Tonight, Yang Guang unusually refrained from summoning any concubines to attend his bedchamber. He sat with eyes closed, leaning against the couch, while An Jiatuo in black robes stood quietly beside him. The black shadow knelt on one knee, respectfully saying, “This servant pays respects to Your Majesty!”

Yang Guang did not open his eyes, only asking, “How did it go?”

“The relay station superintendent heard no words from Li Yuan and his son that would be detrimental to Your Majesty. Instead, he heard that Li Yuan brought a rare treasure to present to Your Majesty!”

Upon hearing this, Yang Guang opened his eyes with interest, “What rare treasure?”

“This subordinate does not know, but in the evening, Li Yuan and his son visited Xia Houduan’s residence.”

“Xia Houduan…” Yang Guang murmured softly, “I remember he has quite a good relationship with Li Yuan.” He then waved his hand, “Very well, you may withdraw.”

After the black shadow silently retreated, Yang Guang said to An Jiatuo beside him, “It seems Li Yuan harbors no disloyal intentions.”

An Jiatuo bowed his head, “I fear Li Yuan knows the relay station superintendent was secretly eavesdropping, so he deliberately spoke those words.”

Yang Guang frowned, “You still suspect Li Yuan might be the Li tree from my dream?”

“Better safe than sorry. After all, Your Majesty is about to entrust him with the military forces of thirteen commanderies – we cannot be careless.” An Jiatuo’s words deeply resonated with Yang Guang, who then said, “You are skilled in physiognomy. Tomorrow, carefully examine whether Li Yuan and his son have rebellious bones behind their skulls.”

“This humble monk obeys your command!” An Jiatuo responded, then added, “If Li Yuan shows no signs of rebellion, does Your Majesty intend to entrust him with all the military forces of the thirteen commanderies?”

Yang Guang nodded, “Correct. The rebellious people in Shanxi and Hedong regions grow stronger by the day. The matter of suppression can no longer be delayed, and Li Yuan is the most suitable candidate.”

An Jiatuo pondered for a long time, “If Your Majesty truly intends to place great trust in Li Yuan, you must firmly bind him to your side, preventing him from harboring any second thoughts.”

Yang Guang, hearing the implication in his words, asked, “What does Master An wish to say?”

An Jiatuo met his gaze and said gravely, “Has Your Majesty considered arranging a marriage alliance?”

“A marriage alliance?” Yang Guang had not expected him to suddenly bring this up and asked in surprise, “You mean arranging marriages for his sons?”

“This humble monk has heard that Li Shimin, the second son accompanying Li Yuan to the capital, is still unmarried. Why doesn’t Your Majesty select a suitable princess or royal clan daughter to marry him, firmly binding the Li family to your side? At the very least, even if we cannot prevent the Li family from developing rebellious intentions in the future, we can learn of it in advance and prepare accordingly.” After a pause, he continued, “This humble monk remembers that Princess Jinyang is exactly seventeen this year and is still unmarried.”

“Yunyi…” A trace of disgust flashed in Yang Guang’s eyes as he shook his head, “No!”

An Jiatuo was startled. Yang Guang usually followed his advice implicitly – why was he refusing so quickly this time? He probed, “Does Your Majesty find it hard to part with Princess Jinyang?”

“It’s not that I’m reluctant to part with her, but that she’s not suitable.” Yang Guang had not forgotten about Yunyi’s attempt to assassinate Li Yuan. If the two of them met, Li Yuan would learn the identity of that “assassin,” so a marriage alliance between them was absolutely impossible.

Yang Guang was unwilling to discuss this matter, so he said, “We’ll decide everything after tomorrow’s audience.”

Although An Jiatuo could tell Yang Guang was concealing something, since the latter was unwilling to speak, he chose not to press further.

In Changsheng Palace, Ruyi was attending to Yunyi as she removed her hairpins and ornaments. Jixiang entered carrying a bowl of bird’s nest soup, pouring the purple cloud honey that was always kept in the room while casually saying, “This servant just encountered Little Dezi from Qianyuan Palace. He said Eunuch Zheng left the palace today – apparently His Majesty sent him to receive someone.”

Ruyi asked in surprise, “Who would require His Majesty to send Eunuch Zheng personally to receive them?”

Jixiang thought for a moment, “It seems to be the Governor of Honghua Commandery, surnamed Li Yuan, and one of his sons, called Li… Li Shi-something. Look at my memory – it’s right on the tip of my tongue, but I just can’t remember.”

The ivory comb carved with a pattern of Chang’e in the moon palace slipped from Yunyi’s hand as she asked tremblingly, “Could it be Li Shimin?”

Prompted by her words, Jixiang immediately remembered and nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes! That’s right, Li Shimin.” She then asked curiously, “Princess, how did you know?”

Yunyi did not answer her, only staring blankly at herself in the mirror. Li Shimin… had he actually come to Luoyang? Since returning to Luoyang, she had forced herself not to think of that person, and indeed, she had thought of him less frequently these past few months. But now, hearing Jixiang mention him, the longing she had suppressed immediately surged forth like a bursting dam, overwhelming her completely…

It turned out she had never truly forgotten Li Shimin. That longing had become even deeper and more intense than before. For a moment, she even wanted to rush out of the Purple Forbidden Palace to see Li Shimin.

Seeing Yunyi’s strange expression, Ruyi picked up the ivory comb and probed, “Princess, do you know this Young Master Li?”

How strange – ever since they came to Changsheng Palace, they had been personally attending the Princess. If the Princess had met Li Shimin, they couldn’t possibly be unaware, unless… it was during the Princess’s absence from the palace. After the Princess returned, no matter how she and Jixiang inquired, she remained tight-lipped about what happened outside the palace.

Yunyi suppressed the surging longing in her chest and said calmly, “I saw him a few times when I left the palace. By the way, do you know why Father Emperor summoned Li Yuan to the capital?”

Jixiang shook her head, “This servant also asked Little Dezi, but unfortunately he doesn’t know either. However, since His Majesty summoned Li Yuan from thousands of miles away, there must be some important matter. I heard they will enter the palace tomorrow for an audience with His Majesty.” She then held the honey-drizzled bird’s nest soup before Yunyi, “Princess, please eat it quickly, or it will get cold.”

Yunyi nodded and absentmindedly ate the bird’s nest soup. Could it be that Father Emperor was convinced the dream of “Yang flowers falling and Li flowers blooming” would come true through Li Yuan, so he was using the opportunity of summoning Li Yuan to the capital to eliminate him?

At this thought, Yunyi’s chest suddenly tightened, and she immediately bent over and began vomiting, expelling all the bird’s nest soup she had just consumed. This greatly alarmed Ruyi and the others, who frantically patted her back and rubbed her chest. After finally stopping the vomiting, Jixiang quickly brought a cup of tea. After helping Yunyi drink it, she asked, “Princess, do you feel better? Should this servant summon the imperial physician?”

“No need, I’m fine. I want to sleep.” Seeing she was unwilling to say more, Jixiang could only help Yunyi to bed along with Ruyi. Hearing the sound of the palace doors closing, Yunyi opened her eyes and gazed with complex emotions at the perforated silver ball hanging within the bed curtains. Fragrant smoke drifted from the silver ball, filling the enclosed space of the bed.

She should have been happy that Father Emperor was determined to eliminate Li Yuan as a threat, but… just thinking that Li Shimin would also die felt like ten thousand needles piercing her relentlessly. The pain twisted her internal organs together, even causing her to vomit involuntarily.