Li Shimin smiled, “Nothing really, I was just asking casually. Elder brother, does this mask truly have no flaws at all?”

Li Jiancheng replied, “Just by looking, there are none, but if you touch the junction between the face and neck with your hand, you would be able to detect the existence of the mask.”

After Li Shimin committed his words to memory, he said, “Wu Meixue saved elder brother this time. I want to reward her—what does elder brother think?”

Li Jiancheng said casually, “She did render service after all. You can reward her as you see fit. The urgent matter is to quickly catch that female assassin to prevent her from harming Father again.” Speaking of this, he said somewhat defeatedly, “It’s truly strange—we’ve almost dug three feet into the ground, yet we still haven’t found her hiding place.”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was knocking outside. It was Duan Zhihong, who entered and whispered a few words in Li Shimin’s ear, causing the latter’s expression to change slightly, “Are you certain?”

Duan Zhihong lowered his eyes, “Absolutely certain.”

After signaling him to withdraw, Li Shimin said, “Elder brother, Zhihong said that when disposing of Shen Moping’s corpse, they discovered he had been castrated—he’s a… eunuch!”

Li Jiancheng was shocked and sat up straight, “A eunuch? This means our earlier speculation was correct—he really was sent by the Emperor?”

Li Shimin nodded, “Apart from the imperial palace in Luoyang, there’s no other place where castration would be performed. Moreover, I’ve heard that the Emperor secretly maintains a group of people skilled in assassination and espionage. These people are very likely selected from among the numerous eunuchs. As for that female assassin… I’m even wondering whether that female assassin might also be a eunuch in disguise, which is why we’ve been unable to find her.”

Li Jiancheng slammed the bed heavily and said coldly, “This dog Emperor’s heart is truly venomous. Father has done so much for him, yet he would kill him without hesitation. With such a cruel and tyrannical emperor, no wonder even Yang Xuangan and Li Mi have rebelled. If he continues such perverse acts, there will only be more people rebelling. Then let’s see how he can still sit on that dragon throne.” Then he said, “You suspect that person knows disguise techniques?”

After Li Shimin nodded, he said coldly, “If that’s the case, then examine them one by one by checking for castration. No matter how much effort it takes, we must find this person and never let her have a chance to harm Father.”

“I understand.” After saying more on this topic, Li Shimin withdrew. Not long after he left, Feng Li entered and bowed, “Eldest Young Master, this subordinate has learned about the assassin matter—it was Second Young Master who…”

Before he could continue, Li Jiancheng raised his hand, “I already know about this matter. You need not investigate further.”

Feng Li hesitated for a moment, “There’s something this subordinate doesn’t know whether he should say.”

“You’ve followed me for many years—speak freely.” With Li Jiancheng’s permission, Feng Li said, “Earlier when Eldest Young Master was attacked by Shen Moping and your leg bone was bitten, Second Young Master was clearly closest but was reluctant to kill Shen Moping. In the end, it was that dancing girl who killed him. This subordinate worries that Second Young Master… seems to harbor ill intentions toward you, Eldest Young Master.”

Li Jiancheng smiled, “What are you thinking? Shimin and I are legitimate brothers born of the same mother, raised together since childhood. How could there be talk of ill intentions?”

Feng Li said quietly, “Better safe than sorry.”

“That won’t happen.” Li Jiancheng said without hesitation, “I know Shimin’s character best. The reason he hesitated to act is due to his consistent nature—to put it nicely, it’s benevolence; to put it harshly, it’s womanly kindness. I’ve spoken to him about this more than once. Moreover, killing Shen Moping would undoubtedly cut off the lead to finding the other assassin, so naturally he would hesitate.”

“But…” Before Feng Li could continue, Li Jiancheng said, “Enough. In any case, everyone might harm me, but Shimin never would. I don’t want to hear such words again in the future. Understood?”

“Yes.” After Feng Li agreed, he added, “During this period while I’m recovering, the assassin matter will be entirely handled by Shimin. You must assist him fully and not be negligent.”

Although Feng Li still harbored reservations, since Li Jiancheng had spoken to this extent, he couldn’t say more and could only bow in agreement.

The night passed in the cold wind of early winter. Jiang Caiping was washing when she heard Nanny Yang’s voice outside, “Meixue, Caiping, open the door quickly.”

“Coming!” Jiang Caiping responded, hurriedly arranging her hair bun while saying, “Why is Nanny here so early? Could she be calling us to practice dancing?”

“Perhaps.” Yunyi put on her earrings and stood up, “You sit—I’ll open it.”

When Yunyi opened the door, she saw Nanny Yang standing there with a beaming smile, with several maids behind her, all holding red lacquered trays.

Yunyi curtsied slightly, “What instructions does Nanny have?”

Nanny Yang quickly helped her up, “Rise quickly! You’re now the savior of the Eldest Young Master—no need for such formalities.” Then she pointed smilingly at the people behind her, “They’ve come on orders from the Eldest and Second Young Masters to deliver rewards.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the maid at the front stepped forward, “By order of the two Young Masters, we reward Miss Wu with a box of pearls, a pair of twin-fish auspicious two-colored agate jade pendants, a pair of lingzhi crane spring ruyi scepters, a pair of eight-direction brocade lanterns, a box of Dongting autumn-colored oranges, and a box of Taiping auspicious apples.”

With each item mentioned, a maid stepped forward to place what she carried on the table. When everything was announced, an entire table was filled. The maid curtsied, “Please accept and verify, Miss Wu!”

Yunyi quickly said, “Yesterday’s matter… was what I should have done. I really… dare not accept such generous rewards from the two Young Masters. Please take them back.”

The maid said, “The two Young Masters have instructed that Miss Wu must accept these. Please don’t make things difficult for us.”

“But…” Before Yunyi could speak, Nanny Yang had already walked to her side and said quietly, “The Eldest Young Master most dislikes when people disobey his words. Besides, the rewards have already been given—how could there be reason to return them, unless you intentionally want to displease the two Young Masters?”

Seeing her say this, Yunyi could only say, “Very well then, I’ll accept them. I’ll go thank the two Young Masters later.”

Hearing this, the maid nodded and left with the others behind her. Nanny Yang looked at the items on the table, stroking the pair of lingzhi crane spring ruyi scepters enviously, “The two Young Masters are truly generous, rewarding so many fine things at once.”

Yunyi’s lips curved slightly as she picked up the pair of ruyi scepters, “During these days, thanks to Nanny Yang’s care everywhere, Caiping and I have been able to live peacefully in this mansion. Usually there’s no opportunity to thank you, so today I’ll borrow these flowers to present to Buddha—using these ruyi scepters to thank Nanny. Please accept them.”