Chapter One, the fourth year of the Martial Virtue, the fifteenth day of the winter month

After Li Yuan captured Chang'an City, his predecessor was ordered to clear the streets within the city. He encountered Li Yuan, who was in a dispute with three strong men over a flatbread.

The maid would rather face execution herself than allow her family to be manipulated by the female officials and subordinate officers of the residence

Li Yuanji nodded in satisfaction and said, "You can freely call upon the personnel from the residence whom you find trustworthy."

Uncle Xie Shufang can also be considered a descendant of a prestigious family, with ancestors who were renowned generals and great poets. During the period before the Sui Dynasty, the family fell into decline, and he lived in Chang'an with his father and two elder brothers, struggling to make a living.

The winter in the Northwest is bitterly cold, yet the main hall of the Wude Hall in the Taiji Palace is as warm as summer

They are quite ruthless towards the maids and eunuchs in the residence, relying on His Highness's indulgence

The fourteen-year-old maid, while obediently responding to Li Yuanji's commands, cautiously reminded him, "Your Highness... you have acted inappropriately."

Uncle Xie Fang instantly understood that the people in the residence must have crossed His Highness's bottom line, which is why they have come to His Highness's attention.

A twenty-one-year-old young man, handsome in appearance, dressed in leather armor and carrying a broadsword at his waist, hurriedly entered the hall and knelt on one knee before Li Ji

Among them is the renowned Princess Yang, known as the Nesting Thorn Queen.

That is truly a case of devouring people without leaving any bones behind

According to the arguments put forth by historians, historical researchers, and history enthusiasts of later generations, the princes of the Tang Dynasty were undoubtedly the most comfortable and carefree group of princes throughout all dynasties.

His ferocity displayed during the struggle with the Han was greatly appreciated by his predecessors

Li Yuanji put away his smile and questioned

He can now be considered a prominent figure, sharing some common interests with other notable individuals, isn't that excessive? Isn't that excessive? Isn't that excessive?

In history, at the time of the Xuanwu Gate Incident, he was the only one in the Qi Wangfu who led troops to support the predecessor

Uncle Xie does not exhibit the slightest bit of sharpness; instead, he appears as steady as a middle-aged man

Thus, during this period of confinement, he sought countless reasons to comfort himself in order to alleviate the guilt he felt within.

The brutality of His Highness is well-known in the Tang Dynasty. Anyone who dares to go against his wishes will find themselves at his mercy. Just ten days ago, Madam Chen, who raised him, was nearly killed by him

Therefore, one can refer to oneself as a subject in front of Li Yuanji

Li Yuanji asked with a smile, "Is there a problem?"

Li Yuanji pulled up his collar and waved his hand to the maid, saying, "Alright, I understand. You may go and deliver the message now."

Li Yuanji is a person who is content with his circumstances; when Li Yuan forbade him from going out, he was also pleased to enjoy the peace and quiet.

Driven by self-interest, they are even more ruthless than their predecessors, who not only do not intervene but are rather willing to bear the infamy on their behalf

However, it was not the soldiers of the Li Tang dynasty who killed his father and brothers, but rather the rebel soldiers of the former Sui dynasty within the city of Chang'an, who killed his father and brothers while plundering his family's wealth

Although the previous incarnation was struck down by the heavens, Chen Shanyi escaped a calamity; however, the actions of the previous incarnation that violated human ethics angered Li Yuan

His predecessor had already taken him into the residence as a servant

The maid was startled and hurriedly prostrated herself on the ground, mustering her courage to speak in a voice smaller than that of a mosquito, saying: "Your Highness... Your Highness has acted inappropriately, and the Court of Etiquette will hold me accountable."

Li Yuanji glared at the young maid, "Am I not allowed to be a little more at ease in my own residence?!"

The maidservants did not wish to provoke him, but the female officials in the residence were even more brutal

Li Yuanji pondered for a moment and called out to the outside of the hall, "Uncle Xie Fang?!"

The maidservant saw Li Yuanji adjusting his collar, and before he could blame her, she felt as if she had been granted a great pardon. She hurriedly responded with an acknowledgment and retreated from the main hall.

If the maidservants or eunuchs make even a slight mistake, they will seize upon it relentlessly, extracting every last drop without ever letting go

When Li Yuan attacked and seized Chang'an City, his father and brothers all met a tragic end in the great battle

Sweat has already seeped through the chestnut-red long hair of the curly-haired individual, and small beads of sweat have gathered on the hooked nose.

As long as one does not act, one will essentially not die

The blazing earth fire dragon sent waves of heat to every corner of the main hall of the Martial Virtue Palace

The struggle for imperial power is brutal

Under their efforts, the people within the Qi Wang Mansion, as well as those outside, feared their former selves, much like one fears snakes and scorpions

The death of the predecessor was swift and painless, yet the troubles were left to Li Yuanji

Uncle Xie Fang was taken aback, looking at Li Yuanji with a puzzled expression

Although he later served as an official under Li Shimin, he can be said to have shown utmost benevolence and righteousness towards his predecessor

His Highness only instructed him to investigate and did not order him to arrest anyone directly, which indicates that His Highness does not have the intention to implicate the innocent

Yes, that's right

Li Yuanji did not mind seizing this opportunity to escape the cage of vying for imperial power and become a carefree and leisurely prince

Uncle Xie's abilities are clearer to Li Yuanji than to his predecessor

Apart from being inferior to the emperor in terms of power, they are not much different from the emperor in other respects

He observed the reaction of the maidservant in its entirety, and he also had some understanding of the situation in the Qi Wangfu through the memories of his previous self

Uncle Xie clearly could not gauge his intentions and was unaware of what he intended to do, which is why he made excuses to decline.

He always feels as if he is stealing from others

Historically, Xie Shufang lived until the ascension of Li Zhi, holding the position of Governor of Hongguang and Duzhou, ranked as a third-grade official. His literary and political achievements were quite remarkable, and the people praised him as 'like a strict father in governance'

Uncle Xie hesitated and said: "I am not skilled in investigation, and moreover, I cannot gather information about so many people on my own."

This act angered the heavens, and the heavens sent down a bolt of lightning, striking the perpetrator dead on the spot

What happened just now, you also heard at the palace gate. You said how excessive those people in the residence must be to force a maid to prefer to offend me and be killed by me rather than make a mistake and fall into their hands in the future

Li Yuanji was thus placed under house arrest by Li Yuan in the Wude Hall, on the charge of mistreating the palace maids

For instance, many prominent figures in history have been infatuated with the wives of others. Cao Cao was one such individual, as was Li Yuan. There is no need to elaborate on Li Shimin, while Li Zhi was even more excessive. Zhao Kuangyin acted furtively, and Zhao Guangyi was shameless. Furthermore, Hong Taiji and Dorgon quarreled fiercely over the competition for Dayuer.

It would be one thing for the predecessor to be brutal themselves, but they also indulged their subordinates and confidants, allowing them to join in their wrongdoing, committing murder and arson.

Li Yuanji smiled and said: "Are you afraid of offending others, or are you worried that I will indiscriminately kill the innocent?"

Li Yuanji was dressed in a plain-colored garment, yet still felt hot

He is now a member of the royal family, and he is also a royal figure who will be remembered in history

The pleasures that the emperor can enjoy, they can partake in; the pleasures that the emperor cannot enjoy, they can also partake in

Living with the concubines of one's former identity while bearing the weight of that identity brings a certain psychological pressure

After the previous incarnation's death, it seemed that the heavens finally realized that the previous incarnation had a unique historical mission yet to be fulfilled, and thus brought him to the Tang Dynasty over a thousand years ago, replacing the previous incarnation

Xie Shufang was only known for his talent in martial arts, considered a potential military general, but Li Yuanji knew that Xie Shufang was a versatile talent, proficient in both literature and martial arts

Li Yuanji has already begun to envision a future of happiness characterized by 'being a farmer, having a mountain spring, and possessing some wealth,' as well as 'having multiple wives and concubines, and many descendants'

Uncle Xie Shufang has served in the military for four years, and has earned considerable merit alongside his predecessors. He is now appointed as a high-ranking official in the royal court of King Qi, holding the position of a first-class eighth rank.

Moreover, the imperial palace of the Tang Dynasty is notorious for its filth; it is not his fault that he has become dirty, as one who is close to ink becomes black.

After exiting the palace gates, the maidservant suddenly realized that Her Highness seemed to be... different, as if she had become more benevolent

Li Yuanji frowned after the maidservant left

Li Yuanji slightly loosened his collar and instructed in the presence of the terrified gaze of the maid beside him

A decade ago, a quarrel broke out between his former self and his adoptive mother, Chen Shanyi. In a fit of rage, he ordered his fierce warriors to dismember Chen Shanyi.

Upon learning that his predecessor was killed by Li Shimin, he collaborated with the Xue brothers to execute two of Li Shimin's generals, avenging his predecessor.

Li Yuan, accompanied by the Chief Imperial Physician, examined his injuries and confirmed that after being struck by lightning, he was not in any danger of death and did not have any serious internal injuries. He decisively issued a house arrest order, which had no specified duration

Even the maidservants beside me must fear them, so should I also fear them in the future

Li Yuanji believed that he was probably the only loyal and brave man within the Qi Wang's residence, which led to a certain goodwill towards him. "I have heard that the female officials and subordinate officials in the residence have acquired quite a bit of property outside the palace. Go and help me investigate how this property came about."

As long as Li Yuanji does not provoke Li Shimin, does not covet power, and lives as a carefree king, he can still enjoy a relaxed life

Although his predecessor left him with some troubles, he also inherited vast wealth, extensive fiefs, and a harem of over one hundred individuals

Uncle Xie Shufang enlisted at the age of seventeen and has already had four years of military experience

After pausing for a moment, Li Yuanji pondered and said: "If someone is in a difficult situation... then just arrest them"

After the maid finished speaking, she gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and awaited her lord's judgment

Go and inform the lady of the residence to throw less firewood and books into the pit, and then send someone to the sleeping quarters... Hmm, let's put that aside for now

Li Yuanji wanted to loosen his collar to relieve the heat, but his status seemed to prevent him from doing so

Although Chen Shanyi raised a previous incarnation, she ultimately remained merely a servant of the Li family, holding no official status within the palace

At once, Uncle Xie Fang clasped his fists and said: "I accept the order! I need some personnel to assist me."

He does not have to bear the identity of his predecessor to collude with his opportunistic elder brother Li Jiancheng, who has the heart of a thief but lacks the courage, nor does he need to engage in a battle of wits and courage with his seemingly cheerful yet secretly treacherous second brother Li Shimin.

Li Yuan would never allow his legitimate son to bear the disgrace of filial impiety for the sake of a mere servant

What is even more terrifying is that after draining the resources from the maidservants and eunuchs, they would collude with the officials of the household, using the lives of the maidservants and eunuchs to threaten their families, continuing to extract more resources

He could not directly tell Uncle Xie that he wanted to purge the treacherous individuals in the residence; he could only provide Uncle Xie with an answer in the manner he had previously handled matters.

Your Highness commands

Just as I was about to open my eyes and take a look, I heard Li Yuanji muttering with a tone of helplessness, "I can't even be at ease in my own residence, it's simply ridiculous..."

Although he has not yet demonstrated any talent in civil governance, it is not a problem for him to manage a few unrestrained idlers.

Is it that there is joy in the heart, hence the change to kindness

His former name was Li Yuanji, the legitimate fourth son of Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan, and he was granted the title of Prince of Qi

The maid, with her eyes closed, trembled as she waited for a long time, yet there was no word from her master. Her heart raced; could it be that her master was going to take action personally

It is currently the fourth year of the Wude era, and the conflict between the former and Li Shimin has not yet reached a point of no return.

This approach is not feasible; sooner or later, one will be poisoned or struck by a hidden arrow. Even if one escapes a calamity at the hands of Li Shimin, an untimely death is still inevitable