After they left, Ruyi said: “Princess, there’s still much fish food left. Let’s continue feeding the fish. Just now this servant saw a golden-red brocade carp that was very beautiful—perhaps it will come out again.”

Yunyi had no mood left to feed the carp. She said: “Jixiang, go inquire about the Duke of Tang and his son’s situation. See if there’s anything beyond what Consort Wang mentioned.”

Jixiang asked in confusion: “Princess, why should we concern ourselves with the Duke of Tang’s affairs? We don’t even know them.”

“Don’t ask so many questions, just do as I instruct.” Seeing her say this, Jixiang could only suppress her full belly of doubts and go inquire around. The news she gathered was similar to what Consort Wang had said—Li Shimin refused the marriage and wouldn’t marry Princess Yongfeng. In his rage, Yang Guang had thrown the father and son into the imperial prison. If after three days Li Shimin still refused to marry Princess Yongfeng, according to Yang Guang’s intention, both father and son, along with the Li family members far away in Honghua Commandery, would all be executed for defying the imperial decree!

After hearing Jixiang’s words, Ruyi said: “I hope Young Master Li will come to his senses by then. Although betraying Miss Zhangsun would be wrong, it’s still better than so many people losing their lives together.”

Jixiang continued: “Let’s hope so, but according to the palace attendants from Qianyuan Hall, Young Master Li’s attitude is very firm. I’m afraid when the time comes, he still won’t agree.” Saying this, she glanced at the sky: “Princess, it’s about time for the midday meal. Shall we return?”

Yunyi nodded heavily and walked toward Changsheng Hall with the two of them. When they were almost at Changsheng Hall, she suddenly stopped and said: “Support me to Qianyuan Hall.”

Ruyi was startled, then tentatively asked: “Does the Princess wish to plead for the Duke of Tang and his son?” Every time the Duke of Tang and his son were mentioned, the Princess’s reaction was quite unusual. Although the Princess had never admitted it, both she and Jixiang felt the Princess must know them, and their relationship was probably not shallow.

Seeing Yunyi remain silent, Ruyi knew she had guessed correctly and quickly said: “His Majesty is currently in a rage. I’m afraid even if the Princess goes, it would be futile and might even displease His Majesty.”

Yunyi was silent for a moment, then for the first time admitted her acquaintance with Li Shimin: “Young Master Li has shown me kindness. I cannot watch him die.”

Ruyi thought for a while: “His Majesty said he’s giving Young Master Li three days, which means during these three days, Young Master Li and the others are still safe. The Princess needn’t be too anxious.”

How could Yunyi not know this, but thinking of Li Shimin trapped in prison made it impossible for her to feel at ease: “Three days pass in an instant. What if by then we still cannot obtain Father Emperor’s mercy?”

Jixiang interjected: “His Majesty has never liked the Princess interfering in court affairs. Previously when you advised His Majesty several times, he punished you with confinement for nearly two months straight, and that was only considering the Empress’s sake—otherwise it would have been worse. In this servant’s opinion, you should stop concerning yourself with the Duke of Tang’s affairs, lest you bring trouble upon yourself again.”

“No!” Yunyi firmly rejected Jixiang’s words, but the latter’s words did remind her of something. In the rear palace, there was indeed someone who could save Li Shimin and his father, but it wasn’t her. Thinking of this, she quickly said: “We’re not going to Qianyuan Hall anymore. Change course to Zhaoyang Hall.”

Without waiting for Jixiang and Ruyi to speak, Yunyi had already taken the first step toward Zhaoyang Hall. The two could only hurry to catch up. All the way to Zhaoyang Hall, they found Xiao Shi watering the plum trees planted in the palace courtyard. At this time, the wintersweet flowering period had not yet ended, and golden yellow blossoms still bloomed brilliantly on the branch tips.

Although Zhaoyang Hall had countless palace attendants, Xiao Shi always personally handled the watering and pruning of the dozens of wintersweet trees planted here, not allowing anyone except Yunyi to touch them. Once during deep winter, Princess Nanyang had visited the palace to see Xiao Shi. Seeing the beautiful wintersweet blossoms here, she had her maid break off several branches, but when Xiao Shi discovered this, she severely scolded her. From then on, no matter how beautifully the wintersweet bloomed here, Princess Nanyang never dared touch them again. As for the reason behind this, no one knew, and no one dared ask.

After finishing watering the last plum tree together with Yunyi, Xiao Shi wiped the fine beads of sweat from her forehead and smiled: “Why have you come to see Mother Empress at this time?”

Yunyi handed the watering can to a palace attendant and smiled: “Your daughter knows Mother Empress was watering, so I came specially to help Mother Empress together.”

Xiao Shi pinched her tender cheeks: “You’re so sweet-tongued. Have you eaten yet?” When Yunyi shook her head, she said: “Perfect, Mother Empress hasn’t eaten either. Stay here and dine with Mother Empress.”

“Mm.” Yunyi agreed. When they arrived at the side hall, palace attendants had already prepared the midday meal. Xiao Shi didn’t like rich, oily foods, so the palace meals were mainly light with little oil.

After dining with Xiao Shi, Yunyi took the tea handed by a palace attendant and gave it to Xiao Shi. After the latter rinsed her mouth, she said: “Is there something you want to tell me?”

Yunyi didn’t hide anything and nodded: “Your daughter encountered Consort Wang by Jiuzhou Pond. She told me that the Duke of Tang and his son were ordered imprisoned by Father Emperor for refusing Father Emperor’s marriage decree. After three days, if they still don’t agree, they’ll be executed for the crime of defying the imperial decree. Consort Wang went to Qianyuan Hall to plead for the Duke of Tang and his son, but unfortunately Father Emperor refused to see her. Your daughter could see she was very worried.” After a brief pause, she continued: “Your daughter understands Li Shimin—he will not betray Miss Zhangsun. If nothing unexpected happens, after three days, he’ll be hard-pressed to escape death!”

Xiao Shi said calmly: “And then?”

Yunyi took a deep breath: “Your daughter wishes to ask Mother Empress to save them.”

Xiao Shi said peacefully: “The Li father and son disobeyed the imperial decree. By law they should be executed. How could I save them?”

“That’s not true.” Yunyi shook her head urgently: “As long as Mother Empress speaks up, Father Emperor will certainly show mercy.”

“Mother Empress swore an oath never to interfere in court affairs.” Before Xiao Shi finished speaking, Yunyi had already grasped her hand, saying urgently: “The Duke of Tang and his son are not evil people. Not only has Li Shimin shown kindness to your daughter, but he also helped Meixue and Wu Laosan. Your daughter truly cannot bear to see them lose their lives. Please, Mother Empress, make an exception just this once.”

Xiao Shi’s brow twitched, showing a hesitant expression, but ultimately she still shook her head: “Since I made the oath, it cannot be broken. In this matter, Mother Empress cannot help you.”

“Mother Empress…” Before Yunyi could say more, Xiao Shi had already said: “I am tired. You may withdraw!”

Yunyi bit her silver teeth and not only didn’t leave, but knelt down on the cold, hard golden bricks: “Unless Mother Empress agrees, your daughter will kneel here without rising.”

Seeing her kneel down, Ruyi and the other also quickly knelt down, respectfully saying: “Please show mercy, Empress.”

Xiao Shi stood up, her voice slightly cool: “Even if you truly kneel without rising, I will not break my oath to plead for you.”

Xiao Shi’s coldness left Yunyi unable to understand. Seeing Xiao Shi about to leave, she blurted out: “Why did Mother Empress make such an oath?”

Xiao Shi’s steps paused. After a while, a distant voice came: “I have my reasons. You need not know them.”