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

The large number of letters implicated a large number of people, including the lords of seven cities and some local nobles.

Although they did not directly surrender to the imperial court, the letters show that they all harbored selfish motives, were dissatisfied with Li Yuanchang, and wanted to unite to seize an opportunity to overthrow him.

This put Li Yuanchang in a dilemma.

"Your Highness, the evidence is conclusive, what are we waiting for?"

"Send troops to execute them immediately!"

"If they dare to resist, we will annihilate them!"

"These bastards are loyal when they're getting benefits, but they're actually treacherous!" Guo Chao said angrily.

Li Yuanchang looked at the pile of letters on the table and shook his head: "If it's just one or two, we can simply order their execution."

"But now too many people are involved. If there are large-scale executions, civil unrest will inevitably break out in many places."

"Li Ji's 200,000-strong army is poised to strike. If internal strife breaks out now, it will be a devastating blow to us."

Guo Chao frowned, thinking about it, and realized it made sense.

"Your Highness, should we not launch a secret attack and deal with it later?"

Li Yuanchang said, "If something happens in Lugan City, those nobles who have corresponded with this place will definitely feel insecure, and they might even defect to the imperial court out of fear."

"Therefore, this matter can neither be dealt with nor left undealt with."

Guo Chao was dumbfounded. What did he mean by "cannot handle it, yet cannot not handle it"?

"Take these letters out intact and burn them all in front of the entire city. Also, announce to the public that Li Da Xun and others rebelled and forged the letters in an attempt to sow discord between the Prince of Han and the city lords. The Prince of Han was not fooled and ordered all the letters burned. This case is now closed!"

"Huh?" Guo Chao exclaimed in surprise.

"Isn't this...helping the other party get off the hook?"

"Yes, it's about helping them get off the hook."

"With a formidable enemy at hand, I must maintain overall stability. I will show leniency and give them a way out, which will also demonstrate my magnanimity."

"In this way, even if they are not grateful, they won't be driven to desperation," Li Yuanchang said calmly and forcefully.

Guo Chao was somewhat taken aback by this approach and didn't understand it at all. In his opinion, this kind of thing should be dealt with to the bitter end.

But this was not a spur-of-the-moment decision; many emperors, including Li Shimin, had actually done it before.

Wei Zheng, Xue Wanche, and others should have been executed, but Li Shimin did not execute them. Instead, he gave them a chance, which was a wiser approach than killing them.

However, the balance between killing and showing mercy needs to be carefully considered; success is impressive, while failure is seen as womanly compassion.

"Go do it," Li Yuanchang said.

"yes!"

Guo Chao clasped his hands in a fist salute, stopped thinking about it, and immediately took action.

Li Yuanchang exhaled a breath of stale air and looked outside. The sky had turned completely dark at some point, and the cold wind was fierce, with terrifyingly heavy snow.

He suddenly thought of something.

"Lady River".

Because the security at Lugan Castle has not yet been lifted, Ha Ji-hyo, who has turned to the light, remains trapped there.

Upon hearing the voice, she immediately stepped inside, her expression tense and respectful: "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Prepare some hot water; I wish to take a bath."

"Yes."

Ha Ji-hyo nodded and immediately darted into the side hall.

There are some maids provided here, but their backgrounds, looks, and temperament are quite different from Ha Ji-hyo's.

Li Yuanchang preferred women like her who were educated and from good families.

According to the unwritten rules of ancient times, once the rebellion was quelled and the property confiscated, everything belonging to Lee Dae-hoon became spoils of war, including Ha Ji-hyo's.

Before long, a large bucket of hot water was prepared, and steam filled the side hall.

The long robe slipped off Li Yuanchang's strong and slender body.

Ha Ji-hyo immediately lowered her head, her heart pounding wildly as if it were about to jump out of her chest, a hint of fear in the depths of her eyes.

The King of Han's... is too...

Hanwang's physique is amazing!

"Um?"

"You all step back and let her come," Li Yuanchang said personally.

The maids dared not speak and had no choice but to retreat.

Ha Ji-hyo took a deep breath, quickly stepped forward, and picked up the gourd ladle to bathe Lee Won-chang.

"What, you don't want to?"

"No, Your Highness, it is my honor to serve you."

"I am already deeply grateful for Your Highness's mercy in sparing my life; how could I possibly refuse?"

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow: "Then come in from so far away."

"Huh?" Ha Ji-hyo was embarrassed, but noticing Lee Won-chang's displeasure, she trembled and immediately said, "Yes!"

She hurriedly took off her shoes and socks, her soles were red, and she almost fell on the wet ground. She carefully climbed in, holding up her skirt.

The reverence for Li Yuanchang comes from the depths of my soul.

As the saying goes, the two best ways to conquer a woman are to make her admire you and to make her fear you!

The hot water instantly submerged her body, wetting her clothes, and her full breasts became faintly visible.

Li Yuanchang stared at her the whole time, making her flustered and unable to meet his gaze.

"Madam, how old are you this year?"

"Reporting to the King of Han, I am twenty-three this year." She subconsciously covered her chest with her arm, as the water flow made it easy for her neckline to be exposed.

"Then you are a little younger than me," Li Yuanchang said.

Ha Ji-hyo smiled, unsure of what to say.

"It's a pity that my lady is so young, yet she has followed a rebellious traitor. Now she can't go home and her future is uncertain. I feel heartbroken for her," Li Yuanchang said.

Ha Ji-hyo's expression turned forlorn and sorrowful, and she was on the verge of tears. Then she glanced at Lee Won-chang and said, "Please have mercy, Your Highness."

"Have mercy? How?" Li Yuanchang asked rhetorically.

Ha Ji-hyo hesitated, then bit her red lips: "If Your Highness doesn't mind my appearance, please take me in."

"From now on, I will certainly serve Your Highness well."

As she spoke, she turned her head to the side.

Her awkwardness, her dignified demeanor, and the contrast between her being forced to say such things and her dignified manner were striking. Li Yuanchang felt satisfied just by looking at her.

"This is inappropriate. Wouldn't I be taking advantage of someone in distress?"

"Your Highness, it was my own choice."

"It's voluntary. If word gets out, it will seem like I'm taking advantage of you. That's not right, not right. I'm not that kind of person," Li Yuanchang politely declined.

Ha Ji-hyo's cheeks were flushed red, and she was caught in a dilemma.

"Your Highness, if you do not take me in, I have nowhere else to go."

As she spoke, she was on the verge of tears. She had convinced herself to take the initiative, only to be rejected in the end.

"Ugh."

"Madam, please don't cry." Li Yuanchang sighed, feigning reluctance, and reached out to wipe away her tears.

"I had no intention of taking advantage of her in her distress, but my wife is so helpless and alone that I cannot bear to do so. If I were to refuse her, I would be too unromantic."

He just said it casually, and it didn't even count as caring, but Ha Ji-hyo's tears immediately fell, and she leaned on his shoulder, sobbing softly.

Li Yuanchang patted his shoulder and casually untied the belt around his waist, his movements so fast the other man didn't even notice.

"My lady, since that's the case, from now on you will stay by my side. I will treat you well, what do you say?"

A casual word of concern from a strong person is often more valuable than a multitude of promises from a weak person. Ha Ji-hyo was immediately flattered and moved, nodding with a choked voice.

"Would the lady be willing to share a bed with me tonight?" Li Yuanchang asked gently. He knew it was pointless to force someone, and he never did such a thing.