Li Shimin was very angry, and the consequences were severe.

Ma Zhou knew he was doomed when he heard Li Shimin's words. If he really let His Majesty go on a killing spree, he would not only fail to help the eldest grandson, but would also harm him!

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"Your Majesty's actions will only add fuel to the fire and provoke even fiercer resistance from the ministers!"

Li Shimin subconsciously placed his hand on his belt and looked disdainfully into the void.

"Would I be afraid of them?"

"Your Majesty, this isn't a question of whether we're afraid or not, but rather whether doing this will be effective!"

"Didn't His Majesty intend to protect his eldest grandson?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin was momentarily stunned, then pouted arrogantly.

"Why should I defend him!"

Ma Zhou didn't believe Li Shimin's nonsense, knowing that his emperor was the most hypocritical of all.

"Your Majesty, even if you don't care about your eldest grandson, you wouldn't want him to become the target of public criticism, would you?"

"Once this decree is issued, those in the court who are interested will definitely focus their attention on the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife. By then, Your Majesty will regret it too late!"

"oh?"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin hesitated immediately, though his angry chest continued to heave.

"Ma Zhou, then tell me, what should I do?"

"Your Majesty, when Heaven is about to place a great responsibility on a person, it will surely test their will, strain their muscles and bones, and starve their body..."

"You mean, let me..."

"right!"

After whispering among themselves for a while, Li Shimin was finally persuaded by Ma Zhou.

"well!"

"Let's proceed with your method for now. If it doesn't work, I'll have to take matters into my own hands!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I am confident that as long as we proceed gradually, we will be able to find the real culprit behind this."

"However, this matter is a bit too unfair to the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife. I hope Your Majesty will compensate the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife in other ways..."

Li Shimin waved his hand dismissively.

"It's alright!"

"That grandson is very stubborn and will not be swayed by such a small matter."

The residence of Changsun Wuji.

The death of Geng Jingming not only threw Li Shimin into chaos, but also left Changsun Wuji, a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince, completely bewildered.

Who did this?

This looks so much like my handiwork!

Although Changsun Wuji was secretly hoping Li Jue would suffer, he genuinely had no involvement in Geng Jingming's matter. He was even feeling somewhat aggrieved, fearing that His Majesty would suspect him.

Therefore, after learning about Geng Jingming's matter, he hesitated whether to submit a memorial to His Majesty to explain that he had no intention of harming the eldest grandson.

However, upon learning of this, Chu Suiliang immediately persuaded Changsun Wuji to stay.

"My lord, this is absolutely unacceptable!"

"His Majesty hasn't said anything yet, and you're already rushing to submit a memorial to defend yourself. This will surely arouse His Majesty's even greater suspicion."

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji sighed inwardly.

"It is precisely because of this concern that I have delayed submitting my memorial!"

"Chu Suiliang, who do you think was responsible for this?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Suiliang stared intently at Changsun Wuji, and seeing that Changsun Wuji had no expression on his face, he was filled with doubt.

Could it be that this matter really has nothing to do with Changsun Wuji?

Although Chu Suiliang rushed over to persuade Changsun Wuji, he actually believed in his heart that Changsun Wuji was responsible for the incident.

The reason is simple: this kind of insidious behavior is just too much like Changsun Wuji's style.

But seeing Changsun Wuji's reaction now, he was a little unsure.

Was it because Changsun Wuji was too skilled, or was this matter truly unrelated to him?

"My lord, I can't understand it either..."

"well!"

"If you can't figure it out, then His Majesty must be even more confused!"

"Sir, what should we do next?"

Changsun Wuji smiled bitterly upon hearing this.

"Is there anything else we need to do?"

"If we just quietly watch the show, that's the greatest act of loyalty we can show!"

The next day, dozens of memorials poured into the Ganlu Hall like snowflakes, almost overwhelming Li Shimin.

More than half of these memorials were in defense of Geng Jingming, hoping the court would thoroughly investigate the matter and give Geng Jingming justice. The other half were impeachments of Li Jue, accusing him of numerous illegal acts.

Although these people did not explicitly say that Li Jue was involved in Geng Jingming's death, their words clearly implied that the matter was attributed to Li Jue.

Li Shimin casually flipped through them and then threw all the memorials aside.

Despite his anger, he still followed Ma Zhou's plan and sent someone to give Li Jue a severe scolding.

The Prince of Qin's Mansion.

When Li Jue woke up, the sky seemed to have fallen. He had no idea what bad luck he had encountered that had led to so many officials impeaching him. What puzzled him even more was that Li Er had also sent someone to "scold" him.

"Li Jue, you unfilial grandson!"

"Who the hell are you calling a traitorous grandson?"

Upon hearing this, the young eunuch quickly apologized.

"Your Highness, please calm down. These are His Majesty's exact words. I was merely repeating them..."

"Then hurry up and tell me, there's no need to use your tone too much!"

"promise!"

The young eunuch quickly recounted the events, but whether out of professional habit or professional ethics, he still tried his best to retain Li Shimin's tone.

"I have always been strict in disciplining my troops, yet you dare to allow them to commit atrocities in the capital region!"

"Attack?"

"What kind of violence did you commit?"

"Old Su, what heinous things has our Zhechong Prefecture done?"

Upon hearing this, Su Dingfang repeatedly protested his innocence.

No!

"Ever since we returned from Liaodong, we've given all the soldiers leave to go home. Everyone's eagerly awaiting His Majesty's rewards; why would they commit any misconduct at this crucial juncture?"

"Oh, by the way, Your Majesty isn't referring to the time when the imperial carriage entered Chang'an and our Sanglin Garrison assisted the Hundred Cavalry Division in guarding the area, is he?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue lowered his head and thought for a moment. It seemed that only this one thing could be considered disturbing the peace, but it was far from being a crime.

"If His Majesty reprimands me for this matter, I will definitely go to the palace to demand justice!"

The young eunuch was almost in tears upon seeing this. He had been the emperor's mouth double for so many years, and this was the first time he had ever encountered someone who dared to bargain with the emperor.

"Eldest grandson, please have mercy and let me finish delivering His Majesty's edict!"

"Okay, okay... you go on, I promise I won't interrupt this time!"

The little eunuch cleared his throat and then began to perform in a dramatic tone.

"I have always treated you well, even spoiled you excessively!"

"Now that you have caused such a great disturbance, I can no longer tolerate it..."

"I hereby sentence you to a month of confinement and reflection!"

"What?"

Li Jue was stunned when he heard the last sentence. Li Er had spoken so intimidatingly before, but in the end he just decided to stay behind closed doors and reflect on his actions.

Are you sure His Majesty said this himself?

"Your Highness is joking. How could this servant dare to fabricate His Majesty's words?"

"this……"

"Get out of here..."

"Uh..."

"Your Highness, the eldest grandson, you must accept the imperial decree and express your gratitude..."

"Thank you?"

"This old man has wronged me, and he expects me to thank him?"

"roll!"

"If you don't get out of here, I'll unleash my dogs on you!"