In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

A middle-aged man dressed in gray was brought in by the Imperial Guards. He was trembling all over and knelt down abruptly due to nervousness.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin asked, "Did you report Kou Zhu, the prefect of Lantian County, for engaging in witchcraft and sorcery?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, it is I!"

"I also went to the Kou family's funeral a few days ago. On the day of the funeral procession, Kou Zhu said that his mother had appeared to him in a dream, so he found a few Taoist priests to secretly summon his mother's soul. I saw it with my own eyes."

"The Kou family still has paper effigies used for summoning spirits."

Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials in the court frowned.

"Do you dare to take responsibility for what you said?"

"I dare, I dare! If I am lying, I am willing to accept the punishment!" the man said very seriously.

Li Yuanchang frowned. This man didn't seem to be lying, and considering that Kou Zhu had lost her mother, he figured it might really be true.

He immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I bear the responsibility for oversight in the occurrence of such an incident in Lantian County, Zhechong Prefecture. I humbly request Your Majesty's permission to depart immediately to investigate!"

He didn't rush to refute, as that would only displease Li Shimin. His abhorrence of witchcraft was a fact known throughout the court.

"No."

"Your Majesty, His Highness the Prince of Han is the General of Lantian County, and Kou Zhu is one of his former subordinates. How can we allow the Prince of Han to investigate?"

"It's a rule to avoid suspicion during investigations!"

"That's right, that's right!"

The civil service group, which had always been at odds with Li Yuanchang, seized the opportunity and all opposed him.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will certainly uphold justice and enforce the law. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request!" Li Yuanchang pleaded, forcing himself to speak. This matter could be big or small, and the key was how it was handled.

Li Shimin said calmly, "The law cannot be violated. Since Kou Zhu is your former subordinate, you cannot handle this case."

"You don't need to blame yourself. You've been serving in Chang'an for many years, and Lantian County is a remote county, so it's not your fault."

"Step down."

"The Ministry of Justice will send someone to investigate this matter. If it is true, the perpetrators will be severely punished!"

"yes!"

"slow!"

Li Yuanchang bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Kou Zhu's grief over losing her mother may have led to some inappropriate actions, but that is understandable."

Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important.

"Why not give him a chance? It would also demonstrate His Majesty's respect for filial piety."

This rhetoric was of little use in later generations, but it was quite effective in the strict social order of ancient times, and even more so for someone like Li Shimin with a dark past.

It was obvious to the naked eye that Li Shimin hesitated slightly.

But at that moment, Changsun Wuji appeared again.

"Your Majesty, the laws of the land cannot be abolished, and the rules must be strictly enforced."

Li Yuanchang was furious upon hearing this, wishing he could bring Changsun Wuji over and eat him alive.

"Your Majesty, this is a funeral, a common occurrence among the common people, and does not constitute a violation of the law!"

Despite Li Yuanchang's best efforts to plead for him, Li Shimin's hesitation eventually vanished.

"Everything will be handled impartially."

"His Majesty!"

"Stop talking!" Li Shimin said, somewhat displeased.

Li Yuanchang looked displeased, but he had no choice but to step down.

Although the officials in the court remained silent, they all saw what was happening.

"Lord Changsun and the Prince of Han, this feud is probably going to get serious."

"..."

After the court session.

As soon as Li Shimin left, the officials made a commotion and gradually withdrew.

Among the crowd, Li Yuanchang looked at Changsun Wuji.

Changsun Wuji turned around and looked at them as well. It was as if it were destined that one would be black and the other white, clearly distinguishable.

Changsun Wuji slowly stepped forward and came to him. His deep face showed no personal emotion, and even carried a warm, elder-like smile.

"King Han, please forgive me."

"Witchcraft is a serious crime, and I cannot let this go unreported."

"I'm sure the King of Han can understand this, right? This is definitely not a spur-of-the-moment decision or a form of retaliation."

Li Yuanchang gave a forced smile: "Of course I understand Lord Changsun's good intentions!"

"If Kou Zhu is guilty, he should be punished."

"However, Lord Changsun has also remembered what he just said: the laws of the country cannot be abolished, and the rules must be strictly enforced."

"You must never be two-faced, strict with others but lenient with your own people."

Changsun Wuji stroked his beard, his official hat trembling: "Your Highness, is that the kind of person you think of me?"

Li Yuanchang sneered.

Who the hell doesn't know that you, Changsun Wuji, are known for having two standards? If Kou Zhu were a member of the Changsun family, would you, Changsun Wuji, still act this way?

If Li Ke were Empress Zhangsun's son, would you, Zhangsun Wuji, still do this?

If Li Yuanchang were to regress in everything, would you, Changsun Wuji, still act this way?

Li Yuanchang said no more and turned to leave.

Those who walk different paths cannot make plans together.

As Changsun Wuji watched Li Yuanchang's young and upright figure slowly walk towards the bright sunshine outside, his eyes, filled with a mixture of admiration, fear, envy, bewilderment, and hostility, reflected a complex blend of emotions.

Perhaps at this moment, he also thought of his own youthful openness and loyalty.

Perhaps at this moment, he also saw a future enemy.

But he steadfastly chose power.

……

To avoid suspicion, Li Yuanchang did not go to Lantian County himself, but sent someone instead.

He instructed Guo Chao to inquire about the situation, while reminding Kou Zhu not to resist the investigation and to follow the Ministry of Justice's arrangements.

And the news came back almost within a day.

Kou Zhu returned with the news.

"Your Highness, Brother Kou has been arrested and imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice."

"He really did it?" Li Yuanchang's face was grim.

Guo Chao frowned and nodded: "Your Highness, Brother Kou has truly summoned his spirit; he has confessed his sins."

"I inquired with the Kou family and confirmed that this was indeed the case; there was no false accusation."

"But that mourner was hateful. He delayed the funeral procession because he was drinking. Brother Kou, who had lost his mother, was furious and slapped him. So he ran to Chang'an and exposed the matter."

"Damn it, you scoundrel!" one of the guards cursed.

Li Yuanchang frowned. It was no use cursing now. He could still overturn a false accusation, but if it was true, it would be difficult to handle.

But Kou Zhu was his confidante, and he couldn't just sit idly by.

Who is in charge of hearing this case?

"Your Highness, it is Shu Min, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice."

"Let's go, let's go to the Ministry of Justice first," Li Yuanchang said.

"yes!"

Before long, Li Yuanchang arrived at the Ministry of Justice prison.

His arrival immediately alarmed everyone in the government office.

Except for the Minister of Justice, almost all the vice ministers came to greet him.

Li Yuanchang was also very direct: "My lords, I wish to visit the prison."

Several high-ranking officials exchanged glances, their faces showing reluctance.

"Your Highness, this is probably against the rules..."

"I'm just here to deliver some food and clothing, is that not allowed?" Li Yuanchang frowned, somewhat displeased. As long as Li Shimin hadn't given an order forbidding anyone from approaching, it was generally permissible.

The other party's hesitation is probably not because it's against the rules, but because they feel it would be unpleasant for some people to know.

"Your Highness, we haven't received any notification..."

"If anything goes wrong, I will take responsibility."

The ministers exchanged glances. They had already gone this far; if they still refused to allow visits to the prison, it would be a bit deliberate.