Wang Wei snorted lightly and withdrew his gaze: “Li Mi committed treason, and Liu Wenjing is very likely one of the conspirators, possibly even having plotted together with him. Both in principle and reason, this person deserves to die!”

Peiji was so anxious that he broke out in a sweat all over his head. He bowed and said: “I can vouch for Brother Liu. He absolutely did not conspire with Li Mi and never even had contact with him. Please investigate thoroughly, Duke Li!”

Gao Jinya glanced at him and said coldly: “Palace Supervisor Pei protects Liu Wenjing so much – perhaps he is also a conspirator. I believe they should all be charged together!” Although this person wasn’t as duplicitous as Wang Wei, he was also not a kind man.

Peiji never expected that because of his few words of pleading, Gao Jinya would want to kill him too. He hurriedly said: “Duke Li, please see clearly – both Brother Liu and I are innocent, absolutely not as Lords Gao and Wang have described.”

Seeing that Li Yuan remained silent for a long time, Wang Wei said coldly: “Does Duke Li intend to protect them?”

Just as Li Yuan was in a difficult position, a voice rang in everyone’s ears: “If Palace Supervisor Pei and County Magistrate Liu truly conspired with Li Mi to harm the court, Father would naturally not stand by and watch. But currently there is no evidence proving they have treasonous intentions.”

Wang Wei looked at Li Shimin who walked in, his gaze dark: “The marriage relationship is the best evidence.”

Li Shimin turned his gaze to Liu Wenjing, who understood and said: “As I said, it’s just a distant relative I haven’t contacted for years. If Lord Wang hadn’t mentioned it today, I would have long forgotten. Regarding Li Mi’s affair, I truly had no involvement whatsoever.”

“That’s what you would say, of course.” Wang Wei sneered: “Duke Li, what do you say?”

Li Yuan pondered for a moment: “Before this matter is investigated clearly, let’s first confine Liu Wenjing in the prefecture prison. If it’s proven he indeed conspired with Li Mi, it won’t be too late to execute him then!”

Wang Wei said displeasedly: “Isn’t the matter clear enough now?”

“This concerns human life – it’s better to investigate thoroughly.” With that, Li Yuan gave Wang Wei no chance to speak further and called soldiers in, ordering them to escort Liu Wenjing away.

Gao Jinya stared at Peiji and said coldly: “This person has close ties with Liu Wenjing. Duke Li should imprison him as well.”

Li Yuan smiled slightly: “I also drank with Liu Wenjing today and meet with Palace Supervisor Pei frequently. According to Brother Gao’s meaning, should I also be imprisoned?”

Gao Jinya was rendered speechless by his question. Wang Wei smoothed things over: “Brother Gao was joking with Duke Li – please don’t take it seriously. Since Liu Wenjing has been imprisoned, we two will take our leave.”

After Wang Wei and the other left, Peiji said urgently: “Duke Li, what… what should we do? Are you really going to… really going to kill Brother Liu? Although his words earlier were somewhat excessive, I can swear that he has no connection with Li Mi whatsoever. In this matter, he is truly innocent.”

Li Yuan comforted him: “I know. Don’t worry, I will do my best to save him.”

After seeing off the anxious Peiji, Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin: “How did you come to be here?”

“Your son heard that Wang Wei and the others came to see Father together and feared something might happen, so I hurried over. I didn’t expect it to be about County Magistrate Liu.” After closing the door, he said: “Does Father truly plan to save County Magistrate Liu?”

Li Yuan said: “I just spoke with Liu Wenjing for a while. This person indeed has exceptional talent and has the heart to join us. If he dies like this, it would be truly regrettable.”

“But looking at Wang Wei and the other’s attitude, they absolutely won’t let Father spare Liu Wenjing. I fear that as soon as you release him, they’ll immediately report to His Majesty.”

Li Yuan nodded: “It’s precisely because I know this that I first imprisoned him, to have time to plan slowly.”

Li Shimin was silent for a while, then said: “Your son has a plan – I wonder what Father thinks?”

Li Yuan’s eyes lit up: “Please speak freely.”

“Under Wang Wei and the other’s surveillance, trying to openly rescue County Magistrate Liu is undoubtedly extremely difficult. Moreover, no matter what Father does, given their enmity with us, they will report to the emperor. But if County Magistrate Liu were dead, that would be another matter entirely.”

Li Yuan rapidly pondered his words and frowned: “You mean… make Liu Wenjing become a ‘dead man’?”

Li Shimin smiled: “Exactly. The prefecture prison is under Father’s control. Whether County Magistrate Liu lives or dies is merely a matter of Father’s single thought. However, if we decide to do this, we must deceive everyone. Otherwise, if there’s the slightest leak, Wang Wei and the others will know.”

Li Yuan nodded: “I will consider this carefully. By the way, has there been any news from Hedong?”

“Your son just received a carrier pigeon message from Elder Brother and the others. Since Father took the position of Regional Governor of Taiyuan, the rebels in Hedong have begun stirring restlessly. They sent a few small groups of rebels to harass, but Elder Brother suppressed them. For now, there are no large rebel forces causing trouble.” With that, he said: “Father can rest assured – with Elder Brother there, he can definitely maintain peace in Hedong!”

“Jiancheng has a full seventy thousand troops and Yuanji helping him – I’m not worried.” Li Yuan sighed lightly and said somewhat guiltily: “It’s you I’m concerned about. Do you blame your father?”

Li Shimin asked puzzledly: “Why does Father say this?”

“His Majesty ordered me to counterattack the Turks, but I only have ten thousand troops – it’s like walking on a cliff’s edge. One misstep means eternal damnation. Following by your father’s side is much more dangerous than staying in Hedong.”

Hearing this, Li Shimin immediately smiled: “It was your son who requested to come to Taiyuan – how could I blame Father? Moreover, your son believes that with Father’s wisdom and brilliance, you can definitely pacify the Turkic rebellion!”

Li Yuan laughed heartily and said spiritedly: “Good! We father and son will pacify the Turkic rebellion together and make them never dare violate the heavenly might of our Central Plains again!”

After Liu Wenjing was imprisoned, he initially hoped Li Yuan would rescue him. But as days passed one by one, he remained in the dark, sunless prison, eating spoiled food. Li Yuan hadn’t even shown his face once. Peiji had come several times, bringing him some food and necessities, but every time Liu Wenjing asked about Li Yuan, he would hesitate and stammer. Once when pressed urgently, he could only tell the truth – it turned out that since Liu Wenjing’s imprisonment, he hadn’t seen Li Yuan even once. Every time he went to request an audience, the steward would either say Li Yuan had gone out or wasn’t at the residence, leaving him quite helpless.

Although before Peiji left, he said he would definitely find a way to save him, Liu Wenjing understood in his heart that with just his position as Palace Supervisor of Jinyang, he couldn’t possibly save himself. The only one who could save him was Li Yuan, but unfortunately… Had he misjudged? Did Li Yuan not possess such great talent and grand strategy after all? Sigh, if this were the case, the people of the realm would probably have to endure suffering for several more years.