Chapter 41 Hou Junji is hereby handed over to you for disposal.

Li Shimin had actually considered the idea of snatching his own son's prize.

However, after catching a glimpse of Zhao Mu in secret and subsequently conducting a thorough investigation, he reluctantly abandoned that notion.

That day at the Cloud and Rain Pavilion, he and Changsun Wuji had concealed themselves in the shadows.

Zhao Mu sat in a lazy manner beside the solemn Crown Prince, drinking and making merry while casually discussing matters of state so astonishing that anyone in the world would be left gaping in awe...

His carefree and unrestrained demeanor was unmistakably that of someone merely toying with the mortal world.

Yet, the words that came from this young man's mouth at the time left him astonished, enraged, and deeply impressed all at once.

Upon reflection, it was enough to drive even an emperor like him half crazy!

Kill him? He couldn't bear to!

Not kill him? He couldn't swallow his anger!

Yet, while angry, this brat was actually devising strategies for his own son.

Which meant he was indirectly working for him, and for the imperial court!

The crucial part was that with a casual move, that fellow could effortlessly resolve problems that had plagued the imperial court for years!

This kind of effortless talent capable of shocking the entire imperial court and stirring the imperial family actually compelled him, the supreme sovereign, to feel a sense of admiration...

Moreover, observing Zhao Mu's consistent conduct, it was not difficult to see that this young man only wished to remain a detached spectator. When he felt inclined, he would step in to manipulate the chessboard; when he found it boring, he would drink and make merry daily, maintaining a posture of total indifference to worldly affairs.

Indeed, such a rare talent probably possessed his own distinct backbone and temperament.

To force a change might extinguish his spirit, and worse still, should it impair his abilities—even by the slightest fraction—it would be a loss for the Crown Prince, and a loss for himself and the Great Tang!

Besides, even if he were to personally lower his status to invite him with courtesy, given that lofty and unruly disposition of his, the fellow would likely hide far away immediately, turning a good intention into a blunder, which would be less than ideal.

Therefore, it was far better to let Chengqian act freely; whenever he encountered a thorny problem, he would naturally go to "consult" him.

In any case, as long as the fellow was willing to offer ideas to Chengqian, it amounted to working for him and the imperial court.

He was happy to see it happen, and it spared him the trouble of twisting a melon off the vine by force.

Perhaps this idle move might yield miraculous results...

This was actually one of the reasons why Li Shimin decided to elevate the Crown Prince's authority within the court...

And indeed, the most important reason!

Having finalized his deliberation regarding Zhao Mu, Li Shimin kept his expression unperturbed and deftly shifted the topic.

"By the way, Chengqian, there is one more matter."

Li Chengqian, who had just recovered from his inexplicable pleasant surprise, hurriedly cupped his hands and listened respectfully.

Yet he heard Li Shimin ask in a rather casual tone: "Duke of Chen, Hou Junji... what do you plan to do with this man?"

Hou Junji? Li Chengqian's gaze instantly sharpened as he blurted out, "Father..."

Li Chengqian was still pondering how he should handle the matter.

When he saw Li Shimin's tone turn cold as he added: "This scoundrel has colluded with the Eastern Palace and harbors malicious intentions; in any case, I have already gathered ample evidence."

"However... I do not intend to punish him!"

Li Chengqian was stunned.

He completely failed to grasp what his Imperial Father meant by this.

(Herein lies the allusion of the old cat teaching the kitten how to catch mice.)

Just as he was about to ask, Li Shimin spoke again, leaving him utterly shocked: "This scoundrel, I am handing him over to you!"

"Whether you appease him, discipline him, or uproot him entirely—" Li Shimin's gaze was as sharp as a blade, staring straight into Li Chengqian's eyes, "—even if you clip his wings and turn him to your own use, you may do so!"

"I will not interfere!"

"What methods to employ, and when to strike—all of it is entirely up to your sole discretion!"

"I will not provide you with any overt assistance, nor will I interfere in any of your decisions."

"Consider this the first trial I have prepared for you."

"Accomplish it entirely by your own means, without any reservations regarding others, including myself!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian gasped several times in succession!

To independently deal with a high-ranking, deeply resourceful, and disloyal Duke?

This first trial of his carried immense weight and extreme danger...

Instantly, he felt the crushing pressure, his heart filled with extreme trepidation: "Father... this..."

"What, are you afraid?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a trace of provocation, "Where is the ambition and courage you showed earlier in the hall when you demanded I address you as Crown Prince?"

"Could it be that when facing a mere Hou Junji, you turn timid and hesitant?"

Stung by his father's gaze, Li Chengqian's innate fortitude and sense of responsibility surged instantly!

"Your son is not afraid!" He straightened his back, his eyes sharp and resolute. "Your son accepts the decree!" "Father, rest assured, your son will handle him properly and will never let Father down!"

"Good!" A trace of gratification flashed in Li Shimin's eyes. "Remember, on the path of an emperor, employing people, managing people, controlling people, and even eliminating people are all mandatory lessons."

"Hou Junji is your first lesson. Whether he turns out sharp or blunt depends entirely on your ability." With that, Li Shimin waved his hand. "Go. The night is deep, go back and get a good rest."

"Starting tomorrow, the burden on your shoulders will grow heavy."

"Bear firmly in mind my words tonight, and remember as well... you are the Crown Prince of the Great Tang!"

"The future Emperor of my Great Tang!"

"Your son... takes his leave!" Unable to respond to this final remark, Li Chengqian offered a deep, solemn bow.

He turned around and walked with firm strides toward the exterior of the hall.

Pushing open the heavy doors with his own hands, the chill of the night wind rushed against him, carrying the scent of a seemingly newborn breath!

Li Chengqian turned back to take one last look inside the hall.

Under the candlelight, his father's figure was tall and imposing, and the gaze directed at him was filled with boundless expectations and trust.

The chasm between father and son seemed to have been completely bridged by this confrontation.

Li Chengqian took a deep breath, his eyes as keen as a hawk's, and stepped alone into the night...

Having entered the palace alone on horseback, his return journey remained solitary, yet at this moment, Li Chengqian radiated a towering aura, as though he were backed by thousands of troops!

The night of Changsang had not yet faded.

Yet within the palace precincts, the silent quieting of a storm had already been quietly concluded.

Not long after the Crown Prince left the palace, Jing Junhong, commander of the Black-Armored Imperial Guards, stood respectfully and silently inside the Ganlu Temple. Fine beads of sweat dotted his brow, and he dared not even draw a heavy breath.

Upon the throne, Li Shimin's voice was flat and devoid of ripples, yet it carried the weight of a thousand jun: "Last night's affairs were due to the Crown Prince's concern for palace security. While on patrol, he encountered an unclear situation, and your guards reacted with excessive force, leading to minor conflicts. Given that the situation was unclear, it is excusable."

Hearing this, Jing Junhong felt a chill strike his heart, and he immediately bowed deeply: "This subordinate failed to properly govern his men; I beg Your Majesty to mete out punishment!"

"Mm." Li Shimin's gaze swept over him with an invisible pressure. "The captain of the palace gate on duty is to be replaced. All those present last night are strictly forbidden from discussing or leaking the matter; violators will be punished by law!"

"And what I have just punished you for must not be leaked by even half a word..." He paused, his tone turning frigid, "Otherwise, execution without mercy!"

"This subordinate understands! I will strictly seal off all information; not a single rumor shall escape!" Jing Junhong's back grew cold as he knocked his head heavily against the floor. He knew that His Majesty was providing the Crown Prince with a way down.

Yet this was even more of a death warrant for himself!

The emperor was well aware that everything that had happened outside the Xuanwu Gate could simply not be kept under wraps.

After all, given the massive commotion the Crown Prince had raised at the time, the whole city was likely already buzzing with rumors. Thus, His Majesty merely ordered that within the palace, there should be no discussion and no leaks under pain of punishment.

Yet why did His Majesty first explain the Crown Prince's intrusion into the palace to a lowly Guard Commander like him, while simultaneously forbidding him from leaking the reasons behind it?

For a moment, Jing Junhong's mind was filled with questions.

Yet he dared not ask His Majesty for the absolute truth...

Fortunately, at that moment, Li Shimin waved his hand.

Feeling as though he had received a grand amnesty, Jing Junhong hurriedly bowed and retreated from the Ganlu Temple.

Meanwhile, seated high above, Li Shimin's deep eyes flashed with an imperceptible cold light.

His reason for acting thus was precisely to observe.

To see which impatient fish during tomorrow's morning court session would seize upon that vague, hazy incident of the "Crown Prince's palace intrusion" to make waves!