Li Shimin truly cherished the feeling of yesterday when everything went smoothly and effortlessly.

Although he only enjoyed it for an afternoon, he had already fallen in love with that way of doing things.

He wanted to bring these people back, but he was afraid they would offend him, so he could only reluctantly continue to handle state affairs in the old way.

However, after only a short while, Li Shimin began to miss the treatment he received yesterday.

How did this guy come up with such a convenient way to handle government affairs?

Little did people know that Li Jue was merely copying what later generations had said.

Neither the Ming Dynasty's cabinet nor the Qing Dynasty's Grand Council was as comprehensive as the simplified secretariat he created.

If the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs of the Ming Dynasty were added, the emperor could truly spend all his time in the inner palace and not attend court.

To put it bluntly, these were all lazy methods used by emperors throughout history to simplify government affairs and free their hands.

Li Shimin reviewed several memorials, then suddenly looked up and asked a question.

Has Li Jue woken up yet?

"Your Majesty, the eldest grandson is still asleep..."

"oh?"

Li Shimin glanced at the sky outside and said with some displeasure.

"It's almost noon, and that grandson still hasn't woken up?"

"Your Majesty, the eldest grandson hasn't had a proper rest for over ten days. He's expected to sleep until the afternoon, right?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin frowned, then threw down his brush and went to the back garden to clear his head.

Not long after they left, Li Shimin saw a person kneeling in a pavilion not far away. Judging from the person's appearance, it seemed that he was copying something while lying on the table.

Li Shimin walked forward curiously, and frowned slightly when he saw the person's appearance clearly.

Because this person was none other than Wu Meiniang, whom he had banished to the cold palace!

What are you doing here?

Upon hearing Li Shimin's voice, Wu Meiniang's body trembled at just the right moment, her wrist leaving a blot of ink on the paper. Then, she turned around in alarm, her face displaying a perfectly timed expression of surprise and delight, before finally feigning panic and prostrating herself on the ground to kowtow.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

"Your Majesty was unaware of your arrival and unintentionally disturbed you. I deserve to die!"

Seeing Wu Meiniang's submissive demeanor, Li Shimin's resentment towards her immediately dissipated. He stepped forward, picked up the manuscript on the table, and recognized its contents after reading only a few lines.

"You're actually copying the Rules for Women?"

The so-called "Rules for Women" is a book compiled by Empress Zhangsun from the stories of chaste and virtuous women throughout history, intended to teach women in their boudoirs.

When Li Shimin saw Wu Meiniang copying the "Rules for Women" in the pavilion in the cold winter, he was not only deeply moved but also greatly shocked.

"Your Majesty, I know that I have not been obedient enough in my daily life and have offended Your Majesty. I can only try to atone for my sins by copying the Rules for Women!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin sighed inwardly.

Why outdoors?

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang hesitated slightly before replying.

"Because...because it's about the same temperature indoors and outdoors, and the outdoor lighting is better, we can save money on lighting..."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin felt extremely distressed and immediately reached out to pull Wu Meiniang up from the ground.

"You've suffered these past few days!"

"No, no, no... this is all I deserve..."

"I lost my father at a young age. Instead of being protected by my brothers, my mother and I were driven out of the house, forcing me to act like a boy..."

"Who would have thought...who would have thought that my temperament would annoy His Majesty so much? I...I...sob sob sob..."

Seeing Wu Meiniang's tearful face and listening to her story, Li Shimin felt his heart break.

Didn't Empress Zhangsun and Zhangsun Wuji suffer similar treatment once before?

No wonder Wu Zetian was so ruthless when taming horses; it turns out she was forced to be that way by her scoundrel brothers!

"It's alright, I forgive you for what you did before!"

"Your Majesty, I truly know I was wrong. Please, Your Majesty, do not abandon me again, sob sob sob..."

"Okay, okay!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Meiniang instinctively put her arm around Li Shimin's neck. However, when she saw Li Shimin shrink back in shock from her cold hand, she immediately withdrew her hand like a frightened little rabbit.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me... I did not mean to offend Your Majesty..."

Seeing Wu Meiniang so cautious, Li Shimin felt his primal power surge rapidly within him, and he immediately let out a hearty laugh.

"It's alright!"

"However, it is indeed too cold here. I will take you back to Ganlu Palace now!"

As dusk approached, Li Jue slowly awoke.

Before he could even recover, he heard some news that made him feel depressed.

"Your Highness, the Consort Wu you've been asking me to keep an eye on..."

"What happened to her? Did she freeze to death?"

"without!"

"Not only did Consort Wu not die, but she also gained His Majesty's favor and spent an afternoon with him in the Ganlu Palace!"

"What?"

"She has actually won His Majesty's favor again?"

"Yes, and even better than before!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue felt extremely frustrated. He should have ordered someone to secretly poison this guy!

"well!"

"Let her have her fun for a few days, we'll deal with him later when we have more time!"

Zhang Gui remained outwardly calm upon hearing this, but inwardly he was secretly curious as to why His Highness cared so much about Consort Wu.

Could it be that His Highness has a crush on Consort Wu?

When Zhang Gui thought of Wu Cairen's appearance, he felt a surge of emotion.

She's truly a beauty; no wonder His Highness was captivated.

wrong!

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