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

"That damned woman Xu Hui is extremely cunning. She actually escaped from Chang'an and returned to her hometown. I'll settle this score with her sooner or later!" Consort Yan said through gritted teeth.

Li Tai also heard about Xu Hui cursing Li Xiao behind his back.

but,

He didn't believe Xu Hui would do that; after all, Xu Hui was a well-read person and shouldn't do something so foolish.

Li Tai also did not believe that witchcraft could harm people.

Is what you're saying reliable?

Will someone die if you curse them behind their back?

"That's for sure!"

We have verified this matter.

A wooden figurine was found in Xu Hui's palace. Could it be fake?

and,

This matter is also related to your mother.

Your mother supported Xu Hui in doing this.

Upon hearing this, Li Tai was taken aback: "What do you mean by that?"

How could my mother be involved in this matter?

"At first, I didn't quite believe it either," Consort Yan said, walking to the table and pouring herself a bowl of tea.

Then, he picked up the teacup and drank it down in one gulp. "Speaking of which,"

I'm not an unconscionable person.

At the beginning,

My family had no connections whatsoever, and I didn't know anyone when I entered the palace.

Only your mother cares about me deeply, and I am extremely grateful for that.

but,

Ever since Xu Hui entered the palace, I've noticed that your mother has changed; she's become unable to distinguish right from wrong.

No matter what, she always sided with Xu Hui.

They don't take me seriously at all.

Some even say,

Your mother is secretly supporting Xu Hui's witchcraft.

tonight,

I had a few words of argument with your mother.

I don't think I said anything.

Somehow, she fainted.

"What? You had a fight with my mother?"

My mother even fainted?

Upon hearing this, Li Tai's head was buzzing. He thought to himself that Consort Yan had really gone too far, daring to make his mother faint.

"My mother is in poor health; last time, she was quite ill."

After much difficulty, they managed to invite Sun Simiao, who cured her illness.

Sun Simiao specifically instructed that my mother must not be angry again within one hundred days.

Otherwise, the old illness might easily relapse. What would happen if anything were to happen to my mother?

Consort Yan snorted: "I never would have guessed that the Prince of Yue was such a filial son."

After everything that's happened, haven't you realized that your mother is supporting Li Chengqian?

"I know that," Li Tai said, looking embarrassed. "Even so, I can't let anything happen to my mother."

Upon hearing this, Consort Yan's face darkened: "What do you mean by that?"

Are you blaming me?

Upon hearing this, Li Tai thought to himself that he had finally managed to win over Consort Yan to his side.

Her words carried considerable weight even in front of her father, the emperor.

If you offend her, she might turn around and support Li Chenggan, and the consequences could be severe.

Thinking of this, Li Tai straightened his clothes and said, "Consort Yan, how could I possibly blame you?"

However, the Empress Dowager's health was deteriorating rapidly, and she could no longer withstand further blows.

"Aren't there many imperial physicians in the palace?"

"Let them go and treat your mother."

Li Tai shook his head: "Most of those imperial physicians are just there to make a living; there aren't many with real skills."

I am extremely grateful for your help.

but,

Please don't provoke my mother again.

"If anything were to happen to my mother, I would become the most unfilial person in the world, and my reputation would be ruined."

"Do you care that much about your reputation?"

I think your most important task right now is to do everything in your power to defeat Li Chengqian and seize the position of Crown Prince.

otherwise,

If Li Chenggan becomes emperor in the future, will he tolerate you?

Forget about reputation; you're probably not even going to save your own life.

Hearing this, Li Tai wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "You're right."

Therefore, since Li Chengqian is not in Chang'an this time, we must seize this excellent opportunity to defeat him in one fell swoop.

Consort Yan looked at Li Tai and asked, "Can you keep your promise to me?"

"Don't worry, if I become the crown prince and then the emperor, your son Li Zhen will be the King of Yue."

"Second only to one person, above ten thousand others." Li Tai's expression was very serious.

It turns out that Consort Yan and Li Tai had already reached an agreement.

Consort Yan felt that her power was somewhat weak.

If Li Zhen were to directly compete for the position of crown prince, the risk would be extremely high.

Therefore, it would be better to take a roundabout approach, first making Li Zhen the King of Yue, and then looking for an opportunity later.

Consort Yan thought to herself that she needed to discuss this matter with Li Tai again: "Do you keep your word?"

"Of course, a true man born between heaven and earth, how can he break his word?"

"Are you a real man?"

"Uh." Li Tai blushed and choked.

"That won't do. Words are no proof; we need a written agreement! You have to write me a written agreement," said Consort Yan.

"Okay, I'll draw up a written agreement for you right away!"

Consort Yan immediately brought out the Four Treasures of the Study (writing brush, ink stick, inkstone, and paper) and handed them to Li Tai.

Li Tai rolled up his sleeves, picked up a pen, and quickly wrote down a document.

Consort Yan took the document, examined it carefully, and was fairly satisfied.

Consort Yan put the note away: "Alright, for the sake of these jade bracelets, I'll make it."

"I'll definitely help you if I can."

"Thank you very much."

"At this moment, I don't have any good ideas either."

You can go find Fang Xuanling.

Back then, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were equally famous, and were known as "Fang's planning and Du's decisiveness."

He's the most resourceful person around.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident was also a scheme devised by Fang Xuanling.

It is because your father listened to Fang Xuanling's advice that we have what we have today.

Go find Fang Xuanling; he'll definitely have a good idea.

"Alright, I'll go visit the Grand Secretary right away."