Yunyi cut off the remaining threads on the boot surface and joked, “What’s wrong, Your Highness? Have you already grown tired of this consort so quickly and want to drive me away?”
Li Shimin followed her words with a laugh, “I finally managed to marry you with great difficulty—how could I bear to let you go? No matter what, I’d have to keep you for decades to make it worthwhile.”
“Your Highness really has your calculations figured out well. After decades, this consort will be an old woman whom everyone will find disagreeable.”
“It doesn’t matter if others find you disagreeable, as long as I don’t. After decades…” Li Shimin tightened his grip on Yunyi’s hand and said earnestly, “We’ll still be the same as we are now.”
Though lacking flowery rhetoric or sweet words, this made Yunyi’s heart extraordinarily warm. “Since there’s still time, let this consort accompany you to sleep a bit more.”
The night passed silently. After washing up in the morning, Yunyi accompanied Li Shimin, who was dressed in full armor, as they went out together. Just as they stepped over the threshold of Qiluo Pavilion, they saw Zhangsun Shi waiting there. Seeing Li Shimin emerge, she approached and curtsied, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
Li Shimin stepped forward to help her up, grasping her hand and saying, “The weather is cold—why didn’t you go inside? Your hands are so cold.”
Zhangsun Shi said gently, “This consort only just arrived and hasn’t been waiting long.” As she spoke, she took a crimson cloak from Wenlan’s hands. “This consort worked through the night to make this for Your Highness. May this humble gift bring Your Highness victory and success in pacifying the Western Qin rebellion!”
Li Shimin looked at Zhangsun Shi as she helped him tie the cloak and smiled, “Did you two discuss this beforehand? One stayed up all night making boots, the other stayed up all night rushing to finish a cloak?”
Zhangsun Shi and Yunyi exchanged glances, and she smiled with pursed lips, “This consort didn’t discuss this with the Princess Consort—we can only say great minds think alike.”
Duan Zhihong came from outside and bowed to Li Shimin, “Reporting to Your Highness, the 300,000 troops have all assembled and are waiting outside the city. Master Liu, Consultant Du, and the others have also arrived and are currently waiting outside the residence. We can depart at any time!”
“Understood.” After giving this reply, Li Shimin strode outside the residence. Liu Hongji, Du Ruhui, and Yin Kaishan were all waiting outside. Seeing them emerge, they all bowed in unison.
After gesturing for them to dispense with formalities, Li Shimin turned to look at Yunyi and Zhangsun Shi, who had followed close behind, and instructed, “During these days while I’m away, take good care of yourselves. When you have leisure time, go to the palace more often to pay respects to Father Emperor and the Imperial Consorts.”
Though Zhangsun Shi tried her best to restrain herself, she still couldn’t help but choke up, “This consort will. Your Highness, while campaigning abroad, you must take good care of your health. This consort and Yang Consort will await Your Highness’s safe return.”
Yunyi comforted her from the side, “Your Highness is brave and skilled in battle. Since beginning military campaigns, you’ve never encountered an opponent you couldn’t defeat. This Xue Rengao currently has little ability and certainly won’t be a match for Your Highness. Princess Consort, please set your mind at ease.”
Her words brought some relief to Zhangsun Shi’s heart, and she nodded, “If that’s the case, it would naturally be best.” With that, she and Yunyi together curtsied, “This consort respectfully sends off Your Highness here and looks forward to Your Highness’s early victorious return.”
Li Shimin nodded, took the reins that Zhao Jin handed him, and mounted his horse. Under the earnest gazes of Yunyi and Zhangsun Shi, he led Du Ruhui and the others as they rode away.
When they reached the city gate at full gallop, he unexpectedly saw Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji there as well. Li Shimin pulled on the reins and said in surprise, “Elder Brother, Fourth Brother, why are you here?”
Li Jiancheng laughed, “What’s wrong? Can’t we be here?”
Li Shimin gave a rueful smile, “That’s not what I meant. I’m just… somewhat surprised.”
Li Jiancheng rode alongside him shoulder to shoulder, “You’re setting out to campaign against Western Qin—how could Fourth Brother and I not come to see you off? Although Xue Rengao is inferior to his father and can’t even be compared to Li Mi and others, Fourth Brother has fought him before. This person has considerable brute strength—you must be careful.”
“This person is not only brutish but also has a ruthless streak. Once he gets his claws into you, it becomes very dangerous. Second Brother, you must be extremely cautious.”
Li Shimin said gratefully, “I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Fourth Brother.”
After exiting the city gate, they indeed saw the 300,000 troops waiting there in perfect formation. Li Jiancheng looked at the mass of heads and sighed, “When all is said and done, it’s still this elder brother who’s useless. If I had destroyed Western Qin earlier, there would be no need for Second Brother to make this trip.”
Li Shimin quickly said, “Elder Brother, don’t say that. You were merely careless for a moment and fell into Xue Ju’s trap. If it had been a real face-to-face battle, how could Xue Ju have been your match?”
Li Jiancheng waved his hand, “Enough. Whether it was carelessness or not, losing is ultimately a fact, and Elder Brother isn’t someone who can’t accept defeat.” After a pause, he continued, “Regarding provisions, I will personally supervise to ensure the frontline troops never lack anything. You can set your mind completely at ease about this.”
Li Shimin smiled, “With Elder Brother personally overseeing it, what could I possibly worry about?”
Li Jiancheng smiled and said to Li Yuanji beside him, “Didn’t you say you had something to tell Shimin? Why are you acting mute now?”
“Wasn’t I just watching you two chat so animatedly that I couldn’t get a word in?” Saying this, Li Yuanji spurred his horse forward a few steps and said hesitantly, “Actually, it’s nothing much. I just want to ask Second Brother to be careful on this journey. I’m here to wish Second Brother an early victorious return. When the time comes, I’ll host a banquet at my residence to celebrate Second Brother’s achievements and welcome you home.”
Li Shimin joked, “With you putting it that way, I absolutely must win, or I’d have no face to visit your Prince Qi’s residence.”
Li Yuanji’s expression changed slightly, and he said in a low voice, “Second Brother has forgotten—I’m no longer of princely rank, and my residence is no longer a prince’s mansion.”
“It was Second Brother who misspoke.” Saying this, he patted Li Yuanji’s shoulder and said, “Father Emperor has always doted on you. I believe it won’t be long before you’re restored to princely rank. If not, when Second Brother returns, I’ll help you request a favor from Father Emperor.”
Li Yuanji looked up with a smile, “Then it’s settled. Second Brother can’t go back on your word.”
Before Li Shimin could respond, Li Jiancheng was already laughing and scolding, “Look at what you’re saying. When has Shimin ever gone back on his word? It’s you yourself—that jar of twenty-year-old daughter’s red wine you lost to me in archery last time. It’s been a month now, and I still haven’t seen it delivered to the Eastern Palace. You’re clearly trying to renege.”
Li Yuanji was startled, then slapped his forehead, “Right, right! I forgot about that. But I wasn’t deliberately trying to renege, Elder Brother—don’t wrongly accuse me. As soon as I return to the residence, I’ll immediately have someone send it over.”
Li Jiancheng smiled without speaking. When they reached the assembled army ready to depart, he said, “Well, I’ll see you off to here. In any case, remember one thing Elder Brother tells you: be cautious in all matters, don’t easily fall for the opponent’s provocations, and don’t make the same mistake as Elder Brother.”
“I will.” After bidding farewell to Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji with cupped fists, Li Shimin led the 300,000 troops as they departed in a mighty procession. After they had gone far, Li Yuanji pulled on his reins and headed toward the city. Li Jiancheng watched for a while longer before spurring his horse to catch up with Li Yuanji, “What’s wrong? Are you unhappy?”