Yunyi was about to ask when she had procured anything when she suddenly recalled what had happened at the tile market earlier. With a strange expression, she said: “The procurement Third Madam mentioned—could it be referring to those two actors?”

Lin Shi pressed her lips together. “The Princess is correct. It’s precisely those two actors.”

Ruyi remembered Lin Shi’s earlier words and said: “Third Madam mentioned before that this trip out of the residence was for the Princess and Second Young Master’s matter, but this servant can’t understand what those two actors have to do with the Princess and him?”

“Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed.” As they spoke, the group had already reached the entrance of the Tang King’s residence. Lin Shi said: “It’s getting late. Princess, you should return to the palace first. Don’t worry too much—if there’s any news, I’ll naturally enter the palace to inform you.”

Yunyi nodded, and after bidding her farewell, boarded the carriage waiting there and traveled all the way to the imperial palace. After watching her depart, Lin Shi also entered the residence.

That night, Li Shimin remained kneeling in the study. By now, he had been kneeling for nearly two days and nights. Although Li Yuan felt reluctant, thinking of Li Shimin’s deception and Li Xuanba’s death, he remained unable to let go of his resentment and hardened his heart not to intervene. During this period, many people came to plead for them, including Du Ruhui and others, but Li Yuan sent them all away.

This day at noon, Lin Shi accompanied Li Yuan for the meal along with Wan Shi and others. When they had eaten almost enough, Lin Shi said: “My Lord, yesterday this consort visited the tile market and discovered two actors performing ‘The Ballad of the Swaying Lady.’ This consort found it quite novel and summoned them into the residence, arranging for them to perform tonight at Changyue Pavilion. Would My Lord like to go watch together?”

Li Yuan finished the soup in his bowl and said: “I’ve already heard about ‘The Ballad of the Swaying Lady.’ There’s no point in watching it again. You all can go.”

Lin Shi smiled. “If it were just an ordinary ‘Ballad of the Swaying Lady’ story, this consort wouldn’t have specially summoned them into the residence to perform. This consort dares guarantee that it will definitely not disappoint My Lord.”

Wan Shi pressed her lips together. “Is it really as good as sister claims?”

Lin Shi glanced at her and said coolly: “Since elder sister is so skeptical, there’s no need to go watch.”

Wan Shi had asked casually, but was rebuffed by her response, causing her complexion to darken immediately. This Lin Shi truly remained as always, fond of opposing her.

Cui Shi, sitting beside Lin Shi, saw the situation was awkward and quickly mediated: “Since Third Sister speaks of it so interestingly, let’s go take a look. My Lord should come along too. Since raising the army, we haven’t enjoyed songs, dances, and theatrical performances together.”

Li Yuan thought about it and said: “Very well then, let’s go watch together.” Hearing this, Lin Shi’s face showed a trace of a smile. As long as Li Yuan was willing to go, there was hope for this matter.

When evening came, they went to Changyue Pavilion together, where quite a few people were already gathered, including Li Jiancheng, Zheng Shi, Changsun Shi, and others. Li Chengdao was running back and forth there, quite mischievously, while Chengzong, who was a year older than him, appeared much more reserved than his younger brother, silently leaning against Ji Shi without saying a word.

Since losing his hearing, Li Chengzong’s personality had become increasingly withdrawn. He often went entire days speaking only a few words. Although Li Jiancheng had spent heavily to hire the best lip-reading teacher in Chang’an for his son, the results weren’t very good.

“Run slower.” Zheng Shi watched Li Chengdao nervously. Her belly was already quite large now, and according to the physician, when spring flowers bloomed, she would be ready to give birth.

The more Zheng Shi told him not to run, the faster Li Chengdao ran, his two short legs racing about joyfully. The maid following behind saw Li Yuan and the others enter and quickly said: “The King has arrived, Second Young Master, stop running!”

Li Chengdao was running so happily that he couldn’t hear her words. Giggling, he rushed forward and, not paying attention to where he was going, fell to the ground. His little mouth turned down, and he immediately burst into tears. Before the maid could help him up, Li Yuan had already stepped forward and picked him up, pinching his red little nose and saying: “You fell down yourself, and you still have the nerve to cry? Stop crying now.”

Li Chengdao was quite obedient. Hearing this, he immediately stopped crying and called out “Grandfather” with unclear pronunciation.

Li Yuan stroked his head and, after handing him to the maid to hold, said to Lin Shi: “You’ve certainly made things lively.”

Lin Shi smiled. “Just as sister mentioned earlier, since raising the army in Taiyuan, our family hasn’t had a proper gathering together. It’s rare that My Lord has time today, so naturally we should make it lively and festive.”

“That’s true.” After signaling everyone to dispense with formalities, Li Yuan led Lin Shi and others to take seats in the front positions. At this moment, Li Chengdao toddled over and stretched out his little hands toward Li Yuan, saying: “Hug! Hug!”

The maid quickly said: “Second Young Master, the performance is about to begin. This servant will carry you back to sit!”

“No! No!” Li Chengdao shook his head like a rattle drum, clinging to Li Yuan and insisting he hold him. Zheng Shi stood up and scolded: “Chengdao, you’re not allowed to make trouble in front of your grandfather. Come here quickly.”

“It’s fine.” Li Yuan smiled and picked up Li Chengdao to sit on his lap, saying: “I’ll just have him carried back later.”

Ji Rong, sitting behind Cui Shi, pointed from Li Chengdao to Li Yuan, trying to get him to go pay respects, but the latter shook his head and moved closer to her side, refusing to go over no matter how she gestured.

Looking at Li Chengzong beside her, who wouldn’t say a single word, Ji Rong felt sad. Once upon a time, Li Chengzong had been the center of attention in the Li family. Li Yuan often held him in his arms and played with him, but now… it had changed to Chengdao, and he wouldn’t even spare a glance for her Chengzong.

Just as she was feeling sorrowful, Li Chengzong was suddenly picked up by someone. Li Jiancheng smiled and said: “Chengzong is so small, how could he see anything sitting alone in the chair?” Then he whispered: “No matter what, he’s still our son. I will definitely love him well.”

Ji Rong nodded gratefully, while from the corner of her eye she glanced at Zheng Shi sitting to Li Jiancheng’s left. She would never forget who was responsible for Chengzong’s current state. One day, she would demand repayment with interest.

When Lin Shi received tea from a servant, she looked back at the empty chair beside Changsun Shi and whispered: “It’s a pity one person is missing.”

Li Yuan also looked back, then said expressionlessly: “Everyone is here. Let’s begin.”

“Yes.” Lin Shi responded and said to Ji Chun: “Tell them to start.”

Shortly after Ji Chun left, the sound of strings and bamboo instruments arose from the stage. Then a man with red lips and white teeth, dressed as a woman, slowly entered the stage, singing and dancing while interspersing narrative speech, allowing people to clearly feel her sorrow and resentment—this was the Swaying Lady.

After a while, another man entered, playing the Swaying Lady’s alcohol-addicted husband. After a segment of dialogue, they began to argue and fight. Wan Shi glanced at Lin Shi and said: “Didn’t sister say that this ‘Ballad of the Swaying Lady’ was different from usual? Why does it look the same to me?”