“Yes.” Xiuzhu replied, “The Princess is after all the murderer of the Third Young Master. If it were this servant, I wouldn’t agree either.” She then muttered, “Where is Miss not better than that Princess Jinyang? Yet Second Young Master is single-mindedly thinking of her. It’s truly infuriating.”

“Hold your tongue.” After lightly scolding Xiuzhu, Zhangsun Shi pondered for a moment and said, “Help me dress. I want to go to the study. Also, go to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and bring it to the study as well.”

Hearing this, Xiuzhu quickly waved her hands, “That won’t do. The physician said that Miss has unstable fetal qi and should walk less and rest in bed more. If Miss has anything to say, this servant can go deliver the message for you.”

“The physician only said to walk less, not that I cannot walk at all. I’ll be careful.” Seeing Zhangsun Shi’s insistence, Xiuzhu had no choice but to help her dress and carefully escort her to the study.

When Li Shimin saw her enter, he quickly said, “Why did you come? Go back quickly!”

“My husband has been kneeling here all night. How could I not come?” Zhangsun Shi looked at the dark circles under his eyes and said with heartache, “Such an important matter – why didn’t you tell me?”

“You’re already having a hard time with the child in your womb. I didn’t want you to worry further.” Li Shimin said gently, “I’m fine. Please go back quickly.”

“I’m fine.” Zhangsun Shi took the food box from Xiuzhu’s arm and said softly, “I brought breakfast for you. Please eat something and don’t starve yourself.”

Although Li Shimin had no appetite, he couldn’t refuse Zhangsun Shi’s kindness and reluctantly ate a little, saying, “Alright, you should go back now.”

Zhangsun Shi opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing. After having Xiuzhu clean up, she said, “Then I’ll leave first and come see you again later.”

After leaving the study, Zhangsun Shi walked forward. After a few steps, Xiuzhu asked puzzledly, “Miss, did you take the wrong path? This isn’t the way back to Muhua Pavilion.”

“When did I say I was going back to Muhua Pavilion?” Under Xiuzhu’s confused gaze, Zhangsun Shi continued walking without stopping until she stood before a side room. Only then did Xiuzhu understand what was happening and whispered, “Miss, you couldn’t be planning to plead with the Prince on behalf of Master, could you?”

Zhangsun Shi didn’t answer her question and walked to the young servant guarding the door, “Is the Prince inside?”

“In response to Second Young Madam, the Prince is indeed inside.” The servant’s words delighted Zhangsun Shi, who quickly said, “Please announce me. I have something to request an audience about.”

“Second Young Madam, please wait a moment.” Saying this, the servant turned and went inside. After the door closed, Xiuzhu said, “Miss, you’ve already been more than kind to Master and the Princess. Since it’s the Prince who disagrees, it has nothing to do with you.” Seeing Zhangsun Shi remain silent, she continued urgently, “The Princess seems nice to you now, but you can know a person’s face but not their heart. Perhaps all this is just an act. Once she enters the household, she’ll compete with you for Master’s attention or even harm you. She’s not incapable of harming people – she…”

Zhangsun Shi’s eyes darkened slightly as she interrupted, “Xiuzhu, you’re going too far with your words.”

Xiuzhu knew she didn’t like hearing such things but still insisted, “This servant is only thinking of Miss’s welfare. No matter how one thinks about it, it would be better not to let her enter the household.”

Zhangsun Shi stared at her for a moment and said, “If you’re unwilling, you can return to Muhua Pavilion.”

“Miss…” Xiuzhu had just said two words when the servant from before emerged from the room and said respectfully, “The Prince requests Second Young Madam to enter.”

Zhangsun Shi nodded and stepped inside. In the room, Li Yuan was bent over his desk reviewing official documents submitted by various ministry officials. Because Li Shimin was kneeling in the study, he had to conduct business here.

Zhangsun Shi stood quietly to one side. After Li Yuan closed the document in his hands, she curtsied, “Your daughter-in-law greets father-in-law.”

“Mm.” Li Yuan nodded. After having servants provide a seat for Zhangsun Shi, he said, “Instead of resting properly in your room to nurture the pregnancy, what are you doing here?”

Zhangsun Shi leaned forward slightly in her chair and said, “Your daughter-in-law has come to request that father-in-law bless a marriage.”

Hearing this, Li Yuan’s expression suddenly darkened as he said coldly, “Did Shimin send you?”

“Coming to see father-in-law was your daughter-in-law’s own idea. My husband knows nothing about it.” Saying this, Zhangsun Shi continued, “My husband and Princess Jinyang have pledged their hearts to each other. Why doesn’t father-in-law grant them this blessing? In the future…”

“No need!” Li Yuan coldly interrupted her words, “Go tell Shimin that even if he kneels in the study until his legs break, or even if he asks everyone under heaven to be his advocates, this Prince will not agree to this marriage. Tell him to give up this thought!” Although Zhangsun Shi said this visit had nothing to do with Li Shimin, Li Yuan still believed in his heart that Li Shimin had sent her as an advocate.

Zhangsun Shi stood up and said, “Your daughter-in-law knows that Third Uncle’s matter has always been a knot in father-in-law’s heart, but the deceased are gone. No matter what we do, we cannot bring Third Uncle back to life. Constantly looking back at the past will only cause oneself pain. As for the Princess, she only mistakenly killed Third Uncle back then because of different political positions. She’s not an irredeemably evil person. On the contrary, over these years, the Princess has been trying to make amends, speaking well of father-in-law before Emperor Yang, and also…”

Li Yuan said coldly, “She has rendered service to my Li family, and my Li family also rescued her from Jiangdu, allowing her to become the Grand Princess of Chang’an and enjoy all worldly riches and honors. The debts of gratitude cancel each other out, but Xuanba’s life… she still owes my Li family!”

“Father-in-law…” Zhangsun Shi had just said two words when Li Yuan interrupted, “You’re pregnant now and shouldn’t be overexerted. Go back and rest.” He then said to a nearby attendant, “Escort Second Young Madam back!”

Li Yuan’s resolute attitude made Zhangsun Shi understand that continuing would only make things more rigid, so she had to comply, “Your daughter-in-law takes her leave.”

As Zhangsun Shi returned without success, Yunyi arrived outside the Tang Prince’s mansion. Just as she was preparing to enter as usual to visit Zhangsun Shi, she was blocked by guards, “Please return.”

Seeing this, Ruyi frowned and said, “Impudent! My master is the current Grand Princess. How dare you obstruct her? Step aside immediately!”

The guard bowed to Yunyi and said, “This is the Tang Prince’s order. This humble soldier is merely following orders. Please forgive me, Princess.”

Yunyi asked in surprise, “The Tang Prince ordered you to obstruct me?”

“Princess, please return.” Although the guard didn’t answer directly, he was undoubtedly acknowledging Yunyi’s words.

Jixiang refused to believe it and stepped forward to scold, “This is pure nonsense! The Princess was just here the day before yesterday, and the Tang Prince said nothing. How is it that today the Princess isn’t allowed to enter? Step aside immediately – we want to see the Tang Prince.”

The guard said nothing, but likewise didn’t withdraw the hand blocking their path. Ruyi and Jixiang were greatly annoyed and were about to argue with them when Yunyi stopped them. After a moment of silence, she said, “If it’s inconvenient, then so be it. I brought some ginseng. Could you please deliver it to Second Young Madam for me?”