Tang Dynasty: Starting with 3,000 elite cavalry, a bloody battle to retake the city.

Li Jing hesitated for a moment, then said, "If you have nothing urgent, you may return first. I will likely be attending a meeting with His Majesty later."

Han Ye was overjoyed—just what I wanted!

Before Li Yingge could react, he suddenly reached out, grabbed her slender wrist, and pulled her away, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Li, we'll take our leave now!"

The movements were swift and decisive, leaving no room for error.

Li Yingge was caught off guard and stood frozen in place.

His warm palms held her arm tightly, with a strength that made it impossible for her to break free, yet strangely reassuring.

Her cheeks flushed instantly, her ear tips turned bright red, and even her breathing became erratic.

Holding hands... or being led by a man I just met?!

In all her life, she had never experienced anything like this. Her mind went blank, and she could only let him drag her along, stumbling and falling into the crowd.

Behind them, Li Jing watched the two figures disappear into the distance, a smile appearing on his face as he murmured, "They do have a rather handsome and beautiful couple..."

But the smile vanished the next moment, and his brows furrowed slightly: "But... why does Han Ye seem to be running for his life?"

Before he could finish speaking...

"Huffing and puffing—"

A series of hurried footsteps approached from afar, and Crown Prince Li Chengqian came running, covered in sweat and panting heavily.

"Duke of Wei! Where is Han Ye? Is he even here?!"

Li Jing was taken aback: "I just sent him back to his residence."

"What?!" Li Chengqian's face turned green, and he stomped his feet and wailed, "How could you let him go! I was waiting to become his disciple! By letting him go, all my opportunities have vanished—"

Li Jing's expression changed drastically, and his pupils contracted sharply!

Become...become an apprentice?!

The crown prince is going to kowtow and call a boy of unknown origin his master?!

He almost couldn't catch his breath and nearly collapsed on the spot.

Li Junxian strode up to Li Chengqian's side, his face as cold as iron: "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence immediately."

Li Chengqian's once-proud eyebrows instantly drooped, and he looked as if all his strength had been drained away, responding listlessly with a sullen expression.

Just then—

Li Junxian suddenly turned to look at Li Jing, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Congratulations, Duke of Wei, you've found an extraordinary son-in-law."

Li Jing forced a smile, but his mind was in turmoil: What's going on here?!

When did Han Ye get in touch with the Crown Prince?

The crown prince actually wants to become his student?!

What's even more dangerous is that Li Junxian's words, though seemingly flattering, were actually full of hidden undercurrents and were clearly a veiled attack!

Li Jing, a seasoned shrewd official who had navigated the political arena for decades, was now completely bewildered.

After a long silence, he finally murmured, "Han Ye, Han Ye... what heinous thing have you done?"

In fact, Han Ye didn't do anything earth-shattering.

He simply gave the retired Emperor Li Yuan a lecture today.

But this reprimand, far from bringing trouble upon himself, actually shook the entire palace—

At this moment, inside the Taiji Hall, Li Shimin and Li Yuan sat side by side, their faces solemn, discussing that name: Han Ye.

When Li Yuan repeated Han Ye's words verbatim, Li Shimin's pupils shrank, and his expression became extremely solemn.

He abruptly turned his head, his gaze piercing Li Junxian like a knife: "Tell me, how much of what Han Ye said matches the intelligence gathered by our Tang Dynasty's secret agents over the years?!"

The Tang Dynasty had its own secret intelligence network that covered the entire country.

They have spies and informants in the Western Regions, Tibet, Goguryeo, Turks... and even in the wild and untamed lands overseas.

And Li Junxian is the one in charge of this inescapable net!

At this moment, after hearing Li Yuan's words, cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his voice trembled slightly: "Your Majesty... Yingzhou does indeed exist! My secret reports have been sent many times. There is an island nation beyond the East Sea called 'Yingzhou,' rumored to be rife with snakes, insects, and miasma, and very few people survive there... This is exactly what Han Ye said!"

"Furthermore... to the west of Tibet, at the end of the mountains, there was another empire, historically known as 'Rome' during the Qin Dynasty, but it has now been replaced by a powerful nation called 'Arabia'... This matter is indeed mentioned sporadically in the ancient scrolls and fragments of our dynasty, but it has long been lost to the dust of time!"

He paused, his voice growing even lower: "As for 'the earth is round,' 'there is land and humankind on the other side'... I have never heard of these, nor have I recorded them in any way!"

Li Junxian frowned, finally unable to hold back his gaze, and said, "But Your Majesty, the first two matters are fragments that our Great Tang's spies have risked their lives to transmit back over hundreds of years. Even I only know three parts of them, not the other seven!"

"But Han Ye is only twenty years old, how can he speak of all these secrets as if he witnessed them himself?!"

The hall fell silent upon hearing this.

Even Li Shimin fell silent.

Even though he was the emperor, ruling over a vast empire, he still had many untold secrets.

How could a mere son-in-law reveal such a secret?

Absurd! Bizarre! Unbelievable!

Li Yuan suddenly sneered, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "That's why I said, this person is no ordinary person."

Letting Chengqian study under him might not be a bad thing.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian's eyes immediately lit up like stars.

But Li Shimin's gaze was deep and unfathomable as he muttered to himself, "This Han Ye... is he human or a demon? Could it be that he truly understands the past and present, and has insight into the world?!"

"Li Jing, oh Li Jing, what kind of monster have you chosen as my son-in-law!"

He remained silent for a long time, his mind churning with thoughts that he couldn't quite make sense of.

Finally, his gaze fell on Li Chengqian, who was unable to contain himself any longer, and he said in a cold voice, "You can approach him and ask him for advice."

"But—the matter of becoming an apprentice is absolutely impossible!"

Li Chengqian suddenly looked up: "Why not?!"

Li Shimin snorted coldly, his tone brooking no argument: "He is a son-in-law who married into the family! You are the Crown Prince! How can the dignified Crown Prince of the Great Tang kneel before a son-in-law who married into a poor family and become his teacher?!"

The difference in status is like an insurmountable chasm.

Imperial families place the utmost importance on propriety.

Li Chengqian gritted his teeth, almost blurting out: Han Ye is no ordinary son-in-law! But the words stuck in his throat—he dared not disobey the emperor's will.

At this moment, Li Yuan slowly spoke, asking meaningfully, "My son, what do you think of Chai Shao?"

Li Shimin was taken aback, not understanding: Why mention Chai Shao?

But since his father had asked, he instinctively replied, "Chai Shao is both loyal and brave, a fierce general of our Great Tang Dynasty, and also my brother-in-law."

"My father's decision to betroth Princess Pingyang to him was a wise and insightful one."

— Chai Shao was the husband of Princess Pingyang Zhao, Li Xiuning.

When Li Yuan raised his army, Li Xiuning led a women's army, which was renowned throughout Guanzhong. She was a famous heroine during the Wude era.

Unfortunately, fate was cruel to this talented man, and he passed away in the sixth year of the Wude era.

For many years afterward, no woman could match her spirit.

Until—Li Yingge suddenly appeared.

Clad in iron armor, she slayed countless enemies, achieving numerous military exploits—a veritable replica of Li Xiuning from back then.

Even Emperor Taizong of Tang was moved by her and exceptionally bestowed upon her the title of "Divine Might Female General," making her famous throughout the land.

And Chai Shao was the husband of that legendary woman.

When Li Yuan mentioned him at this moment, it was certainly not just idle chatter.

His eyes were unfathomable, as if to say:

Even a woman can break the rules and be granted the title of general or marquis.

Why can't a prodigy break with convention and teach the crown prince?

As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, Li Yuan's face darkened abruptly, his eyes flashing like knives, and he coldly questioned, "Then let me ask you—is Chai Shao not considered a son-in-law of the Li family?! You don't even want him?!"

"You have personally witnessed Chai Shao's abilities and military achievements."

Just because he's my Li family's son-in-law, you dare to look down on him?! What, has your judgment gone blind just because your status has changed?!

A cold snort seemed to freeze the air inside the hall.

Li Shimin's heart tightened, and he quickly lowered his head: "Your subject dares not."

Li Yuan's face remained ashen, his brows exuding the imposing aura of someone who had long held a high position.

Who among the court officials dared to reprimand the current emperor in such a manner? Only he could.

He stared intently at Li Shimin, his voice low yet sharp as a blade: "I see you're sitting on the throne too securely, and your heart has become restless."

Before even getting a clear look at a person, their fate is decided based on their birth. What an imposing aura…

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly turned his head and looked at Li Chengqian beside him. His tone softened a bit: "Go, go find that Han Ye."

Stay by his side and learn something real.

"I... am very interested in him."

Li Chengqian's eyes lit up instantly, and he excitedly cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Your grandson will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Li Shimin opened his mouth, wanting to stop him but unable to, and could only grit his teeth and add, "Wait! The Crown Prince may follow Han Ye's lead, but there is one condition—"

"Every word he says to you, every action he takes, must be reported to me truthfully! Do you understand?!"

Li Chengqian nodded emphatically: "Your subject understands!"

Having said that, the boy's face lit up with joy, and he skipped away lightly, like a child who had just received a new toy. Once the boy was out of sight, Li Shimin, unable to suppress his doubts, looked at his father and said in a deep voice, "Father, what exactly are you trying to do? Why are you so determined to push the Crown Prince to Han Ye's side?"

He knew the old emperor all too well—this wasn't about mentoring a younger generation; he had ulterior motives!

Li Yuan did not answer immediately. A sharp glint suddenly flashed in his cloudy eyes, like a beast that had been dormant for many years finally opening its eyes.

He smiled slowly, his voice hoarse yet filled with certainty: "Because... that Han Ye is no ordinary person."

He paused, then looked at the darkening sky outside the hall and said slowly:

"Erlang, Erlang, we'll see."

"I may be old, but my eyes are far more discerning than yours."

Having said that, he grinned, flicked his wide sleeves, and followed Li Chengqian with light steps.

Li Shimin was left standing alone in the center of the hall, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

"Not an ordinary person?!"

He muttered to himself, his pupils contracting slightly, as the words from Li Junxian's secret report flashed through his mind—

Han Ye has an affair with the Ghost-Faced General!

In an instant, a chill ran down my spine.

He turned abruptly and shouted in a low voice, "Li Junxian!"

"Investigate Han Ye thoroughly immediately! His background, whereabouts, past interactions—not a single word can be missed! Dig to the bottom!"

At this very moment, far away in the streets and alleys, Han Ye was unaware that he had been simultaneously targeted by three generations of emperors of the Tang Dynasty—the retired emperor personally appointed him, the emperor secretly ordered an investigation, and the crown prince was secretly infiltrating his inner circle.

The wheel of fortune has already begun to turn.

He simply clutched his chest and coughed violently.

"Cough...cough cough—"

A pale fingertip brushed against the corner of her lips, revealing a trace of dark red blood.

He wiped it away silently, a bitter smile playing on his lips: This old wound... is truly hard to heal.