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

He was worried about Li Jing, but Li Jing stayed at home and was already old, while his seventh brother was too young, so young that he could outlive a large group of people just by enduring.

After these people left, who in the entire Tang Dynasty could suppress this prince with outstanding military achievements?

Relying on Li Zhi himself?

When Li Shimin thought of this, he didn't hesitate at all; even ten Li Zhis wouldn't be enough.

At this moment, Changsun Wuji seemed oblivious to Li Shimin's expression and said again, "But, but..."

"Speak your mind!"

Changsun Wuji frowned deeply: "Forgive my bluntness, but the King of Han and the Guanzhong nobles, as well as the Five Clans and Seven Families, are not on good terms."

"They are even incompatible like fire and water."

"And the Guanzhong region, including the five prominent clans and seven prestigious families, is the foundation of the nation!"

"Such a contradiction may harbor hidden dangers."

Li Shimin was certainly aware of this matter, but he also knew it wasn't Li Yuanchang's fault.

The conflict with the Five Clans and Seven Families was to help him suppress clan power.

As for Guanzhong, that was purely a problem for the Guanzhong aristocracy themselves.

"That's not difficult. I have a way to mediate, and we can even arrange a marriage."

Changsun Wuji smiled wryly: "Your Majesty, is it really possible to mediate?"

"The conflict between the two is fundamental and they cannot be reconciled. Even if the past is wiped clean, the conflict will still be difficult to resolve."

"This is also where the old ministers and the King of Han sometimes disagree. We always want things to remain unchanged, and we always want everything to be peaceful."

"But Your Highness always thinks about overthrowing and changing things."

"His ideas are imaginative, unconventional, and unorthodox. I acknowledge the King of Han's abilities and achievements, but whether they are suitable depends on Your Majesty's decision."

Changsun Wuji knew exactly when to stop, striking the perfect balance.

They said everything, yet it seems they said nothing at all.

When his voice fell to the ground, the entire space suddenly fell silent, followed by a long silence.

Li Shimin, like an old monk in deep meditation, had a calm and profound gaze, yet a myriad of considerations were at play within it.

At this moment, silence speaks volumes.

……

The next day.

The court assembly was presided over by Li Zhi, while Li Shimin, who was recuperating, did not appear again, only issuing one or two edicts.

The court officials privately began to speculate that His Majesty's health was not as good as before, and that he was gradually considering letting Li Zhi take on more political affairs.

Li Yuanchang was neither in a hurry nor surprised by this.

If I remember correctly, Li Shimin has three more years, which is neither a long nor a short time, unless the butterfly effect causes some subtle changes.

After the court session, Li Yuanchang had already walked out of Xuanwu Gate when Guo Chao, who was waiting outside, suddenly brought him some extremely exciting news.

"Your Highness, Wu Mei has returned to Chang'an!"

Li Yuanchang was startled and blurted out, "Where?"

"In Lantian County, she visited Madam Wu and the two sisters, Wu Shun."

"Walk!"

Li Yuanchang abandoned the carriage, mounted his horse, and galloped towards Lantian County.

That speed was absolutely unmatched!

He and Wu Meiniang were often separated, and his longing for her was even stronger, making each meeting all the more precious.

Li Yuanchang had his own things to do.

Wu Zetian also had one.

Li Shimin was also watching over them, and the deal from back then was still valid. So, under the influence of various factors, the relationship between the two was extremely dramatic. They had the de facto relationship of husband and wife, but they could not get really close.

Relying on the speed of lightning, he rushed to Lantian County in less than an hour.

For the past two years, the three daughters of the Wu family have been living here and have been protected and cared for by the Prince of Han's mansion.

Wu Lan also frequently visited the Prince of Han's residence, and in fact, the relationship between the two families had warmed up to the level of in-laws.

"Your Highness!"

"Your Highness!"

"Where is Meiniang?" Li Yuanchang dismounted. The guards here were all from the Prince of Han's residence.

"Your Highness, she's gone."

"Gone? When did that happen?" Li Yuanchang's voice rose, filled with disappointment and anger: "Why didn't you stop them?"

"Your Highness, we dare not stop them. It was a message from the Crown Prince's men."

Li Yuanchang frowned: "The Crown Prince?"

"Where?"

"The Eastern Palace?"

"We don't know either," the guard said.

At this moment, Wu Lan emerged from inside the Wu family mansion. She had grown up and was now graceful and charming.

"Your Highness, I know!"

"My sister did indeed go to the East Palace."

"Words circulating among the people in Chang'an."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanchang's heart sank, and he had an inexplicable sense of foreboding.

Few people know Wu Zetian's true identity, and the Crown Prince's Palace probably doesn't know either, otherwise they wouldn't dare to summon her.

But once people are recruited, it's not a good thing!

"Tell Lady Wu that I will visit her another day!"

Having said that, he mounted his horse and, without even taking a breath, charged off again.

Wu Lan didn't even have a chance to say a word.

Another hour or so passed before Li Yuanchang hurriedly returned to Chang'an from Lantian County and arrived at the Eastern Palace for an audience.

He rushed up the steps quickly.

Song Sanlang had already become a guest of the Crown Prince, and he was very afraid that Wu Meiniang would also become a part of the Eastern Palace.

Historically, the reason Wu Zetian was able to come to Emperor Gaozong's side was not because Emperor Gaozong admired her, but because of the power struggles within the harem.

At that time, Emperor Gaozong had already fallen in love with Consort Xiao, and Empress Wang felt threatened, so she directly summoned Wu Zetian, who was beautiful, intelligent, and ruthless, into the palace.

Li Zhi happened to be interested, so he acquiesced.

Just as he was about to rush up the last step, suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Han!"

Upon hearing the familiar voice, Li Yuanchang paused and turned around abruptly.

The person stood on the white jade steps, dressed in the attire of a Tang Dynasty lady, like a goddess flying in Dunhuang, or a peerless imperial concubine of the Tang Dynasty. Her features were exquisite, her charm natural, and the eyeliner at the corners of her eyes outlined an extreme domineering and beautiful aura.

His restraint is tinged with a hint of cunning and ruthlessness!

Even men rarely see such charm, let alone a woman. No wonder Yuan Tiangang gave Wu Meiniang such a high evaluation when he examined her face.

Their reunion was filled with no misunderstandings, no awkwardness, only longing.

"Charming..."

He was about to blurt it out when he saw a hint of reminder in Wu Meiniang's eyes.

Li Yuanchang quickly noticed the other bystanders nearby, so he immediately adjusted his expression and pretended not to recognize them: "Who are you?"

"Your Highness, I am Ling Shuang, the newly appointed Director of the Imperial Household Department of the Eastern Palace," Wu Meiniang bowed.

Li Yuanchang was familiar with the name Ling Shuang, as it was Wu Meiniang's disguised name.

But the fact that the Crown Prince's Chamberlain was in charge of the inner palace surprised Li Yuanchang, and then his expression changed.

In the Tang Dynasty, both the imperial palace and the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace had female officials. The female officials in the Eastern Palace were divided into three categories: Si Gui, Si Ze, and Si Zhuan.

As for the head of the department, that is, the head of the department.

The Si Gui is the most powerful of the three departments, in charge of documents, gatekeepers, keys, and disciplinary matters.

Well, the thing I was most worried about has happened.

Li Yuanchang's face darkened, and he had a million questions in his mind.

"I need to use the restroom. Lead the way!"

"Yes!" Wu Meiniang responded, sensing his displeasure and knowing that Li Yuanchang wanted to find a secluded place to talk.