This pearl, which would be quite precious in the eyes of common people, was only fit to decorate Yunyi’s clothing in this Ziwei Palace and was not remarkable at all. The luxury of the Sui imperial palace could be seen at a glance.

Yunyi smiled and said: “Jixiang, go fetch some silver thread.”

Jixiang brought the silver thread as instructed. When she saw Yunyi threading the pearl with silver thread to wear around her jade neck, she was greatly surprised: “Princess, such a small pearl is not suitable for wearing. This servant remembers there are several pearl necklaces in the jewelry box, and one string is made of rare peacock blue pearls. If the Princess wishes to wear one, this servant will go…”

“No need.” As she spoke, Yunyi had already put on the pearl necklace, stroking the pearl that was only the size of her little finger and saying softly: “Though this pearl is small, no pearl, however fine or large, can compare to it.”

“Who gave you this pearl that you treasure it so?” A gentle voice like spring rain sounded in everyone’s ears. Looking up, they saw that Xiao Shi had somehow entered, and Ruyi and the others quickly curtsied.

Yunyi asked in surprise: “Why has Mother Empress come at this time?”

Xiao Shi glanced at her and lightly scolded: “You still have the nerve to ask me. What did you say in Qianyuan Palace today that made your father emperor confine you to Changsheng Palace for a month?”

Yunyi’s expression darkened as she said quietly: “Your subject begged Father Emperor to stop the campaign against Goguryeo, allowing the people to rest and recover to avoid widespread unrest. But Father Emperor believes such unrest is nothing to fear and that the campaign against Goguryeo is imperative. In my urgency, I spoke too harshly and angered Father Emperor, so he punished me with a month’s confinement.”

Xiao Shi sighed softly, stroking the purple crystal beads beside Yunyi’s cheek: “Didn’t Mother tell you not to meddle in these affairs? Why didn’t you listen to Mother?”

Yunyi bit her lip and looked up: “During this trip outside the capital, your subject witnessed firsthand how difficult the people’s lives are. To fill their stomachs, they work the fields all four seasons without rest, yet still cannot manage three meals a day. When a conscription order comes down, they must also endure the pain of being separated from their loved ones by life and death. Mother Empress, if this continues, the Great Sui…” She lowered her voice: “Will be in grave danger!”

Xiao Shi said with a calm expression: “Whether the Great Sui is safe or in danger has nothing to do with us.”

Yunyi looked completely surprised. Yes, during the last time when she told Mother Empress about Father Emperor’s dream, she had discovered something very strange – Mother Empress seemed completely indifferent to whether the Great Sui prospered or declined.

She said: “Has Mother Empress forgotten? Your subject also bears the surname Yang.”

Xiao Shi was startled, then said: “Your father emperor loves grand achievements and is obstinate. How could he possibly listen to your advice? Moreover, we are merely women of the inner palace and should not concern ourselves with court affairs!”

Yunyi was silent for a moment, then said with firm resolve: “Your subject understands Mother Empress’s meaning, but the rise and fall of the nation is everyone’s responsibility. Even women of the inner palace should care about the nation’s safety. Furthermore, Mother Empress also said that Father Emperor is merely somewhat obstinate, not muddle-headed or tyrannical. With enough persuasion, we can certainly make Father Emperor understand the people’s suffering and become diligent in governance and caring toward the people.” She knelt down: “Your subject wishes to ask Mother Empress for one favor.”

Xiao Shi looked at her: “You want me to persuade your father emperor?”

Yunyi nodded: “Yes, Father Emperor has always treasured Mother Empress deeply. If Mother Empress is willing to persuade him, Father Emperor will certainly listen. The third campaign against Goguryeo truly brings nothing but harm to the Great Sui!”

How could Xiao Shi not know all that she was saying? It was just that…

Xiao Shi said indifferently: “The rise and fall of dynasties all have their destined time, just like your maternal grandfather’s Western Liang Kingdom – didn’t it also come to nothing in the end?”

“Though that may be so, but…” Before Yunyi could continue, Xiao Shi had already refused: “In this matter, Mother is powerless!”

Her words were difficult for Yunyi to understand: “Why? Does Mother Empress not hope for the Great Sui to prosper?” Mother Empress was the Empress of the Great Sui – by reason, she should hope for the Great Sui to have peace and prosperity, wealth and strength. To say Mother Empress was cold by nature didn’t seem right either – Mother Empress had always treated palace servants extremely well. Over all these years, she had never seen Mother Empress severely reprimand any palace servant.

Xiao Shi didn’t answer her question, only saying: “In any case, Mother will not concern herself with court affairs. As for you, stop here as well – don’t interfere anymore, lest you anger your father emperor again.”

Yunyi asked tentatively: “Mother Empress, are you hiding something from your subject?”

Xiao Shi smiled: “What could Mother hide from you? Alright, let’s not speak of these things.” She pointed to the pearl at Yunyi’s neck: “You still haven’t told Mother who gave this to you.”

Yunyi’s cheeks reddened slightly: “No one gave it to your subject. Your subject just felt this pearl was quite distinctive, so I wore it.”

Xiao Shi smiled: “When did such a small and ordinary pearl become a distinctive thing?” Seeing Yunyi lower her head without speaking, she continued: “Could it be a gift from your sweetheart?”

Having her thoughts hit directly, Yunyi panicked slightly, not knowing how to respond for a moment. Seeing the panic on her face, Xiao Shi knew she had guessed correctly and pulled her to sit down: “Tell Mother, what kind of man is he? Is he worthy of our Princess Jinyang?”

Yunyi was made even more embarrassed by her words and said reproachfully: “Mother Empress, why are you teasing your subject?”

Xiao Shi smiled gently: “Mother is clearly showing concern for you. How did it become teasing in your mouth? Tell Mother quickly.”

Under Xiao Shi’s questioning, Yunyi had no choice but to roughly relate Li Shimin’s story, including how he had secretly allowed her to leave. Then she fingered the pearl at her neck: “This… actually doesn’t count as a gift from him. It’s just that besides this, your subject can find nothing else connected to him.”

Xiao Shi nodded: “To think that under those circumstances, he would actually release you. It seems he does have feelings for you.”

Yunyi smiled bitterly: “What good are feelings? Not to mention he already has a marriage engagement – even if he didn’t, your subject and he could never be together.”

“Can you let go?” Faced with Xiao Shi’s inquiry, Yunyi’s eyes reddened slightly as she lowered her head: “Even if I can’t let go, I must. Your subject killed Li Xuanba – he will never forgive me.”

“You!” Xiao Shi lovingly drew Yunyi into her embrace. Love unattainable… She never expected these three words would repeat themselves in her daughter’s life. The only consolation was that Yunyi wasn’t as deeply fallen as she had been in those days.

Yunyi struggled to hold back the tears that appeared in her eyes, looking up with a smile: “Mother Empress need not worry about your subject. Your subject is fine.”

“Mother knows.” Xiao Shi gently patted her back. After a while, she suddenly said: “Yunyi, tell Mother about Wu Meixue, won’t you? It’s rare that she shares your appearance and birth date. If not for…” Xiao Shi suppressed the sob in her throat. “Mother clearly remembers giving birth to only you, or I would think she was Mother’s lost daughter.”

“Mm.” Yunyi suspected nothing and recounted everything – how she had met Meixue, how Meixue was later killed by mistake by Chunxiu, and how she had continued to remain in the Governor’s mansion under Meixue’s identity.