Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 49 Who is that woman?
"Don't worry."

Wen He instinctively flinched, but Li Shimin was just trying to scare him; he simply held the edge of the bowl and didn't move an inch.

Looking at him, Li Shimin remained silent, but his gaze carried a hint of threat.

Wen He smiled wryly.

"Actually, it's not that I don't want to say it, but Li Shiji's future has already changed."

"Oh? Why?" Li Shimin fell into deep thought.

Could it be because of what happened today?

No, I am not the kind of petty person who holds grudges. Even in the original history, I would definitely have given Li Shiji an important position.

Wen He seemed to have said before that I would give him an important position in the future.

If that's the case, why did he say that Li Shiji's future has changed?
Noticing Li Shimin's probing gaze, Wen He rubbed her nose and said awkwardly, "Your Highness, you don't need to think about it. His future will have little to do with you for most of the time."

"Li Shiji's military prowess in later generations is beyond doubt; he is widely recognized as the strongest military genius in the Tang Dynasty besides Li Jing, but..."

At this point, Wen He deliberately dragged out her words, making Li Shimin so anxious that he put his hand back on the bowl.

Seeing this, Wen He quickly changed her words.

"It's just that he had some issues that were criticized in later generations, but those have all been resolved now. Li Zhi wouldn't have been born, so he wouldn't have married your concubine to deal with Changsun Wuji and deposed Empress Wang. Li Shiji wouldn't have had to confront the Guanlong aristocratic families over the issue of deposing and installing empresses, nor would he have had to bear the crime of assisting the empress in usurping the throne. Isn't that a win-win situation..."

Wen He spread his hands and was smiling as he looked at Li Shimin when he suddenly noticed that the latter's face was turning pale and then purple.

"What do you mean by marrying my concubine? That rebellious son even wants to make her empress, just to deal with Fu Ji!"

Li Shimin raised his hand and slammed it heavily onto the table.

Wen He was startled and quickly moved to avoid being angered by him.

He said it because there was no one around now and he was certain that Li Shimin wouldn't blame him for future events.

But his strong reaction was within Wen He's expectations.

After all, no normal person could accept hearing that their son had married their mistress.

Even though Li Shimin and his followers had Xianbei blood, they could not tolerate it under the influence of Confucianism.

"That rebellious son is named Li Zhi?"

"Ah, didn't I say that before?" Wen He remembered that she seemed to have said it many times.

Judging from Li Shimin's reaction, this should be the first time he has said it.

Who said he was too quick to speak? Isn't this quite a good way of keeping secrets?

"Li Zhi? I think he's completely irrational!" Li Shimin angrily overturned the table.

"Did that rebellious son also win over the gentry in the south?"

"um, yes."

Wen He didn't expect that Li Shimin had already guessed it before she even said anything.

"Hmph, it's just a case of using one tiger to devour another. He made that woman empress to weaken the Guanzhong Plain and thus win over new forces to deal with Fu Ji. But he should never have let that woman seize power!"

When Li Shimin heard that the empress had usurped the throne, the veins on his forehead bulged out.

"A hen crowing at dawn! If that woman comes to power, she will surely slaughter the Li family members to consolidate her power. What a rebellious son!"

He didn't even need to ask Wen He about this.

Because that's exactly what he's doing now.

Anyone who can sit on the throne, regardless of gender, is ruthless.

Moreover, she was a woman who had fought her way out of the harem.

"Actually, you can't blame Li Zhi for this. He was mentally ill. Although there is no accurate explanation in later generations, it is highly likely that he had a tumor in his head, which would often cause him headaches and discomfort, and even make it difficult for him to see clearly."

"At that time, he had no one he could trust, so he could only ask his empress to step forward. However, he did not expect that his sons, those who were capable, would die young, and those who lived long were all useless."

Wen He always felt that Li Zhi was wronged.

He had the ability and means to govern the country and achieved many political accomplishments.

But unfortunately, he had a father who was a Heavenly Khan and a wife who was an emperor.

He himself was still a sick person. Many people in later generations regarded him as an mediocre person.

It should be noted that Wu Zetian was able to obtain power because it was granted to her by Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi).

Even the powerful and influential Changsun Wuji was defeated by him. How could such a person be a weak and mediocre ruler?

"Ugh."

Li Shimin turned and looked at the highest point of the Liangyi Hall, and let out a long sigh.

He didn't speak, and Wen He didn't disturb him either, silently watching her fingers from the side.

After a while, he asked slowly.

“Who is that woman!”

Li Shimin harbored murderous intent.

Regardless of whether Li Zhi would emerge in the future, he could not tolerate someone who would threaten the Li family's imperial power appearing in the harem.

His first thought was of the Yang family, but that was definitely wrong.

Regardless of their ages, the two Yang sisters came from the Hongnong Yang family, which made it impossible for them to be the choice of that rebellious son.

“Your Highness, I know you are anxious, but please don’t rush. She is only three years old and has not yet entered your harem. Moreover, history has changed, and her future will definitely be different from before.”

Wen He felt that Wu Meimei hadn't done anything yet.

If he were to kill her like this, Li Er would be criticized in the future.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's expression turned somewhat strange.

"Only three years old? When did she enter the palace?"

“In the eleventh year of Zhenguan, I remember she entered the palace at the age of fourteen. Historical records state that you heard of her beauty and summoned her to the palace, bestowing upon her the title of Fifth-Rank Talent and the special name Wu Mei. However, according to unofficial historical records, you never favored her.”

"Hmph, I am not the kind of person who is easily aroused by lust!"

Li Shimin's expression softened somewhat.

Wen He smiled noncommittally. As for this matter, only Li Shimin himself knew about it.

Seeing that he didn't believe him, Li Shimin snorted. Then, he caught something in Wen He's words and frowned.

"I bestow upon her the name Wu Mei, and her surname is Wu?"

"Uh, yes."

Wen He then realized that she had let something slip.

"There are not many people with the surname Wu in the court. If they can enter the palace, they must be from a noble family... and their relationship with me should be very close."

Now that they know Wu Mei's age and her surname, it wouldn't be difficult for Li Shimin to find out about her using his methods.

Wen He couldn't help but sigh.

Because of this butterfly, even if the empress doesn't die, she will surely spend her days with the ancient Buddha and the dim lamp.

What a sin.

"Are you feeling sorry?" Li Shimin stared at him.

Wen He would never admit it, and quickly shook his head to deny it, saying, "No, absolutely not. Your Highness's decisions are all for the sake of the Tang Dynasty and the Li family's empire. All your decisions are wise. For the sake of the Tang Dynasty, we must eliminate all future troubles. Your humble servant admires you to the extreme and marvels at Your Highness's wisdom, which is truly beyond the reach of ordinary people."

"speak English!"

"Your Highness is right."

After being glared at by him, Wen He immediately stood at attention and gave him a thumbs up.

“I am not a cruel person. If that woman’s family is indeed of meritorious rank, then I will grant her a wonderful marriage and cut off her path to the palace.”

He looked at Wen He with a smile.

For some reason, Wen He felt that there was something implied in his words when he stared at her like that.

It's time for thanks again.

感谢书友我的CD、阿叔我想提早退休（PS：我也想）、毛毛雨0、拾一段柔软De光芒、窥密人、巴德提不起劲、宅出一个人生、书友15031170712718、书友202106192858584、快点白给啊、0恶魔de幻想0、文文文文文文文文超、枫血月、书友20221122171037961、书友20220319181456689，感谢诸位的月票
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(End of this chapter)