110: Fang Xuanling, I will discipline your daughter-in-law for you!

Every single word struck deep into Li Shimin's Soul.

The past, those bloody scenes he had deliberately sealed away, pressed down into the deepest recesses of his memory with imperial power and authority, were at this moment brutally torn open by his most cherished son, exposed in broad daylight!

Xuanwu Gate... It was Xuanwu Gate again!

The ambush of that year, the blood of that year, the screams of that year... Jiancheng's eyes wide with terror, Yuanji's venomous glare that refused to close even in death, and his father's face filled with utter disappointment... Scene after scene flashed wildly before his eyes.

Li Shimin's body began to tremble violently, uncontrollably.

He felt his throat unable to breathe, unable to utter a single sound.

He wanted to scold, to refute, to tell him that he did it for the Li Tang Dynasty, for the empire!

But under the gaze of his son's cold, all-seeing eyes, all words were choked in his throat, turning into silent spasms.

Yes... What right did he have, here, before Xuanwu Gate, to question his own son with the words "fratricide"?

This was the most absurd, most ridiculous irony in the world!

"You..."

Li Shimin opened his mouth, only managing to utter a single, hoarse, unrecognizable syllable.

His complexion changed from pale to ashen.

That imperial majesty, commanding all under heaven, crumbled at this moment, utterly gone.

He was no longer the brilliant Khan of Heaven, but merely a pathetic father whose ugliest scar had been publicly exposed by his son.

A usurper who murdered his brothers.

Around them, there was a deathly silence.

Even the wind seemed to have stopped.

Everyone watched the father and son in horror.

They watched the once unyielding Emperor fall apart, speechless, under the Crown Prince's understated rhetorical question.

Li Chengqian's gaze finally moved away from his father, who now looked like a withered tree.

Those cold eyes slowly turned towards a cowering figure in the crowd.

Fang Xuanling.

This Chancellor, known for his composure, astuteness, and flawless strategies, now felt a chill shoot from the soles of his feet straight to the crown of his head. He instinctively wanted to lower his head, to avoid that gaze that could pierce through one's heart, but his body was stiff and disobedient.

"Chancellor Fang."

Li Chengqian's voice was not loud, but it struck Fang Xuanling's heart.

Fang Xuanling's Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Li Chengqian took a step forward, his blood-stained military boot leaving a clear mark on the floor.

"Gaoyang is your daughter-in-law."

"She committed adultery with an Evil Monk, defiling the palace and disgracing the imperial family."

"This matter, in Chang'an City, even three-year-old children have probably heard of it, haven't they?"

Li Chengqian's tone was flat, yet every word was a condemnation.

Fang Xuanling's face instantly turned as pale as Li Shimin's. He knew that the Crown Prince was going to make an example of him.

Li Chengqian let out a light laugh, but there was no warmth in it, only bone-chilling coldness.

"You, Fang Xuanling, are hailed as the head of all officials, yet you can't even manage your own family's reputation. You allow a harlot to tarnish the good name of our Li Tang Dynasty. Tell me, how should I... view you?"

That word "I," though presumptuous, seemed so natural at this moment.

Fang Xuanling's lips trembled, and he fell to his knees with a thud, his voice shaking uncontrollably: "Your Highness... This official, this official is guilty!"

"Guilty?" Li Chengqian looked down at him, his eyes full of disdain, "You think a simple 'guilty' will suffice?"

He suddenly raised his voice, sternly rebuking: "Since you, as the father-in-law, cannot rectify this, then I will rectify your daughter-in-law's conduct for you!"

This shout made all the officials' hearts pound with fear.

This was about to interfere directly in a Chancellor's family affairs in front of the Emperor—no, this was no longer a family matter; this was about establishing authority! About killing a chicken to scare the monkeys!

Li Chengqian scanned the surroundings, taking in everyone's fear, and then he suddenly commanded:

"Come!"

His voice echoed under the empty tower of Xuanwu Gate, carrying an undeniable authority.

However, those who responded were not the Qianniu Guard or the Jinwu Guard, as everyone expected.

From the shadows on both sides of Xuanwu Gate, dozens of black figures emerged silently.

They were dressed in uniform dark Xuan-colored tight-fitting clothes, wearing bronze Ghost Face (ghost masks), and carrying standard sabers at their waists. Their movements were perfectly synchronized, landing without a sound.

The Bad People of the Li Tang Dynasty!

The moment he clearly saw these people, Li Shimin's already ashen pupils suddenly contracted!

A chill and regret, more bone-piercing than when his son had just exposed his wound, instantly swept through his entire body.

The Bad People... This shadow force, which he had personally established, independent of all bureaucratic systems, answering only to him! They were the sharpest dark blade of the Li Tang Dynasty, his most secret weapon for monitoring the empire and eliminating dissent!

Not long ago, their commander was Yuan Tiangang, and their allegiance was to him, Li Shimin!

But now... now they bowed and obeyed his son!

They knelt on one knee in perfect unison, not towards him, the Emperor, but towards the Crown Prince holding the dripping long sword!

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

The perfectly synchronized voices, cold and merciless, shattered Li Shimin's last shred of imperial dignity.

When had he lost this force?

How could he have not noticed in the slightest?

This rebellious son, his reach... how far did it extend?!

Li Shimin felt his heart being squeezed, the pain almost suffocating him.

This was more agonizing than being subjected to blades and axes. It meant that he had not only failed morally but had also utterly lost control of power.

Li Chengqian ignored his father's pain, reveling in the feeling of controlling everything, enjoying the undisguised fear and regret in his father's eyes.

He raised his hand, pointing in the direction of Chang'an City, his voice cutting like a knife.

"Transmit my order! Immediately proceed to Huichang Temple in Jincheng Ward and apprehend the Evil Monk Bianji! If there is any resistance, kill him without mercy!"

"You dare!"

A sharp, shrill cry pierced the oppressive silence.

Princess Gaoyang could no longer maintain her imperial princess's haughtiness, her pretty face contorted with anger and fear. She screamed hysterically at Li Chengqian: "Li Chengqian! You're insane! He is my man! Try to touch a single hair on his head!"

She thought that by invoking her identity, she could at least make Li Chengqian hesitate.

However, she was too naive.

Li Chengqian slowly turned his head, and in the eyes that looked at her, there was no trace of sibling affection, only pure, undisguised disgust and killing intent.

"Take her down."

He didn't even bother to say another word, just squeezed out two words through gritted teeth.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

A Bad People commander shouted in a low voice, and two Bad People wearing ghost masks immediately lunged at Princess Gaoyang.

"Presumptuous! You dog slaves! I am a Princess! Father! Father, save me!"