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

The night was as dark as ink, so thick that it could not be dissolved. The palace walls of Chang'an cast a cold shadow in the moonlight.

In the Lizheng Hall, candlelight flickered as Wu Meiniang leaned against a couch decorated with coiled dragon carvings. The brocade quilt had slipped to her waist. Her brows were furrowed, beads of sweat oozed from her forehead, as if she had fallen into a stormy dream.

In a trance, Wu Meiniang found herself wearing a bright yellow dragon robe. The dragon pattern embroidered with gold thread glowed coldly in the dim light, as if it were a living thing surging on the robe.

The dragon robe was heavy, making every step difficult for her, but she had to walk towards the majestic Tai Chi Hall.

Outside the Taiji Hall, the Jinwu Guards stood as tall as pine trees, holding spears, but their eyes were empty, ignoring her, as if they were clay sculptures or wooden carvings.

Wu Meiniang felt a little uneasy. She turned around slowly. Behind her, Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong had strange smiles on their faces. The smiles seemed to be covered with a layer of mist, making it difficult to understand.

Wu Meiniang was about to ask, but was horrified to find that her throat could not make any sound and she could only open and close her mouth in vain.

She continued to move towards the Tai Chi Hall, and as the distance got closer, the doubts in her heart grew stronger.

The Taiji Hall in front of me is very different from the new one in my memory. With its flying eaves, brackets, carved beams and painted buildings, it looks more like the old one from the Zhenguan period.

Every brick and tile, every beam and pillar, brought back long-forgotten memories for her.

Finally reaching the entrance of Taiji Hall, Wu Meiniang looked up and saw that both sides of the hall were densely packed with court officials.

On one side, Yuchi Gong was burly and strong, holding an iron whip and looking at me with a sharp gaze.

Li Jing has a stern expression and is intimidating without being angry. Cheng Yaojin has a face full of curly beard and holds a Xuanhua axe, looking majestic. Qin Qiong holds two maces and has an upright posture.

Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin, Li Ji, Duan Zhixuan and other generals are all heroic and have a strong aura, as if they can directly intimidate people.

On the other side, Changsun Wuji looked arrogant, with wisdom and majesty in his eyes.

Li Xiaogong had an extraordinary bearing, Du Ruhui had a deep gaze, as if he could see through people's hearts, Fang Xuanling was gentle and elegant, full of bookish air, Gao Shilian had a solemn expression, and Wei Zheng had an upright face, and his gaze pierced straight at Wu Meiniang, making her shudder.

On the Dragon Platform, a familiar figure came into view. The person was holding a child.

He slowly turned around, his cold gaze piercing towards Wu Meiniang like a sharp sword, "Oh? It turns out that Consort Wu is here."

The voice was low and cold, with an unquestionable majesty. Wu Meiniang looked closely and saw that it was Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, and the child was Li Jingyou.

"Your Majesty, are you still alive?"

Wu Meiniang blurted out, her voice filled with shock and panic. The scene before her was so bizarre that it made her heart beat like a drum.

"Wu Cairen, what's the meaning of your outfit?"

Li Shimin's words were like heavy hammers, hitting Wu Meiniang's heart again and again.

Just as she was about to open her mouth to explain, the court officials around her suddenly rushed over like a tide, their faces filled with anger and questioning. The noisy voices filled the entire Taiji Hall, making it hard for her to breathe, as if they were going to swallow her up.

Just when Wu Meiniang felt she was about to suffocate, a loud shout like thunder exploded: "Everyone, step back."

The familiar voice made Wu Meiniang's heart tremble. She turned around excitedly and looked outside the Taiji Hall.

A person in red came into view. It was Li Chengqian.

Li Zhi stood behind Li Chengqian, with Qin Ruzhao and Zhang Xianhuai on both sides. Everyone had a firm look in their eyes, as if they were there to support her.

Li Chengqian didn't say anything, but just smiled at her. That smile was like a ray of light, dispelling the fear in her heart.

"Ah!" Wu Meiniang suddenly sat up from the bed, gasping for breath, her clothes soaked with cold sweat.

Her eyes were filled with fear and confusion, and it took her a while to come to her senses and realize that she had just had a nightmare.

"Queen of Heaven, Queen of Heaven, what's wrong with you?"

When Shangguan Wan'er heard the noise, she rushed into the hall and looked at Wu Meiniang's pale face and panic expression, and asked with concern.

Wu Meiniang swallowed, her voice still trembling: "It's okay, pour me a glass of water, and dress me, I'm going to pay homage to Emperor Qianwu."

She looked into the distance, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

Shangguan Wan'er saw that the Queen was sweating profusely and looked dazed. Although she was confused, she quickly agreed and turned around to prepare hot water and clothes.

At the same time, inside the Taiji Hall, this palace that had long ceased to be used for court sessions, was extremely quiet.

A figure stood quietly in the hall, not moving for a long time.

The moonlight shone through the window onto him, outlining a lonely silhouette.

He stood here for a long time, as if he was recalling the past years, or thinking about something.

Finally, he slowly turned around, and his departing figure had a hint of loneliness.

"Empress, Prince Wu Li Ke said," a palace maid hurried over and, at Shangguan Wan'er's signal, carefully reported, "He said he's waiting for you in Liangyi Palace."

Wu Meiniang, who was burning incense for Li Chengqian, heard the name "Li Ke". Her hand trembled involuntarily and the incense almost fell to the ground.

She took a deep breath, tried to calm herself down, and said, "I understand. I will entertain His Royal Highness the King of Wu well."

Although her voice was steady, the slightly trembling ending still revealed the turmoil in her heart.

Inside the Liangyi Hall, the atmosphere was oppressive and solemn.

Li Ke sat on the armchair that symbolized power, his eyes moving back and forth between the portraits of his father Emperor Li Shimin, his brother Emperor Li Chengqian, and the newly hung portrait of Li Zhi on the wall.

His eyes were deep, as if he was recalling the past, or planning something.

With a creak, the door of the Liangyi Hall opened. Shangguan Wan'er saw Li Ke sitting on the throne that should have belonged to the emperor. Her eyebrows immediately raised. She was about to scold him, but Wu Meiniang stopped her.

"Step back, close the door, and give orders that no one is allowed to come in." Wu Meiniang's voice was calm and majestic, and there was no room for doubt.

"Yes, Queen!" Although Shangguan Wan'er was full of confusion, she still retreated respectfully and closed the palace door.

Only Wu Meiniang and Li Ke were left in the hall.

The air seemed to freeze, and it was so quiet that we could hear each other's breathing.

Wu Meiniang gathered herself together, took a step forward, bowed to Li Ke, and said softly, "Meiniang, I greet the Marshal."

Li Ke nodded slightly, a meaningful smile on his lips, and said, "I didn't expect that you are now in such a position, only one step away from being the master of the world, and you are willing to call me Marshal?"

"Why, you really don't see me as a thorn in your side, and you really don't want to get rid of me?"

"Now, I'm here, you can call people in." There was a hint of provocation in his words, and it seemed like he was testing her.

Wu Meiniang quickly shook her head and said with a firm look in her eyes, "General, Meiniang is where I am today only because I am managing the world on behalf of the Li family. The master of this world will always be named Li."