These words made Li Shimin’s steps falter for a moment, but he quickly continued forward without stopping. He knew this journey held little hope, but this was the only hope for Liu Wenjing who was trapped in prison. No matter what, he had to try.

In Ganlu Hall, Li Yuan was reviewing memorials while Yin Shi gently fanned him from the side. Two months ago, Li Yuan had promoted her rank once again, and she was now a Beauty of the fourth rank.

“Your Majesty, Prince Qin requests an audience.” The palace servant’s words made Li Yuan’s movements pause. He set down his brush and said slowly: “He has come after all.”

Yin Shi’s eyes flickered as she said softly: “Prince Qin’s visit… could it be about Liu Wenjing’s matter?”

“It should be.” Saying this, Li Yuan told the palace servant: “Let him in.”

“Yes.” Shortly after the palace servant withdrew, Li Shimin entered with the summer heat still upon him, bowing respectfully. “Your son pays respects to Father Emperor. May Father Emperor enjoy sacred peace!”

“Enough.” After indicating for him to rise, Li Yuan looked at him deeply. “What brings you to the palace today?”

Li Shimin bit his teeth slightly and said: “Your son learned that Father Emperor has imprisoned Liu Wenjing on charges of treason and decided to execute him in three days.”

Li Yuan nodded. “Correct. What of it?”

“Forgive your son’s directness, but back in Taiyuan, it was Liu Wenjing who encouraged Father Emperor to raise troops. All along the way, he fought through blood and carnage, helping Father Emperor capture Chang’an City. Afterward, he not only helped Father Emperor handle matters both great and small, but also went to battle several times in campaigns. His loyalty to Father Emperor has always been unwavering, without complaint. Your son believes he would never commit treason. Please investigate clearly, Father Emperor.”

Having heard Liu Hongji’s words, he already knew that Li Yuan’s real reason for executing Liu Wenjing was not treason, but imperial authority. But these words could not be spoken directly – he could only use the treason matter as an entry point to speak gradually.

“Without complaint?” Li Yuan smiled coldly, staring at him. “Peiji, Xiao Yu, and Li Gang all personally heard him admit he wanted to kill Peiji and said I was unfair in handling matters. Are you saying they deliberately lied to frame Liu Wenjing?”

“The three ministers are virtuous and respected, so naturally they would not lie. But Liu Wenjing has always been frank and direct in speech. Those words were merely thoughtless mistakes. Father Emperor has always been magnanimous – why must you hold it against him?”

Yin Shi said slowly from the side: “Hearing Your Highness’s words, because His Majesty is magnanimous, does that mean ministers can recklessly discuss or even slander His Majesty?”

Li Shimin glanced at her quickly, then lowered his head. “Beauty Yin misunderstands. Shimin only hopes Father Emperor will remember this is Liu Wenjing’s first offense and give him a chance, considering he has also rendered many meritorious services to our Great Tang.”

Yin Shi smiled faintly. “According to Your Highness’s words, wouldn’t everyone who commits errors be able to rely on their past achievements to request His Majesty give them another chance? If so, how would His Majesty govern the nation?”

Li Shimin secretly furrowed his brows. This woman was truly good at catching loopholes in his words. He suppressed his annoyance and said: “Father Emperor…”

Before he could continue, Li Yuan coldly interrupted: “Enough. I have already decided on Liu Wenjing’s matter. You need not say more. Withdraw.”

When Li Yuan issued the execution order, he had already made up his mind – Liu Wenjing must die!

Li Shimin had not expected Li Yuan to truly show no consideration for past affections. He knelt down. “Please show mercy, Father Emperor!”

Li Yuan’s expression darkened slightly as he stared at him coldly. “Did you not hear my words? Withdraw!”

“If Father Emperor kills Liu Wenjing today, I fear it will chill the hearts of all the realm’s soldiers. Your son dares to ask Father Emperor to think thrice!”

“Are you lecturing me?” When Li Yuan said this, his tone was already extremely unpleasant, with the momentum of an approaching storm.

Li Shimin could hear it clearly, but knowing he was Liu Wenjing’s only hope for survival, he could only steel himself and say: “Father Emperor, Liu Wenjing he…”

“Enough!” Li Yuan heavily slammed the table, sternly interrupting his words. “I do not want to hear the three words ‘Liu Wenjing’ again. You – withdraw immediately, or I will deal with you as well!”

Li Shimin looked up at the coldly despairing Li Yuan before him. Though he was close at hand, the feeling was as if they were separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, unreachably distant.

Suddenly, all the words at his lips vanished without a trace, and he had not even half a desire to speak, because he finally realized that no matter what else he said, he could not save Liu Wenjing’s life. Everything… ended here.

With such thoughts, Li Shimin said disheartedly: “Your son understands. Your son takes leave!”

Clearly Li Shimin had heeded his words and would no longer interfere in Liu Wenjing’s matter, yet somehow Li Yuan felt a breath stuck in his chest – it could neither rise nor fall, creating indescribable discomfort.

Seeing his troubled expression, Yin Shi gently stroked his chest. “Your Majesty, don’t be angry. Your Highness only considered his past camaraderie with Liu Wenjing in battle, which is why he came to plead for him. He did not intend to oppose Your Majesty.”

Her words made things worse. Li Yuan’s expression became even more unsightly as he said coldly: “I think he did it on purpose!”

“Sigh.” Yin Shi sighed. “Speaking of which, the Second Prince did go too far. No matter what, Liu Wenjing is still an outsider. To defy one’s sovereign father for an outsider is truly not what a son should do. I hope after today, he will properly reflect and not act thus again in the future.”

Li Yuan remained silent with a dark expression, while Yin Shi’s lips curved in an barely perceptible smile. After this incident, the rift between Li Yuan and Li Shimin would certainly deepen, and they would probably never be able to resolve it in this lifetime.

On the fifth day of the sixth month, Liu Wenjing was taken to the execution ground together with his younger brother Liu Wenqi. Taking advantage of the brief moment before the execution, Li Shimin walked to the execution platform and said with guilt: “Zhaoren, I’m sorry. I tried my best, but…”

“I know.” Liu Wenjing showed a calm smile. “His Majesty’s decision is not something Your Highness’s strength can change.”

His words made Li Shimin’s eyes redden as he choked out: “Your family, I will arrange for them properly and will never let anyone bully them. Rest assured.”

Liu Wenjing said gratefully: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

After a moment of silence, Li Shimin asked: “Do you… have any last words?”

Liu Wenjing looked at him silently for a long time. Finally, he spoke: “When the cunning rabbit dies, the hunting dog is cooked; when the high-flying birds are gone, the good bow is stored away.”

His words made Li Shimin’s heart race wildly. He understood now – the reason Father Emperor was so determined to have Liu Wenjing die was not only because Liu Wenjing threatened imperial authority, but also because he wanted to use this incident to warn all the meritorious ministers: stay in your proper place. Anyone who crosses the line he has set will have only one path – death!

“The third quarter of the noon hour has arrived. Execute!”

With these words, the executioner approached Liu Wenjing carrying a palm-wide steel blade. Soon, Liu Wenjing would be separated from his head, becoming a corpse.