In the Dew Palace, Cheng Chen's body shone with a golden light under the system's reward, shocking all the officials in the court.
Li Er's eyes widened in shock. He looked at Wei Zheng with a questioning look in his eyes.
Wei Zheng first cupped his fists and bowed, then nodded, confirming Li Er's guess.
Li Er had no doubt about Wei Zheng's affirmation. It was rumored that Wei Zheng was a Heavenly Official who could reach the Heavenly Court and communicate with the gods of various places.
Even though the legend of Wei Zhengmeng slaying the Dragon King of the Jing River was still circulating.
"Cheng Chen is actually the Civil Star. Is this the blessing of the heavens on our Great Tang?”Li Er thought to himself, If that's the case, then Cheng Chen can't be killed!”
"Your Majesty!"
At this moment, Zhangsun Wuji let out another wail and kowtowed heavily.
Zhangsun Wuji could also tell that Cheng Chen was extraordinary. Now that Li Lizhi was there to testify for Cheng Chen, if he didn't speak up, Cheng Chen would definitely escape.
"Your Majesty, although Princess Chang Le said that it was her fault, it is also a fact that Cheng Chen insulted the Holy Order. I beg Your Majesty to investigate!”
"My Zhangsun Clan is loyal to the Great Tang and His Majesty. We cannot suffer such humiliation!”
"If Your Majesty can't uphold justice for this subject, then this subject…won't live!”
"Your Majesty! I beg you to make a decision for my Zhangsun family!" Zhangsun Huan and Zhangsun Jun also kowtowed and begged.
At this moment, Zhangsun Chong gradually regained consciousness. He crawled forward and knelt a few steps, crying and wailing," Your Majesty, Your Majesty, if this matter is not resolved, I will not be able to live!”
"This subject would rather commit suicide in the hall than suffer such great humiliation!”
Looking at Zhangsun Wuji's family, Li Er really had a headache. He wanted to spare Cheng Chen, but he was afraid that it would chill Zhangsun Wuji's heart. After all, Zhangsun Wuji was the current prime minister!
"Uncle, why don't you understand? This is all my fault. If you insist on finding fault, then punish me.”Li Lizhi said angrily.
Zhangsun Wuji looked at Li Lizhi and gritted his teeth. He had hatred in his heart, but he did not dare to show it.
"How would I dare to pursue the princess's crimes? It's just that this matter is a great humiliation to my Zhangsun clan. I want to seek justice!”
"You!"
"Sister Zhi 'er."
At this moment, Cheng Chen finally stood up and stopped Li Lizhi. He smiled and said,""Sister Zhi 'er, you've done what you should do. Now, leave it to me.”
As he spoke, Cheng Chen walked to Zhangsun Wuji's side in two steps and looked at him with disdain." Old fellow, it looks like you're determined to kill me. Then I won't be polite."”
"Hmph, you have committed a heinous crime and must be punished!”Zhangsun Wuji snorted coldly.
"Hehe, a major crime? Punishment?" Cheng Chen smiled contemptuously." I think you're the one who's committed a major crime!”
"You don't know the law. You're the one who's unpardonable!”
"What?!" Zhangsun Wuji was so angry that his entire body trembled." Brat, don't spout nonsense. How could I not understand the law and force the emperor in the palace?”
"Still not admitting it?" Cheng Chen curled his lips." Alright, I'll let you die with an explanation!”
"Your Majesty, Empress." Cheng Chen cupped his fists at Li Er and Zhangsun Wugou and said in a clear voice,""Ever since Gaozu established the Great Tang, our Great Tang has been governed by benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and filial piety, right?”
Li Er nodded." That's right."
"Alright." "Although the laws of the Tang Empire are strict, they also contain benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and filial piety, right?" Cheng Chen continued.”
"Yes." Li Er replied," Although the law is as heavy as a mountain, we can't be ruthless!”
"Alright." Cheng Chen smiled." Your Majesty, Your Majesty, this subject is young and does not understand the laws of the Great Tang.”
"But remember that there is a law in the Great Tang that states,'Criminals shall not be punished for their crimes, and elders shall not be punished for their crimes,' right?”
As soon as he finished speaking, all the civil and military officials in the court were shocked. Li Er also revealed a pleasantly surprised expression.
None of them had expected Cheng Chen to mention this law!
The Great Tang was a dynasty that had brought the virtues of 'respecting the old and loving the young' to the extreme, even issuing laws to protect the young and the old.
This rule of not punishing naughty children and not punishing the elderly was one of them.
What did this law mean? It was very simple. Children under the age of eight were not bound by the laws of the Great Tang, and old people over sixty were not allowed to use instruments of torture.
By saying this law, Cheng Chen was able to absolve himself of his crimes.
Zhangsun Wuji was dumbfounded. He never expected Cheng Chen to know about this law.
"Haha, what a sharp-tongued brat!”Li Er laughed and looked at Zhangsun Wuji again." Zhangsun Aiqing, what else do you have to say?”
" Your Majesty, I…" Zhangsun Wuji gritted his teeth, but he could not say a word.
What could he say? The laws of the Great Tang stated that Cheng Chen was innocent, so how could he pursue the matter? He could only swallow this loss in silence.
Cheng Chen looked at Zhangsun Wuji's deflated expression and proudly raised his head." What? Lord Zhangsun has nothing to say?"
"Hehe, I still have something to say!”
"Your Majesty!" Cheng Chen cupped his fists again." I want to report!”
"Oh?" Li Er smiled and looked at Cheng Chen." What do you have to report?”
"Your Majesty, I want to report to the Prime Minister, Zhangsun Wuji!”
"He is guilty of not understanding the law and neglecting his duty. He forced the emperor in the palace and is guilty of great disrespect!”
"Ah?" Zhangsun Wuji was shocked and hurriedly kowtowed." Your Majesty, I've been wronged!”
"Wronged?" Cheng Chen sneered." Lord Zhangsun, let me ask you. As the current Prime Minister, shouldn't you remember the law by heart?”
"But you keep offending me. Isn't this dereliction of duty?”
"If you knew the law of 'no punishment for the child, no punishment for the elder', and still repeatedly forced His Majesty to punish me, wouldn't this be a crime of great disrespect?"”
"Disrespect and dereliction of duty, Lord Zhangsun, which one do you admit to?”
"I…"
Zhangsun Wuji was dumbfounded. Cheng Chen was blocking him from both sides. If he denied the former, then he would have to admit the crime of disrespect. If he denied the latter, then he would have to admit the crime of dereliction of duty.
No matter what, he could not escape this crime.
Zhangsun Wuji was about to go crazy from anger. He had suffered great humiliation. Not only could he not punish Cheng Chen, but he also had to admit his guilt. He really could not live anymore.
But even if he wanted to die, he had to choose one now!
He could only choose dereliction of duty. If he admitted to being disrespectful, then his head would be removed.
"Your Majesty, I…I have committed a crime of dereliction of duty. Please punish me!”Zhangsun Wuji knelt on the ground, unable to get up again.
He was too ashamed to get up.
Li Er looked at the battered Zhangsun Wuji and then at Cheng Chen, his eyes filled with shock.
This child was really not someone who could be found in a pond!
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