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

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jun's heart skipped a beat. The arrival of someone from the palace at this time clearly indicated that Li Shimin's side had made some move. He said:

"Please invite him to the main room; I'll go see him right now."

Cheng Zhong responded, "Yes."

Cheng Jun put down the book in his hand, tidied up the table, got up and left the room, heading towards the main hall.

Upon entering the main hall, Cheng Jun saw a middle-aged figure in a purple official robe standing inside and exclaimed in surprise:

"Eunuch Zhang?"

The visitor was Zhang Anan, the chief eunuch who served as Li Shimin's personal attendant.

Hearing the sound, Zhang Anan looked over and saw Cheng Jun walking quickly towards him. He smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and said:

"Imperial Censor Cheng, how have you been these past two days?"

Cheng Jun returned the greeting and said with a smile, "Very well, seeing you makes me feel even better."

After speaking, he asked directly, "Does His Majesty have an imperial decree?"

Zhang Anan nodded and said, "By His Majesty's decree, effective immediately, Imperial Censor Cheng shall be reinstated to his original post."

He then pointed to the table in front of him, on which a tray was placed.

On the tray were a scarlet official robe and a xiezhi crown.

"These are the official robes and hats you wore on the day you were dismissed from office."

Zhang Anan asked with a smile, "I had the clothes washed. I hope Imperial Censor Cheng won't mind?"

Cheng Jun chuckled, "How could I mind? I should thank you."

After saying that, he turned to his head and said, "Uncle Zhong, bring me a bowl of the tea that Her Majesty the Empress bestowed upon me."

"Yes, Sanlang." Cheng Zhong immediately replied and turned to leave.

Zhang Anan was somewhat surprised, "The Empress herself brewed this tea?"

"Then this humble servant is in for a treat today. Everyone in the palace knows that the Empress's tea is exceptional in both color and taste."

Cheng Jun pondered for a moment and said, "This tea was not brewed by Her Majesty the Empress. It was made by Princess Chang Le."

"..."

Zhang Anan's expression froze. As the chief eunuch in the palace, he knew better than anyone how "unique" Princess Chang Le's culinary skills were.

At this moment, Cheng Zhong came in carrying an empty bowl full of tea and handed it to Cheng Jun.

Cheng Jun then handed it to him.

Zhang Anan's throat tightened. If he drank this tea, he might have to see his great-grandmother again. He shook his head and said, "I thank Imperial Censor Cheng for his kindness, but I'm not very thirsty right now."

Cheng Jun insisted on handing it over, saying, "Just one sip, please."

Zhang Anan refused, saying, "No, no, no..."

As he spoke, he raised his hand to stop him.

Cheng Jun, however, resolutely shoved the teacup into his hands.

Isn't this repaying kindness with enmity...? Just as Zhang Anan was getting angry and about to lash out, he suddenly felt something at the bottom of the bowl.

Upon closer inspection, the familiar texture told him that it was a small gold bead.

Zhang Anan looked down and saw that it was indeed a small golden bead. His displeasure instantly vanished, and he understood Cheng Jun's good intentions. A smile appeared on his face, "How could I possibly accept this..."

Cheng Jun laughed and said, "It's just a sip of tea, why can't I have it?"

Zhang Anan clenched his fist, put away the small golden bead, and said, "Then I will accept it without hesitation."

After saying that, he placed his lips on the rim of the teacup, then quickly removed them, praising, "Excellent tea!"

Upon seeing this, Cheng Jun almost burst out laughing. It has to be said that the Cheng family's genes are indeed powerful, allowing them to laugh regardless of the occasion. He quickly pinched his thigh to stop laughing.

Zhang Anan put down his teacup and said, "It's getting late, and there are still many things to do in the palace. I'll take my leave now."

Cheng Jun smiled and said, "I'll see Eunuch Zhang off."

After seeing him off, Cheng Jun returned to the main room, looked at the crimson official robe on the table, picked it up and gently shook it, muttering to himself:

"Now, the roles of offense and defense have shifted."

.............

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Cheng Jun finished washing up, put on his xiezhi crown and crimson official robe, and rode his Akhal-Teke horse "Adolf" to the palace.

Taiji Palace, outside Chengtian Gate.

At this moment, civil and military officials gathered together, discussing the matter while waiting for the palace gates to open.

"The earth shook last night."

“I heard it from the servant this morning.”

"I felt the house moving as soon as I got up today. Luckily, I'm used to it, otherwise I would have run away with my head in my hands."

"Sigh, this earthquake has been going on for three days now, and I don't know when it will stop."

"That's right."

The people talked amongst themselves, but no one connected the earthquake with the recent events in the court.

Everyone present was shrewd and had no shortage of the ability to protect themselves.

Just then, someone with sharp eyes noticed a tall man, about 1.85 meters tall, wearing a scarlet official robe and a xiezhi crown, walking towards them from a distance, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Gentlemen, look over there. Am I seeing things?"

Upon hearing this, everyone followed the direction he pointed, and when they saw the tall man in red robes approaching, they were all greatly surprised.

Isn't that Cheng Jun?

Why is he here? !

Many of the civil and military officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

Three days ago, they saw that Cheng Jun had been dismissed from his official post by Li Shimin.

He's actually back now!

Today's morning court session is unlikely to be peaceful... everyone thought to themselves.

Cheng Jun, holding a ceremonial tablet, walked to Chengtian Gate and stood calmly at the entrance.

Because of Cheng Jun's arrival, the conversations of the civil and military officials became much quieter.

Just then, Wen Yanbo led a group of censors from the direction of the Censorate.

Upon seeing Cheng Jun, Wen Yanbo paused for a moment, then strode over, greeted him, and asked:

When were you reinstated to your original position?

Cheng Jun smiled and said, "Yesterday at dusk, His Majesty issued an edict restoring me to my original position."

Wen Yanbo said with dissatisfaction, "Why didn't you come to the Censorate to say hello before entering the palace?"

Cheng Jun said loudly, "Because I can't wait to see His Majesty!"

"..."

Wen Yanbo clicked his tongue upon hearing this, "You can't wait to deal with those people who are against you, can you...?"

He looked at Lu Ting, the Vice Minister of Agriculture, who was dressed in a scarlet official robe among the civil and military officials.

Because of Cheng Jun's loud voice, all the civil and military officials looked at Lu Ting and distanced themselves from him.

Lu Ting's face was gloomy, but he didn't say a word.

Cheng Jun didn't mention him again, and greeted Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui and others who came over.

When the palace gates opened, civil and military officials filed in.

Cheng Jun followed them into the palace and headed towards the Taiji Hall.

As the chanting began, everyone lined up neatly inside and outside the Taiji Hall.

Not long after, a familiar voice rang out from afar outside the palace: "His Majesty has arrived—"

All the civil and military officials turned their attention to the scene.

Li Shimin, dressed in his imperial robes, walked towards this place with his hands behind his back and an imposing expression.