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

Seeing that Jiebina's clothes were disheveled, Qu Zhili pressed Li Chenggan again: "Your Highness, could it be that you two have already consummated your relationship?"

At this moment, Li Chenggan had sobered up considerably and quickly waved his hand, saying, "Princess, please don't misunderstand, that's absolutely not true."

Qu Zhili looked sharply at Li Chengan and Jiebina and said, "Even if there isn't, Jiebina is already dressed like this, what's the difference between that and being naked?"

Jiebina's face turned even redder: "Princess, you can't say that. I'm wearing a ribbon tied around my neck. It's normal to wear this in public where we're from."

"Did you just put the prince's hand inside the ribbon?"

"Uh, no," Jiebina's heart pounded.

He steadied himself and changed the subject, "I remember during that Water Splashing Festival, weren't most of the girls dressed like this?"

When Qu Zhili heard Jiebina mention the Water Splashing Festival, she suddenly remembered Qin Ying: "Right, wasn't Qin Ying supposed to be a couple with you two?"

Why did you develop feelings for the Crown Prince?

Qin Ying was also from a family of famous generals. His grandfather was the Duke of Yi of the Tang Dynasty, and his father was the imperial son-in-law Qin Huaiyu. They were considered a prominent family in the Tang Dynasty.

If you marry him, you'll enjoy endless wealth and luxury in the future.

Upon hearing this, Jiebina quickly explained, "Princess, please don't say such things. Qin Ying and I only met once and had no interaction. As for what he thinks of me, that's his business."

What he thinks is none of my business.

However, I never had such feelings for him.

"Oh, so you didn't have feelings for him, but you did for the Crown Prince, right?" Qu Zhili persisted.

"I—." Jiebina lowered her head, glancing furtively at Li Chenggan, unsure how to answer Qu Zhili's question.

"alright."

Li Chenggan thought to himself that if this continued, it would never end.

So he interrupted Qu Zhili, "Princess, didn't I tell you to rest at the inn?"

How did you end up at Stonehenge?

Qu Zhili touched her belly and paced back and forth in the hall, slowly saying, "Oh, yes, Your Highness, I originally didn't plan to go to the Giant Stone Palace because I just took the medicine prescribed by Lu Zhaolin, and my head is dizzy and I feel lightheaded."

But when I woke up,

I noticed you haven't come back yet.

I'm a little worried because your status is different now than before.

In the past, no matter what, you were the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty, a man of high status.

Now, your father, disregarding the bond between father and son, has issued an edict to hunt you down, and you have become a criminal of the court.

Even if Songtsen Gampo still protects you, would his subordinates think the same way?

I'm afraid not.

You can't judge a book by its cover. What if they try to do something to you?

The more I thought about it, the more I felt that this was inappropriate, so I got up and went to find you.

You just happened to run into Nagarzan Nyedob, who actually dared to ambush you.

He's making a wooden box, what kind of trick is he playing? That's pure deception.

He's trying to mislead you, then seize the opportunity to assassinate you.

Li Chengan, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, nodded: "You're right, he was using an illusion. But it's quite strange that he clearly slipped into that box and then suddenly disappeared."

Jiebina puffed out her chest: "Their skills are even more amazing than the Buddha statue my fourth uncle built in Mogao Grottoes. There's a kind of Qimen Dunjia technique popular in the Western Regions, where people can instantly disappear inside a box or under the cover of other objects."

Some appeared on rooftops, while others burrowed underground; these are all normal.

"Qimen Dunjia?"

"Yes! There are even experts who can practice spells that induce hallucinations in people, making them feel as if they've seen dragons, gods, or ghosts, and the feeling is so real."

They can even control a person's mind, making you do whatever they're told, even if it's telling you to kill yourself, you'll do it without hesitation.

"Really?" Li Chengan found it very strange.

"Their skills are somewhat similar to those of the ninjas of the Japanese. Those ninjas are so fast that their figures are like ghosts, elusive and unpredictable."

They also had their own beliefs; if they were defeated, they would commit ritual suicide by disembowelment!

"Seppuku?" Jiebina shuddered at the thought, because it was truly hard to understand why someone would kill themselves, and in such a cruel way.

Qu Zhili felt a little sore in her lower back after standing for a long time.

Li Chengan helped her sit down in a chair by the table.

Qu Zhili sighed: "Your Highness, through this banquet, we can see that Princess Chizun seems to be very kind on the surface, but in reality, she is treacherous and insidious. She wants to kill you."

Moreover, that person is very capable; even military generals like Wei Yize and Galzan Niedobu obey her.

Li Chengan nodded slightly: "Yes, that woman is indeed extraordinary. However, Princess Chizun has her reasons for doing this."

First of all, Princess Bhrikuti and Songtsen Gampo were originally very much in love.

However, after Songtsen Gampo arrived in Chang'an, he brought back Princess Wencheng, and Princess Wencheng's status was superior to hers.

How could she possibly find peace in her heart?

Furthermore, your status is different now; you are a target of the imperial court's pursuit. Moreover, your father has said that anyone who hides you will be severely punished.

Think about it, how could anyone dare to take you in?

Li Chengan felt that Qu Zhili's analysis made sense: "My presence here has indeed caused trouble for others."

"Your Highness, that's why we should hurry up and leave. The longer we stay here, the more risky it becomes. Who knows what might happen tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengan was somewhat troubled, because he had originally planned to stay until after Princess Wencheng's wedding. After all, Princess Wencheng was married off to Tibet, and apart from some maids and servants, she had no relatives by her side.

Therefore, Li Chenggan couldn't bear to do it.

It's clear that Princess Bhrikuti, Viyize, and Galzan Nyedob are not very friendly towards him.

It's estimated that many people in Tibet share this view, which could potentially affect the relationship between Songtsen Gampo and Princess Bhrikuti.

If Songtsen Gampo and Princess Bhrikuti fall out, Princess Bhrikuti may also pose a threat to Princess Wencheng in the future.

After thinking it over, Li Chengan suddenly punched the table and said, "Alright, then let's do this: I'll leave a letter for Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng, and then we'll leave tonight."

Both Jie Bina and Qu Zhili agreed.

Qu Zhili and Jie Bina were preparing to go back to their room to pack their things when suddenly, a person rushed in from outside in a panic, covered in sweat.

Li Chengan saw that the person who barged in was none other than Grand Minister Shang Nang.

Li Chenggan's expression changed slightly, and he asked Grand Minister Shang Nang, "What's wrong with you? Why are you so flustered?"

After bowing to everyone, Grand Chancellor Shang Nang said, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened."

"Oh, what happened?" Li Chengan felt a little flustered when he heard this, but he remained calm on the surface.

"That's right, Garzan Niedob was stabbed by the princess at the banquet and lost too much blood. He has now fallen into a coma."

Our local imperial physician examined him and said he might not make it.

His soldiers mutinied and came to seek revenge on Garzan Nyedogub.

"They'll be outside the inn soon," said Grand Minister Shang Nang to the crowd.

"Oh no, how could this happen?"

Didn't Lu Zhaolin already check his injuries?

Didn't you say it wasn't a big deal?

How could she have fainted?

Qu Zhili said to the Grand Minister Shangnang: "Because Garzan Nyedobu is one of your Tibetans, my men are showing him mercy. Otherwise, I would have cut off his head."

I didn't hit any vital spots, so how could he possibly die?

That's impossible.

"Your Highness, Princess, I completely believe what you have said. I was there at the time and saw it clearly. You did not use excessive force, but that is the truth."

They carried Garzan Nyedob on a stretcher; they were almost there.

"I don't think there's any need to explain anything. You should hurry up and leave through the back door," Grand Minister Shangnang urged.

Li Chenggan thought to himself, "This is just one problem after another. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have gone to that banquet. Wei Yice almost stabbed me in the throat with his sword. I was lucky to escape. I didn't expect Garzan Niedobu to be so easily beaten."

Logically speaking, Qu Zhili's swordsmanship was superb, and she should have acted with restraint, and she did not aim for Garzan Niedobu's vital points.

Garzan Nyedob should be out of danger.

However, now this situation has arisen: people are blaming Qu Zhili, which is tantamount to blaming themselves.

At this moment, everyone heard shouts and neighing of horses outside the inn, and they didn't know how many soldiers had arrived.

Terrified, Jiebina grabbed Li Chengqian's arm and asked, "Your Highness, what should we do?"

Li Chengan patted the back of her hand, then gently moved it away: "With me here, you don't need to worry!"

Qu Zhili already had a very bad temper. She rolled her almond-shaped eyes, raised her eyebrows, and gripped the hilt of her sword, saying, "What are you doing?"

They're trying to frame us, trying to bully us because they have more people than us, thinking we're easy to bully, right?

"Then let them come at me, I'm not afraid of them."

On the battlefield of Yanqi, Li Chengan and Qu Zhili joined forces to defeat the giant centipede and the Yanqi army.

Therefore, Qu Zhili was confident. The combined sword technique, with its overwhelming force, was unstoppable.

Of course, when used alone, the effect is greatly reduced. Now that Qu Zhili is pregnant, it will also be affected to some extent.

Even so, Qu Zhili showed no fear.

She said to Li Chenggan, "Your Highness, I'll go and meet them to see what they're up to."

Li Chengan was a little worried and said, "You are pregnant now, you must not get angry."

"I understand." Qu Zhili felt very sweet inside after receiving Li Chengqian's concern.

The group arrived outside and found the place surrounded by over a thousand soldiers.

In front were archers, and behind them were infantrymen; the soldiers had drawn their swords, nocked their bows, and were ready to fight.

They aimed their dark arrows at Li Chenggan and Qu Zhili.

At the front of the procession were two people: one was Wei Yize, and the other was Lun Ke'er, Songtsen Gampo's uncle.

At the banquet today, Wei Yize originally planned to assassinate Li Chenggan, but Grand Chancellor Shang Nang saw through his plan and shielded Li Chenggan with his body.

Wei Yice had no chance to make a move.

Therefore, Wei Yice was very unhappy and had grievances against Li Chenggan and Grand Chancellor Shang Nang.

At this moment, four soldiers carried over a stretcher and placed it on the ground.

Lying on the stretcher was a person, none other than Garzan Nyedob.

Wei Yize, furious, pointed at Qu Zhili: "What a vicious woman! Our king treated you with courtesy!"

Yet you cruelly attacked Garzan Nyedob.

"Garzan Nyedobu is now on the verge of death. The medical officer said he's not going to make it. What do you suggest we do?"

Li Chengan looked at Garzan Niedobu lying on the stretcher and wondered to himself, "Why is this man so weak?"

Although Qu Zhili stabbed him, the blow was not to a vital spot, and the wound was not very deep.

Moreover, Lu Zhaolin had already treated his wounds, so he would be fine. Why did he suddenly faint?

Li Chengan was nervous inside, but outwardly remained calm: "When Garzan Niedobu left the main hall, he was perfectly fine. How did he suddenly become like this?"

Wei Yize angrily said, "That's exactly what I was going to ask you."

"Does Galzan Nyedobu have other illnesses?"

"That's not true. Is your sword poisoned?"

Upon hearing this, Qu Zhili took a step forward, her face ashen: "Bullshit! Your sword is the poisoned one!"

At this moment, Lun Ke'er waved his hand: "Wei Yize, don't get too excited! We should still be polite to the Crown Prince of Tang and the Princess of Gaochang."

Lun Ke'er was Songtsen Gampo's uncle and held a very important position in Tibet.

However, he did not entirely approve of many of Songtsen Gampo's practices.

For example, he opposed Songtsen Gampo's close relationship with Li Chenggan.

He always felt that Li Chengqian was too cunning and adept at manipulating power; Songtsen Gampo couldn't outmaneuver him. And now, Li Chengqian had been deposed and was being hunted down by Li Shimin.

Therefore, Lun Ke'er felt that Songtsen Gampo's behavior was rather absurd.

In this situation, Lun Ke'er felt that Songtsen Gampo should distance himself from Li Chenggan to avoid getting into trouble, or that it would be safer to arrest Li Chenggan and hand him over to the Tang court for punishment.

However, despite his cunning and shrewdness, Corleone remained outwardly calm and composed.

He stepped forward and bowed: "Your Highness, Lun Ke'er is very polite."

Li Chengan returned the courtesy, saying, "You don't need to be so polite."

"But what is your purpose in bringing such a large army here so late at night?"

Lun Ke'er, observing Li Cheng'gan's words and expressions, noticed that Li Cheng'gan's demeanor was remarkably composed, showing no sign of panic.

He thought to himself that Li Chengqian was indeed extraordinary. To remain so calm and talkative under such circumstances was something that not everyone could do. This showed that Li Chengqian had mastered the ability to remain unfazed even when Mount Tai collapsed in front of him.