The hands of time ticked again, and three years had passed.
Li Shimin and his wife, Queen Zhangsun, along with their children and court officials, waited eagerly at the Chang'an city gate for the return of their fourth son, Li Tai.
Li Tai had been away for three whole years. With the inconvenience of correspondence during this period, they had almost lost touch with him. Fortunately, he was safe and sound on his way back from across the ocean.
Even Li Zhen, who had gone even further west to what would be known as Europe in later generations, had already returned, but Li Tai was still on the road.
A group of people was approaching from afar.
At the head of the group, Li Tai no longer looked like the chubby boy he used to be. He had become dark, thin, and determined, which showed that he had endured a great deal of hardship on his journey.
Li Jingyun's focus was rather unique. She thought that with this new look, there would be countless noble ladies pining for her fourth brother. He was much more handsome than before.
He had very good - looking features, inheriting the best of Li Shimin and Queen Zhangsun's looks, but his obesity had ruined his appearance before. Now, he looked much better.
Those who knew him would recognize him as the fourth prince of the emperor. Those who didn't might even think he was a general.
Was this still her fourth brother? After this trip, he had truly undergone a complete transformation.
"Your child pays respects to Father and Mother," Li Tai said.
"Quickly get up, quickly get up," Queen Zhangsun was so eager to see her son that she directly pulled Li Tai up, her eyes full of heartache. "Qingque, you must have suffered so much on this journey."
"Mother, it was all worth it. If I hadn't gone out to see the world, I wouldn't have known how vast it is," Li Tai replied.
Everyone returned to the Taihe Hall. After being greeted by the court officials, it was finally time for the royal family banquet.
Li Tai said seriously, "The land across the ocean is a territory without a master. There are some ethnic groups living there, but they are all uncivilized. Father and Mother, I have a bold idea."
"Speak," Li Shimin hesitated for a moment but still allowed him to speak.
The atmosphere suddenly became solemn.
Everyone had more or less guessed what Li Tai's idea might be.
Wasn't the reason for sending the princes out just for such a purpose?
Did they really think it was just a free - trip for them?
"I want to lead a group of common people to migrate to the other side. The land there is vast and sparsely populated. As long as people are diligent in farming, they can have enough to eat. And then we can spread the etiquette and teachings of our Tang Dynasty there."
He rambled on for a long time. It seemed like every word was important, but actually, the most crucial part was left unsaid.
Even without saying it, everyone knew what he meant.
Especially Li Shimin, who tacitly approved of it.
When it came to this topic, the children like Li Zhen, Li Zhi, and Li Shen became interested and started chatting noisily.
Li Yin also chimed in, "Father, I also want to go out and see. Sister Five wants to see where koalas are born."
"Good, very good," Li Shimin said.
Looking at his children, each of them was about to leave the Tang Dynasty and travel around the world.
For a moment, Li Shimin felt a complex mix of emotions in his heart. It was a good thing, although he was reluctant to part with them.
Less than half a month after the banquet, those who were supposed to leave had all set off. The imperial city suddenly seemed empty. Li Shimin and his wife were getting older, and they found it increasingly difficult to handle the court affairs.
Some memorials were naturally pushed to the prime minister and Li Chengqian. After all, Li Chengqian was the crown prince and couldn't leave Chang'an to travel across the ocean. Some were also handled by Li Jingyun, who had been involved in the court affairs early on and knew the officials very well.
Of course, she also had her own people in the court. Those who came from the mansion of Princess Chengyang occupied important positions in the court.
Xu Jingzong wanted to curry favor with Li Jingyun and submitted a memorial requesting to confer the title of Princess Protecting the State on her to show honor. Coincidentally, Li Jingyun saw this memorial and directly rejected it.
Princess Protecting the State? She couldn't even escape these complicated and trivial state affairs without the title. If she had it, it would be even worse. How could she live her life?
Time slipped through their fingers like running water, never to return.
When Li Jingyun was twenty - seven years old, Li Shimin had already abdicated for two years. He said he wanted to travel around with Queen Zhangsun and had passed the throne to Li Chengqian. Among the children, only Li You was still in the imperial city, and it was Li You who accompanied them on their trip.
Sometimes, fate was really magical. Li You, who had originally wanted to draw a clear line from the Li Tang royal family, was now by Li Shimin and his wife's side.
Li Jingyun still hadn't gotten married and enjoyed her carefree life.
The Tang Dynasty was extremely glorious, far beyond what could be described by "countries coming to pay tribute." Walking in Chang'an, one could see foreigners with blond hair and blue eyes, and some of them might even hold positions in the court.
Countless Western merchants were eager to come to Chang'an, a city they thought was full of gold, to live, do business, and take back the delicate trinkets from Chang'an.
Once, she accidentally saw a map on the street and stared at it for a long time.
Tubo, Turks, Uyghurs, Khitans, Goryeo, etc., had all disappeared and become protectorates of the Tang Dynasty, governed by officials sent by the court. In their place was a huge and brilliant Tang Dynasty.
Li Jingyun remembered clearly every time a foreign ethnic group was destroyed.
She still vividly remembered the initial arrogance of the Tubo and Turkic envoys. Now, those people, along with their countries, had become just a few lines in the history books. Maybe future scholars would be able to see their names.
The once - desolate places now had the Tang Dynasty's princes living there, and hundreds of thousands of households had migrated there.
"Madam, look at this map. It's so exquisitely drawn that it marks out all the territories of our Tang Dynasty. Would madam like to buy one to hang up? It's only ten copper coins!" The small merchant enthusiastically tried to attract her.
Judging from Li Jingyun's dressing and demeanor, he knew she must be from a wealthy family.
Li Jingyun was quite tempted by what he said. It was only ten copper coins.
Chenxin came from the Ice Tower. "I pay respects to Princess Chengyang. Everyone is calling for you. They said they want to gather in the Taihe Hall."
"What's this about again?" Li Jingyun had no choice but to put down the map and go back to the imperial city with Chenxin.
As soon as she entered, she found that Su Gui, Duan Jia, Wu Meiniang, Di Renjie, Hao Chujun, etc., were all there, as well as a few old officials from the Zhenguan era.
In other words, they were all prime ministers.
On the main seat, where Li Shimin used to sit, Li Chengqian and his wife, Su Rui, were sitting.
Li Lechen was dressed in a gorgeous palace dress. Princess Yanyi, who was already twenty - one years old, had grown into a graceful and generous young lady.
"Hongxuan, you're finally here," Su Gui said with a smile.
"What on earth is it? You have to wait for me to come before you say it?" Li Jingyun looked at Li Chengqian with a smiling face, as if she were still the little princess who used to act coquettishly and call him brother and eat the pork knuckle with relish in the Taihe Hall.
"I plan to confer Lechen as the crown princess," Li Chengqian said.
He originally wanted to make Li Xiang, Lechen's younger brother, the crown prince, but that guy was mediocre in talent and not as outstanding as Lechen, who was brought up by Li Jingyun. After careful consideration, Li Chengqian finally chose her.
"Your child thanks Father," Lechen bowed.
In the second year of Shengping, Li Chengqian abdicated, and Lechen ascended the throne. Princess Taichang of Qin, Li Jingyun, assisted in government affairs.
This was the first dynasty ruled by a female emperor, and it also pushed the Tang Empire to a new height.