Liu Hongji frowned tightly. Though he had already anticipated that Peiji would not let Liu Wenjing off, he had not expected Peiji’s words to be so sharp, truly cutting to the bone with every word, directly targeting Liu Wenjing’s vital points. It seemed he was determined to have Liu Wenjing’s life.

“Minister Pei is also going too far. Though Zhaoren disagreed with him, he can’t falsely accuse him of rebellion. Zhaoren followed His Majesty all the way through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Rebellion…” Xiao Yu shook his head. “It’s truly laughable to hear, yet His Majesty he… sigh!”

Liu Hongji said in a deep voice: “His Majesty knows Zhaoren would never rebel.”

His words startled Xiao Yu, who then showed a hint of joy. “So you’re saying Zhaoren won’t be in danger?”

“No.” Liu Hongji’s answer puzzled Xiao Yu, who asked in confusion: “But sir, you just clearly said…”

“Zhaoren would never rebel, but he has already threatened His Majesty’s supreme authority. This is the real reason His Majesty wants to deal with him.”

Xiao Yu’s mind turned quickly, and he soon understood Liu Hongji’s meaning. “Just because of those few words?”

Liu Hongji sighed deeply. “Those few words are enough, not to mention there’s also Peiji fanning the flames beside him. I came originally hoping Brother Xiao would speak well of Zhaoren before His Majesty, but now it seems useless.”

Xiao Yu consoled: “His Majesty has not yet passed judgment, so there should still be room for maneuver. Please rest assured, sir, I will do my utmost.”

Liu Hongji shook his head. “Though judgment has not yet been passed, but… it’s already useless.” Others all thought he was skilled at planning, but actually what he was best at was making judgments – using scattered clues to precisely determine the direction and even outcome of events.

Without waiting for Xiao Yu to speak further, he already bowed and said: “I trouble Brother Xiao with this. Farewell.”

Liu Hongji left heavily, but he did not tell Li Shimin about this, to avoid the latter worrying about Liu Wenjing and going to see Li Yuan, thus bringing trouble. But… what was destined to come would ultimately come, impossible to avoid!

On the second day of the sixth month, Li Yuan issued an edict – to arrest Liu Wenjing and execute him three days later!

When Li Shimin received the news, Liu Wenjing had already been imprisoned. Li Yuan had decreed that no one was permitted to see him, and this “no one” naturally included Li Shimin as well!

Unable to see Liu Wenjing, Li Shimin immediately turned his horse around and headed for Taiji Palace. But before reaching the palace gates, he was stopped by someone. “Your Highness, halt!”

The one who stopped Li Shimin was precisely Liu Hongji. Upon hearing the edict to execute Liu Wenjing, he had guessed that Li Shimin would certainly go to Taiji Palace, so he waited halfway along the route.

Li Shimin reined in his horse and stared at Liu Hongji standing before his horse. “You guessed this long ago, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” Before Liu Hongji finished speaking, Li Shimin had already said excitedly: “Since you guessed it, why didn’t you tell me?”

Liu Hongji said calmly: “Even if I had told Your Highness, what use would it be? Could you prevent this matter and make His Majesty change his mind?”

“How do you know it won’t work without trying? Zhaoren has no intention of rebellion – you and I both know this. His Majesty was merely temporarily deceived, so he…”

Liu Hongji interrupted him. “His Majesty is clearer about this than any of us, yet he still wants to kill Zhaoren. Why? Because in His Majesty’s view, Zhaoren can no longer be allowed to live!”

His words made Li Shimin unable to understand, shaking his head: “What you’re saying makes no sense at all. This is impossible!” As he spoke, he shouted: “Stand aside!”

“Killing Zhaoren is not because he rebelled, but because he threatened His Majesty’s imperial authority. For His Majesty now, whoever dares threaten his imperial authority must die.” Speaking to this point, he said meaningfully: “Liu Wenjing is such a case, and so is Your Highness!”

Li Shimin’s eyelids twitched violently as he gritted his teeth. “How could Zhaoren threaten Father Emperor? This… is completely impossible.”

“Whether it’s possible or not is not for Your Highness to decide. As long as His Majesty believes it is, then it’s an ironclad fact. Anyone who tries to refute it will only bring disaster upon themselves!”

Li Shimin remained silent for a moment. Just when Liu Hongji thought he had changed his mind, he suddenly said: “Zhaoren is in danger, I absolutely cannot stand by and watch. Please step aside, sir!”

Liu Hongji said sternly: “If Your Highness wants to leave this place, you’ll have to step over Liu’s body!”

Li Shimin said urgently: “Sir!”

“I understand Your Highness’s desire to save Zhaoren, but this matter is beyond Your Highness’s capabilities. Instead, you’ll be implicated and make things worse!” Saying this, he knelt down. “Please turn back, Your Highness!”

Li Shimin bit his teeth hard. He knew Liu Hongji was right, but… Liu Wenjing had followed him through battlefields, through life and death several times. Even knowing it was wrong, he could not let go of this thread of hope!

Thinking of this, he turned to Duan Zhihong who was following behind. “Take Master Liu away!”

Duan Zhihong, who had always obeyed Li Shimin’s every command, did not follow his orders this time. “Your Highness, why don’t you listen to Master Liu and not go!”

Li Shimin’s expression changed as he said sternly: “What? Even you won’t listen to me now?”

“This subordinate dare not!” Before Duan Zhihong finished speaking, Li Shimin had already said: “Since you dare not, then do as I say, or get out of Prince Qin’s mansion!”

“Please forgive me, Your Highness!” If it were any other matter, Duan Zhihong would never dare speak further, but this time, concerning Li Shimin’s safety, even if he had to be punished, he must stop him.

“You!” Li Shimin laughed angrily. “Good! So my words don’t matter anymore, is that it?” Without waiting for Liu Hongji and the others to speak, he said sternly: “No matter what you say, today I must go to Taiji Palace!” Before his words finished, he had already pulled the reins and quickly circumvented Liu Hongji and Duan Zhihong, galloping forward.

Liu Hongji hadn’t expected him to leave so suddenly. It was too late to stop him again, so he could only mount his horse and chase after him together with Duan Zhihong.

“Your Highness, please return!” This voice kept ringing behind Li Shimin. The latter ignored it completely, only repeatedly lashing his whip, forcing his horse to go faster and faster still, to avoid being caught up by Liu Hongji and the others!

In this pursuit, Taiji Palace appeared before them. Liu Hongji was so anxious his eyes turned red. If Li Shimin entered Taiji Palace, the consequences would be unthinkable. “Your Highness, there are other ways to save Zhaoren. Let’s go back and make long-term plans!”

Facing Liu Hongji’s shouts, Li Shimin did not stop. He was clear in his heart that aside from begging Li Yuan to withdraw his order, there was no second path for Liu Wenjing to live.

When still one zhang away from the palace gate, Li Shimin pulled the reins and leaped down from his horse, running straight toward the palace gate. He entered the palace gate before Liu Hongji and the other could catch up.

Unlike Li Shimin, Liu Hongji and the other were external ministers who could not enter Taiji Palace without an imperial decree. Stopped by the guards, Liu Hongji shouted toward Li Shimin’s retreating figure: “Your Highness, is it worth it to knowingly do what cannot be done?”