Chapter 138: The Two Kings Settle the Case (Part Four)

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“Your servant pays respects to His Highness Prince Lu and greets His Highness Prince Zhou.”

Following Li Xian’s orders, Di Renjie, who was in charge of the fire scene, had not been involved in the earlier receipt of the imperial edict. At this moment, he was leading a group of coroners in examining the site. Upon seeing the two brothers arriving together, he hurriedly stepped forward, respectfully saluting and greeting them.

“No need for formalities, Lord Di. Have there been any developments?”

Li Xian knew well that Di Renjie was Emperor Li Xian’s trusted and favored general. His tone was noticeably more courteous, and a rare faint smile appeared on his usually stern face.

“Your Highness, based on the preliminary investigation, this fire is highly suspected to be arson. I have already ordered those present at the time of ignition to be detained for questioning. Everything is still subject to further clarification,” Di Renjie answered cautiously. Although progress had been made, he refrained from speaking too confidently.

“Arson? What leads you to that conclusion?”

Li Xian was well aware that the fire’s origin was suspicious, but he had little hope for a breakthrough. Hearing Di Renjie’s statement sparked his interest immediately. Raising his brows, he pressed for more details.

“Your Highness, the scene investigation reveals multiple points of origin for the fire. It began simultaneously at two locations—east and north—separated by a distance of over thirty feet. This clearly rules out accidental fire. Moreover, judging by the extent of the burn, the flames were fierce and intense, indicating the use of accelerants. These two factors strongly suggest deliberate arson,” Di Renjie explained methodically, his clarity leaving no doubt as to the case’s gravity.

“Well done, Lord Di. Truly worthy of the reputation of the old magistrate Xing. Should you solve this major case, I will personally submit a memorial praising your great merit!” Li Xian was visibly excited by the progress and applauded Di Renjie heartily.

“Your Highness flatters me. I am merely fulfilling my duty,” Di Renjie replied calmly, unaffected by the praise.

“Brother Six, Di Renjie is the foremost divine judge of our Great Tang. This case should be entrusted to him. You and I only need to oversee the big picture.”

Li Xian had long regarded Di Renjie as a trusted confidant and wished to rely heavily on him. However, Di Renjie had just taken office and lacked a solid foundation at court. Li Xian’s influence was limited. The outbreak of this major case at the Supreme Court was inevitably Di Renjie’s opportunity to formally step onto the grand stage of the capital. Seeing Li Xian praise Di Renjie, Li Xian’s brother, Li Xian, eagerly seized the moment to support him.

“Hmm, very well. Since he is recommended by my seventh brother, he must be reliable. I shall await good news from Lord Di,” Li Xian said. He trusted Li Xian’s judgment but was cautious given the case’s importance. Reflecting that he himself lacked experience in adjudicating cases, he preferred to place faith in Di Renjie, whose previous analyses and judgments had all demonstrated exceptional talent. After a brief pause, he agreed to Li Xian’s request.

“Lord Di need only focus on the arson case. As for the inventory of the remaining case files, that need not concern him. I will assign Song Xian to handle it. Brother Six, what do you think of this arrangement?”

Li Xian wanted Di Renjie to take the lead but did not wish to make him a target of public criticism. He smiled and added this, then looked to Li Xian with a questioning gaze, as if seeking his approval.

“Hmm, very well, so be it.”

Li Xian neither dismissed nor immediately accepted Li Xian’s suggestion. The matter was indeed too critical to leave unattended. However, Li Xian had no capable subordinates in the Supreme Court, and assigning Li Xian’s men was not inappropriate. The two brothers were in alliance; if anything went wrong, neither would benefit. Considering this, Li Xian pondered briefly before consenting to Li Xian’s proposal.

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“Brother Six, your wisdom is unmatched.”

Li Xian smiled warmly, teasing Li Xian in a relaxed manner.

“You, at this hour, still have the heart to joke? What shall I say to you, brother?” Li Xian was momentarily stunned by the tease but then gave a helpless glare, half scolding, half laughing. The tension in his chest eased, and finally, exchanging glances with Li Xian, the two brothers burst into hearty laughter.

As the saying goes, while some rejoice, others despair. On one side, Li Xian and Li Xian were in high spirits; on the other, the Crown Prince Li Hong was deeply troubled, his brows furrowed and face clouded with gloom. Li Hong was furious—not just mildly so—because the Supreme Court was far too significant an institution. He had planned to slap Empress Wu and simultaneously extend his influence into the Supreme Court. He did not expect the Supreme Court to catch fire under such mysterious circumstances, nor that the case would ultimately fall under the control of the Li brothers. This left Li Hong with a sick feeling, as if he had been made a scapegoat.

Indeed, Li Hong’s primary political opponent was the overreaching Empress Wu. To counter her growing ambitions, he sought to unite all available forces. He had no personal grievances, but ambitious Li Xian and ambiguous Li Xian were no better—they both eyed the position of the Crown Prince. If those two continued to rise unchecked, they would become unstoppable. Li Hong felt trapped between a rock and a hard place, caught in a dilemma that left him indecisive. The bitter taste of being squeezed between two sides was unbearable. Naturally, it was no surprise that Li Hong was troubled. His distress permeated the entire palace atmosphere, making the eunuchs and palace maids fearful, barely daring to breathe, lest they become targets of the Crown Prince’s wrath.

“Your Highness, there is news!”

While Li Hong sat silently behind his desk, brooding, Wang Dequan hurriedly entered the study. Seeing the Crown Prince’s face, he neglected to catch his breath and hurriedly reported.

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Li Hong sprang up instantly, about to question, but stopped himself. Scowling, he waved dismissively at the attendants in the study and coldly ordered, “All of you, withdraw immediately!”

“Yes.”

The eunuchs and palace maids, already wary of incurring the Crown Prince’s anger, quickly complied.

“Your Highness, Prince Lu and Prince Zhou publicly reprimanded Deputy Director Qiu Shenfu of the Supreme Court and detained all court officials. The matter has escalated. I suspect the palace has already received news,” Wang Dequan whispered eagerly after the others had left.

“Hmm, is that so?”

Li Hong twitched slightly at the boldness and ruthlessness of his two younger brothers’ actions. He murmured hesitantly.

“That is true. I have received accurate intelligence that the two princes assigned Di Renjie to investigate the arson case and Song Xian to organize the remaining case files. It is reported that the arson case has made some breakthroughs and can be confirmed as deliberate. The extent of losses to the case files remains unclear but is estimated to exceed seventy percent,” Wang Dequan wiped the sweat from his brow and explained hurriedly.

“Hmm.”

Li Hong said nothing further, only making a noncommittal sound as he paced the study with a shifting expression. After a long while, he suddenly stopped, turned to Wang Dequan, and asked, “Is there any other news?”

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“Well…”

Wang Dequan hesitated briefly before remembering something. Bowing respectfully, he answered, “Your Highness, there is another matter. Intelligence reports that Prince Zhou apprehended a soldier from Jingzhao Prefecture.”

“Hmm? What happened? Speak!”

Li Hong’s eyes flashed with suspicion. Raising his brows, he pressed for details.

“This… I do not know the full details. I only know that the soldier was summoned by Chen Renhao, the Deputy Magistrate of Jingzhao Prefecture. The exact reason is unclear to me,” Wang Dequan admitted, having little interest in the matter of a low-ranking soldier. Seeing Li Hong’s urgent questioning, he grew anxious and gave a vague explanation.

“Chen Renhao? A soldier?”

Li Hong’s impatience flared at Wang Dequan’s vagueness. He glared sharply but did not press for more. Instead, he resumed pacing, murmuring to himself, yet he could not grasp the significance. He knew Chen Renhao well enough but was not close to him and held no strong impression. To Li Hong, Chen Renhao was just a mediocre middle-ranking official. He could not fathom why Li Xian would arbitrarily detain a soldier under Chen Renhao’s command. But one thing was clear: Li Xian never acted without purpose. There was obviously something suspicious, but what that was eluded Li Hong’s understanding.

“Go, investigate the background of that soldier!” Li Hong ruminated for some time, then, frustrated and annoyed, barked the order.

“Yes, Your Highness, I will go immediately,” Wang Dequan replied dutifully, hastening out of the study to uncover the truth.

“A soldier? Chen Renhao? Could it be…”

After Wang Dequan left, Li Hong continued to ponder Li Xian’s motives. After pacing for a long time, a sudden insight seemed to strike him. Though uncertain, his expression brightened. Just as he hesitated, Wang Dequan rushed back in, hurriedly approaching Li Hong and whispering, “Your Highness, the matter has been clarified. The soldier is named Yan He. He is said to be the first to discover the Supreme Court fire and reported it to Jingzhao Prefecture. Prince Zhou apparently clashed with Chen Renhao to apprehend him. I have dispatched people to Jingzhao Prefecture to investigate this man’s background thoroughly.”

“I see!”

Li Hong sneered, beckoning Wang Dequan closer. Leaning toward his ear, he gave low instructions, his voice grave. Wang Dequan’s eyes widened, and his expression shifted repeatedly as he listened.