After Li Jiancheng carefully explained Xia Houduan’s purpose for coming, he said: “Now you know why, despite father being so caring toward the people and honest in governance, someone would still attempt to assassinate him.”

After Li Shimin struggled to fully digest the information in his mind, he said hoarsely: “Is His Majesty really prepared to execute all members of the Li clan over a single ballad?”

“Isn’t this obvious? Otherwise, why would father be attacked by assassins right after General Li’s death?” Speaking thus, Li Jiancheng said with displeasure: “His Majesty’s intention to eliminate our Li family is already crystal clear, yet father still clings to notions of cousin brotherhood and the way of ruler and minister, refusing to agree.”

“This matter is of great importance. Once the bow is drawn, there’s no turning back. With so many lives depending on father, it’s inevitable that he would want to think it through thoroughly before making a decision.”

Li Jiancheng shook his head: “Father thinks too much, which is why he’s so hesitant and worried about everything. Actually, is there really a second path before us?” Speaking thus, he stared at Li Shimin: “Second brother, you wouldn’t also think like father that it’s inappropriate to raise troops, would you?”

Li Shimin shook his head: “That’s not it, but I feel our current strength is still insufficient to contend with the court. If we truly decide to raise troops, we need to recruit as many soldiers as possible to expand our resources, but His Majesty… won’t give us much time.”

Li Jiancheng clenched his fists and gritted his teeth: “No matter what, we must take this gamble. Even if I die on the battlefield in the future, I’ll have no regrets!”

Li Shimin immediately said: “I’ll protect elder brother. Anyone who wants to kill elder brother will have to kill me first!” The two brothers were close in age and had grown up together since childhood, always having an excellent relationship.

Li Jiancheng said: “What nonsense are you talking? If anyone’s going to protect anyone, it should be me, the elder brother, protecting you. Otherwise, people would surely laugh at us.”

Li Shimin smiled: “It doesn’t matter who protects whom. In any case, no matter when or where, we brothers will always be of one heart.”

“Naturally. However, the most urgent matter right now is those two assassins. I hope your strategy will be effective, so we don’t have to look at Second Mother’s face later.” He wearily pinched the bridge of his nose. Ever since the assassin incident, he hadn’t closed his eyes once.

Li Shimin heard the sound of roosters crowing in the distance and said: “Now that dawn has broken, I believe they won’t dare come out. Elder brother has been working tirelessly for days – go back and rest for a while, so you’ll have energy later.”

Li Jiancheng nodded: “Alright, you should also rest well.”

The alternation of day and night had no effect on Yunyi and her companion in the ice cellar, because there wasn’t even a single window here, and no daylight could penetrate.

Shen Moping lay on the ground fully clothed, drowsily managing to fall asleep with difficulty, only to be awakened by hunger shortly after. He licked his cracked lips and tiptoed over to test the temperature of Yunyi’s forehead. Fortunately, the fever hadn’t returned, and it seemed she would be fine. However… for the past two or three days, apart from water and medicine, they hadn’t eaten anything else. He could still endure it, but Master had been injured and her condition had just improved – this was precisely when she most needed food for nourishment.

Sigh, it was all his fault for not thinking ahead. If only he had gone to the kitchen to bring back some food at the time, they could have lasted several days. Thinking this way, his stomach became even hungrier, like a cat constantly scratching inside. He tossed and turned, unable to sleep anymore.

After barely enduring another day like this, seeing Yunyi’s complexion growing increasingly pale and her cheeks becoming hollow, Shen Moping decided to take another desperate risk.

On this day, while Yunyi was sleeping, he quietly pushed open the iron door to take a look. There was still a trace of daylight in the passage – night hadn’t fallen yet, so he waited a while longer until he could no longer see any light before crouching and slipping out.

The situation at the governor’s mansion was the same as when he last came out – guards could still be seen patrolling from time to time. He concealed his form and carefully approached the kitchen area. There were no guards stationed here, but lights were still on in the kitchen. After waiting quite a while, he finally saw the lights go out, followed by a cook wiping her hands as she walked out.

When no one was around, Shen Moping rushed toward the kitchen, running inside in one breath, then closing the door properly. By the moonlight shining through the window paper, he could see leftover dishes arranged in the kitchen, and a plate of steamed buns on the stove.

For someone who had been hungry for two or three days, these undoubtedly held great attraction. Shen Moping’s eyes lit up as he reached for those steamed buns, but before he could touch them, his body was forcefully pressed against the stove, while a cold voice reached his ears: “This time we’ll definitely catch you!”

With this voice, candles around them were relit, and Shen Moping discovered in panic that the kitchen, which should have been empty, now held three guards wielding steel sabers, plus the one behind him – four people total.

Why… why was this happening?

One of the guards came over and placed his saber at Shen Moping’s neck, saying coldly: “Get up, don’t try any tricks. This blade has no eyes!”

Shen Moping didn’t dare move carelessly and slowly stood up according to his words. The guard behind him brought rope and tied it while saying: “Quick, go report to the eldest young master that we’ve caught the assassin!”

Seeing the rope about to be secured, the previous guard withdrew his saber and stared at the panic-stricken Shen Moping with a cold laugh: “You’re really good at hiding, but in the end we still caught you. Speak – where is your accomplice who assassinated the governor?”

“I don’t know anything, I…” Halfway through his words, Shen Moping, who had been full of panic, suddenly struggled forcefully with both arms. Although he didn’t know martial arts, he was naturally strong. The rope that had just been tied with one knot immediately came loose from his struggle. Before the guards could react, he was already rushing outside.

He understood now – this was a trap. The people in the governor’s mansion had anticipated he would come to the kitchen, so they had ambushed him here in advance. He had to escape – while there weren’t too many people yet and darkness made hiding easier, he had to immediately flee this place, otherwise there would truly be no chance!

“You little bastard, where do you think you’re escaping to!” The guard’s face turned livid with anger as he chased while shouting. If they let Shen Moping escape under their noses again this time, given the eldest young master’s temperament, he would surely flay them alive!

Shen Moping stopped as soon as he ran out of the kitchen – not because he wanted to stop, but because he had to. Just a few steps away from him, a full seven or eight people stood there, and standing at the very front was none other than the second young master of this governor’s mansion, Li Shimin.

The guards who chased out quickly grabbed him tightly on both sides, then bound him securely with rope, tying several tight knots to ensure he couldn’t move before finally letting go. They knelt on one knee and said awkwardly: “We were careless. Please forgive us, Second Young Master.”