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

"I have a question for you." Su Wan looked at Li Chenggan with her beautiful eyes.

"What's the matter?" Li Chenggan asked.

"Today, when you two were sparring, when you were wrestling with Songtsen Gampo, did you have a chance to beat him?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan thought to himself that Su Wan was quite observant, and smiled, "What, you noticed?"

"Although I don't know much about wrestling, I can still figure out some of the tricks of the trade."

Finally, Songtsen Gampo staggered, and if you didn't help him...

He might fall down.

The night view of Chang'an is beautiful. After being washed by the autumn rain, it looks even cleaner and the air is fresher.

Li Chengqian's eyes were fixed on the scenery outside the window: "Tibet is a friendly neighbor of our Great Tang, and Songshan Ganbu is my good friend."

I should at least give him some face.

"You're giving him face, but when he threw you, he really did throw you." Su Wan pouted.

Li Chengan laughed: "The reason he threw me so hard is because he wants Princess Wencheng."

You can't blame him for that.

They seem to be a good match.

Su Wan nodded and smiled, "Let me tell you, when you were wrestling with Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng was so nervous standing next to you."

She hopes you win, and she also hopes Songtsen Gampo wins.

Of course, the most important thing is that Songtsen Gampo will not be defeated.

Because the Queen made it clear that if Songtsen Gampo's forces were defeated...

Even if he fails the martial arts exam.

In that case, their marriage is in jeopardy.

In a way, it was fate that brought them together from afar.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan laughed: "Really? Is Wencheng that nervous?"

"I'm afraid she's even more nervous than I said," Su Wan paused here.

"I've noticed that Princess Wencheng and Princess Gaoyang are different."

"How is it different? Princess Wencheng was dignified and elegant, well-educated and reasonable, and very knowledgeable, and also very sensible."

However, Princess Gaoyang was different.

Princess Gaoyang liked to dress herself up in a flamboyant manner.

Like a peacock spreading its tail feathers, she flaunted her charm in front of the monk Bianji.

Your Highness,

Do you think there was anything between her and Bianji?

Li Chengan's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, because this was no small matter.

It not only concerns the dignity of the royal family,

It also concerns the marital relationship between Princess Gaoyang and Fang Yi'ai, and could potentially lead to death or even more serious consequences.

Li Chengan pondered for a moment: "At present, there is no concrete evidence, so it is not appropriate to draw any conclusions."

Su Wan fiddled with her braid: "Last time, wasn't there a golden pillow that was found during a search of Bianji's room?"

"Yes."

Li Chengan nodded.

"Princess Gaoyang's pillow ended up in Bianji's room. Doesn't that mean their relationship is unusual?"

"That being said, a single golden pillow cannot prove anything between Gao Yang and Bianji."

Su Wan frowned slightly: "If Fang Yi'ai's illness cannot be cured, even if Princess Gaoyang and Bianji have nothing going on now, something will still happen sooner or later."

Gao Yang is so young and beautiful; she can't possibly live a life of widowhood forever.

After hearing what Su Wan said, Li Chengan felt that this was a serious matter: "I didn't know back then. If I had known, I wouldn't have married Gao Yang to Fang Yi'ai."

"You don't know, but do you think Li Tai knows?" Su Wan asked back.

"I don't think he should know. Could it be that he knew it was a pit of fire and still pushed Gao Yang into it?"

"You always think so highly of others," Su Wan poked Li Chengqian's forehead with her finger.

"After I finish things here, I need to go find Sun Simiao and bring Fang Yi'ai and Gao Yang over for on-site treatment."

Su Wan was displeased when she heard this. She puffed out her cheeks and looked at Li Chengan: "You are just too soft-hearted."

Didn't you notice that Fang Yi'ai was secretly supporting Li Tai?

Someone wants to seize your position as crown prince, yet you're still helping them.

Li Chengan smiled slightly: "Even if it's really as you say, I'm still standing here perfectly fine, aren't I?"

"Yes, you're fine now, but it'll be too late once something happens!" Su Wan rolled her eyes at him.

At this moment, Yun Juan entered and announced, "Your Highness, Chengxin requests an audience!"

"Is everything satisfactory now?"

"Yes."

Li Chenggan realized he hadn't seen Chengxin for a while: "Let him in!"

"promise!"

Yunjuan agreed and turned to leave.

Su Wan looked at Li Chengan and said, "I am clearly a man, but I look more alluring than a woman."

"Your Highness, there's nothing between you and him, is there?"

Li Chengqian laughed and said, "What could possibly happen between two grown men?"

"That's hard to say," Su Wan paused, then asked, "Do you love Chengxin more, or me more?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? Of course I love you."

Not long after, Chengxin walked in from outside and knelt on the ground: "Greetings, Your Highness, Crown Princess!"

Li Chengqian lightly raised his right hand: "No need for formalities, rise!"

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

After Chengxin stood up, he stood respectfully to the side with his hands at his sides.

Su Wan glanced at him and saw that Chengxin was indeed very handsome, with a good figure, fair skin, and delicate features!

It is said that when he dances, he is even more enchanting than a woman!

Li Chengan looked at him and asked, "It's so late, what brings you to see me?"

"Your Highness, we have discovered some information that we must report to you." Chengxin said solemnly.

"What's going on?"

We discovered:

Firstly, recently, Li Tai has been frequently visiting Fang Xuanling's residence at night, and it is unknown what they are plotting.

Secondly, Princess Gaoyang visited Li Yuanjing's residence several times.

"Oh, is that so?" Li Chenggan frowned.

"Yes."

Do you know where they went and what they were doing?

"On the surface, they'll bring some snacks, fruit platters, and fruit, but their real purpose is unclear," Chengxin answered truthfully.

After listening, Su Wan pondered for a moment: "Your Highness, Li Tai went to see Fang Xuanling, is there any need to ask?"

He is plotting to seize your position as crown prince and murder you.

In addition, I know that Princess Gaoyang and Li Yuanjing had a very close relationship.

The two were like father and daughter, and also like brother and sister.

It is said that when Chang'an was besieged by the allied forces of Zhang Zhongjian and Li Yuanli,

Princess Gaoyang also visited Li Yuanjing's residence.

Later, Princess Gaoyang went to persuade your father to surrender, which almost made him die of anger.

"Is that so? So, Gao Yang still doesn't understand Father's good intentions."

My father devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause of the Tang Dynasty.

How could he willingly hand over the empire he had conquered to someone else?

"Isn't that right?"

I think Princess Gaoyang said those words probably because of Li Yuanjing.

Li Yuanjing is not as simple as most people think.

They believed he was merely an alchemist who had seen through the illusions of the world and had no ambition.

In fact, that's not the case.

In my opinion, he's emulating Liu Bei from back then.

"What do you mean?"

Su Wan placed her hands in front of her abdomen: "Back then, before Liu Bei gained power, he was constantly on the move, living under the roof of others."

Later, he stayed with Cao Cao.

In order to lull Cao Cao into complacency, he spent his days planting vegetables in the garden.

This would make Cao Cao think he was a person without ambition, and thus lower his guard against him.

Finally, he seized an opportunity and led his troops away from Cao Cao's camp.

In my opinion, Li Yuanjing was even better than Liu Bei.

He was adept at concealing his true intentions and manipulating situations from the shadows.

Li Chengan crossed his arms and looked at Chengxin: "Have you noticed that Li Yuanjing has been in contact with anyone else?"

"Li Ke visited Li Yuanjing's residence."

"What was Li Ke doing at Li Yuanjing's residence?"

"It's just that I'm going to visit my uncle," Chengxin said.

Su Wan rested her chin on her hand: "The relationship between Li Yuanjing and Li Ke is also extraordinary."

Li Ke was extremely obedient to him; you could say he would do whatever Li Yuanjing told him to do.

Li Chengan nodded slightly: "So, Li Yuanjing is indeed no simple man."

Gao Yang and Li Ke both respected him greatly.

"So you need to be careful."

I think there might be some kind of conspiracy involved.

Don't forget, Li Ke is the son of Consort Yang.

If Consort Yang favors Li Tai, this matter will also be very troublesome.

The imperial harem is different now than it used to be; the concubines are all forming cliques.

"What the Crown Princess says is true. Li Tai once visited the residence of Princess Yang, the wife of Prince Chao."

Su Wan was even angrier: "Your Majesty, did you see that?"

Li Tai is recruiting people everywhere.

He wanted the women in the harem to unite and speak ill of you to your father.

Terrible!

Besides, the relationship between you and your father is no longer as harmonious as it used to be.

Li Chenggan knew that these women in the harem wielded immense power. Back then, Liu Che was able to become the crown prince because Princess Guantao and Wang Zhi joined forces to deal with Consort Li.

Li Chengan then inquired about the situation at Lijing Gate.

"How are those Turks doing now?"

Chengxin replied, "Those Turks are all in good condition, and they are very loyal to Your Highness."

Everything at Lijing Gate is proceeding smoothly.

We are working to build an exceptional organization, loyal to His Highness.

"As long as Your Highness gives the order, no matter what the matter is, we will take care of it for you."

As a time traveler, Li Chengan naturally knew that there were many organizations in his previous life.

For example, the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Ming Dynasty and the Flying Guillotine of the Qing Dynasty.

Military Intelligence Bureau during the Republic of China era

To put it bluntly, these organizations are similar to spies.

They did a lot of work for their respective masters. For example, the fact that Yongzheng was able to ascend to the throne smoothly was largely due to his establishment of the Blood Droplets.

Li Chenggan put his hands in his sleeves: "Very good. If you encounter any difficulties, tell me."

"The biggest problem right now is the lack of money."

Because our staff at Lijingmen has increased, now it's around 100 people.

With more people, expenses naturally increase.

The mention of money gave Li Chengqian a headache; that damn system was constantly pressuring him for repayment.

"It's alright, we'll allocate 1 taels of silver from our supermarket to them later, for the purchase of weapons, armor, and warhorses," Su Wan said generously.

Li Chengan thought to himself, "Su Wan really came through at this crucial moment."

Chengxin suggested, "Your Highness, our Lijing Sect is no longer what it used to be. If we stay in the Zhongnan Mountains all the time, it's probably not a good idea."

Li Chengan looked up and thought for a moment, then said, "What you said makes sense. However, you should also be careful. Father Emperor once said that you are not allowed to enter Chang'an City and are not allowed to meet with me. If Father Emperor finds out, it will be a very troublesome matter."

"Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will be very careful."

Su Wan rested her chin on her hand: "We can break up the people from Lijingmen into smaller groups and disperse them."

Some will stay in Zhongnan Mountain, while the clever and obedient ones can be sent to my supermarket to help out.

There's so much to do at our supermarket, we're always busy.

In this way, on the surface they were supermarket employees, but in reality they were staff members of Lijingmen.

Luoyang is also a very important place.

Some of the personnel can be reassigned to Luoyang.

Li Chengan thought Su Wan's idea was pretty good, so he nodded in agreement.

Three days later.

The engagement ceremony between Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng was held in Chang'an as scheduled. It was a grand and lively event that caused a sensation throughout the city.

In the streets and alleys, in taverns and teahouses, the common people talked about it with great interest.

This matter has sparked much discussion.

Overall, however, this was a joyous and auspicious event for the Tang Dynasty, as the marriage between the Tang and Tibet signified a very friendly and harmonious relationship between them.

With such a powerful external ally as Tibet, the Tang Dynasty would gain immense prestige and serve as a deterrent to other Western Region states such as Yanqi, Xueyantuo, Gaochang, and Kucha.

Li Shimin understood that those countries might be dissatisfied with the Tang Dynasty, and were eager to make trouble and challenge it at any time.

morning.

Lizheng Hall.

Recently, Empress Zhangsun felt much better, her face had regained color, and her complexion had become rosy.

She thought to herself, "Thanks to Sun Simiao!"

If Sun Simiao hadn't come from so far away to treat her,

Her illness may not be cured.

Just then, Cai Xiang walked in from outside and reported to her: "Your Majesty, didn't Songtsen Gampo present a lot of tribute?"

His Majesty sent some tribute over, allowing the Empress to choose first.

As soon as he finished speaking, four eunuchs walked in from outside, carrying two large boxes.

After they finished their greetings, they opened the box, which was filled with glittering gold, silver, jewelry, antiques, jade, pearls, agate, and other valuables.

These are all priceless treasures.

To everyone's surprise, Empress Zhangsun waved her hand after seeing them and said, "I don't want them. Take them all back."

"Your Majesty, why don't you want it?" Cai Xiang asked, puzzled.

"Now, the national treasury is empty, and many places have suffered from drought and locust plagues. People are having trouble even getting enough to eat and are urgently waiting for the imperial court to provide disaster relief."

Only when the imperial court truly cares about the people will they be able to live peacefully and securely.

My monthly salary is more than enough for me to live on.

Why would we need all this extra money?

"I don't want any of them, I want them all returned!"