that Li Yuanchang listened to her advice and wasn't blinded by his charm, Situ Lan smiled knowingly, her smile as stunning as a thousand pear blossoms in bloom. She tiptoed and gave him a light, fleeting kiss.

Li Yuanchang returned the kiss immediately, giving him a deep, passionate kiss in broad daylight.

Situ Lan, a woman who had given birth to two children, was a little embarrassed on the spot, and just like when she was a young girl, she glared at him angrily.

"Guo Chao, escort His Highness back as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Guo Chao and the others suppressed their laughter.

Snapped!

Before leaving, Li Yuanchang playfully slapped Situ Lan on the back.

Situ Lan's buttocks were burning hot, and her entire face and neck were flushed red.

Li Yuanchang had slapped her many times, but this was the first time he had done it in broad daylight.

"..."

The Eastern Palace.

Li Yuanchang entered with the green light all the way.

He could bring a sword when he entered the palace to see Li Shimin, so he could naturally do the same when he came to the Eastern Palace. This also reflects Li Zhi's attitude.

Li Zhi at least showed him some respect, arranging for people to greet him along the way, and even personally welcoming him when they arrived at the inner palace.

"Seventh Uncle, we've been waiting for you!"

Li Zhi was overjoyed and quickly got down, carrying his dragon robe. It had been more than a year since they last met, and with so many imperial resources poured into him during his time as crown prince, he had indeed matured.

It has shed much of its naivety and timidity, and is now relatively more objective.

Li Yuanchang also smiled, but the smile came to an abrupt end as he saw a familiar figure behind Li Zhi: Changsun Wuji!

The moment their eyes met, the magnetic field shifted inexplicably. They didn't seem to harbor the malice of mortal enemies, but they were certainly not as friendly as colleagues.

"Greetings, Your Highness. It is such a cold winter day, and I am deeply grateful for your patience in waiting here." Li Yuanchang withdrew his gaze and bowed first.

"Haha, Seventh Uncle, this is a family banquet, it feels too formal. Come, come, it's cold outside, let's talk inside."

Li Yuanchang glanced at Li Zhi, who seemed somewhat unfamiliar.