Xue Ju died suddenly, and Xue Rengao was executed by waist cutting. The Western Qin forces were completely dismantled in the first year of Wude, with no trace remaining. All former Western Qin soldiers were incorporated into the Great Tang army, becoming part of the Great Tang.

These soldiers had long harbored dissatisfaction with the father and son Xue Ju, so naturally they felt no attachment to their former Western Qin masters and devoted themselves wholeheartedly to serving the Great Tang.

Xue Ju had once claimed to command five hundred thousand troops. Though many were lost in the campaigns around Chang’an and many fled, two to three hundred thousand remained. Such military strength greatly expanded the Great Tang’s power at once.

As Liu Hongji had predicted, a month later, Deng Nang, the Governor of Xiangping, surrendered Liucheng and Beiping commanderies to Tang and was appointed by Li Yuan as Military Commissioner of Yingzhou. Subsequently, Luo Yi, the Military Commissioner of Youzhou, surrendered Yuyang, Shanggu, and other commanderies to Tang, was granted the surname Li by Li Yuan, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Yan.

Although the Great Tang could not yet be called prosperous, the situation was excellent. The court and countryside were filled with high spirits, and everyone was confident about unifying the Central Plains – everyone except one person.

Li Shimin’s mood had been quite poor recently, because… Liu Hongji had not only correctly predicted the Great Tang’s situation but also accurately forecasted his circumstances after returning to Chang’an.

This time, his pacification of Western Qin had brought countless benefits to the Great Tang, which all under Heaven knew, and Li Yuan knew even more clearly. He had also spoken of great rewards, but for some unknown reason, more than a month had passed and the rewards were still nowhere to be seen.

Could it really be that elder brother was using those two women to obstruct from within?

Li Shimin was lost in thought and didn’t even notice when another person entered the room. Only when Yunyi curtsied in greeting did he startle and bid her rise.

Yunyi took the food box from Ruyi’s hands and said: “I saw that Your Highness barely ate a few bites at the noon meal and feared you might be hungry, so I made some white fungus and red date soup. Would you eat a bowl?”

Li Shimin smiled, “Since you’ve personally brought it over, if I said no, wouldn’t that waste your thoughtfulness and effort?”

Seeing him speak thus, Yunyi knew he had agreed. She took out an azure porcelain bowl fired in the imperial kiln from the food box, carefully ladled a bowl, and handed it to Li Shimin. “Your Highness, please eat it while it’s hot to warm your body. On such a cold day, you don’t even have a charcoal brazier – this room is hardly warmer than outside.”

“I’m used to hardship. This bit of cold is nothing. If you feel cold, I’ll have them bring over a charcoal brazier.” With that, he took a sip and nodded, “Mm, sweet but not cloying, very refreshing.”

“I’m not cold.” After Li Shimin finished the bowl, Yunyi ventured: “I’ve noticed Your Highness has looked troubled these past few days. Is there something worrying you?”

Li Shimin remained silent. Just as Yunyi was about to collect the things and withdraw, he said: “Do you know the Imperial Ladies Yin and Zhang in the palace?”

“I know them, but Your Highness has it wrong. That Imperial Lady Yin has greatly won the Sacred Heart. Two days ago when I went to pay respects to Noble Consort Shu, I heard people in Her Ladyship’s palace say she has already been promoted to Talented Lady Yin, while Imperial Lady Zhang has also been promoted to Precious Consort.”

Li Shimin said in surprise: “Talented Lady? She’s only been in the palace for how long, and has already been promoted to the fifth rank so quickly?”

“I’ve seen this Talented Lady Yin once. She has beauty that shames the moon and flowers, and a clever mind. No wonder His Majesty dotes on her so. Even Noble Consort Wan, who was previously most favored, cannot match her in terms of imperial favor.” With that, she asked puzzledly: “Why does Your Highness suddenly ask about these two?”

Li Shimin sighed and recounted what Liu Hongji had told him that day in the military camp. Yunyi was shocked to hear it: “Master Liu suspects that the Crown Prince’s intention to target Your Highness has never ceased?”

“Correct.” Li Shimin rubbed his forehead, “Originally I wouldn’t believe Master Liu’s words no matter what, but… since returning, Father Emperor has indeed delayed in granting rewards, which inevitably makes me somewhat worried. However, the Crown Prince has several times petitioned Father Emperor for rewards on my behalf, so presumably he wouldn’t act thus.”

Yunyi lowered her eyes for a moment, then suddenly said: “What if the Crown Prince knew early on that petitioning for rewards would be useless and was just doing a favor that cost him nothing?”

Li Shimin’s eyelids twitched as he stared at her: “You mean… elder brother openly requests rewards while secretly obstructing?” Before Yunyi could answer, he was already shaking his head: “No, he’s not that kind of person.”

“If Your Highness is truly so certain, then why do you look so troubled, and why do you ask about Talented Lady Yin?”

“I…” Li Shimin was rendered speechless by her question. He stood up and paced around the room several times before stopping, gritting his teeth: “In any case, I trust elder brother. Father Emperor’s delay in granting rewards must have his own considerations.”

“But…” Before Yunyi could continue, Li Shimin already said: “Enough, say no more.”

Yunyi helplessly swallowed the words on her lips. Valuing emotion and loyalty was both Li Shimin’s strength and his weakness. She hoped Li Jiancheng was truly worthy of trust, otherwise this brotherly affection would truly become a joke.

Just as she was pondering, someone knocked on the door outside: “Your Highness, Noble Lady Wen requests an audience.”

Noble Lady Wen was one of the two beautiful women Wan Shi had bestowed when Li Shimin was leading troops away. Each had been enfeoffed as Noble Lady. Since Li Shimin’s return to the residence, Wen Shi had come to request audiences from time to time.

Li Shimin sat back down in his chair and said: “Let her come in.”

Soon, Wen Shi pushed the door open and entered. At sixteen years old, she was like a peach blossom in full bloom – charming and beautiful, her entire being radiating the breath of youth.

“Your servant greets Your Highness.” Her soft, sweet voice was exceptionally pleasing to hear in this cold winter month.

“Rise.” After receiving Li Shimin’s permission to stand, she bowed to Yunyi as well, then said: “Your servant heard that Your Highness didn’t eat much at the noon meal, so I made some pastries to bring over, though I don’t know if they suit Your Highness’s taste.”

Li Shimin smiled, “You two certainly thought of the same thing.”

Hearing this, Wen Shi was momentarily stunned. When she saw the food box on the small table, she immediately understood and laughed sweetly: “It seems your servant was a step behind My Lady.”

Yunyi smiled gently: “Early or late doesn’t matter – having this thoughtfulness is enough.”

“My Lady speaks truly.” Saying thus, she glanced at Chuyi and the others standing nearby and said sweetly: “Since Your Highness cannot eat them, your servant would like to reward these pastries to Chuyi and the others. They serve Your Highness day and night with such hardship – would this be acceptable?”

“These are your pastries. If you’re willing to reward them, naturally it’s acceptable.” Saying thus, he said to Chuyi: “Why don’t you thank Noble Lady Wen?”

Chuyi and the others quickly bowed in thanks, then took Wen Shi’s food box and went to share the food below. Wen Shi stood to the side seeming to want to speak but hesitating. Seeing this, Li Shimin said: “What is it? Is there something else?”

“There is one matter.” Wen Shi hesitated for a moment, then said softly: “The day after tomorrow is your servant’s mother’s birthday. Your servant has been away from home for several months and misses her greatly. I would like to return home to celebrate mother’s birthday – it would only take a day to go and return. Would this be acceptable?”

Li Shimin nodded: “This is proper. Just go ahead. I’ll have the household steward prepare a birthday gift for you to take along, wishing her health and longevity.”

Wen Shi was overjoyed to hear this and quickly said: “Thank you, Your Highness.”