Chapter 157: Cruel to be Kind (Part VI)

"To answer Your Highness, everything went smoothly. Lord Luo has already united with the various ministers to endorse the memorial, and they are now on their way to the Imperial City."

As a trusted confidant of Li Xian, Luo 通 (Luo Tong) naturally possessed considerable competence. Upon hearing Li Xian's inquiry, he did not waste time detailing insignificant matters; instead, he concisely delivered the outcome first.

"Hmm, speak more specifically."

Although he had long known that accidents were unlikely, upon receiving definitive confirmation, Li Xian could not help but let out a silent breath of relief. Nonetheless, his expression remained unchanged as he calmly posed a follow-up question.

"Understood. Your subordinate obeys. Early this morning..."

Luo Tong's eloquence was not particularly outstanding. His account was plain and straightforward, virtually devoid of literary flair. However, his strength lay in his exceptionally keen powers of observation. Not only did he recount the entire sequence of events from beginning to end, but he also described the reactions and even the shifts in expression of everyone involved, leaving almost no detail omitted.

"Good, this matter was handled well. Pass down my command: all those who participated in this affair shall be rewarded with double their monthly stipends. Withdraw immediately according to the original plan. Go."

Luo Tong's report was not short, taking a good half-incense stick of time to complete. Yet, Li Xian did not show a shred of impatience, listening quietly throughout. Only after Luo Tong finished reporting did Li Xian offer an encouraging nod and grant a generous reward.

"Thank Your Highness for your boundless favor. This subordinate takes his leave."

Li Xian had always been exceptionally generous to his subordinates, especially the members of the action team, whose treatment was exceedingly high—their monthly stipends were not below those of senior court officials. For Li Xian to grant a double stipend in one breath was by no means a small reward. However, Luo Tong did not show any abnormal behavior as a result. After offering a respectful expression of gratitude, he quietly backed out of the room.

*This kid is good, worth cultivating!* Li Xian was extremely satisfied with Luo Tong's performance and naturally entertained the thought of making great use of him in the future. Yet, he did not dwell on it deeply, for the stage had already been set, and it was time for him—the protagonist, Li Xian—to step onto the stage and perform the grand play!

"Gao Miao!"

The moment Luo Tong withdrew, Li Xian clapped his hands once and called out in a loud voice.

"This servant is here!"

Hearing Li Xian's summons, Gao Miao, who had been waiting outside the study for a long time, naturally did not dare to delay. He hurried into the study and responded urgently.

"Prepare the carriage. I am entering the palace to have an audience with His Majesty immediately!"

Li Xian glanced at Gao Miao and gave the command with a stern expression, the murderous aura in his voice astonishingly thick...

***

Outside Zetian Gate, more than fifty court ministers were gathered in the small plaza before the palace gates, anxiously gazing at the wide-open gates of the imperial palace. Among them were Luo Binwang, Li Ming, and others who had journeyled all the way from White Horse Temple, as well as many officials who had rushed over upon hearing the news. Even Prime Minister Hao Chujun, who was holding down the fort in Luoyang, had arrived at the scene. The momentum was nothing short of grand. Yet, the gathered ministers had been waiting for nearly half an hour without receiving a single summons for an audience. No one knew what the imperial intent truly was, so anxiety was naturally unavoidable.

"Look, they are coming."

Just as the ministers were each harboring their own thoughts, Yan Desheng was seen leading a few junior eunuchs leisurely emerging from the palace gates, instantly stirring a small commotion among the crowd.

"His Majesty's imperial decree: We are feeling slightly indisposed; all matters shall be discussed another day. Respect this!"

Ignoring the expectations of the court ministers entirely, Yan Desheng dawdled as he approached, drawing out his tone to proclaim the imperial decree. Then, without giving the officials a chance to ask questions, he spun on his heel and prepared to walk back into the palace.

"A moment of your time, Eunuch Yan. I wonder if His Majesty has received our memorial of impeachment?"

Luo Binwang was straightforward by nature and had never been able to tolerate wrongdoing. Seeing Yan Desheng act in such a manner, he instantly grew angry, pulling a long face as he called out to stop him.

"This old servant knows nothing of the sort. Minister Luo may submit his memorials as he pleases."

Yan Desheng cared not a whit for Luo Binwang's stern expression. With a sinister smile, he dropped the casual reply and prepared to leave without looking back.

***

"You..."

In his towering rage, Luo Binwang was about to shout another reprimand when, before he could even utter a word, a cold and sharp scolding rang out from behind him—

"Yan Desheng, how dare you commit the offense of deceiving the ruler and turning a blind eye to the sovereign!"

"Bite your—Ah! Your Highness, this old servant..."

Yan Desheng was an absolute confidant of Empress Wu. Having grown accustomed to lording it over the palace in recent years, he rarely looked upon the court ministers with any regard. Hearing that someone actually dared to reprimand him publicly, he flew into a rage, whirled around, and opened his mouth to scold them. But the moment he recognized that the speaker was none other than Li Xian, the Prince of Zhou, he was instantly frightened into altering his words mid-sentence, standing foolishly in place in extreme awkwardness.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Preoccupied earlier with receiving the decree, the ministers had not noticed Li Xian's arrival. Now, hearing the unusual sound, they turned their heads one after another, only to discover Li Xian standing behind them with an aura of pure hostility. None of them dared to be negligent; they all bowed repeatedly to pay their respects.

"Rise, gentlemen."

Li Xian calmly accepted the greetings of the officials, offered a faint reply, and then strode out from the crowd, stopping right in front of the flustered Yan Desheng. He swept a cold glance over him and spoke without the slightest politeness: "I am going to have an audience with the Emperor right now. Eunuch Yan is more than welcome not to announce it; I wouldn't mind."

"This old servant wouldn't dare. This old servant wouldn't dare."

Yan Desheng had suffered at Li Xian's hands before and naturally knew of Li Xian's formidable methods. How could he dare to cross him? Hearing the unfriendly tone in Li Xian's voice, beads of sweat instantly broke out on his forehead. Not daring to wipe them away, he could only force a smile and repeatedly profess his innocence.

"You wouldn't dare? Then I must trouble Eunuch Yan."

Li Xian's expression remained perpetually gloomy, showing no change whatsoever despite Yan Desheng's retreat. He let out a cold hum and issued his command in an unquestionable tone.

"No dare, no dare. Please wait a moment, Your Highness. This old servant will go right now, right this instant."

As a confidant of Empress Wu, Yan Desheng naturally knew what Li Xian had come for. He had no desire to court disaster by crossing Li Xian at a time like this. Fumbling his response, he led his men scurrying back into the palace as if fleeing for their lives.

"Gentlemen, I have suffered this unwarranted humiliation, yet fortunately, you all have been able to uphold justice. I offer my thanks here and now."

Paying no attention to Yan Desheng's panicked flight, Li Xian turned back, bowed deeply to the assembled officials, cupped his hands in a grand salute, and expressed his gratitude in an agitated tone.

"We wouldn't dare. Please do not do this, Your Highness."

"Your Highness is too polite. How could we stand idly by in the face of such injustice?"

"Indeed. If we were to ignore such evil deeds, wouldn't our study of the sages go to waste?"

...

Most of the gathered ministers had arrived out of a sense of righteous indignation. Earlier, because Gao Zong had avoided granting them an audience, public sentiment was already running high. Now, touched by Li Xian's expressions of gratitude, the sense of justice in each of their hearts flared up intensely. Amidst the clamor of voices, everyone wore an excited expression. Only Hao Chujun stood silently to one side, though the look he cast at Li Xian was filled with astonishment and a faint trace of worry; yet, he chose not to say anything further.

"Prime Minister Hao, my heart is in total turmoil at present. I earnestly request that Prime Minister Hao take charge of this matter and restore fairness to me."

Outwardly, Li Xian appeared extremely agitated, but inwardly he was exceptionally calm. He had naturally noticed Hao Chujun's slightly altered expression. A brief turn of thought allowed him to understand what Hao Chujun was worried about—ultimately, it was the fear that Li Xian might use this incident to buy off the hearts of the court officials, thereby triggering a further escalation of the struggle for the East Palace. Thus, he simply and generously handed the power of taking charge over to him.

"Rest assured, Your Highness. This old minister will naturally do his utmost."

Seeing Li Xian lay the matter out so candidly, Hao Chujun realized that Li Xian must have perceived his concerns. While inwardly startled by Li Xian's acute sensitivity, he could not help but hesitate. Yet, after a brief moment of deliberation, he still reached out and accepted the olive branch extended by Li Xian.

***

Having offered his thanks, Li Xian said no more. He turned back around, faced the direction of the palace gates, and stood in silence like a statue.

"His Majesty has decreed: The Prince of Zhou, Li Xian, is summoned to have an audience in Qianyuan Hall."

Yan Desheng left quickly and returned just as fast. Within the span of a moment, he led several junior eunuchs out from the palace. Catching sight of Li Xian standing sternly before the officials, he hurriedly quickened his pace, trotted all the way up, and loudly proclaimed Gao Zong's imperial decree.

"This subject receives the decree and expresses gratitude for the grace."

Hearing that the decree made no mention of the officials whatsoever, Li Xian had already guessed the trickery within. However, he did not dwell on it, bowing with utmost reverence to receive the decree and express his thanks.

"A moment of your time, Eunuch Yan. Why will His Majesty not see the rest of us?"

Li Ming, the Director of the Imperial Academy, was of an impatient disposition. Having waited nearly a full hour, he found it somewhat unbearable upon hearing such an outcome, and angrily stepped forward to pose his question.

"Indeed! Director Li's words are entirely correct. We demand an audience with the Emperor!"

"In a matter of such grand importance to the court, how can His Majesty avoid meeting us!"

...

Encouraged by Li Ming's outcry, the ministers began to echo him in a chorus of protest. The entire scene showed signs of spinning out of control, causing Yan Desheng to break out in a furious sweat.

"Gentlemen, His Father the Emperor is a sagacious and wise sovereign who will surely make a proper judgment. I beseech you all to wait here for a moment and allow me to first have an audience with the Emperor, yes?"

Li Xian intended to leverage the momentum of the ministers forcing the palace to clear this hurdle, but he did not wish to see them genuinely blow the matter completely out of proportion. Seeing the rising public anger, he hurried forward to offer words of pacification.

"Go ahead without worry, Your Highness. We shall naturally act as your backup."

"Indeed, that stands to reason."

"Right, let us see what decree His Majesty issues before discussing it further."

...

Since Li Xian was the aggrieved party and had himself spoken, the officials could hardly raise objections. One after another, they voiced their stance in support of Li Xian. As for seasoned and prudent veterans like Hao Chujun, though they remained silent, they similarly nodded in agreement.

"Farewell, gentlemen. I shall go and return shortly."

Watching the grand momentum take shape, Li Xian felt immensely delighted inwardly, though he dared not show it on the surface. He simply saluted the ministers calmly with clasped hands, gave his parting words, and strode into the palace gates. Seeing this, Yan Desheng dared not linger any longer. He scrambled to follow closely behind Li Xian, cautiously accompanying him all the way to Qianyuan Hall in the inner court...