Liu Hongji sneered: “If that’s the case, by the time we arrive, His Majesty will already be in the Crown Prince’s hands.”

Yuchi Jingde said dismissively: “So what? Neither of those father and son are good people anyway. Let them fight each other like dogs – why worry about him?”

Zhangsun Wuji had already understood Liu Hongji’s thoughts and spoke for him: “Sir isn’t worried about His Majesty, but worried that after the Crown Prince breaks into Taiji Palace, he’ll seal the palace gates and use the Emperor’s decree to summon the patrol battalions or even the Yulin Army to protect the throne. Then, for people like us, it would be no different from seeking death.”

Yuchi Jingde listened in confusion: “What does that mean?”

“It means we need to be later than the Crown Prince, but not too much later.” Saying this, Du Ruhui frowned: “Unless we can find an inside contact, this timing is very difficult to control. Too many variables – it’s really quite risky.”

“Correct. Though Your Highness’s reputation is important, if we don’t succeed, everything is empty talk. In my opinion, we should still act before them – prioritize stability above all.” Zhangsun Wuji’s words immediately drew agreement from everyone, all unwilling to take risks on this matter.

After they quieted down, Liu Hongji said: “Everyone need not worry. I’ve already found this inside contact. She’s in the Eastern Palace and should be able to provide us with the most accurate information.”

Du Ruhui said in surprise: “May I ask sir, who is this inside contact you speak of?”

Liu Hongji didn’t keep them in suspense and said slowly: “The Crown Princess – Zheng Guanyin!”

“The Crown Princess?” Everyone stared at Liu Hongji as if looking at a ghost. If not for seeing his clear eyes, they would have thought he’d gone mad.

Yuchi Jingde was the first to stand up: “Zheng Shi is the Crown Prince’s first wife, married to the Crown Prince for ten years. How could she possibly betray the Crown Prince to help us? I’m afraid she’s already told the Crown Prince about our plans by now. Master Liu, you’ve really found the wrong person this time!”

“She will help us.” The speaker wasn’t Liu Hongji, but Li Shimin, who had been standing by the window since earlier without saying a word.

Duan Zhihong shook his head: “How is that possible? The Crown Prince and Crown Princess are on the same boat. If the boat sinks, it brings the Crown Princess only harm and no benefit. Conversely, if the Crown Prince ascends the throne, she becomes…”

“Becomes what?” Li Shimin interrupted him, saying calmly: “Empress? No, she won’t. Over these years, the Crown Prince has been extremely disgusted with the Crown Princess, not even allowing her to attend the New Year’s family banquet. The two children she bore, though legitimate son and daughter, are treated worse than children born to nameless concubines. Under such circumstances, how could the Crown Prince possibly make her Empress?”

“Regardless of whether the Crown Prince likes her or not, she is his legitimate wife, the Crown Princess. This is unchangeable.” Faced with Du Ruhui’s words, Li Shimin shook his head: “Nothing is unchangeable. As long as the Crown Prince wishes, he can depose Zheng Shi’s Crown Princess position at any time. The reason he hasn’t done so isn’t because the Crown Prince still has feelings for Zheng Shi, but because Father Emperor is suppressing him. But once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, that constraint will be gone. I’m afraid the day he ascends will be when Zheng Shi is deposed to commoner status. Even Chengdao and the others will likely not escape this fate. Zheng Shi must be very clear about this in her heart. Conversely, if she helps us, though she can’t become Empress, I will not shortchange her. Her two children can grow up safely and be enfeoffed as princes and nobles. Besides this… I’ve promised her she can personally deal with Jirong.”

Hearing this, Du Ruhui and others suddenly understood and had no further objections to this arrangement.

After confirming this matter, other details were quickly arranged. As soon as news of the Crown Prince’s action arrived, they would immediately rush to Xuanwu Gate, capture Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, and eliminate their followers. If all went smoothly, they would immediately charge into the palace, control Li Yuan, and force him to abdicate.

If things didn’t go smoothly and they couldn’t control Li Jiancheng’s forces, they would quickly enter the palace and coerce Li Yuan to order the Eastern Palace and Prince Qi’s forces to lay down their weapons.

If nothing went smoothly, they would use Li Yuan as a hostage to control Chang’an. If they couldn’t control it, they would retreat to Luoyang. Though the armies outside Chang’an all belonged to Li Yuan, many among them had fought alongside Li Shimin through life and death several times. If Li Shimin stepped forward, many soldiers would surely follow!

After everyone else had withdrawn to arrange their respective tasks, Liu Hongji looked at Li Shimin: “Your Highness barely spoke tonight except for the matter of Zheng Shi. Are you still hesitating in your heart?”

Li Shimin shook his head: “Not hesitating, but feeling sad. I’ve been thinking – if I had known during the Taiyuan uprising that today’s events would happen, would I still have helped Father Emperor seize the realm?”

Liu Hongji sighed deeply: “Your Highness has done everything possible. It’s they who are obstinate. Your Highness has done nothing wrong.”

Li Shimin smiled bitterly: “Wrong or right, it no longer matters.” Saying this, he stood and bowed solemnly to Liu Hongji: “Thank you, sir, for always planning for Shimin. Sir’s kindness, Shimin will remember in his heart.”

Liu Hongji quickly supported him: “Your Highness speaks too seriously. Your Highness has heroic talent and great strategy. Being able to assist Your Highness in becoming a sovereign is Liu’s honor!”

Li Shimin said nothing, only silently gazing at the gradually brightening sky outside the window. Today would likely be peaceful, but… how long could this peace last? One day or two?

The morning sun emerged from the clouds, spreading vast swaths of light, driving away the darkness that had shrouded the night. In Yiqiu Palace at the southwestern corner of the Eastern Palace, Zheng Shi was washing and dressing. Though she was the Crown Princess, her clothing was exceptionally plain – a moon-white brocade robe with only some barely visible dark patterns, no other decorations, and only a green jade hairpin in her hair, even simpler than the Eastern Palace’s serving girls.

Liu Ye helped arrange her clothes while saying: “Miss, breakfast is ready. After eating, this servant will accompany you to the Buddhist hall to chant scriptures.”

The current Zheng Shi lived in seclusion in Yiqiu Palace, spending her days chanting Buddhist scriptures and meditating. Often she wouldn’t step out of Yiqiu Palace for an entire month. All Eastern Palace affairs were managed single-handedly by Jirong. The people of the Eastern Palace had almost forgotten there was such a Crown Princess.

Zheng Shi nodded. When they reached the side hall, not seeing Chengdao and the others, she asked in confusion: “Where are Second Young Master and the Princess?”

“Second Young Master went to study early in the morning. As for the Princess, she had a rash last night and fussed all night, only falling asleep at dawn, so this servant didn’t wake her.”

“Has Changning’s rash subsided?” Changning was Ying’er’s title. Zheng Shi detested the name Li Jiancheng had given her, so she always used the title and never spoke the name.

“Not yet. The physician said it will take at least two or three more days to gradually subside. The Princess has suffered quite a bit from this rash. This servant will go to the kitchen later to make some white sugar cakes – the Princess loves eating those most.”