Li Yuan said slowly, “Pingzheng, do you still remember when I met you in Luoyang before the eleventh year of Daye?”
Xia Houduan recalled for a moment, then said, “I remember. Your Majesty was ordered by Emperor Sui to go to Luoyang that year, and I had the honor of meeting Your Majesty once before you entered the palace.”
Li Yuan leaned forward slightly, staring at him, “Do you still remember what you said to me that day?”
Xia Houduan was startled, not understanding why Li Yuan would suddenly ask about this after so many years. He said carefully, “I naturally remember. I have some knowledge of physiognomy and saw that Your Majesty had extraordinary bone structure, possessing the countenance of an emperor. So I reminded Your Majesty to be careful of Angado near Emperor Sui, and gave Your Majesty a false birth date and time.”
Li Yuan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he said coldly, “In fact, you mentioned two birth dates and times that day.”
His words made Xia Houduan’s eyelids twitch, and he forced out a smile, “In my memory, I only mentioned one.”
Li Yuan’s face darkened as he said coldly, “I may be old, but I’m not senile yet. Or perhaps you hope I’ll charge you with the crime of deceiving your sovereign?!”
Hearing the unfriendly tone in his voice, Xia Houduan quickly lowered his head, “After so many years, I momentarily misremembered. I didn’t intend to deceive Your Majesty. Please forgive me!”
Li Yuan impatiently waved his hand, “Enough, don’t speak these empty words to me. I ask you – does the Prince of Qin truly possess the countenance of an emperor?” This was his true purpose for summoning Xia Houduan in the middle of the night.
“This…” Xia Houduan’s heart raced wildly, not knowing how to answer. Back then, he had feared that Angado might notice Li Shimin possessed the countenance of an emperor, so he had taught him to change his birth date and time. Li Yuan had been present at the time and had also asked him about this matter, which he had deflected with vague responses. After Li Yuan ascended the throne, he had never mentioned this matter again, and Xia Houduan had thought Li Yuan had forgotten about it. He never expected him to suddenly bring it up now.
Currently in this Great Tang Empire, Li Jiancheng was the Crown Prince. If he said the Prince of Qin possessed the countenance of an emperor, wouldn’t that be forcing Li Yuan to kill the Prince of Qin? Over these years, the Prince of Qin had fought eastern and western campaigns for Great Tang, establishing countless meritorious achievements. Though one couldn’t say there would be no Great Tang without the Prince of Qin, without him, Great Tang would have needed at least ten more years to achieve today’s prosperity. Facing such a figure, how could he, Xia Houduan, bear to be the executioner?
Seeing that Xia Houduan remained silent, Li Yuan intensified his tone, “Answer my question!”
Xia Houduan’s legs went weak, and he involuntarily knelt down, “Your Majesty, though I know the art of physiognomy, I’m not necessarily accurate. Your Majesty need not take it to heart.”
Li Yuan stared at him for a moment, then said slowly, “So you’re saying it’s true?”
“I… I…” Xia Houduan groaned inwardly, nervously searching for words that would satisfy both sides under Li Yuan’s pressing gaze. After a long while, he finally managed to find a solution. He steadied himself and said, “Your Majesty, nine years ago, the Prince of Qin did indeed possess the aura of an emperor. But Your Majesty should know that a person’s aura is constantly changing. Over these years, the Prince of Qin has been stained with too much blood and has killed too heavily, polluting his imperial aura. Conversely, the Crown Prince practices virtuous governance and treats the people well, so the imperial aura around him has gradually grown stronger.”
Li Yuan frowned, “What do you mean by this?”
“What I mean is that their different behaviors have led to different consequences. I have carefully observed the physiognomy of both princes and discovered that Heaven’s favored candidate has changed from the Prince of Qin to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Oh?” Li Yuan raised his salt-and-pepper eyebrows, “Is this truly so?”
Xia Houduan quickly said, “Even if I had the greatest courage, I would never dare deceive Your Majesty. It is indeed so!”
Li Yuan pondered for a moment, then said, “Very well, I understand. You may withdraw. Remember, today’s matter must not be mentioned to anyone, or I will hold you accountable!”
Xia Houduan quickly agreed and bowed as he withdrew from Ganlu Hall. After he left, Gao Yang said quietly, “Your Majesty, there’s still some time before the morning court. Why don’t you let this servant attend to you while you rest for a while?”
Li Yuan shook his head, “I can’t sleep.” After a pause, he suddenly said, “Gao Yang, do you think what Xia Houduan just said was true or false?”
Gao Yang was startled, then respectfully said, “This servant dares not speak carelessly, but… Your Majesty is the supreme ruler of all under heaven. Presumably Lord Xia Hou would not dare speak nonsense before Your Majesty.”
“So you believe him?” Faced with his words, Gao Yang lowered his head without speaking. After a moment, a cold voice sounded in his ear, “Unfortunately, I don’t believe him!”
Meanwhile, after leaving Taiji Palace, Xia Houduan let out a long breath and looked back with lingering fear at the Taiji Palace shrouded in darkness. That was truly dangerous just now – fortunately he had thought of those words, or who knows what might have happened.
But… would Li Yuan believe those words of his?
If he didn’t believe them, wouldn’t the Prince of Qin be in great danger? In the swaying of the carriage, Xia Houduan’s heart, which had just settled, became uneasy again.
After an unknown amount of time, the carriage stopped, and the driver lifted the curtain, “My lord, we’ve arrived!”
Xia Houduan gritted his teeth and said, “Go to the Prince of Qin’s mansion immediately!”
The driver was stunned by his words. Though it was already dawn, it was only just barely light. Going to the Prince of Qin’s mansion at this hour seemed rather too early. “My lord, the Prince of Qin has probably just gotten up. Why not wait until after he finishes the morning court?”
“After court will be too late.” Saying this, Xia Houduan urged, “Don’t talk so much, go quickly!”
Seeing his mind was made up, the driver had no choice but to turn the carriage around and head toward the Prince of Qin’s mansion. When they arrived, though the servants were surprised by Xia Houduan’s early visit, they still politely welcomed him into the main hall for tea, then hurried to inform Li Shimin.
After waiting about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Li Shimin entered, saying with a laugh, “Why has Uncle Xia Hou come so early? I was truly startled when the servants reported it.”
Though Li Shimin was now a noble prince, he still maintained the same respect for Xia Houduan, who had repeatedly helped him and Li Yuan, never showing any slighting due to his changed status.
Xia Houduan smiled, “Your Highness has been through hundreds of battles – what could possibly frighten you? However, disturbing Your Highness so early is indeed this official’s fault. Please forgive me.”
“Uncle Xia Hou is being too formal.” Saying this, Li Shimin asked, “May I ask what brings Uncle Xia Hou here?”
Xia Houduan glanced at the attendants in the room without speaking. Li Shimin understood and said, “You may all withdraw first.”
After the attendants withdrew, Li Shimin said gravely, “Has something happened?”
Xia Houduan nodded and said solemnly, “Does Your Highness still remember the matter from the eleventh year of Daye, when you accompanied His Majesty to Luoyang and I told you not to reveal your true birth date and time?”
This matter had happened nearly ten years ago, and since it wasn’t anything important, Li Shimin had long since forgotten about it. After thinking for a long while, he finally remembered, “I remember. Later when entering the palace, Angado indeed asked me about my birth date and time. I told him according to what Uncle Xia Hou had said, and then followed Father Emperor to take up the post in Hedong.”