When they arrived there, Wan Shi was surprised to see Li Yuan and his son, exclaiming, “Uncle, how did you and Shimin get out of the imperial prison?”

Li Yuan was stunned for a moment, then said, “Wasn’t it because Your Ladyship pleaded before Her Majesty the Empress, causing His Majesty to withdraw the imperial edict to marry Princess Yongfeng?”

“This Palace indeed ran around everywhere for Uncle’s matter, and also went to seek an audience with His Majesty, but His Majesty refused to see this Palace all along; as for Her Majesty the Empress… this Palace never went to plead with her.”

Li Yuan said in surprise, “This is indeed strange. His Majesty clearly said it was because Her Majesty the Empress spoke up for us that he showed mercy and withdrew the decree. I had always thought it was Your Ladyship who moved Her Majesty the Empress.”

“This Palace did plan that if His Majesty still refused to see this Palace this morning, I would go to Zhaoyang Palace to seek an audience with Her Majesty the Empress, but I haven’t made that trip yet.”

Li Shimin asked puzzledly, “If it wasn’t Your Ladyship, then who moved Her Majesty the Empress?”

Wan Shi frowned deeply and said, “Her Majesty the Empress never interferes in court matters. Although this Palace had such plans, to be honest, I had little confidence; if I must say who in the palace could move Her Majesty the Empress… only Princess Jinyang!”

Li Shimin still remembered that familiar silhouette, asking, “Could it be the one we met in Your Ladyship’s palace last time?”

“Exactly.” Speaking of this, Wan Shi’s eyes moved, saying, “This Palace remembers now. The day before yesterday, returning from Qianyuan Palace, I encountered Princess Jinyang. This Palace casually mentioned Uncle’s matter to her. At the time I didn’t think much of it, but now thinking back, the Princess seemed quite concerned. Could it be that she went to plead with Her Majesty the Empress?”

Li Yuan said puzzledly, “But we have never met Princess Jinyang before. Why would she go to such trouble for our matter?”

Wan Shi shook her head, “This Palace is also unclear, but thinking it over, there really is only this one possibility.” After a pause, she said, “If Uncle is truly curious, you may go to Changsheng Palace later to ask the Princess.”

After Li Yuan nodded, Wan Shi said, “From Uncle’s words just now, His Majesty no longer blames you both, correct?”

Li Yuan replied accordingly, “His Majesty not only withdrew the decree, but also issued another edict to bestow marriage between Shimin and Wugou. Please rest assured, Your Ladyship.”

Hearing this, Wan Shi pressed her chest, “That’s good. During these days you were imprisoned, this Palace couldn’t eat or sleep peacefully. Fortunately, the storm has now passed.”

“Making Your Ladyship worry is truly my fault.” After speaking, he bowed to Wan Shi again, “His Majesty has already appointed me as the Pacification Commissioner for Shanxi and Hedong regions, commanding the forces of thirteen commanderies. I must depart immediately for Hedong to quell the rebellion. I bid farewell to Your Ladyship here, and will come to pay respects again another day.”

Wan Shi nodded, “This is good news. After Uncle goes to Hedong, please be careful. Though quelling rebellion is important, you must also watch for your own safety.”

Li Yuan gratefully responded, “Thank you for Your Ladyship’s reminder. I will certainly keep it in mind.”

After their lengthy conversation, Wan Shi had palace maids lead Li Yuan and his son to Changsheng Palace. However, when they arrived, they learned that Princess Jinyang had gone to Jiuzhou Pond and was not in Changsheng Palace.

Li Yuan hesitated slightly, then asked palace attendants to guide them to Jiuzhou Pond. If Princess Jinyang truly pleaded for them before Empress Xiao, they should at least express their gratitude.

Jiuzhou Pond was located south of Renzhi Palace and west of Guiyi Gate, not far from Changsheng Palace. This was also the most beautiful scenic spot within Ziwei Palace. From afar, one could see countless palace buildings and pavilions dotting the gardens filled with flowers and plants, beautiful as a fairyland on earth.

While still more than ten zhang away from Jiuzhou Pond, melodious qin music drifted into their ears. The palace attendant looked around and pointed to a nearby pavilion, “Look, Princess Jinyang is in Liuli Pavilion.”

Following the direction of his finger, they saw a graceful figure sitting in the pavilion with her back to them. Two palace maids stood at her sides with hands lowered. The palace attendant led them to the pavilion and respectfully said, “This servant pays respects to the Princess.”

The qin music paused, then a voice clear as silver bells rang in everyone’s ears, “What matter?”

Hearing this voice, Li Shimin’s body trembled. He looked up in disbelief at that silhouette. How… this Princess Jinyang’s voice sounded so much like Yunyi’s? That’s right, that day at Dengchun Pavilion, he had felt Princess Jinyang’s silhouette resembled someone, but couldn’t remember who at the time. Now he finally recalled – it also resembled Yunyi.

How could there be such a coincidence in the world? Or could it be… As soon as that thought emerged, he dismissed it. If Yunyi were truly the current Princess, she should be living luxuriously in the palace. How could she risk her life to go to Honghua Commandery for assassination? It seemed impossible no matter how he thought about it.

While Li Shimin’s thoughts raced, the palace attendant had already said, “Reporting to the Princess, Duke of Tang Li Yuan and his second son Li Shimin have come specially to pay respects to the Princess!”

Li Shimin? Hearing these three words, Yunyi’s fingers trembled violently on the qin strings. Thinking that the person she had been thinking about day and night for this past year was now right behind her, she felt an impulse to turn around. But… she couldn’t turn around, and perhaps for the rest of her life, she could never turn around!

Ruyi and Jixiang beside her looked curiously at Li Shimin. Was this the Young Master Li that the Princess thought about constantly, even kneeling in Zhaoyang Palace for a day and night, forcing Her Majesty the Empress to agree to plead for him? He indeed looked distinguished and talented. Though the Princess was unwilling to say much, they could tell that the Princess’s feelings for him were more than just repaying kindness – not only was there affection, but even… deep devotion. Otherwise, why would she do so much for him?

But they didn’t understand – since they knew each other and had feelings, why had Princess Jinyang never summoned him during Li Shimin’s days in the capital, even deliberately avoiding him? Could it be that the goddess had dreams, but the king was heartless?

While the two were lost in wild thoughts, Li Yuan had already bowed, respectfully saying, “May I ask Princess, was it you who pleaded for us father and son to Her Majesty the Empress, thus causing His Majesty to forgive us?”

Yunyi struggled to suppress the excitement in her heart, saying indifferently, “It was merely a small effort. Duke of Tang need not mind it.”

Seeing Yunyi’s tacit acknowledgment, Li Yuan immediately knelt down with Li Shimin, gratefully saying, “The Princess’s kindness, we father and son will never forget.”

Yunyi slightly turned her head, “Duke of Tang speaks too seriously. Please rise.”

Though Li Shimin felt the woman before him couldn’t possibly be Yunyi, her voice sounded more and more similar. He couldn’t help but say, “The Princess’s voice is very similar to an old friend Shimin knows.”

He really heard the resemblance…

“Oh? Is that so?” These few words sounded calm and unperturbed, but in fact, tears had already climbed into Yunyi’s eyes, ready to fall at any moment.

Li Shimin stared at Yunyi who still hadn’t turned around, slowly saying, “Yes, she was a dancing girl in the Governor’s residence, surnamed Shen, called Shen Yunyi!”

Hearing this, surprise flashed through Ruyi and Jixiang’s eyes. Wasn’t Yunyi the Princess’s personal name? As for Shen… that’s right, Moping who left the palace with the Princess was surnamed Shen. The Shen Yunyi that Li Shimin spoke of was the Princess herself. But… with the Princess’s status, how could she go to Duke of Tang’s residence to be a dancing girl and return with injuries all over her body? What exactly was the Princess’s purpose for leaving the palace back then?