Jirong smiled mysteriously, “Then it’s simple. As long as we control Chang He’s parents, we won’t fear him not obeying. I suggest Prince Qi, before going to see Chang He, first send someone to pay a visit to his parents.”

Li Yuanji naturally understood her meaning and bowed with clasped hands: “Thank you for Noble Consort Ji’s reminder.”

After Li Yuanji left, Li Jiancheng sat in his chair without saying a word. Jirong walked behind him and massaged his somewhat stiff shoulders: “With Prince Qi assisting you, success is certain. Your Highness need not worry excessively.”

Li Jiancheng sighed deeply: “If I hadn’t been unable to resist Yin Shi’s seduction and had relations with her, it wouldn’t have come to this today.” Speaking of this, he said with hatred: “That woman is truly foolish, actually letting Wan Shi discover her miscarriage. Fortunately there was no evidence, otherwise I might not have been able to leave Taiji Palace today.”

Jirong comforted him gently: “Things have come to this point. Your Highness thinking about these matters is useless. Better to properly plan what comes next and block any possible loopholes.”

“Controlling Chang He is equivalent to controlling Xuanwu Gate and even Taiji Palace. This point I’m not worried about, but… looking at Shimin’s appearance today, I’m afraid he won’t sit and wait for death!” By the end of this sentence, Li Jiancheng’s expression had become extremely grave.

Jirong’s eyes flickered: “Your Highness worries that Prince Qin will do the same as us?”

“Exactly. Perhaps he’s also planning in his residence right now. Though his manpower is less than ours, don’t forget that under his command, each and every one is brave and skilled in battle – capable of fighting ten men alone without question.”

“As long as the Imperial Guards are controlled by us, forget fighting ten men – even fighting a hundred wouldn’t change anything.”

“I know this too, but Chang He isn’t one of our faction after all.” Speaking of this, Li Jiancheng said with some regret: “It’s also my fault for never thinking I’d have to take this step, so I didn’t replace the Imperial Guard commander with one of our people. Otherwise why would there be such trouble.”

Jirong pondered for a moment: “From what Prince Qi described, I’m ninety percent confident I can control Chang He and make him not dare oppose us.”

Li Jiancheng had no better method at the moment, so he wiped his face: “I hope everything goes smoothly!”

Jirong grasped his hand: “Your Highness is the sovereign destined by Heaven. I believe the imperial throne belongs to none other than Your Highness. Prince Qin is destined to be a rebellious minister and traitor!”

Li Jiancheng patted her hand and said warmly: “The day I ascend the throne will be when you become Empress!”

Jirong hadn’t expected him to suddenly say such words and was momentarily stunned. Seeing this, Li Jiancheng joked: “What, not satisfied with the Empress position?”

Jirong came to her senses and hurriedly said: “No, I… I just didn’t expect Your Highness would promise me the Empress position, after all Crown Princess she…”

Hearing Zheng Shi’s name, Li Jiancheng said impatiently: “If not for Father Emperor blocking me back then, I would have already deposed her. How could I have tolerated her holding the Crown Princess title until now? But soon, Father Emperor won’t be able to protect her anymore!” Saying this, he tightened his grip on the soft hand in his palm and said affectionately: “In my heart, the one who can stand alongside me at the highest point of Great Tang will forever be only you – Jirong alone!”

“Your Highness…” Jirong was deeply moved and threw herself into Li Jiancheng’s embrace, sobbing: “With Your Highness’s words, this life is enough for me!”

At this time, in Prince Qin’s residence, just as Li Jiancheng had guessed, they too had decided to seize the palace. Liu Hongji, Zhangsun Wuji and others were in tense discussion.

“The Crown Prince has now been forced to the edge of a cliff by Your Highness and no longer enjoys His Majesty’s trust as before, so he will definitely take the same desperate measures as us.” The speaker was Du Ruhui. Not long after Li Yuan’s summons, Li Jiancheng had withdrawn the surveillance on the Du residence.

“Correct, but to successfully force the palace, he faces the same problem we do.” Zhangsun Wuji slowly uttered two words: “Chang He.”

Duan Zhihong frowned: “According to what this subordinate knows, Chang He has a good relationship with Prince Qi and even served under Prince Qi before. I’m afraid…” He didn’t finish the rest, but everyone understood. With this relationship, Chang He would most likely side with the Crown Prince.

Liu Hongji lightly waved his folding fan and smiled: “Chang He will never align with Prince Qi or the Crown Prince.”

Duan Zhihong said in surprise: “Sir, what makes you say this?”

Du Ruhui also said: “Could it be… sir is also acquainted with Commander Chang?”

“When His Majesty raised his army, someone recommended Chang He to serve His Majesty. Do you know who that person was?”

Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads. Duan Zhihong said casually: “It couldn’t be you, sir?”

He meant it as a joke, but Liu Hongji actually said: “Correct, it was indeed me.”

This was truly an unexpected joy for everyone – a sudden turn of fortune. Yuchi Jingde said happily: “As long as Chang He doesn’t obstruct us, attacking Taiji Palace will not be difficult. Then Your Highness can obtain everything he deserves.”

“Wait a moment.” Zhangsun Wuji frowned: “Though sir has deep friendship with Chang He, he may not necessarily stand on our side.”

Du Ruhui pondered: “Is Lord Zhangsun worried that Commander Chang’s resolve isn’t firm enough and he’ll be used by the Crown Prince and his faction?”

Zhangsun Wuji shook his head: “I’ve dealt with Commander Chang several times. He’s not a person of weak resolve. It’s just that the Crown Prince and his faction aren’t gentlemen. If they can’t persuade Commander Chang openly, they might use extraordinary means, even… threaten Commander Chang with his family.”

His words were like a basin of cold water poured over their heads, instantly extinguishing the hope in everyone’s hearts. Yuchi Jingde said dejectedly: “After all that talk, it was another false joy. This Chang He is still our obstacle.”

Among everyone, only Liu Hongji’s expression remained unchanged: “Lord Zhangsun speaks correctly. The Crown Prince may indeed do this, but when evil rises one foot, righteousness rises ten feet.”

Zhangsun Wuji was startled, then seemed to understand something and said joyfully: “Sir’s words – could it be that you already guessed the Crown Prince would do this and made arrangements accordingly?”

Liu Hongji nodded: “Correct, I’ve made thorough preparations. Chang He will certainly be used by us.”

“Excellent!” Zhangsun Wuji clapped his hands in delight: “As long as Chang He stands with us, whether the Eastern Palace or Taiji Palace, neither will be a threat!”

“Though this is so, if we want to legitimately push Your Highness to the throne, we still lack an opportunity. Otherwise, even if we succeed, Your Highness will bear the name of rebellion and forcing the palace.”

Du Ruhui thought for a while with his head down, then said tentatively: “The opportunity sir speaks of – could it refer to the Eastern Palace?”

“Correct. Only by acting after the Eastern Palace can Your Highness use the name of the Crown Prince and Prince Qi rebelling to loyally protect the Emperor.” Liu Hongji’s words had barely finished when Yuchi Jingde said: “What’s difficult about this? We just wait for news from Taiji Palace.”