Li Jiancheng silently watched him. After a long time, he spoke, “After waking up today, I thought about many things. Yes, Xuanba was indeed killed by Yunyi, but it wasn’t her wish. Moreover, if she hadn’t spoken well of our Li family before Emperor Yang later, we would have already become ghosts under Emperor Yang’s executioner’s blade long ago. How could we have lived until today? I was too stubborn and narrow-minded. I’m sorry.”

These words “I’m sorry” falling upon Li Shimin’s ears stirred countless emotions. If Li Jiancheng could have repented earlier, why would he have ended up with nothing? But then again, if he hadn’t lost everything and become a prisoner, Li Jiancheng probably wouldn’t have repented either.

“Do you think I’m saying these things to gain your sympathy so I might have a chance to live?” Li Jiancheng’s words pulled him back from his scattered thoughts. He shook his head, “I didn’t think that way.”

Li Jiancheng smiled faintly, “No matter what you think, for me now, it doesn’t matter anymore.” After a moment of silence, he asked, “How is Zheng Shi?”

“She went mad shortly after forcing Jirong and her children to death. She now lives in Jingyuan. As for Chengdao and Chang’an, I’ve brought them to the palace to raise them. You can rest assured.”

Li Jiancheng hadn’t expected to hear such an answer. He was stunned for a long while before saying sadly, “It’s good that she’s mad. At least from now on her heart won’t harbor resentment, and she can live out the rest of her life peacefully.” Then he said, “Could I see Chengdao and Changning?”

Under his expectant gaze, Li Shimin shook his head, “For them, perhaps not seeing would be better.”

Hearing this, Li Jiancheng showed disappointment, but quickly forced a smile, “Indeed, not seeing would be better. Not seeing, not seeing.”

Seeing him like this, Li Shimin felt compassion, but didn’t relent, saying flatly, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave. Take care of your health.”

Li Jiancheng hurriedly said, “You still haven’t answered about Yuanji’s matter?”

“We’ll discuss it after you’ve recovered.” After saying this, Li Shimin left without looking back, leaving behind a dejected Li Jiancheng.

The following days were busy yet peaceful. By early September, under the imperial physicians’ careful care, Li Jiancheng’s health had mostly recovered.

At the same time, the verdict that had been delayed for over a month finally came down. Li Shimin overcame all opposition and sentenced Li Jiancheng and his brother to exile in Xiliang, where they would be responsible for tending horses.

He had ultimately spared Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji’s lives. Although tending horses couldn’t compare to their previous life of luxury, it should be known that Li Jiancheng and his brother had committed treason – a crime for which almost everyone except Li Shimin believed they should be executed to eliminate future troubles.

On the fifth day of September, Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back on the city tower. At the city gate below, guards were escorting Li Jiancheng and his brother out of the city toward Xiliang.

Duan Zhihong looked at the figures below and couldn’t help saying, “Your Highness, are you really going to let them go?”

Li Shimin said flatly, “They already have nothing left. Why must we pursue them to the bitter end?”

“But they harbor rebellious hearts and will bring disaster to the Great Tang.” Faced with Duan Zhihong’s words, Li Shimin shook his head, “No, big brother has already repented. He won’t harbor rebellious thoughts again.”

Duan Zhihong said urgently, “Your Highness, you can know a person’s face but not their heart! How many times has he deceived you?”

Below the city tower, Li Jiancheng in prison clothes noticed Li Shimin’s gaze and looked up. Upon seeing Li Shimin clearly, he smiled knowingly, cupped his hands toward him, then departed with the guards.

Seeing them walk farther and farther away, Duan Zhihong became increasingly anxious and said again, “Your Highness…”

Li Shimin raised his hand to interrupt him, “If they truly are as you say, still harboring malicious intentions and bringing chaos to our Great Tang, I will certainly kill them. Is that acceptable?”

Seeing Li Shimin speak to this extent, Duan Zhihong had no choice but to swallow his words, only hoping… that Li Jiancheng and his brother would truly be as His Highness said and reform from now on.

After Li Jiancheng’s group had walked so far they could no longer be seen, Li Shimin withdrew his gaze. As he prepared to descend from the city tower, he remembered something, “Is there any news from Zhao Jin?”

“Not yet, but according to the schedule, if all goes smoothly, Zhao Jin should return in the next few days.”

Li Shimin nodded, “Notify me immediately when there’s news.”

At this time, someone was brought to Changchun Pavilion. Ruyi glared hatefully at the visitor and said to Yunyi, “Princess, she’s here.”

Yunyi set down the tea in her hand and looked at the person standing in the hall, “Caiping, it’s been a long time.”

The visitor was indeed Jiang Caiping. After that incident years ago, she hadn’t returned to Taiyuan but had settled in Luoyang. She had lived there for four years, marrying and having children. Although life was plain, it was also happy. She had thought her days would continue year after year like this, but just a few days ago, several people who suddenly appeared at her home had shattered this tranquility.

Jiang Caiping had never imagined that Li Shimin would become the final winner and bring Yunyi out of Mingyue Nunnery.

She stared at Yunyi warily, “You sent people to capture me to take revenge for what happened years ago?”

Yunyi stroked the colorful silk threads in her sleeves, her thoughts returning to four years ago, “Back then, I thought you had truly forgiven me for the accidental killing, and I was very happy. From childhood to adulthood, apart from Ruyi and Jixiang, I had no other sisters. Until I met Meixue and you. Meixue died young, and you became my closest sister.”

“Later, when I accidentally killed Xuanba, I always felt very sorry toward you and always worried about you. So after I settled down, I sent people to Honghua Commandery to find you. But I never imagined that this matter would lead to Jixiang’s death.” Speaking of this, she clenched her hands tightly, and only after a long time did she gradually loosen them, “Jiang Caiping, what benefits did Jirong promise you to make you turn against me?”

“She promised me no benefits, only told me about everything you had done. Yes, I caused Jixiang to die an unnatural death, but what about you? Is there little blood stained on your hands? Third Young Master, Feng Li, Wu Laosan, Chunxiu, and that fishing mother and son – every one of them died by your hand.” Speaking of this, Jiang Caiping sneered, “Just in Honghua Commandery alone you killed so many people, not to mention after coming to this Chang’an.”

Ruyi already hated her extremely, and hearing her slander Yunyi like this, how could she bear it? She scolded harshly, “What nonsense are you spouting? When has the Princess killed anyone? You’re the one who caused Jixiang’s death. You deserve to die!”

“I’m talking nonsense?” Jiang Caiping sneered, “Jixiang indeed said that the Crown Prince was inferior to the Prince of Qin in every way and didn’t deserve to be Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace. There wasn’t a single false word!”

Ruyi was stumped by her words and couldn’t speak for a while. After a long time, she said, “Jixiang was just speaking casually, but you made her pay with her life for it. How vicious your heart is!”