LFHYB -Chapter 138 Killing the Unfilial as a Warning

When the servant’s head tumbled, the chaotic scene fell silent.

Lady Dou anxiously called: “Erlang…”

Before she could finish, Li Shimin interrupted: “Mother, rest assured, I have received the emperor’s approval to execute this wicked servant.”

The men Li Shimin had brought waited at the palace gate.

As Lady Dou rode toward the palace gate and others shouted the Duke’s orders in pursuit, Qin Qiong and the others were utterly bewildered, unsure of what to do.

Once Li Shimin acted, Qin Qiong and the others had a clear leader to follow and immediately subdued the other strong servants.

Qin Qiong said: “Shut their mouths… someone fetch a wooden bucket and clean this mess, don’t trouble the emperor’s guards.”

Li Shimin’s subordinates tied up the culprits, dragged away bodies, and washed the ground, quickly restoring order.

Extremely professional.

Li Shimin’s anger did not dissipate just from killing one wicked servant. But Qin Qiong’s team worked so efficiently that he hadn’t even fully reacted before the ground was clean.

He could only grimly flick the blood from his sword and sheathe it.

Li Shimin asked: “Mother, the emperor summons you.”

While speaking, he checked the scrapes on Lady Dou’s arm.

Li Shimin always liked to fight at the front when on the battlefield. Li Xuanba had prepared small jars of wound ointment so he could apply some while pursuing enemies on horseback—a little help was better than none.

Even though his younger brother wasn’t nearby, Li Shimin had formed the habit of carrying ointment with him.

He first cleaned his mother’s wounds with water, then applied the ointment mixed with strong alcohol. “It will sting a little, Mother, please endure it.”

Lady Dou did not utter a word despite the sharp pain in her arm.

Once Li Shimin finished applying the ointment, Lady Dou asked in a low voice: “Erlang, who set the fire?”

Li Shimin’s eyes flickered. In a deep voice he said: “The Eastern Turks.”

Lady Dou nodded, acknowledging she understood.

Mother and son walked into the palace together, with Lady Dou quietly explaining the cause of the conflict to Li Shimin.

Some details were her own inferences based on Li Yuan’s character, but they were likely close to the truth.

Li Shimin listened as Lady Dou explained her reasons for filing a petition to the emperor and why Li Yuan had sent people to stop her, all while comparing it with the information he had received from his younger brother.

The timeline went back to when Li Xuanba was still in Hedong.

Li Xuanba first fell ill due to the seasonal change.

This time, his illness was more serious. Li Jiancheng, meanwhile, was indulging in drinking and hunting, which gave Li Yuanji an opportunity to steal Li Xuanba’s calligraphy from Li Jiancheng’s study. He altered and pieced it together into a letter and reported it to the prefect Ding.

When Prefect Ding summoned Li Jiancheng to question him, Yuwen Zhu sent a message to Taiyuan, reporting that Li Xuanba’s condition was severe.

Li Shimin, wanting to go to Zhuo County to see the Crown Prince, had been placed under house arrest by Li Yuan and was later taken along when Li Yuan sent troops. He never received the letter. Seeing the correspondence, Lady Dou spent a day hastily entrusting her affairs to the Wan family and took a carriage to Hedong to tend to Li Xuanba.

Prefect Ding spent several days intimidating Li Jiancheng. Li Jiancheng, already frightened, was further lured by Ding’s mention of precedent with an uncle, and insisted that it was all the fault of Li Shimin and Li Xuanba—that they were trying to justify “righteous vengeance against one’s own kin.”

Prefect Ding released Li Jiancheng back to Taiyuan and informed Li Yuan of the situation.

By this time, Li Xuanba’s health improved, and he was preparing to return to Taiyuan. He sent a golden eagle to deliver a message to Li Shimin, asking his second brother to fetch him.

Lady Dou, by then already on the road and like a startled bird avoiding main roads, missed Li Jiancheng, who was returning to Taiyuan on horseback via a small path.

When Li Zhiyun went to notify Li Jiancheng that Li Xuanba was returning to Taiyuan, he found that Li Jiancheng had already left, leaving the house empty.

Prefect Ding, noticing Li Xuanba’s recovery and his intention to leave Hedong, tried to place him under house arrest.

At this moment, a sudden twist occurred: on the night Li Xuanba was to meet Prefect Ding, unknown forces infiltrated the garrison troops and set fire, leaving Li Xuanba’s fate uncertain.

When Lady Dou arrived in Hedong, she went with Prefect Ding to Zhuo County to pay respects to the emperor. The servants, unable to stop her in time, rode quickly to Taiyuan to report to Li Yuan.

The servants reached Taiyuan in just three sleepless days, coinciding with Li Jiancheng’s return.

Li Yuan first scolded Li Jiancheng, and when he learned that Lady Dou intended to file a petition to the emperor, he was utterly shocked.

“She’s lost her mind!” Li Yuan fretted like an ant on a hot pan. “A foolish woman thinks reality works like the stories: that a wronged person can just petition the emperor! Does she even know that the first thing petitioners get is the beating post?! Moreover, does she remember she’s the niece of Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou?! Right now, His Majesty is already unsettled by the chaos in the realm, and the Crown Prince has rebelled… sigh!”

The rest of his words were too insubordinate to speak aloud.

As Lady Dou, appearing before the emperor at such a sensitive time might remind him of “remnants of the previous dynasty,” making him think the Crown Prince’s troubles were truly related to the past dynasty.

Although the emperor had no proof, Li Yuan increasingly understood what kind of man Yang Guang was.

Yang Guang did not act based on evidence, only on his mood. Just like now, even as military reports flew into the capital like snowflakes, he stubbornly believed the empire was stable and sent troops to invade Goguryeo. If he refused to believe his own son could rebel, he might imagine a “remnant of the previous dynasty” conspiring for the Crown Prince.

Furthermore, family scandals must not be made public. Li Yuan planned to quietly have Li Yuanji die after being brought back. If the emperor intervened, it could implicate others in the Duke of Tang’s household.

Li Yuan was extremely anxious. He immediately ordered his private soldiers to take a shortcut to Zhuo County and block Lady Dou from seeing the emperor.

A soldier asked, “If Madam refuses to return, what should we do?”

Li Yuan said, “By any means necessary, bring her back! Do not let her see Yang Guang!”

Another asked, “If Madam resists…”

Li Yuan interrupted, “She’s frail. As long as you invoke my authority and are just slightly forceful, she will obediently follow.”

With Li Yuan’s approval, the private soldiers rode to Zhuo County and blocked Lady Dou at the city gate.

Although Lady Dou had departed days earlier, she was in a carriage and could not travel fast. Moreover, she was accompanied by Ding Rong, who needed to rest, so she also had to stop. Li Yuan’s soldiers successfully intercepted Lady Dou at the gate.

Ding Rong, seeing people from the Duke of Tang’s household seeking an audience, knew this was a private family matter and stepped aside.

Lady Dou’s servants, following the Duke’s orders, stopped the carriage.

But the private soldiers never expected that the frail lady, who had appeared weak for decades, would suddenly leap onto her horse, holding the Duke’s order and forcing the way through the crowd toward the palace.

Her action stunned the soldiers; they could only reflexively follow her.

Though they caught up, they dared not collide with her horse, fearing injury.

Several horses tangled until finally stopping in front of the palace.

When Lady Dou dismounted and tried to rush to the palace gate, the soldiers finally had a chance to grab her.

But Lady Dou drew a dagger and swung it. Only when one strong servant’s anger flared was she accidentally injured.

Then Li Shimin arrived.

Lady Dou said, “As long as I can reach the palace gate, they won’t dare interfere, otherwise it would be a breach of court protocol.”

The palace gate marked the boundary of “breaching court protocol.”

Even outside the palace, crowds of commoners gathered. In later Ming and Qing dynasties, regulations were even stricter, but vendors still sold food outside palace gates and provided meals for guards and officials.

Some daring vendors even picked up palace-issued orders to sneak inside and sell buns.

Thus, the palace gate area was noisy, but palace officials did not intervene.

Once inside, however, it became the inner court. Pursuing someone there would constitute a breach of court protocol.

Lady Dou was betting that Li Yuan’s servants would not be harsh with her. As long as she reached the palace gate, she could meet Yang Guang smoothly.

In truth, the strong servants were only following Li Yuan’s orders and had never intended to truly harm Lady Dou; it was entirely an accident.

But when orders come from above, those below suffer—such is the way of the world.

Li Shimin asked, “Why must Mother personally file a complaint to the emperor? It’s dangerous.”

Lady Dou replied, “I hold an imperial mandate. Filing a complaint can protect me from punishment, so it’s not dangerous. My son is in trouble—if I remain too calm, that would be strange.”

In gentle words, Lady Dou conveyed to Li Shimin that even ignoring her emotions, from a purely rational standpoint, with such a major incident at the Tang Guogong household, only Li Shimin had come forward to clarify. Everyone else seemed unconcerned—it simply didn’t make sense.

Out of genuine concern, Lady Dou coming to file the complaint also demonstrated that the Tang Guogong household was kept in the dark and truly innocent.

Therefore, her filing the complaint would not arouse Yang Guang’s suspicion.

“I’m worried your father may still be soft-hearted,” Lady Dou said in a low voice, her words unclear.

Upon hearing this, some of the pain in Li Shimin’s heart finally eased.

A fleeting, faint smile appeared on his face. “Thank you, Mother.”

Hearing this “thank you,” Lady Dou’s sorrow welled up, bittersweet and overwhelming.

How could one merely say thanks? She was the mother of the Second and Third Sons!

Half an hour later, Lady Dou stood before Yang Guang.

She smoothed her slightly disheveled hair, knelt, and said in grief, “I, Lady Dou Huiming, wife of the Tang Guogong, accuse the rebellious son Li Yuanji of unfilial conduct!”

Upon hearing Lady Dou’s formal self-introduction, Yang Guang’s expression momentarily faltered.

He actually knew her name.

Dou Yi was a devout Buddhist, so he named his eldest son “Dou Wenshu.”

But the Northern Zhou Emperor had tried to suppress Buddhism early on. To support the emperor, Dou Yi changed the names of his later children to “Dou Zhaoxian” and “Dou Huiming.”

Emperor Wen of Sui was also a devout Buddhist. Upon returning home, he had jokingly complained to his wife and children about this.

“Dou Zhaoxian, Dou Huiming—these names are still derived from Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Bright Wisdom Bodhisattva. Dou Yi says he supports the emperor, but it’s really perfunctory. The emperor knows it too, yet insists that Dou Yi’s perfunctory support is very deliberate.”

At that time, Yang Xian was only a loyal minister of Northern Zhou, respectful of the emperor and friendly with Dou Yi.

He had joked to Dou Yi: “Your majesty, deliberate perfunctory support is still perfunctory. I think Dou Gong is disloyal—please execute him!”

Dou Yi rolled his eyes: “I read the stars at night and foresee that you are disloyal—please execute you instead!”

The Northern Zhou Emperor laughed at his desk, telling both “disloyal ministers” to get lost.

Because Emperor Wen of Sui had told Yang Guang this amusing story, Yang Guang had a lasting impression of Lady Dou’s “earnest perfunctory” name.

Decades later, hearing the name again, he couldn’t help recalling the voice and manner of the Northern Zhou Emperor.

Yang Guang carefully studied Lady Dou’s appearance.

The last time he had seen her, Li Shimin and Li Xuanba were still children, and she had been radiant.

Now, however, she seemed like an ordinary old woman—her expression despondent, her hair like withered straw, wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and mouth.

Her grief-stricken face no longer showed traces of her youthful beauty or even echoes of the Northern Zhou Emperor’s features.

In Yang Guang’s mind, the image of Empress Xiao also appeared.

Though his interactions were feigned, the decades spent living with Empress Xiao as a real couple were genuine. Even now, though his harem was filled with beauty, he still respected his empress, keeping her with him wherever he went.

The empress had first lost her eldest son, then her second son rebelled. She did not beg for the life of her only remaining son but only pleaded that her second son’s family not be investigated, holding onto the hope that some bloodline remained.

Even knowing that Yang Guang strictly controlled Yang Xian’s household, and that any action would be monitored, she still nurtured such hope after hearing about Li Yuanji’s false accusations.

Her face was as haggard as Lady Dou’s now.

Yang Guang rarely empathized with others, but Empress Xiao was different. While he would not show leniency because of her, seeing Lady Dou Huiming suffer for her child, like Empress Xiao, softened him slightly.

Lady Dou Huiming remained kneeling, unaware of Yang Guang’s softened expression.

Though she was crying, her voice was clear, her words orderly.

“Before the birth of the rebellious son Li Yuanji, I dreamed he was a born calamity, destined to bring disaster. But Third Son’s heart was kind; he secretly rescued Li Yuanji and saved his life.”

“Li Yuanji knew Third Son had saved him but still abused him in every possible way. I tried to protect Third Son and was kicked and cursed by Li Yuanji. When I attempted any discipline, he rolled on the street crying, accusing me of being unkind!”

“My husband acted as a devoted father yet still refused to give up on Li Yuanji, hiring famous tutors to educate him. Li Yuanji not only failed to appreciate my husband’s efforts, but even hated him.”

“He secretly colluded with the Eastern Turks and falsely accused the Tang Guogong household, trying to bring death upon our entire family!”

“I beseech Your Majesty to punish him for his rebellious and unfilial crimes!”

Dou Huiming kept kowtowing, breaking her forehead with each bow.

Li Shimin wanted to help his mother up but was pushed away.

Her face seemed almost deranged: “Li Yuanji deserved to die! If Third Son hadn’t saved him, my husband hadn’t pitied him, he would already be dead! The more you treat him well, the more he hates those who show him kindness! He is no human! A calamity!”

Su Wei frowned. “Erlang, what your mother says—is it true? Did Third Son really save Li Yuanji’s life?”

Li Shimin knelt, cupped his hands, and replied, “Yes. Though it happened many years ago, all the senior servants of the Tang Guogong household know. Grandmother had even told the late emperor.”

Su Wei pondered whether this was indeed true.

If so, Li Yuanji repaying kindness with hatred was not a mere baseless false accusation. Even if the emperor tolerated it, Li Yuanji’s crimes should be punished.

Furthermore, Su Wei had never supported false accusations; it was only that Yang Guang ignored him. If Li Yuanji could be punished, perhaps it could curb the widespread corruption of false accusations both at court and among the people.

Yang Guang thought for a moment and said, “This did happen. I recall my father mentioning it.”

At the time, however, his father had scolded Lady Dou for her poor upbringing, for abandoning her children, and casually praised Li Xuanba for protecting his younger brother.

Such a trivial matter wasn’t something Yang Guang would hold onto. But his memory was excellent, and once Dou Huiming and Li Shimin were mentioned, he immediately recalled the incident.

Su Wei rose and cupped his hands: “Li Yuanji was indeed unfilial and disrespectful, and must be punished! The Great Sui rules the country through filial piety; such unfilial behavior cannot be tolerated!”

Pei Shiju also stood up in agreement: “Because Li Yuanji resented his father’s strict discipline, he sought revenge by secretly colluding with the Eastern Turks, who were at war with the Duke of Tang, setting fires and attempting to kill Li Sanlang. This is not only unfilial—it is treason! Your Majesty, Li Yuanji must be severely punished!”

Pei Yun wasn’t refusing to conform, but he didn’t understand: “It is understandable that Li Yuanji resented the strict discipline of the Duke of Tang. Li Sanlang had shown him kindness; why then would he harm Li Sanlang? And what does this have to do with Li Erlang? Why did he also falsely accuse Li Erlang?”

Li Shimin’s face remained expressionless: “When Li Yuanji was young, he could not beat anyone except for a sickly Xuanba. Li Yuanji often bullied Xuanba. Xuanba had a good temper and tolerated him because he was young, but I could not. So I would give him a harsh beating every few days.”

Pei Yun: “Ah?”

Everyone looked toward Lady Dou.

Dou Huiming almost couldn’t maintain her frenzied expression.

Seeing that Lady Dou had lost her composure, Yang Guang thought there was nothing more to ask and summoned Yu Shinan to court.

As the Emperor’s attendant, Yu Shinan was in a side hall.

Yang Guang asked, “You taught Li Erlang and Li Sanlang to write. Did Li Erlang really often beat Li Yuanji harshly?”

Yu Shinan’s mouth twitched slightly as he cupped his hands: “It is true. Of the ten times Li Erlang was punished with confinement, five were for beating Li Yuanji too severely.”

Li Shimin continued: “His hatred toward me and Xuanba was not only because I often beat him as a child, but also because Xuanba believed that taking him in imposed a responsibility to educate him. Xuanba disciplined him carefully and often urged our father to strictly teach Li Yuanji.”

Yang Guang clicked his tongue, amused: “So there really are born evildoers. This opens my eyes.”

Li Shimin looked at the amused, almost monkey-show-like expression on Yang Guang’s face and lowered his head.

He clenched his teeth, took a few deep breaths, and composed himself: “Your Majesty, Mother is overwhelmed by grief and her mind is unstable. I beg Your Majesty to allow her to retire and rest.”

Dou Huiming hurriedly continued kowtowing: “No, I will not leave!”

Li Shimin said, “Mother, please do not lose decorum before the Emperor and disturb His Majesty.”

Dou Huiming shrank her neck and cowered: “I… I do not wish to disturb Your Majesty…”

Yu Wenshu spoke gently: “Do not frighten your mother. His Majesty’s heart is broad and magnanimous; how could he blame a mother who has lost a son? Your Majesty, have the imperial physician examine the Duchess of Tang.”

Having seen enough drama, Yang Guang was satisfied: “Very well. Li Erlang, help your mother to retire. Send for the imperial physician. You shall stay temporarily in the Empress’s side hall until your mother recovers.”

Li Shimin kowtowed: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness.”

He supported his seemingly frightened mother and backed out of the palace.

After Li Shimin and Dou Huiming left, Yang Guang sighed: “As the saying goes among the people, every household has its difficult scripture to recite.”

His own son’s rebellion was a challenge, but at least he harbored no real murderous intent. Look at Li Yuanji of the Duke of Tang’s household—now that was a truly perverse son.

Yang Guang wondered aloud: “Could someone really be born evil?”

Pei Yun, in charge of the empire’s punishments and having read many strange cases, hurriedly said: “In this vast world, nothing is impossible. I have encountered many naturally evil individuals committing cruel crimes. Your Majesty, if interested, I can compile a few examples for your consideration.”

Pei Yun’s flattery made even the greatest schemer, Yu Wenshu, uncomfortable.

What does “consideration” mean? Can such matters really be “viewed”?

Yet Yang Guang was pleased by Pei Yun’s attentiveness: “No need to rush. I am merely curious; compile them when you have time.”

Pei Yun was delighted: “Yes, Your Majesty,” finding yet another opportunity to flatter the Emperor.

Su Wei shot Pei Yun a displeased glance and brought the topic back: “Your Majesty, how shall we deal with Li Yuanji?”

Yu Wenshu added: “Your Majesty, please allow me to speak candidly. The Great Sui rules by filial piety. The Crown Prince’s attempted coup needs to be handled quietly, without public display. The Li Yuanji case is perfect for warning the unfilial.”

Su Wei glanced at Yu Wenshu. So aligning with the Emperor’s wishes could also be called candid advice?

Pei Shiju thought for a moment: “I have past ties with Li Erlang and Li Sanlang and should avoid speaking too much. However, what General Yu says is right: the priority is to mitigate the impact of the Crown Prince’s affair. Li Yuanji’s emergence is timely.”

Yu Shiji said harshly: “Li Yuanji should be executed and displayed publicly, his head sent to the counties to intimidate the unfilial and disloyal!”

Pei Yun quickly added: “I second that!”

Yang Guang considered and agreed.

The Crown Prince’s rebellion was unfilial and disloyal. Even if he were deeply hated, at most he could be ordered to die, which would not sufficiently warn others. Li Yuanji’s case conveniently replaced him.

Yang Guang nodded: “As you all suggest, summon the County Magistrate of Ding.”

…

Dou Huiming drank a sedative-laced decoction and fell into a deep sleep in the Empress’s side hall.

Empress Xiao visited and took Li Shimin aside: “Li Erlang, did A-hai really leave a child in the world? Speak honestly; this will not reach His Majesty’s ears.”

Li Shimin shook his head gloomily: “Regarding my second cousin’s matter in the rear courtyard, no one knows better than Your Majesty.”

Empress Xiao murmured: “Yes… yes… so it is…”

She slumped and said: “Rest. You have suffered much through this misfortune.”

Li Shimin said: “Your Highness, if it is not too much trouble, could you persuade His Majesty to allow me to bid farewell to my second cousin?”

Empress Xiao’s eyes softened. “With such intentions, His Majesty will grant your request.”

Li Shimin cupped his hands. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After Crown Prince Yang Xian’s armed remonstrance, Empress Xiao had fallen ill, and Princess Nanyang had been constantly at her side. When Empress Xiao returned to her palace, she told Princess Nanyang about this matter.

With a sigh, she said, “When A-Hai became Crown Prince, all the officials rushed to fawn over him, yet Li Erlang and Li Sanlang kept their distance. After A-Hai was thrown into prison, the whole court covered their faces and avoided him—but Li Erlang insisted on going to the jail to see him off. No wonder both Dalang and A-Hai were so fond of them.”

Princess Nanyang’s expression darkened. “They truly are good children.”

Empress Xiao patted the back of her daughter’s hand. “Now that something has happened to A-Hai, you and I cannot drown in sorrow. If His Majesty makes Third Prince the Crown Prince, what will become of us? I am already well enough—you should go back to His Majesty’s side. His heart is in pain, and this is exactly when he needs his children’s company.”

Princess Nanyang sighed softly. “Yes.”

She understood her mother’s meaning.

Her full brothers, Yang Zhao and Yang Xian, had both lost any chance at the throne. Her mother could no longer bear children, so there would never be another full brother to inherit the crown.

Even if Third Prince became emperor in the future and her mother remained Empress Dowager, according to the old precedents of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties, a step‑mother Empress Dowager was often not respected. The emperor’s birth mother’s clan would certainly struggle for power against the empress dowager’s natal family. And as for a princess who could only rely on the emperor’s favor to live well—it would be even harder.

Her mother hoped that His Majesty would name the son of Crown Prince Yuande as the Imperial Grandson, so that in the future the Xiao family would still be the emperor’s maternal relatives.

Princess Nanyang did not wish to involve herself in the struggle for succession, but in their current situation, she had no choice but to fight.

“Mother, we must put in more good words for Li Erlang and Li Sanlang,” Princess Nanyang said, rallying herself. “Both brothers are very close to Dalang and Erlang. If the Third Prince becomes Crown Prince, he will probably be wary of the two of them.”

A sharp light flashed in Empress Xiao’s eyes as she sighed. “For their own sake, they should stand on our side as well.”

Dou Huiming slept for an entire day. By the second day, she seemed to have calmed down and went to Yang Guang to apologize in fear and trembling.

Yang Guang, being a magnanimous emperor, not only did not blame her but even bestowed gold, silver, and silks to comfort this pitiful, half‑mad mother.

Dou Huiming’s miserable appearance made Yang Guang think of his first wife.

Ever since Crown Prince Yang Xian had staged his armed remonstrance, Yang Guang had grown cold toward Empress Xiao. He went to visit her, and amid the playful chatter of his beloved daughter, Princess Nanyang, the estranged couple reconciled.

Seizing the moment, Empress Xiao said, “A-Hai has broken my heart, and I do not wish to see him. But he is, after all, a piece of flesh from my own body—if no one sees him off, I cannot bear it either. Li Sanlang was implicated by him, and his life or death is unknown. Since A-Hai claims to be the elder brother of Li Erlang and Li Sanlang, he should at least apologize to Erlang.”

Seeing what Li Yuanji had done, Yang Guang felt that although Yang Xian’s armed remonstrance had gravely humiliated him, it was not entirely unforgivable.

After all, this was a son he had cherished for many years. With an even more outrageous rebel to compare him to, Yang Guang recovered a little of his fatherly compassion.

He said gently, “Li Erlang has also asked me to let him visit that rebellious son in prison. Very well—common criminals are allowed a full meal before their execution. Let Li Erlang bring him some wine and meat.”

A stab of pain went through Empress Xiao’s heart, but she forced a smile. “Your Majesty is merciful.”

Princess Nanyang hid her hands in her sleeves, digging her fingernails into the backs of her hands until they bruised, barely holding back her tears.

The day before Li Shimin left Zhuojun, he finally received Yang Guang’s permission. Carrying wine and meat, he went to see Yang Xian, who had been imprisoned for many days.

Yang Xian looked haggard, his clothes in tatters, his face covered in grime and scars. The once peerlessly handsome imperial noble now looked like a beggar by the roadside.

“Daxiong, why are you here?” Yang Xian cried out in shock when he saw Li Shimin. “You shouldn’t have come!”

After the jailer left, Li Shimin set down the wine jar and food basket. Ignoring the filth on the floor, he sat down cross‑legged and said, “I’ve come to see you off. His Majesty has given permission—don’t worry.”

Yang Xian craned his neck to look behind him. “Where’s Dade? He didn’t come too, did he? He’s in poor health—don’t keep dragging him around!”

Not seeing Li Xuanba, Yang Xian let out a breath of relief. “Good, good. At least this time you had some sense and didn’t bring Dade with you.”

Li Shimin tugged at the corner of his mouth. He wanted to tell Yang Xian about Xuan’s situation, but seeing the bright yet gentle look in Yang Xian’s filthy face, he swallowed the words.

He smiled. “Do you really think I have no sense of proportion? Do you know how much danger I’m in just by coming to see you after what happened? If A‑Xuan had insisted on coming, I would’ve knocked him out, tied him up, and locked him in his room so he couldn’t follow me.”

Yang Xian snorted. “Fine, fine. Too bad A‑Xuan can’t hear this. I really want to see whether you’d dare be so arrogant in front of him.”

Li Shimin laughed. “I’m his elder brother. It’s only natural for me to discipline my little brother.”

“Yes, yes.” Yang Xian opened the food basket. “I haven’t had a proper meal in ages. Come—drink and eat with your cousin to your heart’s content!”

Li Shimin took out a bowl and poured the wine. “Come—let’s drink until we’re drunk!”

They didn’t mention the armed remonstrance at all, drinking together just as they used to.

Li Shimin slept drunkenly in the prison that night.

The next day, he took his leave of Yang Xian.

“Second Cousin, I’m going back to Zhangye to fight the Turks.”

“Go. The frontiers of the Great Sui are in your hands now. Take care.”

“Mm. Second Cousin, take care.”

Li Shimin left without looking back.

Yang Xian smiled as he watched Li Shimin go, until the prison door closed and cut them off from each other.

The smile faded from Yang Xian’s face.

He lay sprawled on the ground, murmuring to himself, “Did something happen to Dade? Is he sick? He must take care… I’m still waiting for the two of you to burn some incense for me during the festivals.”

After saying that, he let out a long sigh and mocked himself. “I’m about to die, yet I still have the leisure to worry about others. How strange. I don’t seem afraid of death at all—it doesn’t feel like me.”

Then he smiled again. “Perhaps because dying now is far less painful than dying after watching the Great Sui collapse with my own eyes.”

…

After leaving the prison, Li Shimin didn’t wash or change clothes; he went straight with his subordinates waiting at the prison gate and left Zhuo Commandery.

He had originally planned to first escort his mother back to Taiyuan, but his mother insisted he go directly to Zhangye.

Dou Huiming said, “Leave matters in Taiyuan to your mother. She will handle them properly. You must trust A-Xuan. If he says he can return to Zhangye, then he will. Go back quickly and wait for him.”

Li Shimin replied, “Thank you, Mother. I’m sorry to trouble you.”

Dou Huiming choked up, “Don’t thank me. I’m your mother—how could it be a trouble?”

Li Shimin pressed his lips together and forced a smile. “Sorry. Mother… you are right. I will rely on you. Please tell Aunt Wan that Xiao Wu should be fine—A-Xuan has been protecting him very well. But it’s still better for Xiao Wu to return directly to Zhangye. Forgive him for not being filial and not returning to Taiyuan to ease Aunt Wan’s mind.”

Dou Huiming held Li Shimin’s hands tightly and said, “It’s best for Xiao Wu to return to Zhangye. Only when he’s there, by your side, will Lady Wan feel at ease.”

Li Shimin said, “Yes. I will protect A-Xuan and Xiao Wu. Mother and Aunt, please rest assured. Mother, I should go now.”

“Go, go, and be careful on the road,” Dou Huiming said, releasing his hands and adjusting the collar of his fur cloak. “If the snow hasn’t melted on the way, rest for a few days and travel slowly. Pay close attention to safety.”

Li Shimin nodded. “Yes, Mother.”

Dou Huiming felt a sharp pang in her heart, but her smile did not waver. “Go quickly. If you delay, it will get dark. Mother should set off too.”

After bidding farewell to his mother, Li Shimin mounted his horse and left alongside the silent Changsun Kangning.

Only after they had gone did Dou Huiming board her carriage.

“Return to Taiyuan.”