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

morning.

South of Chang'an City.

Xu Hui's residence.

Xu Hui got up early and cleaned the courtyard.

She has a habit of waking up early, and after getting up and moving around, she feels refreshed.

Xu Hui has been feeling depressed these past few days.

She was thinking about the letter Su Wan had sent; thankfully, Su Wan had recognized that it wasn't written by her.

If it weren't for Su Wan, wouldn't I have been dragged into this?

If this letter falls into the Emperor's hands, and he thinks that I am trying to frame Empress Zhangsun, then that would be terrible.

Although she was currently very favored, she knew that once this war started, no one could bear the serious consequences.

Wasn't that the same situation between Consort Qi and Empress Lü back then?

If Lady Qi had been a law-abiding woman without any ambition to vie for the position of crown prince, she wouldn't have met such a tragic end.

Bo Ji was originally Wei Bao's woman, but later she married Liu Bang, didn't she?

She gave birth to Prince Liu Heng.

However, Bo Ji is very good at interpersonal relationships.

She distanced herself from the intrigues of the court, taking Liu Heng to the Dai region, where she devoted herself to teaching her son and remained detached from court affairs.

Ultimately, her blessings were the most profound.

Of course, Bo Ji was also lucky, because she conceived Liu Heng after only one night with Liu Bang.

That's incredibly lucky!

Later, when Empress Lü came to power, she did not make things difficult for her.

In the end, when Zhou Bo, Chen Ping, and others eliminated the Lü clan and wanted to support a prince as emperor, they thought of Liu Heng again.

However, Liu Heng was no ordinary person either.

He kept a low profile and bided his time.

The ministers thought he was honest and easy to control, but they were wrong.

Liu Heng was shrewd and calculating; he was a master of political maneuvering.

Xu Hui thought to herself that Lady Qi had a son named Liu Ruyi, while she herself was still unable to conceive and had no children. How could she possibly compete with Empress Zhangsun?

Isn't that a joke?

She wondered what kind of place Daidi was.

If I were to go to Dai myself, far away from Chang'an, would the effect be better?

She felt that living in the south of Chang'an was still too close to the city, and that some things in the palace would still affect her. It would be better to stay as far away as possible.

But would Li Shimin agree?

Xu Hui was caught in a dilemma.

In fact, she loved Li Shimin very much.

He felt that Li Shimin was a great emperor throughout history.

There have been several accomplished emperors in history, such as Qin Shi Huang.

Qin Shi Huang unified the six kingdoms and standardized weights and measures, currency, and writing, achieving remarkable feats.

However, Qin Shi Huang was too tyrannical. As soon as he established the Qin Dynasty, he built the Great Wall, the Epang Palace and the Lishan Mausoleum, which wasted the people's money and resources, and caused many deaths and injuries, which aroused the wrath of heaven and the people.

Therefore, people say that Qin Shi Huang brought ruin to the world.

Ultimately, this led to the Qin Dynasty's demise after only two generations.

The Qin Dynasty's reign lasted only 15 years;

Although Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, was the founding emperor, he was too vulgar, disliked reading, and was prone to cursing.

Moreover, at the beginning of his reign, he executed meritorious officials such as Han Xin and Peng Yue. In this respect, he was not as good as Qin Shi Huang, who did not execute meritorious officials after unifying the six kingdoms.

Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing of Han ushered in the reign of Emperors Wen and Jing.

However, Emperor Wen of Han also had his flaws.

First, he drove his younger brother Liu Chang to his death;

Secondly, he was not good at identifying and utilizing talent.

Some talented people did not have the opportunity to use their talents, such as Jia Yi, whose essay "On the Faults of Qin" made him famous throughout the world.

Jia Yi was such a talented person!

However, he was unable to realize his ambitions under Emperor Wen of Han, and ultimately died young.

Emperor Jing of Han was too harsh.

He caused the death of Grand Commandant Zhou Yafu, who quelled the Rebellion of the Seven States, forced his own son Liu Rong to commit suicide, and even killed his teacher Chao Cuo.

Such people do not receive high historical evaluations;

Emperor Wu of Han was indeed remarkable. He strengthened centralized power, suppressed other schools of thought, and exclusively promoted Confucianism. He also fought the Xiongnu for a lifetime.

However, he was also bloodthirsty. Of the 13 prime ministers during Emperor Wu of Han's reign, he forced almost half of them to their deaths.

He was ambitious and eager for quick success, and he was warlike and aggressive. The Han Dynasty had accumulated some wealth during the reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing, but he squandered almost all of it.

Emperor Wen of Sui was remarkable, but he usurped the throne from his own grandson.

He was a shrewd financial manager and a very good emperor at managing money.

However, he was terrified of his wife, fearing her like a tiger.

Moreover, he deposed Crown Prince Yang Yong and installed Yang Guang as emperor, which led to the Sui Dynasty's demise after only two generations, so he was also guilty.

Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang, was particularly controversial.

He was very handsome, and possessed both literary and martial talents; he was skilled in both civil administration and martial arts, and very talented.

He wrote many poems, and Li Shimin greatly admired them; they were grand and profound in their imagery.

However, Yang Guang was ambitious and loved to make great achievements, and his tours were excessive.

Not long after he ascended the throne, he ruthlessly slaughtered meritorious officials, killing Gao Jiong, He Ruobi, Zhang Heng, and others, and heavily relied on five powerful figures in the court: Yuwen Shu, Pei Yun, Pei Ju, and Yu Shiji.

He oversaw the excavation of the Grand Canal, and the construction of Luoyang, Xianren Palace, and Jiangdu Palace, resulting in the deaths of over a million people.

Ultimately, the Wagang Uprising broke out, and he even attacked Goguryeo three times. However, his million-strong army failed to defeat Goguryeo, which shows his incompetence.

Compared to them, Li Shimin was far superior.

Li Shimin was neither as ruthless and cruel as Qin Shi Huang, nor as vulgar and uncouth as Liu Bang.

He was neither as militaristic as Emperor Wu of Han, nor as ambitious as Emperor Yang of Sui.

They pacified the entire country in just six years, which is probably the fastest speed in history to conquer a country.

He could conquer the world on horseback and govern it on foot; he was skilled in both literature and martial arts.

He was also a very learned emperor.

The only criticism is that he killed his elder brother Li Jiancheng and younger brother Li Yuanji, and also their son.

However, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on Li Shimin.

He was forced into it; if he didn't kill them, they would kill him.

Who would kill their own brother if they weren't driven to the brink?

Therefore, Xu Hui greatly admired Li Shimin.

Since she entered the palace, Li Shimin has doted on her.

Xu Hui felt that being able to marry Li Shimin was an unparalleled honor and pride.

In fact, she was also reluctant to leave Li Shimin.

She felt that her life only had meaning when she was with Li Shimin.

For a woman, isn't being with the man she loves the most important thing?

However, she had no choice but to leave Li Shimin.

There's a saying, isn't there? It's called distance makes the heart grow fonder.

She worried that if she stayed in the palace for too long, Li Shimin would become bored and visually fatigued.

Most importantly, there are too many women in the palace, and too much gossip and trouble. If you're not careful, you could be doomed.

Every day she spent in the palace felt like walking on thin ice.

She felt that kind of life was too tiring, and she wanted to relax.

She felt that the harem was like a cage, trapping her inside.

Just as Xu Hui was lost in thought, someone walked in from outside.

Xu Hui glanced at him and saw that the person who had come was none other than Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Li Chengan bowed and said, "Consort Xu, Chengan greets you."

Upon seeing him, Xu Hui smiled broadly: "Your Highness, where have you come from?"

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "I heard from Wan'er that you moved to a nice place with beautiful scenery, fresh air, and lovely mountains and rivers."

This is truly a wonderful place for self-cultivation and spiritual refinement.

I was just passing through and thought I'd stop by for a look.

Upon hearing this, Xu Hui laughed and said, "Su Wan really knows how to exaggerate."

Please come in and have a seat.

Li Chengan found that Xu Hui's rooms were simple and not luxurious, but clean and tidy.

After the two entered the room, they took their seats as host and guest, and Xu Hui personally poured Li Chenggan a bowl of tea.

Li Chengan said, "I tried the ginseng and venison soup you made last time, and it tasted quite good. I came here to express my gratitude."

Upon hearing this, Xu Hui blushed deeply, for she had already heard that Li Chengan had fainted after drinking the soup.

"Your Highness, I'm so sorry, I heard you didn't quite like that soup. Maybe it's just a matter of personal preference."

Every time I make soup for your father, he feels it's very effective; he feels completely refreshed, energetic, and full of vitality.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan thought to himself, "How old am I?"

How can my skills compare to those of my father?

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "It's nothing. You'll probably get used to it after a few more drinks."

Xu Hui chuckled upon hearing this: "If you still want some, I'll make you another bowl today."

Li Chengan quickly waved his hand: "I was just joking with you. Su Wan and I are not married yet. The soup I drank was too hot for my liver, and I couldn't stand it."

"You two are really something. I heard from Su Wan that you two are still not together."

"Yes, I'm busy with government affairs all day long, how could I have the mind for that?"

"No rush, you're still young, you'll have opportunities in the future."

Li Chengqian crossed his arms and asked, "Recently, some things have happened in the palace. I wonder if Consort Xu has heard about them?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Hui's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Your Highness, are you referring to that letter?"

Li Chenggan nodded slightly: "Not bad."

"I heard that letter caused great harm to your mother's health, leading her to fall into a coma for a time."

How is your mother's recovery going?

"Thank you for your concern. Lu Zhaolin went to treat her, and she has almost fully recovered."

"That's good. Lu Zhaolin truly lives up to his reputation as a disciple of the legendary physician Sun Simiao."

"Sun Simiao's medical skills are indeed superb; he can bring the dead back to life with his miraculous touch," Xu Hui praised.

"That's true, his medical skills are indeed much better than those of the imperial physicians in the palace."

"Your Highness, what do you mean by telling me all this?"

"Do you think I wrote that letter?" Xu Hui asked, sounding a little uneasy.

Li Chengqian stared intently at her: "Xu Jieyu, you're overthinking it. I knew long ago that you didn't write that letter."

Xu Hui looked at Li Chengan with her eyes: "Your Highness, you are truly exceptionally intelligent."

Since Your Highness knows that I didn't write that letter, do you know who wrote it?

Li Chengqian picked up the teacup with one hand, blew on the tea leaves floating on top, and slowly said, "Do you think you've offended anyone since you entered the palace?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Hui sighed, "Your Highness, my life is so miserable."

I finally made it to the palace, and I happened to meet your father, the Emperor. He doted on me, and I was very satisfied.

In the harem, I was careful in everything I did and kind to everyone. I respected all the concubines in the palace very much.

Every time your father visits my palace, I always persuade him to go to one of the other concubines' palaces.

Even so, without realizing it, I offended many people.

On that occasion, Consort Yang mentioned my name in a letter to her son, implying that I had seduced his father, the Emperor.

That's why she was neglected.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan sighed deeply: "Then, besides Consort Yang, do you think you've offended anyone else?"

Xu Hui lowered her head and thought for a moment, then said, "I don't think so. I haven't been in the palace for very long."

Normally, I don't go anywhere; I just stay in the palace.

I rarely speak, and I don't believe I've offended anyone.

Li Chenggan thought to himself, "Not only does Consort Yang have a problem with you..."

That Consort Yan also hates you to the core.

She believed you were jealous of her having a son, so she used witchcraft to curse her son, which led to the death of her youngest son.

Li Chengan looked at Xu Hui and said, "I believe you are innocent, and that letter has nothing to do with you."

I know that you are in the palace and have not offended anyone.

However, this world doesn't work out so that others will be satisfied with you just because you don't offend them.

Xu Hui sensed that Li Chengqian's words had a hidden meaning, so she asked, "Your Highness, what is the meaning of what you are saying to me today?"

"Do you know who wrote that letter?"

Li Chengan thought to himself that Xu Hui was indeed exceptionally intelligent, understanding things immediately.

He countered with, "Xu Jieyu, so who do you think might have written this letter?"

Xu Hui fell into deep thought again.

After a moment, it suddenly occurred to her: "Could it be that Consort Yan wrote it?"

Li Chengan also found it strange and asked, "How did you know?"

"Consort Yan was also a very talented woman. She once sent me her poems and essays to read."

Therefore, I am very familiar with her handwriting.

It seems she wasn't trying to show me the poems, but rather to find fault with me.

I remember once, she read a poem I had written, thought it was good, and took it back to her palace.

She has my poems and can imitate my handwriting.

Recently, her youngest son died, and she must be feeling very sad, perhaps even a little hysterical.

It's not surprising that she wrote this letter.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan thought that since Xu Hui already knew, he recounted to her what he had seen and heard outside Consort Yan's palace.

Upon hearing this, Xu Hui was even more astonished, and her expression changed: "When did I ever know any witchcraft? This is simply fabricated out of thin air!"

I completely understand her grief at losing her child, but she can't do this to others.

Furthermore, it's one thing for her to harm me, but how could she still hurt your mother when she clearly knew her health was poor?