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

Situ Lan suddenly remembered something and said, "Not long ago, someone came to report that Consort Yin De of Changhong Temple had fallen ill."

"It seems like he's very ill; there are even rumors that he's dying."

boom!

Li Yuanchang was shocked upon hearing this.

"Is the person dying?"

"He was perfectly fine, so why is he suddenly dying?"

"Didn't I send someone to look after her?"

Situ Lan frowned slightly: "Your Highness, you are unaware of what happened when you went to the East Sea."

"It is said that His Majesty suddenly remembered Consort Yin and intended to forgive her, bringing her back to the palace."

"But Consort Yin refused, saying that being a nun was better than being a concubine."

"This thoroughly enraged His Majesty, turning the initial demotion into a complete abolition."

"They don't even have the most basic sustenance."

"Wu Yu occasionally went over, but only dared to secretly provide some help, and it was very limited. It seems that Consort Yin did not want to involve others."

"As time went on, Consort Yin's inner turmoil became unresolved, and being all alone, her health deteriorated."

"With the arrival of winter and the lack of firewood, she fell ill. Her poor health, coupled with excessive longing, left her with little spirit."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang's eyes revealed a hint of sympathy.

Even after so long apart, he could still recall the woman's voice and appearance; she was as resilient as a stubborn rock, yet she had crumbled.

"Has the imperial court not responded?"

"Even at her worst, she's still a member of royalty. And she's practically dying?"

Situ Lan smiled bitterly: "Your Highness, nobody cares. Consort Yin has already been deposed and her status is even lower than that of a servant. Almost all of her relatives and friends died in the Prince Qi's rebellion."

"Who would risk helping her?"

"There are quite a few who kick someone when they're down."

Li Yuanchang said, "Alright, I will take some men to take a look tomorrow."

"Before his death, King Qi asked me to take care of her."

Situ Lan did not object; deep down, she was a person of great loyalty and righteousness.

"Your Highness, go secretly, so that no one sees you and causes gossip."

"I understand."

"Let's go and rest."

"Yes."

"..."

The next day.

Changhong Temple.

Li Yuanchang deliberately left home before dawn to avoid being noticed by others.

Using money to pave the way, he bribed several eunuchs who were left to guard Changhong Temple and successfully met Consort Yin in a meditation room.

At first glance, Li Yuanchang was shocked.

The entire meditation room was dilapidated, worse than even an ordinary house, and couldn't even keep out the wind and rain. The corners were covered with wooden boards, and the cold wind was blowing in.

There wasn't a single decent piece of furniture; the poverty was extreme.

On the wooden bed, the emaciated Consort Yin was pale and coughing incessantly. In just over a year, she had lost a lot of weight!

Once a dazzling beauty, one of the four imperial concubines even more beautiful than Chang'e, she has fallen to such a state.

Her long, black hair had sprouted a few strands of white, and she was dressed in coarse linen clothes, looking less than a peasant woman.

To be fair, Consort Yin was truly stubborn. Even at this point, she refused to back down or give Li Shimin any face.

If she were to lower her head, even if her status were far less than before, she could still easily live a life of luxury.

Sometimes, people really just fight for that pride.

After Li You and Yin Hongzhi died, Consort Yin truly had no more desires and could no longer endure.

"call!"

Exhaling a breath of stale air, Li Yuanchang pushed open the door and entered.

creak.

The jarring sound revealed how dilapidated the meditation room had become, as if it could collapse at any moment under the weight of a heavy snowfall.

Consort Yin's hearing was exceptional; she could see it instantly.

The two locked eyes just as dawn broke, but she recognized him instantly.

A look of surprise crossed his sickly, weak face. It took him several breaths to regain his composure: "The Prince of Han?"

Li Yuanchang smiled bitterly: "It is I, the king, who is not dead yet. It is not a delusion."

In this harsh winter, lame jokes seem especially cold.

Consort Yin burst out laughing, then struggled to get up.

"There's no need for that."

"Let the doctor take a look first."

As he spoke, Li Yuanchang waved.

Five of the best physicians from the Prince of Han's residence slowly entered, bowing respectfully and carrying medicine chests in their hands.

Upon seeing this, Consort Yin's pale face showed a complex expression, and her eyes were filled with gratitude.

"Your Highness, there's no need for that. Everyone has their own destiny." She politely declined, afraid of implicating the other party.

Li Yuanchang shook his head: "Isn't my presence here your fate?"

Consort Yin was speechless for a moment.

Now that everyone had arrived, she couldn't refuse any longer: "Thank you."

Li Yuanchang smiled and then stepped aside.

The doctors stepped forward to take her pulse and examine her. Even though everyone else no longer took her seriously, and even kicked her when she was down, and made things difficult for her in various ways, the people Li Yuanchang brought still respected her.

Not only was the language respectful, but even the pulse diagnosis was conducted behind a curtain.

When everyone else treated her like a sinner, only Li Yuanchang offered her help in her time of need.

A tear involuntarily rolled down Consort Yin's cheek inside the curtain.

About an incense stick later.

The initial diagnosis is complete.

"How is it?"

"Your Highness, Lady Yin has caught a cold and is too weak! She is anemic and depressed, which has caused her to fall ill."

"If this continues, it will indeed be dangerous."

"A cold is not serious. We will prescribe medicine immediately, and you should recover in a month."

"But he is physically weak and needs a long period of rest and nourishment. He cannot endure the cold and hunger any longer."

"Furthermore, physical ailments are easier to treat than mental ones. If the Yin family continues down this path, I fear they will not live long," Doctor Fan said in a low voice, sounding quite regretful.

Li Yuanchang frowned.

This hit the nail on the head. Many people in later generations who had terminal illnesses but maintained a good attitude were able to live a long time.

However, some people are physically healthy, but once they develop a mental block, they lose all will to live and often don't live long.

This is not metaphysics, but something based on facts.

"Okay, you can go get the medicine now."

"Guo Chao, take a few men and repair and reinforce the meditation room, and get some firewood and bedding."

"yes!"

At Li Yuanchang's command, a large group of people sprang into action.

The once deserted temple meditation room suddenly became lively.

"Your Highness!"

Consort Yin's voice rang out; though she was seriously ill, her voice was even more gentle and pleasant.

Li Yuanchang looked over.

Consort Yin hurriedly lifted the curtain: "Your Highness, please leave me some medicine. I can brew it myself. There's no need for such a fuss."

"It's alright," Li Yuanchang said.

Consort Yin frowned, her expression very serious: "Your Highness, is it really necessary?"

"Your Majesty has deposed me. If you do this, you may incur the Emperor's wrath."

She bluntly stated that Li Shimin was narrow-minded.

Li Yuanchang said, "Consort De, although His Majesty has deposed you, he has not ordered your execution. If His Majesty does not execute you, who would dare to kill you?"

"Besides, I'm only providing some basic supplies."

"Can……"

Li Yuanchang interrupted.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. I would never watch you starve or freeze to death!"

His tone was almost forceful and domineering.