Li Yuanji raised his bowl-sized fist and shouted harshly: “If you don’t tell the truth, I’ll smash your head!”

“I… I really don’t know!” The soldier was so frightened by him that his face turned pale and he couldn’t speak clearly.

“You’re asking for death!” With that, Li Yuanji was about to throw a punch, but when it reached mid-air, someone grabbed his arm: “What are you doing?”

Li Yuanji looked at Li Jiancheng who had grabbed him: “Making him tell the truth, of course.”

Li Jiancheng said coldly: “Have you forgotten Father’s words? Let go immediately.”

Li Yuanji said defiantly: “Big Brother, this scoundrel won’t say where Yin Shishi went. He deserves to die!”

“This humble one really doesn’t know.” The soldier was so scared he was about to cry.

“If Yin Shishi intended to escape, how could he tell them where he was going? Even if you beat him to death, you won’t get an answer.” Li Jiancheng continued: “Instead of wasting time here, why don’t you come search with me? I’ve already had people guard the other gates to prevent Yin Shishi from escaping the city. Shimin has already gone—if you don’t want him to get there first, hurry up.”

Hearing this, Li Yuanji quickly released the soldier and went with Li Jiancheng to search for Yin Shishi. They could let others go, but this dog bastard was the one they absolutely had to catch.

While they were hunting Yin Shishi everywhere, Li Yuan had already stepped into Daxing Palace, walking step by step inside. Since he could remember, he had come here countless times. Each time without exception, he had stood in Daxing Hall, kneeling and kowtowing to the person sitting in the seat of honor—first Yang Jian, then Yang Guang.

However, since Yang Guang moved the capital to Luoyang, he hadn’t come here again. Now he was finally stepping in once more. This time, he wasn’t here to bow to anyone, but to master this magnificent and splendid Daxing Palace.

After planning for so many years, he had finally reached this step. Just thinking about it made Li Yuan’s heart surge with excitement.

With each footstep echoing, Li Yuan entered Daxing Hall. This was where the emperor held court and received ministers, where empresses, crown princes, and princesses were enfeoffed, and where tribute envoys were entertained. Among all the palace halls, this held the most honored position.

Li Yuan saw Prince Dai Yang You trembling beneath the dragon desk. The palace maids and eunuchs around him had already fled somewhere, leaving only an elderly man with a clear, stern countenance by his side.

The soldiers who had charged in with Li Yuan saw Yang You hiding under the desk, and their eyes all turned red. To storm into Chang’an City, how many of their men had died? Those were brothers who had shared life and death with them! Moreover, if Yang You had been more resolute initially and not let Yin Shishi manipulate him, this great battle could have been avoided. Yin Shishi deserved to die, and so did he!

“Kill him!” Someone shouted first, and soon all the soldiers were shouting together: “Kill this Yang! Avenge our dead brothers! Kill him!”

Some hot-tempered soldiers even rushed forward, wanting to kill Yang You. For them at this moment, killing an underage Yang You was no more difficult than crushing an ant.

At this moment, the elderly man stepped forward to block them: “Duke Li raised a righteous army to restore the imperial house and correct the chaos. Do you now want to make Duke Li appear unrighteous?”

The soldiers, rebuked like this, didn’t dare advance for a moment. At the same time, Li Yuan’s voice came from behind: “No insolence! Withdraw immediately!”

After ordering the soldiers to withdraw, Li Yuan stepped forward and said to Yang You, who was still trembling under the desk: “Your Highness need not fear. This minister said before that I came to Chang’an to restore the imperial house and honor you as Son of Heaven. I would never harm you.” He extended his hand: “Allow me to help you out.”

Yang You looked at Yao Silian, and after the latter nodded, he extended his trembling hand to Li Yuan’s palm and awkwardly crawled out from under the desk. After he stood up straight, Li Yuan cupped his hands: “My subordinate soldiers were offensive just now. Please forgive us, Your Highness!” He then turned to those soldiers: “Why don’t you immediately apologize to Prince Dai!”

Hearing this, Yang You hastily said: “No… no need. It was just a misunderstanding.”

Li Yuan said respectfully: “Your Highness is magnanimous. If Your Highness were ruler of the world, it would be a blessing for all people.” He then turned his gaze to the elderly man who had been protecting Yang You: “This gentleman is…”

“I am His Highness’s tutor, surnamed Yao, given name Jian, courtesy name Silian.” Hearing Yao Silian’s words, Li Yuan showed a look of sudden understanding: “So it’s Master Yao. Though I have never met you, I have always held you in the highest regard, and now I admire you even more.” Though Yao Silian’s official position wasn’t high, among all scholars, his status was as lofty as Mount Tai and the North Star. What was even more precious was that while so many others had fled, Yao Silian still remained by Yang You’s side, never abandoning him. This integrity was truly worthy of admiration.

“Duke Li is too kind.” Saying this, Yao Silian said with a serious expression: “Duke Li is a righteous man and surely would not go back on his word.”

“Of course, I will act according to my previous words and support Prince Dai as emperor.” He continued: “Prince Dai has suffered much fright today. Master Yao, please help Prince Dai to the rear hall to rest. I will properly handle Chang’an’s affairs.”

Yao Silian nodded: “This old man understands. I have only one piece of advice for Duke Li.”

Li Yuan said humbly: “Please speak, Master Yao.”

“I hope Duke Li will love the people as his own children and conduct himself well.” Though Yao Silian was old, he wasn’t confused. He understood in his heart that no matter how well Li Yuan spoke, supporting Prince Dai was only a temporary measure. Sooner or later, Li Yuan would replace him and completely grasp this realm in his own hands.

Li Yuan was already beginning to gradually control the world’s general situation—not something a single Yao Silian could influence.

“Master Yao, rest assured. Yuan… will definitely not disappoint you.” Li Yuan’s answer brought slight comfort to Yao Silian’s heart as he helped Yang You leave the hall.

Looking at the now completely empty golden dragon throne, Li Yuan’s eyes shot forth rays of intense light. Now, if he wanted, he could sit on this throne and hear the officials and soldiers below shout “Long live!”

How many people had gambled everything, risking their lives in struggle, all for this position—this irresistible temptation that no one could refuse…

Li Yuan caressed the lifelike golden dragons on the armrests, his feet unconsciously moving forward. Just one more step forward, and he could sit on this dragon throne.

“Sit down… sit down…” This voice kept tempting Li Yuan, wanting to seduce him into taking that step.

But this step, Li Yuan ultimately did not take. He hadn’t forgotten the slogan he had raised when he first rebelled, nor the words he had just promised Yao Silian. If he sat on the dragon throne now, he would be going back on his word—this wasn’t what he wanted to see.

He would sit on this dragon throne sooner or later, but not now!

After suppressing the temptation hovering in his heart, he said to the soldiers below: “Immediately count the number of people in the palace. Remember, you must not harm anyone or disturb Prince Dai, much less kill anyone. Those who violate military orders will have their three generations exterminated!”