Tang Dynasty: Starting at Xuanwu Gate, this prince is better off not being one.

Li Er has returned; it is a complete and utter victory.

It was still the ancient Xiaohan Road, and the welcoming party was still there, but the feeling was completely different from last time.

Perhaps this great victory was anticipated, or perhaps Li Er was safe and sound, or perhaps it was because he wasn't Li Chengqian...

Since the Crown Prince was returning in triumph, he naturally couldn't personally congratulate himself. Therefore, Li Yuan personally went to congratulate the soldiers.

After experiencing a bloody battle, the mysterious Xuanwu Gate has gained a more somber and murderous aura.

Li Yuan had been waiting here for a long time. Looking at the bloodstains that had already been cleaned up under the city gate, he slowly closed his eyes.

When he opened his eyes again, on the distant horizon, there were already banners embroidered with the new national name "Tang" and the iron cavalry of the Tang Dynasty.

"Open the door! Come out to greet us!"

Li Yuan's aged voice echoed softly in this empire brimming with new vitality...

.........

Following Li Er's group into Xuanwu Gate, Li Yu hid at the very back of the group.

He has nothing to do with this troop appreciation event; at most, he'll just show up at the victory celebration banquet later.

Like Li Yu, Li Tai, the unfilial son, also hid at the back of the group. Seeing Li Yu lying on the stone steps without any regard for his image, he followed suit and lay down as well.

Upon seeing the two men lying on the stone steps, Changsun Chong, Cheng Chumo, and others immediately distanced themselves from them and kept their distance. Even Li Ke did the same.

They weren't as arrogant as those two; if they were discovered, it would be a serious offense of disrespect.

Li Yu didn't care about any of that. He had traveled all night and waited for half a day on the Xiaohan Ancient Road, and he was already exhausted. The thought of attending Li Er's victory celebration banquet later made him even more dejected.

The process of entertaining the troops lasted a long time. First, Li Yuan gave an emotional speech, followed by speeches from officials one after another, which almost made Li Yu fall asleep.

Only after the ceremony was over did he and Li Tai regain their spirits, get up, and follow the group to the Taiji Palace...

.........

At this moment, in front of the Taiji Hall—

The entire court was waiting there, from imperial relatives and prime ministers to eighth-rank censors and ninth-rank officials in the capital. Even military governors from distant regions were among them; it was a truly massive gathering.

This was the first time Li Yu had ever seen so many officials. He believed that if the news of Li Yuan's abdication hadn't come so quickly, there would have been even more officials present.

"What's this? You haven't seen the grand court assembly on the winter solstice in previous years. That's when the crowds are truly enormous. If you're lucky, you might even see Wenren An's father!"

Among them, Li Chengqian attended the most court assemblies. As for the others, they were too young, and even if they held official titles, they were all nominal officials without real power.

Therefore, Li Yu and the others were all brought here by their own elders, except for Li Chengqian, who, as Li Er's eldest son, was required to be present.

That's why everyone understands the purpose of this grand court assembly...

To get a better view of what was happening above, Li Yu stood on the stone steps, straining to keep his feet on tiptoe. Even so, it was still difficult to see what was going on ahead.

Fortunately, Li Yuan had already climbed the steps and was standing on the high platform in front of the Taiji Hall with his hands behind his back.

As soon as he stood still, all the civil and military officials below, including Li Yu and the others, knelt down and kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

Upon seeing this, Li Yuan, who would normally have said "Rise," remained silent this time. His eyes were devoid of any emotion, as if at this moment he truly embodied a cold-blooded and ruthless emperor.

"Um."

Li Yuan nodded to Fang Xuanling, who was now serving as the Grand Secretary, and then turned his gaze to Li Er, who was kneeling at the front.

"An imperial edict has been issued!" Fang Xuanling's voice rang out loudly and echoed throughout the area.

The officials all shouted in unison, "Yes!"

Upon hearing the salutations, Fang Xuanling's expression remained unchanged as he slowly opened the imperial edict in his hand and began to read it aloud. Seeing this, everyone below the stage trembled with tension.

"The Way of Heaven governs all, civilization governs the calendar; the Great Treasure is the position, the Imperial Palace is the most revered."

"I have received the mandate of heaven and earth, bringing peace to the land and prosperity to the nine regions. The people are healthy and the land is fertile. Crown Prince Shimin's achievements surpass the universe, his virtue benefits all people, and his talent and strategy are unparalleled throughout history. All nations are devoted to him, and their songs are sung along the way; the celestial signs indicate a change, and the destiny rests upon him."

"I have long been weary of managing state affairs and wish to relinquish my imperial power, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the desires of the people. I hereby pass the throne to Crown Prince Li Shimin. The relevant authorities shall prepare the necessary rites and bestow the throne upon him in due time. All ministers, officials, and local leaders shall respectfully obey and comply with my will. This proclamation is hereby issued so that all may know."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fang Xuanling stood there trembling, as if the reading had exhausted all his strength.

At this moment, Li Er had already stepped onto the steps.

He helped Fang Xuanling up, then took the edict of succession from him and knelt before Li Yuan: "Your subject! I accept the decree! I thank you!"

.........

Li Er took Li Yuan's court away, leaving only a few retired officials and the magnificent Taiji Palace behind.

This was unexpected, since Taiji Palace was where the emperor held court. If it were abandoned, the ministers would have to hold court in the East Palace from now on.

Li Er, however, did not think so. For him, being able to ascend the throne without having to wait for his father's death was already quite satisfying.

The banquet at the Eastern Palace had been prepared long ago. Li Er, who had kept a straight face all the way, couldn't hide his joy the moment he stepped through the gates of the Eastern Palace.

No one dared to take their seats first, because they all knew that this banquet was not only Li Er's victory celebration, but also his last banquet as the crown prince.

"Please take your seats!" Li Er, sitting in the main seat, made a downward gesture.

Upon receiving the order, Li Er's former subordinates naturally sat down. On the contrary, Li Yuan's close former officials were now trembling with fear.

Seeing this, Li Er raised an eyebrow: "Why isn't Prime Minister Feng sitting? Is it because you're not used to obeying my orders?"

The meaning behind these words was quite clear, and all of Li Yuan's former officials sat down obediently upon hearing them.

Feng Deyi, who was also named, apologized to Li Er and then sat down in his seat, trembling.

He knew he was doomed. He couldn't believe Li Er hadn't heard about his opposition to Li Yuan's abdication, which Pei Ji had instigated him to his face. Now, he only hoped that Prime Minister Pei could save his life.

Thinking of this, he looked around, but what he looked around immediately made him shudder.

He himself was present, but where was Pei Ji? Could it be that he stayed at Taiji Palace? His name wasn't among the retiring officials! Moreover, he believed that the new emperor, Li Er, wouldn't easily allow that old fellow to retire.

Not only him, but Li Er also seemed to have noticed this.

He glanced around below, then spoke calmly, "Why is Prime Minister Pei not here?"

.........