Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

Li Mao gestured for her to sit down opposite him and asked, "Why is Consort Li being so considerate tonight? I rarely see you take the initiative to ask me for drinks. You used to be a teetotaler, but now you can have a couple of drinks."

Although this woman had no feelings for Li Mao, she stood by him during his difficult times and always helped him when he needed it.

Li Mao was a man of great loyalty and affection, and he always respected Lady Wang.

This time, upon returning to Chang'an, she was able to stay at the mansion for a long time. Occasionally, Li Mao would not refuse any of her requests and would generally respond to them whenever possible.

Madam Wang smiled gently, poured two cups of wine, and handed one to Li Mao: "I was delighted to hear today that Sister Wei has been granted a title. After all, the Prince's Mansion has another joyous occasion, how could I not come to offer my congratulations?"

While it was said to be a celebration of Wei Qiongying's investiture, Li Mao knew that Wang's true intentions were not what they seemed.

If she truly cared about Wei Qiongying, she should have invited Wei Qiongying to come and drink with her, instead of coming to Li Mao to "drink alone."

However, even though he saw through Wang's intentions, Li Mao did not feel disgusted. Just think, if a woman dressed in a flamboyant manner tries her best to please you, only a fool would have the heart to refuse!

Li Mao took the wine glass, lightly clinked it with hers, and they each drank it down.

The atmosphere seemed to lighten considerably, and Madam Wang smiled and said, "Actually, I know that as your concubine, my responsibility is not only to serve you well, but also to manage the affairs of the manor. You can rest assured that from now on, I will work with Sister Wei to ensure that there are no mistakes in the daily affairs of the manor."

Li Mao nodded, his eyes full of appreciation: "It's rare to find someone so sensible. I feel very gratified."

Wang smiled slightly, continued pouring wine, and took the opportunity to express her wish: "However, I have another request for Your Highness... I have served Your Highness for many years, but I have no son and have not been able to produce offspring for the Prince of Shou's family. I feel very guilty. I am incompetent, but as long as I have the opportunity to give you a son or daughter, I will die without regret."

Lady Wang was secretly pleased to see that Li Mao did not immediately refuse.

She looked at Li Mao with tender eyes: "Your Highness, over the years, I have always been by your side, silently supporting you. Although we have never had children, my feelings for you have never changed. Now that the Prince's manor is filled with joy, I would like to add to the festive atmosphere. What do you think, Your Highness?"

She used almost every trick in the book to persuade Li Mao to accept her invitation to have a child.

As everyone knows...

At this moment, Li Mao was extremely pleased.

A beautiful woman begged him to have her child!

Upon hearing this, Li Mao smiled slightly, reached out and gently grasped Wang's jade-like hand, his eyes filled with tenderness: "Of course I understand the concubine's feelings. Since you like it, then so be it."

Wang was overjoyed. She stood up, picked up a cup of wine, and brought it to her lips: "Your Highness, please drink another cup. May our relationship deepen, and may we soon have children to add to the royal family."

Li Mao took the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, then gently embraced Wang Shi.

That night, the two shared a tender and intimate moment, their feelings for each other reaching a new level. It wasn't until the first rays of morning sunlight streamed into the room that Li Mao reluctantly rose, tidied his clothes, and left.

"Our concubine has regained favor just like that?"

The servants who served the concubine were very excited and discussed it among themselves.

"That's right! When I was sweeping this morning, I saw the prince come out of the concubine's room with my own eyes. The two of them definitely didn't stay apart all night."

"Yes, yes, I see the concubine's complexion is rosy, and her skin is even smoother. It's true that being favored by the prince makes a difference. Women, when they have their husbands' favor, all look radiant!"

Everyone says that since Consort Wang regained favor, she's become much more energetic. It seems that a harmonious marriage is indeed essential for maintaining youth...

Hearing these words, Wang felt even more encouraged.

She quickly found a doctor to prescribe her a high-quality fertility-enhancing medicine.

As long as she can give birth to a child before Lady Wei, her position in the Prince Shou's mansion will be completely secure and unshakeable.

On the other side, at the entrance of Prince Shou's mansion.

There was no need to attend court today, but Li Mao still left the palace early.

The carriage moved slowly, and when it passed a place called Quanying Lane, Li Mao's carriage stopped.

A moment later, Guo Ziyi, dressed in casual clothes and looking as dashing as a young man, came out to greet Li Mao with a smile and bowed: "Your Highness has come all the way to pick me up. I am truly grateful!"

Upon his triumphant return, he received a luxurious mansion bestowed by the emperor, but it was not yet fully furnished and uninhabitable. Therefore, Guo Ziyi temporarily stayed at the home of a relative in Quanying Lane, Chang'an City.

"No need to be so polite." Li Mao smiled and helped him into the carriage, saying, "You're about to take up your post. It's not easy for you to stay in the capital for a few days, so it's only right that I take good care of you."

Guo Ziyi smiled. Li Mao could say that, but it would be inappropriate for him to agree.

Guo Ziyi boarded the carriage, which headed east towards Chang'an.

On the way, Guo Ziyi suddenly spoke up: "I heard yesterday that Lady Wei has been made a concubine. Congratulations again, Your Highness."

Even if Li Mao wanted to get married, he would need Li Longji's permission first.

Li Longji's easy agreement to Li Mao's marriage to the daughter of General Wei Zhaoxun suggests that his apprehension towards Li Mao has lessened somewhat. Otherwise, Li Longji would not have allowed a high-ranking official like a General Wei, who commands the imperial guards, to form a marriage alliance with a prince of such high status.

Being an emperor requires maintaining a balance of power, ensuring that the two opposing forces are evenly matched and mutually restraining, thus giving the monarch room to coordinate and control. If the two forces are on good terms, with one inside the palace and the other outside, working together from within and without, wouldn't that undermine the stability of imperial power?

“My father has just demoted one of his sons to a commoner, so naturally he can’t afford to alienate everyone. I went to ask for a title when he was in a good mood, and he readily agreed,” Li Mao said.

However, Li Mao knew perfectly well that Li Longji was not the kind of person who could maintain trust in someone indefinitely. The trust between father and son was like a weight hanging on a rope, already teetering on the brink of collapse, and the little boat of their father-son relationship could capsize at any moment.

However, it was better not to say too much to Guo Ziyi. Li Mao simply brought up the topic of his own household: "Wei is a reasonable person. I believe she will manage the affairs of the Prince's Mansion well with Wang. In that case, I can rest assured to send you to Lingzhou to take up the post of Shuofang Jiedushi."

"Huh? This—"

Guo Ziyi quickly bowed again and said, "Your Highness is of noble birth, how could you endure the hardships of travel just to escort me to Lingzhou?"