“It truly weighs heavy on the Prince of Tang’s heart.” Saying this, Peiji asked, “Does the Prince of Tang want me to take this medicine to Second Young Master?”

“Indeed. If I were to go and Shimin suddenly died violently, it would inevitably arouse suspicion. After much thought, I can only ask Brother Xuanzhen to step forward.” As he spoke, he actually rose and bowed deeply to Peiji, “Please, you must help me with this favor.”

Peiji quickly rose to support him, saying, “Prince of Tang, please don’t do this. Shimin is my nephew by marriage, and I also hope he will be fine. However, this way, Shimin can no longer remain in Chang’an.”

“I know. I have already arranged for people. As soon as Second Son is rescued, I will immediately send him to a place where no one knows him, and he will change his surname and name in the future. Though he cannot help me conquer the world anymore, at least his life can be preserved.” Speaking thus, Li Yuan sighed, “I hope I haven’t saved the wrong person, otherwise…”

Peiji understood his meaning and said, “Second Young Master has always been upright in character. I believe that in this matter, he was framed by others, and it was not his doing.”

Li Yuan nodded, “After I return, I will issue the order to execute Shimin. From issuing the order to the execution, there will be about a day’s time, which is enough for the medicine to take effect.”

“Good, I will go over shortly.” After receiving the medicine bottle, Peiji said, “There is one matter—I know now is not the appropriate time, but I still want to ask the Prince of Tang.”

“Whatever it is, just speak freely.” After receiving Li Yuan’s words, Peiji said, “A nation cannot be without a ruler for a single day. It has been over ten days since His Majesty’s death. The Prince of Tang should seriously consider this matter. Actually, the Prince of Tang has supported His Majesty for so long, which is already the utmost in benevolence and righteousness. I believe that ascending the throne at this time, no one would object.”

Li Yuan lifted the lid of his cup, stirring the foam floating on the tea, saying in a heavy voice, “I fear some people will think I deliberately instructed Shimin to kill His Majesty in order to ascend to the imperial position.”

“Different rice feeds different people. In this vast world, there are all kinds of strange things. There will inevitably be some people who judge a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind. The Prince of Tang need not concern himself with them. Now that there are no suitable Yang clan descendants left in Chang’an, it is only natural for the Prince of Tang to ascend the throne.”

Although Li Yuan had no intention of regicide, to say he had no desire whatsoever for the imperial position would be impossible. In fact, from the day he entered Chang’an, he had always wanted to ascend to that supreme position. It was only due to various concerns that he supported Yang You as emperor.

“I believe that the Prince of Tang’s ascension would be what everyone hopes for. Even if there are occasional rumors, they cannot cause any real trouble. Moreover, if Chang’an remains masterless for long, people’s hearts will inevitably scatter, and then the loss would outweigh the gain.”

Li Yuan listened carefully to Peiji’s words. After a long while, he nodded, “I understand what you mean, Xuanzhen. After Shimin’s matter is settled, we will discuss this in detail.”

Peiji also knew this was the urgent matter at hand and nodded, “I will go to the prison to see Second Young Master now. Prince of Tang, rest assured, he will be safe.”

The two left Pei Manor together, one heading toward the Prince of Tang’s residence, the other toward the Ministry of Justice prison. At this time, Li Jiancheng and Lady Zhangsun were in the prison cell, the latter having cried until she was speechless. She was truly afraid—afraid that Li Shimin would really be beheaded.

After having Xiuzhu support the emotionally agitated Lady Zhangsun to rest aside, Li Jiancheng looked at Li Shimin, who was separated from him by prison bars, and said in a low voice, “I’m sorry.”

Li Shimin showed no resentment, smiling slightly, “I know eldest brother has done his best.”

“I’m truly useless. Knowing you are innocent, yet unable to find evidence all along, and father also…” Halfway through speaking, he suddenly struck his own head forcefully. Li Shimin quickly grasped his hand, “Eldest brother, what are you doing?”

Li Jiancheng said with a pained expression, “Before mother passed away, I promised her I would take good care of you, but now… I have failed mother.” These words were half true and half false. Although he resented Li Shimin for competing with him for credit, they were still blood brothers. Now seeing Li Shimin about to be executed, and it was his own doing, he felt somewhat guilty in his heart. But he would absolutely not change his mind—Li Shimin must die!

“I’ve said it has nothing to do with eldest brother. If anyone is to blame, I can only blame myself for being careless and falling into a villain’s trap.” After a brief pause, Li Shimin asked, “How is Princess Jinyang?”

“She’s fine. After the imperial physicians testified that she could not use her right hand to wield a dagger to kill His Majesty, father lifted her house arrest. Everything is as before, and she is also allowed to leave the palace.” Speaking of this, Li Jiancheng’s eyes showed a trace of doubt, “She hasn’t come to see you?”

After Li Shimin shook his head, he said angrily, “You are imprisoned and your life hangs by a thread because of her, yet she pays no attention to you. It’s truly detestable!” Speaking thus, he said with some reproach, “I warned you long ago, but you wouldn’t listen and had to throw yourself headfirst into it. Now look—even if I wanted to save you, I cannot.”

“The Princess is not a heartless person. She must have something going on.” Li Shimin’s words had barely fallen when Li Jiancheng scolded, “She’s already been released from confinement. What could she possibly have going on? She’s simply a heartless and ungrateful person.”

Seeing Li Shimin remain silent, he waved his hand, “Forget it, let’s not talk about that woman anymore. It’s just vexing.”

After a brief silence, Li Shimin said, “If I truly cannot escape this calamity, please also take care of Wugou and the child in her womb for me, eldest brother.”

“Wugou is my sister-in-law, and the child in her womb is my nephew. Of course I will take good care of them. As for you…” Li Jiancheng sighed, “When I return, I’ll try to persuade father again. Perhaps he might grant us a few more days. As long as there’s a thread of hope, I will never give up.”

“Thank you, eldest brother.” While speaking, Lady Zhangsun, whose emotions had calmed somewhat, walked over with Xiuzhu’s support and said hoarsely, “This concubine will surely think of a way to save my husband. I absolutely will not let him die unjustly.”

Li Shimin caressed her face, which still bore tear stains, saying gently, “Life and death are determined by fate. If I am gone, take good care of yourself and the child. I’ve thought about it—when this child is born, if it’s a boy, he shall be called Li Chengxiao; if it’s a girl, she shall be called Roujia. ‘The virtue of Zhongshan Fu, gentle and good as a standard.’ Is that good?”

Lady Zhangsun tried hard to hold back the tears in her eyes, choking out, “Good, very good. Thank you, husband, for naming our child.”

Li Shimin gently caressed Lady Zhangsun’s slightly protruding abdomen, with a trace of barely concealed sadness and reluctance, “Naming a child is what a father should do, but unfortunately… I won’t be able to see him born.”

“No!” Lady Zhangsun forcefully grasped his hand that was about to withdraw, saying urgently, “Husband will surely be able to see him born, surely!”

Li Shimin smiled, “It’s getting late. You should all go back. Xiuzhu, take good care of your young mistress.”

Under Li Jiancheng and Xiuzhu’s persuasion, Lady Zhangsun left the prison cell with reluctant backward glances. After watching them leave, Li Shimin sat quietly on the ground, staring at the weak light of the oil lamp on the opposite wall, lost in thought.

It seemed that this time, he truly could not escape this calamity…

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the cell. Li Shimin looked up to see Peiji approaching with a prison guard.

“Second Young Master.” Peiji gestured to the guard, who understood and moved away to keep watch.

Li Shimin stood up, “Uncle Pei, why have you come?”

Peiji looked around carefully, then moved closer to the bars, lowering his voice, “I’ve come to save you.”

Li Shimin was startled, “Save me? Uncle Pei, what do you mean?”

Peiji took out the small porcelain bottle, “This is feigned death medicine. After taking it, you will appear to die, but you will actually only be unconscious. When they come to collect your body tomorrow, my people will rescue you.”

Li Shimin stared at the medicine bottle, then at Peiji, “This… this is father’s idea?”

“Your father cannot bear to see you die. He spent great effort to obtain this medicine.” Peiji’s voice was extremely low, “But after this, you can never return to Chang’an. You must go far away, change your name, and live as a different person.”

Li Shimin was silent for a long moment, then slowly shook his head, “Uncle Pei, I cannot take this medicine.”

“Why?” Peiji was shocked, “Do you really want to die?”

“If I take this medicine and fake my death, then the real culprit will never be found. I cannot let him go unpunished, and I cannot let His Majesty die in vain.” Li Shimin’s voice was firm, “Moreover, if I disappear like this, what about Wugou? What about our child? I cannot abandon them.”

Peiji anxiously said, “But if you don’t take it, you’ll really die tomorrow!”

Li Shimin smiled bitterly, “Then so be it. I would rather die with my name cleared than live as a coward.”

“You… you’re being foolish!” Peiji looked at him helplessly, “Your father went through so much trouble to save you, and you…”

“Please tell father that I appreciate his kindness, but I cannot accept it.” Li Shimin’s tone was resolute, “If I am truly innocent, heaven will vindicate me. If I am destined to die, then I will face it calmly.”

Peiji stared at him for a long while, then sighed heavily, “You are just like your father—stubborn beyond reason.”

As he prepared to leave, Li Shimin suddenly called out, “Uncle Pei, wait.”

Peiji turned back, “Have you changed your mind?”

Li Shimin shook his head, “I want to ask you to do something for me.”

“What is it?”

“If something happens to me, please take care of Wugou and our child. Don’t let them suffer.”

Peiji’s eyes reddened, “You fool, if you took the medicine, you could take care of them yourself!”

Li Shimin didn’t respond, only looking at him with pleading eyes.

Finally, Peiji nodded reluctantly, “I promise you.”

“Thank you.” Li Shimin bowed deeply through the bars.

Peiji left the prison with heavy steps, clutching the unused medicine bottle. He would have to return to Li Yuan and tell him that his son had refused to be saved.