Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

Chapter 39: Zhinu Enters Ganye Temple Again

Su Zhi took a deep breath and tried hard to control the tangled anxiety in her heart.

The house is full of joy today. My parents' faces are filled with bright smiles that have not been seen for a long time. That smile is like the warm sun in winter, dispelling the haze that has shrouded this family for a long time.

She knew that she must not let her negative emotions destroy this hard-earned beautiful atmosphere. They had spent too long in sorrow. She saw the depression and distress in those days and felt the pain in her heart.

She adjusted her expression slightly, and tried to lift the corners of her mouth upwards, revealing a gentle smile that seemed to have healing power.

Then, she gently pushed open the door to the main hall and said in a clear voice, "Father. Mother, your daughter is here."

As soon as Su Tan saw his precious daughter coming, he quickly stood up from his chair, his eyes full of excitement and anticipation.

"Zhi'er, starting today, you will have to learn the palace rules again."

"Your mother will carefully arrange for an experienced nanny for you. You just need to learn from her."

"You learned some of this when you were little, and now you're reviewing it and learning something new. With your intelligence, you should be able to grasp it quickly."

"This time our Su family is really going to be prosperous. His Majesty has not yet married, and you are about to marry His Majesty. The matter of the canonization of the queen is basically almost certain."

Zhi'er, you must know that the palace is not like home. There are rules and spies everywhere. You must be careful in the palace and never offend His Majesty, otherwise the consequences will be disastrous!"

Su Tan's face was serious as he taught his daughter earnestly.

Su Zhi nodded obediently and responded, "I know, father."

Chen watched the old man ramble on and on, and couldn't help but say, "Old man, stop talking about your daughter all the time."

"My daughter is so smart and clever, she will definitely have a smooth life in the palace."

She looked at Su Zhi again, her eyes full of love, "Zhi'er, don't think your father is nagging. He is really very happy today."

"Thanks to your blessing, he has now reached the third rank. If he relied on himself, it's hard to say whether he could even get to the fourth rank in this lifetime!"

Although there was some disdain in Chen's words, it was mostly a teasing of her husband.

Su Zhi said sympathetically, "Father, Mother, don't worry. Zhi'er will arrange everything. She won't cause any trouble for His Majesty once she enters the palace. She will be careful with her words and actions."

Chen looked at her daughter with some distress, gently took her hand, and said, "Zhi'er, our family is originally a small one. Although His Majesty has only married you now, it is inevitable that there will be concubines with complicated family relationships entering the palace in the future."

"If they are jealous of your position as the Queen, remember not to conflict with them, lest it make things difficult for Your Majesty at court and affect the stability of the government."

"If you've been wronged in the palace, don't keep it to yourself. Go straight to His Majesty and confide in him. Sometimes, men just like women to act like little girls."

If you shoulder everything on your own, you won't get any sympathy."

Chen's words were based on experience, and every word was for the sake of her daughter.

Su Zhi bowed to Chen and said firmly, "I will remember what you said, mother."

Then, a trace of worry flashed in Su Zhi's eyes, and she said softly, "Zhi'er is just worried. What will you two old people do if I enter the palace? My sister is already married."

Su Tan waved his hand, looking indifferent.

"Zhi'er, don't worry! If you become the queen, your father will be the emperor's father-in-law, and His Majesty will be a sage ruler rarely seen in a thousand years. Just look at the earth-shaking changes in Chang'an City today and you will understand."

"Your Majesty is kind-hearted and will definitely take good care of us old couple."

At this point, Su Tan's expression became particularly solemn. He looked at Su Zhi and said earnestly, "Zhi'er, no matter what happens in the future, you must trust our Majesty. His Majesty's decisions are always right! It is truly a blessing for us, his subjects, to have such a wise emperor in this era!"

Su Zhi quickly said, "Don't worry, father. I will keep your words in mind and will never forget them!"

Su Tan nodded with satisfaction. "Alright! Old woman, hurry up and get the maid who teaches etiquette. His Majesty's betrothal gifts might arrive someday!"

Chen responded, "Oh, I got it. I'll go right away!" After that, she hurriedly got up to make arrangements.

……

Inside Ganye Temple, the moonlight is as light as silver gauze, covering the ancient temple. The mottled light and shadow sway on the walls, as if telling the vicissitudes of time.

Li Zhi was dressed in white clothes as white as snow, like a night elf. Taking advantage of the cover of night, he found a rare opportunity and climbed over the tall and majestic wall of Ganye Temple as lightly as a flying swallow.

Inside the wall, Wu Meiniang was washing clothes by the basin. When she heard the noise, her body trembled and she raised her head suddenly. When the familiar figure came into her sight, her face turned pale and the clothes in her hands almost fell into the basin.

Her beautiful eyes widened, and she exclaimed in surprise and joy, "Chinu? Why are you here?"

Li Zhi looked at Wu Meiniang's frightened expression and showed a simple and innocent smile. Under the watery moonlight, that smile was like a blooming white lotus, pure and flawless.

He reached into his arms, carefully took out a bag of milk candy, and handed it to Wu Meiniang as if it were a rare treasure, with anticipation glittering in his eyes.

"Mei Niang, this is a gift from my brother the Emperor. I only tasted one, and the taste is so sweet and rich, it's indescribable. Thinking of you suffering in Ganye Temple, I brought it to you at night."

Tears welled up in Wu Meiniang's eyes, filled with emotion. She put down the clothes in her hands, walked lightly to Li Zhi, stretched out her delicate hand, and gently wiped away the sweat on Li Zhi's forehead from the long journey.

"Zhi Nu, you've worked so hard. But as a prince, you've already broken the law by sneaking out of the palace, and now you've even climbed over the wall into Ganye Temple. If we were discovered, you and I would be doomed. I've heard that your Majesty's Jinyiwei are as omnipresent as ghosts and have great powers. Aren't you afraid of them?"

When Li Zhi heard this, his chest puffed out slightly, and his expression showed a hint of pride.

"Mei Niang, you don't have to worry. While everyone thought I was asleep, I slipped out of the weed-covered dog hole under the imperial wall. I carefully looked around and found no one. Even though the Jinyiwei were powerful, they couldn't have imagined I had come to Ganye Temple. Mei Niang, try this candy. If you like it, I'll bring it back to you later."

Wu Meiniang looked at Li Zhi's innocent and expectant eyes, and reluctantly took out a candy from her bag and put it to her red lips.

The moment the candy entered her mouth, her eyes suddenly widened, as if a door to a sweet world had opened.

The rich aroma of milk instantly filled her entire mouth like a surging tide, and then spread to her nasal cavity like a wisp of light smoke, wrapping her whole body in this intoxicating milk fragrance.

Then, a hint of sweetness slowly flows through the taste buds like a gurgling stream, and the sweetness gradually becomes stronger, like flowers blooming. The taste is as smooth as satin, gently sliding across the throat, leaving an endless aftertaste.

Wu Meiniang nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with surprise and ecstasy. "Chinu, this is the most delicious thing I have ever tasted in my life! Did you not keep any for yourself and give them all to me?"

She blinked her big eyes, which were as bright as stars, and stared at Li Zhi intently.

Li Zhi's face instantly flushed, just like the gorgeous sunset in the sky, and he scratched his head shyly.

"I saved some for myself, Mei Niang, you can enjoy it to your heart's content. If I want to eat more, I can ask my brother for more."

He paused, his expression slightly gloomy.

"Last time, I mentioned to my royal brother about releasing you from Ganye Temple, but he neither agreed nor refused, and there is still no news. However, Mei Niang, I firmly believe that you will leave this place soon."

Wu Meiniang smiled bitterly and nodded, saying, "It's alright, young slave. It's not such a bad thing that you can't go out. In Ganye Temple, you can find some peace and quiet."

When Li Zhi heard this, he felt as if his heart was stabbed by a sharp knife.

Although he was young, he was very thoughtful and how could he not know what was happening in Ganye Temple?

Those old nuns were all my great-grandfather’s former concubines. Each of them had a hideous face and looked as ferocious as a yaksha.

They treated the new concubines as slaves, and all kinds of heavy chores were put on them.

If not, why would Wu Meiniang work so hard day and night, even often staying up late to fetch water?

But since Mei Niang was unwilling to speak out, Li Zhi was also unwilling to point out the cruel truth. Sometimes, some things, if left unclear, might cause less pain.

"Mei Niang, my brother is getting married soon."

Li Zhi whispered the news. When Wu Meiniang heard the news of Li Chengqian's wedding, a fire of jealousy suddenly surged in her heart, biting her heart like a poisonous snake.

If she is the bride, how wonderful it would be. She will become the queen and the mother of the country. Those who have bullied her will tremble at her feet.

Although the palace fighting is as cruel as a battlefield, she is confident that she can stand out among the beauties in Li Shimin's harem.

Although they were in Ganye Temple, news spread like wildfire, and the resentful women in the temple talked about this matter every day.

There is only one engaged woman in His Majesty's harem now. For that woman, the position of queen is within reach and can be obtained without going through any hardship.

But to her, even after going through hardships, it is still an unattainable treasure. How can she not be unbalanced and feel jealous?