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

night.

Changan.

Su Wan's boudoir.

Su Wan was in a state of turmoil, her expression filled with worry.

Recently, so many things have happened one after another that she hasn't had time to sort out her thoughts.

The most important of these was that Li Chengqian was deposed and subsequently hunted down by the imperial court.

For Su Wan, this was like a bolt from the blue.

Although Li Chengan and Qu Zhili had a child

However, after Su Wan understood the situation, she was able to understand.

This is not Li Chenggan's fault.

At that time, Li Chengan was poisoned by the Blue Rakshasa woman and was unconscious. He mistook Qu Zhili for himself, which led to those events.

Su Wan's true love was still Li Chengqian, whether he was the crown prince or a prisoner.

Her love will never change.

For Li Chengan, she was willing to do anything, even give her own life.

However, now she doesn't know where Li Chengan has escaped to; she only heard that he went to the Duke of Yi's mansion.

The next day, it appeared at the Da Ci'en Temple, and then disappeared without a trace.

Su Wan sent people to inquire everywhere, but so far there has been no news.

The matter of the civil service examination and the military examination was originally a suggestion made by Su Wan to Li Shimin.

Li Shimin readily accepted the suggestion, and overall, the civil service examination went relatively smoothly.

However, to Su Wan's surprise, Chu Suiliang, the top scholar in the civil service examination, sided with Changsun Wuji.

Because when Chu Suiliang was imprisoned in the Dali Temple, it was Changsun Wuji who rescued him.

Chu Suiliang was grateful and went to work at Changsun Wuji's residence.

However, this brought trouble to Li Chenggan.

Because both Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang supported Li Zhi to become the crown prince.

Su Wan thought to herself, "If I had known this would happen, why would I have bothered with the written exam?"

The military examination was even worse; it was originally intended to select capable generals for the imperial court.

However, there is no absolute fairness in this world, and as a result, things did not go as planned.

The imperial court appointed He Zongxian as general, Zhang Zhilong as deputy general, Qibi Heli as vanguard, and Qibi Shamen as deputy vanguard.

According to Su Wan, these people were not only treacherous and cunning, but also lacked real talent and skills.

Especially He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong. He Zongxian once claimed credit for Xue Rengui's achievements, which was utterly shameless.

Zhang Zhilong is nothing but a good-for-nothing.

Su Wan really couldn't understand how people like He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong could occupy high positions.

Like Xue Rengui, who possessed extraordinary skills and martial arts prowess, he had to live under someone else's roof.

It can only be said that Zhang Shigui had immense power and connections.

He married Li Daozong, giving his daughter to him in marriage.

Li Daozong, feeling he needed to show some filial piety, secretly arranged for He Zongxian to become a general and Zhang Zhilong a deputy general.

Qibi Heli was extremely fierce and ruthless, and became Li Tai's henchman.

Surprisingly, he was also appointed as the vanguard, and Li Tai also promoted the monk Qibi to be the deputy vanguard.

The examiners knew that He Zongxian and Zhang Zhilong's martial arts skills were not outstanding, but they couldn't make the decision.

Since the imperial court has already made its decision, why should they step forward and offend people?

In reality, Li Shimin's mind was not on this matter at the time.

Li Shimin's first concern was that Li Chengqian's prestige was too high, as he was able to mobilize the armies of multiple countries.

Even Li Shimin's imperial edicts were no longer as effective as Li Chengqian's military orders.

Li Shimin was completely unable to mobilize the armies of Songtsen Gampo, Ashina Simo, the Great King of Shanbei, Murong Shun, and Tuoba Chici.

This greatly angered Li Shimin.

Li Shimin felt that his imperial power had been usurped.

Therefore, persuaded by Fang Xuanling and others, Li Shimin made the painful decision to depose Li Chenggan.

At the same time, a kill order was issued;

In addition, what Li Shimin was worried about was that Goguryeo and Baekje would attack Silla. Attacking Silla was the same as attacking the Tang Dynasty.

Su Wan knew that Li Shimin now regarded Li Chenggan as a thorn in his side and a pest in his flesh, and he would get rid of him as soon as possible. He had long since thrown away any father-son affection.

Su Wan thought to herself that family ties were utterly insignificant in the face of imperial power.

Just as Su Wan was lost in thought, someone rushed in from outside, startling her.

Su Wan turned around, glanced around, and saw that the person who came in was none other than Qin Ying.

He was covered in dust and sweat, and was so exhausted that he could hardly breathe.

"Qin Ying, didn't I hear you were with the Crown Prince? Why did you come alone? Where is the Crown Prince?" Su Wan said, glancing behind Qin Ying.

Qin Ying wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve: "Princess Consort, I'm useless. I was sent back by the Crown Prince."

Qin Ying started crying as she said this.

Upon hearing this, Su Wan was puzzled and comforted him, "Stop crying! What kind of man blows his nose like that?"

"I...I'm a useless piece of trash," Qin Ying said, her voice choked with sobs.

Su Wan poured him a bowl of tea, which Qin Ying took and drank in one gulp.

Then, he placed the teacup on the table and wiped the water stains from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve: "This is a long story, and here's what happened."

Qin Ying then recounted how she and Li Chengan escaped together.

Su Wan was terrified: "What did you say? The Crown Prince forced you to come back?"

"Yes, halfway there, he suddenly ordered me to turn back and not follow him. I refused, and then he slit my throat with the Qinggang Sword. What should I do?"

Su Wan nodded: "I know you are very loyal."

Since Li Chengqian is forcing you to come back, there's nothing we can do.

So, where did Li Chenggan go?

"There's a high chance he went to Tibet."

"Tibet? Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng have returned to Tibet and are preparing for their wedding."

I once went to Tibet.

Songtsen Gampo was undoubtedly a good man, but that Lunko and Princess Bhrikuti were definitely not benevolent people.

Hearing Su Wan say this, Qin Ying became even more nervous and asked, "Then what should we do?"

The imperial court is sending men to hunt down the crown prince. If the crown prince reaches Tibet,

If we are also plotted against, wouldn't that be even more dangerous?

Crown Princess, you must think of a way to save the Crown Prince!

This emperor is far too incompetent. If it were me, I would have rebelled long ago.

The crown prince, still bound by father-son affection, was unwilling to raise an army in rebellion.

Upon hearing this, Su Wan sighed, because she knew Li Chengqian's personality.

He was extremely filial to his parents.

Li Tai tried to kill him several times.

He couldn't bear to retaliate, and repeatedly forgave and tolerant of Li Tai.

Now that the emperor is hunting him down, he can no longer afford to rebel.

Su Wan said to Qin Ying, "You must be tired from your journey. Go back and rest early. Let me think about this matter carefully."

Qin Ying's arm was injured and still in a sling: "Then you'd better think of a way quickly. Just say the word if you can help me."

"I see."

"I'll go back to my father and grandfather and see if they have any way to save the prince."

"Thank you for your trouble."

Su Wan watched Qin Ying's departing figure, her heart unable to calm down for a long time.

Sometimes, she couldn't understand it either. Li Chengqian was clearly devoted to the Tang Dynasty and cared deeply for its people.

But in the end, this is how it all ended up.

No wonder people often say that serving a ruler is like serving a tiger, and that even a dragon has no benevolence.

Back then, when Chang'an was besieged, if Li Chenggan hadn't led his troops back from the Western Regions, Chang'an would have already been captured by the allied forces of Li Yuanli and Zhang Zhongjian.

Furthermore, on that occasion when the Turkic army suddenly besieged Luoyang, how could Li Daozong's 20,000 to 30,000 troops possibly be a match for them?

It was Li Chenggan who managed to gather troops from multiple countries and defeat the Turkic army.

Li Chenggan then persuaded Ashina Simo to surrender.

If Luoyang falls, the Turkic army's next target will be Chang'an.

However, nowadays, the emperor seems to have lost his mind. Whenever someone speaks ill of Li Chengqian in front of him, he doesn't bother to investigate and immediately believes them.

Su Wan calmly thought about it. Before that,

She has already gone to see Empress Zhangsun.

However, up to now,

There was no good news from Empress Zhangsun's side.

Recently, I heard that Empress Zhangsun had a very unpleasant falling out with Li Shimin because of Yin Hongzhi's assassination attempt on him.

Li Shimin was furious. In a fit of rage, he ordered Chang He to lead the imperial guards to surround all the temples inside and outside Chang'an, intending to arrest all the monks.

The root of the problem was that a group of people broke into the Dali Temple prison and rescued Yin Hongzhi, among whom were four bald monks.

Su Wan sensed that the Emperor seemed to have gone a bit mad, and was doing things in a somewhat irrational way.

Su Wan was very anxious.

She felt that it was unlikely that Empress Zhangsun would persuade Li Shimin to lift the order to kill Li Chengqian and restore him to the position of Crown Prince.

At the same time, Su Wan was worried about whether Li Chengqian would be in danger once he arrived in Tibet.

Su Wan became increasingly anxious as she thought about it.

At this moment, Su Gui walked in from outside, looking somewhat flustered.

Seeing that he was still not quite calm, Su Wan frowned and asked, "What happened? Why are you so flustered?"

"His Majesty has appointed Li Tai as Grand Marshal of the Eastern Expedition, He Zongxian as General, and Zhang Zhilong as Deputy General, to command 5 infantry, 5 cavalry, and 5 naval forces to the east to meet the armies of Goguryeo and Baekje," Su Gui explained.

Upon hearing this, Su Wan thought to herself that Li Shimin was truly biased. Li Chengqian, who was originally the crown prince and had made so many contributions, was now a fugitive being hunted down, while Li Taiyuan, who was originally a prince, was...

According to the regulations of the imperial court, Li Tai should go to his fiefdom.

However, Li Tai stayed in Chang'an for various reasons and refused to leave.

The difference in treatment between the two is so huge!

Li Chengan had rendered meritorious service but was hunted down; Li Tai suffered several defeats and deserted, which, according to military law, meant execution.

However, Li Shimin turned a blind eye and let Li Taimeng get away with it. Now he actually wants to make him the Grand Marshal in charge of the army.

Su Wan couldn't understand why, with so many famous generals in the court, such as Li Jing, Li Ji, Hou Junji, and Li Xiaogong, Li Shimin chose to use Li Tai instead of employing them.

It seems that Li Shimin intentionally promoted Li Tai.

"What other information did you find out?"

"Just now, when I was about to come here, my men saw Li Tai going to the Zichen Palace to pay his respects to the Emperor. I wonder what kind of mischief he's up to now."

"Oh, is that so?" Su Wan knew that Li Shimin and Li Tai both wanted to kill Li Chenggan. What good things could the two of them come up with together?

"Sister, I'm wondering if Li Tai going to see the Emperor will be detrimental to you?"

"Did you hit Li Tai?" Su Gui's expression became worried.

"That's right. A few days ago, I was talking with Empress Zhangsun in the Lizheng Hall when he happened to arrive."

How dare he spout nonsense and speak ill of Li Chengqian to my face? How could I let him get away with this?

In a fit of anger, I slapped him twice.

"Oh dear, sister, Li Tai is a king, after all. How can you hit him in front of the queen?" Su Gui was speechless.

"Hmph, I can't worry about that now. I need to vent my anger first," Su Wan paused, then asked, "Is there any news regarding who should be chosen as the crown prince?"

"When Li Tai saw that the emperor had deposed Li Chengqian, he volunteered himself and asked the emperor to make him the crown prince."

"Really? He's so shameless, he's utterly brazen."

"Moreover, he wrote a letter of commitment to the Emperor,"

First, Li Tai promised that if he became emperor in the future, he would treat the other princes well.

Secondly, he promised that if he inherited the throne, he would pass it on to Li Zhi after his death.

Upon hearing this, Su Wan sneered, "What a joke! Does he not want to get married or have children in the future?"

If he had a son, how could the throne possibly be passed to Li Zhi?

Li Tai also said that if he had sons in the future, he would kill them all.

"He promises to pass the throne to Li Zhi? Sister, do you think he's gone mad?"

"Did he really say that?" Su Wan was also shocked when she heard this.

"yes!"

"What father in the world doesn't love his son?"

Li Tai's words are pure nonsense.

So, what does His Majesty think?

"And believe it or not, this time the Emperor actually believed his nonsense and was overjoyed!"

Su Wan sighed again: "It seems that even the smartest person can make a mistake. The Emperor has fallen for his trick."

"That's right. Li Tai only wants to become the crown prince. He'd kill anyone if it meant he could become the crown prince," Su Gui said irritably.

Su Wan knew that Su Gui was speaking in anger, but it was also largely true.

Li Tai has become obsessed with becoming the crown prince, to the point of madness.

If he can even say he wants to kill his own son, what else wouldn't he do?

"So, has His Majesty already agreed to make Li Tai the Crown Prince?"

"No, His Majesty neither confirmed nor denied it. He simply appointed him as the Grand Commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Army, and we'll discuss it further after this battle is over."

Hearing this, Su Wan felt slightly relieved. No matter what, as long as Li Shimin hadn't established a crown prince,

Li Chenggan still has a chance.

This also shows, from another perspective, that Li Shimin was not entirely satisfied with Li Tai.

If Li Shimin were very satisfied with him, he might have already made him the crown prince.

Su Wan pondered for a moment and said, "The most important thing now is to find the Crown Prince's location and ensure his safety."

The west side is in complete chaos.

What if something happens to the Crown Prince?

"Sister, don't worry. I think the Crown Prince is incredibly intelligent and brave now. It won't be easy for an ordinary person to capture him."