“Does Your Majesty wish to kill them?” Faced with Xiao Shi’s inquiry, Yang Guang snorted coldly, “They insist on seeking their own death. I have no other choice.” Speaking thus, he impatiently waved his hand, “Enough, let’s not speak of them anymore. It only brings vexation. They’ve released some new brocade carp at Jiuzhou Pond, and I hear they’re quite beautiful. How about I accompany you to feed the fish?”

Xiao Shi said in a solemn voice, “Duke Tang has always been loyal to Your Majesty. Your Majesty should not kill him.”

Yang Guang’s expression darkened as he said coldly, “If he were truly loyal to me, he should persuade Li Shimin to obey the imperial decree and marry Yongfeng. Whether to kill or not kill lies entirely in his own hands.”

Xiao Shi shook her head, “Li Yuan and his sons would rather defy the imperial decree than break a marriage contract, which shows they are people who extremely honor their promises. Such people would surely also be loyal subjects. Your Majesty really should not kill them.”

“Has Your Majesty ever considered that if today Li Yuan and his sons could abandon their previously arranged marriage contract and marry another for the sake of saving their lives, then tomorrow they could also betray Your Majesty under threat from others?”

Yang Guang glared, “If he dares to do so, I will be the first to kill him!”

“This concubine knows Your Majesty’s bestowed marriage comes from good intentions, but has Your Majesty ever considered whether this marriage is truly a good thing for Li Shimin, or even for Princess Yongfeng?”

Yang Guang looked puzzled, “You have always refrained from asking about court affairs. Why are you so concerned about this matter this time? Has someone said something to you?” As he spoke, his mind was racing like a wheel. Xiao Shi lived secluded in the palace, and those who could speak with her must be palace residents. Over all these years, Xiao Shi had never inquired about court affairs. The only person who could persuade her was… one person!

Yang Guang’s face darkened, “It was Yunyi, wasn’t it?” Though there were thousands in the palace, there was only one person Xiao Shi truly cared about, and that was Yunyi.

“Yes.” As long as Yang Guang sent people to investigate, he would learn of Yunyi’s day and night stay at Zhaoyang Palace. Rather than let him discover it later and harbor suspicion, it was better to admit it now. “Yunyi said Li Yuan has always been loyal to Your Majesty and has talent for leading troops. It would be a pity to kill such a person. She hoped this concubine could petition Your Majesty to spare the Li family father and sons from death, but this concubine did not agree.”

Yang Guang raised his eyebrows somewhat unexpectedly, “Why?”

“This concubine dislikes interfering in court affairs, as Your Majesty knows. Whether Li Yuan is loyal or traitorous, whether he should live or die, this concubine has no interest at all. Even if Your Majesty killed all the court officials, this concubine would not ask a single question.” Meeting Yang Guang’s gaze, her voice was pleasant yet cold, “The realm belongs to Your Majesty, not to this concubine.”

Yang Guang’s eye twitched slightly, then he said, “If that’s the case, why are you… pleading for the Li family father and sons?”

Xiao Shi said composedly, “This concubine just met with Princess Yongfeng. Would Your Majesty like to know what Princess Yongfeng said to this concubine?”

Yang Guang remained silent with lowered eyes. Xiao Shi continued slowly, “Princess Yongfeng told this concubine that she already has someone in her heart. Prince Xiao once showed kindness to this concubine, after all. This concubine may not care about Li Yuan and his sons, but cannot ignore Princess Yongfeng.”

Yang Guang asked in surprise, “Yongfeng already has someone she likes? Who is it?”

“It is Li Shaozhi, the son of Right Assistant Secretary Li Gang. If not for Your Majesty’s decree, in a few days, Li Shaozhi would have asked a matchmaker to go to Prince Xiao’s residence to propose marriage.” Xiao Shi answered, then said, “Regardless of whether Li Shimin ultimately marries Princess Yongfeng or not, it will not be a fortunate matter for her.”

“Why?” Faced with Yang Guang’s inquiry, Xiao Shi said, “If he marries her, Princess Yongfeng would marry someone who is not her beloved, and her heart would surely be pained. If he does not marry her, the Li family would certainly be executed, and Princess Yongfeng’s reputation would also be damaged, making it difficult for her to marry in the future. Since neither is the other’s destined person, why must Your Majesty force it?”

Yang Guang’s eyes narrowed slightly as he said coldly, “So according to the Empress’s opinion, I should withdraw my decree and allow the world to mock me?” If it were anyone else saying these things to him, their head would have already fallen by now. The only person who could speak without reservation in front of him was Xiao Shi alone.

“This concubine knows this matter puts Your Majesty in a difficult position, but if you withdraw the decree, you would not only fulfill two pairs of lovers, but also gain Li Yuan’s absolute loyalty. Why not do it?”

Yang Guang pondered for a long while, then shook his head, “No, the emperor’s word cannot be taken lightly. Since the decree has been issued, there is no reason to withdraw it.”

Xiao Shi was not surprised by his refusal. If Yang Guang were so easily persuaded, Yunyi would not have knelt at her place for a day and night.

“Can Your Majesty tell this concubine why you suddenly summoned Li Yuan to the capital and why you issued the marriage decree? Please don’t tell this concubine it was a momentary whim.”

Yang Guang hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, “Shanxi and Hedong have been frequently rebellious, and the situation grows more critical each day. I summoned Li Yuan to the capital intending to entrust him with the thirteen commanderies’ troops to pacify the rebellions in both regions. Bestowing the marriage with Yongfeng was also to show regard for his family, yet Li Yuan does not appreciate it!”

Xiao Shi nodded, “So if Li Yuan dies, there will be no one to pacify the rebellions in Shanxi and Hedong?”

Yang Guang’s expression changed slightly as he said coldly, “Though Li Yuan has some talent, the court is not without others who match him.”

“There are naturally many in the court who match Li Yuan, but he is undoubtedly the most suitable one. Otherwise, Your Majesty would not have summoned him from thousands of li away to the capital. Most precious is that Li Yuan has absolute loyalty to Your Majesty, even willing to present such a rare treasure to Your Majesty.” What Xiao Shi referred to was naturally the treasure bowl. After a brief pause, she continued, “Killing Li Yuan and his sons would bring Your Majesty a hundred harms but not a single benefit.”

Yang Guang knew all this well, but there was no turning back once the bow was drawn. To slap his own face and withdraw the decree was truly…

Xiao Shi also saw through Yang Guang’s thoughts and said, “Is Your Majesty’s dignity truly more important than this Great Sui realm? If the Great Sui realm falls, Your Majesty would not only lose face but might even find it difficult to preserve your life.”

Yang Guang’s cheek twitched as he said coldly, “The Great Sui realm is stable as a rock, solid as metal and stone. How could a few unruly people possibly overthrow it? Empress, do not spread alarmist talk here.”

“Though this concubine lives secluded in the palace, I know something about the outside situation. If the Great Sui realm were truly stable as a rock, Your Majesty would not have been unable to suppress the rebellions in Shanxi and Hedong for so long, nor would you have hastily withdrawn troops from Goguryeo in the tenth year of Daye. If this concubine may speak frankly, the current Great Sui is already in precarious circumstances. If Your Majesty does not govern well and employ capable people, the situation will only get worse.” Speaking to this point, she said with a complex expression, “Consider these words as this concubine’s repayment for Your Majesty’s years of favor. This concubine has said all there is to say. Whether to listen or not, Your Majesty must decide for yourself.” The words had been spoken to their limit. If Yang Guang still refused to listen, she could do nothing more.

Yang Guang gazed at Xiao Shi without speaking for a long time. Finally, he said, “Are you begging me?”

Xiao Shi smiled faintly, “If Your Majesty considers it so, then it is.”