After gesturing for her to come closer, Zhangsun Shi said, “Nothing much, I was just worried that Consort Ji might make things difficult for you, so I had Wenlan wait there. By the way, what did Consort Ji say?”

After Yunyi gave a general account of what happened, she said, “Princess Consort, rest assured. Although the clues have been severed for now, this concubine will continue investigating this matter and will definitely find the real culprit to let the little prince rest in peace.”

Zhangsun Shi looked at her deeply, then said to the attendants standing with lowered hands and to Duan Zhihong, “You all may withdraw.”

Only after the hall contained just the two of them and a few trusted confidants like Ruyi did Zhangsun Shi speak with a serious expression, “I want to ask sister one question. Please answer truthfully without concealment.”

Zhangsun Shi was usually gentle, and this was the first time Wenlan and the others had seen her so serious and solemn. They couldn’t help but hold their breath, fearing to disturb them.

Yunyi said calmly, “Princess Consort may ask whatever you wish.”

Meeting her gaze, Zhangsun Shi said word by word, “Was it Consort Ji who killed Xiuzhu and Ding Yang?”

While Ruyi and the others were shocked, Yunyi didn’t even blink, tucking in the corner of the blanket for Zhangsun Shi and saying calmly, “Princess Consort indeed guessed correctly.” Back at the stream, when Zhangsun Shi specifically instructed Duan Zhihong to guard and left most of the guards for her, she had already guessed something. Though Zhangsun Shi was kind, she wasn’t foolish – on the contrary, she saw more clearly than many people.

Zhangsun Shi scanned her face for a moment before speaking, “So I didn’t guess wrong?”

Yunyi nodded, “This concubine dare not be certain, but first, Ding Yang was Consort Ji’s servant; second, Consort Ji is skilled in medicine, has an unpredictable mind, and has always had grievances with this concubine. Her suspicion is certainly the greatest.”

Zhangsun Shi took a deep breath and said in a trembling voice, “I’ve heard you mention the grudges between you two, but those are all old matters. Does she still refuse to let you go?”

“Not everyone is as kind-hearted as the Princess Consort.” Yunyi sighed lightly and said, “If this concubine hasn’t guessed wrong, she should be trying to use this matter to turn this concubine against the Princess Consort, making us destroy each other while she reaps the benefits!”

Zhangsun Shi bit her silver teeth tightly, and after a long while said painfully, “His Highness and the Crown Prince are brothers, and we are also sisters-in-law. How could she do such a thing for personal grievances!”

Jixiang said indignantly, “It’s a pity that all this is merely speculation without solid evidence, so she cannot be brought to justice.”

Yunyi said silently, “Jirong harmed the little prince because of this concubine – it was this concubine who harmed the Princess Consort.”

“It has nothing to do with you.” Zhangsun Shi held her hand and said, “I know very clearly that you only had affection and love for the child, never any intention to harm him. The entire matter was done by Consort Ji and her people – how could you be blamed? Don’t say such things again in the future.” After a pause, she stroked her flattened abdomen and said hoarsely, “In the end, it was my own carelessness in not taking good care of this child, not even giving him a chance to see this world once. When His Highness returns, I don’t know how to tell him.”

Seeing her tears, Wenlan was also extremely saddened and said chokingly, “Princess Consort, you already did your best. It was the little prince who had no fortune. His Highness will understand. The Princess Consort has such a good heart – this servant believes you will soon have another child.”

No matter how sorrowful and painful, what was lost would never return…

While undercurrents stirred in Chang’an City, storm clouds were also gathering outside the city.

Li Shimin’s fifty thousand troops, as expected, successfully intercepted Zhong Juchou without any surprises. But the key to victory or defeat in this battle lay not with Li Shimin, but with Li Jiancheng.

When Li Jiancheng led three hundred thousand troops from Chang’an and arrived at Changwu, Xue Ju’s great army was also there. The two armies met and decided to battle on the spot.

After Li Jiancheng entered the city, considering that Xue Ju’s expeditionary force had towering mountains behind them making supplies very difficult, he decided to wait at ease for the enemy to tire themselves out and use provisions to drag down Xue Ju. So he ordered that no matter how Xue Ju challenged them to battle, they must not engage and should stay well within the city.

This strategy was undoubtedly sound, but the soldiers below wouldn’t buy it and were quite dissatisfied, including Yin Kaishan, Liu Wenjing, and others. These people were one thing, but the key was there was also Li Yuanji, who was a battle maniac. Making him face five hundred thousand enemy troops without being able to fight was more painful than killing him. Combined with the complaints from the soldiers below, he came to Li Jiancheng about this matter almost daily, and today was no exception.

Li Yuanji pestered Li Jiancheng, who was inspecting the city defenses, saying, “Big brother, you said we’ve been here for several days now – when exactly are we going to fight?”

“When the time is right, we’ll naturally fight.” Li Jiancheng’s answer drove Li Yuanji crazy, and he said irritably, “Big brother, you’ve said this so many times already. Day after day – when will the time actually be right?”

Li Jiancheng stopped walking and patted his shoulder, saying, “Be patient. Don’t always be so impetuous.”

Li Yuanji kept a straight face and said, “Am I the one being impetuous, or is big brother being cowardly?”

Li Jiancheng’s face turned slightly cold, and he said displeasedly, “What did you say?”

“In previous battles, big brother always charged at the front and never feared anyone, but this time facing Xue Ju, big brother hesitates repeatedly and doesn’t even dare to leave the city for battle. Isn’t this being afraid of him?”

“Ridiculous – why would I fear him?” Before Li Jiancheng finished speaking, Li Yuanji was already saying, “You’re afraid of his five hundred thousand troops. Big brother thinks we’re outnumbered and can’t win.”

“Xue Ju’s so-called five hundred thousand troops are nothing but a rabble – what’s to fear? If I feared him, I wouldn’t have requested this battle from father in the first place.”

“If that’s the case, then immediately leave the city to fight and annihilate them completely.”

Li Jiancheng looked at a squad of soldiers walking past in the distance and said slowly, “In a hard fight, though we could win, we would suffer many losses – it’s not worth it.”

Li Yuanji disagreed, saying, “What do you mean not worth it? Since it’s war, there will definitely be casualties. From Taiyuan to Chang’an, haven’t we lost few people along the way? When did big brother become so soft-hearted?”

“Enough. In any case, I’ve already decided on this matter. You need not say more.”

“Big brother…” Before Li Yuanji could continue, Li Jiancheng glared at him with slight anger, saying, “What? Won’t you even listen to big brother’s words?”

Li Yuanji ultimately feared him and didn’t dare to argue forcefully, lowering his head and saying, “I wouldn’t dare.”

“If you have nothing to do, go drill those soldiers and don’t let them become lazy.” Faced with his words, Li Yuanji remained unwilling in his heart, gritting his teeth and saying, “Perhaps big brother’s decision is correct, but has big brother considered the consequences?”

Li Jiancheng raised his eyebrows and stared at him, saying, “What consequences?”