CHAPTER 581: CHAPTER 382: THE POWER MINISTER CROSSING SWORDS

Xiao Song rode his horse quickly into the palace, and the eunuch Zhong Rui was already waiting at the palace gate, "Assistant Minister Xiao, the Emperor is currently in Zichen Palace."

After speaking, he ordered a eunuch to lead the way. Xiao Song felt surprised in his heart. Zichen Palace was where the Emperor met with important or close officials, and moreover, it was so late, the Emperor shouldn’t still be in Zichen Palace! Looking at Zhong Rui, it seemed that he was waiting for someone else too. Could it be that the Emperor had summoned more than just him?

The eunuch moved very quickly. After passing several palace gates, Xiao Song could faintly make out the figure of the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhang Liang, and immediately quickened his pace, "Minister Zhang."

Zhang Liang stopped, waiting for Xiao Song to catch up. The two men walked side by side at a brisk pace toward Zichen Palace. Xiao Song made small talk, "The weather hasn’t been good these days. How is your old leg ailment, Minister?"

Zhang Liang pondered, "I’ve gotten used to it over time. I still have strength enough to endure it for now. But in a few more years, it might be hard to even take a step."

In the palace, one naturally couldn’t casually discuss the matter of succession. Xiao Song was just using his concern for Zhang Liang’s illness as a pretext to probe for information. What he meant was, with the current change in circumstances, could it be that the Crown Prince wouldn’t be able to withstand it?

And Zhang Liang gave a very clear answer: for now, things should still be stable, but in the days to come, it was hard to say.

Having gotten his answer, Xiao Song continued, "My wife has considerable medical skills. I’ll have her take a look at you one of these days."

Ran Yan was a woman of imperial decree, and though Zhang Liang held a high position, it wasn’t appropriate for him to truly accept such an offer, "I wouldn’t dare trouble your lady."

"Minister Zhang and I have worked together for many years, and you have always been quite supportive of me. You needn’t be so polite over such a small matter," Xiao Song said.

Zhang Liang smiled faintly, "Then I shall not refuse rudely."

After that, the two men no longer spoke and hurried on their way.

When they arrived at Zichen Palace, several people were already seated on the mats. Xiao Song glanced over and saw Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, Chu Suliang, Wang Gui, and others.

Being in Zichen Pavilion was different from being in Xuanzheng Hall; courtesies between the sovereign and his ministers were slightly more relaxed. Xiao Song, following a step behind Zhang Liang, approached the imperial desk and bowed, "I greet your Majesty!"

"Dispense with formalities, have a seat," said Li Shimin, his voice betraying neither pleasure nor anger, only carrying a trace of tiredness.

After Xiao Song took his seat at the end, Cheng Zhijie and Wei Zheng subsequently entered, and after bowing, they took their seats as well.

Now the seating arrangement was complete.

Zhong Rui walked quickly to Li Shimin’s side, hugging the wall with his head lowered. Li Shimin threw a scroll onto the desk, "Read."

"Yes," Zhong Rui bowed and stepped forward to pick up the scroll, glanced over it briefly, and began to read.

He read Sang Chen’s memorial to the throne. Some present had already seen it because memorials are typically processed through the Ministry of Personnel. After a memorial is submitted there, they are sorted based on their importance. Important ones need to be presented to the Emperor, while for general matters, the Ministry deals with them and later reports to the Emperor. Therefore, before Li Shimin learned of this matter, there had already been discussions within the Ministry, which is why the memorial was submitted.

"Does any minister have something to say?" As Zhong Rui’s voice fell, Li Shimin slowly asked.

There was silence for a moment until the Minister of Rites, Wang Gui, stepped forward, "I have failed in my duties, please punish me, your Majesty."

Minister of Rites Wang Gui also served as the mentor to Prince Wei, Li Tai, and the evidence listed in Sang Chen’s memorial all implicated Li Tai. Wang Gui was unlucky; he had become Prince Wei’s mentor just last year, and now this issue had arisen.

Indeed, Wang Gui was shocked when he learned of this; he revered Confucian teachings and possessed both virtue and scholarship, and Li Tai, also fond of Confucianism, was thus commanded by the Emperor to be his student. Initially, Wang Gui had been pleased since, though indulgent, Li Tai was genuinely talented and had an exceedingly upright character. Wang Gui could never have guessed that Li Tai was so duplicitous.

"You are not to blame for this, go back and take your seat," said Li Shimin. His anger had mostly spent itself, and now he was only thinking about how to deal with the matter without first demanding accountability.

What saddened him most was Li Tai. He had thought him filial and sensible, wholeheartedly toiling over the classics, but it turned out he also coveted that position!

Sang Chen was someone who was very unsophisticated and stubborn. Moreover, with Sang Chen’s memorial and the evidence listed, Li Shimin could almost understand the ins and outs of the affair without needing to verify it.

"Your Majesty, I believe that this matter should be verified before conclusions are drawn," said Wei Zheng.

Li Shimin nodded, necessary verification was indeed needed, "This matter I entrust to Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Criminal Justice."

"Your Majesty, shouldn’t a tutor be arranged for the Crown Prince?" The implication in Changsun Wuji’s words was that it was due to the lack of a suitable individual disciplining the Crown Prince that had led to his errant behavior. This was secondary, though, as Changsun Wuji was also probing Li Shimin’s attitude.