While Li Yuan was lost in thought with his head lowered, Li Jiancheng said: “Even if bloodstains are truly discovered, there’s no way to prove they belong to His Majesty.”

“There is a way.” Yunyi’s answer left Li Jiancheng utterly astonished. Before he could speak, Yunyi continued: “I wonder if the Tang King and the heir have ever heard of the method of blood-bone kinship verification?”

Li Yuan nodded: “It’s recorded that during the Three Kingdoms period, living people’s blood was dripped onto skeletal remains. If the blood seeped into the bones, it indicated blood relation; if it didn’t seep in, there was no relation.”

Yunyi nodded: “Exactly so. Before the Tang King arrived, I specifically requested Imperial Physician Li to come and asked whether this method was true.”

Seeing Li Yuan’s gaze turn toward him, Imperial Physician Li quickly glanced at Yunyi, then bowed with cupped hands: “Reporting to the Tang King, this humble official has seen records of this in medical texts before. It is indeed true.”

Li Jiancheng spoke: “Even if this method is true, what relation does it have to His Majesty’s case? What we need to investigate now is the murderer who killed His Majesty, not to find His Majesty’s relatives.”

Yunyi smiled slightly: “Since the blood of close relatives can merge into bones, then… what about blood that was originally one body?”

Hearing this, Li Yuan had already guessed the meaning hidden beneath her words. He probed: “The Princess means that if we find the person whose sleeve was stained with blood, we can compare it with the blood on Your Highness’s sleeve. If they merge with each other, it would prove that was His Majesty’s blood?”

Yunyi lowered her head: “Just as the Tang King said.”

Li Jiancheng looked at her and said: “It still won’t work. Whether it’s the blood on the Princess’s sleeve or the blood that might remain on the murderer’s body, it has all dried up. How could they possibly merge?”

“The heir can rest assured. I asked Imperial Physician Li, and he said that as long as there is blood, it can be tested. Whether it’s dried or not doesn’t matter.”

Li Jiancheng’s eyelid twitched as he turned his head: “Is it truly as the Princess said?”

Imperial Physician Li nodded: “That’s correct. Even if it’s dried blood, this humble official has methods to test whether they can merge.”

“Excellent!” Upon hearing this, Li Yuan immediately summoned the guards and said: “Transmit this king’s order: bring back all people who appeared in Mingse Palace on March 27th, regardless of their status. Don’t let a single one slip through. Additionally, have them bring the clothes they wore that day. If they are women, have them bring all their accessories as well.”

“This subordinate obeys!” Yang You’s assassination was the palace’s greatest incident. After the incident occurred, the guards had recorded all who entered and exited Mingse Palace that day. Now they only needed to bring people according to the records in the registry.

Soon, the guards brought in more than twenty people, with Princess Xin’an among them. She had been forcibly requested to come by the guards and was quite displeased. As soon as she arrived, she said: “Tang King summoned me here so urgently, what is the matter?”

Li Yuan bowed slightly: “Presuming to request the Princess to come was to investigate the murderer who killed His Majesty.”

Hearing these words, Princess Xin’an’s heart trembled violently. Forcibly steadying herself, she said: “Wasn’t this matter already investigated clearly? The Tang King also ordered Li Shimin’s execution. Why speak of this again?”

Li Jiancheng stepped forward: “The Grand Princess claimed that when the murderer assassinated His Majesty, they likely got blood on their body without washing it off. Father, being cautious, has once again requested the Princess to come. Please forgive us, Princess.”

Hearing this, Princess Xin’an’s slightly tense body relaxed: “I see. It seems the Tang King still doesn’t believe that the one who killed His Majesty was the Second Young Master?”

Li Jiancheng said seriously: “Second brother has always been modest, benevolent, and kind. Not to mention Father, I also don’t believe he would commit such a treasonous act.”

Meeting his gaze, Princess Xin’an smiled coldly, then turned to look at Li Yuan: “Since the Tang King insists on investigating, go ahead and investigate. I only fear… the results will disappoint the Tang King.” After killing Yang You and returning that night, she had washed everything related to it. Li Yuan couldn’t possibly find anything.

Li Yuan said nothing, only addressing the guards waiting nearby: “Carefully examine everyone’s belongings. Don’t let anything slip through!”

The guards acknowledged the order and carefully inspected the clothing of these twenty-plus people, including Princess Xin’an. After a full incense stick’s time, they finally finished examining everything and bowed to Li Yuan: “Reporting to the Tang King, no bloodstains were discovered.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan’s brows immediately furrowed tightly once again. This was the only method that could prove Li Shimin’s innocence, yet it had yielded nothing once more.

Princess Xin’an stared at Yunyi and sneered inwardly. If it weren’t for being in Li Yuan’s presence where it would be inappropriate to say anything, she would have made several cutting remarks. But it didn’t matter—soon she would collect all past grievances from this seventh sister with interest. Just thinking about it made her happy.

Yunyi noticed her gaze and glanced at her sideways before walking to the guard: “Are you certain everything has been examined?”

The guard bowed: “In response to the Princess, everything has been examined. There were indeed no discoveries.” Before he finished speaking, Yunyi had already turned and walked to Princess Xin’an, pointing at the twisted gold bracelet on her right wrist: “Was this also examined?”

“This…” Before the guard could speak, Princess Xin’an’s eyes had already darkened: “Jinyang, what do you mean?”

Yunyi smiled faintly: “If I remember correctly, when His Majesty was killed, Fourth Sister was also wearing this twisted gold bracelet. According to the previous requirements, this must also be examined!”

Princess Xin’an narrowed her eyes and said coldly: “By saying this, you’re suspecting that I killed His Majesty?”

“Before the investigation is clear, anyone could be suspicious.” As she spoke, she extended her jade-white palm. Princess Xin’an understood her meaning and sneered: “You want to examine it? Fine, I’ll let you examine it thoroughly!” With these words, she removed the twisted gold bracelet from her wrist and placed it heavily in Yunyi’s palm. After Yang You’s death, while washing her hands, she had also cleaned this bracelet for safety’s sake, so nothing could possibly be found.

After receiving it, Yunyi didn’t examine it herself but handed it to a nearby guard. The guard held up the bracelet and examined it carefully. When he saw a certain spot, his expression changed, and he quickly walked to Li Yuan’s side: “My lord, please look!”

Li Yuan looked in the direction the guard was pointing and saw that on the inner side of the twisted gold bracelet, there was actually a trace of dark red, very much like blood. Could it be… that Yang You was actually killed by her?

He looked up at the bewildered Princess Xin’an, then said: “Imperial Physician Li, can you tell if this is a bloodstain?”

Before Imperial Physician Li could speak, Princess Xin’an had already said in disbelief: “Impossible. How could there be bloodstains on my bracelet?”

Li Yuan didn’t acknowledge her words, only handing the bracelet to Imperial Physician Li. After examining it carefully, he said definitively: “That’s correct, this is indeed a bloodstain. As for whether it belongs to His Majesty, verification is still needed!”

“Nonsense! There couldn’t possibly be bloodstains on my bracelet.” As she spoke, she reached out to snatch back the bracelet, but was stopped by Li Yuan: “Please remain calm, Princess. We’ll discuss everything after Imperial Physician Li has verified it.”

Princess Xin’an bit her teeth and said: “By saying this, the Tang King suspects that I killed His Majesty?” Without waiting for Li Yuan to speak, she continued: “His Majesty was my own nephew, connected by blood. How could I possibly kill His Majesty?”