“That’s correct, this matter did indeed happen.” While speaking, Li Shimin’s gaze remained fixed on Du Ruhui’s unfamiliar face. Strange—why did the latter know his affairs so thoroughly? Although defying the imperial decree had caused quite a commotion at the time, it shouldn’t have been known by everyone, especially since Du Ruhui even knew what Yang Guang had said in the great hall, as if he had been present himself. This was truly puzzling.
Du Ruhui smiled and said, “Then does the Second Young Master know why His Majesty finally released you both without charge and even bestowed a marriage between you and the Zhangsun family?”
“I know. It was because Empress Xiao interceded for my father and me, which made His Majesty change his mind and withdraw the decree.” As soon as Li Shimin finished speaking, Du Ruhui said, “Empress Xiao has no blood relation with your father and son, and has never interfered in court affairs. Why would she intercede for your father and son?”
Li Shimin was silent for a moment, then said, “We once went to see Princess Jinyang and learned that she had spoken well of my father and me in every way, which moved the Empress to intercede before His Majesty.”
Du Ruhui nodded and said, “Then have you ever considered why Princess Jinyang, who similarly has no blood relation with your father and son, would go to such great lengths to intercede for you?”
Li Shimin was startled. The scene of visiting Princess Jinyang immediately appeared before his eyes—that voice and silhouette were extremely similar to Yunyi, but Yunyi was an assassin, with an identity completely different from Princess Jinyang. How could they possibly be the same person?
He suppressed the thoughts in his heart and said, “The Princess learned from Lady Shunyi that my father and I had been imprisoned, and unable to bear seeing us die wrongfully, she mentioned it a few times before Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Mentioned it a few times?” Du Ruhui scoffed, “Her Majesty the Empress has ruled the central palace for over ten years but has never interfered in court affairs. Does the Second Young Master think she could really be moved by just a few words? I might as well tell you directly—to save your father and son, the Princess knelt in Zhaoyang Hall for an entire night, declaring that if Her Majesty the Empress would not help, she would kneel there forever. The Empress, loving her daughter dearly, only then made an exception to intercede for you.”
Li Shimin never imagined such a thing had happened. This was far from the simple favor Princess Jinyang had described. He couldn’t understand why Princess Jinyang would help their father and son so much, when they clearly had never met and had no relationship whatsoever, unless…
Du Ruhui saw the doubt in his heart and said, “Still can’t figure it out? The Princess saved you because you had helped her more than once and had spared her life.”
These words were like thunder in a clear sky, leaving Li Shimin’s mind completely blank. After a long while, he said with difficulty, “You’re saying Princess Jinyang is the female assassin?” He had considered this possibility before, but had always thought it impossible. One was a princess of the current dynasty, the other a desperate killer—could they really be the same person?
“Correct. The Princess’s real name is Yang Yunyi. Back then, His Majesty had a dream about poplar flowers falling and plum blossoms blooming, combined with songs circulating everywhere. Fearing that people with the surname Li would replace the Yang family as rulers of the world, he became particularly wary of those with the surname Li in court, with Lord Li being one of them.”
“His Majesty wanted to kill Lord Li, but worried that after Lord Li’s death, the situation in Guanzhong would become chaotic with no one to maintain stability there. Thus he hesitated to make a decision. The Princess overheard a conversation between His Majesty and Angatha. Though she was a woman, she had the ambition to bring peace to the world. She realized that dynastic changes would make the people’s suffering even worse and more unbearable. After weighing the pros and cons, she decided to assassinate Lord Li, who was then serving as Governor of Honghua Commandery. At that time, there was another person beside her.”
Li Shimin’s voice became somewhat ethereal as he continued the story, “Shen Moping, and she used the alias Shen Yunyi. The two of them served as slaves in the manor together.”
“Correct.” Du Ruhui nodded, “The Second Young Master knows what happened next. After Meixue’s accidental death, the Princess continued to stay in the Governor’s manor using her identity, which led to the subsequent chain of events.” Seeing Li Shimin remain silent, he added, “When the Third Young Master was captured, the Princess did indeed have murderous intent, but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to act. The Third Young Master’s death was an accident, not the Princess’s intention. The Princess is not a cruel-hearted person. When she killed, it was out of necessity.”
Li Shimin drew a light breath and said coldly, “But she did kill in the end.”
“The Second Young Master is correct, but what about you, Second Young Master? Haven’t you killed people? I’m afraid the number of people who have died by the Second Young Master’s hand in these years is dozens or even hundreds of times more than those the Princess killed. In the end, everyone was just serving their own master. There’s no right or wrong.”
“Perhaps you’re right, but all these matters are in the past. Why bring them up?” After pausing for a moment, he frowned and said, “Could it be that Yun… Princess Jinyang sent you here using this as a reason to persuade us to abandon attacking Chang’an?”
“No, the Princess doesn’t even know I came here.” Du Ruhui’s answer astonished Li Shimin, who asked in confusion, “Then what are you here for?” Before he finished speaking, Du Ruhui suddenly fell to his knees and said, “I have come to ask the Second Young Master, in consideration of the Princess’s past kindness to you, to save her!”
Li Shimin hadn’t expected this action and didn’t know how to respond for a moment. After a long while, he finally reacted and said, “You hope that when we meet in the future, I’ll spare her life?” Without waiting for Du Ruhui to speak, he continued, “I can intercede with my father to ensure she doesn’t die.” Although Yunyi had killed Li Xuanba, the Luoyang affair did constitute a favor to his father and son. He believed Li Yuan would show mercy and spare her life.
Du Ruhui shook his head and slowly revealed the purpose of his journey, “I want you to take troops to Jiangdu to save her right now!”
“Save her?” Li Shimin frowned tightly. After a while, his expression changed as he stared at Du Ruhui and said, “Could it be that Yang Guang sent you here to fabricate this story to lure me to Jiangdu?”
“Everything I just said was true, without a single false word. As for Yang Guang… he died many days ago. How could he give me instructions?”
Li Shimin looked at him in surprise, “What did you say? Yang Guang is dead?”
“Correct. Pei Qiantong, Sima Dekan, Yuwen Huaji, and the Cui family all rebelled together, killing Yang Guang in front of Chengxiang Hall. Now all of Jiangdu has fallen under their control… including the Princess. The one in charge now is Yuwen Huaji, who has been made Prime Minister. This time I was able to escape Jiangdu City thanks to the Princess’s desperate protection, but the Princess is in a precarious situation and could lose her life at any moment.” Speaking thus, he recounted his grievances with the Cui family, then continued, “The reason Cui Ji incited the Cui family to help Pei Qiantong rebel was firstly to take revenge on me, and secondly for the Princess. I had thought of taking the Princess away, but unfortunately failed. Now Jiangdu is full of their people, making it even more impossible to take the Princess away from Cui Ji. Currently, only you, Second Young Master, can save the Princess. You must save the Princess.”
“I never imagined so many things had happened in these two years.” Speaking thus, Li Shimin said to Du Ruhui, who was still kneeling on the ground, “Please rise first.”