An Jiatuo lowered his eyes, “Your Majesty, it was false. When this humble monk observed the physiognomy of the father and son earlier, I found Li Yuan’s features to be ordinary. However, this Li Shimin has a full forehead with five pillars extending straight to the crown of his head – he actually possesses the features of one as wealthy and noble as an emperor. This humble monk was concerned that the words ‘Li flowers bloom’ might come true through Li Shimin, so I used the pretext of great peril to obtain his birth date and time.”

Yang Guang’s heart tightened as he urgently asked, “What was the result?”

An Jiatuo shook his head, “It’s not him. Although Li Shimin’s physiognomy is excellent, his birth date and time are not sufficiently noble. He may become as wealthy as an emperor, but as for nobility… it’s merely ordinary. If this humble monk’s assessment is correct, in the future, he will most likely inherit Li Yuan’s title of Duke of Tang.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Guang’s heart relaxed, “Since the father and son pose no threat to me, then the military forces of the thirteen commanderies can be entrusted to them.”

An Jiatuo pondered for a moment, “Your Majesty, although Li Yuan currently appears loyal to you, one must guard against others. This humble monk still maintains my previous suggestion – it would be best to select a woman for a marriage alliance to firmly bind the Li family father and son to your side. This way, should people with the surname Li cause trouble in the future, Li Yuan and his son would help Your Majesty resist them.” He probed tentatively, “Princess Jinyang…”

Yang Guang raised his hand to interrupt him, “Let me think more carefully about this matter.”

While Qianyuan Hall fell into quietude, Li Yuan and his son also arrived at Dengchun Pavilion, where Consort Wang resided. As they followed palace attendants to the main hall, they happened to see a graceful, beautiful silhouette in palace attire being helped by palace attendants toward the inner chambers. Her magnificent, exquisite skirt train swept behind her like a blooming flower in the floating world.

For some reason, this silhouette gave Li Shimin a sense of familiarity, as if he had seen her somewhere before.

But… was that possible? He had only entered the imperial palace once at age fifteen with his mother. Among his acquaintances, aside from Consort Wang Shunyi, there was no one else.

The two bowed to Consort Wang seated at the head of the hall, “Li Yuan (Li Shimin) pays respects to Consort Shunyi, may Your Ladyship live a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand thousand years!”

Consort Wang personally stepped forward to help Li Yuan up, saying kindly, “Uncle, please rise. We haven’t seen each other for several years – have you been well?”

Li Yuan respectfully replied, “Thanks to Your Ladyship’s blessings, this subject has been well in all things.”

“That’s good.” Consort Wang nodded and turned her gaze to Li Shimin, smiling, “I remember when Aunt brought Shimin to the palace last time, Shimin was only fifteen – young and immature. I never expected he would grow so much. Time truly flies.” After a pause, she asked, “I remember you are betrothed to a young lady from the Zhangsun family. Have you married?”

“In response to Your Ladyship, because it has been less than three years since my mother passed away, I must wait until next year to marry. When the time comes, Shimin will certainly write to inform Your Ladyship.”

“Good.” Consort Shunyi smiled and nodded. After palace attendants served tea, Li Shimin thought of the silhouette from earlier and inquired, “When Shimin entered just now, I saw someone leaving. May I ask who it was?”

Consort Shunyi smiled, “It was Princess Jinyang. She had just come to visit me, but hearing you were coming and finding it inconvenient to meet, she went to the inner chambers.”

“Princess Jinyang?” Li Yuan thought for a moment, “Is that the one under Her Majesty the Empress’s care?”

“Exactly. Ever since Princess Nanyang married Yuwen Shiji, son of Duke Xu, Princess Jinyang has been the one serving Their Majesties. Princess Jinyang is beautiful in both appearance and character, modest and proper – even surpassing Princess Nanyang. However, for some unknown reason, His Majesty’s affection for her has never matched his devotion to Princess Nanyang.”

Li Shimin nodded. Indeed, he had been mistaken – he had never seen that Princess Jinyang.

While he was pondering, Consort Shunyi had already dismissed the palace attendants and said, “Uncle, have you seen His Majesty?”

Li Yuan nodded and recounted Yang Guang’s inquiry about his views on the rebellions in Shanxi and Hedong regions. After listening carefully, Consort Shunyi touched her chest, “From Uncle’s words, His Majesty’s summons this time shouldn’t be too dire. However, Uncle must still be careful. These past six months, His Majesty has become increasingly moody and unpredictable. Also, His Majesty has a rigid temperament and dislikes appeasement strategies, so Uncle must never speak such words again. If His Majesty asks again, just say you will suppress them with full force to serve as a warning to others.”

Although Consort Wang was unremarkable in the palace and received only ordinary favor from Yang Guang – far inferior to Consort Ronghua and others – she was an extremely intelligent woman with deep understanding of Yang Guang’s temperament and moods. Her words immediately revealed Yang Guang’s true thoughts.

“This subject understands. Thank you for Your Ladyship’s reminder, and for the previous matter as well – this subject thanks you for everything.” Although only the three of them were present, being in the palace, Li Yuan feared eavesdropping and dared not speak too explicitly, only offering vague thanks.

Consort Shunyi understood his meaning and smiled, “Uncle speaks too formally. My father died early, and thanks only to Uncle and Aunt treating me as your own daughter was I able to grow up safely. I will never forget this kindness.” She continued, “Besides, if I don’t help Uncle, whom else would I help?”

Hearing her mention the past, Li Yuan smiled, “Your Ladyship is too kind.”

“In any case, I will do my best to speak favorably of Uncle before His Majesty. Uncle can rest assured.” Saying this, Consort Shunyi chatted with Li Yuan for a while longer before personally escorting Li Yuan and his son out of Dengchun Pavilion.

When she returned to the main hall, she discovered that Yunyi, who should have been in the inner chambers, had somehow come out and was staring blankly in the direction Li Yuan and his son had departed, her eyes extraordinarily complex.

Only after Consort Wang called her name twice did she pull Yunyi from her reverie. She asked curiously, “Princess, are you acquainted with them?”

Yunyi collected her thoughts and shook her head, “Your Ladyship jests. I have never seen them – how could I be acquainted?”

“That’s true.” Consort Wang also felt she had overthought it. One resided in the Luoyang palace city, the other served as an official in Honghua Commandery – how could they possibly know each other?

Shortly after leaving Dengchun Pavilion, Li Shimin suddenly paused, somewhat hesitantly looking back toward the not-distant pavilion. Li Yuan asked puzzledly, “What’s wrong?”

Li Shimin said uncertainly, “It seems… someone is watching us.”

Li Yuan was startled, then said, “It’s probably Consort Shunyi. Come, let’s go.”

Li Shimin nodded and withdrew his gaze, following Li Yuan toward Qianyuan Gate. Just after they stepped out of the palace city, Yunyi in light cherry-colored scattered-flower palace attire, supported by Ruyi’s hand, walked along the palace path they had just traveled. If Li Shimin were there, he would certainly recognize Yunyi as the assassin he had previously let escape, but they… ultimately never met!

After walking for an unknown time, Ruyi whispered, “Princess, Qianyuan Gate is just ahead. Let’s return.”

Yunyi said nothing, only stopping to gaze quietly at the tall vermillion palace gate. Walking on the path Li Shimin had traveled felt wonderful, as if… he were beside her. However, for her, this was the end – she could follow no further.