Little Sizi came to my house and became the family's darling, and Li Shimin got anxious.

"Um, shall we start taking pictures now?" Li Yinxun said, opening the bag.

There were three wigs stacked inside, all jet black, short, and with very simple designs.

Li Yuan sat in the main seat, his gaze falling on the several short-haired wigs. "Child, are these all made of real hair?"

Li Yinxun quickly shook her head: "No, no, real hair is very precious. We're just taking a picture to make it look like we're doing something. This ordinary hair will be fine."

Li Yuan listened and nodded, his face showing some agreement.

"Yes, our hair and skin are given to us by our parents, so we shouldn't cut them off casually. Your arrangement is quite good."

He adhered to the old rules his whole life, and even after abdicating, he still valued filial piety and etiquette.

Li Yinxun smiled, then beckoned Li Lizhi over to demonstrate to everyone how to wear a wig.

They were quite efficient and put it on in no time. From the front, it looked just like the real thing.

After finishing, Li Yinxun turned to Li Lizhi and said, "You take your sister and the princesses to take off all the hairpins, pearl flowers, and earrings from their heads. Simply gather your hair up, making sure your forehead and eyebrows are visible, so that the photos will meet the requirements."

Li Lizhi responded and led the women to the side to tidy up.

On the men's side, Li Shimin was the first to step forward.

"I'll try it first." He showed no airs of an emperor and was very cooperative.

Li Yinxun stepped forward, first tying up his long hair at the back of his head to secure it firmly, and then steadily putting on the middle-aged-style short wig.

From the front, it looks neat and clean, and you can't tell at all that there's a clump of hair hidden at the back of the head.

Li Shimin raised his hand and touched the short hair on the top of his head. A palace servant handed him a bronze mirror, and he looked at himself in the mirror.

His neat short hair made him look much more refined and gave him a calm and composed feel.

He looked at himself in the mirror with a sense of novelty.

At this time, the palace servants had already hung a pure white cloth on the wall of the hall as a backdrop for taking photos, as instructed by Li Yinxun.

"Your Majesty, please sit here, look at the phone camera, and don't move." Li Yinxun picked up her phone and adjusted the light.

Li Shimin sat upright in front of the white cloth, his expression dignified.

A clear and well-formed photo immediately appeared on the phone screen.

Just take it back and have the size altered.

Li Yuan leaned closer, looking at the lifelike portrait on the phone that looked exactly like the real person. His pupils dilated slightly, and he was filled with shock.

He had seen countless paintings and calligraphy all his life, but he had never seen such a clear and lifelike portrait that could be formed in an instant. He thought it was a marvel of art.

Seeing that he liked it, Li Yinxun smiled and said, "If Your Majesty likes it, when you go to the modern world in the future, I will take you to have a special photo shoot. You can take as many as you want, and we can develop them, frame them, and look at them anytime."

These words struck a chord with Li Yuan.

"Alright, alright, I'll remember that."

Li Chengqian and Li Tai, who were standing nearby, finally understood that the photo shoot today was for obtaining some kind of identity so that they could go to that magical place in the future.

Their eyes were shining, and they cooperated perfectly.

After everyone had finished taking pictures, Li Yuan suddenly raised his hand and called out to Li Yinxun, who was preparing to pack her things. He then waved his hand, dismissing everyone and leaving her behind.

Li Shimin paused slightly, then looked at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan, who had been looking gentle just moments before, suddenly straightened his face and gave him a cold glance.

"You may lead the others away first. I only wish to speak a few words with this child alone. There is no need to worry."

Li Shimin's lips twitched slightly, and he quickly smiled.

"Father, you flatter me. I have no worries at all. I shall take my leave now."

After saying this, he led Empress Zhangsun and the children out of the main hall.

Only Li Yinxun and Li Yuan remained in the hall.

Li Yinxun was a little confused, wondering why the Emperor Emeritus wanted to keep her alone.

She bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, do you have any instructions for keeping me here?"

Li Yuan beckoned to her, "You don't need to be so formal from now on. You're close to Si Zi, so just call me Grandfather, just like her."

Li Yinxun didn't hesitate and called out, "Grandpa."

Li Yuan stroked his beard and smiled happily.

He remained silent for a while before finally asking the question that had been on his mind for a long time.

"Good child, you've come from the future, tell your grandfather the truth: how did later historical records evaluate Erlang?"

Li Yinxun was startled, then instantly understood.

She found it a bit strange that Li Lizhi had brought back so many Tang Dynasty history books from the modern era, yet Li Shimin had never shown them to Li Yuan.

Although it was strange, she told the truth.

"Grandpa, I'll be frank with you, please don't take offense. Later generations will regard my brother-in-law as one of the greatest emperors of all time."

"His civil and military achievements were unparalleled in the world. The Zhenguan era he founded was a time of peace and prosperity for the country, with all nations paying tribute. It is a benchmark for emperors throughout history."

"Throughout thousands of years of history, there have been a total of 494 emperors. My brother-in-law is definitely ranked second. He is a universally recognized wise and sagacious ruler."

After listening, Li Yuan closed his eyes, his face calm, and no one could guess what he was thinking.

The hall was quiet for a while before he slowly spoke, his voice low.

"Tell me in detail about his life's achievements."

Li Yinxun was momentarily stunned, but quickly steadied herself and carefully recounted the story from memory.

"My brother-in-law has almost never lost a battle. In his youth, he personally went to the battlefield, pacified the four directions, unified the Central Plains, destroyed the Turks, conquered the Western Regions, and intimidated the barbarian tribes in all directions. In terms of military skills, he is among the best of all emperors in history."

"In governing the country, he humbly listened to the advice of his ministers, did not kill loyal and meritorious officials indiscriminately, was kind to the people, reduced taxes, and allowed the people to live and work in peace and prosperity, creating a peaceful and prosperous era. Few emperors in history can match his magnanimity. That's all I can say. When my grandfather goes to the modern era, he can slowly learn more about it."

Li Yuan kept his eyes closed, as if he were in a meditative state.

But my heart was already in turmoil.

Seeing his silent state, Li Yinxun hesitated for a long time before finally speaking and gently offering words of advice.

"Grandpa, I come from the future and have seen more than a thousand years of history, so I understand it better than others. The Xuanwu Gate Incident was indeed a tragedy, with family members killing each other. But at that time, circumstances forced us to act, and my brother-in-law had no way out."

"Crown Prince Li Jiancheng was gentle and kind, but ultimately lacked the courage to pacify the world and rule a prosperous era. Only Prince Qin, Li Shimin, could support the Tang Dynasty and protect the people's peace. My father-in-law couldn't get over it and was distant and cold towards Erlang. He didn't hate him for becoming emperor, but for the fratricide. But he had no choice in that game."

"For so many years, you've been trapped in the past, which has not only trapped yourself but also caused you and your son to drift apart for half your lives. In the end, you've both lost."

Li Yuan slowly opened his eyes, his eyes already red.

He raised his head, let out a long sigh, and said, "You're right... Erlang is an excellent emperor. It was I who was too harsh on him..."

Outside the palace gate, Li Shimin stood quietly on the steps.

He heard every word spoken in the hall clearly.

This emperor, who had been strong and upright all his life, was now in tears.

He cried uncontrollably, and years of guilt, repression, and grievances, like a fishbone stuck in his throat, all burst forth at once.

His legs went weak, and he slumped down on the steps, tears blurring his vision as he gazed at the northwest side of Taiji Palace, the burial place of Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

Empress Zhangsun quietly stayed by his side, holding a silk handkerchief and gently wiping away his tears, her eyes full of heartache.

Inside the hall, Li Yinxun looked at the relieved Li Yuan and said softly, "Nothing in this world is perfect. Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Now the world is at peace, and the times are prosperous and peaceful. Grandfather should let go of the past and enjoy his old age. Don't worry about old matters anymore."

Li Yuan took a sip of hot tea. "Good child, you're right. I'm old, and it's time to let go."

"Grandpa, you must take good care of your health and live a long life. I still have so many things to tell you." Li Yinxun raised an eyebrow slightly. "If we're talking about hardship, your brother-in-law has suffered much more than you."

Li Yuan immediately perked up and quickly asked, "What happened?"

Li Yinxun, however, kept everyone in suspense, smiling broadly.

"Grandpa, please recover your health first. When you go to the modern world, I will tell you the story slowly."