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

Upon closer inspection, everyone recognized the other person's identity.

Isn't this Changsun Wuji, the Minister of Personnel...?

Everyone glanced at Cheng Jun.

Cheng Jun remained expressionless as he looked at Changsun Wuji, showing no surprise at his appearance.

At this moment, as soon as Changsun Wuji entered the main hall, he excitedly asked:

"Your Majesty, I heard that when Quan Wanji went to the gambling den to arrest his son, he also arrested Cheng Jun?"

"Why are you so agitated..." Li Shimin muttered to himself, looking at his expression. He pointed at Cheng Jun and said, "Yes, isn't he right here?"

Changsun Wuji turned to look at Cheng Jun, then looked away and asked, "So you mean caught red-handed?"

Li Shimin nodded.

"Your Majesty, has he been punished?"

Li Shimin shook his head, indicating no, and asked:

"What crime do you think he should be charged with?"

Changsun Wuji said decisively, "Beheading!"

"..."

Li Shimin remained silent.

Changsun Wuji said urgently, "Burying them alive is fine too!"

"..."

Li Shimin couldn't help but roll his eyes. What kind of status did Changsun Wuji have? Could he not see through it? Gambling was a crime that didn't warrant death.

He was clearly doing this on purpose to annoy Cheng Jun.

"Your Majesty, what are you waiting for? Issue the decree immediately!"

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, Changsun Wuji urged him to speak.

Li Shimin glared at him and said, "What kind of decree is this!"

"Cheng Jun only went to the gambling den to play a few rounds, yet I'm demanding his death. If word gets out, I'll be seen as a tyrant, and you, who submitted the memorial ordering his death, will be labeled a treacherous minister!"

"Are you here to annoy Cheng Jun, or to annoy me?"

Changsun Wuji's expression turned solemn, and he said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Cheng Jun's crimes do not warrant death; he should be punished according to the law. I request that Cheng Jun be brought to justice!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin flew into a rage, slammed his fist on the table, and roared, "You son of a bitch, of all things to learn, why are you trying to confuse me like Cheng Jun?!"

Changsun Wuji never intended to use this matter to order Cheng Jun's death, but he was afraid that the emperor would protect Cheng Jun, so he went around in circles.

Li Shimin was well aware of this; he had long since developed a conditioned reflex to Cheng Jun's constant use of rhetoric.

Therefore, as soon as Changsun Wuji finished speaking, he understood what Changsun Wuji was planning.

When Changsun Wuji saw Li Shimin approaching with a furious look, he felt a chill in his heart and immediately shut his mouth.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the hall. Everyone turned around and saw Dai Zhou, dressed in a purple robe, running in excitedly.

"Your Majesty, I heard the prisoner has been captured?"

Li Shimin stared at him and asked, "What kind of prisoner?"

"Cheng Jun!"

Dai Zhou glanced at Cheng Jun standing beside him, his smile widening, and said:

"I heard that Quan Wanji caught Cheng Jun red-handed at the gambling den, so I came here on special occasion."

Li Shimin asked, "Why did you rush here? To plead for him?"

"plead?"

Dai Zhou was taken aback, then waved his hand and said earnestly, "I am not here to plead for mercy. I wish to request Your Majesty to appoint me as the executioner and execute this treacherous Cheng Jun!"

"..."

"Are you all serious...?" Li Shimin was speechless. He turned to look at Cheng Jun. "So much for your good relationships in court. Is this all the relationships you have?"

Just then, Cheng Jun suddenly stepped forward, pointed at Changsun Wuji and Dai Zhou, and said:

"Your Majesty, the treacherous minister has revealed himself!"

"Changsun Wuji is one, and there's another one, Dai Zhou!"

"I knew it..." Li Shimin muttered to himself. With Cheng Jun's temperament, how could he possibly tolerate them?

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji sneered and turned to say, "Your Majesty, Cheng Jun means that among all the treacherous officials in the court, he is the only loyal minister. Do you think this is reasonable?"

Before Li Shimin could speak, Cheng Jun spoke first:

"Judging from Minister Changsun's words, can the two of you represent the entire court of civil and military officials?"

Changsun Wuji looked at him and said calmly, "Cheng Jun, listen carefully, we have never been to a gambling den."

Dai Zhou stepped forward and said, "That's right! You were the one who went to the gambling den; the one who went to the gambling den is the treacherous minister!"

Cheng Jun pondered for a moment and said, "So, if that's the case, then the officials who go to gambling dens are treacherous ministers, and what about the emperor who goes to gambling dens?"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji and Dai Zhou immediately looked at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin's facial muscles twitched involuntarily.

Seeing his reaction, Changsun Wuji knew it was probably true and asked in disbelief:

"Your Majesty, you went to the gambling den too?"

Li Shimin first glared at Cheng Jun, then said with a stern face:

"The reason Cheng Jun went to the gambling den was because someone was trying to frame him. They deliberately set him up and sent him there. The mastermind behind it all was to have Quan Wanji catch Cheng Jun red-handed."

"I was there at the time."

Everyone understood and, knowing full well what was going on, didn't press the matter further.

Li Shimin continued, "Therefore, I, along with Minister Quan, Minister Hu, and Minister Cheng, devised a plan to find out the mastermind behind this."

Changsun Wuji said disappointedly, "So that's how it is..."

Li Shimin looked at his demeanor, said nothing, and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, you all hurry back, don't ruin my plans."

"The ministers obey the order."

Changsun Wuji and Dai Zhou could only respond and turn to leave Ganlu Hall.

Li Shimin turned to Cheng Jun and said, "Look at your popularity."

Cheng Jun asked in surprise, "Are they even considered human?"

"..."

Li Shimin immediately fell silent.

Zhang Anan looked at Cheng Jun with admiration. He was quick-witted; according to Cheng Jun, if Changsun Wuji and Dai Zhou weren't considered people, then it couldn't be that he was unpopular...

Soon after, footsteps were heard outside the hall.

Everyone stared and walked away.

A young man dressed in the prince's everyday clothes hurriedly walked towards them.

Upon entering the Ganlu Hall, the young man first bowed to Li Shimin, then raised his head and asked:

"Father, I heard that my teacher went to the gambling den?"

He still has some conscience; he knows to come and plead for his teacher... Li Shimin was quite pleased to see him arrive and asked, "Are you here to plead for Cheng Jun?"

"No."

Li Chengqian shook his head, and seeing Li Shimin raise his eyebrows, he added, "Your subject just wants to ask one question."

After catching him, he looked at Cheng Jun and asked, "Why didn't you call me when you went to the gambling den?"

"..."

Inside the Ganlu Hall, a deathly silence fell instantly.

Cheng Jun was stunned for a few seconds, then turned to look at Li Shimin, only to see the veins on Li Shimin's forehead bulging.

"Would you like to try it too?"

Li Shimin angrily rebuked, "Do you know what crime it is for the Crown Prince to gamble? If you don't know, I'll have someone read it to you!"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Quan Wanji.

Quan Wanji said in a deep voice, "According to the laws of our Great Tang Dynasty, the Crown Prince is guilty of gambling and will be punished with flogging. If he commits the offense again, the punishment will be increased. If he continues to be unrepentant, a new Crown Prince will be appointed!"

Li Chengqian quickly explained, "Father, I went to the gambling den, not to gamble."

Li Shimin glared at him and said, "What are you doing there? Going for a walk to relax?"