Duke of Zhenguan

The cell was clean, with straw mats and a small window.

Lin Chuan wasn't entirely sure whether Pei Xu had killed himself. Logically, even though he had been hit on the head a few times, he was still able to speak clearly when he left, so it was unlikely that he would have died.

"If someone frames me, the price would be too high, wouldn't it?"

Leaning back on the haystack, Lin Chuan muttered to himself.

Besides, why frame him? He hasn't done anything outrageous yet, is it really necessary to make such a fuss?

He wasn't really afraid, just like he asked Cheng Chumo before he took action: even if he killed Pei Xu, would Li Shimin use him to pay for Pei Xu's life?

Definitely not. Li Shimin was indeed ruthless, killing his brothers and even his nephews, but he was very protective of his own people.

He can be considered one of Li Shimin's men, right?

Even if Li Shimin is impartial and incorruptible, at worst he can reveal his identity as a time traveler; if he loses his freedom, so be it!

This is a good opportunity to tell Li Shimin about history and see how figures like Li Shimin, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Changsun Wuji, and Wei Zheng would react after learning about history...

Thinking wildly about all sorts of random things.

Suddenly, the prison door was kicked open, and Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao, dressed in armor, walked in one after the other.

Lin Chuan wasn't surprised. Both of them worked for the Imperial Guard; it would be strange if they didn't arrive quickly. He smiled and asked:

"What happened?"

"Pei Xu is dead. I heard that he vomited blood after being carried back from Qunfanglou and passed away early this morning. His father took the body to Dali Temple to report the case this afternoon!" Cheng Chumo said.

"Has the coroner examined the body?" Lin Chuan asked.

"It's been examined, and they say it was caused by a blunt object!" Cheng Chumo said.

"The arrest warrant signed by Li Yanqian, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, was delivered directly to a captain of the Right Jinwu Guard. We only just found out!" Qin Huaidao said softly.

"It's alright. This matter is clearly aimed at me. His Majesty is discerning and will not use me to pay for Pei Xu's life!" Lin Chuan comforted him with a smile.

"Xiao Chuan, you'll have to make do here for a couple of days. I'll have someone keep watch outside. Your father will find a way to help you!" Cheng Chumo nodded and comforted him softly.

"Alright, Brother Cheng, I'll have someone go to my house to let them know, so my mother and sister won't worry!" Lin Chuan nodded.

After staying for a while, Cheng Chumo and Qin Huaidao said goodbye and left.

After spending the night in the prison, the weather was getting hotter and hotter, but it wasn't cold in the cell. The next morning, Cheng Chumo arranged for the soldiers guarding outside to bring in a hot breakfast and clean water.

This is the Dali Temple's prison; I don't know how Cheng Chumo managed to do it.

At this time, during the court assembly.

Sitting behind the imperial desk, he looked at the large group of officials in the center of the hall who were requesting an imperial decree to thoroughly investigate the Lin Chuan murder case, as well as a group of military generals led by Cheng Yaojin who were asking Li Shimin to thoroughly investigate the Pei family and clear Lin Chuan's name.

Li Shimin covered his brow, feeling a headache coming on.

An investigation was definitely in order, and before he even had to say anything, the Hundred Riders Division had already gotten a general idea of ​​what had happened.

The case file was delivered to him early in the morning. According to the results of the Hundred Cavalry Division's investigation, even if Pei Xu was not killed by Lin Chuan, it was still closely related to Lin Chuan.

There are so many people watching at Qunfang Pavilion.

But how to deal with Lin Chuan is also a problem.

But killing Lin Chuan is impossible. Putting aside Lin Chuan's contributions, Cheng Yaojin finally found a satisfactory son-in-law. If he were killed, wouldn't that break Cheng Yaojin's heart?

Cheng Yaojin was the kind of person who risked his life and brought his family along to storm Xuanwu Gate!

But it's also difficult to explain to the Pei family!

The deceased Pei Xu was a direct descendant of the Wenxi branch of the family, and was the grand-nephew of Pei Ju, who was staying at home due to illness.

When Li Yuan raised his army, he received strong support from Pei Ji. As long as Li Yuan was alive, the Pei family was different from other aristocratic families.

Helpless, Li Shimin could only resort to delaying tactics, ordering the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review to investigate together!

Then, ignoring all the officials in the main hall, he directly ordered Zhang Anan to announce the adjournment of the court.

After the court session ended, he summoned the main officials of the Three Departments and Six Ministries to a side hall.

Before everyone had arrived, a eunuch came in to report:

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Yi is requesting an audience!"

Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, then quickly shouted:

"Announce it quickly!"

After a while, Qin Qiong, dressed in full armor, strode into the main hall and bowed to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

Li Shimin stepped forward and helped Qin Qiong up. He looked Qin Qiong up and down and said in surprise:

"Uncle, you look much better!"

"Your Majesty, I am indeed feeling a bit better, thanks to Lin Chuan!" Qin Qiong said, bowing.

"Shubao, the death of Pei Erlang is indeed related to Lin Chuan. Take a look for yourself..." Li Shimin handed the dossier on the desk to Qin Qiong.

Qin Qiong took the file, glanced at it, and frowned, saying:

"Your Majesty, we cannot conclude that Lin Chuan killed him!"

"Of course I know, but if Lin Chuan isn't punished, it will be difficult to explain to the Pei family!" Li Shimin said helplessly.

"Your Majesty, Pei Xu was blind and offended Lin Chuan. Lin Chuan was also drunk, so he went too far. Do you think we should spare him this time?" Cheng Yaojin said, bowing.

"Your Excellency Su is mistaken. Human life is of paramount importance. If Pei Erlang's death was indeed caused by Lin Yuanwailang, how can we treat it so lightly..." said Sun Fujia, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, in a deep voice.

Even officials from the three provinces and six ministries disagreed, and after arguing for a long time, they still couldn't reach a conclusion.

As evening fell, Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong emerged from the palace together. Seeing Qin Qiong's worried expression, Cheng Yaojin smiled and comforted him:

"Second Brother Qin, don't worry. Lin Chuan has run off with Chu Rou. At worst, I'll throw a tantrum in front of His Majesty and I'll be able to protect that kid!"

Qin Qiong then learned about Lin Chuan and Cheng Churou's affair, and laughed and scolded:

"Why didn't you say so earlier, you scoundrel! You made me rush to the palace in such a hurry!"

"That kid is clever and quick-witted in everything else, but he's clueless about this. I've been waiting and waiting, but he hasn't sent anyone to propose marriage. So I'll just let him stay in the Dali Temple for a few more days!" Cheng Yaojin said speechlessly.

"Haha, then we should let him stay inside a few more days!" Qin Qiong laughed heartily!

Lin Chuan spent five days in the Dali Temple's prison.

He was taken in for questioning several times during this period, and naturally he denied killing Pei Xu.

However, according to the coroner's testimony, Pei Xu's death was indeed inextricably linked to him.

The Pei family naturally wanted Lin Chuan to pay with his life, but with Cheng Yaojin and others protecting him in the court, and Li Shimin's favoritism, after a dispute, Lin Chuan's punishment was to be stripped of his title and dismissed from office.

The Pei family was naturally dissatisfied with this and persuaded dozens of officials to submit a memorial to the emperor.

However, Li Shimin replaced all the important officials in the three provinces and six ministries with his own people. Although the dozens of officials had a great presence, they could not control the situation at all.

On the sixth day, Lin Chuan was released.