Chapter 126: The Crown Prince’s Counterattack (3)

“Your servant greets Prince Li Hong.”

Accompanied by Chen Dayong, Li Xian entered the Eastern Palace without hindrance, making his way directly to the study. As he turned past the folding screen by the door, he immediately caught sight of Crown Prince Li Hong seated sternly behind a table, his expression dark and eyes blazing with a murderous glare, as if ready to devour anyone. Li Xian dared not neglect his manners; he quickened his steps and respectfully bowed, greeting him.

“Seventh brother, you have arrived. Please, sit.”

Li Hong’s bloodshot eyes glanced indifferently at Li Xian, his voice hoarse and faint as he uttered a sound. Before Li Xian could respond, two streams of tearful grievance welled from Li Hong’s eyes.

“Crown Prince, you… you are unharmed, I, your servant…”

Both men were consummate actors: Li Hong played the wronged, deeply aggrieved child, while Li Xian immediately adopted the role of the alarmed younger brother. Their timing was impeccable, their cooperation seamless—had they lived in later times, their performance alone would have easily won them acting awards.

“A great humiliation, a great humiliation indeed! Seventh brother, my heart aches. Are you willing to lend me your strength to avenge this insult?”

Li Hong’s thin frame trembled, his tearful eyes filled with fervent appeal, almost commanding as he asked.

“Crown Prince, your servant, this, this…”

Since this was but a performance, Li Xian followed suit, feigning hesitation, stammering as he refused to answer outright. His eyes, however, glanced toward the impassive Chen Dayong standing silently nearby, signaling that confidential matters could not be discussed in the presence of outsiders.

“Begone! All of you, leave at once!”

Seeing Li Xian’s manner, Li Hong’s expression shifted sharply. He impatiently waved Chen Dayong and the other eunuchs out with repeated commands.

“Yes, your humble servant takes his leave.”

Chen Dayong’s face remained expressionless as he bowed and led the small group of eunuchs out of the study. Yet, in the moment he turned away, a faint hint of mockery flashed in his eyes, which Li Xian, ever watchful, immediately caught.

Indeed, all were scheming—now it was a matter of whose strategy was more ruthless. Seeing that subtle gleam of difference in Chen Dayong’s gaze, Li Xian was certain his suspicions were correct. Silently, he smirked inwardly but said nothing, bowing respectfully and waiting humbly for the Crown Prince to speak.

“Seventh brother, you know the situation well enough. I do not wish to speak further. Such a great insult not only brings shame to me but stains the entire imperial family. If I do not retaliate, how can the world not mock us? Will you aid your brother in avenging this blood debt?”

After Chen Dayong and the others had left, Li Hong suddenly slammed the table and rose, glaring fiercely as he demanded.

Hearing this, Li Xian thought to himself: Retaliate? This is no retaliation; it’s walking right into a trap. Does His Highness not fear for his own life? Li Xian had already discerned what this “retaliation” might entail and was far from approving. Yet, he could not openly dampen Li Hong’s spirits—after all, he himself was part of the imperial household, and restoring lost honor was paramount.

“Crown Prince, rest assured, your servant is also a scion of the imperial family. Such enmity cannot go unavenged. However, I do not yet know how Your Highness intends to proceed. Please instruct me, so I may prepare to cooperate accordingly.”

Li Xian declared his stance without hesitation, then shifted his tone, probing Li Hong’s intentions.

“Good, that is the spirit of my seventh brother!”

Li Hong was resolved to curtail Empress Wu’s power, determined to stake everything on this desperate gamble. Yet he was uncertain if his own forces alone could secure the upper hand in court, much less gain the absolute favor of Emperor Gaozong. Only with the full cooperation of the two princes could they achieve overwhelming advantage, forcing the emperor to make a decisive ruling on the spot, leaving no chance for Empress Wu to maneuver. Now, with the arrow on the bowstring and Li Xian’s pledge of support, Li Hong had reason to rejoice. No sooner had Li Xian spoken than Li Hong struck the table again and praised him heartily.

“The affairs of the Crown Prince are the affairs of your servant. I bear full responsibility. But this matter is of great consequence; pulling one thread affects the whole tapestry. Crown Prince, I beg you to state your plan clearly, so your servant may heed your command.”

Prepared for this moment, Li Xian paid no mind to empty flattery and bluntly pressed for details.

“Seventh brother, come, sit and talk.”

Li Hong did not immediately reveal the full plan but smiled, motioning to the seat opposite him.

“Your servant thanks Crown Prince for the honor.”

Li Xian gratefully accepted and took his seat without further hesitation or questions.

“Seventh brother, that scoundrel Helan has insulted me gravely. This blood debt must be avenged, or I swear I shall not live as a man! At root, that man is but a petty thief; I sit in semi-sovereign dignity—how dare he insult me thus? It is only because Mother tolerates him without restraint that he dares to act so brazenly. Now he has even been promoted to Chief Historian of the Orchid Pavilion—such insolence! How could a mother treat her son so? If I do not strike back, how can the court’s order be restored? Seventh brother, you are talented—if you would aid me, we can surely settle the realm once and for all!”

Li Hong spoke passionately, filled with righteous fury. Yet, despite his words, he had not yet addressed the core of the matter and seemed to harbor doubts about Li Xian’s trustworthiness.

“Crown Prince, your words are most wise. Your servant thinks likewise. Now that Your Highness intends to strike back, one must hit the snake’s vital spot. A single blow must suffice, or else the snake will only bite back, and the consequences will be endless!”

Though Li Hong said nothing, Li Xian’s pointed remark was clear.

“Indeed, I share your view. Last time, seventh brother mentioned that the Ministry of Justice is riddled with corruption and must be purged. I have long agreed, and now is the time for action. What say you?”

After their exchange, Li Hong was confident that Li Xian truly intended to cooperate. He thus broached the key subject.

“Crown Prince, your words are most prudent. Your servant agrees wholeheartedly. But how to proceed remains to be deliberated. Since Your Highness has a plan, your servant is ready to listen.”

Li Xian, having anticipated Li Hong’s objective, was unsurprised and quietly pressed for specifics.

“Seventh brother, you should know that Minister Duan Baoxuan of the Ministry of Justice is old and neglectful of his duties, seldom attending court. Such a figure is unfit to hold a post. The reason he clings to his seat is because he provides cover for others to act unlawfully. For years, two villains, Yuan Gongyu and Hou Shanye, have served as Deputy Ministers. Given their seniority, they are poised to ascend to Minister soon. If we fail to remove these two scoundrels, the court’s order will collapse. I cannot allow this. I vow to eliminate these two. Fortunately, there are still upright men within the Ministry who have secretly reported their crimes to me. Once exposed, these two villains will be utterly destroyed. Removing them will sever Mother’s grip on governance. In time, renewal and reform will bring clarity to the court. The arrow is drawn; the shot must be fired. What we lack is your support, seventh brother. I earnestly request your aid.”

“Upright men?” Li Xian’s face darkened. He was not elated by Li Hong’s speech; rather, he sensed the matter was more complicated than the Crown Prince realized. His brow furrowed.

Li Xian had already placed two men in the Ministry of Justice. Song Xian, an official from the Zhou princely household, though low-ranking and without audience privileges, was adept at networking. Following Li Xian’s secret orders, Song had cultivated ties with minor officials within the Ministry, gaining considerable insight into its darker dealings and reporting frequently. Yet none of these reports revealed a decisive case capable of toppling the Ministry root and branch.

As for Di Renjie, newly appointed but high-ranking within the Ministry, he had access to confidential cases. Still, he had found no evidence sufficient to strike a fatal blow, nor had Li Xian heard of any “upright man” within the Ministry harboring extreme resentment toward Empress Wu. Li Hong’s confident assertions only deepened Li Xian’s suspicions.

“Crown Prince, this matter is indeed grave and must not be taken lightly. Forgive your servant’s boldness, but who is this upright man? And what secrets has he revealed?”

Having reviewed all he knew, Li Xian had formed his own opinion but did not reveal it. Instead, he calmly pressed for more.

“Ah…”

Li Hong knew Li Xian was wary of Empress Wu. Any move against her would have his servant’s support. He had assumed his words would win wholehearted approval, but Li Xian seemed hesitant. When asked about the informant, Li Hong grew uneasy. This was too critical a matter: if the secret were leaked, Empress Wu would be ready, and failure would be certain.

“Since you seek the truth, seventh brother, I will not conceal it. The man is Qiu Shenfu, Assistant Minister of Justice. Last year, he mourned the death of his father, Marquis Qiu Xinggong of Tianshui, and his three sons. Though long serving in the Ministry, he has been frustrated by his refusal to ally with corrupt men and has long desired to purge evil. Knowing of my intentions, he brought me confidential reports. This intelligence concerns success or failure, so I implore you to keep it strictly secret.”

Li Hong hesitated, but seeing Li Xian’s unwavering gaze, he steeled himself and revealed the truth. Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, Li Xian’s previously composed expression collapsed completely…