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

The Great Tang Dynasty, Ganlu Palace.

As dusk settled, candles were lit in the hall, their light flickering and swaying among the carved beams and painted rafters.

Empress Zhangsun walked slowly into the hall. Li Shimin was reviewing memorials at his desk. When he looked up and saw her coming in, he immediately put down his cinnabar pen, stood up to greet her, and helped Empress Zhangsun sit down to the side.

"Guanyinbi, it's so late, why have you come here? Is there something you need?"

Empress Zhangsun did not rush to answer. Instead, she took out a document from her sleeve and handed it to Li Shimin, her tone calm yet solemn.

"Erlang, take a look at this first."

Li Shimin took the document and unfolded it for a closer look.

The hall was so quiet that only the occasional crackling of candle flames could be heard. He watched more and more slowly, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper, his face gradually darkening.

After a long while, he put down the document and let out a long sigh.

"So this is how serious inbreeding is... causing the Tang Dynasty to lose so many people."

Empress Zhangsun reached out and picked up the teapot, pouring a cup of warm water into Li Shimin's teacup with unhurried movements.

"Youlan's investigation revealed that in Chang'an alone, 30% of newborns who died or were deformed were born from consanguineous marriages; and the probability of children born from consanguineous marriages dying or being deformed was nearly half that of normal children."

"Erlang, out of ten children, nearly five may not survive, or may be born with disabilities."

Li Shimin stared intently at the densely packed data on the document, his hands trembling slightly.

He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, feeling as if a huge rock was pressing down on his chest.

"I knew that marriage between relatives was not a good thing, but I never expected it would lead to such a result for our offspring... and the probability of it being so high."

The Tang Dynasty imperial family and noble families had intermarried for generations, with numerous cousins ​​and relatives forming close bonds.

Having witnessed such things since childhood, I never felt there was anything wrong with them. But now, looking at these cold numbers, I am shocked to realize how many innocent children have died before they even entered the world, and how many families have been plunged into despair because of deformed children.

Seeing his reaction, Empress Zhangsun felt somewhat reassured and seized the opportunity to speak.

"Second Brother, I think we need to reconsider the marriage between Lizhi and Changsun Chong."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's movements stiffened slightly.

Empress Zhangsun did not give him a chance to speak, and continued speaking earnestly.

"Xiao Xun once told me that modern medical research has found that the body structure of a thirteen-year-old girl is not yet fully developed, and marriage and childbirth at this time can cause great harm to both the mother and the child. Lizhi is only thirteen this year; it is too early for her to get married and have children now."

Her gaze fell on Li Shimin's face, observing his expression.

"Moreover, our Changsun family and the royal family are already closely related through marriage. If Lizhi marries Chong'er, the risks to the children she gives birth to will be higher than for ordinary people."

Silence fell over the hall.

The candlelight flickered, casting intermittent light and shadow on Li Shimin's face.

He closed his eyes, and countless images flashed through his mind: the princes and princesses who died young, and the infants born with defects.

He had always thought it was fate, destiny, but now he realized that there were so many tragedies that could have been avoided.

Li Shimin stood up, his voice low and resolute.

"Zhang Anan!"

Outside the hall, Zhang Anan immediately pushed open the door and entered, bowing and awaiting orders.

"By imperial decree, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, and Wen Yanbo are to enter the palace immediately and await orders at the Liangyi Hall."

"Yes!" Zhang Anan accepted the order and left.

Li Shimin turned to Empress Zhangsun and said, "This matter has changed from a family affair to a matter of state. I will play the bad guy and ban marriage between close relatives, starting with the nobles in the court. As for Wuji... I believe he will understand."

Empress Zhangsun watched his retreating figure, a hint of relief and tenderness flashing in her eyes.

Erlang's decision was not easy. Prohibiting marriage between close relatives involved the interests of the entire aristocratic families of the Tang Dynasty, and decades of intertwined marriage relationships. Pushing it forward would mean making enemies of all the powerful clans in the world.

But he did it anyway.

"Erlang," Empress Zhangsun called softly.

Li Shimin turned around, saw the light in his wife's eyes, and smiled slightly.

"Rest assured, I am the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."

Having said that, he strode out of the Ganlu Hall and headed towards the Liangyi Hall.

Empress Zhangsun watched his figure disappear into the night before rising and returning to the Lizheng Palace.

As soon as I stepped into the palace, I saw a familiar figure sitting inside.

Li Lizhi was already waiting there.

Upon seeing Empress Zhangsun enter, Li Lizhi immediately stood up, quickly stepped forward to greet her, her voice trembling slightly.

"Mother, what was the result? What did Father say?"

Li Lizhi knew that her marriage to Changsun Chong was never a simple marriage.

That was a marriage alliance between the royal family and the Changsun family, a bond between her father and her uncle, concerning the honor and disgrace of both families. From the moment she was born, this matter was already destined, and she had no say in it.

Fearing that Li Shimin might have reservations, she ultimately insisted that he marry Changsun Chong.

After all, historically, none of the children she had with Changsun Chong died young or were deformed. This precedent is enough for anyone to believe that there is nothing wrong with this marriage.

But she had seen the prosperity and freedom of modern times, and that women no longer had to be confined to the inner quarters, could study and learn, and could travel the world. She no longer wanted to get married early, be trapped within the walls of a courtyard, and be a bird in a gilded cage.

She also wanted to do something for the Tang Dynasty, rather than just being a pawn in a political marriage.

Empress Zhangsun looked at her daughter's tense face, reached out and gently held her cold hand, and spoke softly.

"Your father has already gone to the Liangyi Hall to discuss matters with Changsun Wuji and other ministers."

Li Lizhi was taken aback.

"Discuss?"

Empress Zhangsun nodded. "Your father said that this matter has changed from a family affair to a national affair. He wants to ban marriage between close relatives and start implementing this ban from the court nobles."

Li Lizhi stared blankly at her mother, and tears finally fell from her eyes.

Aye wasn't discussing her marriage; he was changing the rules of the entire Tang Dynasty.

Once consanguineous marriage was banned, her marriage to Changsun Chong would have a legitimate reason to be dissolved, no longer a conflict between the royal family and the Changsun family, but simply a matter of national law.

"Mother..." Li Lizhi choked out, burying her face in Empress Zhangsun's arms.

Empress Zhangsun gently patted her back, her eyes tender.

"Don't cry. Your father said he believes Wuji will understand. The Changsun family is not an unreasonable family, and your uncle is not an unreasonable person either."

Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin sat calmly on his throne.

His Highness stood with Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng, Wen Yanbo, and other close ministers. They exchanged glances, all filled with doubt, unable to fathom why His Majesty had suddenly summoned them.

Just as he was pondering this, Li Shimin spoke up, "My dear ministers, come and take a look at this."

Upon hearing this, everyone raised their heads in unison, and the eunuch Zhang Anan quickly stepped forward and handed over the document in his hand.

Several ministers gathered around to read the document. As their eyes scanned the words, their expressions gradually became solemn, and their hearts grew increasingly horrified and uneasy.