Jixiang replied as instructed: “Same as usual, nothing special. Your servant has ordered the attendants to serve Miss Jiang well. The Princess can rest assured.”

The Miss Jiang that Jixiang spoke of was Jiang Caiping. After leaving the King of Qin’s residence, she had taken lodging at the Bafang Inn. Originally, she had said she would leave after paying respects to Li Xuanba, but Zhangsun Shi had been trying to help Yunyi resolve Jiang Caiping’s resentment, so she persuaded her in every way possible until Jiang Caiping finally relented and agreed to stay in Chang’an for a while longer. Though Jiang Caiping still showed no pleasant expression when facing Yunyi, it was at least somewhat better than before, and during the Lantern Festival, they had even lit lanterns and made wishes together.

Yunyi nodded and stood up, saying: “These past days have been cold, and she’s been cooped up in the residence all day – she must be terribly bored. Today the weather is clear and not so cold, so it’s perfect to accompany her for a walk outside the residence. Last time, Zhuo Feng from the Princess Consort’s side mentioned that the entertainment districts have been staging operas these past few days.”

Jixiang understood and said: “Then your servant will go speak with Miss Jiang right away.” With that, she made her way to the side quarters where Jiang Caiping lived. After learning the purpose of her visit, the latter hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

While the two of them went out together to enjoy themselves, in the Taiji Palace, someone was discussing Li Shimin’s rewards.

“Your Majesty, you say Minister Liu requested an audience with you to seek rewards for the King of Qin?” A sweet, delicate voice rang out in the Ganlu Hall. In fact, this past month, apart from Li Yuan himself, this was the voice most frequently heard in Ganlu Hall.

Li Yuan reclined on his couch, half-closing his eyes as he said: “Indeed. It’s no wonder Liu Wenjing is anxious. It’s been nearly a month since Shimin returned victorious, and these rewards should have been issued long ago. I plan to enfeoff Shimin as Grand Marshal, Administrative Commissioner and Chancellor of the Eastern Shaanxi Circuit, General of the Left Martial Guard, and Military Commissioner of Liangzhou.”

While massaging Li Yuan’s shoulders, Yin Shi said in surprise: “So many?”

Li Yuan chuckled: “It is quite a lot, but it’s all what Shimin deserves. You’re a woman who stays secluded in the palace all day – you don’t understand how important pacifying Western Qin was for our Great Tang. If you hadn’t suggested delaying, I would have granted these rewards long ago.”

Yin Shi said sweetly: “Is Your Majesty blaming your consort for speaking out of turn?”

Li Yuan pinched her cheeks, tender as peach blossoms, and smiled: “How could I bear to blame such a charming creature as you?”

“Your consort was thinking that the Second Prince had just been enfeoffed as King of Qin half a year ago, and appointed as Chancellor, General of the Right Martial Guard, and Military Commissioner of Youzhou. To grant so many honors again all at once might be difficult for people to accept, so I advised Your Majesty accordingly. Looking back now, your consort was mistaken.”

“Mistaken?” Li Yuan sat up straight and stared at her: “What do you mean by that?”

Yin Shi lowered her head without speaking. Li Yuan said: “There are no outsiders here. Speak freely.”

Yin Shi acknowledged and said slowly: “If your consort is not mistaken, Minister Liu is not the first person to have an audience with Your Majesty to request rewards for the King of Qin.”

Li Yuan thought for a moment and nodded: “Correct. Prime Minister Peiji also mentioned it once before. What of it?”

“Rewards of this nature – being late by a month or two doesn’t matter much. But now, after merely one month has passed, Prime Minister Pei and Minister Liu have successively memorialized requesting rewards for the King of Qin, acting as if not granting rewards would be unacceptable. This shows that the King of Qin holds an extremely high position in their hearts. I fear that no matter how many rewards Your Majesty grants the King of Qin, they would consider it natural and deserved.”

Her words caused Li Yuan’s expression to darken slightly. If Yin Shi hadn’t mentioned it, he wouldn’t have thought of this aspect. Indeed, since pacifying Western Qin, the court and countryside had been unanimous in their praise of Li Shimin, far exceeding that for the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace. Having prestige was naturally good, but if one had too much prestige… that was another matter entirely.

“Moreover, your consort heard that when His Highness returned to Chang’an, the entire city’s people lined the streets to welcome him with unanimous praise. The grandeur was said to be even greater than when Your Majesty tours the capital.”

Yin Shi’s words interrupted Li Yuan’s contemplation. He pulled down her hands that were massaging his shoulders, his voice slightly cold as he said: “Since entering the palace, you have never left the rear palace. How would you know of outside affairs?”

“Your consort is hardly the only one who knows. The circumstances of the King of Qin’s entry into the city have been circulating throughout the palace. Anyone who pays the slightest attention can hear about it.”

Li Yuan nodded slightly and, after a moment of silence, said: “Then in your opinion, should I grant these rewards now?”

“This matter is for Your Majesty’s sacred judgment – your consort dares not speak presumptuously.” Before Yin Shi finished speaking, Li Yuan already said: “I’m telling you to speak, so speak.”

“Yes.” Yin Shi acknowledged and said slowly: “The King of Qin has indeed achieved great merit, so rewards are inevitable. However, your consort ventures to suggest that Your Majesty should not grant too many rewards. After all, the Great Tang has only recently been established, and the King of Qin will inevitably have to campaign for Your Majesty in the future. If so much is rewarded now, how can rewards be granted later? Could it be that… that…” Yin Shi looked fearful and dared not continue.

Li Yuan’s eyes showed complex emotions as he said: “Enough, you need not continue. I understand.”

“Yes.” As Yin Shi acknowledged, a palace attendant entered and said respectfully: “Reporting to Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince requests an audience outside.”

“I won’t see him.” Li Yuan was in a poor mood at the moment and naturally refused Li Yuanji’s request for an audience.

The palace attendant was about to withdraw when Yin Shi called him back. She said gently: “The Fourth Prince might have urgent business requiring an audience with Your Majesty. Your Majesty should still see him.”

Seeing her speak thus, Li Yuan nodded: “Very well, summon him in.”

“Summon the Fourth Prince for audience!” Following the palace attendant’s shrill voice, Li Yuanji stepped forward, cupped his hands, and kowtowed: “Your son greets Father Emperor! May Father Emperor live ten thousand years!”

“Rise.” After Li Yuanji stood up, Li Yuan said somewhat impatiently: “What brings you to see me?”

“Reporting to Father Emperor, your son has found a miraculous Taihu stone. This stone is naturally formed, a masterpiece of nature, and carries auspicious meaning, so your son has specially brought it into the palace to present to Father Emperor.” With that, he clapped three times, and soon four eunuchs entered carrying a stone half the height of a person.

The stone was indeed as Li Yuanji had described. Though mostly hollow, it bore no traces of craftsman’s carving, clearly proving it was natural. Yin Shi examined it for a moment and said puzzledly: “His Highness says this stone carries auspicious meaning, but I can’t see how.” She then said to Li Yuan: “Can Your Majesty see it?”

Li Yuan shook his head: “I cannot either.”

Li Yuanji smiled and said: “Father Emperor and Talented Lady Yin, please wait a moment.” He then said to the four eunuchs standing beside the stone: “Turn this stone to the side.”

“Yes.” The eunuchs acknowledged and worked together to turn the stone sideways. Li Yuanji said: “Father Emperor and Talented Lady Yin, please look again.”

“It’s still the same as…” Yin Shi was about to say “still the same as before, just an ordinary stone,” but abruptly stopped. After moving closer to the Taihu stone, her face showed complete amazement as she said: “Could this be the character ‘Tang’?”