In Li Zhi's account, Changsun Dan was portrayed as a miserable person who was mistreated for a long time, was not well-fed or slept, had to do heavy physical labor every day, and was always in danger of dying.

But Li Shimin was very clear that neither Li Jue nor Yan Lide would kill Changsun Dan.

It wasn't that the two were afraid of Changsun Wuji, but rather that they both had very high moral standards and wouldn't transfer their hatred for Changsun Wuji onto Changsun Dan.

Of course, it was inevitable that Changsun Dan would suffer a bit.

These two people weren't particularly bad, but they weren't saints either.

"I understand!"

"ah?"

Li Zhi was completely stunned when he heard this. He had muttered so much to himself, and all he got was a simple "I know" to get rid of him?

"Father, can you forgive my cousin Changsun Dan?"

"forgive?"

Li Shimin gave Li Zhi a cold look, which made Li Zhi's legs tremble.

"Father... Your subject takes his leave..."

Li Shimin watched Li Zhi's departing figure, a hint of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

If Li Zhi had admitted his mistake and told him that he had ordered someone to embezzle the funds for the renovation of the Eastern Palace, he would have released Changsun Dan on the spot.

However, Li Zhi ultimately disappointed him.

After Li Shimin emerged from the underground palace, he toured the main hall and side halls.

The two buildings are basically completed, with only some gilding decorations left to be finished.

Looking at the few craftsmen present, Li Shimin knew that Yan Lide was intentionally slowing down the construction to buy himself more time.

Thinking of this, Li Shimin lost all interest in visiting his mausoleum and immediately ordered his men to carry him down the mountain.

Zongshan Post Station.

With the addition of a group of powerful and influential people, the post station was bustling with activity both inside and out.

Cheng Yaojin was a compulsive gambler, and even when he went on a temporary business trip, he would bring a game of mahjong. Therefore, when Li Shimin returned from the mountain, he happened to see Cheng Yaojin leading three people, shouting and yelling as they played mahjong.

Of course, the others weren't much better off.

Yuchi Jingde led a group of people to take drugs, while Li Shiji played chess with Li Jing.

Relatively speaking, only Chu Suiliang and others were more refined; a few civil officials got together to ponder writing poetry.

Li Shimin joined Chu Suiliang's poetry club without hesitation.

After all, he couldn't beat Li Jing at chess, and he didn't like mahjong. He did like taking drugs, but there were no beautiful women around, so taking drugs would just be pointless.

Therefore, writing poetry is still the best option, relatively speaking.

With Li Shimin's arrival, the literary skills of Chu Suiliang and others dropped several levels.

In fact, Li Shimin was quite accomplished in poetry, but compared to professional civil officials like Chu Suiliang, he was still far inferior.

With one side gaining and the other losing, Li Shimin and Chu Suiliang, among others, actually engaged in lively debates and exchanges of witty banter.

But good times are always easily broken. A loud whistle rang out, and everyone in the post station immediately stopped playing and turned to look at Li Shimin, who had a serious expression on his face.

Everyone knew what the whistle meant, but no one knew His Majesty's attitude towards it.

Inside the inn, where you could hear a pin drop, the sound of a powerful rhythm could still be heard outside the window.

"One, two, one...one, two, one..."

After a slight hesitation, Li Shimin walked to the window and looked at the soldiers of the Sanglin Zhechong Prefecture running hard on the mountain road. He searched the crowd and finally found that familiar figure.

Seeing the sweat streaming down Li Jue's face, Li Shimin was pleased with his grandson's strength, and also pleased that he himself wasn't too old and could still see people and objects in the distance as long as there was enough light.

However, Li Shimin's good mood was soon shattered.

"Your Majesty, the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife has transferred the soldiers of Sanglin Garrison without permission. Such an act is tantamount to treason!"

The one who said this was none other than Chu Suiliang, who had just exchanged poems with Li Shimin.

Li Shimin frowned slightly upon hearing this, feeling quite displeased.

However, before he could make a statement, several other officials stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, this trend must not be allowed to continue!"

"If all the princes of the Tang Dynasty acted like this, wouldn't we be repeating the War of the Eight Princes?"

"Your Majesty, I know you dote on your eldest grandson. I do not expect Your Majesty to uphold justice, but I beg Your Majesty to reprimand your eldest grandson and make sure he behaves himself!"

"Your humble servant is old, and I truly do not wish to see the royal family fighting amongst themselves, or brothers killing each other again, sob sob sob..."

Li Shimin could no longer contain himself upon hearing this and let out a roar.

"Enough!"

"Li Jue's mobilization of the garrison troops of Sanglin Garrison was with my permission!"

"Your Majesty, is there an imperial edict or a written decree regarding this matter?"

"No!"

"Your Majesty, without an imperial edict or decree, how can there be any talk of permission?"

"Your Majesty, this is unreasonable..."

Li Shimin snorted coldly upon hearing this.

"Bring me a pen!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Anan hurriedly offered paper and pen. Li Shimin, in front of everyone, quickly wrote down an edict allowing Li Jue to freely mobilize the troops of the Sanglin Garrison.

After Li Shimin finished writing the imperial edict, he threw it directly in the face of the official who had just criticized him.

"Take it!"

"This is the imperial edict you requested!"

Li Shimin's actions completely baffled everyone. They had seen His Majesty act unreasonably before, but they had never seen him act so unreasonably.

But if asked to pinpoint exactly where His Majesty was being unreasonable, they couldn't really say.

After all, the imperial edict was genuine, and it was written under the watchful eyes of all of them.

Isn't this imperial edict a bit late?

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