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

Exiled to Qianzhou?

Li Xiang was taken aback.

The so-called Qianzhou was the area around Guiyang and Tongren in later times. During the Tang Dynasty, it was a typical remote and malarial place with a rugged terrain and poor transportation.

Historically, Li Chengqian was exiled there and died.

Even in Chang'an, the most prosperous city during the Tang Dynasty, he lived a life worse than death. If he were exiled to the undeveloped mountainous areas of Guizhou at that time, wouldn't he be doomed?

Most importantly, being far from Chang'an meant losing the opportunity for Li Shimin to kill him!

"...Old Deng! You're so vicious!"

"Hmph, insult me ​​however you like." Seeing Li Xiang's expression change slightly, Li Shimin became even more confident. He stood with his hands behind his back under the parapet.

"As the Emperor, I am naturally magnanimous. You are nothing but an arrogant brat who doesn't know his place." He glanced sideways at Li Xiang, his tone carrying a hint of mockery and certainty, then turned and shouted loudly downstairs, "Guards!"

The imperial guards, eunuchs, and Li Tai and Li Zhi, who had been waiting below, immediately swarmed up the city wall.

While they were down below, they couldn't hear the details, but the roars, curses, and snippets of rebellious words that occasionally came from the city tower were enough to terrify them.

"Go to the Dali Temple and summon Minister Sun," Li Shimin ordered.

The Dali Temple was located inside the Zhuque Gate. Before long, the eunuch who had gone to summon him brought Sun Fujia, the Dali Temple Minister, up to the city tower.

Li Shimin pointed at Li Xiang and said to Sun Fujia, "Minister Sun, you also submitted a memorial regarding the matter of the Imperial Academy."

"I hereby temporarily appoint this man as the presiding judge of this case, and order the Dali Temple to assist him in the trial."

"This... Your Majesty?" Sun Fujia was stunned. His Majesty actually wanted a prince who was only ten years old to preside over the trial of this case?

"Father, this son is arrogant and unruly by nature, and is still young. What should we do?" Upon hearing that Li Er was going to entrust Li Xiang with an important task, Li Tai immediately stepped forward and spoke up.

He had fought with Li Chengqian his entire life, and even now, he was most wary of Li Chengqian, who was still in the capital. When he saw the emperor entrusting this mere upstart with such an important task, he immediately became alert.

Could it be that the Emperor intends to reinstate Chengqian?

"My mind is made up!" Li Er frowned and interrupted Li Tai abruptly before he could finish speaking.

Li Tai had a lot to say but couldn't get it out of his mouth. His face turned from red to purple, but he didn't dare to say anything more. He could only awkwardly put his hands together and retreat back into the crowd.

Beside him, Li Zhi slightly raised his head to look at Li Xiang, a hint of something unspeakable flashing in his eyes, before lowering his head again in a seemingly submissive manner.

"Minister Sun." Li Shimin looked at Sun Fujia, emphasizing his words:

"Although I have appointed him to preside over the trial, I also grant you the authority to make decisions on your own initiative."

"If this child behaves strangely and acts recklessly, you must immediately step in to control him, even if it means using extraordinary measures, I will not blame you."

Do you understand?

"This..." Sun Fujia hesitated for a moment.

The emperor was implying to him not to let this grandson cause too much trouble, and to keep the situation under control...

Upon closer examination, having the grandson of the emperor preside over the trial was not a bad move: this matter was originally exposed by this grandson of the emperor. Appointing this young grandson to test the attitude of the aristocratic families would not harm the overall situation.

After all, the grandson of the emperor is still young. Even if he causes trouble, it can be said that he is young and ignorant and acts on his own.

It has nothing to do with His Majesty...

"Your subject understands." After much deliberation, Sun Fujia bowed his head and accepted the emperor's appointment.

He himself came from a poor family and took the imperial examinations. If he could do something for the many students from poor families, it would be his duty.

"Since you have escaped again, I will abide by our previous agreement and first strip you of your status as a member of the imperial clan," Li Shimin said, looking at Li Xiang, who looked frustrated.

"If you fail to resolve this case, or if you resort to sophistry, I will not lie and will exile you to Qianzhou."

"Don't say you weren't warned!"

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"His Highness is out! His Highness the Imperial Grandson is out!"

A gasp suddenly erupted from the crowd, instantly shattering the tense atmosphere outside the Vermilion Bird Gate.

The group of impoverished scholars and onlookers had been waiting anxiously under the scorching sun, barely daring to breathe.

Upon seeing Li Xiang slowly emerge from the city gate, the crowd erupted in cheers. Their previous anxiety and unease vanished, replaced by jubilation and eagerness.

Before Li Xiang could even stand still, a group of impoverished scholars swarmed around him, their eyes filled with concern and expectation. Even the common people who were just watching the spectacle couldn't help but gather around.

A cacophony of questions rose and fell, the surroundings filled with noise:

"Your Highness! What decision did His Majesty make from the city wall? Did he grant the petition of us poor scholars?"

"Your Highness, are you alright up there? Has His Majesty not punished you?"

"Your Highness, what should we do next? Is His Majesty truly willing to thoroughly investigate the corruption in the imperial examinations?"

"Ahem! Ahem!" Two clear coughs, each carrying the air of official authority, rang out.

The poor scholars surrounding Li Xiang were taken aback. They had been so focused on Li Xiang that they hadn't even noticed the person following behind him.

Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the person following Li Xiang was none other than Sun Fujia, a high-ranking official of the third rank and the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!

"Minister Sun!" the students greeted him. As a rare high-ranking official from a humble background, Sun Fujia was highly respected among the students from poor families at the Imperial Academy.

Sun Fujia slightly raised his hand to suppress the surrounding noise.

"His Majesty has issued an imperial edict ordering me to accompany the Imperial Grandson to thoroughly investigate the long-standing corruption within the Imperial Academy. You should all disperse and stop blocking the Imperial Street."

"In the future, His Highness the Crown Prince and I will give you justice."

Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers!

Years of suppressed grievances and anxieties seemed to transform into overwhelming joy at this moment.

The scholars exchanged glances, their brows and eyes relaxing, and they couldn't help but cheer loudly; some even had tears in their eyes. They felt that there was finally hope for the future!

After years of hard work and a burning desire for redemption, finally someone is willing to stand up for them.

Even the onlookers were moved by their performance and cheered in victory.

A commotion erupted outside the Vermilion Bird Gate.

"Your Highness?" Amidst the cheers and jubilation, Song Shenzhi noticed that Li Xiang still looked displeased, so he asked Sun Fujia in a low voice, "Since His Majesty is willing to make the decision, why is Your Highness still so sullen?"

"This..." Sun Fujia hesitated for a moment, then said, "Perhaps it's because His Highness the Crown Prince offended the Emperor and was temporarily removed from the imperial clan."

The moment the words were spoken, the surrounding area fell into an instant silence.

The students, who had just been excitedly cheering, suddenly fell silent as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over their heads.

The joy on Song Shenzhi's face gradually faded, replaced by shock and astonishment, followed by intense guilt and bitterness.

"Your Highness... was stripped of your royal status for standing up for us?"