Chapter 35: A Key Figure in the Prince of Qi's Mansion, Consort Yang the Younger

Half an hour later, A'Gui was supported as he emerged from Jing Junhong’s room. His clothes were soaked through with sweat, and his legs were so weak he could barely stand.

"How is the old General Jing?" Li Shimin stepped forward, his brow furrowed. Wen He had previously stated that both Jing Junhong and Lü Shiheng would die at the Xuanwu Gate. Since Lü Shiheng had now taken men to the Prince of Qi’s residence, he was certainly safe. Li Shimin had hoped that with Liu Shili and the others present, Jing Junhong might also escape his fate, yet he had not expected such a turn of events.

"The wound has been sutured. It depends now on whether he can pull through. If his body develops a fever or the wound festers, there will be danger. From now on, keep unnecessary people out."

Li Shimin nodded faintly, his brow still knit. He knew Wen He had done his best.

"This lowly one greets His Highness." A'Gui, having finally caught his breath, hurried forward to pay his respects. Li Shimin glanced at him with an indifferent expression. It was not that he lacked an eye for talent, but such a minor figure simply did not merit his attention.

Seeing this, Wen He felt a touch of indignation. He walked over to A'Gui’s side and said with a smile, "Your handiwork is excellent. You stitched him up quite well; you are a man of talent." When he had helped change Jing Junhong’s bandages, he had been genuinely surprised by the stitching on the wound. Because time was tight and there had been no time to prepare sheepgut sutures, he had been worried that removing the stitches later might cause a secondary infection, but A'Gui’s skill had effectively mitigated that trouble.

"You are too kind, my lord. This is simply the trade I rely on to put food on the table," A'Gui replied with a pale, bitter smile. Today had been an eye-opener; the people he had seen and the things he had done—if he boasted about this back home, it would surely shock everyone he knew.

"Why not have him stay? In the future, if there are any more external wounds to stitch, we won't have to scramble to find someone at the last minute."

A'Gui was just feeling happy, contemplating how much of a reward he might receive, when he heard the young nobleman’s suggestion. He froze. Stay here? This was the Prince of Qin’s residence, the third most prestigious place in all of the Tang Dynasty. His entire body began to tremble, unable to suppress his excitement. A coroner was considered of the lowliest status, with a monthly salary of only a few hundred coins, someone to be summoned and dismissed at will. If he could enter the Prince of Qin’s residence, he would be soaring to the top of the social ladder.

"Since that is the case, let him stay. Send someone to Chang'an County to inform them." To Li Shimin, this was merely a trivial matter.

"Thank you, Your Highness! Thank you, my lord!" He knelt down with a thud and was about to kowtow when Wen He stopped him.

"No need to kneel. This is a good thing; there will be plenty of use for you in the future." Wen He patted his shoulder. A'Gui could hardly contain himself, his mouth stretching into a grin that reached his ears. "Your kindness is immense, my lord. This one will surely serve His Highness with all his heart in the future." He was a bit flustered, the surprise having come so suddenly. He wanted to continue fawning, but was cut short by a cold tone from Zhangsun Wuji.

"Enough. Go with the others. Who will take him to Chang'an County to settle the matter and strike his name from the registry of the low-born?" Zhangsun Wuji could make such minor decisions on Li Shimin’s behalf.

A'Gui did not kneel again but offered a respectful, deep bow. Knowing these nobles surely had other matters to attend to, he left obediently with one of the Black Armor Guards.

"Regarding the alcohol you mentioned earlier—can it really help the old General?" Seeing the wine jars, Li Shimin suddenly recalled what Wen He had said.

"It is possible, but..."

"No 'buts.' Whatever you need, I shall grant it."

"Very well, then I shall give it a try."

To produce alcohol, the most important component was a distiller. Limited by the technology of this era, Wen He had to simplify the design. Fortunately, he had learned how to build a rudimentary distiller from his instructor during wilderness survival training in his previous life. He asked for paper and brush, wrote down the materials he needed, and drew a simple diagram.

Li Shimin immediately ordered it to be built. In less than half an hour, a simple wooden distiller stood before him.

"We have brought all the copper piping from the estate. If it is not enough, we can have more forged immediately." The one who brought the distiller was a young man in his twenties with a short beard and a dust-covered face.

"This is Yan Liben, son of the former dynasty's Palace Inspector Yan Pi. He is currently an official in my treasury." When Li Shimin introduced Yan Liben, Wen He’s eyes lit up. Although he had seen many historical figures over the past two days, this one was different. Despite being born into a prestigious family with a silver spoon in his mouth, he was willing to immerse himself in craftsmanship. Most importantly, he was a famous painter of the Tang Dynasty; any one of his paintings would surely fetch an astronomical price in the future.

"Ahem!" Seeing Wen He’s mouth slightly agape, Li Shimin gave a soft cough. He was currently too nervous; whenever he saw a look of surprise on Wen He’s face, he assumed the boy was about to say something startling again.

"So it is Master Yan. I have long admired your name," Wen He greeted with a bow. He knew what Li Shimin’s cough meant and couldn't help but complain silently: *Are you really that wary of me? I know how to read the room, you know.*

"Greetings, Young Master Wen." Yan Liben had not noticed Wen He’s expression just now, but he was curious about the boy’s identity. A ten-year-old youth, yet he had become a guest of honor for the Prince of Qin. Who exactly was this person?

"Ahem, you two should stop exchanging pleasantries. When I host a banquet in a few days, you can talk then. For now, let us get that alcohol produced as quickly as possible." Li Shimin was anxious. If this alcohol could truly treat Jing Junhong’s wounds, it would be a development capable of changing the entire Tang military. In the future, wounded soldiers on the battlefield would have a chance at survival. He had seen too many soldiers die from untreated external wounds over the years.

"Understood. Let’s begin." Wen He recalled his memories from his past life and began the process step by step.

While Yan Liben had been building the distiller, he had been extremely curious about what this strange-looking device was; now, he was even more curious about the alcohol. Having a high-ranking military official of the fifth grade personally assisting was nothing—did they not see the Prince of Qin, Zhangsun Wuji, and the Duke of Su, Cheng Zhijie, all waiting to follow Young Master Wen’s instructions? Looking at this scene, ordinary fifth-grade officials would not even be qualified to participate, let alone the servants.

However, Li Shimin did not stay long. Just as Wen He began the production, someone rushed in to report. Seeing the arrival, Li Shimin signaled to those around him. The vigilant Black Armor Guards immediately drove the servants out.

"Speak." Once only the core members of the Prince of Qin’s residence remained in the courtyard, Li Shimin asked.

"Reporting to Your Highness, General Lü sent word that someone from the Prince of Qi’s residence wishes to seek an audience with you. This person is of high status, and he dared not make the decision himself."

Someone of high status from the Prince of Qi’s residence? The Prince of Qi was dead; what person of high status could remain? Wen He, who was tending the fire, looked over upon hearing this. He saw Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji exchange a glance; both seemed to have guessed who it was.

*An important person from the Prince of Qi’s residence... Lady Yang the Younger?!*

He quickly covered his mouth, preventing his thoughts from slipping out. But his movement caused him to bump into something nearby, and the sound of the object shattering immediately drew a scrutinizing gaze from Li Shimin.