Li Yuan turned around and stared at him for a long while, then said coldly, “Say the rest of your words as well.”

“Yes.” Li Yuanji responded awkwardly and said, “Your son believes that this matter probably also involves second brother. Father Emperor should summon second brother to question him as well.”

Hearing that Li Yuanji actually wanted to drag Li Shimin into this as well, Yunyi hurriedly said, “No, the Prince of Qin knew nothing about this matter. He knows nothing at all.”

Li Yuanji said coldly, “Whether he knew or not, we’ll find out by summoning him for questioning.” Speaking thus, he cupped his hands toward Li Yuan again, “Father Emperor, this matter is of great importance. We cannot let any doubt go unexamined. Please issue an edict summoning second brother to the palace.”

Before Li Yuan could speak, Li Jiancheng had already knelt down, pleading earnestly, “Father Emperor, please don’t listen to fourth brother’s words. Second brother is benevolent and generous—this is known throughout the court and the realm. Your son believes he absolutely has nothing to do with this matter. Even Imperial Consort Yang…” He glanced in Yunyi’s direction and lowered his head, “Perhaps she’s not as Xing Niang described either.”

Li Yuan said in surprise, “She deliberately wanted to harm you, yet you still speak for her?”

“No matter what, she’s still your son’s sister-in-law. Your son truly doesn’t want to see the family in turmoil and the nation in unrest because of your son alone.” Speaking thus, he said in a low voice, “Your son begs Father Emperor to let this matter end here and not pursue it further!”

Ruyi frowned tightly. Li Jiancheng was truly shameless—clearly all of this was his doing, yet he still put on this act before Li Yuan. It was truly disgusting!

But anger aside, she dared not speak carelessly. After all, Jixiang’s example was right before them. While they were speaking in the hall, Jixiang had already endured fifty strokes of the rod and been dragged outside the hall. She had fainted, her entire back a bloody mess, looking extremely frightening. Though she and Yunyi were extremely worried, they truly didn’t dare go check on her in front of Li Yuan.

Li Yuan looked at him for a long while, then slowly nodded, “It’s rare that you have such a benevolent heart, but unfortunately… this matter doesn’t concern you alone!” Speaking these words, he shouted, “Gaoyang, convey my edict—summon the Prince of Qin to the palace!”

“Father Emperor…” Before Li Jiancheng could continue, Li Yuan had already raised his hand, “My mind is made up. No need to say more!”

After Gaoyang left with the edict, the hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop. What filled everyone’s ears was the sound of their own breathing. After waiting for an unknown length of time, footsteps approaching from far to near rang in everyone’s ears.

A eunuch hurried into the hall—not the Gaoyang whom Li Yuan had just sent out. He said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Side Consort Ji of the Eastern Palace requests an audience.”

Li Jiancheng frowned and said in a low voice, “What is she coming for out of nowhere?” Speaking thus, he said to Li Yuan, “Father Emperor, Rong surely doesn’t have anything important. Why don’t we have her come tomorrow instead?”

Li Yuan shook his head, “I know Ji Rong’s temperament. If it weren’t urgent, she would never come seeking an audience for no reason.” Speaking thus, he said to the eunuch waiting in the hall, “Let her in.”

“Yes.” Not long after the eunuch went out, Jirong walked in. Behind her followed another woman. When Yunyi saw this person’s face, her expression immediately became extremely strange, because that person was actually Caiping…

In Honghua Prefecture, Caiping had been at odds with Jirong, and after coming to Chang’an, she had never had any contact with Jirong. How could she suddenly be together with her, even entering the palace together? How was it that every single thing today was so strange?

Meanwhile, Jirong had already performed her greetings, and Li Yuan said, “You’re so anxious to see me—what’s the matter?”

Jirong pulled Jiang Caiping over and said, “Reporting to Father Emperor, her name is Jiang Caiping. In Honghua Prefecture, she once served as a dancer in Father Emperor’s residence. Does Father Emperor still remember?”

With her saying this, Li Yuan also recognized her. After six years, he might not have an impression of others, but Jiang Caiping was different. In the past, she had had a relationship with Li Xuanba, and after Li Xuanba’s death, she had been extremely heartbroken, staying by his spirit tablet constantly.

After recognizing Jiang Caiping, Li Yuan nodded, “I remember. When did she come to the capital?”

“Caiping has been here for a while, living in the Prince of Qin’s residence. She originally planned to return in a few days, but today she accidentally heard something that frightened her greatly. Since your son had once met her on the street, she immediately rushed to the Eastern Palace to tell your son.”

“Oh?” Li Yuan said in surprise, “What matter?”

Jirong patted Jiang Caiping’s hand and said gently, “Caiping, just tell His Majesty truthfully what you heard. Don’t be afraid.”

“Mm.” Jiang Caiping responded and knelt down, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this commoner originally wanted to find Imperial Consort Yang to tell her that this commoner would be leaving Chang’an in a few days. Who knew that when I got outside, I heard shocking words that still make this commoner’s heart race with fear.”

“What kind of words?” Faced with Li Yuan’s urgent questioning, Jiang Caiping lowered her head and didn’t dare speak. Only after Jirong comforted her for a while did she take a breath and say in a low voice, “This commoner heard Jixiang talking to Imperial Consort Yang. She said… said that whether in ability or military achievements, the Crown Prince couldn’t match Prince of Qin in any way. The only reason he was made Crown Prince was because he’s a few years older, the so-called legitimate eldest son, but he doesn’t deserve the title at all!”

Li Yuan never expected to hear such words. For a moment, he couldn’t catch his breath and clutched his chest, coughing repeatedly. Madam Yin and the other quickly helped him sit in a chair, continuously helping him regulate his breathing.

As for Yunyi, she couldn’t describe her feelings at this moment. She just stared blankly at Jiang Caiping. If… Madam Yin and Li Jiancheng and the others conspiring to frame her could still be understood, then Jiang Caiping helping Jirong deal with her… was truly incomprehensible.

Earlier, when Jixiang had said those words, she had promptly stopped her and told her to be careful of eavesdroppers. She never thought someone would still overhear, and that person was Jiang Caiping!

Could it be that Caiping’s improved relationship with her was all fake, and she was actually… a spy that Jirong had placed by her side? But how could Caiping join forces with Jirong when they clearly weren’t the same type of people?!

After Li Yuan stopped coughing, he stared deadly at Jiang Caiping and said in a cold voice, “Did she really say that?”

Jiang Caiping quickly glanced at Yunyi, then lowered her head, “This commoner heard very clearly. It was indeed so.”

The next moment, Li Yuan had already slammed his palm heavily on the desk, his face iron-blue as he roared at Yunyi, “You’re nothing but a daughter of the previous dynasty’s fallen nation. When did the position of heir apparent of my Great Tang become yours to decide? Speak!”

Yunyi was frightened by his shouting and quickly prostrated herself, “Your subject deserves death, but those were just careless words, not…”

Li Yuan interrupted with a cold expression, “If careless words are already like this, what if they were intentional? Wouldn’t you be discussing who should sit on the imperial throne? Yang Yunyi, what audacity you have! Cough, cough, cough!”