My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

"Those Lu clan of Fanyang and Cui clan of Boling think this is just a verbal sparring match in court! They've angered the Immortal King Qin, and that would be divine retribution!"

The head of the Cui family stopped fiddling with the walnuts in his hands, his smile gradually fading, and his expression became extremely solemn.

"Laugh it off, but don't forget the important business."

His sharp gaze swept over each of the core members present, his tone revealing a resolute determination to burn one's bridges.

"The reason why our Cui family of Qinghe is so prosperous today is entirely due to the favor bestowed upon us by His Highness Prince Qin. Pass on my words: immediately open the inner treasury and put the Blood Spirit Mushroom that has been stored for three hundred years, as well as the batch of top-grade Tianshan Snow Lotus that was just delivered last month, into the best brocade boxes."

The head of the Cui family slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

"As soon as it gets dark, you personally lead people to the Prince of Qin's residence! Tell the Immortal Master that as long as there is anything he needs from us, the Cui family of Qinghe will not hesitate to sell everything they own!"

"As long as we cling tightly to this powerful figure, the Cui family of Qinghe will be ready to trample those self-important fools into the mud!"

……

Taiji Palace, Taiji Hall.

As soon as it was light, civil and military officials were already dressed in their neat court robes and lined up in order of rank.

Inside the main hall, several enormous bronze censers burned with the finest silver-thread charcoal, their warmth dispelling the biting chill outside. But today, the atmosphere between the ranks of military officers and civil officials was colder and more oppressive than the unmelted snow.

Li Shimin, dressed in a majestic black dragon robe, sat upright on a high golden dragon throne.

He toyed with an unread memorial in his hand, his gaze deep and unfathomable as he silently looked down.

"Your subject has a memorial to present!"

A censor dressed in green official robes suddenly strode out of the civil officials' ranks, holding an ivory tablet high above his head.

Immediately afterwards, as if receiving some signal, seven or eight more officials and censors stood up at once and knelt on the cold gold bricks.

Without exception, these people were all mouthpieces planted in the imperial court by Shandong gentry, with the majority being protégés of the Lu family of Fanyang and the Cui family of Boling.

"We, your humble servants, jointly impeach Prince Wei, Li Tai!"

The leading censor suddenly raised his head, his voice high-pitched and impassioned, echoing under the wide dome of the hall.

"Your Highness, Prince Wei, as a prince of the Tang Dynasty, of noble birth, should be secluded in your studies, cultivating your character and setting an example for all scholars. However, recently, Prince Wei has willingly degenerated, colluding with merchants and commoners to manufacture so-called 'tin stoves' and 'honeycomb briquettes' on a large scale!"

The censor suddenly flung his wide sleeves, his face filled with heartache and indignation, as if the Tang Dynasty was about to be destroyed.

"Since ancient times, the social hierarchy has been scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, with merchants being the lowest. King Wei's actions are a blatant act of competing with the people for profit, his very being tainted with the stench of money! Where does he place the dignity of the imperial family? Where does he place the propriety and social order of the Tang Dynasty!"

Another official standing nearby followed suit, crawling two steps on his knees and loudly echoing his sentiments.

"Not only that! I have heard that those honeycomb briquettes are made from poisonous coal powder. Coal produces poisonous smoke and has always been taboo among the people. Every year, countless refugees die from coal poisoning."

The official, filled with righteous indignation, accused, "The King of Wei, bewitched by sorcerers, sold such poisonous substances to unsuspecting, innocent people. This is utterly blatant disregard for human life! It's outrageous!"

"Your Majesty, I implore you to immediately issue an edict to seal off the workshops in the south of the city! Destroy all the harmful molds and blueprints! Confine Prince Wei to his residence and punish him severely, so as to set an example for the world!"

The impeachments, delivered with desperate shouts, rained down on the dragon throne like a storm.

The military officers in the main hall frowned as they listened.

Cheng Yaojin glared with his big, copper-bell-like eyes, muttering a few curses. He was about to roll up his sleeves and jump out to curse when Changsun Wuji in front of him glared at him sternly and stopped him.

Changsun Wuji slightly raised his head, looking at the emperor on the dragon throne who remained silent throughout.

He had followed Li Shimin in battle for many years and knew the emperor's temperament all too well. When the emperor faced such fierce impeachments from his ministers, yet didn't utter a single angry rebuke or question, it often meant that someone was about to suffer a terrible fate.

Li Shimin sat there quietly, listening to the officials' impassioned speeches full of benevolence and morality.

His gaze passed over the group of clowns and landed on the person standing at the head of the princes' line.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian has surprisingly come to court today.

However, the current appearance of this Tang Dynasty crown prince is rather unsightly. His head is wrapped in a thick white gauze that is stained with blood, and the four-clawed python robe that signifies his status is loosely worn.

He was leaning against a mahogany pillar, his mouth wide open, yawning loudly and without any regard for his image. Every now and then, he would glance coldly at the few officials kneeling on the ground, as if they were looking at corpses.

Li Shimin withdrew his gaze.

He casually tossed the memorial he was playing with onto the imperial desk, making a crisp "thud" sound.

Though the sound was soft, it instantly silenced the deafening clamor of impeachment in the hall. Everyone's breathing subconsciously slowed down at that moment.

"Competing with the people for profit? Corrupting public morals? Disregarding human life?"

Li Shimin slowly repeated the three heinous crimes, a chilling smile slowly curving his lips.

He didn't slam his fist on the table in anger, nor did he shout in protest. He simply turned his head slightly to look at the Commander of the Hundred Cavalry, who had been standing solemnly behind the steps.

"Li Junxian".

"Your subject is here!" Li Junxian knelt on one knee.

Li Shimin leaned back on the broad back of the dragon throne, his right hand casually resting on the edge of the golden dragon head armrest.

"go."

Li Shimin's tone was calm, yet it exuded an unyielding imperial authority.

"Bring the things up to these patriotic gentlemen. Let them open their eyes wide and see what true disregard for human life really means."