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

With his face swollen like a pig's head, Gao Chen stumbled and staggered all the way back to Xingqing Palace.

He rushed into the imperial study without regard for anything else.

As soon as Gao Chen stepped into the Imperial Study, he collapsed heavily to the ground with a thud.

Then she began to sob softly.

Tears and snot streamed down her face, her voice filled with grievance and indignation.

"I beg Your Majesty to grant this humble servant justice."

"This servant is going to convey His Majesty's decree to Prince Shou with utmost respect."

"Who would have thought that Prince Shou would be so unreasonable, arrogant and domineering to the extreme!"

"I had just finished reading the imperial edict when he rushed over without saying a word and slapped me hard across the face. This wasn't just a slap to my face; it was clearly disrespect to His Majesty!"

He gestured with his hands, as if recreating the scene, allowing people to more intuitively feel the tyranny of Prince Shou.

"If that were all, I would have swallowed my anger, but that Prince Shou actually dared to spout such nonsense, claiming that he would imprison Princess Shou in a Taoist temple for the crime of being childless, one of the seven grounds for divorce, and make her chant scriptures day and night to atone for her sins!"

Gao Chen cried and wiped away his tears, which flowed down like a flood.

Li Longji sat upright on the dragon throne, his eyes focused and deep, quietly turning the pages of the book in his hands, completely unaffected by Gao Chen's wailing.

Seeing that Li Longji had no reaction, Gao Chen continued to add fuel to the fire by badmouthing Li Mao: "Your Majesty, Prince Shou is arrogant and disobeys imperial orders, openly defying the emperor's command."

"Such behavior is utterly audacious and unforgivable!"

Upon hearing this, Li Longji slowly raised his head and glanced at Gao Chen indifferently.

That one glance, seemingly ordinary, sent a shiver down Gao Chen's spine.

He quickly lowered his head, not daring to make a sound, for fear of angering the emperor again.

Li Longji remained silent for a moment, then casually tossed a gold medal to Gao Chen and said in a flat tone.

"Bring Prince Shou here."

Gao Chen accepted the gold medal with great delight, a smug smile spreading across his face.

With this gold medal, he'll see how arrogant the Prince of Shou can be this time!

Just then, a report came from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, Prince Shou requests an audience."

Li Longji remained expressionless and coldly uttered a single word: "Announce".

After receiving Li Longji's instructions, Li Mao walked into the imperial study somewhat nervously.

Even though he was furious at his father's shameless behavior, he was now just a prince who was falling out of favor, so he could only suppress his anger for the time being and cautiously kneel down.

"My son, I will meet my father."

Li Longji seemed oblivious, continuing to intently peruse the book in his hands, ignoring Li Mao kneeling on the ground.

A deathly silence filled the imperial study. This silence, as if it were a tangible thing, weighed heavily on Li Mao's heart, making it difficult for him to breathe. Tension and a sense of oppression washed over him like a tidal wave.

He remained kneeling on the ground, too afraid to get up.

Meanwhile, the old eunuch chuckled sinisterly, secretly pleased with himself.

"Hmph, Prince Shou, if you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place? Let's see how arrogant you are this time."

Time passed second by second, and fine beads of sweat began to appear on Li Mao's forehead. His legs also became numb from kneeling for a long time, but he dared not complain in the slightest and could only silently endure this torment.

It wasn't until a moment later that Li Longji put down the book and glanced over.

With a gentle wave of his hand, the attendants on either side quickly withdrew.

Seeing this, Gao Chen also bowed to Li Longji and retreated triumphantly past Li Mao.

After dismissing his attendants, Li Longji slowly began to speak.

"Tell me, why did you defy the imperial decree?"

The voice was plain and unremarkable, yet it carried an undeniable air of authority.

Li Mao took a deep breath, suppressing his nervousness, and slowly said, "Father, I am not disobeying your decree, but this matter concerns your reputation."

"Yang Yuhuan is, after all, my wife and my father's daughter-in-law. If my father were to order me to divorce her and bring her into the palace, I fear it would be criticized by the people and would damage my father's wisdom."

"Furthermore, Yang Yuhuan was unable to bear children and could not continue the emperor's family line, which was a great taboo for the royal family."

Upon hearing Li Mao's words, Li Longji frowned slightly and asked in return, "Is it that you are unwilling?"

A hint of suspicion flickered in his eyes, as if he were scrutinizing Li Mao's true thoughts.

Li Mao's heart trembled, and he quickly kowtowed, speaking earnestly.

“Father, all land under heaven belongs to the king, and all people within the borders are his subjects.”

"Your life was given to me by Father. I would give my life for a woman, let alone a woman."

"Your subject has no intention of being unwilling, but is worried that this matter will be detrimental to Your Majesty."

Li Longji remained silent for a moment, then spoke again: "Then, in your opinion, what should be done?"

Li Mao raised his head slightly and responded cautiously.

"Now your son has chosen a Taoist temple and ordered Yang Yuhuan to recite scriptures to atone for her sins."

"Within just one year, Father Emperor can secretly alter Yang Yuhuan's name and household registration, thus silencing the public outcry."

Then, in an attempt to calm Li Longji down, Li Mao changed the subject and choked up as he spoke.

"Since my mother passed away, my father has been ill with grief and has to work day and night on state affairs. I feel heartbroken every time I think about it."

"Your subject is well aware of the hardships and difficulties Your Majesty has endured, and only wishes to share some of Your Majesty's worries."

"In this matter, I was only thinking of Father Emperor's best interests, fearing that this matter would damage the dignity of the royal family and that Father Emperor would be condemned by the people of the world."

"Please let me see clearly, Father!"

Li Longji glanced sideways at Li Mao, thinking to himself, "Is the Eighteenth Prince just putting on an act?"

"Would he really be thinking of me?"

But on the surface, he remained calm and silent.

Seeing that Li Longji did not respond, Li Mao felt a little uneasy and could only bite the bullet and continue speaking.

“Father, your loyalty to me is as clear as day.”

"Your Majesty, I am willing to do anything for you. I only ask that you take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

Li Longji's mind was still filled with doubts, and his thoughts were like a tangled mess, difficult to unravel.

But upon further reflection, what Shibalang said did make some sense.

If this matter were to spread, it would surely be met with opposition from both civil and military officials.

At that time, how will people in the world view him, the emperor who is respectfully called "Sage"?

As the ruler of a country, one's reputation is more important than one's life, and greater than the heavens!

Even a small decision can spark countless discussions and evaluations, let alone such a major issue involving ethics and morality.

Thinking of this, Li Longji nodded slightly and said, "Very well, I will wait another year."

Upon hearing this, Li Mao immediately kowtowed and earnestly said, "Your subject will do everything in his power to share the Emperor's burdens and solve his problems, even if it means going through fire and water."

He said that, but deep down he had a different thought.

Should we wait another year?

Wait!

Within a year, I will make you, you shameless old man, step down!