Having followed her for so many years, how could Liuxia not distinguish between her real anger and feigned anger? She smiled and bowed: “This servant knows her mistake. Please forgive me, Your Majesty.”

“You!” Lady Lin shook her head and urged: “Go fetch it quickly.”

Liuxia obediently brought the box of blood bird’s nest worth several hundred strings of cash. When handing it to Jixiang, she sniffed lightly in Yunyi’s direction and said in surprise: “How fragrant! What kind of scented powder is Consort Yang using?”

Yunyi was startled by her question and shook her head: “I’m not using any scented powder.”

“But this servant clearly smells a pleasant fragrance, like lily mixed with orchid.” As she spoke, Yunyi took out a sachet from her sleeve and handed it to her: “Smell this. Is it this?”

Liuxia sniffed it carefully and nodded repeatedly: “Yes, that’s exactly the fragrance. So it’s from a sachet. It really smells wonderful.”

Lady Lin, curious, ordered Liuxia to bring it over for her to smell. Indeed, the fragrance was ethereal and refreshing, making one feel delighted upon smelling it: “Where did this sachet come from?”

“Just before leaving, Caiping gave it to me. She knew I wasn’t sleeping well and specially made this sachet for me, saying it has the effect of calming the mind and promoting sleep.”

Lady Lin thought for a moment and asked: “Is this Jiang Caiping? She also came to Chang’an?”

“I had someone bring her here. When I was in Honghua Commandery, I had the best relationship with her. After not seeing each other for years without any news, I missed her greatly, so I invited her to come to Chang’an for a reunion. She’s been living in Chang’an for a while now. I forgot to mention it to you.”

“I remember she once had mutual feelings with Prince Wei Huai, and Prince Wei Huai…” Lady Lin’s voice paused, then she continued: “How is she doing?”

Yunyi naturally understood the meaning behind her question and lowered her gaze: “Your Majesty, please rest assured. When Caiping first arrived, although she was somewhat resistant toward me, through these days of spending time together, she has gradually resolved her inner conflicts and no longer clings to past matters.”

Hearing this, Lady Lin nodded: “That’s good then. Although Prince Wei Huai died by your hand, you can’t be entirely blamed for it. After all, at that time in your eyes, the Li family were rebels intent on treason.”

After returning the sachet to Yunyi, she said: “Alright, you should go back. If you feel unwell, let my brother handle the interrogation. He can just bring the person into the palace later.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern.” After bowing to Lady Lin, Yunyi left Zhaoqing Palace with Ruyi and the others. The carriage had been waiting outside the palace. As she stepped on the small stool to get into the carriage, she said to Ruyi beside her: “Go to Apricot Flower Tower now and bring that madam to see me.”

Ruyi blinked: “Didn’t Noble Consort Shu just say that this matter should be handled by Marquis Lin? Princess, you shouldn’t worry about it anymore.”

“Even so, it would be more reassuring to question her personally. Otherwise, what if it’s not those two, Yin and Zhang? Wouldn’t that be troublesome?” Seeing her say this, Ruyi nodded: “This servant understands. I’ll go right away.”

With the steady rolling of the carriage wheels, Yunyi returned to the Prince of Qin’s residence. As she got off the carriage, a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky. The weather was still cool, and the raindrops hitting her face carried quite a bit of chill.

Entering the Qiluo Pavilion, to her surprise, Li Shimin was also there. “Your Highness, why are you here?”

Li Shimin took her hand: “I had some free time today to come see you, but I didn’t expect you’d gone to the palace. Didn’t Imperial Physician Li tell you to rest more? Why didn’t you listen?”

Hearing his concerned words, Yunyi said softly: “I’m fine. Look, aren’t I perfectly well now?”

Li Shimin glared at her and lightly scolded: “Still talking like that. If something really happened, would it be too late then?”

Yunyi stuck out her tongue: “I understand. From now on, I won’t go anywhere and will obediently stay in the Qiluo Pavilion, alright?”

“You!” Li Shimin affectionately touched her straight nose: “Did you go to the palace to visit Noble Consort Shu?”

“Yes, Noble Consort Shu is so kind. She even rewarded me with a box of blood bird’s nest.” Saying this, she looked Li Shimin up and down: “Hasn’t His Majesty been constantly summoning Your Highness to the palace these days to discuss Li Mi’s matter? How do you have free time today?”

Li Shimin smiled: “All the matters that needed discussing have been discussed, so naturally I’m free.”

Yunyi’s eyes moved with surprise: “So His Majesty has already decided how to settle Li Mi?”

“That’s right.” Li Shimin didn’t hide it from her: “Father Emperor has decided to enfeoff Li Mi as Director of the Palace Provisions, Supreme Pillar of State, grant him the title Duke of Xing, and marry Aunt Ziyu to him as his second wife.”

This series of official positions, plus becoming a Princess Imperial’s consort, looked extremely glorious. However, Yunyi was clear that positions like Supreme Pillar of State and Duke of Xing were all empty titles. The only one with even a bit of real power was Director of the Palace Provisions, but this was an official in charge of palace meals. Unless Li Mi was prepared to poison Li Yuan regardless of consequences, it was completely useless. Moreover, even if he really tried to poison the emperor, he wouldn’t have the slightest chance of success, because everything that entered Li Yuan’s mouth had to be tested for poison by eunuchs beforehand.

Yunyi wasn’t surprised by this result, because Li Mi was indeed too dangerous. With Li Yuan’s cautious and careful nature, he would absolutely never rashly give him important positions.

“Li Mi… is he content with this?” Facing Yunyi’s question, Li Shimin said: “I just came back from Duke of Xing’s residence. Although he kept saying words of gratitude, I could see that he’s not content.”

“If I’m not mistaken, the officers and soldiers he brought should no longer be under his command, right?”

Li Shimin nodded: “Father Emperor handed them over to Elder Brother to arrange in the military. Anyone with some ability was given an official position. The lowest rank is Centurion, and the highest is Staff Officer. Additionally, Elder Brother just ordered that each ordinary soldier be rewarded with a set of armor, two strings of cash, and one bolt of silk. Those with official positions receive separate generous rewards.”

Yunyi smiled slightly: “It seems His Majesty and the Crown Prince want to win hearts and make these twenty thousand officers and soldiers loyal to our Great Tang, not to Li Mi.”

“Since they’ve surrendered to our Great Tang, they should be loyal to the Tang. This is only natural.” Facing Li Shimin’s words, Yunyi said: “In Your Highness’s view, this is perfectly normal, but for Li Mi, these people are his foundation for survival and security. If they surrender to the Tang, what does he have left? Nothing at all.”

“A former regional overlord now stripped of all power and deprived of all his men – even Your Highness wouldn’t be content in his place.”

Li Shimin’s eyes turned slightly cold: “Since he chose this path, he should have thought that he can no longer compete for the world. If he behaves himself from now on, he can still live out his days peacefully. Otherwise…” He sighed: “I’ll try to persuade him somewhat, hoping he can listen. Otherwise, he’ll be seeking his own death.”

Yunyi nodded and asked as if casually: “Among the people Li Mi brought, did His Majesty assign any portion to Your Highness?”