My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

Taiji Palace, Liangyi Hall.

Li Shimin looked at the secret report presented by the Hundred Cavalry Command on the table, and his eyes twitched uncontrollably.

The secret report detailed the source of these rumors—the Eastern Palace.

Clearly, this was the work of Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Not only did this guy recover from his illness, but his temper also changed. He no longer plays by the rules, resorting to such underhanded tactics to ruin the reputations of those pedantic scholars.

Li Shimin should have been furious and summoned the crown prince to give him a severe scolding.

But in his mind, the image of Empress Zhangsun's cold face and her resolute decision to stay indoors for three days resurfaced.

In order to please the Queen, and to mend the rift caused by the illusion...

Li Shimin sighed and rubbed his throbbing temples.

"Li Junxian".

"Your subject is here." The commander of the Hundred Cavalry appeared in the center of the hall like a ghost.

"Go, send people to wipe away the source of these rumors. Anyone who dares to investigate further will be given a warning."

Li Shimin gritted his teeth, his face full of helplessness.

"Furthermore, grant those great Confucian scholars a few months' leave so they can go home and 'rest' properly. Without my decree, they are not allowed to wander around, lest they embarrass the court."

The mighty Emperor of the Tang Dynasty had actually stooped to the point of having to clean up his son's mess by spreading rumors.

Although Li Shimin felt aggrieved, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and accept it, thinking about the smile the Empress might show because of it.

Just when those pedantic scholars in the Eastern Palace were in a state of utter chaos.

On the other side of Chang'an, inside the Fang family mansion, a chaotic brawl was unfolding.

"You unfilial son! You disgraceful beast who disgraces the family!"

Fang Xuanling held a cowhide whip soaked in salt water in his hand, his eyes were bloodshot, and he was panting heavily.

His face, which usually wore a gentle smile, was now twisted like a demon.

Before him, Fang Yi'ai was tied to a large osmanthus tree in the courtyard. His clothes on his back had been torn to shreds, his skin was ripped open, and he was covered in blood.

"Father! What did I do wrong?! Why are you hitting me like this?!"

Fang Yi'ai cried his heart out, his screams echoing throughout the entire Fang residence.

He had just returned home from drinking in Pingkangfang last night, and this morning he was still dreaming in bed when his own father dragged him out of bed, tied him to a tree, and gave him a severe beating.

He had no idea which family rule he had broken that would make his usually gentle father so ruthless.

"How dare you ask! You spineless coward! I'll beat you to death today, so you won't make the Fang family a laughingstock for all time!"

Fang Xuanling felt a sharp pain in his heart whenever he recalled what Li Chen had said in the side hall.

The son of a high-ranking prime minister actually moved a small stool himself to guard the door for his daughter-in-law and the wild monk!

The title of "the first person to be cuckolded in history" was like a mountain, pressing down on him and making it hard for him to breathe.

"Snapped!"

Another whip lashed down. Fang Yi'ai let out a distorted scream and nearly fainted.

"Sir! Stop it! Do you want to kill Yi'ai?!"

Inside the main hall, Fang Xuanling's wife, Lady Lu, heard the commotion and rushed out without even putting on her outer garment, her hair disheveled.

She threw herself on Fang Yi'ai, using her body to shield him from the falling whip.

"If you're going to hit me, then kill me! What crime did Yi'ai commit that you would do something so cruel!" Madam Lu cried out, clinging tightly to Fang Xuanling's leg.

Fang Xuanling looked at his wife, and the whip in his hand fell limply to his side.

His chest heaved violently, and his finger pointing at Fang Yi'ai was trembling.

"Madam, you don't know... this unfilial son will utterly trample the Fang family's reputation into the mud!"

Fang Xuanling took a deep breath and chased away all the servants around him.

Then, he lowered his voice and told Lady Lu the whole story of the "eternal green hat" that the immortal had personally predicted in the side hall of the palace that day.

Of course, he omitted Princess Gaoyang's name, only saying that she was a princess of the royal family.

Upon hearing this, Lu was stunned, as if struck by lightning.

"This...how is this possible? Although Yi'ai is unruly, how could he do something so absurd?" Madam Lu shook her head frantically, her face full of disbelief. "Master, can the immortal's words always be accurate?"

"That immortal is a living deity with extraordinary abilities! He could even save the Empress's life, how could he be wrong?!" Fang Xuanling gritted his teeth. "Even if there's only a one in ten thousand chance, I absolutely cannot let this happen!"

Looking at her son, who was beaten to the point of near death, Mrs. Lu felt heartbroken and tears streamed down her face.

Her mind raced, and she suddenly looked up.

"Sir, what did you say was the monk's name?"

"Bianji," Fang Xuanling snorted coldly.

"Alright! Someone come here!" Madam Lu stood up abruptly, displaying the demeanor of the matriarch of the household.

"Send men to investigate! Search every temple in Chang'an and see if there's a monk named Bianji! If not, then it means the Immortal Master's words aren't entirely correct. If there is..."

A ruthless glint flashed in Lu's eyes.

In less than half a day, the servants who had been sent out returned.

"Reporting to Your Excellency and Madam, we have found it! There is indeed a young monk named Bianji at Dazongchi Temple. I've heard that he is exceptionally intelligent and handsome, and quite popular among the temple's worshippers."

The servant's words were like the last straw that broke the camel's back, completely shattering Lady Lu's doubts.

Fang Xuanling and Lady Lu exchanged a glance.

A hint of undisguised murderous intent flashed in the eyes of both the couple.

If you can't solve the problem of the person who raised it, then solve the problem at its source.

Since this ill-fated relationship was caused by that wild monk, let's cut it off completely at its source.

Night falls.

In a secluded alley outside Daisoji Temple.

The young and handsome monk Bianji was preparing to return to the temple to rest.

Suddenly, several dark figures descended from the sky.

Before Bianji could cry for help, a stinking sack was dumped over his head.

Immediately afterwards, a barrage of blows landed heavily on his legs.

"Snap! Snap!"

With a crisp sound of bones breaking, Bianji fainted completely before he could even scream.

Several dark figures quickly tied the sack tightly, lifted it, and left.

Half an hour later.

On the banks of the Wei River outside Chang'an City.

With a muffled "plop," water splashed everywhere.

The sack containing the future heroes of the Tang Dynasty was mercilessly sunk to the icy riverbed. With a few bubbles rising to the surface, the water returned to complete calm.

Princess Gaoyang's scandalous affair, which was enough to shock the ages, was nipped in the bud by Fang Xuanling using the simplest and most brutal physical means.

Everything is settled.

In the study of the Fang family mansion, Fang Xuanling let out a long sigh of relief.

He picked up the iced tea on the table and drank it all in one gulp, feeling completely refreshed.

"Immortal Master, you are truly a great benefactor to our Fang family. Even if we were to build a shrine in your honor, I, Fang Xuanling, would have no objection!"