If she had not breathed her last in the Zhenguan Palace that night in the tenth year of Zhenguan,
Heaven would not have collapsed upon the Tang dynasty so suddenly.
With the empress still there, Crown Prince Li Chengqian would not have lost his mind in fear and lovelessness,
Would not have given up on himself, taken desperate risks, and ended up deposed for treason.
He would have been a rightful heir to the throne, guarding the vast realm around Chang'an.
With the wise empress still alive, Taizong would not have grown deluded and stubborn in his later years,
Nor would he have launched reckless campaigns, favored corrupt ministers, and spent half his life in regret.
The bloody shadows of the Xuanwu Gate would not return, and the tragedy of brothers turning against each other would not be repeated.
The world praises the Zhenguan Golden Age,
But I alone know
That the magnificent city of Chang'an,
From the moment she closed her eyes,
Had already fallen apart.
One wrong step, and every step after is wrong.
If she were alive, he would not have fallen,
And the Tang might have reached even greater heights.
“Li Chengqian, lie still.”
“Wan'er is right. You really don't age.”
“Taiping, there are things you shouldn't meddle in. Take your uncle's advice.”
“I told you to level the wheel, level the wheel! Leave none of these Japanese alive!”
“Li Longji, you good-for-nothing wastrel!”
“Li Bai, you need to rein in that temper of yours, or even I'll want to beat you up.”
