Chapter 581: What a Huge Pot

"Duke of Wei, is there some misunderstanding here? My husband once contested the Crown Prince, but that was merely a political, official rivalry, not to the point of endangering his life."

The Wei Wang Consort could no longer sit still; if this matter wasn't clarified, her whole family would likely fall into an irredeemable disaster, which explained Chen Yan's fury.

"Moreover… you know full well that my husband now devotes himself entirely to researching the Divine Might Cannon, with no interest in the throne dispute. His Majesty has also recognized past improprieties, cleared the officials my husband had allied with, and secured the Crown Prince's position in the Eastern Palace."

"I think there must be something fishy. Let's first investigate what really happened. If it's a misunderstanding, we'll handle it accordingly; if not… we leave our fate to His Majesty, okay?"

After hearing the Wei Wang Consort's words, Chen Yan's anger eased a little, and he loosened his grip on Li Tai's hand.

Li Tai nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Brother Zi An, I truly know nothing about this. Give me some time; I'll go back and investigate thoroughly. If it turns out to be the work of those blind below, I'll personally go to the Crown Prince and beg forgiveness, and ask Aye A Niang to punish us."

"We've known each other for so long; you should understand what kind of person I am. You have to give me a chance to prove my innocence, right?"

As he spoke, the little chubby Li Tai felt inexplicably aggrieved.

Damn it.

What a huge pot!

Poison the Crown Prince?

Your damn kiss—can a person really do that?

"Three days. I give you only three days. No matter what method you use, within three days you must give me a result!"

"And you also know how important this matter is, how much your Aye A Niang values it, moreover this affair cannot be concealed at all; if it's you, don't even think of slipping through!"

"If you truly know nothing about this… you still cannot escape this black pot. Poisoning the heir, murdering the empire's successor—such a precedent must never be set. Prepare yourself mentally."

"Qingque, don't blame me for speaking harshly; this matter was uncovered by Zheng Guanyin, you should realize the seriousness of the problem…"

When those words were spoken, Li Tai and the Wei Wang Consort both went numb.

Who wouldn't want to uncover it? Why specifically Zheng Guanyin?

The Xuanwu Gate Incident is still looming, and yet Zheng Guanyin, one of the victims, saw this turn of events?

This matter is no longer just poisoning the Crown Prince; it also touches Li Shimin's bottom line.

"I understand, I'll investigate right away!"

……

"Useless! All of you are a bunch of useless!"

"What am I raising you for?"

The desk in Ganlu Hall was instantly overturned, scattering documents and pens everywhere, all reflecting Li Shimin's fury at that moment.

Below, Li Junxian, Li Daozong, Wushe, and the surrounding eunuchs and palace maids fell to their knees, no one daring to speak.

Only Gao Yang stood silently aside, worrying in his heart that Chen Yan might go attack Li Tai again?

"I gave you all that much time, and you found nothing, yet Zheng Guanyin uncovered it!" Li Shimin closed his eyes briefly and said slowly: "So, after I have cultivated you so vigorously, giving you people, power, money, you handle things this way?"

"Wouldn't it be better to be a woman who never leaves home all year?"

"Tell me, what else do I need you to do?"

"Your Majesty." Li Daozong swallowed saliva, dared not look up, and cautiously explained: "We truly did not expect this matter to be related to… to…"

"Indeed, they chose the timing too cleverly, just as your conflict with the aristocratic families intensified, and you have gradually seized the key turning points."

"These past days, I have been trying every way to infiltrate the aristocratic families, focusing my attention on the remnants of the families and the Wei clan."

"Moreover… the forces the Wei King courted have been cleared, no one knew they had such audacity and power to secretly poison His Highness the Crown Prince…"

"I, I am guilty!"

By the end, Li Daozong himself could not explain clearly, because indeed no one expected this.

At first, whether Li Shimin or Chen Yan, they subconsciously thought it was the aristocratic families panicking and jumping the wall.

Did not expect this matter truly had nothing to do with them.

Truly unexpected.

"Is the process important?"

Li Shimin sat down, his palm gripping the chair arm tightly, and shouted: "What I care about is the result! The result!"

"The result is that you didn't uncover it, but Zheng Guanyin did!!!"

"Did not expect! If you could foresee everything, then what is my purpose in having you? Why build you at such great cost?"

"Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"

Now, Li Daozong could no longer utter a word, because whatever he said now sounded pale and feeble.

Not found is not found.

It was their negligence.

"Father Emperor……"

At this moment, Gao Yang, standing quietly beside, called softly, and the chill in Li Shimin's tone eased a bit, though his expression remained unpleasing: "What is it."

"My son believes that further probing is no longer necessary; the immediate priority is to contain the news, lest it spread… regardless of whether this matter involves the Fourth Imperial Brother, it must be dealt with behind closed doors."

"The Imperial Examination has now concluded, everyone awaits the results; my husband mentioned yesterday that they have preliminarily reached an agreement with Wei Shi Zhong, planning to propose that you, after the results are announced, go to Mount Tai for the Fengshan ceremony next year."

"This matter… no matter what, is a scandal, and now is not the time to expose it."

Li Shimin paused, his attention fully captured by Gao Yang's words.

After pondering carefully for a while, he sighed lightly and said calmly: "Zi An, why did you come?"

Gao Yang fell silent instantly.

Seeing her expression, Li Shimin probably guessed something.

Recalling the harrowing Xuanwu Gate incident and the fratricidal scene, Li Shimin twitched his mouth corner, raising a self‑mocking smile.

He suddenly felt a bit tired, closed his eyes, leaned on the chair, and lightly waved his hand: "Go, keep an eye on the Wei King, follow this thread down, root out everyone involved, and then…"

"Hehe, whether it's horse bandits ambushing or burglary, not a single one may be left!"

"Yes! I, your humble servant, take my leave!"

Li Daozong and Li Junxian's hearts tightened; they kowtowed again and then withdrew.

"Gao Yang......"

"Your servant is here!"

"You may go; let Zi An take Li Zhi and Xiao Sui An to Lizheng Hall......"

"......"