Ever since the Princess learned last night that Governor Li and his son had entered the capital, she had been acting somewhat strangely. Usually, she would first pay her respects to the Empress upon rising in the morning, but today she came to Dengchun Pavilion first instead. Although the Princess had a good relationship with Consort Wang, it was merely limited to occasional visits.
How did she feel… that the Princess came to Dengchun Pavilion specifically to see Li Yuan and his son? But was that even possible? As the Princess herself had said, one was in Luoyang, the other in Honghua Commandery—there was no way they could know each other.
But if not, why would the Princess come here and keep gazing in the direction of Qianyuan Gate? Wait, the Princess had once left the palace, so it was possible they had met outside the palace. After the Princess returned to the palace, she absolutely refused to mention anything about her time outside, only telling them that Moping had died.
After hesitating for a long time, she finally couldn’t help but ask: “Princess, do you know Master Li and the others?”
“I suppose I do know them.” Saying this, Yunyi took a deep look at Qianyuan Gate, then turned and headed toward Changsheng Hall. Before reaching there, she saw Jixiang standing at the palace gate looking around anxiously. Upon seeing them approach, he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects, then said: “Princess, someone from Qianyuan Hall came to relay a message—you are to go there immediately.”
“Qianyuan Hall?” Yunyi repeated in surprise. She naturally knew what kind of place Qianyuan Hall was. Over all these years, Father Emperor had almost never actively summoned her. Today, why would he…
Ruyi asked from the side: “Do you know what it’s about?”
Jixiang shook his head: “I don’t know. The messenger only said that the Princess should go there immediately upon returning, without delay.”
Li Yuan and his son had left the palace on the front foot, and Father Emperor was summoning her on the back foot—could it be about Li Yuan and his son? Thinking this, Yunyi said: “I understand. I’ll go there right away.”
All the way to Qianyuan Hall, the palace attendants outside had already received instructions and gestured for her to enter directly, though only she alone—both Ruyi and Jixiang were left outside.
In Qianyuan Hall, regardless of the season, day or night, the lights never went out. On both left and right sides stood purple bronze candlesticks carved with dragon patterns, holding arm-thick gold-decorated red candles that burned continuously day and night.
Yang Guang was sitting in the imperial chair with his eyes closed, while Zheng Ying stood to one side with lowered eyes. Yunyi walked to the center of the hall where one could see their reflection in the floor, knelt down and said: “Your subject daughter pays respects to Father Emperor. May Father Emperor’s sacred health be well!”
Yang Guang slowly opened his eyes, staring at Yunyi who had lowered her brows and eyes: “You’ve come?”
Yunyi respectfully replied: “Yes. I wonder what instructions Father Emperor has in summoning your subject daughter here?”
Yang Guang said in a deep voice: “You previously stayed in Li Yuan’s residence for half a year. Tell me, what kind of person is Li Yuan?” The military force of thirteen commanderies was no small matter. Although An Jiatuo had calculated that Li Yuan lacked the mandate of a king, he still dared not take him lightly.
As expected, it was related to Li Yuan. Yunyi’s thoughts turned slightly, and she answered truthfully: “In response to Father Emperor, Li Yuan greatly cherishes the people of his commandery, treating them like his own family. He is also much beloved by the people. In your subject daughter’s view, he is a very excellent official.”
Yang Guang’s expression changed slightly: “So you’re saying he has more prestige in Honghua Commandery than I do?” For a ruler, having capable subjects was a good thing, but being too capable was another matter entirely. The four words “achievements threatening the master”—he had heard them many times.
Yunyi had grown up by Yang Guang’s side and knew his naturally suspicious nature. She feared he was beginning to suspect Li Yuan again. Originally, if Yang Guang suspected Li Yuan, she should be happy and even take this opportunity to fan the flames, but…
If Li Yuan died, Li Shimin would also inevitably face death. At the thought of this, that feeling of her internal organs being twisted together from last night surged up again. She knew she should help Father Emperor guard the Great Sui’s territory and not let others covet it, but she equally didn’t want Li Shimin to die. She owed this man far too much, so… even if it meant deceiving Father Emperor, she wanted Li Shimin to live well. Consider it… repaying the favor he had shown her when he let her escape!
As for Li Yuan… from the situation during those six months, he seemed to have no rebellious intentions. If one day he truly intended to rebel against Father Emperor, even if it cost her life, she would take his head!
Seeing that Yunyi hadn’t responded for a while, Yang Guang urged: “Why aren’t you speaking?”
Yunyi bit her lower lip and said: “In response to Father Emperor, from what your subject daughter knows, although Li Yuan has some prestige, it’s only limited to that. How could he be compared to Father Emperor?”
Her words caused Yang Guang’s expression to relax slightly, then he said: “Did he have any unusual behavior?”
“Your subject daughter didn’t notice any, though there was one time when I heard Li Yuan mention Father Emperor.” This piqued Yang Guang’s interest, and he pressed: “What did he say?”
“He said he had received imperial grace, and as long as he had breath in his body, he would firmly guard the situation in Guanzhong and absolutely not let anyone with ill intentions threaten Father Emperor!”
“Oh?” Yang Guang raised an eyebrow with a hint of doubt: “You were just a dancing girl at the time. Why would Li Yuan say such things to you?”
Yunyi had anticipated this question and respectfully replied: “In response to Father Emperor, Li Yuan was speaking to several of his sons at the time. Your subject daughter just happened to overhear while standing nearby.”
Yang Guang nodded: “According to what you say, Li Yuan is indeed a fine loyal subject. But didn’t you previously think Li Yuan deserved to die? You even went to Honghua Commandery to assassinate him.”
“At that time, your subject daughter heard Father Emperor and Master An speaking and thought Li Yuan would be someone who would subvert our Great Sui’s territory, so I secretly went to Honghua Commandery to assassinate him. But… after half a year, your subject daughter indeed found no signs of Li Yuan harboring rebellious intentions.” This statement was actually truthful from Yunyi.
Yang Guang pondered for a moment: “I understand. You may withdraw.”
Although Yunyi very much wanted to know Yang Guang’s intention in summoning Li Yuan from thousands of miles away to the palace, she also knew clearly that Yang Guang would not tell her. She could only suppress her curiosity and withdraw.
After Yunyi withdrew, Yang Guang called Zheng Ying over: “Among the imperial clan, are there any daughters of suitable age for marriage?”
Zheng Ying thought for a while, then bowed and said: “In response to Your Majesty, this servant recalls that Prince Xiao’s eldest daughter has reached marriageable age and is not yet betrothed.” Prince Xiao was Yang Guang’s younger brother who had died of illness before Yang Guang ascended the throne, leaving behind two sons and two daughters.
Yang Guang contemplated for a moment: “Transmit my decree: Confer the title of Princess Yongfeng upon Prince Xiao’s eldest daughter, and bestow her in marriage to Li Yuan’s second son Li Shimin, with the wedding to be held in the eighth month!”
For many people, receiving an imperial marriage decree was the highest honor, not to mention marrying Prince Xiao’s eldest daughter—a legitimate princess.
But for Li Shimin, it was no less than a bolt from the blue. He guessed this was Yang Guang’s move to win him over, but he already had a marriage engagement. How could he marry someone else?
Zheng Ying waited for quite a while but never saw Li Shimin accept the decree. Thinking he was simply overwhelmed with joy at suddenly receiving Yang Guang’s marriage decree to a current dynasty princess, he reminded: “Why doesn’t the Prince Consort quickly accept the decree and express gratitude?”
Li Shimin looked at the bright yellow scroll that Zheng Ying handed over with a complex expression. He had no desire to marry any princess, but… imperial will could not be defied. If he didn’t agree, it would be defying the decree. With Yang Guang’s unpredictable temperament, both he and his father would likely die in Luoyang, unless they raised troops in advance? He… what should he do?