In fact, when Duan Zhihong had left during the chaos earlier, he went to room number nine of the Earth section and delivered the note Li Shimin had given him to Xue Wanche, who was staying there.

When they finished drinking and went downstairs, Xue Wanche was sitting at a table in the main hall below, drinking wine and eating. Their eyes met briefly then separated, both pretending not to know each other. Shortly after Li Shimin and his companion left, Xue Wanche also departed from Yuelai Inn, heading outside the city.

That brief eye contact with Li Shimin was enough to confirm that what was written on the paper was indeed Li Shimin’s intention. What he needed to do now was immediately leave the city to rendezvous with the thousand-plus soldiers waiting outside the city, make arrangements, and once the signal appeared, immediately enter the city to rescue them.

The next morning, before Li Shimin entered the palace with Li Yuan, he handed the cloud-piercing rocket he had been carefully keeping to Duan Zhihong: “After we leave, you should also immediately take several trusted men and leave the post station. Find a secluded place to hide and pay attention to news from the palace. If you hear news that His Majesty intends harm to my father and me, light this cloud-piercing rocket and work with Xue Wanche to attempt a rescue!”

“This subordinate understands.” After receiving the cloud-piercing rocket, Duan Zhihong advised: “Second Young Master, you and the Governor clearly know that entering Ziwei Palace today is like entering a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den. Why still enter the palace? In this subordinate’s view, it would be better to leave the city immediately and return to Honghua Commandery while His Majesty still doesn’t know your intentions. That would be the safest course.”

Li Shimin sighed: “That would naturally be safe, but everything would be exposed, with no room for turning back. To rise up now… I’m not boosting others’ spirits while diminishing our own, but the odds are truly against us.”

Duan Zhihong hesitated for a moment: “But given His Majesty’s temperament, once you refuse the marriage decree, he will surely not let the matter rest.”

“Perhaps things won’t be so bad. In any case…” Li Shimin lowered his voice: “Raising troops is a last resort. As long as there’s the slightest possibility, we cannot take this step. You must remember this firmly.”

Duan Zhihong nodded: “This subordinate understands. This subordinate only fears rescue might come too late!”

Li Shimin shook his head: “His Majesty decreed this marriage to me, likely intending to win over Father. I don’t think he’ll immediately move against my father and me. Moreover, there’s Consort Shun in the palace to help. You needn’t worry too much.”

Seeing his mind was made up, Duan Zhihong couldn’t say more and only nodded forcefully: “Second Young Master, rest assured. Even if this subordinate risks his life, he will certainly rescue you and the Governor.”

“I know, otherwise I wouldn’t entrust such an important matter to you.” While they were talking, Li Yuan, dressed in court attire, had already come out and said solemnly: “Have you finished making arrangements?”

“Father, rest assured. Everything has been arranged properly. Zhihong will keep close watch on news from the palace.” After receiving Li Shimin’s words, Li Yuan nodded: “It’s getting late. Let’s enter the palace.”

“Yes.” Li Shimin agreed, and as he passed by Duan Zhihong, he instructed: “Remember what I just said. Unless it’s critical, don’t act rashly.”

After Duan Zhihong nodded, Li Shimin accompanied Li Yuan out of the post station and into the carriage waiting outside, heading toward Ziwei Palace. Shortly after they left, Duan Zhihong also followed Li Shimin’s instructions, taking several trusted subordinates under the pretext of finding a place to drink, and left the post station.

Li Yuan and his son followed the palace attendants all the way to Qianyuan Palace. Normally, this would be the time for morning court, but since Yang Guang ascended the throne, he had rarely held proper morning court sessions, and today was naturally no different.

Yang Guang sat regally at the head in his dragon-patterned crown and robes, playing with the precious bowl Li Yuan had presented yesterday. Seeing them enter, he smiled: “Minister Li, this precious bowl is truly magical. I’ve studied it for so long but still can’t figure out why the fish at the bottom of the bowl, clearly an inanimate object, comes alive when water is poured in. Quickly tell me, what exactly is going on?”

Li Yuan respectfully replied: “It’s not that your subject is unwilling to tell Your Majesty, but truly your subject also doesn’t know. It’s said that this pair of precious bowls was made by a skilled craftsman during the Eastern Han period. Only he knew the secret within. After his death, the secret of the precious bowls was lost.”

Hearing this, Yang Guang showed disappointment and sighed: “What a pity.”

After ordering Zheng Ying to put away the precious bowl, he looked at Li Shimin: “Princess Yongfeng is the eldest daughter of my imperial brother. Since Prince Xiao’s death, I have always treated her as my own daughter. Seeing your proper conduct, I decreed this marriage to you. You must treat Princess Yongfeng well and not neglect her.”

Li Shimin secretly gritted his teeth and knelt down: “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. Shimin… cannot marry Princess Yongfeng!”

Yang Guang never expected that someone would dare defy the imperial decree and refuse the marriage. After the initial surprise, his expression immediately turned from clear to stormy, and he said coldly: “What do you mean by this? Is Princess Yongfeng not worthy of you?”

Seeing his anger, Li Yuan quickly knelt down: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Princess Yongfeng is beautiful and virtuous, wise and gentle. To be able to marry Princess Yongfeng would truly be fortune accumulated over several lifetimes for this unworthy son. Your Majesty’s great grace to your subject and son—even if we died ten thousand deaths, we could not repay even one part of it.”

His words caused Yang Guang’s expression to clear slightly: “If that’s the case, why can’t he marry Princess Yongfeng?”

“In response to Your Majesty, when this unworthy son was young, he was already betrothed to the daughter of Zhangsun Sheng. We’re only waiting for the three-year mourning period to end before the wedding. So… we can only disappoint Your Majesty’s kind intentions. Please forgive us, Your Majesty.”

Yang Guang was unaware of this matter. After thinking for a while, he said: “Since the marriage hasn’t taken place yet, just break off that engagement. Princess Yongfeng has noble status and an orchid-like heart. How can a mere Zhangsun clan member compare to her?”

Li Yuan lowered his eyes: “Before Brother Zhangsun passed away, your subject promised him that Shimin would definitely marry the Zhangsun daughter. Your Majesty’s favor fills your subject with gratitude, but… a promise to the departed—your subject truly dare not break his word.”

Yang Guang’s expression, which had just improved, darkened again because of these words: “You don’t dare violate your promise to Zhangsun Sheng, so you’re going to defy my imperial decree?”

Li Yuan prostrated himself in terror: “Please forgive me, Your Majesty!”

Yang Guang snorted coldly, walked to Li Shimin, and stared down at him: “You truly refuse to marry Princess Yongfeng?”

Li Shimin respectfully replied: “Shimin has humble status and dull qualifications. I truly dare not aspire to Princess Yongfeng!”

Yang Guang’s eyes narrowed slightly. He said “good” several times in succession, then swept his sleeves and returned to sit on the dragon throne, saying coldly: “So you father and son are determined to defy the imperial decree?”

Yang Guang’s original intention was to use this marriage to win over Li Yuan and his son, then entrust him with the military forces of the thirteen commanderies to pacify the rebellions in Xi’an and Hedong. He never expected it would backfire. If he had known about Li Shimin’s existing engagement before issuing the decree, there would still have been room for maneuvering. But learning of it only after issuing the decree—if he withdrew the decree now, the monarch’s dignity would be completely lost.

At this point, Li Yuan and his son had no way back and could only steel themselves: “Please forgive us, Your Majesty.”