When Li Shimin learned this news, he remained silent for a long time, then said to Chuyi: “Send a few more people to Tranquil Garden to take care of things. Also, convey my words – have Imperial Physician Li go examine Zheng Shi.”
“This servant understands.” Saying this, Chuyi sighed: “Now that Madam Zheng has gone mad, it’s the Second Young Master and the others who suffer. They’ve suddenly become orphans without father or mother. It’s truly sinful.” As soon as he finished speaking, he realized he had misspoken and quickly lowered his head: “This servant deserves death. Please punish me, Your Highness.”
“It’s nothing.” Li Shimin waved his hand, and after sighing, he said: “Go to Tranquil Garden and bring Chengdao and Chang’an back. From now on, they’ll be raised in the Eastern Palace.”
“Yes.” When Chuyi went out, he happened to meet Yunyi coming in. She bowed in greeting before he left. Yunyi glanced at Chuyi’s hastily departing figure and casually asked: “What did Your Highness send Chuyi to do?”
Li Shimin took her hand and said: “Zheng Shi has gone mad. I plan to bring Chengdao and the others to the Eastern Palace to raise them.”
Yunyi remained silent at his words. Li Shimin asked: “What’s wrong? Are you unwilling?”
Yunyi shook her head: “Your Highness has such good intentions – how could this concubine be unwilling? This concubine is just worried that they might not understand Your Highness’s kind heart, after all…”
“I understand what you mean.” Li Shimin sighed: “But we can’t just ignore them completely. Besides, I heard from Chuyi that Chengdao once tried to stop Zheng Shi from persecuting Jirong and her sons, which shows he has a kind heart. He shouldn’t repay kindness with enmity!”
“I hope so.” Saying this, Yunyi added: “After they come, why don’t we raise them at my place? They can keep Kuan’er company.”
“If you’re willing to teach them, that would be best.” Saying this, Li Shimin asked: “By the way, how is Kuan’er? Is he adjusting well at your place? I’ve been busy handling court affairs these days and haven’t visited you and Kuan’er.”
“Apart from the first few days when Kuan’er was a bit unaccustomed to moving here, everything is fine. The Crown Princess taught Kuan’er very well – Your Highness can rest assured. Just yesterday he recited the Three Character Classic from beginning to end, and except for the last few lines, he didn’t miss or mistake a single character.” Mentioning Zhangsun Shi, Yunyi’s heart filled with gratitude. Having grown up in the palace, she had seen much of the scheming and plotting between women. Even blood sisters would often turn against each other for power and favor. She and Zhangsun Shi were unrelated, yet the latter had never harmed her and helped her everywhere. During her four years at Mingyue Convent, Zhangsun Shi had carefully cared for Li Kuan. Most precious of all, though she had single-handedly raised Li Kuan, she never taught him to forget his birth mother, even constantly reminding him to remember his birth mother. Such a virtuous woman was truly rare in this world. She could never repay Zhangsun Shi’s kindness in this lifetime.
Li Shimin said happily: “That’s good. Once I finish reviewing these memorials, I’ll go see Kuan’er with you.” Saying this, he opened the pile of memorials on his desk and began reviewing them with his brush. Since the Xuanwu Gate incident, he had been supervising the state and reviewing memorials as Crown Prince. Although the current national situation was relatively stable, he often worked until late at night.
Seeing the ink in the inkstone was nearly used up, Yunyi ground fresh ink for him while saying: “This concubine heard that Li Jiancheng and the other are still imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice’s prison. How does Your Highness plan to deal with them?”
Li Shimin’s movements paused, and he sighed: “Master Liu and Ruhui have both asked about this. To be honest, I haven’t decided yet.”
Yunyi said gently: “Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji repeatedly tried to put Your Highness to death. By law, they cannot be forgiven. Moreover, they won’t accept defeat to Your Highness willingly. It can be said that as long as they live, they will always be a threat to Your Highness.”
Li Shimin set down his brush and sighed deeply: “I know everything you’re saying, but they are my brothers after all. If I kill them… Yunyi, I fear that a hundred years from now, I’ll have no face to meet mother in the underworld.”
Li Yuan wasn’t worthy of his respect, but Dou Shi was different. Mother had carefully raised and taught the four brothers and Xiuning since childhood. When she was gravely ill and dying, what she couldn’t let go of most was them. She constantly taught them to support each other and not to fight among brothers. The result… Xuanba died, and he and Li Jiancheng had come to this state.
Yunyi stroked his shoulder: “This concubine understands Your Highness’s feelings, but Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji hate Your Highness to the bone. They won’t reform, nor will they be grateful. So this concubine believes we should eliminate future troubles permanently.”
Li Shimin understood her meaning. He forcefully rubbed his forehead: “Let me think about it carefully.”
Yunyi knew how difficult this decision was for Li Shimin. She didn’t press him and changed the subject: “This concubine just met Ruhui. He said the date for Your Highness’s enthronement has been set.”
Li Shimin nodded: “Yes, it’s set for September 19th. The Ministry of Rites is already preparing, but…”
Seeing him hesitate to continue, Yunyi asked puzzledly: “What’s wrong? Are there people in court opposing Your Highness’s enthronement?”
“The court is proceeding smoothly, but I received reports that the Türks are stirring restlessly, frequently raiding the borders. Since Liu Wuzhou’s defeat, the Türks had been quiet for a while, but now it seems that peace is coming to an end.”
Yunyi stood silently beside him without speaking. Li Shimin suddenly understood: “Are you thinking of your mother?”
Yunyi said softly: “Since the thirteenth year of Daye, I haven’t seen mother. I don’t know how she is now.”
Li Shimin patted her hand resting on his shoulder and suddenly asked: “Have you seen Zhao Jin recently?”
Yunyi didn’t understand why he suddenly asked about Zhao Jin. After thinking carefully, she shook her head: “This concubine remembers the last time I saw Zhao Jin was the day before yesterday. I haven’t seen him since. What’s wrong? Does Your Highness need him for something?”
Li Shimin smiled: “I have no business with him, but you should be eager to see him.”
“This concubine?” Yunyi frowned delicately and asked puzzledly: “What does Your Highness mean? This concubine has no business with Guard Zhao.”
“Truly no business?” Li Shimin asked with a half-smile, making Yunyi even more confused: “Naturally no business. Your Highness speaks so strangely that this concubine can’t understand.”
Li Shimin smiled and stopped teasing her: “Three days ago, I sent Zhao Jin with twenty men to the Türks to ask Jieli Khan to return Empress Xiao!” The previous Shibi and Chuluo Khans had both died, and the current Türk Khan was Chuluo’s brother.
“Ah!” Yunyi exclaimed, looking at Li Shimin incredulously. Asking for Empress Xiao’s return… that meant she would soon be reunited with her mother.
After a long while, Yunyi asked with a trembling voice: “Is Your Highness speaking truly?”
“Would I lie to you about such a matter? It’s absolutely true. Zhao Jin carries my personal letter. I instructed him to ride with all speed. He should be able to bring Empress Xiao back before the enthronement ceremony.” Saying this, he said guiltily: “I promised you this so many years ago, but only now am I taking action. I’m sorry.”