After traveling through time, I was raised by a little brat

At that moment, the imperial study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The air seemed frozen, with only the emperor's heavy, slow breathing echoing through the room like bursts of muffled thunder. The emperor, with a weary expression, leaned back, slightly wearily, on the exquisitely carved dragon throne, a symbol of supreme power. His eyes were tightly closed, his brow furrowed, as if lost in deep thought, perhaps weighing matters of state or contemplating the delicate balance of power and intrigue within the palace.

After a long moment, the emperor slowly opened his deep, piercing eyes. His gaze, like two bolts of lightning, fixed directly on the Duke of Tang, who stood respectfully below, his hands hanging low. The emperor's lips moved slightly, and in a soft but undeniable voice, he spoke slowly, "Duke Tang, the favor I promised you has now been fulfilled. I have decided to let Rui'er inherit the title and estate of the Duke of Tang. This will surely ensure a century of prosperity and unparalleled honor for your Tang family." The emperor remained fixed on the Duke of Tang, his gaze etched with an inexpressible depth, as if silently expecting a satisfying response.

Upon hearing this, Duke Tang couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. However, he knew that he had to be cautious in his words and actions in the palace, so the joy was only fleeting, and his face still maintained the awe-inspiring calmness and solemnity he usually had. He bent down slightly, and with elegant and polite movements, he bowed deeply to the emperor. Then he stood up and said in a clear and powerful voice: "Your Majesty is wise! I am truly grateful for your wise decision and have no way to repay you! Since this is the arrangement, I will no longer participate in the welcoming banquet hosted by my son Lian'er for his return. I will immediately pack my bags and prepare to set off for the designated place. I will do my best to complete the important task entrusted to me by Your Majesty and will never let you down!"

You have to remember that this Duke of Tang was already in his sixties, around sixty years old. Yet, despite this, his physical condition was remarkably good. Not only was he sturdy and robust, but his spirits were also excellent, his complexion radiant and energetic. Especially at this moment, when he spoke, his resounding voice, like the sound of a large bell, was deafening and full of power, making it difficult to detect the slightest mark left by time on his body.

The emperor nodded slightly in approval, then said, "Since that's the case, then draft the edict." However, as he finished speaking, a subtle hint of helplessness crossed his face. His health had deteriorated considerably, and even the simple act of writing was difficult for him. Previously, matters requiring his personal review of memorials had long been delegated to the Crown Prince. However, today, the Crown Prince happened to be away at the Duke of Tang's residence to announce the edict, so the task of drafting the edict had to be delegated to the eunuch in charge of the seal.

According to heaven’s destiny, the emperor issued an edict:

I have heard that the Kingdom of Li boasts vast territory, abundant resources, and a flourishing culture, and has long enjoyed friendly relations with my country. To strengthen exchanges and cooperation between our two countries, I am sending Tang Qianluo, Duke of Tang, as an envoy to the Kingdom of Li...

An atmosphere of tranquility and peace permeated the Duke Tang's mansion. Time passed quickly, as everyone in the mansion busily prepared Tang Wenshu's generous dowry. At the same time, they also had to work closely with the Ministry of Rites to meticulously review every detail of the wedding process. After all, the bride was Tang Wenshu, marrying the current crown prince, becoming the incomparably noble Crown Princess. Naturally, her wedding was vastly different from that of an ordinary marriage.

Finally, the auspicious day arrived for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to marry Tang Wenshu. The Imperial City was bustling with activity, its streets and alleys festooned with lights and streamers, a scene of joy and celebration. The red-clad procession, stretching ten miles, resembled a magnificent dragon of fire, sweeping through the streets and alleys, practically covering the entire city. The valiant Crown Prince, atop his majestic crimson horse, paraded through the city with a smile on his face, drawing countless onlookers to cheer and applaud. This scene symbolized the couple's blissful and harmonious married life.

However, just as the festive atmosphere reached its climax, the sound of rapid horse hooves suddenly rang out. A dusty soldier, riding a swift horse, approached at lightning speed, shouting, "Report! Urgent news from eight hundred miles away!" Tang Qi, who was escorting Tang Wenshu to her wedding, saw this and quickly directed his troops to move out of the way, making way for the galloping soldier.

As the hurried, dusty soldier approached, Tang Qi, his gaze firm and unwavering, strode forward with long, swift steps, personally bringing him a swift, majestic horse with sleek fur and sturdy hooves. Then, with a look of concern on his face, Tang Qi softly inquired, "What has happened that has you in such a hurry?" However, the soldier, as if burdened with a heavy responsibility, simply shook his head. Without even a word, he quickly leaped onto his new steed, whipped, and galloped off toward the palace.

At this moment, shocking news swept through the Imperial City like a raging storm—Duke Tang, on his diplomatic mission to the Kingdom of Li, had been subjected to utterly unfair treatment. Not only had he been brutally beheaded, his head hung high above the city gate as a demonstration! This incident was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves throughout the Imperial City.

Upon learning of this, the officials in the Hall of Supreme Harmony all wore solemn expressions, whispering among themselves, a cacophony of noise rising and falling. They understood the gravity of the situation, but remained undecided about which general to dispatch to lead the expedition. After all, there were only a handful of candidates capable of commanding a large army. Besides the renowned General Zhenxi, it seemed there was no one else capable of taking on this important task.

Faced with such a difficult situation, it was the Crown Prince who ultimately stepped forward, offering to lead the army in person. Remarkably, the newlywed Crown Prince had only completed the ceremony and yet to enter the bridal chamber. Yet, he resolutely abandoned the beautiful wife he had waited for for six full years and embarked on this journey filled with danger and uncertainty, leading his mighty army to the front lines, vowing to seek justice for the Kingdom of Li and defend the nation's dignity and honor.