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

Inside the Taiji Hall of the Chang'an Palace.

Li Shimin paid close attention to the actions of Li Xiang and Sun Fujia.

Therefore, when Li Xiang and others went to the Imperial Academy, he had already sent people to investigate the situation there in real time, and reported back immediately if there was any unusual activity.

"Hmph, that brat, even when he's handling a case, he never misses an opportunity to frame me."

After hearing Li Xiang's words about using the Crown Prince's rebellion case to manipulate Kong Yingda and Zheng Jingzhi, Li Shimin chuckled and looked extremely disdainful.

"Hehe, although the grandson of the emperor is young, he is still filial to his father. It's just that his actions are indeed a bit arrogant." Cen Wenben, sitting below Li Shimin, smiled and echoed.

Li Tai looked at Cen Wenben in astonishment, while Li Zhi and Changsun Wuji also raised their eyes slightly and glanced at Cen Wenben.

"Oh?" Li Shimin asked with interest. "Jingren is actually speaking well of that brat today?"

"Seeing the grandson of the emperor so determined and persistent, I can't help but think of my own youth," Cen Wenben said with emotion.

"Back then, when I went to the capital to plead my case during the Sui Dynasty, I was just as ignorant and arrogant."

Li Shimin stared at Cen Wenben with a half-smile. Cen Wenben's expression remained unchanged; he simply lowered his head and smiled, as if he had just been casually chatting about everyday matters.

"Hahaha, when I was young and living in Taiyuan, wasn't it the same for me?" Li Shimin suddenly laughed, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly lightened.

He stroked his beard and sighed, "Time flies, Jingren. We were about the same age, but now we're both old!"

"Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, and looks more than ten years younger than me. How can you say I am old?" Cen Wenben said with a smile.

"Hahaha, you!" Li Shimin laughed loudly, pointing at Cen Wenben. The atmosphere between the emperor and his minister was harmonious and joyful.

"However, that brat's words about 'judging by actions and intentions' do have some merit."

"Fuji, you are the presiding judge of the Crown Prince's case. Do you think what he said makes sense?" He turned to Changsun Wuji's seat and asked.

"Your Majesty." Changsun Wuji stood up, his expression calm.

"Hou Junji did indeed use the Crown Prince's reputation to recruit imperial guards and plot a palace coup. The evidence is conclusive, and it is hard to say that the Crown Prince was not behind it—even judging by the evidence, the Crown Prince also showed signs of treason."

"Moreover, the Crown Prince himself offered no defense. He readily admitted to the treason."

"Yes, Father Emperor," Li Tai hurriedly interjected. "That Hegan Chengji also confessed that Chengqian had sent him to assassinate me... If that doesn't count as treason, then what does?"

"That scoundrel Li Xiang is nothing but a smooth talker!"

"Hmm." Li Shimin stroked his mustache, seemingly lost in thought.

Initially, he was too furious. Upon hearing that Chengqian's rebellious intentions were already evident and that Chengqian himself had confessed, he hastily summoned Chengqian to the palace to be whipped. Now, upon closer examination, it seems that Hou Junji was the mastermind behind the part of Chengqian's crimes that had solid evidence, such as recruiting imperial guards and plotting a coup.

He Gan Chengji's confession regarding the Crown Prince's own plans only involved Prince Wei, Li Tai—such as recruiting assassins and plotting to kill him. There was no mention of a coup d'état involving an attack on the palace.

Even the crude plan Du He came up with in his confession—that the Crown Prince should feign illness to lure the Emperor to the Eastern Palace—contradicted the plan learned during the interrogation of Hou Junji: to first stage a coup and then support the Crown Prince.

It seems as if both sides are making their own plans without communicating with each other...

"Father?"

Li Zhi, standing beside Li Shimin, noticed that he looked dazed and remained silent for a long time, so he called out softly.

This interrupted Li Shimin's turbulent thoughts.

"Oh. It's nothing." Li Shimin stroked his beard, suppressing his slight doubts.

The verdict has been delivered; dwelling on the details is pointless. Even if there are flaws in this case, they likely stem from certain unresolved details.

Moreover, Chengqian himself has already admitted it. And he is full of hostility towards his father... In any case, he is no longer suitable to be the crown prince.

As an emperor, all one cares about is the result. It is impossible for one to be overly concerned with the process, nor is it possible to nitpick and change orders frequently because of these doubts.

Delving into these matters is pointless. What needs to be done now is to select and cultivate a more suitable heir for the Tang Dynasty.

"Qingque." Li Shimin looked at Li Tai, his tone questioning, "What do you think of that brat's behavior at the Imperial Academy?"

"Arrogant and unruly, utterly lacking in reverence!" Li Tai frowned, his words laced with disdain.

"The Imperial College is a vital center of education and culture in the nation, a place for nurturing students across the land and upholding the principles of propriety and discipline."

"This son, relying on the power temporarily bestowed upon him by Your Majesty, is bullying others and acting recklessly! His actions are clearly trampling on the nation's morals and undermining Your Majesty's authority! He should be severely punished!"

Li Shimin narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly.

This Qingque... when it comes to Chengqian, he often loses his composure. His eagerness to belittle Li Xiang at this moment greatly disappointed him.

Although that brat was arrogant, he was right about one thing: the primogeniture system has taken root in people's hearts.

After that brat made it clear in the Hibiscus Garden, there must be many officials in the court who still believe that only the eldest son of the legitimate wife can inherit the throne and the country can be stable.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin looked up and glanced at Cen Wenben, who was looking down at his nose and contemplating his own thoughts.

These officials were not disloyal; they were also devoted to the Tang Dynasty. However, given Qingque's intolerant nature, if he were to truly ascend the throne, would he also purge these loyal and upright officials from the court?

Moreover... the way of a ruler is to consider the big picture.

Although Li Xiang acted unconventionally, he quickly subdued the Imperial Academy and suppressed the sons of aristocratic families—which gave the emperor a pretext to support children from humble backgrounds.

From a broader perspective, supporting those from humble backgrounds is beneficial to the nation. For a ruler, this reason is sufficient.

Qingque's insistence on being fixated on her own likes and dislikes is truly a poor choice.

He exhaled a long breath, and his gaze inadvertently fell on his young son Li Zhi, who was grinding ink, and a thought struck him.

"Young slave... in your opinion, is that brat's behavior good or bad?"

Li Zhi felt a slight tremor in his heart, and his heart began to beat faster.

He feigned surprise, first glancing up at Li Tai, who looked astonished and wary, then giving Changsun Wuji a quick look.

"Your subject believes that what Fourth Brother said makes sense," Li Zhi said respectfully. He then changed the subject.

"But... it seems to be true that those from poor families have little chance of advancement?"

"Then... wouldn't what Xiang'er did just provide Father with a pretext?"

He finished speaking in a low voice, then immediately feigned a guilty and timid demeanor, saying in a flustered tone, "Your subject only has a shallow understanding, and there must be some errors..."

"No, you're absolutely right." Li Shimin was greatly pleased and praised Li Zhi.

"In governing a country, one should not always be bound by right and wrong, but should prioritize the overall situation." He looked at Li Tai. "That brat's actions are a good opportunity to teach the Imperial Academy a lesson. As for the rest, why be overly critical?"

"Bluebird, do you understand?"

"...Your subject understands." Li Tai quickly bowed and accepted the instruction. When he raised his head, he secretly glared at Li Zhi when Li Shimin was not paying attention.

Li Zhi shrank back in fear, but inwardly he sneered.

Although he needs to conceal his abilities, it doesn't mean that he won't take the opportunity to quietly exploit any weaknesses his fourth brother reveals.

As long as it doesn't arouse suspicion from the Emperor or his uncle, Changsun Wuji, it's fine.

"Now that the brat has investigated the case, let's proceed as Zhinu suggested," Li Shimin said to his attendants.

"By imperial decree: Kong Yingda has failed in his selection of officials; therefore, he is removed from his position as Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. Li Xiang has rendered meritorious service in investigating the case; therefore, the previous proposal to remove him from the imperial clan is hereby rescinded."

"Temporarily lift his confinement as a reward. As for the Imperial Academy, when it selects candidates for the next spring imperial examination, it shall allocate at least half of its places to students from poor families."

"Let this matter end here! Go and deliver the imperial decree to that brat." He flicked his sleeve decisively.

Having resolved the turmoil surrounding the Imperial Academy, and having issued a benevolent policy that benefited the poor and was worthy of being recorded in history, Li Shimin was filled with satisfaction, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

Especially considering that he had cleverly used that rebellious brat Li Xiang to teach the aristocratic families a lesson and rectify education, he not only achieved his goal but also made that arrogant boy his scapegoat, suffering a setback in the process, which made him even more secretly pleased.

But the imperial edict had already been issued. He looked up and saw that the eunuch who had come to report on Li Xiang's whereabouts was still standing there, his brows furrowed and his expression conflicted, showing no intention of immediately accepting the order to proclaim the decree.

Li Shimin's phoenix eyes narrowed instantly, the warmth around him vanished abruptly, and a cold glint shot straight at the eunuch.

"What? Is there something wrong with my decree?"

"No... I wouldn't dare! I absolutely wouldn't dare!"

The eunuch was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud, trembling all over, his forehead pressed tightly to the ground, and stammered his reply.

"But...but Your Majesty, His Highness the Grandson...he's still investigating the case everywhere, showing no sign of closing it or stopping!"