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

He'd rather think there's something wrong with his taste buds than that there's something wrong with the tea. Typical big brother...

For a moment, Cheng Jun was at a loss for words. He turned to look at Cheng Chuliang, who was lying next to Cheng Chumo, and asked:

"Second brother, you've had quite a bit to drink too?"

Cheng Chuliang said weakly, "I'll share it with my older brother, half and half."

Cheng Jun sat on the edge of the tatami mat, arms crossed, looking at him, and asked, "Big brother feels like there's something wrong with your sense of taste. What about you? Is there something wrong with your sense of taste too?"

Cheng Chuliang said, "No."

Cheng Jun asked in confusion, "You still want to drink?"

Cheng Chuliang said with a mournful face, "I thought I was hallucinating."

"..."

"Do I have a problem too...?" Cheng Jun thought of his identity as the third son of the Cheng family and fell into deep thought.

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

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace...

"Is someone in Chang'an spreading rumors about Cheng Jun?"

When Zhang Anan brought back news that someone in the city was spreading rumors about Cheng Jun, Li Shimin frowned and said:

"These people actually resorted to such despicable tactics! Are they even human?!"

"It seems I must help him."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Anan quickly replied, "This servant thinks it's unnecessary."

"I heard that Imperial Censor Cheng also spread rumors about Lu Ting, and Lu Ting even fainted because of it."

Li Shimin was taken aback and stared at him, saying, "Why don't you just say what you mean at once? Why are you imitating Cheng Jun, leaving half of what you say unsaid?"

I wanted to finish speaking, but I didn't have the chance... Zhang Anan thought to himself, and then quickly told Cheng Jun his countermeasures.

Li Shimin clicked his tongue and said, "Compared to Cheng Jun, Lu Ting is quite similar to him."

This kid not only spread rumors to retaliate, but also used the power of the Chang'an County government to arrest those who spread rumors and caused trouble.

Needless to say, after being interrogated by the magistrate of Chang'an, those who spread rumors and caused trouble will definitely confess, and the fate of Lu Ting and his ilk is predictable.

After realizing that Cheng Jun was not in any danger, Li Shimin was relieved and asked, "It seems there were no more earthquakes today?"

Zhang Anan responded, "This servant also felt it; the earthquake seems to have stopped."

"Very good......"

Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face.

Li Shimin kept observing the movements on the ground until he went to bed that night.

He only felt at ease and went to sleep after confirming that the earthquake had really stopped.

Early morning the next day.

Li Shimin woke up early in the morning, washed up, put on his imperial court robes, and went to the Taiji Hall to attend court.

At this moment, all the civil and military officials were already standing in their respective positions, watching him walk into the hall.

When Li Shimin sat on the dragon throne, all the civil and military officials shouted "Long live the Emperor!" and "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty."

"My esteemed ministers, please rise and disregard the formalities."

Li Shimin said something indifferently, and then gave Zhang Anan a wink.

Zhang Anan said loudly, "If you have something to say, speak up now; if not, leave the court."

As soon as the words were spoken, a voice rang out from outside the hall:

"Your subject, Yang Zuan, the magistrate of Chang'an, has a memorial to present."

Li Shimin looked at the magistrate of Chang'an who had entered and slowly said, "Speak."

Having received Li Shimin's permission, Yang Zuan, holding his official tablet, solemnly said:

"Your Majesty, someone reported to the authorities yesterday that a group of people in the capital are spreading rumors about Cheng Jun, the Imperial Censor."

Upon hearing this, the officials in purple robes inside the hall all looked at Cheng Jun, who was standing at the door. It must have been him who reported it to the authorities...

Yang Zuan continued, "I personally led a team to investigate and found that it was indeed the case. Therefore, I arrested all those who spread the rumors."

"After interrogation, these people confessed to being the mastermind behind it all. The ringleader was Lu Ting, the former Vice Minister of Agriculture who had been dismissed from his post."

Yang Zuan cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "I request that these people be brought to justice!"

All the civil and military officials looked at Li Shimin.

At this moment, not a single person stood up to plead for Lu Ting and the others.

Everyone could see that the moment the earthquake stopped, Lu Ting and others' careers were over.

Yang Zuan came out at this time to let Li Shimin make a judgment on the matter.

Even those who are loyal to the five surnames and seven aspirations can only remain silent when faced with a matter that has been settled.

Li Shimin glanced at the civil and military officials, and seeing that no one else would step forward, he spoke slowly and deliberately:

"Yesterday I dismissed Lu Ting and others in an attempt to appease the wrath of Heaven. To my delight, the earthquake stopped immediately after their dismissal, which shows that Heaven approves of my decision."

"The treacherous do not confess themselves, and the loyal do not defend themselves."

Li Shimin sneered, "Today, these treacherous people have revealed their true colors! They dared to send people to spread rumors, trying to ruin Minister Cheng's reputation. How can I remain indifferent!"

“Since Minister Yang has already investigated, there is no need to investigate further.”

Li Shimin concluded: "Those who spread rumors shall be exiled two thousand li away as a warning to others."

“Lu Ting and his associates should not be tolerated. They are the masterminds behind this matter and should be severely punished. They should be exiled three thousand miles away, with no possibility of pardon.”

Yang Zuan immediately bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

The civil and military officials all bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise."

The civil and military officials had nothing to say about Li Shimin's final judgment.

After all, even Heaven believed they had problems, so it was only right for Li Shimin to deal with them.

Moreover, they spread rumors to damage the reputation of high-ranking officials. Such people deserved their fate.

Li Shimin was very satisfied with the result. Seeing that no one else was going to report, he stood up and said, "Court adjourned."

Cheng Jun, along with the civil and military officials, bid farewell to His Majesty. After Li Shimin left, he returned to the Censorate.

Just as I reached the entrance of the Censorate, I heard Wen Yanbo's voice behind me:

"Nephew Chuxia, you seem to be in a good mood."

Cheng Jun turned to look at Wen Yanbo, greeted him first, and then said with a smile, "I have been exonerated and the criminals have been brought to justice and exiled. To be honest, I am in a very good mood right now."

Wen Yanbo stroked his beard and said, "That's quite true. Hmm... you've really worked hard these past few days. I'll give you a day off today. Do you want one?"

Cheng Jun decisively replied, "Yes."

Wen Yanbo raised an eyebrow and said, "You really want it?"

Seeing Cheng Jun's stunned expression, Wen Yanbo snorted, "When I gave you a vacation before, you insisted on coming back to work. I thought you didn't want to take a break."

Cheng Jun explained, "I used to have nothing to do, but I have things to do today."

Wen Yanbo didn't ask any further questions and waved his hand, saying, "Go ahead, go ahead."

Cheng Jun cupped his hands and said, "See you tomorrow, Uncle Wen."

After saying this, Cheng Jun left the Censorate, but instead of leaving, he went to the Eastern Palace.

He decided to treat everyone today.

Many people helped us this time, so I should take this opportunity to thank them.

At the same time, I had previously promised to treat the talented young men in the neighborhood and the sons of military generals to a meal, and this is a good opportunity to fulfill that promise.

The most important thing is that I have money in my hands now... Cheng Jun thought to himself as he arrived at the East Palace, intending to invite the Crown Prince along as well.