“That’s right. The day he returned from Jiangdu, I went to see him. He personally asked me whether you had killed Zhiyun. I naturally refused to admit it, but he didn’t believe me. He said he would tell Father about this matter. I was afraid it would cause great trouble, so I could only admit it and beg him not to tell Father about this. Fortunately, he still remembered a bit of brotherly affection and kept this matter secret. But from then on, we had a handle in his hands. You say I help him instead of you—sigh, what choice do I have? If I anger him and he tells Father about this, neither you nor I will have a good end.”
Upon hearing this, Li Yuanji said guiltily, “I’m sorry. I misunderstood eldest brother.”
“Sigh, I originally didn’t want to tell you about this, but your temperament is impulsive and reckless. After thinking it over, if I don’t explain it clearly to you, I’m afraid you might cause great trouble without even knowing it. Remember, before we can find a way to resolve Zhiyun’s matter, try not to conflict with Shimin.”
Li Yuanji nodded, then said unwillingly, “Then must we always be controlled by second brother?”
Li Jiancheng said helplessly, “For now, we can only do this.”
Li Yuanji gritted his teeth, “Who exactly leaked this matter? Could it be…” Before he could finish, Li Jiancheng already said, “It absolutely couldn’t be Jirong. After learning about this, I had Xue Wanche secretly question all the people who were at the inn at that time about their whereabouts, to see where exactly the problem occurred. The result made me discover that when you coaxed Zhiyun away from the inn, there was one person who had no alibi.”
Li Yuanji asked impatiently, “Who?”
“Changsun Wugou!” This answer made Li Yuanji’s eyelids jump violently. The next moment, he said hatefully, “So it was she who discovered our affair and told second brother?”
“Most likely.” Before Li Jiancheng finished speaking, Li Yuanji already said hatefully, “That detestable woman! If I had known this, I should have tricked her out as well and had Yin Shishi kill her too!” Being cruel and violent by nature, he dared to kill even his own brothers, let alone a so-called second sister-in-law.
“What’s done is done. Complaining is useless. In any case, remember my words—don’t be reckless. Although we’ve now attacked and entered Chang’an, the realm is not yet settled, and Father has not yet proclaimed himself emperor. The road ahead is still very long.”
“I understand.” Li Yuanji was impulsive and arrogant, but he wasn’t brainless. After responding, he walked with Li Jiancheng toward the residence located on the eastern side of the imperial palace.
Entering the residence, they happened to see Changsun Shi directing the servants to tidy up. Seeing the two of them come in, she smiled and approached them, “The courtyards for eldest uncle and fourth uncle have all been prepared. I’ll have someone take you there.”
“Thank you for your trouble, younger sister-in-law.” After Li Jiancheng replied, Li Yuanji remained silent for a long time, instead staring at Changsun Shi with a strange look. Being stared at made her uncomfortable, and she said softly, “What’s wrong with fourth uncle?”
Li Jiancheng, afraid he might reveal something, quickly patted his shoulder and said half-jokingly, “What’s this? After fighting one battle, you don’t even recognize your second sister-in-law? I don’t remember you injuring your head.”
Li Yuanji came back to his senses and laughed, “How could I not recognize second sister-in-law? I was just thinking that second brother is truly blessed to have married such a virtuous and capable wife as second sister-in-law. Along this entire journey, we’ve relied on second sister-in-law’s management.”
Changsun Shi laughed lightly, “Fourth uncle flatters me. I can only do these things—when it comes to fighting battles, I can’t help at all.” Then she said, “You fought all day today and probably haven’t eaten anything. I’ve already had the kitchen prepare food, which should be ready soon. However, in this haste, we don’t have many ingredients, so I can only make some simple dishes. I hope eldest uncle and fourth uncle won’t mind. Tomorrow I’ll go to the market to buy more supplies.”
“Thank you for your trouble, second sister-in-law.” Li Yuanji smiled as he bid her farewell. After turning around, his smile was immediately replaced by cold malice. Changsun Wugou, you just wait for me!
Under the darkening sky, the Li Yuanji brothers didn’t notice Yunyi standing not far away. After they walked away, Jixiang whispered in Yunyi’s ear, “Princess, that Fourth Young Master changes his expression faster than flipping through a book. One moment he was all smiles, the next moment he looked terrifying.”
Yunyi had also noticed Li Yuanji’s change of expression. After signaling Jixiang to be quiet, she walked over to Changsun Shi’s side. Seeing her, Changsun Shi handed the account book in her hands back to a servant and said, “Why did the princess come out? Is there something inadequate about my arrangements?”
Yunyi smiled, “You’ve considered everything—how could anything be inadequate? I just felt I had nothing to do, so I came out for a walk. By the way, what were you discussing with Fourth Young Master and the others just now?”
“Nothing much, just telling them that their living quarters have been arranged and that the food would be sent over soon.” Then Changsun Shi asked puzzledly, “Is there a problem?”
Yunyi suppressed her thoughts and said, “Nothing, just asking casually. By the way, is there anything I can help with?”
Changsun Shi smiled, “Everything is mostly arranged. It’s just that Second Madam—the servants said she went out an hour ago and hasn’t returned yet. I don’t know where she went.” Before she finished speaking, someone walked in. Jixiang, being sharp-eyed, was the first to see who it was and said, “Isn’t Second Madam back now?”
Changsun Shi also saw her and went forward, “Second Madam, you…” The rest of her words stuck in her throat, unable to come out, because she actually… actually saw Wan Shi covered in blood. Before she even came close, they could smell the bloody scent on her body, like a rakshasa that had just returned from drinking blood—how terrifying.
Changsun Shi bit her tongue tip hard to wake herself up, then quickly said to Xiuzhu beside her, “Quick, quickly go get a physician!”
Before Xiuzhu could react, Wan Shi already said, “No need. I’m not injured.”
These words made Changsun Shi’s heart, which had been suspended in midair, slowly settle down. But immediately new doubts arose. She probed, “If that’s the case, why is Second Madam covered in so much blood?”
Yunyi walked over and answered for her, “Second Madam must have just personally settled a grudge.” After Li Yuan entered Chang’an, the first thing he needed to do was capture Yin Shishi.
Wan Shi turned her gaze to Yunyi, and in the flickering lamplight said, “That’s right. I just stabbed Yin Shishi more than twenty times and watched him die with my own eyes.” Her voice was eerily cold, as if it came from underground, making people shudder.
Yunyi lowered her head slightly, “Congratulations, Second Madam. You’ve finally personally avenged Fifth Young Master. Fifth Young Master can finally rest in peace.”
“Rest in peace…” Wan Shi lowered her eyes to stare at her own hands, also covered in blood, and said almost inaudibly, “No, he still cannot rest in peace, because the person who truly harmed him is still alive.”
Changsun Shi couldn’t hear her words clearly and asked, “Second Madam, what did you say?”
Wan Shi came back to her senses and said indifferently, “Nothing. Have someone heat several buckets of hot water and send them to my room. I need to clean myself thoroughly. Also, don’t send dinner—I have no appetite.”