“This servant also doesn’t know clearly, only that Eunuch Gao came following His Majesty’s orders to summon my master to the palace. These words were what my master secretly told this servant while changing clothes, specifically instructing that they must be told to Your Highness face-to-face, not through anyone else’s mouth.”

Liu Hongji happened to be present as well. Upon hearing this, his expression immediately changed, “Do you know what matter His Majesty summoned him for?”

The servant shook his head, “Eunuch Gao wouldn’t say, only that my master would know once he saw His Majesty. Then my master had this servant come relay such words, which is truly worrying.” Speaking to this point, he muttered, “These past two days have been strange indeed, with one matter following another.”

His words made Liu Hongji’s eyes move, “How so? Have many things happened recently?”

“Not exactly many, just very peculiar. Since yesterday, several servants suddenly disappeared and haven’t returned until now. No one knows where they went.”

“Could they have gone home?” Faced with Chuyi’s question, the servant shook his head, “No, if they had gone home, they would have said something. Moreover, my master sent people to check their homes, and they hadn’t returned there either. It’s as if they vanished into thin air.”

“Vanished…” Chuyi lowered his head and murmured to himself. Li Shimin asked, “What’s wrong?”

Chuyi thought as he spoke, “Your Highness, since yesterday, several people from our prince’s mansion also haven’t returned. This servant isn’t certain if it’s related to the matter at the Xiahou residence.”

Li Shimin said in surprise, “How is it I don’t know of this matter?”

“Because Your Highness is still recovering from illness, and it wasn’t a major matter, so the Princess instructed this servant not to disturb Your Highness.”

Liu Hongji interjected, “So those people also didn’t return?”

Chuyi nodded, “Yes, the Princess had this servant go to their homes to search, but similarly, they hadn’t returned home and left no traces, as if they had vanished into thin air.”

Liu Hongji thought for a moment, then said, “These people you mentioned—do they often serve near Lord Xiahou or Your Highness?”

Chuyi and the servant both nodded. Li Shimin asked, “What’s troubling you, Master Liu?”

Liu Hongji didn’t speak, only stared at the servant and Chuyi. Li Shimin said, “There’s nothing more for you here. You may both withdraw.”

After they left, Liu Hongji said gravely, “For servants from both the prince’s mansion and the Xiahou residence to disappear at the same time is surely no coincidence. And precisely at this time, His Majesty summons Lord Xiahou to the palace—I fear something has happened.”

Li Shimin frowned, “Master, are you saying the disappearances are related to Father Emperor?”

Liu Hongji didn’t answer, only sighed deeply, “I hope I’m wrong.”

Li Shimin was increasingly puzzled, “What has Master thought of?”

Liu Hongji stared at him, saying word by word, “His Majesty probably already knows about Xia Houduan’s lies!”

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin’s expression immediately changed, saying urgently, “Impossible! Only a few of us know about this matter, and it’s already passed. How could Father Emperor have learned of it?”

Liu Hongji laughed coldly, “Does Your Highness think that only we have eyes and ears, but His Majesty doesn’t? Though I can’t be certain, I believe His Majesty has secretly cultivated a group of informants or even death warriors to do his bidding or handle matters inconvenient to do openly. In my estimation, the servants’ disappearances these past two days are most likely related to His Majesty!”

Li Shimin pondered for a moment, then said, “Master, are you saying Father Emperor captured these people to investigate my dealings with Uncle Xiahou? But why would he suddenly become suspicious? When we came down from Xuanjing Temple, he clearly no longer suspected me.”

“I can’t fathom this either, but if His Majesty truly suspects you both, he should summon one more person.”

Li Shimin was about to ask who when his eyes suddenly moved, blurting out, “Wang Yuanzhi?”

“Correct.” With Liu Hongji’s words, Li Shimin hastily called Chuyi in, having him go inquire whether any guards had left the city.

While waiting for Chuyi’s return, both men remained silent, with only the sound of their breathing and the rumbling thunder outside. Both understood that once this matter was confirmed, what would follow would be a bloody storm—one misstep could tear them to pieces.

After who knows how long, urgent running footsteps came from outside, followed by Chuyi, soaked like a drowned rat, pushing through the door. Without bothering to wipe the rain from his face, he said urgently, “Your Highness, this servant went to the city gate to inquire. According to the gate officials, guards did indeed leave the city, riding fast horses as if in great haste. As for where they went, they didn’t know.”

Chuyi’s words were like a basin of cold water, completely extinguishing the last hope in Li Shimin’s heart. His entire body felt ice-cold, as if he were standing in the torrential rain outside.

Though the gate officials didn’t know the guards’ destination, leaving the city at this time and riding at full speed, they must have gone to Xuanjing Temple to summon Wang Yuanzhi. Father Emperor most hated challenges to his imperial authority—once the lies were completely exposed, both Xia Houduan and Wang Yuanzhi would surely lose their heads.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin could no longer sit still, immediately rising, “Prepare horses at once! I must enter the palace!”

Before Chuyi could respond, Liu Hongji had already said, “You’re not allowed to go!”

Li Shimin frowned, “Master, what are you doing?”

Liu Hongji stood up and stared at him, “Allow me to ask Your Highness first—what are you entering the palace for?”

Li Shimin replied without hesitation, “Naturally to plead for Uncle Xiahou and the others, asking Father Emperor to deal with them leniently.”

“And the result? Will His Majesty listen to Your Highness and deal with them leniently?” Before Li Shimin could speak, he was already shaking his head, “No, just like Liu Wenjing years ago. His Majesty knew clearly that his crime wasn’t deserving of death, knew clearly that Liu Wenjing had no rebellious intent, yet still executed him with one stroke, head separated from body. Even when Your Highness pleaded bitterly, His Majesty showed no hesitation.”

His words made Li Shimin’s heart tremble, a trace of hesitation appearing between his brows, “This time is different from last time.”

“How is it different?” Liu Hongji’s expression was cold and stern, “Liu Wenjing’s crime was in being close to Your Highness, challenging imperial authority. Today, Xia Houduan and Wang Yuanzhi have committed the same offense, and comparatively, their crimes are even more serious. If Your Highness goes to plead for them, not only will you fail to save them, but you’ll also fall into the quagmire yourself, unable to escape!”

Li Shimin clenched his fists tightly, “According to Master’s words, should I just stand by and watch, doing nothing?”

“Has Your Highness forgotten what Lord Xiahou specifically had his servant convey? He understands this point clearly, which is why he gave such careful instructions, begging Your Highness absolutely not to interfere. In fact…” Liu Hongji said gravely, “Even without interfering, Your Highness is already in a heap of trouble.”

“I…” Before Li Shimin could continue, Liu Hongji had already interrupted sternly, “This time, Your Highness must listen to me no matter what, otherwise not only will our previous plans be wasted, but Lord Xiahou and the others will have sacrificed themselves in vain!”