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"Boom!"
A bolt of lightning struck down from the dark clouds like a spear, shaking the entire Chang'an three times. Ever since the Sovereign performed the rain sacrifice, heavy rain had fallen for three days and nights. Tonight, it had finally calmed down for a little while, but now dark clouds gathered again, and thunder rumbled ominously, signaling that another downpour was imminent.
Inside the Prince's Residence at Anxi Palace, Li Zhi was lightly dozing on his couch when he was startled awake by the thunder. He sat up abruptly, beads of sweat covering his forehead.
Just as he was about to call for a Court Lady to attend to him, he heard a loud bang as the door burst open. His close attendant rushed in with a look of panic on his face, startling Li Zhi even more. If this attendant hadn’t been someone he trusted for many years, he might have suspected him of having ulterior motives.
The attendant was an old man who knew the palace rules well, but given the gravity of the situation, he disregarded decorum and hurriedly knelt at Li Zhi's feet, speaking in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Sovereign is gravely ill. Please hurry to the Hall of Wind!"
Li Zhi's heart sank. Without even putting on his shoes, he hastily threw on a robe and dashed out of his room. He passed through the Jinhua Gate and ran toward the Hall of Wind, splashing through puddles that soaked his trousers. He nearly slipped several times along the way but paid no mind to it.
Since the rain sacrifice, Li Shimin's health had deteriorated significantly; he had been unconscious for three days and nights with a high fever that wouldn’t subside. The Imperial Medical Office staff and Court Ladies had been tirelessly attending to him day and night. Li Zhi was already exhausted; he had only just returned to Anxi Palace for a brief rest after seeing that the Sovereign's condition had stabilized somewhat. He never expected to receive such dreadful news so soon after falling asleep!
"Quickly summon Changsun Guojiu!" Li Zhi reminded his attendant. The attendant hurried out of the Prince's Residence and mounted a fast horse to race toward the Duke's residence.
Raindrops hit his face, making Li Zhi feel particularly alert. His emotions were complex at this moment; there was no sadness or joy—only deep guilt.
He knew he lacked talent and determination and was timid by nature. Although Li Chengqian enjoyed great favor among the princes, the position of heir apparent ultimately fell to him, Li Zhi. Wasn’t that enough to show how much Li Shimin cared for him?
But it still wasn’t enough—not nearly enough!
He continued to demand everything from this father who had suffered long from illness, including that crown atop his head!
At this moment, Li Zhi realized he could not face his father without shame. He asked his attendant to summon Changsun Wuji because he feared being at a loss in front of his father and worried he wouldn’t be able to handle the situation.
Court Ladies and imperial physicians stood silently outside the Hall of Wind. Seeing Li Zhi rush in in such a panic made them lower their heads quickly; some maidens began to weep quietly, tears streaming down their faces. The more anxious Li Zhi felt, the more it seemed like standing at the mouth of a ferocious beast. Yet he gritted his teeth and steeled himself to push open the door and enter.
A cold wind swept into the Hall of Wind as the door opened, pushing against the screen and spreading out to both sides, causing the candle flames to flicker. The continuous flashes of lightning outside sounded like they were striking directly at the soul, tightening every nerve in the body.
Li Zhi walked around the screen and approached the Dragon Couch. Li Shimin looked frail and emaciated, his cheeks sunken, leaving only his eyes shining with a faint light, a reflection of the last remnants of vitality sustaining him.
"Father..."
Li Zhi collapsed beside Li Shimin's bed, tightly grasping his hand, which felt cold and dry like a piece of hardened old wood. Li Shimin managed to force a smile.
"Zhi Nuer, you finally came. Where is Sister Si?" Li Shimin's mind was still somewhat clear; heaven had granted him a final bit of strength to see the path to ascend, preventing him from getting lost along the way. He used this last bit of energy to bid farewell to his most beloved children.
At that moment, looking at her dying father, Li Zhi recalled their childhood memories and thought that if only Father could live a little longer, she would willingly give up the throne.
Li Shimin could sense this sentiment in Li Zhi's eyes. With great difficulty, he raised his hand to touch her face, his eyes filled with love, reminiscent of the first time he saw newborn Li Zhi in Empress Changsun's arms.
"Father, Sister Si is on her way; she will be here soon..." Tears rolled down Li Zhi's cheeks. She was never a strong person and felt utterly lost now. Earlier, she had felt ashamed to face her father and believed she could not confront him. All those worries vanished, leaving only overwhelming sadness and reluctance. It was only at this moment that she realized how deeply she loved her father.
"Zhi Nuer... Father is leaving. There are a few things I need to entrust to you; you must remember them well..." Li Shimin's chest emitted abnormal wheezing sounds as if his lungs were riddled with holes. Gathering some strength, he slowly began to speak.
"Xu Shiji is intelligent and deep-minded, but you have no bond with him... I fear... fear you cannot rely on him. Now Father has dismissed him; if he... if he leaves for his post without hesitation after my death, you may reinstate him as your advisor. If he hesitates or lingers, then... then eliminate him to prevent future troubles!"
Li Zhi was taken aback by her father's words; even in death, he was still worrying about her succession and concerned that the Elder Ministers might bully his son. To ensure her smooth ascension, he was willing to dismiss long-serving ministers and send them away!
"He... he has always been protecting me..." Li Zhi could no longer see her father's smile as tears blurred her vision. Only now did she understand why her father nurtured Xu Zhen; if Li Shimin did not trust Li Jue, how could he trust Changsun Wuji?
From the moment he spoke without addressing Li Jue by name but instead calling him Xu Shiji—returning to his original name—he intended to remind Li Zhi that Li Jue was never truly one of the Li family and that Changsun Wuji also did not bear the surname Li. The only ones she could rely on were herself!
Now that Li Shimin is gone, he can no longer protect you, Li Zhi, as he did before. From now on, you will have to rely on yourself...
In an instant, Li Zhi understood these thoughts and recalled that he had even entertained the idea of killing Li Shimin to seize the throne early. He felt an overwhelming sense of shame, as if he were a child who had made a mistake, crying uncontrollably in his father's embrace.
Li Shimin smiled and stroked Li Zhi's head. At that moment, Li Zhi seemed to transform back into that shy child in his eyes, the innocent child who never harbored any schemes. He touched the white hair that had sprouted from Li Zhi's years of service and couldn't help but shed tears.
"Zhi Nuer... to be so filial and loving... I, Li Shimin, have no regrets in this life even if I die!"
Hearing his father's words only deepened Li Zhi's sorrow. He could not contain his pain, and tears streamed down his face.
Just then, a gust of wind blew through the door, causing the candlelight to flicker. Changsun Wuji stumbled in, soaked with water, and collapsed beside them. Li Shimin reached out to touch Changsun Wuji's cheek but remained silent as the latter wept uncontrollably.
Having spoken too much with Li Zhi and exhausted his strength, Li Shimin found himself unable to speak anymore; he could only cry silently. After a while, Zhu Suiliang was summoned. It was then that Li Shimin gathered his last bit of strength to entrust his final wishes.
"I... entrust all matters to you all. The Crown Prince... is benevolent and filial; you all know this and should guide him well..." Li Shimin feared that once he took his last breath, he would not be able to speak again. He turned to the Crown Prince and added, "With Wuji and Suiliang here, you... you need not worry about the world..."
Li Zhi was heartbroken but knew this was already Li Shimin's final moments. He hurriedly wiped away his tears. Li Shimin then said to Zhu Suiliang: "Wuji has been loyal to me; I... have been able to hold the Tang Empire because of Wuji's contributions. After I die... do not let any petty people sow discord... The Xu Zhen can be reused..."
Li Shimin wanted to say more, but he had already lost his breath. It seemed he could no longer hold on; his chest heaved violently like a broken bellows, and his eyes were filled with reluctance for the Tang Empire. After a long while, he finally calmed down but did not have time to mention the Xu Zhen again and could only let Zhu Suiliang draft a will.
Zhu Suiliang composed himself, wiped away his tears, and began drafting the will. However, just as he wrote halfway through, Li Mingda burst in. Li Shimin had to pause again and bid farewell to Li Mingda with tears.
"Zhi Nuer, Sister Si is my gem... no matter what... she must not be wronged... ensure she and the Xu Zhen are settled..."
At this moment, Li Zhi had already understood his father's good intentions and immediately agreed. Zhu Suiliang was about to continue drafting the will when Li Shimin widened his eyes and reached out into the air as if trying to grasp something, hoarsely calling out: "Guanyin Maid... Second Brother... Second Brother has come... Second Brother has come looking for you..."
Li Zhi felt his heart wrench as he heard his father calling for his mother by her childhood name on his deathbed. However, Li Shimin's hand suddenly fell limp, and the great emperor had finally passed away!
"Father!" Li Zhi and Li Mingda cried out simultaneously, bursting into tears. Outside, thunder rumbled and lightning flashed, and with a loud crash, the heavy rain finally poured down!
Changsun Wuji, fearing that Li Zhi was overwhelmed with grief, gently patted Li Zhi's shoulder to offer comfort. Li Zhi threw himself into Changsun Wuji's embrace, sobbing uncontrollably in utter despair.
Seeing Li Zhi so fragile, Changsun Wuji's expression darkened. He wiped away his own tears and urged Li Zhi to handle the many affairs that needed attention to calm both the court and the people outside. However, Li Zhi paid no heed and continued to weep. Finally, Changsun Wuji could not hold back any longer and scolded, "His Majesty entrusted the Ancestral Temple and the state to you; how can you act like a mere commoner who only knows how to cry!"
Li Zhi suddenly looked up at Changsun Wuji as if seeing a stranger; where had the obedient demeanor of this uncle gone?
When Li Zhi stopped crying, Changsun Wuji continued, "The imperial edict has yet to be completed. If we announce the Sovereign's passing now, it will surely give others an opportunity to exploit. You must return to the palace first!"
Li Zhi had lost all sense of direction and could only follow Changsun Wuji's arrangements. Zhu Suiliang felt displeased at Changsun Wuji's control over everything, but at this moment, Li Zhi's weakness was glaringly evident.
Li Zhi wanted to take Li Mingda with him, but she was unwilling to leave. In desperation, he had no choice but to drag his sister away forcibly. Once outside the palace, he was startled to see Cheng Zhijie leading the Flying Cavalry troops waiting outside; Changsun Wuji had evidently been well-prepared!
Cheng Zhijie commanded the Flying Cavalry to escort Li Zhi back to court for succession, followed by many elite infantry soldiers and various generals. After the passing of a great emperor, they were managing to keep everything under wraps!
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