Zhangsun Shi said somewhat helplessly, “This concubine has taught them many times, but they always quarrel frequently, neither willing to submit to the other. This concubine truly has no way to deal with it.”

“You’ve already taught them very well. Boys are like this – the more they quarrel, the better their relationship becomes. I used to be the same way with my older brothers. Once, I even joined forces with my older brother to tease third brother, making him run around in circles. That time he was angry with us for two whole days before he would acknowledge us again.” With these words, Li Shimin’s eyes revealed a trace of sadness. Once upon a time, he and Li Jiancheng had been inseparable brothers who could risk their lives for each other, but now they had come to life-and-death confrontation over the imperial throne. It was truly tragic.

“Your Highness.” Yunyi’s voice pulled Li Shimin back from his contemplation. Seeing her looking at him with worry, Li Shimin smiled, “I’m fine, you needn’t worry.” Then he said to Zhangsun Shi, “Have you visited the Emperor these past few days?”

Zhangsun Shi nodded, “This concubine goes to the palace every other day to pay respects to the Emperor at Liangyi Hall, but the Emperor… has always refused to see this concubine, and won’t accept the pastries sent either. This concubine asked the palace servants who attend at Liangyi Hall, and they said that ever since the Emperor moved to Liangyi Hall, his spirits and appetite have not been very good.” After a pause, she suggested tentatively, “If Your Highness has time, perhaps you could go see the Emperor.”

“I understand.” After saying these few words, Li Shimin lowered his head to eat the remaining food in his bowl. The originally cheerful atmosphere became somewhat somber because of this matter, with only the two children still laughing and playing without any awareness.

The next morning, Li Shimin held court in Taiji Hall as usual to attend to government affairs. After all the ministers had departed, the eunuch Wu Yu approached with a pile of memorials, respectfully asking, “Your Highness, shall we go to the Imperial Study or the Eastern Palace to review the memorials?” He was Gaoyang’s nephew – when Gaoyang went to serve Li Yuan at Liangyi Hall, he had taken his place on duty at Taiji Hall.

Li Shimin thought for a moment, then said, “Take the memorials to the Eastern Palace. I’ll come review them later.”

Wu Yu was stunned. Ever since Li Shimin had been appointed Crown Prince Regent, the first thing he did every day after court was to review memorials, never delaying for a moment. Today he said he would go to the Eastern Palace later – what was going on?

Before this thought could fully form, he saw Li Shimin rise and walk outside. He hurried to follow, “Your Highness, where are you going? This servant…”

Before he could finish, Li Shimin had already said, “You needn’t follow. Just take the memorials to the Eastern Palace.”

Seeing him say this, Wu Yu had no choice but to stop and head toward the Eastern Palace instead. As for Li Shimin, after leaving Taiji Hall, his steps hesitated slightly, then he headed toward Liangyi Hall.

By now it was nearly late autumn. As the weather turned cold, eight or nine out of ten osmanthus flowers had already bloomed, and the air was filled with the faint, clear fragrance of osmanthus.

At the entrance to Liangyi Hall, two young eunuchs were chatting idly. Seeing Li Shimin approach, they quickly stopped their idle talk and came forward to bow. After gesturing for them to rise, Li Shimin asked, “Is the Emperor inside?”

“In response to Your Highness the Crown Prince, His Majesty is in the hall, but…” The eunuch hesitated, then said, “His Majesty has given orders that no one is to disturb him.”

Li Shimin nodded, “Go announce my presence. Tell him I have matters to discuss.”

“Yes.” The eunuch responded and went in to announce him. After a while, he returned respectfully, “His Majesty requests Your Highness the Crown Prince to come to the inner hall.”

Li Shimin made his way to the inner hall, where all the windows had been closed, shutting out the bright autumn sun and making the hall seem gloomy and oppressive.

Li Yuan sat with his eyes closed, leaning against the couch. Hearing the approaching footsteps, he didn’t open his eyes, saying coldly, “What are you here for?”

Li Shimin said respectfully, “Your son heard that the Emperor’s spirits are weary and his appetite poor, so I came specially to see you.”

Li Yuan opened his eyes slightly, saying coldly, “So you still have me in your heart? I thought you had long forgotten you still had an emperor for a father.” Without waiting for Li Shimin to speak, he sneered again, “But I forgot – you haven’t ascended the throne yet, so you still need me as your emperor father. Gaoyang has told me – September nineteenth, isn’t it? Rest assured, I will certainly follow your wishes and perform the abdication ceremony.”

Li Shimin listened silently to his cold mockery. When he finished, he said, “Since the Emperor has no appetite, why not summon the imperial physician to examine you, lest prolonged illness harm the dragon body?”

Li Yuan laughed coldly, “I’ve already said I’ll follow your wishes and perform the abdication ceremony. Why are you here putting on this false act, Crown Prince!” He spoke these last two words through gritted teeth.

Li Yuan’s attitude pained him, but on the surface he remained as calm as ever, “Your son only hopes for the Emperor’s health and longevity!”

Li Yuan sat up, staring at him with hatred, “If you truly thought that way, you wouldn’t have committed such treasonous acts.” Then he waved his hand impatiently, “Enough! I don’t want to hear your false words that are rotten to the core. Go!”

“Then your son will have Imperial Physician Li come examine the Emperor’s pulse. Also, if the Emperor has anything he wishes to eat, just have someone send word to the imperial kitchen.” With that, he cupped his hands, “Your son takes his leave!”

“Stop!” Just as he was about to reach the hall entrance, Li Yuan’s voice suddenly called out from behind.

Li Shimin stopped and turned back, “What other instructions does the Emperor have?”

Li Yuan stared at him for a moment, then said in a heavy voice, “How do you plan to deal with Jiancheng and Yuanji? You promised me before that you would treat them well.” Although Li Shimin had given his word, since he had yet to formally deal with them, Li Yuan remained uneasy.

Li Shimin didn’t answer his question, but instead asked, “What does the Emperor think?”

Li Yuan gritted his teeth slightly, “No matter what, they are your brothers. I hope you won’t pursue them to the bitter end. Give them a way to live – it would also accumulate some karmic merit for yourself.”

Li Shimin looked at him for a moment, then said, “If the person standing before the Emperor today were my older brother, would the Emperor also plead for me like this?”

Li Yuan pressed his pale lips together, saying coldly, “You’ve already won everything under heaven. Is it so difficult to give those two a way to live?”

“He wouldn’t, would he?” Li Shimin said bitterly, “Even at this moment, knowing all the wrong things my older brother has done, the Emperor still thinks your son is more detestable than my older brother, doesn’t he?”

Li Yuan sneered, “You committed treason and rebellion, forcing your way to seize the throne. Do you expect me to praise you for it?”

Li Shimin thought he had grown accustomed to all this, but hearing it directly still caused a sharp pain in his chest. He shook his head, “Enough. The Emperor should rest well. Your son will come see you again another day.”

Seeing him about to leave, Li Yuan hurriedly said, “You still haven’t answered my question – will you or won’t you spare Jiancheng and Yuanji?”

This time, Li Shimin neither turned back nor stopped. Seeing him ignore his words, Li Yuan trembled with rage, putting on his shoes to chase after him. But as soon as he stood up, a wave of dizziness struck his mind, and he fell back onto the couch.