Li Jiancheng smiled: “It seems feigning death didn’t make your mind dull. That’s right, the one who truly killed His Majesty was Princess Xin’an, and she has already confessed.”

This answer was both expected and unexpected. After the incident that day, he had felt that Princess Xin’an, who was first to arrive and immediately concluded without asking questions that they had been having an affair and killed Yang You, was very suspicious. But first, there was no evidence; second, like Yunyi, he felt that with Xin’an’s mentality, she couldn’t have devised such a complex and precise scheme. Additionally, Xin’an was Yang You’s aunt, so emotionally and logically, she shouldn’t have done such a thing. Therefore, he had always kept this suspicion buried in his heart.

Li Jiancheng sighed lightly: “This woman is truly vicious. Because His Majesty was closer to Princess Jinyang, plus the matter of reducing Shuangyue Palace’s expenses for your wedding with Princess Jinyang, she harbored resentment and colluded with Duan Li to kill His Majesty, throwing Chang’an into chaos while Duan Da’s hundred thousand troops took advantage of the chaos to attack the city.”

“Duan Li?!” Li Shimin stared at Li Jiancheng in astonishment. He certainly remembered who Duan Li was, but couldn’t imagine how this matter would involve him.

“That’s right, you were deceived by Duan Li. He wasn’t a hunter, but a spy who borrowed the identity of a hunter named Duan Li to infiltrate Chang’an. As for the real Duan Li, he was probably killed by this imposter, which is why we couldn’t verify his background.”

Li Shimin said in surprise: “Elder brother just mentioned Duan Da, which means Duan Li was Wang Shichong’s man?”

“Correct. Based on when Duan Li appeared, it should have been right after you withdrew from Luoyang that Wang Shichong sent Duan Li to Chang’an to serve under you, gather intelligence, and wait for the opportunity to create chaos.”

Li Shimin nodded and said guiltily: “The matter with Duan Li was my carelessness.”

“With deliberate calculation against the unsuspecting, how could you have seen through it? I would have been the same.” Before Li Jiancheng finished speaking, Li Shimin suddenly remembered something and urgently asked: “Elder brother just said Duan Da’s hundred thousand troops attacked the city. How is the situation now? Were they able to break through? I remember there were only thirty thousand defending troops in the city.”

Li Jiancheng comforted him: “Don’t worry, they’ve already retreated. Speaking of which, we really owe thanks to Du Ruhui this time. That Duan Li was incredibly strong and nearly broke down the city gate. Fortunately, Du Ruhui’s archery skills were exceptional and his mind worked quickly, managing to force him back. Now Master Liu and the others are handling the aftermath. As for Father, after working hard all night, I had him return to the residence to rest. Calculating the time, he should be up by now.”

Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief, then asked: “How is Princess Xin’an being dealt with?”

“She’s temporarily confined to Shuangyue Palace. Given her crimes, suicide is unavoidable.” Mentioning this woman who had once shared his bed, Li Jiancheng’s tone was ice-cold, devoid of any emotion.

Xin’an had betrayed everyone in her life, but this time, she had been thoroughly betrayed herself.

“By the way, who found the evidence to implicate Princess Xin’an?”

“No one found evidence!” Under Li Shimin’s puzzled gaze, Li Jiancheng recounted the events of the previous night, then continued: “No one expected Princess Jinyang would set such a trap. No wonder Princess Xin’an fell for it and confessed everything. You really should thank Princess Jinyang properly.”

Beneath his surface smile was a continuously bleeding heart. If not for that lingering wretch Jinyang, Li Shimin would either have lost his head or been driven from Chang’an, never to return.

Years ago, it was she who caused Xuanba’s death and drove the brothers apart. Now she was opposing him at every turn. Compared to that, she deserved death even more than Shimin!

Li Shimin didn’t know about the malicious thoughts beneath the smile. Seeing Li Jiancheng sitting there lost in thought, he asked puzzledly: “Elder brother? Elder brother? What are you thinking about?”

Li Jiancheng snapped back to attention and smiled: “Nothing, just thinking about which day in the coming days would be auspicious for your wedding with the princess.” Then he asked: “How do you feel? If there’s nothing seriously wrong, I’ll go with you to see Father.”

Li Shimin got up and moved his hands and feet. Finding nothing seriously wrong, he returned to the Tang King’s residence with Li Jiancheng. Li Yuan had already risen and was discussing matters with various generals. The two waited outside the study, entering only after the generals departed.

“Father.” After Li Jiancheng called out, Li Shimin knelt down: “Today’s events were all due to your son’s poor judgment of character, allowing a wolf into the fold, causing His Majesty’s death and nearly losing Chang’an. Your son cannot escape blame and begs Father’s punishment!”

Li Jiancheng glanced at him and bowed: “Father, this incident was Wang Shichong’s deliberate scheme against us. It’s not Shimin’s fault. Please forgive him this once.”

“I know.” Li Yuan walked around the desk to Li Shimin’s side and personally helped him up, saying gently: “It’s alright now. Get up.”

“But…” Before Li Shimin could continue, Li Yuan was already patting his arm: “Rather than punishment, it’s better to make up for past mistakes with future achievements.”

Li Jiancheng’s brow twitched as he blurted out: “Father wants to attack Luoyang again?”

Li Yuan’s expression turned cold: “Courtesy demands reciprocity, but now is not the time.” Then he said: “Since you’re both here, come with me to the palace.”

Li Jiancheng knew that Li Yuan’s palace visit was to completely settle the Xin’an matter. However, he had already made arrangements with Xin’an, and Lu Li was dead, so he believed this matter wouldn’t have any more variables.

Seeing Li Yuan and the others walking in under the twilight, Xin’an’s eyes flickered with panic. Had this moment finally arrived?

Fortunately, Li Jiancheng had promised her that even if he couldn’t persuade Li Yuan to show mercy, he would secretly arrange her rescue and wouldn’t let her die here.

With this thought, Xin’an’s panicked heart gradually calmed down, and she watched peacefully as Li Yuan and the others crossed the threshold and stopped before her.

Li Yuan didn’t want to beat around the bush with this woman who had nearly caused his son’s death. He said straightforwardly: “This king previously asked the princess who your accomplice was. Will the princess speak now?”

Xin’an smoothed her sleeves and rose: “If I said this was all my doing, would the Tang King believe me?” She didn’t rush to mention Duan Li’s name, knowing that answering too readily would often arouse suspicion.

Li Yuan’s pupils contracted slightly as he said coldly: “If the princess says this, you’re forcing this king to use torture.” Although Li Jiancheng said it was Duan Li, that was only speculation. Whether true or false could only be confirmed when Xin’an spoke the name herself.

Xin’an deliberately showed fear and hesitation, then after biting her lip for a moment, said: “If I reveal the mastermind’s name, will Your Highness spare my life?”

Li Yuan said indifferently: “I would very much like to spare the princess, but I fear His Majesty’s spirit in heaven would not agree. However, this king can promise the princess to let you end things yourself.”