Li Shimin… When did she begin to so desperately not want him to die? But… if Father Emperor was determined to kill the Li family father and son, she could not save him at all!

Tomorrow, would he enter the palace with Li Yuan? She truly wanted… to see him once more, even if just a distant glimpse would suffice.

The night passed amid the quietly emerging green of willow branches. Before dawn broke, Li Yuan had already donned his court robes and, together with Li Shimin, rode a carriage to the Purple Forbidden Palace in the northern part of the imperial city, quietly waiting outside the still-unopened Qianyuan Gate.

After about half an hour, the heavy Qianyuan Gate finally opened. The palace attendants guarding the gate were startled to see Li Yuan and his son waiting outside, then went in to report.

Another half hour passed, and Li Yuan and his son were standing in Qianyuan Hall. After a while, they heard the shrill voice of a eunuch, “His Majesty arrives!”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan and his son immediately knelt respectfully, “Subject Li Yuan (commoner Li Shimin) pays respects to our Emperor, may our Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

In their downcast vision, they saw the hem of a dark gold robe sweep past, then heard a deep voice, “Rise!”

“Thank Your Majesty!” After expressing their gratitude, Li Yuan and his son carefully stood up.

Yang Guang supported his chin with his hand and said indifferently, “Having Beloved Minister Li travel a thousand miles to come here must have been truly arduous.”

Li Yuan immediately bowed, “This subject is Your Majesty’s servant. As long as Your Majesty commands, let alone a thousand miles, even ten thousand miles or ten thousand times ten thousand miles, this subject will certainly answer the summons.”

Yang Guang smiled ambiguously, “Beloved Minister Li is indeed loyal, but… what if I summoned you here to borrow the head on your shoulders?”

Li Yuan’s body trembled slightly, then he said, “If the ruler wants the subject to die, the subject cannot refuse to die. It’s just that I don’t know…” He carefully raised his head, “What has this subject done wrong?”

Yang Guang chuckled, “I was joking with Beloved Minister Li. How did Beloved Minister Li take it seriously? Someone, grant him a seat!”

After expressing his gratitude, Li Yuan sat sideways on the embroidered stool brought by a palace attendant. Yang Guang looked at Li Shimin standing behind Li Yuan, “This must be Beloved Minister Li’s second son?”

“Indeed. Because this subject’s health is poor, Shimin was worried and thus accompanied this subject to the capital. Who would have thought he would have the opportunity to see the sacred countenance – truly Shimin’s fortune of three lifetimes.” As he spoke, Li Yuan covered his mouth and coughed lightly several times.

“Having not seen you for years, Beloved Minister Li has become increasingly eloquent.” Saying this, Yang Guang continued, “However, I remember Beloved Minister Li’s health was always excellent. How did it become poor?”

Li Yuan sighed, “Your Majesty, in the ninth year of the Daye era, this subject was ambushed by an assassin. Although I preserved my life and received treatment from Imperial Physician Zhu, I still suffer from lingering ailments and cannot compare to my former self.”

“That assassin was truly detestable. Fortunately, Beloved Minister Li suffered no serious harm, otherwise I would have issued a nationwide manhunt to capture him!”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan knelt with a face full of emotion, “Your Majesty’s great kindness – even if this subject were torn to pieces, it would be difficult to repay even one ten-thousandth of it!”

After gesturing for him to rise, Yang Guang said, “If I remember correctly, Beloved Minister Li is exactly fifty this year?”

“Your Majesty has an excellent memory. This subject is indeed fifty.” As soon as Li Yuan finished speaking, An Jiatuo, who had been standing silently beside Yang Guang, suddenly said, “This humble monk is also exactly fifty. I wonder when Lord Li’s birth date is?”

Indeed, just as Xia Houduan had predicted. Li Yuan thought to himself while reciting his birth date and time – naturally, the altered birth date and time.

An Jiatuo’s hands behind his back rapidly calculated while he said, “This humble monk was born in the seventh month, so I am indeed several months younger than Lord Li.”

Li Yuan knew he was Yang Guang’s confidant and dared not slight him, respectfully saying, “Though Li is slightly older than Master An, I am far inferior to Master An’s vast learning and extensive knowledge. I am truly ashamed.”

At this moment, An Jiatuo had already calculated Li Yuan’s “fate.” Although he would live a life of wealth and honor, he lacked the destiny of a ruler, so he posed no threat to Yang Guang. His heart relaxed slightly as he smiled, “Lord Li is too kind.” As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Li Shimin’s face, observing him discreetly. This young man had bright eyes, handsome features, and abundant vital energy – clearly not an ordinary person. Could it be… that the blooming Li flowers referred to him?

With this thought, he casually asked, “I wonder how old the young master is?”

Li Shimin bowed, “In response to Master An, Shimin is twenty-one this year.”

“Twenty-one…” An Jiatuo deliberately furrowed his brow, “This age is not particularly auspicious.”

Li Yuan followed his words, “What does Master An mean by this?”

“This humble monk observes that the young master’s physiognomy shows exceptional martial prowess. In the future, he will surely be able to serve as both general and minister. However, there is a horizontal line across his nose bridge, which I fear means the young master will soon face a life-threatening calamity.”

Li Yuan looked panicked, “Then… then what can be done?” He then urgently said to An Jiatuo, “Master An, since you can see that my son faces danger, you must have a way to help him resolve this peril. Please, Master An, show mercy and save my son.”

Li Shimin seemed frightened, standing there dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.

Although Yang Guang didn’t understand why An Jiatuo suddenly spoke this way, he assumed these words had deep meaning, so he said, “Master An, Beloved Minister Li is my capable minister, a pillar of the court. You must certainly help him. We cannot let his heir die young.”

“This humble monk understands.” After An Jiatuo nodded, he said to the panic-stricken Li Yuan, “Lord Li, please be at ease. Since this humble monk has seen it, I will certainly not stand by and watch. Please tell me the young master’s birth date and time so this humble monk can seek a solution.”

“Thank you, Master An!” While Li Yuan repeatedly expressed his gratitude, Li Shimin recited his birth date and time – naturally, like Li Yuan, he spoke the false birth date and time that Xia Houduan had told them beforehand. Then he bowed deeply to An Jiatuo, nervously saying, “Shimin’s life is entrusted to Master An!”

An Jiatuo returned the bow with palms together, “Second Young Master, you are too kind. This humble monk will naturally do his utmost. Once I calculate the solution, I will immediately send someone to inform Second Young Master. Until then, Second Young Master must be extremely careful and not be careless.”

“Shimin will remember. Thank you for Master An’s reminder.” Li Shimin responded with a grateful expression. After bowing to An Jiatuo once more, he retreated to Li Yuan’s side.

After this matter, Li Yuan probed tentatively, “I wonder… what matter does Your Majesty urgently summon this subject to Luoyang to discuss?”

Yang Guang said gravely, “Recently, rebellious people have frequently caused disturbances in Shanxi, Hedong, and other regions. Beloved Minister Li must have heard of this. I summoned you here to hear what good strategies Beloved Minister Li has for dealing with these troublemakers.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan’s heart settled slightly. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Your Majesty, there are two methods for dealing with rebellious people: suppression and pacification.”

Yang Guang naturally understood what suppression meant. As for pacification… he frowned and thought for a while, “Continue.”