Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

In the Liangyi Hall, the candlelight flickered and the light and shadows swayed on the walls.

Zhang Xianhuai walked into the hall with heavy steps. His posture was no longer upright, and his former spirit seemed to have been drained away. He exuded an unconcealable decadence.

He slowly walked up to Li Chengqian, saluted respectfully, then stood up and began to report the situation in a hoarse voice.

"Your Majesty, those bald donkeys in Huichang Temple have all been brought to justice and will no longer be a scourge to the world."

He lowered his head slightly, his eyes falling on the gold bricks under his feet, as if he was avoiding something.

"Just..." These two words seemed to carry a great weight.

Li Chengqian was concentrating on reviewing the memorial in his hand. When he heard this, a look of doubt flashed across his deep eyes. Then he raised his head and looked directly at Zhang Xianhuai.

"Just what?"

The voice was cold.

Zhang Xianhuai took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to say, "Your Majesty, after that woman exacted her revenge, she chose to commit suicide."

There was an indescribable sadness in his words.

Li Chengqian was slightly startled, but he regained his composure in an instant. He nodded gently and murmured thoughtfully, "Great revenge has been achieved. How joyful! Rather than lingering in pain in this world, it's better to die and be free from it."

"Perhaps this is a good thing for her, and there's no need to be overly sad."

His eyes revealed the open-mindedness and indifference that came from having experienced many vicissitudes of life.

Zhang Xianhuai nodded silently. Although he had doubts in his heart, he didn't dare to say much.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"It's just that those children are..."

He seemed to be about to speak but stopped himself, his brows furrowed tightly into the shape of the Chinese character "川".

Li Chengqian's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile that contained both coldness and relief.

"Do you think I'm too cruel that I don't even spare those innocent children?"

Zhang Xianhuai was struck by lightning. He hurriedly bowed, leaned forward slightly, and said with deep fear, "Your Majesty, I dare not!"

Li Chengqian gave him a meaningful look.

"Xian Huai, those children's lives have been destroyed. They can no longer grow up normally. Do you understand?"

Li Chengqian slowly stood up and paced in the Liangyi Hall.

"Although the imperial court has been able to support them, they have struggled in pain and suffering over the years, passing away one after another in despair. Have you ever seen them smile?"

"Their world has long since collapsed, leaving only endless darkness and fear. For them, this world is no longer a paradise on earth, but a hell."

"Rather than letting them continue to suffer in this purgatory-like pain, it is better to grant them liberation."

"I have avenged them."

"Xian Huai, you are not young anymore. Today I will tell you that sometimes, killing is also a form of compassion."

Zhang Xianhuai nodded slightly, as if he understood, but confusion still remained in his lost eyes.

"Your Majesty, General Qin is about to arrive in Chang'an."

A look of understanding flashed in Li Chengqian's eyes.

"Is Ruzhao coming back?"

There was a subtle softness in the voice.

"It's your Majesty!"

"Have the pillars at the entrance to the Taiji Hall been erected?"

Li Chengqian asked, his eyes showing impatience.

"Your Majesty, it has been completed." Zhang Xianhuai replied respectfully.

Hearing the news, Li Chengqian looked at him with satisfaction.

"well done."

Then his expression hardened.

"Xian Huai, immediately send someone to hurry up and inform Ru Zhao. Instruct him to bring the King of Qi directly to the gate of Taiji Palace."

"Tied you firmly to that pillar. I will show everyone the consequences of oppressing the people!"

"Inform all officials: there is no need to attend court tomorrow. Court will resume when the King of Qi arrives!"

His voice echoed in the hall.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Also, go and invite the retired emperor." Li Chengqian added, with a hint of unpredictable emotion in his voice.

Zhang Xianhuai took the order and walked hurriedly, not daring to slack off in the slightest.

……

Dust was flying on the official road outside Chang'an City.

Li You was wearing the stained and wrinkled royal robes and was escorted by heavy troops.

His face was distorted, his eyes were red, and he kept shouting and cursing, "You people are so audacious! The Emperor is still alive, how dare you treat me like this?"

When I arrive in Chang'an and His Majesty pardons me, you will all be killed without a burial place! We'll see."

His voice was sharp and piercing with anger, and it carried far away on the empty road.

The King of Qi was imprisoned, and all the people in the King of Qi's mansion were chained together with heavy chains. They were escorted by soldiers and marched towards Chang'an step by step with difficulty.

Their eyes were filled with fear and despair, and their steps were staggering, like a group of lambs walking to the slaughterhouse.

Concubine Yin sat in the carriage specially prepared for her. As one of the four concubines, she had a high status.

Qin Ruzhao took into account her special status. After all, she was the concubine of the retired emperor, so he did not make things difficult for her. Instead, he gave her the respect and treatment she deserved and arranged a carriage for her to ride.

The soldiers were already accustomed to Li You's verbal abuse. They really couldn't understand how this extremely stupid guy could be the son of the retired emperor.

The crimes he committed are too numerous to list. He committed treason and brutally killed imperial officials in the street, and wantonly slaughtered innocent civilians.

Each of these crimes was enough to plunge him into an abyss from which there was no escape, from which he would never be able to recover in his lifetime.

Fortunately, he had the status of a vassal king, otherwise according to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, not only himself but also his nine clans would be difficult to protect.

Everyone really couldn't understand why he could still be so confident and sure that he could escape severe punishment even though he had fallen into such a miserable situation.

Compared to Li You's arrogance and temper, Yin Fei seemed much quieter.

She sat quietly in the carriage, looking at the scenery outside the window with empty eyes, but her heart was in turmoil.

Now, there is only one chance left to turn the tide.

That was when Li Shimin pleaded for mercy.

She originally thought that she was doomed, but after hearing the news that the emperor was faking his death, a glimmer of hope ignited in her heart.

The Tang Dynasty ruled the country with filial piety and attached great importance to filial piety. As long as Li Shimin was willing to say a word for them mother and son, Li Chengqian would not kill them out of consideration for filial piety and reputation.

No matter what, Li You is her biological son. As a mother, she has no choice but to do her best to protect him.

The maternal love and desire to survive hidden deep in her heart made her cling to this last straw in this desperate situation, hoping for a miracle to happen.