Chapter Seventeen: A Sudden Turn of Events

"Your Highness, something grave has happened at the Imperial Prison. Last night, Cui Xuanzhe hanged himself, and Shangguan Fu died by smashing his head against the wall. Grand General Xue Rengui of the Left Feathered Forest Army has already received orders to enforce martial law at the prison. All news, both inside and out, has been completely sealed off."

After Li Xian dismissed the group of maids, Gao Miao hurried to his side, lowered his voice, and quickly reported the news.

"Oh? Such a thing has happened?" At these words, Li Xian's face immediately showed astonishment, yet inwardly he was perfectly calm. He had already foreseen this outcome days ago, and so, what ought to have been a most suspicious affair, seemed hardly strange to him at all.

In recent years, Wu Meiniang's ability to manipulate the court had little to do with having partisans everywhere. In fact, among all the civil and military officials, her diehard supporters were not numerous, and those qualified to attend court were even fewer—barely a dozen or so when all was counted. Yet, with so few, she managed to dominate the court. The reason was clear: aside from the two former Grand Chancellors, Li Yifu and Xu Jingzong, recently exiled, who had controlled the Secretariat and Chancellery and thus dictated the issuance and veto of imperial edicts, the real crux was that the current Court of Judicial Review had become the stronghold of her faction.

Although Chief Justice Duan Baoxuan was not counted among her supporters, he had been severely punished by the Empress for impeaching Li Yifu, and had since become timid and withdrawn, holding his title in name only. Most real power lay with Deputy Justice Yuan Gongyu, Senior Judge Hou Shanye, and the majority of the middle and lower-ranking clerks—all staunch members of her party.

With the Court of Judicial Review in hand, and censors like Cui Xuanzhe to back her, anyone daring to oppose the Empress would inevitably be targeted. A single memorial, an imprisonment in the Court, and there was no crime that could not be fabricated, no witness that could not be silenced. This had always been Wu Meiniang's unerring weapon. Having suffered through his previous life, Li Xian understood this all too well. Thus, when Wu Meiniang proposed letting the Court continue its investigation in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Li Xian had immediately known that Cui Xuanzhe and Shangguan Fu, key witnesses, were as good as dead. It was unfortunate that he had neither the courage nor the power to voice this prediction aloud.

"Your Highness, this news is absolutely true. It was brought out of the prison at great risk by Lin Hu's younger brother. There should be no mistake," Gao Miao added hastily, seeing Li Xian's skeptical expression.

"I see. So it is," Li Xian sighed, feigning distress. "This is a momentous affair. Enough. Since Lin Hu has rendered such service, promote him to the rank of Personal Guard—let the treasurer draw out fifteen strings of cash as reward for all involved. See to it. I need some peace and quiet."

He knew the truth, but did not wish to betray it, not even to Gao Miao, his most loyal follower. So he acted troubled, sighed, and then made sure to reward those who had contributed.

"Yes, this servant will see to it at once." Gao Miao, receiving his orders, dared not ask further and hurried away to handle matters.

So they finally made their move—how ruthless! Trying to cut off the rotting limb to save the tree? It won't be so easy. Xue Rengui? To send him to the Court of Judicial Review—surely that is the woman's doing. If so, the Emperor must have his suspicions. A pity—Xue Rengui is a fine general, but as a detective he will accomplish nothing. Is there a way to exploit this?

After Gao Miao left, Li Xian paced back and forth, pondering all the strange twists behind these events, searching for an opening he could use. He thought of many strategies, but none offered great chance of success. He was vexed.

There was opportunity, but little he could seize. The reason was simple: men were needed for action, and right now, Li Xian lacked people. Not to mention high officials, he did not even have minor censors at his command. To make a move over the prison affair was nearly impossible. Even if he were to stand up and shout, it would stir no great wave. Besides, this was not the time to step into the open. At least not before his wings had fully grown. His earlier actions in the Hall of Supreme Harmony had been the utmost limit—a risk, not to be repeated. He understood this well. Yet to see opportunity slip away made him deeply unwilling.

To use Li Xian's older brother again? It was possible, but his brother was no puppet. If he sensed any manipulation, all would be lost. For the foreseeable future, Li Xian still needed his brother as a shield for his own secret maneuvers and was not about to risk everything now.

"Your Highness."

Just as Li Xian was deep in thought, Gao Miao returned and softly called, startling him from his reverie.

"What is it?" Li Xian, already irritated, frowned at the interruption, his tone cold and impatient.

"Your Highness, Steward Zhang from Prince Lu's Mansion has arrived. His lord requests your immediate presence."

Li Xian was taken aback. He turned his eyes, pondering for a moment before, without haste, he ordered, "Prepare the carriage. I will go at once."

In the study of Prince Lu's Mansion, Li Xian's elder brother sat sternly before the low table, his face grim and forbidding, radiating an air that repelled all approach. Torn scraps of paper were scattered nearby, evidence of his earlier rage. The attendants looked terrified, standing stiff and not daring even a glance at their master. The atmosphere was suffocating.

"His Highness Prince Zhou has arrived!" a voice announced from outside. Yet Li Xian's brother did not move, nor even lift his head.

"Sixth Brother," Li Xian greeted as he entered, immediately noticing his brother's bristling demeanor. He guessed his intent, but did not show it, instead approaching and bowing with a respectful greeting.

"You're here. Sit," his brother finally looked up, gesturing impatiently for Li Xian to sit opposite him. Then he waved the servants away.

"All of you, out!"

The attendants, already trembling, gladly fled, leaving the two brothers alone.

"Seventh Brother, you must have heard—there's been another incident in the prison. Hmph! They call it suicide out of guilt, but it's nothing but a cover-up! Shameless! I will submit a memorial to impeach those villains. Will you join me?" His brother's anger flared as soon as the servants left. He pounded the table and shouted furiously.

Just as expected—impatient as ever. Li Xian inwardly scoffed but kept a respectful face. "Sixth Brother, you can rely on me. If you wish to submit a memorial, I will support you. But..."

"But what? Are you afraid?" his brother cut him off, glaring and snorting coldly.

"Sixth Brother, what are you saying? I'm no coward. Submitting a memorial is nothing. But whom do you mean to impeach, and what is your aim?" Li Xian calmly asked.

"Whom? Hmph, those treacherous ministers! Do you mean I shouldn't impeach them? Is there no justice left? You tell me!" His brother leapt up, shouting wildly, nearly beside himself.

If you really meant to impeach, you would have done so already, Li Xian thought with silent derision. Plainly, you're afraid of harming yourself in the process, and now you're trying to push me to take the lead. Amusing! Seeing through his brother's bluster, Li Xian betrayed nothing, letting him vent. When his brother at last calmed a little, Li Xian spoke unhurriedly, "Sixth Brother, don't be hasty. This is a serious matter. Allow me to explain."

"Very well, go ahead," his brother replied, finally sitting back, some of his frustration spent.

"Sixth Brother, though this matter is grave, there is still room for maneuver. The prison incident is a transparent cover-up, and all know the reason. Now, with General Xue dispatched to the prison by imperial order, perhaps to seek the truth, but I believe he will find nothing. Lacking hard evidence, any impeachment would be in vain, and any punishment would fall only on small fry, never touching the real source. It would be a fruitless gesture—not worth our effort. However, if Lord Shangguan could be saved from death, then a memorial would be justified. What do you think?"

"Oh? What plan do you have?" His brother was no fool. His earlier bluster had been mere frustration. He had considered rescuing Shangguan, but could find no sure method and feared failure would tarnish his name. He had summoned Li Xian hoping for him to test the waters, not to plot together. But hearing Li Xian speak with such assurance, his interest was piqued. After a moment's thought, he asked in a more subdued voice.

"Sixth Brother, though difficult, it is not impossible. I have a strategy that may succeed. Please allow me to explain." Seeing his brother take the bait, Li Xian could not help but smile. He rose, leaned close, and began to whisper his plan in his brother's ear, until the latter nodded again and again in agreement...