When she gave birth to a child in Mingyue Nunnery years ago, she only had a hurried glance before the midwife took him away. From then on, she never saw him again, only able to know of Kuan’er’s changes through the monthly portraits Zhangsun Shi sent. Now… she could finally see Kuan’er again, but her heart was inexplicably afraid. Kuan’er had always been raised by Zhangsun Shi and had never seen her. He probably already considered Zhangsun Shi his real mother. Now that a real mother suddenly appeared, what if he refused to accept her?

Li Shimin saw her hesitation and gripped her hand tightly: “These years, although Wugou has treated Kuan’er as her own son, she has never hidden your existence from him. Since Kuan’er became somewhat sensible, she has often spoken to him about you. So Kuan’er has always known he has a real mother, and he knows that every year on his birthday, the clothes he wears are sewn by his real mother. He very much wants to see you. Let’s go in.”

Yunyi said gratefully: “The Princess has worked hard these years. If she hadn’t frequently sent news of Kuan’er, I truly don’t know how I would have endured these past years.”

Li Shimin smiled: “Alright, let’s go in.”

Yunyi nodded, took a deep breath, and followed him inside. This night, the Prince of Qin’s residence was brightly lit, as bright as day. As soon as they entered, they saw Zhangsun Shi and others standing in the courtyard. Beside Zhangsun Shi stood two boys of three or four years old, their faces very similar, like twin brothers, making them difficult to distinguish.

Yunyi knew that one of them was Zhangsun Shi’s son Li Chengqian, but she hadn’t expected him to look so much like her own Kuan’er.

After smiling slightly at Yunyi, Zhangsun Shi curtsied to Li Shimin: “This concubine welcomes Your Highness. Long live Your Highness!”

The women behind her also performed their courtesies. Yunyi noticed that several held infants in their arms, or babies still in swaddling clothes, presumably children born in recent years.

After the ceremony ended and they rose, Zhangsun Shi walked before Yunyi and gripped her hands tightly, choking with emotion: “After waiting so many years, I’ve finally waited for my sister’s return. Our family is finally reunited.” Speaking thus, she seemed to remember something and hurriedly beckoned to the child on the left: “Kuan’er, come quickly, come here!”

Li Kuan walked to Zhangsun Shi’s side on his short legs. She crouched down and said: “Haven’t you always asked about your mother? Look, this is her. Quickly call her mother.”

Li Kuan leaned against Zhangsun Shi, looking at Yunyi with curious yet fearful eyes, not calling out for a long time. Zhangsun Shi urged: “You child, when you couldn’t see her, you always pestered me with questions. Now that you see her, you won’t call her.”

Over there, Yunyi was already in tears. Although she could receive portraits every month, how could a cold, lifeless painting compare to this living, breathing child before her eyes? Three years – in Li Kuan’s first three years of growth, she was nothing but a blank space to him except for Zhangsun Shi’s words.

Yunyi barely stopped her tears and choked out: “Princess, don’t force him. This is his first time seeing me. He’s never seen me before, so it’s normal that he can’t call out. It’ll be fine once he gets familiar with me.”

Zhangsun Shi hurriedly said: “What do you mean normal? He’s the child you carried for ten months…”

“I’ve seen you.” Li Kuan’s crisp voice interrupted Zhangsun Shi’s words. Then he took out a piece of paper folded with extreme care from his chest and said: “This is what mother drew for me. She said the person on it is my mother. That’s you, isn’t it?”

Yunyi took the paper he handed her. When she unfolded it, it clearly showed her likeness. The tears she had barely stopped began falling again. She held Li Kuan tightly, crying while saying: “Yes, I am your mother. Kuan’er, my Kuan’er, mother has missed you so much, day and night!”

After all, mother and child are connected by heart. Hearing Yunyi’s hoarse, sorrowful crying, Li Kuan’s eyes also reddened. When Yunyi loosened her grip slightly, he reached out his small palm to wipe the tears crisscrossing Yunyi’s face: “Mother, please don’t cry anymore. Kuan’er is here, Kuan’er is by your side.”

Yunyi’s body trembled as she stared at Li Kuan without blinking: “What did you just call me? Say it again.”

Meeting her gaze, Li Kuan opened his mouth again and clearly uttered the two words that made Yunyi weep with joy: “Mother!”

“Good! Good!” Though obviously overjoyed, tears couldn’t stop falling from her eyes, wetting both of Li Kuan’s small hands.

“Your Ladyship, please don’t cry anymore. From now on, you can be with Second Young Master every day.” The speaker was a petite woman. Yunyi recognized her as Yan Shi, who had entered the residence four years ago. She was holding a child about one year old.

Zhangsun Shi also smiled: “Exactly! Today is a wonderful day – we should be smiling.”

“The Princess is right.” Yunyi said while wiping the tears from her face, saying gratefully: “During these years when I was absent, having the Princess care for Kuan’er in my place – I feel terribly guilty.”

Zhangsun Shi smiled: “Kuan’er is clever and bright, much more sensible than Chengqian. He’s so lovable. I often tell His Highness that it would be wonderful if Kuan’er and Chengqian could switch places.”

“Mother is biased, biased!” The other child walked to Zhangsun Shi’s side, acting coquettishly in protest – undoubtedly Li Chengqian.

His appearance made Li Shimin laugh heartily. He picked him up and said: “Your mother is biased toward Kuan’er, so father will be biased toward you, alright?”

Hearing this, Li Chengqian happily hugged Li Shimin’s neck and nodded vigorously: “Good! Father is the best!”

The innocent appearance brought waves of laughter, making everyone forget the day’s heart-stopping dangers and bloodshed.

On July 29th, all personnel from the Eastern Palace and Prince of Qi’s residence were arrested and imprisoned, including those who attempted to flee – all were captured without exception.

On July 30th, Li Shimin was formally established as Crown Prince, moved into the Eastern Palace, and acted as regent in place of the Emperor.

On August 2nd, Zheng Shi, who had been pardoned by Li Shimin and not imprisoned, came to the Eastern Palace, demanding that Li Shimin honor his previous promise and hand over Jirong and her son to her for punishment.

Li Shimin naturally wouldn’t break his word. He summoned Duan Zhihong and handed him a written order: “Take my order to the prison, bring out the Ji mother and son from their cell, and deliver them to Lady Zheng at Jing Garden.”

With Li Jiancheng deposed, Zheng Shi was no longer qualified to live in the Eastern Palace, so Li Shimin arranged for her to stay in one of Li Jiancheng’s former gardens.

Just as Duan Zhihong was about to leave, Zheng Shi suddenly said: “I also want to see him.”

Li Shimin naturally knew who the “him” in Zheng Shi’s words referred to. After a moment of silence, he said: “He only has hatred for you. There’s no meaning in seeing him.”

Zheng Shi said indifferently: “I know, but I still want to see him and say a few words to him.”

After pondering for a moment, Li Shimin nodded: “Very well then.” He turned his gaze to Duan Zhihong, who was still waiting nearby: “Take Lady Zheng to see the deposed Crown Prince.”