The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 358

These words immediately stirred up a huge wave of discussion.

Duan Lun continued, "Your Majesty, I believe that Lord Xie's words have revealed the ultimate truth: this man is a wolf in sheep's clothing, and by taking advantage of Your Majesty's trust, he wants the court to allocate a huge sum of two million."

When Prince Rui arrived at the border, he neglected civil administration and focused solely on military and political affairs. He used his status as a prince to bind two generals and mobilize troops, but then clashed with the Western Turks.

All of the above are insignificant, yet they are all acts of political chaos. I implore Your Majesty to punish Prince Rui! To rectify the government and quell public resentment.

When Li Shimin heard him say these things, a look of displeasure flashed across his face.

"Does my subject mean that Xu Tian is using the Prince's name to flaunt his achievements today, and that if he didn't have such benevolent reputation, he would be condemned by everyone as a corrupt official, a treacherous villain who disrupts the country and the government?"

Duan Lun was taken aback at first, then raised the tablet in his hand slightly with the armrest.

"This... Your Majesty is wise."

At this moment, the ministers around Duan Lun immediately stepped back. Although they were not the ones who reported the matter, they were all worried for Duan Lun.

Prince Rui was wrong, but the Emperor is still on Prince Rui's side. How the Emperor will deal with this is truly unpredictable. Simply put, although it's the same issue, there are only two possible outcomes.

If the Emperor chooses to believe Prince Rui, Duan Lun's fate is predictable.

However, if Prince Rui offends the Emperor, Duan Lun will be able to quickly establish himself in the court based on today's report, rise to prominence, and replace Prince Rui in the Emperor's heart.

Li Shimin sighed softly, then said, "Let's adjourn the court."

With his hoarse, hoarse voice, Eunuch Kou shouted, "Dismiss the court!"

Li Shimin walked very quickly from the Taiji Hall to the Changle Palace.

Empress Zhangsun was watering flowers nearby when she saw the Emperor in such a hurry. She was a little surprised and walked over to ask, "Is Your Majesty going to write a letter?"

Li Er nodded and said, "I don't believe it, but I have no choice but to believe it, so I must go and inquire in person."

Empress Zhangsun saw the Emperor's anxious manner as he picked up the brush.

This tells us that he only wrote the letter to his confidants.

Currently, only his elder brother, Changsun Wuji, has this authority in the court. However, since his brother is currently handling affairs in the court, there is no need to ask for a letter if he wants to see him.

That means there's only one person!

Empress Zhangsun placed the letter written by Li Shimin on the leg of a pigeon. The pigeon quickly flew to a post station a hundred miles away from the capital, where the postmaster delivered the letter to the border.

At that moment, a palace maid rushed in in a panic.

"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! Your Majesty!"

The palace maid, not expecting the emperor to be there, immediately knelt on the ground with a thud, trembling uncontrollably.

Li Shimin didn't seem to care.

"Let's calm down and talk about what happened."

The palace maid's face paled with fear, then she took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, Princess Jinyang has run away."

Empress Zhangsun was at a loss for how to react, because she knew that Jinyang had not been kidnapped, but had run away on her own.