Li Yuanji cupped his hands and said, “Since that’s the case, then it’s settled. On July 22nd, I’ll be waiting respectfully at the Prince of Qi’s mansion for Second Brother’s gracious presence!”

“Rest assured, Second Brother will definitely come.” After Li Shimin agreed, Li Yuanji spurred his horse and departed. Once he had gone far away, Duan Zhihong said, “Your Highness, are you really going to the Prince of Qi’s mansion?”

Li Shimin patted the dust off his body and said calmly, “What’s improper about it?”

“It’s naturally improper.” Duan Zhihong said urgently, “The Prince of Qi has always been distant from you. Think about it – from the time we arrived in Chang’an until now, when has he ever invited you to his birthday celebrations? Yet this time he specifically invited you. There must be something wrong with this. I even worry that… he might harm you. In my humble opinion, you shouldn’t go.”

“I’ve already promised him. How could I not go? Wouldn’t that be a laughingstock if word got out?”

“Then…” Duan Zhihong thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t you just say you’re ill and can’t go, and send someone to deliver a gift instead?”

“Enough.” Li Shimin patted his shoulder and said, “If it’s fortune, it’s not disaster; if it’s disaster, it can’t be avoided. Don’t worry so much.”

Seeing that he wouldn’t listen to advice, Duan Zhihong said anxiously, “The problem is that it’s clearly disaster, not fortune! This Hongmen Banquet – Your Highness absolutely must not attend.”

“Hongmen Banquet…” Li Shimin murmured, repeating these three words with an unusually complex expression, “If it truly is so, that would be fine too.”

Meanwhile, Li Yuanji galloped all the way back to where Li Jiancheng was. Before even dismounting, he was already laughing, “Elder Brother, you really gave him a terrible fall this time.”

After Li Jiancheng waved for the people around him to withdraw, he said coolly, “What, did he fall?”

Li Yuanji casually tossed the reins to a servant, “With that temperament of your Qingyun, how could he not fall?”

Li Jiancheng sneered coldly, “It’s just a small lesson for him, to make him understand his position. Don’t think that having some military achievements means he can climb above me!”

“I’m just afraid he not only didn’t understand, but now resents Elder Brother.” His words made Li Jiancheng start, then immediately ask, “Did you hear something?”

“I was far away at the time and couldn’t hear very clearly, but I heard him saying something to Duan Zhihong about ‘being careful not to give people grounds for criticism.’ I assume he must have said some complaining words about Elder Brother.”

Li Jiancheng was silent for a moment, then a cold smile appeared at the corner of his lips, “The more he doesn’t want to give people grounds for criticism, the more I want him to give people grounds for criticism!”

Li Yuanji raised an eyebrow and said, “Does Elder Brother want to go before Father Emperor and accuse him?”

Li Jiancheng said grimly, “I do need to make an accusation, but I won’t be the one to come forward.”

Li Yuanji knew he must have thought of a way to deal with Li Shimin, so he didn’t ask more questions. Instead, he said, “I just told him to come to my mansion on July 22nd.”

Li Jiancheng said in surprise, “July 22nd? Isn’t that your birthday? You’ve never invited him before. How did you suddenly change your nature!”

Li Yuanji chuckled, “It’s nothing much, just thought it would be lively. I believe this birthday of mine will definitely make him remember it for the rest of his life.”

Li Jiancheng was about to speak when suddenly his expression changed, and he stared intently at Li Yuanji, “What do you want to do?”

Li Yuanji glanced around, saw no one nearby, then moved close to Li Jiancheng’s ear and whispered, “Doesn’t Elder Brother want to completely solve this major threat to our hearts?”

As expected!

After confirming his suspicions, Li Jiancheng said in a low voice, “I’ve told you not to act rashly. I have my own ways to deal with him. Don’t you trust your elder brother?”

“I naturally trust Elder Brother, but I also feel that this method is the simplest and most effective. As long as he dies, those people gathered at the Prince of Qin’s mansion will become masterless and can all be used by Elder Brother. It would be much easier than now.”

For the past two years, Li Jiancheng had been trying to eliminate Li Shimin’s supporters and win over the generals under him, but the results weren’t good.

“I naturally know this method is the most convenient and effortless, but have you thought about the consequences? True, Father Emperor dislikes Shimin now, but if he dies in your mansion, you absolutely cannot escape responsibility!”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let him die in my mansion.” Before he finished speaking, Li Jiancheng said, “Even so, they’ll still trace it back to you. What will you do then?”

Li Yuanji gritted his teeth and said, “If they really trace it back to me, there’s no choice. At worst, it’s just exile. Father Emperor wouldn’t kill me, would he!”

“Just exile?” Li Jiancheng laughed bitterly in anger, “You say it so lightly, but places of exile are inevitably harsh and cold lands with heavy labor. You’ve always been used to indulgence – how could you endure it!”

“If I can’t endure it, I’ll have to endure it!” This time, Li Yuanji’s attitude was unusually resolute, “For the past two years, Elder Brother, you’ve spent so much effort, and what’s the result? He’s still standing fine in the court as his Grand General of Heavenly Strategy. True, Father Emperor doesn’t like him, but Elder Brother, haven’t you noticed that even Father Emperor doesn’t dare to move against him easily? Today’s Li Shimin has already gained momentum. If we don’t steel ourselves to eliminate him, I’m afraid we’ll be powerless later!”

Li Jiancheng knew all too well what he was saying. In the past two years, he had also arranged assassinations, but Li Shimin was surrounded by skilled fighters, and none had succeeded. “But you…”

“I know Elder Brother worries about me. Exile is harsh, but it’s only temporary. After Elder Brother ascends the throne, you can pardon me and bring me back.”

Li Jiancheng hadn’t expected him to have such a plan. For a moment, he didn’t know what to say. After a long while, he said with a hoarse voice, “To make you suffer like this for my sake, Elder Brother really feels bad about it.”

“Why is Elder Brother being so polite with me? Besides, this isn’t just Elder Brother’s matter alone. Second Brother and I have long been like fire and water. Once he gains power, he definitely won’t spare me!”

Li Jiancheng looked at him for a while, then finally nodded, “Since you’ve made up your mind, do as you say. Don’t worry – if anything happens, Elder Brother will definitely try to protect you and won’t let you come to harm.”

“I know.” Li Yuanji trusted this elder brother of his without doubt. But… he forgot that Li Shimin was equally his brother…

Li Shimin’s fall from his horse was just a small incident in this suburban hunt that didn’t attract attention. Li Yuan didn’t even know about it, but he would soon learn.

That night, he summoned Consort Yin to attend him. The current Consort Yin had already been elevated to the position of Noble Consort De of the first rank, qualified to leave the Rear Palace and live alone in her own palace. As for Zhang Shi, she was made Zhaoyi, ranking first among the nine imperial concubines of the second rank.

After their intimacy, Li Yuan caressed Consort Yin’s smooth, jade-like shoulder and said, “Beloved consort, why do I sense you seem distracted tonight? Is something troubling you?”

“Really?” Consort Yin touched her cheek and forced a smile, “I suppose I’m a bit tired from spending the whole day embroidering flowers with Sister Zhaoyi.”