During the journey to the Western Regions, Zhao Gang and his team managed to build two more helicopters.
Thus, the next morning, Li Xiuning dispatched Zhang Tian back to Chang'an to retrieve an imperial decree. Not only that, but she also instructed Zhao Gang to lead his men to change the plaque outside the mansion.
It was changed from the Duke of County's Mansion to the Duke of Anguo's Mansion.
Her authoritative demeanor, leaving no room for argument, clearly displayed her position as the lady of the house.
Uncle Zhang, ever eager, followed closely behind her, his smile never fading, his wrinkles rivaling those of a chrysanthemum.
Meng Ben, Lu Zhishen, Gao Chong, Hua Mulan, and the others had taken their leave early that morning. As discussed the previous day, they intended to travel throughout the Tang Dynasty, searching for their descendants or ancestors.
Only Guan Yu and Zhang Fei remained.
Ever since Fang Er had summoned Guan Chang and Zhang De to his side the previous day and revealed their identities, the four had not parted ways.
They even slept in the same bed, conversing until dawn.
Therefore, when Guan Chang and Zhang De returned to Fang Er's side, Guan Chang spoke first.
"My Lord, I must change my name to avoid taboo. My ancestor named me Guan Shu."
Zhang Fei nodded in agreement, "My Lord, I shall henceforth be known as Zhang Shu."
"Well, it seems the Guan and Zhang brothers have a deep attachment to the Shu Kingdom. Are they perhaps commemorating those youthful years of campaigning with Liu Bei?"
However, this was their personal matter, and Fang Er had no right to comment. He smiled and nodded, "Very well, go find Uncle Zhang and have him update the family registry."
In the courtyard of the Western Fifth Courtyard, Li Shimin, who had drunk too much the previous day, was staring at Li Zhi in the baby crib. His two large hands hovered near the infant's neck.
Choke him?
Or not choke him?
That was the question!
According to what Gao Chong had said, this brat would grow up and not only marry his own wife but also, even if he married her, he should at least be able to control her!
But this fellow not only failed to manage his wife but also turned the Great Tang into Wu Zhou!
He had handed over the empire he had fought for half his life to a woman!
Damn it!
"Er Lang, what are you doing?" Empress Changsun emerged from the house holding a milk bottle and saw the father and son staring intently at each other.
Li Zhi continued to babble, as if trying to say something.
Li Shimin quickly dismissed his previous thoughts, using laughter to mask his embarrassment.
"Hahahaha, I'm just giving Zhi Nu some back scratches."
Li Zhi's big, dark eyes stared at him, as if to say, "I don't believe you, you wicked old man!"
Seeing the milk bottle handed to him by Changsun, he clasped it with both hands and shoved it into his mouth, sucking so hard the bottle made a "zizi" sound.
His big eyes never left Li Shimin's face.
As Li Shimin watched, a desire to strangle him surged once more. This brat, did he not drink Meng Po's soup?
"Pfft~"
Empress Changsun covered her mouth and chuckled lightly, reaching out a delicate finger to tap Li Shimin's forehead. "Look, Zhi Nu likes you so much, he doesn't even blink."
Li Shimin: "..."
"I have a feeling this brat knows what I was thinking just now."
"Er Lang, shouldn't we also return to Chang'an?"
Changsun walked to his side and sat down, then dotingly stroked Li Zhi's head.
Li Shimin looked up at the sky. "Fine. It's already early September. In a few more days, it will start snowing here. Have them pack up and we'll go back!"
September, the weather was already getting cooler. Returning to Chang'an to escape the cold was a good idea. When spring arrived next year, they could come back for the summer.
Let's do this, I'm so brilliant!
After instructing people to pack, Li Shimin got up and left the courtyard, finding Li Xiuning and Fang Er to inform them of their return to Chang'an.
After hearing him, Li Xiuning quickly said.
"I will also go back with you to see the late Emperor."
"Oh right, An Zhi, you're coming back with us too."
Fang Er: "..."
He had just sent Zhang Tian back for an imperial decree, and he probably hadn't even crossed Hedong Prefecture yet.
Seeing Chai Yue winking at him, he could only nod in agreement.
Speaking of which, it had been quite some time since he had returned to Chang'an. He wondered how the manor was developing, and whether the impact on the drought-stricken populace had been alleviated.
Li Tai and Li Ke were also summoned. Fang Er took the controls, while Li Tai sat beside him watching.
Li Shimin, Li Xiuning, and the others sat in the back. They left as soon as the decision was made. The helicopters quickly soared into the sky from the Duke's Mansion and flew south.
Upon reaching Bian Prefecture, they met Zhang Tian in the air. The poor Zhang Tian had no choice but to fly back to Chang'an with them.
The two helicopters landed outside Zhuque Gate, leaving the guards utterly bewildered.
One just left, and now two more arrived. What was going on today?
But seeing Li Xiuning disembark before Li Shimin, they were even more confused!
Not daring to speculate about her origins, they quickly bowed to Li Shimin, who followed behind.
"Your subordinate pays respects to His Majesty!"
"Dismissed!"
Li Shimin waved his hand and led everyone towards the palace.
Helicopters were not allowed to fly over the imperial palace. This was a rule he himself had established, so they had to walk back.
Entering the palace from Zhuque Gate, they first had to pass through the administrative office area, where institutions like the Court of Diplomatic Reception, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Bureau of Agriculture, and the Six Ministries were located.
Occasionally, when ministers went out, they were stunned to see Li Xiuning.
Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, the two old fellows, were arm in arm, heading somewhere unknown. They met the group.
Seeing Li Shimin, they were about to greet him when they suddenly noticed Li Xiuning beside him.
"My heavens!"
"A ghost!"
The two old men cried out instinctively.
This cry attracted the attention of nearby officials and clerks.
Li Xiuning, with a dark expression, walked up to Fang Xuanling, placed a hand on her hip, grabbed his ear, and twisted it forcefully.
"Old Fang the Miser! Who are you calling a ghost!"
Fang Xuanling then remembered that the telegram yesterday had mentioned Li Xiuning's return, but he had simply forgotten in his excitement.
Considering the young princess's past conduct, he quickly begged for forgiveness.
"Your Highness, please forgive me. I momentarily forgot!"
Seeing this, Du Ruhui quickly took two steps back and said sheepishly, "Your Highness, please don't be angry. It was... it was too sudden."
Li Xiuning gave him a look and then continued to look at Fang Xuanling, saying, "I won't hold it against you. Go and settle all the accounts that the Ministry of Revenue owes An Zhi over the years!"
"You have one day to pay everything back. Do you understand?"
Fang Xuanling's face immediately turned bitter. "Are the helicopters and hovercraft also to be included?"
"Yes! They must be included. Why shouldn't they be!"
Li Xiuning didn't care what it was. In short, whatever was owed to her son-in-law must be repaid, not a single copper coin less.
This time, not only Fang Xuanling was stunned, but even Li Shimin was dumbfounded.
If nothing else, the helicopters and hovercraft alone amounted to seventy-five million strings of cash!
Let alone the Ministry of Revenue, even if the Imperial Treasury were added, they couldn't afford to pay it all back!