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

It was an unplanned night, and a crazy night.

So much so that early the next morning, a rather awkward scene occurred when Situ Lan and Li Su came to help her change her clothes and bumped into Consort Yin De.

"Royal Sister-in-law."

Consort Yin had just come out, and even a mature woman like her, who had experienced the trials of time, couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed, and she tucked her hair behind her ear.

"Greetings to the Princess Consort and Lady of Han."

Situ Lan and Li Su exchanged a glance, their eyes showing slight shock, as if they had learned something extraordinary.

Why are you here so early?

"Emperor's sister-in-law..."

"Princess Consort of Han, I have long since become a commoner. I dare not accept the title of Imperial Sister-in-law."

"Now, thanks to the care of the Prince of Han's residence, we have a place to stand. From now on, Princess Consort of Han shall call you by your name, Yin Yao?"

Yin Yao bowed slightly, adopting a very humble posture, but she was almost the only one in the Han Prince's mansion who could rival Situ Lan in terms of temperament.

They all possess a noble, matriarchal air; they are clearly not ordinary beauties.

Situ Lan nodded: "Sister Yin is absolutely right. Now that we've entered the gates of the Prince of Han's mansion, we are now part of the Prince of Han's mansion."

"The fact that Sister Yin came to this foreign land of Goguryeo with us shows that His Highness trusts her."

"From now on, we're family."

As she spoke, she generously took Consort Yin's hand in hers.

Consort Yin's long eyelashes fluttered slightly, revealing a double entendre in her words.

He glanced at Situ Lan with some surprise, but saw no displeasure. Although it was normal for a Prince of Han to have multiple women, but…

She admired it; it was completely contrary to the atmosphere in the Chang'an imperial harem.

"Thank you, Princess Consort of Han."

"Susu, you go in first and help His Highness get up. I'll keep Sister Yin company for a while."

"Yes." Li Su nodded.

Consort Yin and Li Su exchanged smiles, a nodding acquaintance, both appearing friendly.

But Yin Yao's beautiful eyes showed a hint of suspicion, as she felt that Li Su looked somewhat familiar.

"The Princess Consort of Han, her?"

Situ Lan smiled helplessly, thinking that it didn't matter whether she told him or not now, since Yin Yao was one of her own, so she revealed Li Su's true identity.

Upon hearing the words "Princess Wencheng," Yin Yao was shocked, and her charming face paled.

"Her, her?"

Situ Lan nodded.

Upon receiving the second confirmation, Yin Yao's beautiful eyes widened in shock. She had wondered why he looked so familiar, and then she was both amused and exasperated, thinking that Yuan Chang was incredibly audacious!

But if he dared to touch her, there was nothing Li Yuanchang wouldn't dare to do.

At this moment, Situ Lan pulled her aside, as if they were having a private conversation like sisters.

"Sister Yin, His Highness has favored you?"

The question was so direct that Consort Yin was momentarily embarrassed, but she didn't hide anything and nodded.

"Did Your Highness ask my sister to use contraception?"

Consort Yin was once again bewildered in the wind. Despite years of cultivating her character before the Buddha, she couldn't withstand this question, and her ears turned slightly red.

That's too personal a question.

"this……"

"Sister, it's alright. I was just asking so that the family can be prepared."

Consort Yin was embarrassed, and then shook her head.

"Princess Consort of Han, I have absolutely no intention of using your pregnancy to gain power..."

Situ Lan interrupted, her expression serious: "Sister Yin, no, the Han Prince's mansion's backyard is not as you think, full of jealousy and malpractices."

"On the contrary, I hope that you will have many children."

"A thriving family ensures the longevity of the clan."

Consort Yin nodded, and looking at Situ Lan's serious expression, she felt a strange sense of anticipation rising in her heart.

She had originally given up on life and turned to Buddhism, but now, thanks to Li Yuanchang, she seems to have come back to life.

She imagined that scene for a moment, and then her heart raced and her face flushed.

"..."

Time flies, and the twenty-second year of Zhenguan passed under the shadow of a border crisis.

The hot war has not yet fully begun, but it is already unstoppable.

January of the twenty-third year of the Zhenguan era.

This will be the most special year in the history of Zhenguan. If the course of history remains unchanged, Li Shimin will die in Cuiwei Palace in this year.

The departure of the Heavenly Khan signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the Tang Dynasty, and Emperor Gaozong, who was initially criticized as weak and incompetent, is about to ascend the throne.

If everything follows the historical trajectory, then there's nothing special about it.

But now that Li Yuanchang has been forced to rebel and the imperial army is suppressing him, the last year of the Zhenguan era has become unpredictable.

This was something that had never happened in history, so even Li Yuanchang didn't know which direction the situation would take.

He didn't know, and no one else knew either.

But one thing is certain: Li Shimin's health was deteriorating day by day, and in fact, it took a sharp turn for the worse starting from the year Li Chengqian rebelled.

Having fought wars his entire life, coupled with decades of excessive work, Li Shimin's health had long since deteriorated.

"General."

"That's the situation. His Majesty demands that you use every means at all costs to achieve a swift victory!"

A eunuch spoke in a deep voice.

Outside the military camp, the wind and snow howled. Li Ji held the secret letter in his hands, his whole body stiff, and sadness and unease appeared on his resolute face.

"How is His Majesty now?"

The eunuch looked worried and frowned: "His Majesty's condition is very bad. He can no longer stand up on his own. He is sometimes lucid and sometimes delirious."

"His Majesty fears he won't survive and that after his death, no one will be able to check the Prince of Han. Therefore, he has lifted all restrictions, allowing you to quell the rebellion at any cost!"

"What do you mean by 'at any cost'?" Li Ji frowned.

"No matter what method we use, no matter how many resources we consume, no matter how many people die, the Goguryeo rebellion must be quelled after the spring!" The eunuch relayed Li Shimin's order in an almost absolute tone.

Li Ji was shocked!

The entire commander's tent was deathly silent.

At all costs, this is insane. It means too many people will die—from non-combat casualties, from the fierce attack, from the Han King's Han Lei.

From a military perspective, he did not support it; he felt a more prudent approach should be taken.

But when the words reached his lips, the thought of the situation in Chang'an overwhelmed Li Shimin's already frail health, and he could no longer speak.

He knew that this matter was not up to him; if he didn't handle it well, someone else would have to take over immediately.

The time for the transfer of power had come; Li Shimin had no time to wait, and this was the inevitable trend.

"Alright." He reluctantly accepted the order.

"Go back and tell His Majesty that I will do my utmost, and there will definitely be results by the middle of this year!"

"May Your Majesty take care of your health."

The eunuch who had traveled a long way from Chang'an nodded emphatically: "In that case, the safety of the Tang Dynasty depends on the Grand Marshal."

Li Ji nodded with a grave expression.

He was uneasy about the war to come and about the future of the Tang Dynasty.

He didn't even dare to disclose Li Shimin's health condition, as this would inevitably affect morale!

"..."