The revitalization of the Tang Dynasty began with the Ganlu Incident.

Empress Dowager Xiao's tone was clearly not good, so much so that Wang Mei'er, who was standing to the side, immediately knelt down upon hearing it.

Seeing this, Li Ang could only give a wry smile and say, "Mother, that's not the case."

"It's just that my son already has two concubines by his side, and he doesn't lack children. In addition, he is busy with court affairs, so he doesn't have much time to take care of the harem. That's why he hasn't taken any new women into the palace."

As a young man in his twenties, Li Ang was naturally not uninterested in women.

But during this period, he had to familiarize himself with various court affairs and deal with various forces.

They were barely able to take care of themselves, so naturally they had no time to think about anything else.

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Xiao's eyes flashed with worry, but it quickly turned into a sigh.

"My son, I know how much you've suffered. I only regret that I'm too weak to help you. As for those two in your harem..." Empress Dowager Xiao hesitated, but in the end, she just shook her head and said, "In any case, you still need a few people to serve you closely. Mei'er grew up by my side. She's good-looking and has a gentle personality."

"If you feel that her status is too low, you can just keep her by your side as a bed warmer. It's better than yesterday when no one was there to take care of her."

When she said this, Empress Dowager Xiao's tone revealed a hint of complaint.

This made Li Ang frown slightly.

Seeing this, Qi Baozhen quickly stepped forward and whispered, "When everyone was drunk last night, the Empress Dowager wanted to summon Consort Yang to take care of you, but you refused, saying that... that people in the palace often have dealings with the outer court and it is not appropriate to summon them."

Upon hearing this, Li Ang vaguely remembered that he seemed to have said something similar during the chaos.

He sighed inwardly and couldn't help but tap his head... Drinking really does lead to trouble. If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have drunk so much.

How many people heard that?

With his brows furrowed, Li Ang looked somewhat serious.

Seeing this, Qi Baozhen quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I helped you all back to your inner chambers. Apart from the Empress Dowager and a few personal maids, no one else knew about it."

Upon hearing this, Li Ang felt relieved, but still said, "Give the order that no one is allowed to speak recklessly."

"Don't worry, everyone. The Empress Dowager gave the instructions last night, and I have also given them all a warning. I guarantee that no one will spread rumors," Qi Baozhen said, cupping her hands in greeting.

Li Ang's brows finally relaxed, and he looked up and said, "Mother, I was just talking nonsense while I was drunk. Please don't take it to heart."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Xiao sighed silently and said, "My son, you've worked so hard, carrying the weight of the Tang Dynasty on your shoulders. You can't relax for even a moment. Just think of it as... putting your mother at ease, okay?"

Having said all that, Li Ang naturally couldn't refuse any longer. He glanced at Wang Meier, who was still kneeling beside him, rubbed his temples, and said...

"Since that's the case, she has already entered the service yesterday. Let's temporarily bestow upon her the title of Talent and move her to Lingqi Palace. Qi Baozhen, go to Xuanhui Academy later and have Liu Xingshen make the arrangements."

"This servant thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."

Wang Meier, who should now be called Consort Wang, was led away by Qi Baozhen after performing a grand kowtow.

Afterwards, Empress Dowager Xiao spoke with Li Ang for a while, but did not stay long and soon left.

After they left, Li Ang lay on the couch, and for some reason, he felt a sense of peace. The restlessness that had been building up in his heart for some time dissipated in an instant.

"Qi Baozhen..." After pondering quietly for a moment, Li Ang suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze flashing with a bright light that he had never seen before.

"This servant is here."

Li Ang did not speak, but stood up, walked barefoot to the table, ordered someone to spread out a sheet of Xuan paper, and wrote two large characters on it.

"Send this to the Council of State Affairs and tell them that after the seals are opened on the fifth day of the month, I will change the reign title to..."

Qi Baozhen took the Xuan paper and looked at it closely. He saw two large characters written on it.

"Open... successfully?"

The Book of Changes says: "To open up things and accomplish tasks is to embrace the way of the world."

"The two characters 'Kai Cheng' signify the removal of the old and the beginning of the new, accomplishing something that will last for a hundred years."

Li Ang put down his pen and, still barefoot, walked to the palace gate.

A cold wind swept by, causing his robes to flutter, but Li Ang did not feel cold, because a rising sun was already slowly ascending in the sky.

For Emperor Wenzong in history, the name "Kaicheng" was a boastful statement to cover up the embarrassing state of the Ganlu Incident, and a vain expectation under duress.

But this time, everything changed.

In Li Ang's hands, it will become a brand new milestone for the Tang Dynasty...

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, it snowed lightly again.

In the waiting courtyard, a group of civil and military officials gathered together, sleeves rolled up, chatting amongst themselves.

The Lunar New Year holiday has just passed, and everyone is still immersed in the festive atmosphere, with smiles appearing on their faces when they meet others.

However, there were always some perceptive people who noticed that Minister Li of the Council of State seemed to have a rather unpleasant expression.

Although he would smile and return the greeting to officials who approached him, the oppressive aura emanating from him made people hesitate to approach.

So, those who were quick to get information, already vaguely realizing what was going on, began to whisper among themselves.

In stark contrast to Li Deyu, Niu Sengru's side was a group of ministers from his faction gathered together. Although their conversation was unclear, the smiles on their faces were unmistakable...

Amidst this stark contrast, the morning court session began.

After the officials finished their salutations, an imperial eunuch stepped forward, unfurled a scroll of white imperial edict, and read it aloud.

"Your Excellency: I have observed the ways of emperors throughout history. When emperors are young and wealthy, they rely on the old and experienced. When emperors have enjoyed long reigns, they select and promote the outstanding and talented... Linghu Chu, the Grand Master of the Palace, Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Pillar of the State, and Duke of Pengyang... He is renowned both inside and outside the court, has served five emperors, and is a wise and capable assistant who has assisted the great dynasty. He is resolute and selfless. He is hereby appointed to oversee the Grand Minister of Works and concurrently the Chancellor of the Secretariat and the Chancellery. The relevant officials are hereby ordered to select a day and prepare the necessary ceremonies to confer the title."

Despite prior rumors, the imperial edict still surprised many officials present.

Moreover, it wasn't just them; even a group of high-ranking officials who knew beforehand that Linghu Chu was about to become prime minister were shocked after hearing the news.

It should be understood that, under normal circumstances, officials are appointed as co-prime ministers in their original positions, and their official ranks and grades are gradually promoted after they become prime ministers.

If one were to become prime minister as the head of three provinces, that would essentially be the pinnacle of one's career, and unless one made a great contribution to the country, it would be impossible to rise any higher.

This time, however, the emperor not only appointed Linghu Chu as prime minister, but also bestowed upon him the honorary title of Minister of Works.

Although the title includes the word "Inspector," this title alone is enough for Linghu Chu to overpower all the other prime ministers in the Council of State, except for Sikong Wang Ya.

Unsurprisingly, upon receiving this imperial edict, Li Deyu's face immediately darkened...