My father, Li Shimin, requests Your Majesty to become the Retired Emperor.

Li Shimin, observing Xu Hui's expression, noticed that she seemed a little uneasy, so he asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Why do you look so pale?

Xu Hui forced a smile: "No, Your Majesty is overthinking it. Perhaps I haven't been getting enough sleep these past few days."

Li Shimin smiled slightly: "Does that mean you don't welcome me to your palace?"

Xu Hui sighed, "Your Majesty, I was just about to discuss this matter with you."

"Oh, what are your thoughts?"

"I have been feeling unwell lately and am preparing to move to the south of the city."

"You're going to live outside the palace?" Li Shimin was quite surprised.

"That's right. I heard that Your Majesty has a house in the south of the city, it's not very big, and it's just sitting there empty."

"Your Majesty, could you lend me that house for a while? I'll give up this Chong Sheng Palace."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin frowned and said, "You know that I can't live without you now."

I'd like to come over tonight and have a chat.

During the day, when I am reviewing memorials in the Zichen Hall, you are there to grind ink for me, and I can also consult you on some matters.

If you leave, what will I do?

"Your Majesty, you are mocking me. I am but a woman, how could I know anything about matters of state?"

The court has so many civil and military officials, a wealth of talent.

If Your Majesty has any questions, you may consult them. Why do you need to ask me?

"I am not very knowledgeable about many things. If my views and opinions are wrong, wouldn't that delay important matters?"

Li Shimin shook his head and laughed: "I don't think so. You may lack experience compared to those veteran ministers, but you are quick-witted, have strong logical thinking, and are very good at analyzing and handling problems."

Unlike those old ministers who were bound by convention and prone to getting bogged down in trivial details.

"Your Majesty, you are mistaken. As far as I know, Gao Shilian is extremely learned, and Wei Zheng is also a very virtuous minister."

Li Shimin picked up his teacup and took a sip: "Gao Shilian is very talented, but don't forget that he is Empress Zhangsun's maternal uncle. When I appoint people, I have to be careful about it. I can't let the civil and military officials think that I always appoint people based on personal connections."

Don't mention that old Taoist priest. Just mentioning him annoys me.

No matter the occasion, he never showed any consideration for me when he spoke, often leaving me embarrassed.

To say he was a loyal minister is beyond doubt, in my opinion. However, his way of speaking is sometimes too unacceptable.

"Even I have my pride."

"Your Majesty, people say that when the ruler is wise, the ministers are upright. Wei Zheng's uprightness is precisely a testament to Your Majesty's wisdom as a ruler."

Li Shimin smiled slightly: "You're quite the smooth talker."

"The entire court is saying that Fang Xuanling's wisdom and resourcefulness are unparalleled, and no one in the world can match him."

"Your Majesty, if anything happens, you can consult him directly."

"Fang Xuanling was indeed very intelligent and resourceful."

However, recently, I've noticed that he's also getting old.

His health has deteriorated significantly, and he is frequently ill.

His mind was mostly focused on compiling the "Zhenguan Code" or impeaching Li Chenggan.

Upon hearing this, Xu Hui paused slightly: "I have something to say, but I don't know if I should."

"There are no outsiders here, so just say what you want to say. Why beat around the bush?"