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

"For me, it was just suppression, preventing me from becoming a lady-in-waiting, but for His Highness, there was no shortage of slander, both openly and behind the scenes."

"An official who had benefited from His Highness's policies once wrote a letter speaking on his behalf, only to be unjustly exiled—that's what she did!"

Li Yuanchang nodded, his gaze turning cold. He had no doubt about Wu Meiniang's words.

"If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have truly forgotten about her."

"If I remember correctly, she comes from the Wang family of Taiyuan, which makes sense, as she is the leader of our mortal enemy."

In a sense, the Empress's status was comparable to that of Changsun Wuji. Changsun Wuji was the most powerful figure in the previous dynasty, while Empress Wang was the most powerful figure in the harem.

Although the empress's harem is not allowed to interfere in politics at this stage, the empress's eldest son is the future emperor, which is almost a given. Therefore, her special status and importance are a bellwether for countless people to follow.

Since Empress Wang is so persistent and targeting him, he naturally cannot tolerate this. If she were to gain power through her son in the future, that would be terrible.

Wouldn't that require fanning the ghost wind and lighting will-o'-the-wisps every year?

In an instant, he had the idea of ​​retaliating.

When his gaze fell on the eunuch again, he trembled.

"You claim to be sent by Empress Wang, but what proof do you have?"

Upon hearing this, the eunuch panicked immediately: "What, what are you going to do?"

"That's not a question you should be asking!"

"I betrayed Empress Wang, I will die without a burial place!" The eunuch was on the verge of tears. He said it was nothing, but handing over the evidence would be a different story.

"If you don't speak, you'll die right now. If you do, I can guarantee your survival," Li Yuanchang said calmly.

Guo Chao and others stepped forward to exert pressure.

The eunuch wailed, "Do you keep your word?"

"Calculate!"

The eunuch was forced to say, "I have a travel pass issued by the palace, which allows me to enter and leave various prefectures at any time of day."

"Those are official documents from the inner palace. They were issued by Eunuch Guo from the Inner Palace Secretariat, who is the Empress's man."

Li Yuanchang frowned: "This evidence is not enough."

Even if the truth gets out, the Empress can say it has nothing to do with her and push the blame onto Eunuch Guo.

"The Empress has many documents issued in advance, which is one of the ways she monitors the families of the concubines outside the palace. This is against the rules of the palace. Isn't this evidence enough?" the eunuch shouted.

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang's beautiful eyes changed slightly, and she said in a low voice, "Your Highness, this is indeed against the rules."

"Empress Wang is extremely jealous. If these things are truly investigated, she will definitely be implicated."

Li Yuanchang raised an eyebrow, first searching the eunuch's body and finding the so-called travel document, then said, "Tie him up and keep a close watch on him."

"yes!"

"I've told you everything, you can't kill me, you can't kill me!" the eunuch wailed.

Li Yuanchang ignored them. These eunuchs looked harmless and pitiful, but in the ancient palace, countless innocent people died because of their accusations and framing.

If we hadn't caught the man today and had him bring back the news, Li Yuanchang might not have been in any trouble, but Wu Meiniang would probably be in a difficult situation once she returned to Chang'an.

Therefore, he will not tolerate it!

"Meiniang, we need to solve the problem at its source."

"Fine, I've disliked this vile woman for a long time!" Wu Zetian was cold and beautiful, and she was a perfect match for her husband. Her ruthlessness and cunning as an empress were unparalleled in the world.

Seeing this, Li Yuanchang couldn't help but sigh, perhaps everything was predestined.

Fortunately, she intercepted the opportunity in advance. Deep down, Wu Zetian always had a paradise in her heart. She did not turn evil, nor did she suffer too much torment and hardship, and thus did not become unscrupulous.

"This time, we'll work together from the inside and outside..."

"..."

The two discussed the matter and quickly devised a plan to counterattack.

Wu Zetian perfectly filled the gap in Li Yuanchang's ability to extend his influence to Chang'an.

After the discussion, Wu Meiniang did not rush to leave, but instead had a secret rendezvous with Li Yuanchang until night.

A brief reunion cannot dispel the longing and reluctance to part.

Before leaving, Wu Zetian was reluctant to part.

"Be careful when you go to Tuyuhun, understand?"

"You are not allowed to die unless I die!" Under the moonlight, Wu Meiniang tightly gripped his clothes.

Li Yuanchang smiled and said, "Okay."

"But you must grant me one request."

Wu Zetian's eyes gleamed warily: "Could it be some other despicable lecherous man's request?"

"You just know how to take advantage of my soft heart!"

She showed a hint of disdain and annoyance.

"Hahaha!"

"What kind of person do you take me for? Do you think I'm that kind of person?"

Wu Zetian rolled her eyes with a charming and alluring expression, the spring tide still lingering in her brows and eyes.

"That's exactly the kind of person you are!"

"Vulgar, shameless, and utterly depraved!"

As she spoke, she bit Li Yuanchang hard on the chest.

Li Yuanchang winced in pain and gasped for breath.

"Tell me quickly, what is your request? If I grant it, I really have to go back, otherwise I'll be exposed," Wu Meiniang urged.

Li Yuanchang couldn't help but laugh; it seemed she really thought her requirements were related to sex.

However, the Empress's "doting" on him really made him a little conceited.

Then, he said earnestly, "After the trip to Tuyuhun is over, you will come home with me."

Wu Meiniang paused for a moment, then lowered her head and remained silent.

Li Yuanchang lifted her alluring face: "The Far East is now stable, and we no longer need you to provide support in Chang'an. You can't live apart from me forever."

"I know the resentment in your heart, and I know you don't want to be a concubine, but fate is unpredictable, and it has already come to this."

"I know!" Wu Meiniang interrupted, her eyes filled with displeasure.

"In your heart, am I such an unfeeling woman who doesn't know how to sacrifice?"

"Then what do you mean?" Li Yuanchang asked.

Wu Zetian turned around, her emotions like those of a young girl.

"I just don't want to be a decorative vase in the Far East, a vase that can't do anything. I want to prove that women are no weaker than men!"

Li Yuanchang was stunned for a moment and couldn't say anything for a long time.

There must have been a reason why she became the only empress in China's thousands of years of history to truly ascend the throne and even have the army change its flag to worship her.

In this era, with its restrictive mindset, no woman would ever want to realize her self-worth, especially to prove she is stronger than a man.

Situ Lan would never say such a thing in her entire life.

Wu Meiniang suddenly turned around, her phoenix eyes serious and earnest: "Seventh Prince, perhaps..."

"Why don't you rebel and become emperor!"

Li Yuanchang was startled and immediately frowned.

Wu Zetian, however, acted as if she didn't see it: "If they can sit on this throne, why can't you? Li Shimin seized it, so can you!"

"At worst, the world will descend into chaos; the more chaotic, the better!"

"You and I have monopolized half of the business and supplies in the Central Plains. You have the army, I have the connections. With our combined efforts, I will help you ascend the throne!"

"Don't be afraid of being criticized. History is written by the victors. Weren't the founding emperors of every dynasty rebels?"

"Only in this way can you truly escape that exclusion and persecution!"

The more she talked, the more excited she became, and her eyes already seemed to hold a hint of unpredictability.