The rebellious grandson of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty: Please, Your Majesty, be called Cro

As soon as the words were spoken, the entire garden fell into a deathly silence.

Li Shimin, who had been deep in thought with his brows furrowed, was pondering Li Xiang's unconventional and insightful remarks that exposed the true nature of power politics.

Changsun Wuji's request to petition abruptly pulled him back to his senses. He looked up in surprise at his most trusted and understanding brother-in-law.

"...Auxiliary machine?"

Having been by his side for many years, Changsun Wuji should have been the most aware of his concerns.

The Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Chengqian's rebellion... Li Shimin's life has been burdened with too much criticism and stains related to fratricide.

Li Xiang had repeatedly defied and disobeyed the emperor; how could the emperor not be furious? But no matter how furious he was, he could never personally kill his own grandson in public!

He really didn't want to suffer the eternal infamy of publicly murdering his grandson.

"Your Majesty." Changsun Wuji, well-versed in the minds of emperors, naturally saw through Li Shimin's hesitation.

He leaned slightly forward, lowered his voice, and spoke with earnest concern for the nation's well-being:

"What this young man said were all imperial strategies and secrets of the state, which should not have been divulged. Today, he uttered them in public, which has already spread their poison far and wide."

"If we continue to indulge and allow this to continue, there will surely be those with ulterior motives who will use his fallacies to speculate about Your Majesty, bewitch people, stir up trouble in the court, and bring chaos to the world."

"Only by killing this son can we clearly show the court and the public that His Majesty has never agreed with such rebellious and fallacious theories. In this way, we can reassure the officials, stabilize the hearts of the powerful families, prevent the court and the public from becoming alienated from His Majesty, and further consolidate the foundation of the Li Tang dynasty."

He paused briefly, then lowered his voice even further: "Has Your Majesty considered that Li Xiang is merely a disgraced grandson of a concubine? How is dealing with him any different from dealing with Prince Li Yuanchang of Han?"

After whispering to Li Shimin, Changsun Wuji suddenly raised his voice, making sure all the civil and military guests in the garden could hear him clearly:

"Your Majesty is benevolent and cannot bear to mistreat your own grandson."

"This child has repeatedly offended the Emperor, spread heresies, diminished the dignity of the court, and desecrated the fundamental principles of the monarchy; he has committed an unforgivable crime!"

"The fate of the nation is paramount, personal feelings are secondary! Your Majesty, I humbly request that you execute this son immediately to deter dissent from the court and the public, to solidify the imperial authority, and to extinguish the source of future chaos!"

As the emperor's brother-in-law and a senior official, Changsun Wuji took the lead in requesting Li Xiang's execution, which implicitly set the tone for Li Xiang's death sentence.

Xiao Yu, Chu Suiliang, Cen Wenben, and others stood by with solemn expressions, remaining silent and no one dared to echo their sentiments, nor did any of them speak up to plead for Li Xiang.

Yu Zhining suppressed his emotions, his body trembling even more violently, a faint sense of smugness rising in his heart. He felt that Changsun Wuji's actions had finally set things right, and only by eliminating Li Xiang could he quell this earth-shattering storm and preserve his lifelong reputation.

A secret sense of pleasure flashed across Li Tai's eyes as he eagerly awaited Li Shimin's immediate decree to execute this scoundrel who had repeatedly rubbed salt into his wounds and ruined his plans.

However, the happiest person in the entire room was actually Li Xiang!

He looked at Changsun Wuji, who had stepped forward to ask for his execution, and his eyes were filled with overwhelming joy.

I did it! I, the Taoist priest, succeeded!

Changsun the old cunning man, ah no, Changsun the great philanthropist!

I thought this guy was just trying to protect himself, but I never expected him to be on my side!

The most powerful minister in the court personally requested his execution; his self-destructive progress had reached its peak!

Throughout the entire garden, not a single person was willing to speak up for Li Xiang. Changsun Wuji's list of crimes was grand and dignified, and those present implicitly agreed that Changsun Wuji's words were not without merit.

Li Xiang was arrogant and rebellious, and he certainly deserved his punishment.

Li Shimin frowned even more deeply, his mind filled with a myriad of thoughts.

He knew in his heart that if Li Xiang's remarks today were to spread, it would shake his imperial prestige and even undermine the legitimate foundation of the Li Tang dynasty.

He also understood Changsun Wuji's deeper meaning: he was advising him, the emperor, to make a decisive decision and use the execution of Li Xiang to quell public opinion and restore order.

If there are any criticisms in historical records in the future, the blame for the cruel killing of the imperial grandson can be shifted to Changsun Wuji, making him bear the responsibility for his strong remonstrance.

As for Li Xiang, he was merely a grandson of a concubine, of low status, and his influence on his own reputation and the foundation of the Tang Dynasty was not significant.

After all, not long ago, he had conveniently ordered the death of his half-brother, Prince Li Yuanchang of Han, and the matter did not cause much controversy in the court or among the public.

Li Shimin was still hesitating and weighing his options, but when his gaze swept across Li Xiang's expression, an unnamed rage suddenly surged from the bottom of his heart, instantly spreading throughout his body and reaching the top of his head.

He actually witnessed Li Xiang being forced to commit suicide by Changsun Wuji, while everyone in the garden remained silent and tacitly agreed to it.

A completely illogical look of surprise appeared on Li Xiang's face!

There was no fear, no resentment, but rather a sense of satisfaction at getting what he wanted, and a hint of schadenfreude as he watched the show unfold!

It was as if being beheaded by Changsun Wuji was not a catastrophe for him, but a wonderful thing that he couldn't ask for!

Li Shimin lived most of his life, conquering chaotic times and ruling the world. He had seen those who were afraid of death and knelt down to beg for mercy, as well as those who were proud, unyielding, and would rather die than submit.

But I have never seen anyone so eager to be executed, so impatient to be brought to justice.

Li Shimin, with a cold face, pointed at Li Xiang and slowly spoke:

"You...you really want to die?"

"Do you hate me that much? Are you so willing to use your own life to tarnish my achievements?"

"Is that all you intend to do, to use your own blood to tarnish the Li family's empire?"

Li Shimin felt an unbearable tightness in his chest, his fingertips trembled slightly uncontrollably, and his phoenix eyes were fixed on Li Xiang, his eyes filled with anger and astonishment, as well as a hint of disbelief and rage.

The emperor's words brought everyone back to their senses from their terrified silence.

Then, everyone subconsciously turned to look at Li Xiang.

Then I saw the genuine smile that Li Xiang hadn't had time to hide on the corner of his lips.

Unbelievable!

This is extremely heretical!

Xiao Yu, Chu Suiliang, and the others all frowned, thinking to themselves that this boy was eccentric and completely disregarded human relationships and ethics.

Cen Wenben sighed softly, feeling that today's events were completely out of his control.

Yu Zhining was dumbfounded, forgetting even the trembling in his body, feeling that this grandson of the emperor had simply gone mad. Li Tai stared wide-eyed, utterly bewildered, unable to comprehend how this man could still laugh when facing death.

Li Xiang, on the other hand, was taken aback by Li Shimin's sudden angry remark and subconsciously sensed that something was amiss.

...Li Er wouldn't be thinking, "I'm deliberately not letting me die," would he?

He looked at Li Shimin, whose chest heaved violently and whose imposing aura was so heavy it was almost suffocating.

They decided to continue to infuriate Li Shimin.

"Does the Li family's empire need me to defile it?"

"Hahaha, what a ridiculous joke!"

"The blood shed at Xuanwu Gate that day was enough to tarnish the Tang Dynasty!"

"As long as I live, I will never submit to you! You tyrant! Your empire is destined to be stained with the blood of the Li family!"

"Do you think that killing me will ensure the stability of this blood-soaked empire for eternity?"

"Kill! Kill me now! Kill me! Even from my rotting coffin, I will shout that you, Li Shimin, were a tyrant!"

"Even if you kill me, Li Xiang, there will be others to follow!"