Chapter 48: Learning the truth, Empress Zhangsun Wugou

"Your Majesty, these are the problems." Gar Tongtsen handed the problems from his sleeve to Qin Mu, smiling bitterly with some difficulty: "Your Majesty, I have already looked at these problems; they are indeed difficult, and the line of reasoning is very tricky. Even I cannot solve them for a while."

Qin Mu read through the problems quickly, revealing a look of disdain, and said speechlessly: "Just this? This is called a difficult problem?"

Gar Tongtsen:???

"Your Majesty, what do you mean by this?"

"Could it be that you have already solved these problems?"

Gar Tongtsen swallowed, looking at Qin Mu in disbelief.

Impossible!

These problems were extremely complex; how could His Majesty interpret them after just one glance?

Gar Tongtsen couldn't believe it at all.

"Come, I will tell you the answers to these three problems."

Qin Mu beckoned Gar Tongtsen over and instructed him on the answers he would need to provide tomorrow.

And at this moment, inside the Duke Zhao Prefecture.

"Unreasonable! Truly unreasonable!"

"A tiny Tibetan envoy dares to refuse me?"

Zhangsun Wuji was so angry his face turned red, pacing back and forth incessantly.

He had been full of confidence, thinking he would surely reach a deal with the Tibetan envoy.

Exchanging the answer to winning a princess for news of a criminal—how could anyone not want that?

But Gar Tongtsen just wouldn't!

Zhangsun Wuji felt extremely depressed.

For these days, he had been riding high; who wouldn't bow and scrape to flatter him?

But he had hit a snag with Gar Tongtsen.

Zhangsun Wuji felt his dignity had been provoked.

Afterward, he made an impulsive decision.

Refuse to give the answers to Gar Tongtsen!

You must know.

This was something Li Er had entrusted to him.

Reckless!

But Zhangsun Wuji didn't care.

He was an imperial relative and the head of the hundred officials.

He also held the secret of Li Chengqian's birth.

What was there to fear?

"Hmph! Just wait. When tomorrow comes, if you Tibetans can't solve the problems, you'll be begging me to tell you the answers!" Zhangsun Wuji gritted his teeth in anger.

Imperial Palace, Lizheng Hall.

Li Er stood by the window, looking at the bright moon in the sky, looking thoughtful.

"Your Majesty."

Zhangsun Wugou stood quietly behind Li Er and called out softly.

"Empress, has that girl Changle figured it out?"

Li Er turned around and asked with a gentle tone.

After the banquet today, Changle had run back to her bedroom crying.

As a father, how could Li Er not understand Changle's thoughts?

But in the face of power and politics, he could only sacrifice his daughter's happiness.

Although the Great Tang's strength was now advancing by leaps and bounds, there were still strong nations like the Turks outside, and the powerful clans and families inside stirring up trouble.

Li Er had to consolidate his strength through marriage alliances.

"Sigh..." Zhangsun Wugou sighed, shook her head, and said: "This child has the same temper as Your Majesty—stubborn and hard. I tried to persuade her for several hours, but returned without success. I really can't figure it out."

Zhangsun Wugou was very confused in her heart.

Now that Zhangsun Chong was the most dazzling star among the young talents, why did Changle refuse to marry him? "Empress, there is one thing I have never told you, but it should be time."

Li Er's expression was somewhat grave.

"Your Majesty, why so serious? That child Changle just can't accept it for a moment; she will understand our painstaking efforts sooner or later." Zhangsun Wugou smiled.

She thought Li Er was feeling sorry for his daughter.

"No, it's not about Changle."

"It's about that eternal masterpiece."

Li Er shook his head.

"What? Is there a problem with that eternal masterpiece?"

Zhangsun Wugou asked, frowning.

"That eternal masterpiece was not by Zhangsun Chong, but by a youth named Qin Mu."

Boom!

What!?"

"Qin Mu!?"

Isn't that the Great Tang's number one criminal?

Li Er's words exploded in Zhangsun Wugou's mind like a thunderclap.

"Your Majesty, what is going on?"

"Isn't Chong'er the author of that eternal masterpiece? Isn't Qin Mu the Great Tang's number one criminal?"

Zhangsun Wugou asked hurriedly.

"Heh! Based on that fool Zhangsun Chong? Even if he studied for eight lifetimes, he wouldn't be able to think of a single word in that article!" Li Er sneered, his tone full of disdain.

Zhangsun Wugou's face turned pale, and her breathing became rapid.

This news...

Was too explosive!

For a moment, even she, the Great Tang Empress who had experienced countless bloody storms, couldn't handle it.

It was just outrageous!

Who could have imagined that behind the masterpiece that changed the Great Tang's national destiny, there were so many secrets!

"Your Majesty, what is going on?"

Zhangsun Wugou couldn't wait to know the whole truth.

"Sigh, perhaps all of this is my fault..."

Li Er sighed and slowly recounted the origin of the matter.

Deep in the night.

After Zhangsun Wugou finished listening to the story told by Li Er, she only felt a chill run through her entire body.

"Kill the guards, seize the city gate, rebel against the Great Tang?"

"In just one night, this youth could be so decisive in killing..."

"So ruthless, so absolute!"

Zhangsun Wugou whispered.

She considered herself to have experienced much, but she had never seen such a unique youth.