This made Li Shimin anxious, and he wanted to trade one for one with me.

After Cheng Zhong left with his spear, Cheng Yaojin raised his hand, pointed to the floor of the main room, glared at Cheng Chumo, and cursed:

"You wretch, come here and kneel down. If I come back and see you're not kneeling here, I'll break your legs!"

Having said that, he lifted his foot, preparing to leave, when suddenly he caught a glimpse of Cheng Chuliang out of the corner of his eye and said angrily:

"You kneel here too!"

Cheng Chuliang was stunned and said in confusion, "Dad, this has nothing to do with me."

"I made your older brother kneel here, and you're all smiles with wrinkles showing. Shouldn't you kneel here?!"

Cheng Chuliang could only smile awkwardly and look at Cheng Chumo. His elder brother, being quite sensible, knelt down on the ground and knelt beside him.

Cheng Chumo watched Cheng Yaojin's retreating figure as he walked out of the main hall and shouted:

"Dad, come back soon."

"Fine! When I get back, I'll beat you all to a pulp!"

Cheng Yaojin grumbled and cursed.

Then don't come back...

Cheng Chumo thought to himself, but after Cheng Yaojin left, he didn't dare to say what was on his mind.

Because he was afraid that if he spoke out, Cheng Yaojin would kill him on the spot with a spear.

…………

Tai Chi Palace.

When Cheng Jun arrived at the palace gate, he was stopped by the gatekeeper.

The gatekeeper, a man of handsome appearance, around forty years old and with a robust build, recognized Cheng Jun, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and said:

“Imperial Censor Cheng, His Majesty issued an edict yesterday to suspend court for one day, and there will be no morning court today.”

Cheng Jun looked at him and said, "I know I don't have to attend court today, but I have urgent business to report to Your Majesty."

The middle-aged city gatekeeper hesitated before saying:

"Imperial Censor Cheng, His Majesty should not be awake yet. Why don't you come over after His Majesty wakes up?"

Cheng Jun frowned. "If an urgent military situation were to arrive at the border, would you also wait until His Majesty wakes up before informing him?"

"I don't dare to do this in a humble position."

The gatekeeper quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

Although he said he dared not, his actions clearly showed that he dared not disturb His Majesty.

Cheng Jun pondered for a moment and said, "First, inform Eunuch Zhang of my arrival, and then have him inform His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, the city gatekeeper seemed relieved, a smile spreading across his face. He said:

“What Imperial Censor Cheng said is very true. Please wait a moment, I will go and report immediately.”

Ganlu Temple.

As dawn broke, all was still quiet outside the palace.

The guards moved slowly and quietly, for fear of disturbing the emperor.

Inside the palace, Li Shimin was snoring and sleeping soundly.

Just then, a voice came from the doorway.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

The snoring inside the hall stopped abruptly, followed by Li Shimin's impatient voice:

"Didn't I already issue an edict yesterday to suspend court for a day? If you're not going to court, why are you calling me so early?"

"Cheng Jun has entered the palace..."

Zhang Anan's voice came from outside the hall.

Li Shimin lay on the couch, his eyes still closed, and asked, "What is he doing in the palace?"

"This servant doesn't know either. I only heard from the city gate guard that Cheng Jun seems to have some important business to attend to in the palace and wants to see His Majesty urgently."

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin had no choice but to throw off the covers, and said in an annoyed tone:

"Seriously, I finally managed to get a little more sleep, and he disturbed me... Call him in."

"According to the order."

Zhang Anan received the imperial decree and headed towards the palace gate.

Li Shimin got up from the bed, put on his imperial robes, washed up briefly, and then sat cross-legged on the dragon throne, yawning as he waited for Zhang Anan to bring Cheng Jun over.

At this moment, the imperial table was covered with memorials.

Although he announced a day off from court, Li Shimin did not actually rest, but continued to stay in the Ganlu Hall to deal with these memorials.

He worked on the project until midnight before finally falling asleep.

He never expected that, before he had even slept for a few hours and hadn't had enough sleep, Cheng Jun would disturb his sweet dreams.

Li Shimin yawned several times before finally seeing Cheng Jun, dressed in a light green official robe and wearing a xiezhi crown, following behind Zhang Anan as they walked towards him.

"Your subject, Cheng Jun, Palace Attendant Censor, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

As soon as Cheng Jun entered the hall, he bowed and greeted the guests.

Li Shimin looked at him and said with a stern face:

"Minister Cheng, is there something you can't wait until I wake up to say, instead of rushing to report at this hour?"

"Tell me, what's the matter?"

Cheng Jun looked at Li Shimin, who looked tired, and slowly said, "Your Majesty, I have come to the palace to find something."

Li Shimin asked, "What are you looking for?"

Cheng Jun said solemnly, "You're courting death."

"..."

Inside the Ganlu Hall, an instant silence fell.

Cheng Jun's simple two words instantly dispelled the weariness on Li Shimin's face.

Li Shimin raised his hands and wiped his face, muttering to himself:

"This is not a dream..."

Then, he lowered his hands, stared intently at Cheng Jun, and said:

"If you're looking for death, where can't you die? Why do you have to come to the palace to inform me first thing in the morning? What, do you want me to build you a wall so you can run into it? Or do you want me to give you a white silk noose and poisoned wine?"

Cheng Jun solemnly replied, "Either way, it depends on His Majesty's mood."

Li Shimin angrily said, "Depend on my mood? I'm in a terrible mood right now!"

He had only gotten out of bed because he heard that Cheng Jun had something important to do, but it turned out that he was just looking for death.

If you're looking to die, why tell others?

It's clear that Cheng Jun didn't come here to die.

He's here to provoke people!

Li Shimin grew increasingly angry. Not only was his peaceful sleep disturbed, but he was also seething with rage. He asked:

"Tell me the truth, what exactly did you come here for?"

Cheng Jun said solemnly, "I have come here to die."

Li Shimin jumped up and roared towards the outside of the hall:

"Ananda, Ananda! Where have you been?!"

Zhang Anan was standing at the door listening to the imperial decree. Upon hearing this, she immediately entered the hall, bowed, and said, "This servant is here."

Li Shimin pointed at Cheng Jun and said excitedly, "Take Cheng Jun out and behead him! Cut him into eight pieces!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Anan realized that Li Shimin was angry and dared not accept the order. He turned to Cheng Jun, somewhat speechless. He had overheard their conversation from outside and asked:

“Imperial Censor Cheng, if you’re looking for death, you need a reason, right? It’s not like His Majesty can just order you to die because you’re looking for it. If word gets out, how will the people of the world view His Majesty? Are you courting death, or are you just asking for trouble for His Majesty?”

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's eyes cleared somewhat. He sat back on his dragon throne and stared at Cheng Jun, saying:

"Ananda's words hit the nail on the head. Cheng Jun, just say what you have to say, don't beat around the bush!"

Cheng Jun asked, "Is Your Majesty afraid of being blamed, so you won't let me die?"

Li Shimin retorted, "What crime have you committed?"

Cheng Jun solemnly replied, "I do not have any at the moment."

What do you mean it's not there now...? Li Shimin was completely confused and waved his hand, saying, "It's not there now, so it will be there in the future? If that's the case, we'll talk about it later."

Cheng Jun reminded him, "Your Majesty, it's not later, it's immediately."

Immediately... Li Shimin was stunned for a moment, before he could even process the meaning of those two words.

The next second, he saw Cheng Jun take a few steps back and bow.

Li Shimin suddenly felt uneasy.