The emperor insisted on summoning the stunning and extraordinary Princess Consort Yang into the palace.

However, after keeping her waiting in a side hall for half an hour, he suddenly returned her along with her belongings to the residence of the Duke of Longevity. This news instantly caused a sensation in the entire Da Ming Palace.

The concubines, who were eagerly preparing for a palace fight, were dumbfounded.

The princes, who were eagerly waiting to see a joke from the Duke of Longevity, were dumbfounded.

Even the ministers who were calling for rebellion against this violation of the principles of familial and societal order were dumbfounded.

Inside and outside the palace.

Various opinions emerged, yet everyone spoke with one voice.

Your Majesty, could it be that you have gone insane?

Gossip spread and somehow reached the ears of Li Shimin.

Li Shimin: "...6."

In order to secure the prosperity of the Great Tang, he had killed more children in his previous life than ordinary people had given birth to.

Now, he wanted to be a good father.

Faced with such outrageous rumors, Li Shimin insisted on not trusting or spreading rumors.

He chose to handle it by ignoring it.

He still had too many state affairs to handle, how could he have the leisure time to deal with those people's idle talk?

However, heaven did not follow his will. While Li Shimin intended to handle it coldly, there were still people secretly fanning the flames.

By the time Li Shimin spent three days handling the mess left by Li Longji, rumors about the passionate love story between the Emperor and the Duchess of Longevity had spread throughout Chang'an City.

Li Shimin: Damn it, there are always troublemakers trying to harm us!

"Gao Lishi!"

Gao Lishi, who had been banished outside the palace to stand guard, trembled with fear for several days and finally got to see the Emperor's face again.

Li Shimin ignored Gao Lishi's attempt to reconcile and, with a fiery tone, issued an order, "Investigate thoroughly. Find out who is behind these rumors that have caused such a great uproar."

Gao Lishi hesitated and glanced at Li Shimin, but ultimately, under Li Shimin's urging gaze, he lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."