“Mother, she…” Du Ruhui said helplessly, “I always thought Mother had changed somewhat these past two years, not as calculating and scheming as before, but the result… she’s still the same.”

Yunyi shook her head. “As the saying goes: mountains and rivers may change, but human nature is hard to alter. She has been like this for decades—how could you expect her to change her nature in these short two years? Even if you refuse to take a concubine this time, there will still be a next time, and the time after that. Even if Xianyue bears heirs for the Du family, matters will only increase, not decrease.”

Du Ruhui smiled bitterly. “According to Your Ladyship’s words, would there never be peaceful days?” Saying this, he turned his gaze to Yunyi. “Ruhui has an unreasonable request—I wonder if Your Ladyship would agree.”

Having known him for many years, how could Yunyi not know his thoughts? “You want me to be a mediator?”

Du Ruhui said somewhat awkwardly, “Yes. Your Ladyship is after all the Prince of Qin’s consort—Mother would listen to your words to some extent.”

Yunyi sighed lightly. “Since it’s like this, I’ll make the trip tomorrow. I haven’t seen Xianyue for a while anyway.”

Du Ruhui was overjoyed and quickly bowed deeply. “Thank you, Your Ladyship.”

While they were speaking, Zhangsun Wuji and the others also arrived one after another. Du Ruhui entered the study with them. After his departure, Ruyi said softly, “Does Your Highness truly plan to visit the Du residence tomorrow?”

Yunyi glanced at her and said indifferently, “Why, you don’t want me to go?”

Ruyi shook her head. “It’s not that. This servant just feels that even upright officials find it difficult to judge family matters, and Madam Du is such a person. Even if Your Highness goes, I’m afraid it won’t help much.”

Yunyi gazed at the servants in the distance carrying the evening meal into the study and said slowly, “But Adjutant Du and Xianyue are both my close friends. When they have troubles, how can I stand by and do nothing? As for Madam Du… though I cannot completely resolve this matter, at least I can suppress her for a while, allowing Xianyue some peace for a time.”

Seeing her say this, Ruyi found it inconvenient to say more. Together with Jixiang, she helped her return to Qiluo Pavilion. That night, Li Shimin did not come over. The next day when Yunyi arose and inquired, she learned that he had discussed matters with Du Ruhui and the others until the third watch before dispersing, and had entered the palace early to see Li Yuan.

While helping Yunyi change clothes, Jixiang said, “It’s all the fault of the Crown Prince and Prince of Qi… no, now it’s Duke of Qi. Those two were reckless and careless, otherwise why would His Highness need to be so worried and exhausted? Last night, His Highness slept at most two hours.”

Yunyi put her hand into her sleeve and said coolly, “You may say such things in front of me, but once you leave this door, you must not mention a single word. Do you understand?”

Jixiang said indignantly, “They clearly lost the battle, yet people aren’t allowed to mention it?”

“The whole world knows they lost the battle—why do you need to add your voice? Moreover, the Crown Prince and Duke of Qi…” Though these two appeared to maintain brotherly harmony with Li Shimin on the surface, who knew what their true thoughts were?

Although the previous incident with Xin’an proved unrelated to Li Jiancheng, Yunyi still harbored a trace of suspicion toward him, not to mention there was now the matter involving Zhangsun Shi.

Yunyi suppressed her thoughts and looked at Ruyi, who had just entered. “Is the carriage ready?”

Ruyi lowered her eyes. “Everything is prepared. We can depart as soon as Your Highness has finished her meal.”

Yunyi nodded. “Go to the storehouse and get thirty bolts of brocade, and also bring those two boxes of snow clams and blood bird’s nests that Consort Lin bestowed recently.”

Ruyi went to prepare as instructed. After Yunyi finished breakfast, she had already prepared everything, and they set off toward the Du residence.

Du Ruhui was after all only an adjutant, so the residence was not large, and the gate was not high. In Chang’an City, full of prominent families, it was completely unremarkable. Yet it was such a residence that firmly suppressed the legitimate daughter of the Wang family, once one of the Seven Clans and Five Families, which was quite moving.

Before long, the gatekeeper accompanied the Du couple out. Seeing Yunyi standing before the carriage, they quickly approached to pay their respects. Madam Du said ingratiatingly, “Not knowing of Your Ladyship’s arrival, we failed to welcome you properly. Please forgive us.”

Yunyi smiled slightly and said warmly, “It is I who have come suddenly to disturb you. I should be the one asking Master Du and Madam Du for forgiveness.”

“Your Ladyship speaks too kindly. Please come in!” Under Madam Du’s attentive words, Yunyi stepped inside, proceeding to the main hall to be seated. After receiving tea offered by a maidservant, she glanced around and said, “How is it I don’t see Xianyue?”

Madam Du’s smile stiffened, then she said, “Just now I was only focused on welcoming Your Ladyship and forgot to inform Xianyue. It was my oversight.” She said to the maidservant beside her, “Go immediately and ask the young mistress to come.”

Watching the maidservant’s hurried departure, Yunyi lightly waved her fan. “Ruhui mentioned to me earlier that you two had come to Chang’an. It’s only because of the many affairs in the residence that I haven’t had time to visit until now. I hope you two won’t take offense.”

Madam Du said with flattered surprise, “Your Ladyship speaks too kindly. We haven’t gone to the Prince’s residence to pay our respects to you—we should be asking your forgiveness.”

Yunyi smiled. “I heard from my servants that Madam Du intends to arrange a concubine for Ruhui. I wonder if this is true?”

Madam Du hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Indeed, there is such a matter.” She knew that Yunyi had a very good relationship with Xianyue, and the previous marriage had been arranged by Yunyi herself, but taking a concubine was a private matter of the Du family. Even though she was now the Prince of Qin’s consort, she had no right to interfere.

Yunyi said with surprise, “As far as I know, Ruhui and Xianyue have always been a loving couple with deep affection. Why would Madam Du suddenly think of arranging a concubine for him?”

Madam Du feigned difficulty. “How could this common woman want such a thing? It’s just that Xianyue has been married into the Du family for two years without producing an heir. Ruhui is the only son, and I couldn’t help but be anxious. With no other choice, I had to arrange a concubine for him.”

“I see.” Saying this, Yunyi suddenly changed the subject. “But isn’t Madam Du afraid this matter will damage Ruhui and Xianyue’s relationship?”

Madam Du smiled emptily. “Xianyue comes from a great family and surely wouldn’t be so unreasonable. Besides, isn’t it perfectly normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines?”

“Yes, multiple wives and concubines…” Yunyi said slowly, her gaze falling on Master Du, who had not spoken much, and said leisurely, “According to Madam Du’s words, Master Du has only married one wife in his lifetime—wouldn’t that be… somewhat abnormal?”

Master Du hadn’t expected her to suddenly direct the conversation to him. Being an honest man, he didn’t know how to respond for a moment and could only laugh awkwardly.

Though Madam Du found the words unpleasant, she couldn’t say much due to Yunyi’s status. Just at this moment, Wang Xianyue arrived. Though she had applied powder and rouge to her face, it still couldn’t hide her haggard appearance. She had clearly not slept well the previous night, or perhaps… hadn’t slept at all.