“For Young Master Li to be friends with a dancing girl, you must indeed be a carefree person who doesn’t care for trivial matters. But you just mentioned an old friend… has this person already passed away?”

Li Shimin listened carefully to her words, not hearing anything amiss. “The Princess misunderstands. This person hasn’t passed away, but disappeared without a trace a year ago. Her whereabouts remain unknown to this day.”

“I see.” With these four words, a light laugh came from the pavilion, then continued, “Young Master Li wouldn’t think that I am the dancing girl you know, would you?”

Li Shimin bowed with a complex expression, “The Princess has a noble status. How would Shimin dare to have such thoughts? It’s just that your voice really resembles hers, causing Shimin to have illusions.”

“I understand.” After a brief silence, Li Yuan said, “May I boldly ask, Princess, why did you save us father and son who are strangers to you?”

Yunyi stood up and walked forward a few steps, saying in an indifferent voice, “It was just a coincidence. That day I was also here when I encountered Lady Shunyi coming over. From her I learned that you had been imprisoned by Father Emperor. Though I live secluded in the palace, I have heard some of Duke of Tang’s reputation. It would be quite a pity if such a person died, so when I went to pay respects to Mother Empress, I mentioned it a few times. Now that Duke of Tang is safe and sound, I suppose I’ve created good karma for myself!”

Li Yuan bowed again, “This kindness from the Princess, this subject will never forget until death, and will surely repay it in the future.”

Yunyi waved her hand with her back to them, “Enough, you may go now.”

Seeing that Yunyi was unwilling to say more, Li Yuan tactfully bowed and took his leave. After walking a few steps, Li Shimin suddenly turned back and said to Yunyi, “Shimin dares to ask, could the Princess grant me the honor of seeing your face?”

Ruyi scolded delicately, “How bold! What status does the Princess have? How can she be seen just because you wish to see her?”

“Don’t be rude to Young Master Li.” After lightly reprimanding Ruyi, Yunyi said indifferently, “I have had a coarse and ugly appearance since childhood, and I’m afraid it would frighten Young Master Li, so it’s better not to meet.” Then she added, “I here wish Young Master Li and Miss Changsun to grow old together and be united in heart forever!”

“Thank you, Princess.” Saying this, Li Shimin probed again, “Has the Princess ever been to Honghua Commandery?”

Ruyi frowned, “Why do you have so many questions? The Princess has lived in the palace since childhood. How could she possibly go to Honghua Commandery thousands of li away?”

Li Yuan scolded from the side, “Shimin, don’t be rude. Quickly apologize to the Princess.”

“Shimin was rude. Please forgive me, Princess.” Li Shimin also knew he had asked too many questions, but the suspicion in his heart couldn’t be dispelled. Princess Jinyang… Shen Yunyi…

The figure in the pavilion didn’t blame him, only saying, “Ruyi, escort Duke of Tang and his party out for this Palace.”

“Yes.” Ruyi responded and walked to Li Shimin’s front, saying ungraciously, “If Young Master Li is finished with his questions, please follow this servant.”

“Shimin takes his leave.” After bowing to Yunyi once more, Li Shimin and his father followed Ruyi away. When they had walked several zhang away, melodious and clear qin music came from behind them. Looking back, they saw that figure had sat down in the pavilion again, and they could faintly see her hands moving on the qin strings, as if… she was playing a farewell song.

In a place Li Shimin couldn’t see, tears fell drop by drop from her eyes, landing silently on the qin strings. After today’s parting, there would likely be no more chances to meet.

Li Shimin, take good care of yourself… take care!

When they reached Qianyuan Gate, Ruyi curtsied, “This servant will see you off to here. Duke of Tang and Young Master Li, please go slowly!”

“Thank you, Miss Ruyi.” Li Yuan bowed slightly and walked ahead first. Li Shimin, following behind him, paused when passing by Ruyi’s side and asked somewhat unwillingly, “Miss Ruyi, the Princess… has she really never been to Honghua Commandery?”

Ruyi looked at him for a moment, then said, “What if she has been there, what if she hasn’t? Is this matter very important to Young Master Li?”

Li Shimin gritted his teeth slightly, “I just want to confirm certain things.”

Ruyi said coldly, “This servant doesn’t know what things you’re referring to. This servant only knows that the Princess saved you. The grace of saving one’s life is as heavy as Mount Tai. I hope Young Master Li will remember this well.”

She really wanted to tell Li Shimin how much grievance and hardship Yunyi had endured to save his life, but she couldn’t say it. A thousand words could only be transformed into this single sentence.

Li Shimin nodded, “Miss Ruyi, rest assured. Shimin will definitely keep it in mind.”

“That’s good.” After seeing them off, Ruyi returned to Liuli Pavilion to report. Yunyi was no longer playing the qin, staring blankly at the slender qin strings. There were still undried tears on the qin body.

Ruyi sighed silently and said, “Princess, Duke of Tang and his party have left.” After Yunyi nodded, she tentatively asked, “Princess, you’ve done so much for Young Master Li. Why don’t you tell him, and even… won’t let him see your face?”

Yunyi smiled bitterly, “How could I not want to meet him? But if we met… it would only make things worse. I hope… he will be well in the future, safe and sound, with no more disasters.”

Jixiang couldn’t help but ask, “What about you?”

Yunyi’s slender fingers moved slightly, and the qin strings made a low, soft sound. “I will naturally continue being my Princess Jinyang, accepting arranged marriages, marrying, having children. What else can I do?”

Ruyi and Jixiang remained silent. Though they both felt sorry for the Princess, they were just insignificant palace maids. Even if they felt sorry, what could they do? The only thing they could do was to serve and care for the Princess well.

As for Li Yuan and his party, the first thing they did upon returning to the inn was to summon Duan Zhihong and have him immediately notify Xue Wanche not to bring troops into the capital under any circumstances, and to secretly follow them back to Hedong.

After learning about their experiences today, Duan Zhihong breathed a huge sigh of relief and quickly left the city to contact Xue Wanche. Meanwhile, Li Yuan and his son simply packed their belongings, preparing to take the imperial edict and set off for Hedong to assume the position of Pacification Commissioner.

After having someone take the last bundle to the carriage, Li Yuan called Li Shimin aside, “Do you really think Princess Jinyang resembles that female assassin?”

Li Shimin pondered, “The female assassin was wearing a mask at the time, and your son didn’t see Princess Jinyang’s appearance, so I can’t be certain. But her voice and silhouette do indeed resemble the female assassin!”

Li Yuan hadn’t had much contact with Yunyi initially, so his impression wasn’t as deep as Li Shimin’s. After thinking for a moment, he shook his head, “According to what I know, Princess Jinyang has been favored by the Emperor and Empress since birth, even being granted Changsheng Palace to live in. Even if His Majesty truly feared me, he wouldn’t possibly send her out of the palace to assassinate anyone, not to mention that the Princess has grown up in the deep palace since childhood and is powerless. This matter should just be a coincidence.”

Li Shimin nodded, “Your son thinks the same.” After a pause, he asked, “Does Father plan to go directly to Hedong?”