Li Shimin also understood this point and asked no more questions. Duan Zhihong should already know by now that he and his father had been imprisoned, and had presumably made all the necessary arrangements. Tomorrow, when they were escorted into the palace, would be the time to act.

Once they reached that point, there would truly be no retreat!

As the prisoners around them began to wake, footsteps could be heard from not far away, as if someone had entered. Soon after, a jailer came to open Li Yuan’s cell door and said, “Come out!”

Li Yuan and his son exchanged puzzled glances and followed him out of the cell. After passing through the long prison corridors, they saw several Imperial Guards wearing long sabers at their waists. The footsteps they had heard earlier must have been from them.

Seeing Li Yuan and the others approach, the lead Imperial Guard said, “Follow us!”

Li Shimin hesitated, “Where are we going? Isn’t tomorrow when the three-day deadline ends?”

The Imperial Guard glanced at him and said coldly, “Why ask so many questions? Just follow us. Move!”

This was bad. Had Yang Guang suddenly changed his mind and decided to act today? If that were truly the case, Zhihong would have no time to bring people to rescue them. What could they do?

Both Li Yuan and Li Shimin looked grim, but the Imperial Guards kept urging them, so they had no choice but to follow. Their destination was the Ziwei Palace.

Throughout the journey, Li Shimin saw no trace of Duan Zhihong. Of course, no one could have expected Yang Guang to suddenly change his mind. Could this time truly be… their father and son’s death tribulation?

With such speculation in mind, they followed the Imperial Guards into Qianyuan Palace. Even with Li Yuan’s composure, his heart pounded wildly as he stepped through the tall palace gates, walking step by step toward an unknown fate.

After the Imperial Guards brought them to the center of the hall, they cupped their hands toward Yang Guang, who sat at the head, “Your Majesty, Li Yuan and his son have been brought!”

“Withdraw!” After the Imperial Guards left, Li Yuan knelt down with Li Shimin, his voice trembling slightly, “Subject Li Yuan pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health!”

Before Yang Guang could speak, Li Shimin said, “Your Majesty, it was Shimin who failed to appreciate your good intentions. The fault lies with Shimin and has nothing to do with Father. Father has been loyal to Great Sui and to Your Majesty all his life. Please spare Father!”

How could Li Yuan not understand Li Shimin’s intention? He said with a choked voice, “Your Majesty…”

Yang Guang interrupted Li Yuan’s words and said to Zheng Ying, “Announce the decree!”

“Yes.” Zheng Ying responded and unrolled the bright yellow scroll in his hands, announcing in a shrill voice, “Duke Tang Li Yuan and Li Shimin, receive the decree!”

Li Yuan’s body trembled as he said with a ashen face, “Subject… Li Yuan receives the decree.”

After Li Shimin also complied and received the decree, Zheng Ying read: “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Li Shimin, second son of Duke Tang Li Yuan, and Lady Zhangsun were childhood sweethearts with deep affection. I hereby decree their marriage and bestow a hundred bolts of silk. After the mourning period ends, the two shall immediately wed without error. This is my decree!”

Li Yuan stared blankly at the imperial edict presented before him. He had thought it was Yang Guang’s decree for his execution, but who knew it was actually… a decree bestowing marriage between Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wugou. What… what was going on?

Li Shimin was also stunned, unable to understand why Yang Guang’s attitude had changed so dramatically. Not only was he not killing them, but he was issuing such a decree. This didn’t seem like Yang Guang’s style at all.

“Will Duke Li receive the decree?” Zheng Ying’s words brought Li Yuan back to his senses, and he quickly raised both hands high above his head, “Subject Li Yuan thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness!”

After receiving the decree, Li Yuan asked cautiously, “Your Majesty, why…”

“Why issue such a decree, you ask?” Yang Guang flicked his fingernails and said coolly, “To be precise, I issued two decrees. One is here, and the other is at Prince Xiao’s residence, bestowing marriage between Princess Yongfeng and Li Shaozhi.”

Li Yuan became even more confused and said quietly, “Forgive this subject’s boldness, but why did Your Majesty change your mind?”

Yang Guang rose with a sweep of his sleeves and said coolly, “When you refused before, I was indeed very angry. However, the Empress was right. Rather than forcing people against their will, it’s better to create two beautiful marriages. It’s also my fault for not asking clearly before making the matches, nearly turning good things into bad ones.”

Empress Xiao? He had heard she never interfered in court affairs, and he had no dealings with her. Why would she suddenly intervene in this matter? Could it be a favor requested through Consort Wang Shunyi?

Li Yuan suppressed these thoughts and said excitedly, “This subject and my son thank Your Majesty for your grace. Long live Your Majesty!”

“Enough.” Yang Guang waved his hand, “I summoned you here because there’s another matter I want to ask you.” Speaking to this point, his expression became stern, “If I ordered you to pacify the rebellions in Hedong and Shanxi, would you be confident?”

Li Yuan was startled, then said respectfully, “If this subject may speak frankly, the rebellions in Hedong and Shanxi are quite serious, with many rebelling commoners. With the forces at this subject’s disposal, I truly don’t have much confidence. But as long as it’s a task Your Majesty entrusts, this subject will certainly do his utmost. Even if it costs this subject his life, I will definitely suppress the rebellions for Your Majesty!”

“Excellent!” Li Yuan’s words greatly satisfied Yang Guang, who said, “Zheng Ying, announce the decree!”

Zheng Ying took out another imperial edict. This decree appointed Li Yuan as the Pacification Commissioner for Shanxi and Hedong, commanding the forces of thirteen commanderies, to depart immediately for Hedong and fully suppress the rebellions in that region!

Li Yuan’s body trembled slightly, but this time it was from excitement. He never expected that Yang Guang would not only spare his life but also give him command of thirteen commanderies’ forces, greatly expanding his strength.

“Subject Li Yuan receives the decree and thanks Your Majesty!” After respectfully receiving the imperial edict, Li Yuan said solemnly, “Even if this subject is crushed to pieces, I will pacify the rebellions for Your Majesty and stabilize Great Sui!”

Yang Guang stared at him, “I will remember these words. Duke Li, you must not disappoint me!”

“This subject obeys the decree!” After rising, Yang Guang said, “I originally wanted to find another person to serve as Deputy Pacification Commissioner to go to Hedong with you to suppress the rebellions, but I haven’t found a suitable candidate for the moment. I’ll discuss it when I think of someone. If you have suitable candidates, submit a memorial to inform me.”

Li Yuan responded and said, “Your Majesty, before leaving the capital, this subject wishes to go to Zhaoyang Palace to thank the Empress for her kindness, and also bid farewell to Consort Shunyi!”

After Yang Guang agreed, Li Yuan and his son respectfully withdrew from Qianyuan Palace and followed palace servants to Zhaoyang Palace. After waiting outside the hall for a while, Hong Li came out and curtsied slightly, “The Empress knows Duke Tang’s intention. Her Majesty said it was merely a small effort and Duke Tang need not come here specifically to express thanks. Please return.”

“To Her Majesty, it may be a small effort, but to Li Yuan and his son, it is life-saving grace. Please ask this young lady to announce once more, so that Li may thank Her Majesty face to face.”

Hong Li shook her head, “Her Majesty has spoken very clearly. Duke Tang, please return.”

Seeing her say this, Li Yuan did not insist further. He and Li Shimin bowed in gratitude outside Zhaoyang Palace, then took their leave and went to Dengchun Pavilion.