Finally, someone proposed a desperate solution – sending a squad of soldiers ready to die to scale the city and capture Chang’an before Yin Shishi could kill anyone. But the chances of success were extremely slim. Though Chang’an’s forces were insufficient, they still had fifty thousand troops. Breaking through all at once would be truly difficult.

As the discussion in the tent reached an impasse, Wan Shi said softly from outside, “The Princess hasn’t spoken. Have you thought of any solution?”

Yunyi smiled bitterly, “Unfortunately, I haven’t.”

Wan Shi curled her carefully painted lips and said coolly, “The Princess is so clever and intelligent – I thought I’d hear a different answer from you.” After a pause, she suddenly said, “Do you still remember Zhiyun?”

“I remember. At the time, Second Madam thought I had killed the little dog Amu that Second Young Master brought back and wanted to punish me. Fortunately…” Yunyi’s voice paused without continuing.

Wan Shi glanced at her and picked up the conversation, “Fortunately Lin Miaoyin deliberately protected you, right?” Seeing Yunyi remain silent, she touched her cheek, “Don’t worry, I don’t plan to pursue what happened back then, nor is there any need to.”

“Why?” Though Yunyi had little contact with her during their time in Honghua Prefecture, she clearly knew that Wan Shi was not a kind person. To speak of repaying evil with kindness was even more impossible.

Wan Shi’s eyes dimmed as she said softly, “Because these things no longer have meaning. Zhiyun has long since passed away.”

This was the first time Yunyi had heard of this, and she said in shock, “Fifth Young Master died?”

The word “died” made Wan Shi’s body tremble slightly, though she quickly composed herself. “That’s right. On the journey from Taiyuan to Hedong, he was captured by officials and sent to Chang’an. The one who ordered his execution was Yin Shishi!” At this point, that face which usually showed no emotion was filled with endless sorrow as she murmured, “It was me. I harmed him. When Zhiyun was born, he was weak and sickly, several times with one foot in the grave. Fortunately, Venerable Hui’an took pity on him and brought him away to recuperate. Venerable Hui’an clearly stated that Zhiyun could only return home when he turned sixteen.”

“When Zhiyun was ten, he came home for New Year. Seeing his health had improved, I discussed with the General about not returning to Venerable Hui’an. It was precisely this decision of mine that pushed Zhiyun onto the path of death. If he had continued practicing with Venerable Hui’an in the deep mountains, nothing would have happened.” Wan Shi took a deep breath, suppressing the tears in her eyes, and continued, “I finally understand why Venerable Hui’an said Zhiyun could only return home at sixteen – because before sixteen, Zhiyun would face a great calamity. Unfortunately… I realized too late. Everything was already irreversible.”

This was the first time Yunyi had seen Wan Shi look so weak and helpless. She sighed deeply and comforted her, “Perhaps it was Fifth Young Master’s fate to be unable to escape this calamity. Second Madam shouldn’t blame yourself too much. Fifth Young Master’s spirit in heaven…”

Wan Shi interrupted her, “I never believe in such things. When people die, they’re like extinguished lamps, vanishing forever from this world. If there really were ghosts and gods, why don’t we see retribution for those who killed Zhiyun?!” By the end, that beautiful face was slightly twisted, though it quickly returned to normal. “I told the General that I would personally avenge Zhiyun!”

“Chang’an is right before us. I believe Second Madam will soon have your wish fulfilled.” Faced with Yunyi’s words, Wan Shi smiled coldly, “Yin Shishi certainly must die, but…”

Wan Shi didn’t finish the rest of her words. She looked up at the winter sun that had moved overhead and said worriedly, “The deadline is almost here. I wonder if the General and the others have thought of a solution.” As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Li Yuan emerge from the tent with a grave expression, followed by Li Shimin and the others.

“General, how did it go?” Li Yuan ignored Wan Shi’s words and strode quickly toward the city gate. Those people were still bound and standing there, shivering from the howling cold wind. Seeing Li Yuan appear, the city wall immediately erupted in commotion, everyone shouting that they didn’t want to die and begging Li Yuan to save them.

In this cacophony of voices, one person’s voice was particularly shrill: “Li Yuan, wherever you want to attack is your business, but don’t use our lives as stepping stones! We don’t want to die! I beg you, go back quickly, or else… or else attack somewhere else! What about Luoyang? What about Kaifeng? Just don’t attack Chang’an!” Yunyi recognized this person – Wan Shi had said he was one of Li Yuan’s distant relatives.

This struck a chord with the others, who all urged Li Yuan to attack elsewhere instead of Chang’an. In this chaotic noise, Yin Shishi appeared again on the city wall, saying smugly, “Well? Have you decided?”

Li Yuan said expressionlessly, “I’ve decided!”

Yin Shishi said triumphantly, “Since you’ve decided, then hurry up and leave. Don’t worry – I’m a distinguished general who keeps his word. I’ll release these people.”

Hmph, Li Yuan – no matter how good you are at fighting, aren’t you still in my grasp? I want you to go east, you go east; I want you to go west, you go west. Fighting with me? You’re still too green.

Just when Yin Shishi thought he had complete control, Li Yuan under the city wall suddenly knelt down and said clearly, “Today, I, Li Yuan, have wronged you all. After I capture Chang’an, I will certainly avenge you and kill that dog thief Yin Shishi!”

Yin Shishi’s smile froze on his lips. What did Li Yuan just say? Capture Chang’an? He was actually going to attack Chang’an regardless of these people’s lives! Mad, truly mad!

Yin Shishi was countless leagues inferior to Li Yuan, so with his intelligence, he couldn’t understand or comprehend Li Yuan. The latter, having come this far, had no retreat except to continue forward. Never mind dozens of people – even if it were hundreds or thousands, Li Yuan would not abandon taking Chang’an!

Hearing Li Yuan’s words, those on the city wall immediately exploded, loudly cursing and accusing Li Yuan of selfishness and disregarding their lives. Others said that even if Li Yuan captured Chang’an, it wouldn’t last long. All kinds of harsh words were spoken.

Li Yuan didn’t defend himself, only knelt silently. At this moment, an aged voice rose above all the clamor: “All of you, shut up!”

The speaker was none other than Li Yuan’s childhood tutor, that old man nearing eighty. Since being captured, he hadn’t spoken a word – this was his first.

Under countless watching eyes, he struggled to straighten his hunched back and said solemnly, “Look at yourselves – one by one, greedy for life and fearing death, able to say anything to survive. Even if you were allowed to live like this, what meaning would it have? In my view, as long as one dies for a worthy cause, what is there to fear!”

The man who had spoken earlier said angrily, “You old codger, at your age you naturally don’t care, but we’re still young and don’t want to die so early! And these children – they don’t want to die even more!”