TPGA - 42

Chapter 42: The Imperial Edict

Mentioning this, Jiang Caiping quickly said, “Exactly! Seeing you grab the sword and kill someone earlier shocked me senseless. I remember once when we went to the kitchen, Auntie Li was slaughtering a chicken, and you turned pale with fright and rushed out without daring to look back. But this time…” She covered her cheeks and exclaimed, “I almost thought I was dreaming!”

Yunyi forced a faint smile. “As I told Second Master, I was so terrified at the time that I didn’t know what I was doing. Now, looking back, I can hardly believe it myself—a living human life… ended because of me. Caiping, do you think… will I face retribution for this?”

“Of course not!” Jiang Caiping wrinkled her delicate nose. “Though killing is a sin, you did it to save someone. Besides, Shen Moping tried to assassinate the governor—he deserved to die a thousand times over. Didn’t Second Master also say you performed a great deed and would reward you?”

Yunyi bit back the bitterness in her heart and said, “That may be true, but it was still a human life.” Although Jiang Caiping treated her kindly, it was all based on the identity of “Mei Xue.” She couldn’t confide her true pain to Jiang Caiping; everything had to be borne alone.

After comforting her for a while, Jiang Caiping noticed that Yunyi remained despondent. “Alright, Sister, stop thinking about these things. You woke up so early today—let me help you lie down and rest a little longer.”

Yunyi nodded, allowing Jiang Caiping to tuck her into bed. Once she closed her eyes and appeared to fall asleep, Jiang Caiping quietly slipped out of the room.

The moment she left, Yunyi, who should have been sound asleep, abruptly opened her eyes. Her gaze was icy cold.

From this moment on, she vowed not only to kill Li Yuan but also Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin. Both of them were responsible for Moping’s death. Until she avenged him, she would not rest!

Meanwhile, Li Shimin hurried to Songtao Residence. Li Yuan had mostly recovered and was speaking with Xiahou Duan when he saw Li Shimin enter alone. Surprised, he asked, “Where’s your older brother? Why hasn’t he come?”

“Father, while interrogating Shen Moping earlier, Big Brother was bitten on the leg and is now being treated at Qingchun Garden. He’ll be here later.”

Li Yuan had always favored his eldest son and knew of his leg ailment. Upon hearing this, he immediately asked, “Is it serious? Have you sent for a doctor?”

“Please don’t worry, Father. I’ve already summoned Doctor Xu to treat Big Brother at Qingchun Garden. He specializes in bone injuries and has been treating Big Brother’s condition for a long time. It shouldn’t be a major issue. I’ll check on him shortly, and if there’s no problem, I’ll have him brought here in a soft sedan chair.”

Li Yuan waved his hand dismissively. “There’s no need for such trouble. Tell him that I won’t be in the mansion for a while. Though there are officials to handle matters like governing the people, resolving disputes, and rooting out corruption, you and Jiancheng should still keep an eye on things when you have time. Don’t be careless. Xuanba has a fiery temper, so both of you as elder brothers should watch over him and ensure he doesn’t cause any trouble. As for the affairs of the mansion, I’ll leave them to your second mother.” At this point, he recalled something and added, “By the way, has the other assassin been captured?”

Li Shimin shook his head. “Not yet, but Father, rest assured. The mansion is heavily guarded; she won’t escape. I will capture her as soon as possible.” Then, with a puzzled tone, he asked, “But… Father, your health hasn’t fully recovered yet. Where are you going?”

Li Yuan didn’t respond. Instead, Xiahou Duan stood up, took the imperial edict from the altar, and handed it to Li Shimin. “See for yourself.”

After unfolding and reading the edict, Li Shimin exclaimed in shock, “The Emperor has summoned Father to the capital for an audience? But Father only left the capital a few months ago to take up his post in Honghua Prefecture. Why would the Emperor suddenly issue such an urgent decree?”

Xiahou Duan replied, “Your father was just attacked by assassins a few days ago, and today the Emperor sends an urgent imperial edict. It’s hard to imagine this bodes well.”

Li Shimin’s expression changed drastically, and he said fearfully, “Could it be that the Emperor, upon learning of the failed assassination attempt, has grown impatient and now intends to harm Father? If that’s the case, Father absolutely must not go to the capital.”

Li Yuan responded calmly, “No, even if the Emperor disregards our familial ties as subjects, he must still consider the situation in Hedong. He wouldn’t act rashly. This summons is likely for an important matter.”

Xiahou Duan countered, “If that’s true, why is the edict so vague and lacks specific details about the purpose of the summons?”

Li Yuan fell silent for a moment before saying, “Regardless, since the Emperor has issued the decree, as his subject, I must comply. Otherwise, it would be considered defiance, and the Li family’s situation would become even more perilous.”

Xiahou Duan urged anxiously, “But this is a path to certain death! Why are you so stubborn and refuse to listen to reason?”

Li Yuan sighed deeply. “I understand what you mean, Brother Xiahou, but do you truly think this is the best time? You know how many troops I have at my disposal, and we lack sufficient supplies. If it comes to that, we won’t last long. To take that step, we must be fully prepared. Otherwise, it would be akin to a lamb fighting a tiger.”

“I know Brother Li is going to the capital to reassure the Emperor and prove that you harbor no rebellious intentions. But do you really think the Emperor will believe you? If anything happens to you, the entire Li family will be wiped out—no one will survive!”

Li Yuan spoke gravely, “What we lack most right now is time. If I had another year, I’d have enough confidence to fight one decisive battle.”

With these words, the room fell into silence, broken only by a series of urgent knocks on the door. It was one of Li Yuan’s trusted guards. After being summoned in, the guard presented a letter, saying, “Governor, an urgent report from the capital.”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuan quickly took the letter. After reading it, his face grew even darker than before. Li Shimin cautiously asked, “Father, has something happened in the capital?”

Li Yuan slowly uttered eleven words: “Yang Xuangan has rebelled, and Li Mi is also his accomplice!”

Yang Xuangan was the son of Yang Su, who had served as a high-ranking official during the reign of the previous emperor. Yang Su played a crucial role in helping Yang Guang ascend to the throne. After Yang Su’s death, his son Yang Xuangan inherited his title, becoming the Duke of Chu and serving as Minister of Rites—a prominent figure in the court. Now, however, he had risen in rebellion.

As for Li Mi, he came from a prestigious family. During the Kaihuang era, he inherited his father’s title as the Duke of Puyang. A man of great talent and ambition, skilled in both military strategy and governance, Li Mi harbored lofty aspirations to save the world and aid the people. After inheriting his title, he once distributed his wealth to help relatives and friends, show respect to talented individuals, and gather many retainers under his wing, never sparing expenses.

After Yang Guang ascended the throne, Li Mi was appointed as Commander of the Imperial Guard and later as a palace attendant. However, after Yuwen Shu remarked that his talents were better suited for benefiting the people rather than serving as a lowly palace guard, Li Mi agreed and resigned from his post to focus on studying. He and Yang Xuangan were close friends, and this time, Li Mi became the strategist behind Yang Xuangan’s rebellion.