Hearing this, the young man thanked him repeatedly. As for Li Shimin, he continued pondering who had sent the jade pendant. Anyone capable of giving such a jade pendant must be either wealthy or noble. He knew quite a few such people, but none were in Luoyang. What was strangest was that having sent a gift, they didn’t even leave a name, as if… they didn’t want him to know their identity. Wait, he… she…

Li Shimin’s eyes flickered. Could it be… Yunyi? No one could answer his question, and this matter ultimately became a mystery.

On the first day of May, a palace servant came to the Du residence in Luoyang, conveying Yunyi’s command to summon Du Ruhui to the palace. After hearing this, Mother Du smiled and said, “Honored eunuch, there have been many affairs at the Imperial Stables lately. Ruhui is often busy until very late before returning home. I’m afraid he has no time to enter the palace. Please go back and tell the Princess to summon him another day.”

The palace servant shook his head, “Before departing, the Princess specifically instructed that Young Master Du must enter the palace today. Please send someone to the Imperial Stables to call Young Master Du, asking him to set aside his current work. The Princess is waiting.”

Mother Du said helplessly, “Very well then.” After seeing off the palace servant, her expression suddenly darkened. She spat in the direction the palace servant had departed and said, “She still has the face to summon our Ruhui to the palace! Hasn’t she harmed us enough these past days? Calling her a jinx is absolutely right.”

Father Du, hearing her words nearby, said, “Say less. The Princess doesn’t want things to be this way either. You can’t blame her.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Du reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, shrilly saying, “What do you mean ‘can’t blame her’? If not for her, would Ruhui have offended the Cui family? Would our entire family have repeatedly encountered danger? My hand nearly broke last time.”

A few days ago, Mother Du had gone to the temple to burn incense, praying for the Buddha’s protection of her family’s safety. On the way back, the wheels on both sides of her carriage suddenly came loose, and the carriage body fell directly to the ground, frightening Mother Du out of her wits. One hand was twisted while bracing herself, causing severe pain. The doctor she consulted afterward said that although the bone wasn’t broken, the tendons were injured. It would take at least two to three months to heal and might very likely leave lasting problems.

Father Du consoled her, “That incident wasn’t necessarily the Cui family’s doing. Perhaps it really was an accident.”

Mother Du glared at him, “Where are there so many accidents? Was it also an accident when Ruhui encountered those masked assassins in the mountains?”

Father Du sighed, “Things have already reached this point. What good does getting angry do?”

Mother Du said irritably, “I just want Ruhui to stay far away from that so-called Princess. Who knows when we’ll be implicated by her again.”

Father Du muttered, “Didn’t you previously want Ruhui to marry the Princess with all your heart? Now you’re saying to stay away from her.”

Mother Du’s eyebrows shot up as she stared at him, “Are you blaming me now? How was I to know her fate was so harsh before, bringing misfortune to one person after another? In any case, those who get involved with her all come to bad ends. But Ruhui is so stubborn – even in this situation, he doesn’t know to keep his distance and still enters the palace every few days like before. It’s infuriating!”

“Even if we draw a clear line with the Princess now, it’s probably too late. What Ruhui did before has already mortally offended the Cui family.”

Mother Du was agitated by his words, “Then tell me what we should do – let the Cui family torment or even kill us?”

Just then, Du Ruhui walked in. Mother Du whispered, “Help me persuade Ruhui later not to enter the palace today.” Seeing Father Du remain silent, she said displeasedly, “Did you hear me?”

Father Du said with difficulty, “Didn’t the Princess just say that Ruhui must enter the palace today? It can’t be refused.”

“We can’t refuse, but Ruhui might be able to. In any case, I don’t want Ruhui to see her at all right now.” As she spoke, Du Ruhui had approached and bowed, “Father, Mother, are you both well today?”

Ever since the Cui family had targeted them several times, Du Ruhui’s first words upon returning from his duties at the Imperial Stables were always asking if the household was safe.

Mother Du nodded, “All is well today. You needn’t worry.”

“That’s good.” Du Ruhui felt relieved, then said, “I saw Little Xiang leaving from afar just now. Did the Princess summon me to the palace?”

Mother Du smiled vaguely, “The Princess did want to summon you to the palace, but I want to go burn incense at Baoguo Temple later. Your father has matters to attend to, so you should accompany Mother to Baoguo Temple.”

Du Ruhui said in surprise, “Isn’t incense burning usually done in the early morning? Wouldn’t it be too late now? Besides, Mother’s hand injury hasn’t healed yet.”

“Precisely because my hand injury hasn’t healed, I need to pray for the Buddha’s protection. As for early or late, that doesn’t matter – what matters is sincerity.” Faced with Mother Du’s words, Du Ruhui frowned, “But what about the Princess…”

Mother Du interrupted, “The Princess probably wants you for chess or music and such – nothing urgent. Going tomorrow would be the same.” She then glanced meaningfully at Father Du, who understood her meaning and said, “Ruhui, just accompany your mother.”

Du Ruhui noticed Mother Du’s subtle gesture and frowned, “Mother, are you unwilling for me to enter the palace to see the Princess?”

Mother Du smiled falsely, “How could that be? It’s rare for the Princess to get along with you – I should be delighted. How could I be unwilling? It’s all your father’s fault – we clearly agreed earlier, but he suddenly has urgent matters and can’t accompany me.”

“But Mother said just two days ago that the Princess was a jinx, and whoever got close to her would have trouble. Why have you changed your words today?”

“This…” Mother Du’s eyes flickered, “I was thinking incorrectly then, speaking nonsense. You didn’t take it seriously, did you?”

Du Ruhui was silent for a moment, then said, “Since Father is inconvenienced, then take more servants along. I’ll instruct them to be careful.”

“You!” Mother Du became anxious and tried to calm her voice, “Wouldn’t it be better if you accompanied me?”

Du Ruhui sighed, “Mother, I’ve told you before – all of this has nothing to do with the Princess. On the contrary, that things have reached this point, I bear part of the responsibility.”

Upon hearing this, Mother Du immediately retorted, “Nonsense! What responsibility do you have? You’re clearly the one being implicated.”

Du Ruhui looked at her, “So Mother has always blamed the Princess, hasn’t she?”

Seeing her thoughts exposed, Mother Du no longer concealed them, “That’s right! If not for her, we definitely wouldn’t have become thorns in the Cui family’s side, and our lives wouldn’t be constantly in danger!”

Du Ruhui looked at the light and shadows scattered on the ground and shook his head, “If I hadn’t strongly recommended Young Master Cui initially, this marriage might not have happened. So the person who brought the Du family to this point is none other than me.”

“You don’t need to speak for her. Now everyone in Luoyang knows this Princess is a jinx – whoever gets close to her becomes unlucky. The Zheng family, Cui family, and our Du family have all proven this. Listen to Mother – don’t meet with her anymore in the future, alright?”