Alarmed Li Shimin

Li Zhi’s mind was extraordinarily clear at this moment. He arranged everything meticulously, ensuring that all matters were handled in an orderly fashion. After instructing Liu An and the others, he swiftly produced a suturing needle and fishing gut thread. Next, to the astonishment of everyone present, he deftly threaded the needle and began stitching up the wounded guard’s injury. He had practiced these actions many times on various animals, so his hands moved with practiced ease, never faltering.

Li Zhi’s small hands danced over the wound like butterflies flitting among flowers, weaving the thread back and forth. To Liu An and the others, it looked as if he were sewing a garment. The armor had offered good protection; at least the guard’s wounds hadn’t reached the bone. Though the cut was deep, it hadn’t been torn open, which effectively reduced blood loss.

Despite Li Zhi’s composed appearance, he was in truth treating a dying horse as if it were a living one, improvising in a desperate situation. Two worries gnawed at him: first, he could not be sure if alcohol disinfectant would be effective for such wounds; second, he didn’t know if the guard had already lost too much blood. After all, in his previous life, he’d never studied medicine nor suffered a severe injury himself. He had no advanced electronic instruments at hand to monitor the patient’s vital signs. All he could do now was hasten the pace of his stitching.

Just as he was about to finish closing one wound, Sun Simiao hurried into the prince’s residence, accompanied by Li Zhi’s medical tutor, Sun Hui Pu. The two had been discussing medical matters together when they heard of the incident, and immediately rushed over. Once they confirmed Li Zhi was unharmed, they began suturing wounds for Chai Long and Liu An. Meanwhile, all of Chang’an was swiftly locked down.

The nominal chief officer of Jingzhao Prefecture, Li Zhe, nearly fainted upon hearing of the attack on Li Zhi. Li Zhi was not only the emperor’s favored prince but also the governor of Yongzhou—Li Zhe’s direct superior. Now Li Zhi had been assaulted within Chang’an itself. Wasn’t this a direct threat to Li Zhe’s own life?

It took Li Zhe a long moment to steady his trembling body.

He then shouted with earth-shattering urgency: "All officers of Jingzhao Prefecture, assemble immediately! Notify the sixteen guards of the Southern Palace to seal off the entire city of Chang’an—not even a fly is to escape!"

His throat threatened to tear from the force of his cry. That shout sent Jingzhao Prefecture into chaos. A bailiff preparing to deliver orders asked, "Sir, under what authority is this order issued?"

Li Zhe’s lips quivered as he replied, "Something terrible has happened—the Prince of Jin has been attacked!"

The bailiff, hearing this, collapsed to the ground with a thud. But he sprang up as if propelled by springs, dashing toward the stables at lightning speed. Within moments, he was riding out of the office and galloping onto the main street, heedless of disturbing the populace. If he delayed even a little, he might lose his own head.

After the initial chaos, Jingzhao Prefecture fell quiet. Li Zhe sent his deputy to personally lead men to secure the crime scene, while he himself hurried toward the Ministry of Justice. This matter was far too great for a mere prefectural registrar like him to handle alone. Now, his only duty was to carry out his responsibilities, relay orders, and report the incident up the chain. As for his own fate, he had no time to consider it.

When he arrived at the Ministry of Justice, Li Daozong was preparing to leave for the day. Upon hearing Li Zhe’s report, Li Daozong spat out the last sip of his tea in shock, coughing violently as he pointed tremblingly at Li Zhe. "You… cough, cough… what did you say?"

Li Zhe, face full of despair, repeated, "The Prince of Jin was just attacked. Three men were wounded; the prince is temporarily unharmed."

Li Daozong finally caught his breath, slapped his thigh, and leaped up. With an exclamation, he rushed toward the imperial palace. Li Zhe heard only, "Seal off the scene at once!" before Li Daozong’s figure vanished from sight.

Emperor Taizong had finished his work early that day. He had already arranged tomorrow’s outing and was confirming the accompanying staff with Empress Zhangsun. As he relaxed and conversed with the empress, Li Daozong suddenly requested an audience outside the Hall of Governance.

Taizong’s brows furrowed. News of his upcoming journey had already been circulated—Li Daozong’s request at this hour seemed only to add to his troubles. As the emperor was about to ask Zhang Anan to refuse the request, Empress Zhangsun intervened, "It must be urgent. Husband, you should see him!"

Taizong sighed and nodded to Zhang Anan. Outside the hall, Zhang Anan found Li Daozong pacing anxiously like an ant on a hot pan. Curious, he asked, "Minister, what has happened to make you so anxious?"

Li Daozong replied, "Something terrible has happened! The Prince of Jin has just been attacked!"

Zhang Anan’s face turned deathly pale at the news. Steeling himself, he asked, "How is he? Was he… wounded?"

Li Daozong shook his head, "The prince is temporarily unharmed; three of his men were injured."

Zhang Anan exhaled deeply, then hurriedly said, "Sir, come with me to see His Majesty at once."

Without further ado, he spun and rushed toward the main hall, disregarding all protocol. At the entrance, he called out anxiously, "Your Majesty, something has happened—the Prince of Jin has just been attacked!"

Hearing this, even the battle-hardened Taizong could not help but leap from his chair. Empress Zhangsun clutched her forehead and nearly fainted. Thankfully, Zhang Anan continued relaying the information as he entered, not pausing for breath.

After hearing the report, Taizong snatched up a teacup and hurled it to the ground, roaring in fury, "What is Jingzhao Prefecture good for? And the sixteen guards of the Southern Palace? How could my imperial son be assassinated within Chang’an city?"

Li Daozong, just arriving at the entrance, was so terrified by Taizong’s words that he dared not enter, standing with head bowed outside the Hall of Governance.

Empress Zhangsun, reassured by the news that Li Zhi was unharmed, quickly recovered and comforted Taizong, "Husband, please calm yourself. The most important thing now is to swiftly uncover the mastermind behind this."

Taizong took a deep breath and said to the empress, "Tomorrow’s plans are canceled. I must see who dares to lay such a vicious hand on my son."