Li Shimin turned around in surprise and saw a young man carrying a bow and arrows looking at him. Despite it being the cold depths of winter when everyone wore thick cotton clothes and still felt cold, he wore only two pieces of animal fur around himself, leaving half his body bare.

Li Shimin examined him carefully and said: “Indeed it is. Who are you, and what brings you to the Tang Prince’s mansion?”

The young man grinned honestly: “My name is Duan Li. I’m a hunter from outside the city, living in Datong Village. My mother said the Tang King is a good man who loves his people like his own children, so she sent me to serve under him.” After blurting out his purpose, he realized he hadn’t asked the other person’s identity and said: “What about you? Who are you?”

Duan Li’s honest and straightforward manner made Li Shimin smile: “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is what qualifies you to serve under the Tang King. You should know that those chosen by the Tang King are all exceptional talents among men.”

“What qualifies me?” Duan Li scratched his head in difficulty. After looking around, he approached one of the stone lions placed at the left side of the entrance, removed the bow and arrows from his back, bent down and grasped the stone lion’s lower belly with both hands. With a great roar, he actually lifted it clean off the ground, leaving everyone stunned. This stone lion weighed at least five hundred catties, yet this unremarkable young man had lifted it with his own strength – truly astonishing.

After holding the stone lion at waist height for a moment, Duan Li set it back down. He appeared not to have exerted much effort, only breathing slightly harder for a few moments before returning to normal. With an anxious expression, he said: “I have no other abilities – just great strength, and I can also shoot arrows. I don’t know if this will do?”

Li Shimin came to his senses and nodded: “Good. You can follow me from now on.”

“You?” Duan Li looked Li Shimin up and down, then shook his head vigorously like a rattle drum, his face full of wariness: “No way. My mother said that besides the Tang King and his sons, I shouldn’t follow anyone else. Don’t try to trick me into following you.”

Zhao Jin and another guard standing behind Li Shimin found this amusing. This Duan Li kept saying he wanted to follow the Tang King and his sons, yet now that the Second Young Master stood right before him, he mistook him for a fraud – truly failing to recognize Mount Tai when it stood before him. Just as they were about to reveal Li Shimin’s identity, he spoke first: “What if the Tang King and Second Young Master both refuse to accept you?”

“Well…” Duan Li thought for a while, then stubbornly said: “If that’s really the case, I’ll just go back to hunting. In any case, I cannot disobey my mother’s words.” He then said to the secretly chuckling guards: “Please, big brothers, help me inform either the Tang King or the Second Young Master.”

The guards smiled and pointed at Li Shimin: “Look, that gentleman is the Second Young Master you’re looking for.”

Duan Li stared wide-eyed in surprise, walking around Li Shimin in a circle, saying suspiciously: “You… you’re really the Second Young Master? You’re not lying to me?”

Li Shimin smiled: “Who would dare to deceive anyone at the Tang Prince’s mansion entrance? Aren’t they afraid of being thrown in prison?” Hearing this, Duan Li had no more doubts and bowed to Li Shimin: “Please, Second Young Master, accept me to serve under you.”

“Didn’t I already agree just now?” Saying this, Li Shimin continued: “Since you’ll be serving under me from now on, having your mother living outside the city is inconvenient. Go bring her into the city, and I’ll find you both a place to live.”

Duan Li’s expression darkened as he said quietly: “Actually, over a month ago, my mother told me to come serve the Tang King. She said that since I have such strength, I should serve the court and achieve merit and fame, rather than spending all day with birds and beasts. But she was ill at the time, and I couldn’t bear to leave her alone outside the city, so I kept delaying. I originally planned to wait for mother to recover and bring her into the city together to find a place to settle. Who knew her illness would worsen, and she passed away from severe illness a few days ago. I came here only after burying my mother.”

“I see.” After consoling Duan Li with a few words, Li Shimin asked: “Do you have any other relatives?”

Duan Li wiped away the tears seeping from the corners of his eyes and shook his head: “According to my mother, my father died before I was even born. For as long as I can remember, it’s been just mother and me depending on each other – no other relatives.”

“I understand. You’ll serve under me from now on.” Li Shimin then called over Duan Zhihong: “Take him to get settled, and also… get him some sets of clothes.”

“Yes.” After Duan Zhihong led Duan Li away, Li Shimin’s smile faded as he said: “Zhao Jin, go to Datong Village and inquire whether what he said is true.”

Zhao Jin was startled and said in a low voice: “Second Young Master, do you suspect this Duan Li is lying?”

Li Shimin shook his head: “I wouldn’t say I suspect him, but with strong enemies surrounding Chang’an, it’s better to be cautious in all matters. This Duan Li has natural divine strength – if he’s truly loyal, he could be put to good use.”

“Your subordinate understands. I’ll go investigate immediately.” Zhao Jin worked quickly. Before nightfall, he had thoroughly investigated Duan Li’s background. Duan Li hadn’t lied – he was indeed from Datong Village, had depended on his mother since childhood, and truly had greater strength than others. When he was thirteen or fourteen, he began hunting in the mountains alone, always returning with good catches. He often gave some game to his neighbors, and when his mother died of severe illness a few days ago, the neighbors helped organize the funeral.

After relating everything he had learned, Zhao Jin said: “Second Young Master, from this it appears Duan Li shouldn’t be a spy.”

“It’s best if he isn’t.” Li Shimin then remembered something: “How is Li Jing doing?”

“Ever since Second Young Master released him, he’s been living in the City God Temple, surviving by scavenging offerings and occasionally weaving bamboo baskets to sell.” At this point, Zhao Jin hesitated: “Second Young Master…”

“Just say whatever you want to say.” After receiving Li Shimin’s permission, Zhao Jin said: “Li Jing is so stubborn and ungrateful – why must Second Young Master continue to concern yourself with him? Just let him fend for himself.”

“Li Jing is a rare talent. It would be truly regrettable to miss this opportunity. Moreover, he’s a man of loyalty and righteousness – once he pledges allegiance, it’s for life and he would never betray.” Before Zhao Jin could respond, he continued: “Enough. I have my own judgment in this matter. You may go.”

“Yes.” Not long after Zhao Jin withdrew, Xiuzhu entered and curtsied: “Son-in-law, Miss says if you’re available, please come over. She has something to discuss.”

“Good, I’ll go right away.” He closed the ledger on the table and went with Xiuzhu to Zhangsun Shi’s room. She was sewing a small garment, and seeing Li Shimin enter, she smiled and called out “Husband.”

Li Shimin took the clothing and needle and thread from her hands, gently scolding: “Didn’t I tell you not to tire yourself? Yet you just won’t listen.”

“It’s just sewing a few garments – how tiring could it be? Lying around doing nothing all day is what’s truly tiring. Besides, does husband want our child to be born without even proper clothes to wear?”