“You always have so many excuses. In any case, it’s very late now, and you’re not allowed to continue sewing.” After handing the clothes to Xiuzhu to take away, he said, “Xiuzhu mentioned you had something to discuss with me. What is it?”

Zhangsun Shi said softly, “When you risked danger and led two thousand men to rescue the princess, I knew that you like the princess, don’t you?”

Li Shimin was startled, not expecting Zhangsun Shi to suddenly ask about this. After a moment of contemplation, he said, “You are my legitimate wife. This is something that will never change.”

“I know.” Seeing that Zhangsun Shi’s gaze never left him, Li Shimin knew she was waiting for his answer. Helplessly, he said, “Yes, I do like her. Even though she caused Xuanba’s death, I still can’t let go of those feelings. Wugou, I’m sorry.”

Zhangsun Shi smiled gently and shook her head, “You don’t need to apologize.” After a pause, she continued, “The princess is both talented and beautiful, intelligent as ice and snow. I also like her very much. What’s most precious is that she loves you deeply and would risk her own life to save you.”

Li Shimin had originally thought that Zhangsun Shi’s inquiry about Yunyi was meant to confront him, but unexpectedly, she kept speaking favorably of Yunyi. He vaguely guessed Zhangsun Shi’s intention but didn’t dare to be certain. Tentatively, he asked, “Wugou, what… exactly are you trying to say?”

Zhangsun Shi smiled with pressed lips, “If I said I wanted to emulate Empress E and Empress Nüying, serving you together, what would you think?”

A surge of joy washed over him like a tide. He stared intently at Zhangsun Shi, “Wugou, do you truly agree to me marrying Yunyi?” Although it was normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines, if Zhangsun Shi firmly opposed it and blocked him from marrying Yunyi, it would still be troublesome, especially since she was currently pregnant.

Zhangsun Shi smiled with pressed lips, “Do you think I’m some unreasonable jealous woman?”

“Hey, I’ve never said such a thing. Don’t wrongly accuse your husband.” Li Shimin’s words drew light laughter from Zhangsun Shi, “Yes, yes, you indeed never said it, but you’ve thought it in your heart.” After a pause, she continued, “Actually, I wanted to discuss this matter before you went to Luoyang, but the princess didn’t want to affect your expedition to Luoyang, so she made an agreement with me to discuss it after you returned from Luoyang. Originally, I should have mentioned it during the day, but unfortunately, I was very drowsy at that time and forgot about it. Only now did I remember.”

Zhangsun Shi’s understanding and considerate nature made Li Shimin respect her even more. He stood up and bowed deeply, saying gratefully, “Thank you, my wife.”

“You’re being too formal.” Saying this, Zhangsun Shi continued, “Since we’ve already decided, I’ll have someone prepare the betrothal gifts tomorrow. After you inform father, you can go propose to the princess.”

Li Shimin said warmly, “I’ll arrange this matter myself. You’re pregnant, so you should focus on resting peacefully.” Before Zhangsun Shi could speak, he preemptively said, “Hey, no objections allowed.”

Zhangsun Shi was blocked from speaking and could only say, “Very well, you can handle it yourself, but there’s one thing you must promise me.”

Li Shimin saw that she was sitting with some difficulty and took another soft pillow to place behind her waist, saying, “Just tell me.”

Zhangsun Shi said seriously, “The princess is a golden branch and jade leaf, a daughter of the imperial family. Having her as your equal wife is already extremely unfair to her. These betrothal gifts absolutely cannot be lacking; they should be at least the same as when you betrothed me years ago.”

Li Shimin grasped her hand and said emotionally, “Having you as my wife is truly Li Shimin’s blessing.” Zhangsun Shi exchanged a smile with him, thousands of words conveyed without speaking.

The next day, although the heavy snow had stopped, the weather seemed even colder. The wind felt like knives cutting across faces. People on the street were all wrapped in thick clothes, hunching their necks and hurrying along.

Zhao Jin pointed ahead, “Second Young Master, that’s the City God Temple. Li Jing lives inside.”

Li Shimin nodded, “Let’s go.”

Just as they reached the entrance of the City God Temple, they heard a sharp woman’s voice from inside, “You big fellow, you have hands and feet but don’t work, yet you eat our offerings. Do you have no shame?”

As soon as this voice finished, another slightly hoarse woman’s voice rang out, “Exactly! Those things are our offerings to the City God, not for you, this beggar, to eat. We’ve caught you doing this once before and spared you as a first offense, but you didn’t learn your lesson and continued stealing our offerings. I’m telling you, quickly compensate us for what you ate, or we’ll drag you to see the magistrate.”

Walking into the City God Temple, they saw several men and women surrounding a man who was weaving bamboo baskets. Despite his disheveled appearance, Li Shimin immediately recognized him as Li Jing. Li Jing continued weaving while saying, “I have no money. Here are a few finished bamboo baskets you can take.”

A long-faced woman said, “A few broken bamboo baskets to compensate for our offerings to the City God? You’re really calculating well.” By her voice, she was the one who had spoken first.

Another woman said, “I’m telling you, don’t play dumb here. Either compensate at full price or come with us to see the magistrate.”

Li Jing kept his head down and said nothing. The long-faced woman said angrily, “Since that’s the case, let’s see the magistrate. As if we’re afraid of him!” She then said to a man beside her, “Husband, drag him out.” Li Shimin saw this and quickly stepped forward, “Everyone, please calm down. Whatever offerings he ate, I’ll compensate for them.”

The long-faced woman looked Li Shimin up and down, “You’re truly willing to compensate for him?”

“Of course.” Li Shimin smiled, “Tell my attendant the amount, and he’ll compensate you. Please be lenient and don’t make this a matter for the authorities.”

Those people originally didn’t want to escalate things to the authorities either. Seeing him say this, they naturally went along, “Very well, for the young master’s sake, we’ll let him off this time.”

After they surrounded Zhao Jin to calculate the amount, Li Shimin walked to Li Jing, who was still weaving baskets, crouched down and said, “Yaoshi, why do you torment yourself like this?”

Li Jing didn’t look up and said coldly, “My affairs are none of your concern.”

“What about the future? Yaoshi, do you intend to spend your entire life in this City God Temple, living by eating offerings and selling a few bamboo baskets?” His words made Li Jing’s hands pause momentarily, then he said coldly, “No matter what my future holds, it’s none of your concern. Second Young Master, please leave.”

The long-faced woman heard Li Jing’s words and turned back, “You really don’t know what’s good for you. This young master kindly helped you, yet you act like this. You deserve to be unlucky for life.”

Li Jing acted as if he hadn’t heard her words and continued weaving the bamboo basket in his hands. After Zhao Jin compensated those people one by one, seeing Li Jing’s stubborn attitude, his anger flared. He snatched the half-finished bamboo basket from Li Jing’s hands and shouted, “You’re already in this state, yet you still put on airs! Only Second Young Master thinks highly of you and came to find you personally upon returning to Chang’an. If it were anyone else, they wouldn’t bother with you.”