Chapter 157: Confession (1)

"Now, the evidence of Hou Junji's treason is solid. He should be arrested and punished immediately. According to the law, Hou Junji and his sons who are over 16 years old should be executed together."

"The rest of the relatives should be exiled or taken as official slaves according to their closeness. Hou Junji has made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty throughout his life."

"I really don't want to see Hou Junji die, but everyone is equal before the law. As the crown prince, I cannot violate the law. I can't open this loophole." Li Chengqian said in a hypocritical manner.

Hou Junji must be killed no matter what, and he must not be allowed to meet Li Er. Otherwise, who knows if he has anything else to prove that he had treasoned with him.

According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, the death penalty, exile, treason, and high treason must be approved by the emperor and can only be executed by imperial decree.

No one has the right to kill or give life to prisoners without the emperor's decree, even if Li Chengqian is the crown prince, and now he is in charge of the country.

The best way is to first lock up Hou Junji's family, let the three courts judge and convict them, and then wait for Li Er to return from Goguryeo before dealing with them.

Li Chengqian knew that after Li Er came back, he would personally interrogate Hou Junji and ask him why he wanted to rebel.

By then, Hou Junji would definitely give Li Chengqian out.

Therefore, Li Chengqian could not let Li Er and Hou Junji meet no matter what, and he, Li Chengqian, could not kill Hou Junji.

Otherwise, it would easily arouse Li Er's suspicion. Why was the prince so eager to kill Hou Junji? By then, if he investigated, it would inevitably reveal that the prince also had the intention of rebellion.

These days, Li Chengqian has been thinking about how to solve this problem without drawing the spearhead to himself.

Li Anyan understood what Li Chengqian meant. This was the prince who wanted Hou Junji's life, and he couldn't do it directly. He was in a dilemma.

It was better not to mix in the people of the East Palace.

Li Anyan's dark eyes radiated a hint of ferocity. At present, there were more people who wanted Hou Junji's life than just the prince Li Chengqian.

Li Anyan also didn't want Hou Junji to live until Li Er returned from Goguryeo.

Once Hou Junji and Li Er met, Hou Junji would definitely confess the people who conspired with him to rebel.

Li Anyan is also involved, so, besides Li Chengqian, Li Anyan is the second person who doesn't want Hou Junji to live.

Anyway, Hou Junji will die sooner or later, so it's better to help Li Chengqian and others, and exchange one life for everyone's future.

Why not do such a thing!

"Your Highness!" Li Anyan said, "I have a way to solve your problem."

"Oh! Why don't you tell me what you have in mind." Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"We can let Hou Junji commit suicide, which can solve all the worries in your heart." Li Anyan said.

"Your suggestion is good! But how can Hou Junji obey obediently?" Li

Chengqian said. "If your Highness trusts me, hand it over to me at this time, and I will definitely satisfy your Highness." Li Anyan said.

Li Anyan is not from the Eastern Palace. If something goes wrong, no one will suspect the Eastern Palace, let alone the crown prince.

If Li Anyan wants to be valued by Li Chengqian in the future, he must solve the problem of Hou Junji, which can be regarded as his loyalty to Li Chengqian.

Another important point is that he, Li Anyan, can be regarded as an accomplice in Hou Junji's conspiracy to rebel. For his own future, Li Anyan must draw a clear line with Hou Junji. Even at

all costs, Hou Junji must shut up forever. The best way is to let Hou Junji die.

Only in this way can they survive.

"I naturally trust you. Hou Junji must die. The most important thing is to give His Majesty a satisfactory explanation." Li Chengqian said.

"I am stupid! I don't know what I should do to give Your Majesty a satisfactory explanation?" Li Anyan asked in confusion.

"For example, Hou Junji knew that he had committed serious crimes and had no face to face the people of the world, nor His Majesty. He could only die to thank the world!"

"He was afraid that people would misunderstand him, so he wrote a letter of apology or a letter of regret, which could not only explain his own crimes, but also reassure Your Majesty." Li Chengqian said.

More importantly, he, Li Chengqian, could be assured. With this so-called letter of apology, he could not only explain why Hou Junji committed suicide, but also perfectly understand Hou Junji's conspiracy to rebel.

"After Your Highness's advice, I have understood what to do next! Please wait for good news from me." Li Anyan said.

Li Chengqian was overjoyed. As long as Li Anyan could really accomplish this, he would never treat Li Anyan unfairly.

"In that case, I'll leave everything to you!" Li Chengqian said.

While Li Chengqian and Li Anyan were talking, they had already decided on Hou Junji's ending. The two of them had a great time talking and were in cahoots with each other.

Hou Junji had fallen to this point, largely because he dared to take Li Chengqian.

This was one of the reasons why Li Chengqian had to kill him. Anyone who dared to threaten the personal safety of the Crown Prince would have no choice but to die.

In order to avoid any more trouble, Li Anyan did not delay in the East Palace and stood up to say goodbye to Li Chengqian.

After leaving the East Palace, Li Anyan rode directly to the residence of Duke Chen.

Li Anyan had come to the mansion of Chen Guogong Hou Junji many times, and each time he came, he was plotting a rebellion with Hou Junji.

Every time Li Anyan came to Hou Junji's mansion, he was either plotting a rebellion or on the way to plot a rebellion.

But this time, he did not come to discuss the rebellion with Hou Junji, but to force Hou Junji to commit suicide.

The gatekeepers at Chen Guogong's mansion knew Li Anyan and thought he was here to discuss important matters with his master. Therefore, they did not dare to be negligent.

Li Anyan turned over and dismounted. One person stepped forward to lead the horse away and pulled it down to feed some hay. Another person turned around and ran towards the gate to report to his master Hou Junji.

Another person stepped forward to lead Li Anyan to the living room to wait, and asked someone to serve tea. At that time, their master would personally entertain Li Anyan.

After leaving the secret room, Hou Junji still looked depressed. He had evidence of the prince's crime and could force him to surrender.

But several letters hidden in the secret room disappeared. How could he use these letters to force the prince?

Just when Hou Junji was at a loss, his servant came to report that Li Anyan had come to visit.

This gave Hou Junji,

who was at a loss, a glimmer of hope. Overjoyed, Hou Junji calmed down, left the study, and went to the living room to see Li Anyan.

But he didn't know that Li Anyan was not here to give him hope, but to push him into the abyss and to take his life.

Li Anyan was Hou Junji's death warrant.