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

In late spring in Luoyang, willow catkins drift like snow, yet they can't mask the chilling atmosphere that permeates the air. In the taverns and teahouses along the street, people whisper to each other, their eyes filled with fear and anxiety.

The street vendors' cries were weak, as if they were also suffocating under the oppressive atmosphere.

"Luoyang Daily, Luoyang Daily!" The crisp voice of the newspaper boy broke the silence.

"Xu Jingye raised an army, but was defeated and killed. Peace reigns supreme!"

This sound was like a bombshell, instantly causing a stir in the crowd.

An old man who was drinking tea on the street suddenly had his hand shaken, and the teacup fell to the ground with a "bang", splashing tea everywhere.

The peddler carrying the load stood there in a daze, not even noticing that the load was tilted.

Even the children playing on the street were frightened by the adults' nervous expressions and dared not make a sound.

"Xu Jingye was defeated? He was defeated so quickly? And he was killed?" A middle-aged man widened his eyes, his face full of disbelief.

"This is the Duke of Yingguo, who inherited Li Ji's title and is his grandson!" The old man next to him stroked his beard and shook his head repeatedly, his eyes full of regret.

"Li Ji had made great military achievements for the Tang Dynasty. He was the man most trusted by Emperor Taizong! Back then, Emperor Taizong held Li Ji's hand before his death. What a sign of trust and entrustment..."

Another person joined the discussion, his voice filled with endless emotion.

In a side room in a secret courtyard outside Luoyang city, Xu Jingye opened his eyes in a daze.

The light in the room was dim, with only a faint ray of sunlight shining through the window lattice onto the ground, forming a thin beam of light. Dust was slowly floating in the beam.

"Where is this? Is this the underworld?" Xu Jingye muttered to himself, his voice weak and hoarse. He struggled to get up, but found that his whole body was sore and he had no strength left.

"Where is my grandfather? Where is Emperor Taizong? Where is Emperor Gaozong?" He suddenly shouted, his eyes filled with despair and indignation. "This evil woman has stolen our country. There is no peace in the Tang Dynasty!"

Tears slid down his cheeks, soaking the pillowcase. "I am useless! I failed to support the Li Tang royal family! I deserve to die!"

Wu Tianyan, who was guarding the bed, frowned and remained silent for a while when he saw Xu Jingye like this.

Wu Tianyan was Li Ji's direct disciple. He was over fifty years old, with half his hair white and his face full of the vicissitudes of life.

He was dressed in a simple grey robe, his eyes showing wisdom and worry.

"You are not dead, wake up soon." Wu Tianyan said softly, with a hint of fatigue and helplessness in his voice.

Xu Jingye opened his eyes with difficulty and looked at the familiar old man in front of him. A hint of surprise first flashed in his eyes, and then dimmed.

"Wu Sikong? Why am I here?" He tried hard to sit up. Wu Tianyan hurried forward, helped him up and leaned him against the pillow.

But soon, his expression darkened. "Did you lose?"

Wu Tianyan shook his head, his eyes filled with mixed emotions. "Isn't defeat inevitable? Since ancient times, no one who started an army from the south has ever succeeded. Young General, turn back."

After hearing this, Xu Jingye started coughing violently. After finally calming down, he shook his head firmly, "Turn back? I'm not dead, I'm just not dead. Thank you Wu Sikong for your kindness in saving me."

He paused, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes. "However, if Wu Sikong protects a traitor like me, I'm afraid the Queen Mother won't let you go either. Sikong is my grandfather's disciple. Please, Sikong, take my head to the Queen Mother to repay her for saving my life."

Wu Tianyan looked at Xu Jingye, his heart filled with emotion.

This young man, inheriting his grandfather's loyalty and bravery, was also far too stubborn. He shook his head again, "Young General, you are guilty of treason. How can a mere Wu Tianyan protect you? And how could the Queen Mother spare your life for my sake? There are others who can protect you."

"The Empress knows I'm still alive?" Xu Jingye's eyes were filled with surprise. He had long heard of Wu Zetian's ruthlessness. How could she possibly let someone like her, who could be so cruel to even her own children, go free?

"Now that the Queen knows I'm still alive, who can save me?"

As soon as Xu Jingye finished speaking, an old and steady voice came from outside the door: "I don't know if this old man can save you."

Following the sound, a white-haired old man slowly walked into the room.

He was dressed in a gorgeous purple robe, a jade crown on his head, and a crystal clear jade pendant around his waist. His every move showed his elegance.

Xu Jingye looked at the person who walked in from outside the door, and was stunned for a moment. Then, surprise and excitement flashed in his eyes, "Grand Master, Grand Master Qi! Grand Master Qi, you are still here!"

He wanted to get out of bed excitedly, but because he was weak, he stumbled and almost fell to the ground.

Wu Tianyan hurriedly supported him, and Master Qi stepped forward quickly, holding him steadily with both hands.

Xu Jingye's eyes were red, and like a wronged child, he clutched onto Grand Tutor Qi's sleeve tightly, "Grand Tutor Qi, Grand Tutor! The evil queen has stolen the country! I...I'm sorry for my grandfather, for Emperor Taizong, and for all the ancestors of the Tang Dynasty!"

As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes again.

Grand Tutor Qi looked at the now disheveled young man in front of him, and his heart was filled with heartache.

He smiled, and the wrinkles on his face relaxed slightly. He gently touched Xu Jingye's head, as if he was caressing his own grandson. "It's okay, don't worry. Things in this world are not static."

Xu Jingye raised his head and looked at Grand Tutor Qi with tearful eyes, his eyes full of confusion and expectation. "Grand Tutor, is there still hope? But now that I've been defeated and the situation is hopeless, what can I do?"

Grand Tutor Qi helped Xu Jingye sit back on the bed and sat down on a chair beside the bed. He looked into the distance with deep eyes, as if recalling something. "Young General, do you know why the Queen Mother spared your life?"

Xu Jingye shook his head, his face full of confusion.

Grand Tutor Qi sighed softly, "Although the Queen's methods are ruthless, she also knows that behind you, Xu Jingye, is a force of Li Tang's old ministers, representing the hearts of those who are obsessed with the Li Tang dynasty."

"She kept you here because she wanted to make you, the old ministers of the Li Tang Dynasty, feel at ease?"

After hearing this, Xu Jingye was shocked, "Then... then I have become the Demon Queen's pawn, right?"

Master Qi shook his head, "No."

"Li Jingye, let me ask you, isn't it good that the world is peaceful now?"

Hearing what Mr. Qi said, Xu Jingye shook his head.

"Master Qi, I have been stripped of my surname Li. How can I be worthy of the name Li Jingye?"

"If I say you deserve it, you deserve it."

"Li Jingye, you raised an army to fight against the imperial court. Do you know how many people were displaced and how big a mistake you made?"