Chapter Twenty-Five: Going with the Flow (Part Two)

“By order of His Majesty, King Zhou Li Xian is summoned to enter the palace at once, and appear before the Emperor in the Hall of Two Principles!”

As Li Xian had expected, barely an hour after Yuan Wanqing’s departure, the Emperor sent Sun Quanfu, the deputy steward of the Hall of Two Principles, to deliver the imperial command.

“I accept the decree with gratitude,”

Li Xian dutifully bowed to thank the Emperor for his favor. As he rose, he deftly produced a folded ten-guan flying note—a government-issued certificate used for merchant transactions—from his voluminous sleeve and discreetly slipped it into Sun Quanfu’s robe. Smiling, he said, “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Sun. May I ask, what urgent matter has prompted my father to summon me so hastily?”

The Hall of Two Principles was the gateway between the inner sanctum and the outer court, the place where the Emperor received his trusted ministers after court. Only those of considerable standing served there; Sun Quanfu, as deputy steward, was accustomed to accepting such tokens, and did not react to Li Xian’s gesture. Instead, he simply made a polite “please” gesture, saying, “Your Highness, let us proceed. Do not keep His Majesty and Her Majesty waiting.”

So it was as expected—Empress Wu was going to arbitrate on Yuan Wanqing’s behalf. Interesting! Li Xian, ever perceptive, caught the subtle emphasis Sun Quanfu placed on “Her Majesty the Empress,” instantly grasping the underlying intrigue. A smile curved his lips; he gave a silent nod, restrained his words, and strode towards the gate, quietly signaling Gao Miao as he went.

The carriage rattled through the snowy streets, and inside, Li Xian’s face was stormy, a far cry from his earlier composure. His fists were tightly clenched, worry etched deep in his expression—for everyone in the realm knew Empress Wu was not to be trifled with: cross her, and even if you survived, you’d be flayed alive. Without doubt, Li Xian was courting danger, risking everything for a chance that could easily end in ruin. Yet, opportunity and peril walk hand in hand; to challenge such a formidable adversary as Empress Wu, one must dare. For the sake of greater ambitions, a risk now was preferable to disaster later. This was why Li Xian decided to gamble. The die was cast; whether he would succeed or fail, only time would tell.

“Your Highness, King Lu has arrived.”

As Li Xian’s carriage reached the square before the Gate of Heavenly Order, Gao Miao hurried to the curtain, lowering his voice with a hint of excitement as he reported.

Good, the boy has not disappointed me! Hearing that Li Xian had arrived, Li Xian’s tense heart eased a little. He pumped his fists and lifted the curtain, peering out from the carriage. Gao Miao rushed forward to assist him as he alighted.

“Sixth Brother, you’re here.” Li Xian hurried over, respectfully saluting Li Xian.

“Mm.” Li Xian’s face was grim; he waved dismissively, snorting through his nose. Upon receiving Li Xian’s urgent letter, Li Xian had not intended to involve himself, but feared Li Xian might lose his composure and reveal the previous prison affair. Reluctantly, he had come, inwardly cursing Li Xian for his recklessness, and naturally showed no friendly face.

Ah, he’s truly angry—such childishness! Li Xian inwardly chuckled at Li Xian’s frosty demeanor, but outwardly adopted an aggrieved look, softly calling, “Sixth Brother, little brother…”

“I know, I know, hand in your token.”

Li Xian’s pitiful act softened Li Xian’s heart; recalling Li Xian’s past help in raising his reputation, his anger dissipated. Besides, with so many subordinates present, Li Xian could not be too harsh. He shook his head with a bitter smile, answering gruffly.

“Yes, I shall obey Sixth Brother’s command.”

Li Xian, a master of acting, changed his face faster than turning a page—where clouds had hung a moment ago, now sunlight shone. Smiling, he handed over his token, which Gao Miao took to the Gate of Heavenly Order. In moments, Sun Quanfu, already inside, returned with two young eunuchs. The brothers straightened their robes and hurried forward.

“By order of His Majesty, King Lu Li Xian and King Zhou Li Xian are summoned to the Hall of Two Principles!”

Sun Quanfu, seeing the brothers approach, struck a dignified pose and announced the Emperor’s decree.

“We accept the decree with gratitude.”

The brothers intoned their thanks, exchanged glances, and walked shoulder to shoulder through the gate, along the palace avenue toward the Hall of Two Principles. Rounding the Hall of Supreme Polarity, before they even reached their destination, they heard, through an inner wall, a series of agonized screams punctuated by the sharp crack of boards striking flesh. The sounds were so harrowing that both brothers shuddered.

Hmm? What’s happening? Are they trying to intimidate us? No—why does Sixth Brother look so grim? Turning through the inner gate, Li Xian saw a young eunuch lying on the ground, being punished. Two eunuchs pinned him down, while two burly others wielded boards, striking with all their might. Li Xian was stunned—punishing eunuchs was common, but usually done within the inner supervisor’s quarters, rarely in the outer court. Clearly, something unusual was afoot. Seeing Li Xian’s troubled face, Li Xian’s heart tightened.

“Your Highnesses, please, His Majesty and Her Majesty are waiting in the hall.”

Sun Quanfu, accompanying the brothers, coughed politely to urge them onward.

“Wait. What is this eunuch’s crime? Why is he being punished here?” Li Xian was ready to move on, but Li Xian blocked Sun Quanfu, his voice cold and teeth clenched.

“Your Highness, this boy lost proper conduct in the hall today and angered Her Majesty the Empress. Therefore, he is to be beaten to death. Your Highness, please enter the hall.”

Before Li Xian, whose reputation was rising, Sun Quanfu dared not be disrespectful, hastily offering a smiling explanation.

“Lost conduct? Hmph, what conduct!”

Sun Quanfu’s explanation only deepened Li Xian’s anger; his face turned ashen, and he clenched his fists, on the verge of erupting.

This is bad—that young eunuch is almost certainly Sixth Brother’s informant. Ah, this is a warning, a ruthless show of force! Li Xian, quick-witted, instantly understood the scene. He tugged Li Xian’s sleeve, whispering, “Sixth Brother, let’s discuss matters with Father first.”

Li Xian guessed correctly: the punished eunuch was Zhang Dekai, who had once served as Li Xian’s informant. This time, Empress Wu ordered his beating as a lesson to the brothers. Li Xian realized this too, but his temperament was less steady than Li Xian’s; his anger nearly got the better of him, and if not for Li Xian’s quick intervention, he might have rushed forward to protest.

“Come on, let’s enter the hall!”

Though impulsive, Li Xian was no fool. Li Xian’s pull brought him back to his senses; after a moment’s struggle, he gritted his teeth, stamped his foot, and strode into the hall.

It looks like this will be a tough ordeal. If they gave Sixth Brother a blow, surely another awaits me—who knows how heavy this “greeting” will be! Li Xian’s steps were steady, but his mind raced; his confidence wavered, yet with no retreat possible, he could only meet each challenge as it came. The thought weighed heavily on him.

Hmm? Why are so many people here? Li Xian followed Li Xian into the hall, where he saw the Emperor and Empress Wu seated side by side in the high seats. Crown Prince Li Hong smiled serenely below, seated on a soft couch. Many stood below: all five grand chancellors, and even Yuan Wanqing, who normally had no right to enter the Hall of Two Principles, stood to the side with a dark expression. The group seemed to be enjoying themselves, laughter occasionally drifting from the hall. Li Xian dared not look too closely, but followed Li Xian to bow.

“Your sons pay respects to Father and greet Mother.”

Though their minds were troubled, the brothers maintained perfect courtesy, showing no sign of disrespect.

“Li Xian, Li Xian, you are both here. Rise.”

Seeing them arrive, the Emperor’s face flickered with a hint of distress, but he soon smiled kindly, raising a hand in gentle invitation.

“We thank Father for his gracious favor.”

Called by their father, the brothers responded in unison, rose, and prepared to step aside. But just then, Empress Wu spoke: “Wait, Li Xian, stay.”

At her command, both brothers halted, exchanging glances. Li Xian gritted his teeth and retreated, leaving Li Xian alone in the center of the hall.

“Mother, your son awaits your instruction.”

Li Xian had long anticipated that his passage would not be easy, but remained calm, straightening his robe and bowing respectfully. Yet, no matter how long he waited, Empress Wu said nothing, nor did she instruct him. Li Xian could only stand, bent and alone, in strange, silent anticipation as the hall grew eerily quiet…