Chapter 51: The Exposure of the Armor

Among the military generals, Yuchi Jingde and the others did not act as presumptuously as Cheng Yaojin, yet hearing Cheng Yaojin's words, expressions of disapproval flickered across their faces.

In their view, talking about the Crown Prince forcing his way into the palace was simply a ridiculous fuss made by people with too much time on their hands!

Leaving aside the fact that the Crown Prince had not truly forced his way into the palace, what if he actually had?

Did they really take His Majesty for someone easy to bully?

Besides, with a group of fierce and formidable generals of the Great Tang like themselves around, could they honestly allow a mere Crown Prince with a few dozen guards to reenact the past events of the Xuanwu Gate?

Ridiculous!

How perilous the Xuanwu Gate Incident had been back then, others might not know.

Yet could they, the men who had slaughtered their way out of the Xuanwu Gate, possibly not know?

Since His Majesty had no intention whatsoever of punishing the Crown Prince, it meant His Majesty had his own reasons!

Was it the turn of jumping-jack agitators like them to throw tantrums here?

Li Tai was once again publicly mocked by Cheng Yaojin, and his deepest, most well-concealed intentions were even laid bare!

The Prince of Wei's face instantly flushed crimson, and the layers of fat on his cheeks trembled with rage!

Seeing that he was once again on the verge of going mad and roaring in the imperial court!

"Enough..."

The voice was not loud, yet it felt like an invisible ice blade, instantly cutting off the roaring that the Duke of Lu and the Prince of Wei were about to unleash once more!

The entire Taiji Hall fell abruptly silent, only to begin humming with murmurs the very next second.

Every single gaze of the civil and military officials turned in astonishment toward the source of the sound!

Yet the one who spoke was not the emperor sitting high upon the imperial throne, but His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian, who had stood in attendance before the throne in unshakeable silence all along!

"His Majesty hasn't even spoken, yet this damned cripple dares...!" Li Tai abruptly twisted his face, distorted by frantic fury, and glared in disbelief at Li Chengqian. Rage at being usurped first burst forth in his eyes, only to be ruthlessly extinguished by the bottomless, chilling gaze cast down from the imperial steps!

It choked the Prince of Wei so severely that he felt a sharp pain in his chest and blackness before his eyes on the spot.

Li Chengqian ignored Li Tai's ferocious, man-devouring glare. There was even a trace of an imperceptible, faint helplessness and indifference on his face as his calm gaze swept across the tense Cheng Yaojin and the group of officials who had just been impeaching him, yet now appeared somewhat dazed.

Finally, his gaze settled steadily upon Li Tai's fat, furious, and increasingly distorted visage.

"One is a dignified imperial prince, and the other is a pillar of the state holding the title of duke!"

Li Chengqian's opening words were like jade striking gold, instantly suppressing all the clamor within the hall and clearly entering everyone's ears.

This was no longer the cautious and timid Crown Prince; his voice naturally carried a majestic aura.

"Yet the two of you, right here in this imperial court, behave like gossiping market shrews."

"Bickering endlessly and hurling vicious abuses!" He paused slightly, an awe-inspiring solemnity hidden beneath his calm tone, every word clear and striking at the heart of everyone present, "Where is the dignity of the imperial court?

"Where remains the prestige of the court?!"

"Could it be that the two of you..." Li Chengqian's voice suddenly rose, carrying a profound sorrow and a stern reprimand, his gaze burning like torches as if it would pierce through the two men before him, "intend to make all the people of the realm view the solemn imperial court of our Great Tang as nothing more than a village temple stage where rustic bumpkins squabble for petty gains, leaving behind a laughingstock for future generations?!"

When the Crown Prince chose to remain silent, he stayed quiet; but when he spoke, he startled everyone!

Especially that final sentence—though not loud, it shook the entire hall into absolute reverence!

In particular, those impeachment instigators swept up in fanaticism felt as though they had been instantly doused with a bucket of icy water, shocking them into sobriety!

Chu Suiliang and the others turned pale, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

Yet Li Chengqian did not give anyone a chance to catch their breath. Shifting his gaze directly to Cheng Yaojin, his tone carried an almost helpless understanding: "The Duke of Lu is of an upright disposition and has always been forthright and outspoken. While his words may have been somewhat abrasive, his loyalty to the sovereign and his dedication to the state are as clear as day and earth."

"As for the Prince of Wei, being an imperial son and a model for the nation, he ought to possess a tolerance as vast as the sea."

"How can he endlessly bicker in the imperial court simply due to a petty dispute of pride,"

"Disregarding the bigger picture?"

Hearing the Crown Prince's words, Li Shimin, seated upon the throne beside them, could not help but repeatedly glance sideways!

This boy appeared to be persuading Cheng Yaojin to restrain himself.

In reality, every single sentence was hammering home the fact that Li Tai was petty and ignored the greater good!

Good grief, while doing so, he had effortlessly bestowed upon Cheng Yaojin the lofty hat of loyalty to the sovereign and state, completely sealing the mouths of anyone who might wish to continue attacking Cheng Yaojin!

"Could this rascal Chengqian... have seen through the cooperative play between myself and that old wretch Cheng Yaojin as sovereign and subject?" Li Shimin's eyes narrowed slightly, filled entirely with appreciation.

Yet at this moment, Li Chengqian changed the subject and continued: "As for the matter concerning the palace gates last night..."

Hearing this, everyone in the imperial court was instantly shaken to their core!

How could His Royal Highness the Crown Prince bring the conversation around to end up pointing back at himself?

Seeing that the Crown Prince's words were about to touch upon the very core of today's storm—the incident of forcing the palace gates last night—

The civil and military officials, including the Prince of Wei, were so shocked that their eyeballs were practically about to pop out. After all, this matter had just barely been glossed over and muddled through in an utterly absurd manner by His Majesty and that scoundrel the Duke of Lu.

And now, he was bringing it up himself again?

"Even courting death shouldn't be done this way!" At this moment, Changsun Wuji was so anxious that he was practically about to step forward and stop His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!

Yet who would have thought that Li Chengqian's voice remained exceptionally steady, carrying an unquestionable clarity and an unexpected candor: "Last night, there was genuinely a valid reason for the event; it was not my intention to deliberately disturb the palace precincts."

"The treason and even the usurpation spoken of by the Prince of Wei and you lords are utterly groundless nonsense!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was astounded!

Even Li Shimin, who had been watching with detached interest, had his eyelids twitch imperceptibly at this moment!

His deep gaze grew somewhat puzzled.

However, when Li Chengqian's gaze inadvertently swept across a certain spot within the ranks of the military officials, Li Shimin could not help but follow his son's line of sight.

Only to discover that standing there, desperately trying to maintain his composure, was the Duke of Chen, Hou Junji!

"Could he be using the matter of the armor that I told him about last night to suppress this scoundrel Hou Junji right here in the court?"

Such a conjecture made Li Shimin feel a slight trace of disappointment in his heart...

After all, when he told Li Chengqian about the armor back then, it was to let his son boldly and independently handle this scoundrel Hou Junji. If he used it to suppress this fellow in the imperial court, it could hardly be called acting independently.

Still, this was of little consequence; after all, Hou Junji was merely Hou Junji.

Li Shimin's patience and tolerance toward Li Chengqian now were worlds apart from how he used to be.

However, as the Crown Prince's gaze swept past, Hou Junji's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly felt as though needles were pricking his back!

Sure enough, he heard Li Chengqian continue: "At the third watch of last night, the Duke of Chen, Hou Junji..."

Hearing him clearly state his name and the exact time, Hou Junji's body stiffened instantly!

Wasn't that precisely the time when he had gone to the Eastern Palace to instigate the Crown Prince into rebelling?

Hou Junji's legs were already trembling, dizziness struck him, and he felt as though he was about to faint!

Yet Li Chengqian acted as if he utterly failed to notice this appearance of his and continued onward.

"Suddenly made a late-night visit to the Eastern Palace, looking flustered and panicked!"

"He even reported to me in person, confessing within his own residence..."

"That more than a dozen sets of armor of unknown origin had bizarrely appeared!"

"Moreover, these suits of armor are exquisitely crafted, and judging by their style, they originated from the imperial guards... the Xuanjia Cavalry!"

With a loud buzz, cries of shock erupted everywhere across the imperial court!

"What?!"

"The imperial Xuanjia Cavalry?!"

"The Duke of Chen's residence?!"

"And more than a dozen suits?!"

Unsuppressed gasps of shock resounded in every corner of the hall!

"Hou Junji... has he lost his mind?!"

"No wonder His Royal Highness the Crown Prince forced his way into the palace last night; who wouldn't panic in this situation?!"

The Xuanjia Cavalry were His Majesty's most elite personal guards!

The control over their armor was extremely strict, yet it had inexplicably appeared in the private residence of an official?

And it was bloody well over a dozen suits?!

This was a grave crime serious enough to warrant the execution of one's entire clan and the confiscation of one's property!

At this moment, Hou Junji felt a chill rush from the soles of his feet straight to his crown; his brain went "buzz," turning instantly completely blank!

The trace of color on his face had long since drained away entirely, leaving only a deathly, ashen pale!

His hands, hidden within his sleeves, trembled violently and uncontrollably!

Even the jade ceremonial tablet he gripped tightly almost slipped and fell from his fingers!

Lifting his head abruptly, he looked at Li Chengqian with a face full of terror.

His eyes were filled with a horrified and desperate question!

How could the Crown Prince possibly know?!

Clearly... clearly this matter was known only to himself and a few absolute confidants!

The Crown Prince... just how much did the Crown Prince know?!

Could it be... could this matter actually be related to the Crown Prince himself?!

Or perhaps... was the Crown Prince simply the mastermind behind the plot to frame him?

And was his late-night intrusion into the palace yesterday precisely because of this matter?

It was over!

Everything was over!

Hou Junji felt the world spinning around him, and he was nearly suffocating!

He instinctively wanted to step out and defend himself, wanting to deny it!

Yet his legs felt as though they had been poured with lead, and his throat was choked shut!

He could only stand rigidly in place, unable to utter a single word.

The Crown Prince's move struck directly at his most fatal vulnerability!

Yet Li Chengqian acted as though he hadn't noticed Hou Junji's thunderstruck, soul-departed appearance at all, nor did he seem to hear the gasps of shock within the hall. His tone remained steady, carrying the calm of recounting a matter-of-fact truth, and he continued slowly: "Upon hearing this news quite suddenly, I was likewise utterly shocked."

"The Xuanjia Cavalry are His Majesty's personal troops, and at that moment they were fulfilling their sacred duty of guarding the palace precincts."

"For their armor to inexplicably appear in a duke's residence is a matter of utmost gravity!"

"As the heir apparent, I was deeply concerned for the safety of the palace precincts, fearing that some petty villains might create chaos and endanger His Majesty!"

"Burning with anxiety, I had no time to think carefully, nor time to gather more guards and processions. I hastily took dozens of Eastern Palace guards along with me, intending to enter the palace immediately to seek an audience with the Emperor, investigate the details, and ensure absolute safety!"

Having said this, Li Chengqian swept his gaze across the officials, his eyes calm and open.

"My original intention was to protect the palace precincts, uncover the truth, and set His Majesty's mind at ease."

"Alas, the situation was urgent, and my actions were inevitably hasty."

"Yet the palace gate guards were unaware of the circumstances and, seeing me arrive in armor, gave rise to a misunderstanding."

"Fortunately, when His Majesty learned of my late-night audience, he ordered me to enter the palace alone to explain the reasons."

"This is the full story of what they call the Crown Prince entering the palace in armor."

"This was indeed my fault for failing to think matters through thoroughly and acting rashly, thereby disturbing the palace precincts."

"I willingly accept punishment, without a shred of grievance." With these words, Li Chengqian bowed deeply toward the imperial throne.

Before Li Shimin could react, he straightened up again, turned to look in the direction of the Prince of Wei, and continued with a hint of helplessness and sarcasm: "Yet I never imagined that my actions of protecting the palace precincts and investigating evildoers"

"Would be regarded by the Prince of Wei and you lords as forcing the palace to rebel!"

"And you even went so far as to hurl such heart-piercing accusations against me as shaking the foundations of the state and forcing a coup!"

"Isn't this... sheer nonsense?"

Within the Taiji Hall, an absolute silence descended.

Even this silence was deeper and more profound than any that had preceded it.

Everyone's mind was racing to digest this sudden, heaven-shaking reversal!

So that was how it was!

The Crown Prince's intrusion into the palace happened because over a dozen sets of Xuanjia Cavalry armor had bizarrely appeared in Hou Junji's residence!

The Crown Prince was concerned for His Majesty's safety and had rushed to the palace to report and investigate!

This... how could this possibly be treason?

This was clearly demonstrating loyalty and bravery to guard the sovereign!

Even though the method used was indeed somewhat rash...

Countless gazes instantly focused on the pale and crumbling Hou Junji!

Those eyes were filled with shock, suspicion, fear, and scrutiny!

As for the Crown Prince's claim that the armor had appeared inexplicably, everyone automatically chose to overlook it.

Because no matter how that armor had appeared in Hou Junji's residence, he could not escape culpability.

In other words, this Hou Junji must have been utterly ruthless to take the risk of executing his entire clan just to confess to the Eastern Palace.

Since that was the case, the Crown Prince entering the palace to report to His Majesty at the very first opportunity upon learning of it

Was entirely reasonable and logical!

Countless shocked, complex, appreciative, and even incredulous gazes were now all focused on the Crown Prince, Li Chengqian.

Cheng Yaojin crossed his arms, his bovine eyes wide open and his mouth slightly agape.

After a long moment, he let out a silent "heh."

This kid is ruthless! Absolutely ruthless! And he has a spine!

This move of diverting the disaster played out brilliantly. Not only did it reduce the monstrous murderous momentum of the Prince of Wei's faction to nothing,

It also directly placed that old fox Hou Junji on the fire to roast him.

Brilliant, truly fucking brilliant!

The reckless expression on Cheng Yaojin's face was now completely replaced by an astonishment of looking at someone in a new light and an appreciation of "this kid's got what it takes."

For the very first time, he felt that this once-dissolute Crown Prince had truly become somewhat different.

Although he had also been incidentally scolded by the Crown Prince along the way, he still felt immensely gratified at the moment, and even cast a playful look toward the Prince of Wei, Li Tai, who had just been verbally sparring with him in court!

Yet it was precisely at this moment!

"You're lying!" Li Tai suddenly cried out in a shrill roar, as if unwilling to accept it: "After Hou Junji went to the Eastern Palace last night, you clearly went straight to the Pingkang Quarter afterwards!"

"And you even stayed for a long time in that pleasure house called 'A Realm Above'!"

"Then you suddenly galloped on horseback toward the palace!"

"..." Li Tai spoke with such vivid detail, as if he had witnessed it with his own eyes.

It was obvious that he had long since dispatched people to keep an eye on the Eastern Palace, which was why he knew about it so clearly.

He originally thought that by doing this, he could completely overturn everything Li Chengqian had said.

Yet upon hearing this, Li Chengqian merely curled the corners of his lips slightly. "The Prince of Wei speaks with such certainty..."

"Is he certain that he is so well-informed regarding the movements of me, the heir apparent?"

"Hmm?" Li Chengqian looked at Li Tai with a somewhat peculiar gaze.

Those two words, "heir apparent," instantly caused Li Tai to experience a sudden, blinding realization!

Oh no!

Hadn't he just incriminated himself without being tortured?

Spying on the movements of the heir apparent carried a crime equivalent to assassinating the sovereign; this was no laughing matter!

In an instant, Li Tai appeared to have completely lost his wits!

He stared blankly at Li Chengqian, his mind now reduced to a complete blank!

The impeachment craze and pathetic performance he had meticulously orchestrated, along with all his scheming and rage, appeared so pale, childish, and utterly vulnerable before the Crown Prince's seemingly humble yet sharply pointed counterattack!

He even felt a chill rising from the soles of his feet!

Could this eldest brother of his still be that cowardly, sensitive, and easily controlled "damned cripple"?

Had someone secretly swapped his soul or something?!