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

"Your Highness, you've come?" she asked softly, then added, "I...I must be dreaming, right?"

“Of course not!” Li Mao stepped forward and gently took Yang Yuhuan’s hand. “I’ve come to see you.”

Yang Yuhuan's smile held a hint of shyness, but she quickly regained her composure.

She pulled Li Mao to sit down at the table and handed him a cup of tea.

"Why did you suddenly want to come see me?" Yang Yuhuan said, then playfully joked, "I thought Your Highness had seen countless beauties and had long forgotten me. I heard that this time, the Crown Prince's concubine was personally chosen by Your Highness, and His Highness is very satisfied."

Li Mao smiled bitterly: "She's no longer the Crown Prince's concubine, but Father Emperor's new favorite."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuhuan opened her mouth in surprise.

But she quickly realized that she herself had almost become the emperor's "new favorite."

So he said helplessly, "Your Majesty is still the same as always."

She didn't want to mention Li Longji; it reminded her of her tragic fate. Now, she couldn't return to the palace, nor could she be Li Mao's nominal queen—all thanks to Li Longji.

Li Mao knew Yang Yuhuan's thoughts and deliberately changed the subject.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and slowly said, "There's something else I wanted to tell you. A few days ago, Consort Mei found her long-lost sister, and the two sisters are overjoyed to be reunited."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yuhuan's eyes sparkled with delight.

She was happy for Consort Mei: "That's wonderful! For so many years, Consort Mei must have been thinking of her family. Now that she has finally found her sister, it's truly a cause for celebration."

Li Mao nodded and smiled, "Indeed. But after this incident, I've discovered that the relationship between Consort Mei and Eunuch Gao is far from simple. Consort Mei has Eunuch Gao do everything for her; their relationship has completely transcended that of master and servant."

Yang Yuhuan was slightly taken aback, then fell into thought.

Thinking of the two people she had met in her youth, she slowly said, "Eunuch Gao and Consort Mei, these two are indeed a perfect match. Gao Lishi is exceptionally brave and skilled, while Consort Mei is both beautiful and talented. However... Consort Mei is, after all, the Emperor's woman, and Eunuch Gao is a eunuch. The two are destined to have a bad ending."

As things stand now, with one person serving as a concubine and the other holding an official position, this is already the best possible outcome.

Seeing a hint of sadness in Yang Yuhuan's eyes, Li Mao knew she was putting herself in her shoes, and immediately pulled her into his arms. "Don't be sad, Yuhuan. No matter how complicated things are outside, I will always be by your side. Father Emperor wants you? No way!"

Yang Yuhuan buried her face in Li Mao's arms: "Thank you, Your Highness. I am already very content to have your protection. I am much luckier than Consort Mei and Wusun Yaru."

The two embraced quietly for a while, and then Li Mao gently released Yang Yuhuan.

"I have to go now. I'll come again another day. Take care."

Yang Yuhuan nodded, her eyes filled with reluctance.

She thought for a moment and then advised, "Your Highness, you must also be careful. The affairs of the court are complex and ever-changing. When dealing with those shrewd people in the officialdom, you must not be careless."

Li Mao nodded, turned around and left Taizhen Temple.

Without delay, he went directly to Li Linfu's residence.

Li Linfu was clearly surprised to see Li Mao visit.

—Ever since Li Mao began associating with loyal and courageous generals like Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi, he rarely contacted the treacherous minister Li Linfu. However, the two maintained their relationship, and Li Linfu still respected Li Mao.

"Prime Minister Li, I've heard that you've been plotting against Wei Jian recently. Is that true?" Li Mao, guided by Li Linfu, entered the study and sat down. There was no need to beat around the bush when chatting with this old acquaintance, so he asked directly.

Li Linfu smiled slightly, but did not deny it. Instead, he said bluntly, "Your Highness Prince Shou's eyes and ears are indeed sharp. Indeed, I have long been dissatisfied with this Wei Jian. He has gained favor with the Crown Prince and is arrogant all day long. I have disliked him for a long time."

Of course, none of this is the most important thing.

Most importantly, Li Linfu had previously tried to enthrone Li Mao as crown prince and had said some things he shouldn't have in court. Now that Li Heng had become crown prince, Li Linfu couldn't sleep at night, tossing and turning, fearing that the crown prince might remember what he had done in the past and take action against him.

Therefore, he decided to strike first, starting with Wei Jian, and gradually remove the Crown Prince's allies. In the end, he would then extend an olive branch of cooperation, successfully turning hostility into friendship, and he would no longer need to fear the Crown Prince.

Li Mao secretly pondered Li Linfu's purpose, having already guessed it pretty accurately, but he did not show it.

Instead, he calmly said, "Here's what I'm telling you: don't continue targeting Wei Jian for now. I'll handle things with the Crown Prince. As long as I'm here, he won't do anything to you."

"Your Highness and the Crown Prince are rivals. Will he listen to Your Highness and not target me?" Li Linfu looked at Li Mao, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. "Your Highness, are you helping me?"

Li Mao smiled calmly and said, "Lin Fu, we've known each other for many years, do you really not trust me? Don't worry, I have my reasons. As long as you do as I say, it will only benefit you and not harm you."

Li Linfu frowned slightly, as if he was unwilling to agree.

After a moment's thought, he nodded and said, "Alright, since Your Highness Prince Shou has said so, I will hold back for now and wait for your news!"

He dared not offend Li Mao, and always obeyed Li Mao's orders.

Li Mao breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he had agreed.

He then stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and said, "That's good, farewell."

Li Mao secretly rejoiced as he left Li Linfu's residence.

He understood that if Li Linfu really took action against Wei Jian, the situation he had painstakingly stabilized might spiral out of control again. But now, at least this potential threat had been temporarily suppressed.

It's not too late for Li Linfu to deal with Wei Jian after he finds a suitable candidate for the crown prince later!

Li Mao did not return to the Prince of Shou's residence, but went directly to the horse farm.

He wanted to go out and relax with Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi.

At that time, the horse farm.

Guo Ziyi and Li Guangbi were sitting on the sidelines, watching the horses gallop and chatting happily.

"Your Highness, you've been quite busy lately, what brings you here?" Guo Ziyi greeted Li Mao with a smile and amusement.

"I happen to have some time, and I'd like to go to Mount Li with you all and soak in the hot springs." Li Mao had previously acquired a manor near Mount Li and diverted hot spring water from the mountain, using the same water source as the smooth, creamy hot springs.

I've never had the chance to enjoy something this good.