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

Changsun Wuji trembled like a leaf, his face turned ashen, and he was speechless.

He despaired to find that he only had two options: one was to take the blame for His Majesty, become a traitor in the eyes of the people, and leave a bad name in history.

One of them is to ask Cheng Jun.

Cheng Jun came specifically for him; he wanted his help? Not so easy. If he wasn't satisfied today, he definitely wouldn't agree.

"If you don't speak, I'll take that as your consent."

Seeing that Changsun Wuji remained silent, Li Shimin, having clearly acquiesced, looked at the purple-robed eunuch and said:

"Ananda, take Fuji down and give him five lashes."

Cheng Jun suddenly straightened up and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, Minister Changsun has not done anything wrong, so why should he be punished? I beg Your Majesty to rescind your order!"

He felt the beating was too light... Li Shimin immediately understood and turned to say, "Then give him ten lashes."

"Your Majesty, we absolutely cannot fight! Minister Changsun has truly done nothing wrong!"

"Fifteen lashes!"

"Your Majesty, you are making a grave mistake!"

"Twenty lashes!"

Seeing that Cheng Jun was about to speak, Li Shimin said excitedly, "Are you never going to stop? Twenty lashes aren't enough. What do you want? I'll let you have it, okay?"

Cheng Jun shook his head and said, "Your subject dares not."

"I dare not..." Li Shimin paused, pondering those two words, then said, "Then how about this, I issue an edict ordering you to beat him?"

Cheng Jun sighed and said, "Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, I have no choice but to comply. If I do not comply, it will be disobeying the imperial decree, a crime I cannot bear."

He clearly thought that's what he was thinking, but he didn't say it, making himself seem so absolved... Li Shimin laughed in exasperation. He needed Cheng Jun's help now, so what could he do? Besides, it wasn't him who was being beaten. He turned to Cheng Jun and said, "Fuji, how about Minister Cheng delivers these twenty lashes?"

Changsun Wuji, who was listening nearby, turned pale and began to tremble. He had received twenty lashes, and for the next half month, he would not have to attend court.

"Your Majesty, could you please reduce the number of blows?"

As soon as Changsun Wuji finished speaking, Cheng Jun stood up abruptly, cupped his hands, and decisively said, "Your Majesty, I have no choice. I shall take my leave!"

"Sit down for me!"

Li Shimin grabbed his arm tightly, pulled him back onto the cushion, and said something irritatingly.

He knew what Cheng Jun was thinking, but there was nothing he could do, because it was an open conspiracy.

Only Cheng Jun can come up with a solution that achieves the best of all three goals.

If Cheng Jun is not allowed to resolve this matter, Changsun Wuji will be utterly disgraced.

If he handles it, Changsun Wuji will get beaten up.

Li Shimin glared at Changsun Wuji and said, "Fuji, can't you see it? If we don't let Minister Cheng vent his anger, your fate after leaving this palace will be worse than death!"

Changsun Wuji's face turned even paler, and he lowered his head and remained silent, indicating his acquiescence.

Seeing that he was sensible, Li Shimin's expression softened, and he looked up and said, "Anan, bring me a whip."

After saying that, he said to the two men, “Minister Cheng, Changsun Wuji is, after all, the Minister of Personnel. How can a minister like him stand in the court if you make him be whipped twenty times in public? Do it here.”

Cheng Jun said helplessly, "Your Majesty will not listen to my advice and insists on beating Minister Changsun. I have no choice but to comply."

Li Shimin couldn't help but roll his eyes, filtering out his words in his mind and extracting the word "agree." He then waved to Zhang Anan, telling him to go and prepare.

Soon, Zhang Anan walked over carrying a whip about the thickness of a little finger. He looked at the two who had stood up and handed the whip to Cheng Jun.

Cheng Jun took the whip, waved it in his hand, looked at Changsun Wuji, pointed to his purple official robes and said, "His Majesty has decreed that I shall administer the punishment of twenty strokes with the whip. Minister Changsun, please take off your clothes."

Changsun Wuji opened his eyes wide and asked, "What do you mean?"

Cheng Jun said seriously, "If you treat it through your clothes, the flesh will stick together and the treatment will be more painful. I'm doing this for your own good."

This is going to involve bloodshed... Changsun Wuji's expression changed, and he looked at Li Shimin with pleading eyes.

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his mouth, turned around and walked towards the palace gate, saying without looking back, "I'm going to relieve myself first, I'll be back later."

"..."

Changsun Wuji reached out his hand, trying to grab him, but Li Shimin walked quickly and had already walked out of the hall. He was immediately on the verge of tears.

If he were to cut open his abdomen and turn his intestines inside out, he believed they would be bluish-green.

Seeing Cheng Jun's solemn gaze, Changsun Wuji gritted his teeth, knowing he was telling the truth. He had no choice but to take off his official robes, put them aside, bare his arms, and couldn't help but say:

"Cheng Jun, no matter what, I am the Minister of Personnel, the current Prime Minister. Don't you consider the consequences?"

Cheng Jun was taken aback, then turned to the purple-robed eunuch and said, "Eunuch Zhang, please bring a bucket of water so I can dip the whip in it."

"..."

Changsun Wuji's face stiffened.

As the saying goes, a whip dipped in water will leave many wounds.

Because the whips used for punishment are coated with grease or other preservatives for maintenance, this reduces friction and makes the whip too smooth.

However, after being wetted, the whip will absorb water, causing the small burrs on its surface to expand rapidly, increasing friction.

When it hits someone, it hurts incredibly much.

This guy is really not to be trifled with... Zhang Anan clicked his tongue inwardly. Seeing Cheng Jun's gaze, he decisively ran to fetch a bucket of water and came back.

Watching Cheng Jun bend down and put the whip into the bucket, Changsun Wuji felt a little breathless. He swallowed hard and said, "Imperial Censor Cheng, I think we can discuss this."

Cheng Jun glanced at him and shook his head, saying, "Minister Changsun, there's no room for discussion on this matter. This is His Majesty's decree. Disobeying it is tantamount to defying the imperial edict. Besides, I am an imperial censor. Don't force me to impeach you. You were only supposed to receive twenty lashes, but don't let it turn into a death sentence."

"..."

Enraged, Changsun Wuji turned around with a livid face and shouted, "Fight! Fight! Fight! I've fought alongside His Majesty in countless battles, what haven't I seen!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a loud bang rang out behind him.

Snapped! !

A piercing pain shot through his back, and Changsun Wuji couldn't help but hiss in pain.

He resisted looking at the scars on his back, closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and remained motionless, determined to tough it out.

Snapped!

Snapped!Snapped!

The sound of the whip cracking on his back grew louder and louder, and Changsun Wuji felt he was about to lose his grip; this kid was really strong.

Damn it, I almost forgot, he's the son of a military officer!

He could bear it at first, but later the pain became unbearable and he screamed in agony.

"what--"

In an instant, the sound of whips striking bodies mingled with screams, echoing throughout the Ganlu Palace.

…………

Inside the Lizheng Hall, Empress Zhangsun frowned as she listened to the news brought back by a palace maid, together with the Imperial Censor Wen Yanbo.

"Your Majesty, Imperial Censor Cheng has already entered the palace on a fast horse."

"He went straight to the Ganlu Hall upon entering the palace?"

"Yes."

Empress Zhangsun was getting restless; Cheng Jun's entry into the palace would inevitably involve impeaching her brother.

Given the relationship between the elder brother and His Majesty, His Majesty will certainly favor the elder brother.

Although Cheng Jun is prone to irritating people, he is very reasonable and intelligent at a young age, making him a pillar of the state, especially since he was chosen by His Majesty as an imperial censor.

If this incident leads him to lose heart in the court and resign to return home, wouldn't the court lose a worthy minister?

Like Li Shimin, Empress Zhangsun had a clear understanding of matters of principle. She immediately stood up and said, "No, I must go and persuade His Majesty. On this matter, we must not favor my brother!"

Wen Yanbo was also deep in thought at this moment. Upon hearing this, he looked up and said, "Your Majesty, the matter of the memorial is a matter of the outer court. If Your Majesty goes there now, it will be considered interference in state affairs by the inner palace. This is absolutely unacceptable!"

Empress Zhangsun calmed down, slowly sat back down, and frowned, saying, "But waiting idly isn't a solution."

"Although Her Majesty the Empress cannot go, this old minister can."

Wen Yanbo stood up and said, "As the Imperial Censor, I am entitled to inquire into this matter."

Empress Zhangsun's eyes lit up and she said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Dalin. Go and see how things are going."

"promise!"

Wen Yanbo smiled, turned and left.

Upon arriving at Ganlu Hall, he heard screams of agony from within, along with the occasional sound of whips lashing out. His expression changed; a fight had broken out.

He hurried to the palace gate and saw Cheng Jun with his sleeves rolled up, holding a whip tightly in his hand, fiercely lashing the back of the shirtless Changsun Wuji.

Wen Yanbo's eyes widened suddenly.

Hearing footsteps, Cheng Jun paused, turned around, and saw Wen Yanbo standing outside the hall, dumbfounded. He scratched his head and smiled, saying:

"Dr. Wen, would you like to have a couple of pumps too?"

Wen Yanbo snapped out of his daze, saw Changsun Wuji turn around with a ferocious expression, his pupils dilated in shock, and ran towards the Lizheng Hall without looking back.

Inside the Lizheng Hall, Empress Zhangsun paced back and forth anxiously, awaiting news.

At this moment, Wen Yanbo returned hurriedly, leaning against the palace door, panting and looking terrified.

Empress Zhangsun was somewhat surprised that he had returned so quickly and in such a state, and asked, "What did you see?"

Wen Yanbo's voice trembled as he said, "It's a ghost..."

…………

This is the second update; there will be an extra update later.