7: Li Chengqian's words were too poisonous, and Li Shimin's face turned ugly.

“Boom!”

These words, like a clap of thunder, exploded in Li Shimin’s mind!

Xuanwu Gate!

It was the glory of his life, and also the nightmare of his life!

It was the deepest scar in his heart, the one he least wanted anyone to touch!

He could tolerate his sons fighting, he could tolerate them scheming against each other, but he would never tolerate anyone putting the words “Xuanwu Gate Incident” so nakedly on the table!

What’s more, the one who said these words was his Crown Prince!

Li Shimin’s face instantly turned ashen, his chest heaved with surging Qi and blood, and a metallic taste rose in his throat.

He gripped the armrest of the Dragon Throne tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, and veins bulging on the back of his hands.

He wanted to erupt, to unleash his thunderous wrath, to drag out this audacious, rebellious son and execute him!

But he couldn’t.

Li Chengqian’s words were too venomous!

And too accurate!

He slapped Li Tai because Li Tai “disrespected his elder brother”.

This was to uphold royal etiquette and the dignity of the Crown Prince.

He mentioned Xuanwu Gate to warn Li Tai not to covet what didn’t belong to him, not to repeat past mistakes.

Every word stood on the side of “reason”.

Didn’t he, Li Shimin, back then, only retaliate in anger because of his elder brother Li Jiancheng’s coercion?

Now, Li Chengqian publicly pointed out Li Tai’s ambition, placing him in the position Li Jiancheng was in back then.

If he were to severely punish Li Chengqian because of these words, wouldn’t that be telling the world that he, the Emperor, supported his sons in their fratricidal struggle for the throne?

That his launching of the Xuanwu Gate Incident back then wasn’t out of desperation, but rather his true nature?

This was like stuffing bitter gourds into his mouth, making him unable to speak.

He was filled with frustration, but could only forcefully swallow this indignity!

The entire court of civil and military officials were no longer just shocked, but horrified.

They looked at the Crown Prince, who still maintained a stern expression, feeling as if they were meeting him for the first time.

Was this still the gentle, submissive, even somewhat timid Crown Prince?

This was clearly a fierce tiger that had been dormant for a long time, finally baring its fangs!

In the imperial court, Li Chengqian, in a way no one had expected, gained the absolute upper hand.

Li Tai covered his face, both ashamed and indignant, yet couldn’t utter a single word in rebuttal.

Because he knew that another word from him would be tantamount to admitting his disloyal intentions.

He couldn’t bear that charge.

Finally, Li Shimin took a deep breath, almost squeezing out a few words through gritted teeth: “Dismiss… court…”

With that, he flung his sleeve, walked down the imperial steps without looking back, his Dragon-like stride, however, carried an undeniable sense of panic… The night was as dark as ink.

Inside Ganlu Hall, the lamps were brightly lit, yet it was eerily silent.

Li Shimin had changed out of his Dragon robe, wearing only a bright yellow casual robe, sitting on a soft couch, his face so gloomy it seemed it could drip water.

The scene that had unfolded in Taiji Hall earlier in the day replayed in his mind like a brand.

Li Chengqian’s cold gaze, that crisp slap, and especially those last heart-piercing words, all made him restless.

He felt his control over this son slipping away at an unprecedented speed.

“Go, summon Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui to I.”

He whispered to the eunuch beside him.

“Yes.”

The eunuch dared not speak further, bowed, and withdrew.

Not long after, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui entered Ganlu Hall one after another, their steps hurried.

“This subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”

The two bowed.

“Dispense with the formalities, sit.”

Li Shimin waved his hand, his voice a little hoarse.

The two exchanged glances, both seeing solemnity in each other’s eyes.

They knew that the Emperor’s late-night summons must be for something important.

Especially after what had happened in court today.

They sat down on the brocade stools below Li Shimin, sitting upright, awaiting the Emperor’s questions.

Li Shimin did not speak immediately; he picked up his teacup, gently blew on the floating tea leaves, and the hot steam from the scalding tea blurred his expression.

A heavy silence permeated the hall.

After a long while, Li Shimin finally put down his teacup and slowly began, “Regarding today’s court affairs, what do you two esteemed officials think?”

It’s here.

Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui’s hearts simultaneously sank.

This was a trap.

An overly harsh answer would be framing the Crown Prince.

An overly lenient answer would be deceiving the Emperor.

Fang Xuanling, as the head of all officials, pondered for a moment before speaking first, his tone as steady and cautious as ever: “Replying to Your Majesty, His Highness Prince Wei’s words were inappropriate and unbecoming of a subject. His Highness the Crown Prince… reacted intensely, which also lacked the proper decorum of a Crown Prince. This matter is a family affair of the imperial family; we, as external subjects, dare not comment rashly.”

He characterized the matter as a “family affair,” cleverly extricating himself.

He neither offended the Emperor, nor the Crown Prince and Prince Wei.

Li Shimin listened, gave an noncommittal “Hmm,” and turned his gaze to Du Ruhui.

“Ke Ming, what about you?”

Du Ruhui had always been known for his “decisiveness”; he knew that what the Emperor wanted to hear was definitely not Fang Xuanling’s diplomatic platitudes.

He pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, “Your Majesty, Chancellor Fang’s words are absolutely correct. However, this subject dares to speak a word off-topic.”

“Speak.”

“This subject believes that His Highness the Crown Prince’s actions today, though seemingly reckless and impulsive, in reality… every word, every sentence, was within the bounds of law and reason.”

Du Ruhui carefully chose his words, “His reprimand of Prince Wei for disrespecting his elder brother was for ‘propriety’. His mention of… old matters, was for ‘warning’. Every action, though seemingly driven by hot-headedness, forced Prince Wei into a corner, leaving him no room for rebuttal. Such cunning, such tactics…”

Du Ruhui did not continue, but the meaning was already self-evident.

Li Shimin’s eyes suddenly sharpened: “You mean, Chengqian’s actions today were premeditated?”

“This subject dares not speak presumptuously.”

Du Ruhui immediately lowered his head, “This subject merely feels that His Highness the Crown Prince, compared to what we usually see… seems like a completely different person.”

Du Ruhui’s words were a key, suddenly unlocking the door of suspicion in Li Shimin’s heart.

Yes, a completely different person!

The usual Li Chengqian was gentle, refined, respectful, filial, and even a bit indecisive.

But today’s Li Chengqian was sharp, decisive, and even dared to expose his own scar to his face!

Which one was the real him?

“Xuanling,”

Li Shimin’s gaze once again turned to Fang Xuanling, “You have assisted the Crown Prince for many years. Tell me, what kind of person is this Crown Prince of mine?”

Fang Xuanling inwardly groaned.

This question was even more lethal than the previous one.

He stood up, bowed deeply, a bitter smile on his face: “Your Majesty, forgive this subject’s dullness. This subject has assisted the Crown Prince for many years, and believes he has done his utmost. But only today did this subject realize that this subject… has never truly seen through His Highness the Crown Prince.”