Chapter 135: The Two Princes Decide the Case (1)

"Sixth Brother."

As Li Xian stepped into the main hall of the Supreme Court, clutching the imperial decree, he saw Li Xian pacing back and forth with a face as dark as iron. The officials of the Supreme Court were nowhere to be seen; clearly, those old foxes had no intention of catering to Li Xian and had all found excuses to slip away. Watching Li Xian, who looked like an ant on a hot pan, Li Xian felt a sudden urge to laugh, which he barely managed to suppress before striding over to greet him softly.

"Seventh Brother, you’ve come at the right time. What is the Emperor’s will?"

Hearing the movement, Li Xian immediately looked up. Seeing it was Li Xian, he perked up as if injected with adrenaline, dashed to his side, and asked anxiously.

"I have successfully fulfilled the mission. The Emperor’s decree is here: Sixth Brother is to preside over a thorough investigation, with myself assisting. We have ten days to uncover the truth."

Li Xian smiled faintly, holding the imperial decree high above his head, his tone tinged with a hint of excitement.

"Good! Good! Seventh Brother, you’ve done a great service." Li Xian, having been filled with rage by the Supreme Court officials, had been plotting how to deal with those insolent fellows. Hearing the Emperor’s decree, he was overjoyed. He punched Li Xian on the shoulder in praise, then turned solemn. He bowed to receive the decree, carefully unfolded it, and scanned it quickly. Suddenly, his brow furrowed, and he looked at Li Xian with a puzzled expression, as if he had something to say.

"Sixth Brother, the Emperor has stated that this case rests entirely on the shoulders of us two brothers. If we fail to resolve it, the consequences will likely be severe."

Li Xian was sharp; even if Li Xian hadn't spoken, he knew exactly what his brother wanted to ask. It was about the arrangements for Liu Yizhi, whom Empress Wu had recommended, and Liu Boying, whom the Crown Prince had supported. Li Xian had already considered this. The answer was simple: the Emperor hadn't forgotten; he had deliberately ignored them. Beyond wanting to see the true state of the Supreme Court, the Emperor was also testing the two brothers. Such intricate power plays were too complex to explain in a place full of prying ears, so Li Xian could only offer a subtle, vague hint.

"Indeed, Seventh Brother, you are right. This matter should be handled sooner rather than later. Since the decree has arrived, let us begin."

Li Xian’s nature was a bit rigid, but he was highly intelligent. After a moment's thought, he understood the unspoken message in Li Xian’s words. A cold, savage grin flashed across his face, and he made his decision without hesitation.

"Sixth Brother, just give the order. I shall follow your lead."

With matters having reached this point, it was best to start early to avoid complications. Li Xian did not oppose the decision; he took a half-step back, cupped his hands, and replied.

"Very well. Guards!"

Seeing Li Xian’s agreement, Li Xian’s spirits surged, and he shouted loudly.

"This servant is here."

Zhang Che had been waiting at the entrance. Hearing the command, he didn't dare delay, rushing into the hall with several Lu Prince’s Mansion guards in tow, bowing as he responded.

"Zhang Che, go and summon all officials of the Supreme Court above the seventh rank to the main hall to receive the decree. Li Qicheng, I order you to immediately mobilize all the mansion's personal guards to take over the defense of the Supreme Court. Without an order from me or the Seventh Prince, no one is to enter or leave!" Li Xian was always decisive; once a resolution was made, his orders were executed without ambiguity.

"This servant obeys."

Zhang Che had served Li Xian for a long time and knew his master had no tolerance for incompetence. He didn't ask why, but simply complied and led his men toward the inner quarters.

"Your Highness, this is..."

Li Qicheng, the commander of the Lu Prince’s Mansion, had just been transferred from the Right Yulin Guard and was not yet a trusted confidant of Li Xian. Upon hearing an order that seemed to violate established regulations, he dared not refuse, but he was also hesitant to comply immediately. He stood there with a pained expression, stammering.

"The imperial decree is here. Are you intending to defy it, Commander Li?"

The appointment of the Mansion Commander was usually under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War; even a prince found it difficult to interfere. Li Xian did not particularly care for this new appointee and was using him only out of necessity. Seeing his hesitation, Li Xian’s face hardened. He raised the imperial decree and demanded coldly.

"This general would not dare! I obey the order!"

Seeing Li Xian’s displeasure, Li Qicheng dared not be stubborn. He bowed, acknowledged the order, and hurried out to mobilize his troops.

"Sixth Brother, the Jingzhao Prefecture men are still outside. If there is a conflict, it might not be good. Let me go handle it."

Li Xian was not familiar with Li Qicheng—in his previous life, he had only met the man a few times. He knew him to be the second son of the late General Li Daliang. In his previous life, he had served briefly as the commander of the Lu Prince’s Mansion before being transferred back to the army, eventually falling in the battle against the Tianshan mountains under Xue Rengui. His deeds and reputation were unremarkable. Seeing the commander's reluctance, Li Xian was uneasy and offered to take over the security arrangements.

"That is fine. The matters here are important. Go and return quickly, Seventh Brother." Li Xian himself was also not entirely comfortable with Li Qicheng, so he readily agreed.

"Rest assured, Sixth Brother, I will be back shortly."

Li Xian nodded, strode out of the hall, and, ignoring Li Qicheng’s deployment, headed straight for the Jingzhao Prefecture cordon.

"Your subordinates pay respects to Your Highness."

Cui Jing was a shrewd old bureaucrat. Since the two princes appeared, he had remained outside the Supreme Court, refusing to step inside but too afraid to leave. Seeing Li Xian approach, he immediately led his two deputies, Liu Shan and Chen Renhao, forward to pay their respects with great deference.

"Prefect Cui, there is no need for such formalities. The Emperor has issued a decree; all matters concerning the Supreme Court are to be decided by the Prince of Lu. The Jingzhao Prefecture soldiers need not remain here any longer. Withdraw them." Li Xian had no great affection for such slippery bureaucrats, but he didn't despise them either; they were too common in officialdom to be taken seriously. He spoke in a flat, indifferent tone.

"Ah, very well, very well. This subordinate will issue the order immediately."

The waters here were too deep; Cui Jing was eager to distance himself. Hearing the order, he felt a huge weight lift from his heart and turned to leave at once.

"Wait. The soldiers may withdraw, but the coroners must be sent over immediately. Do not delay this vital matter."

Watching Cui Jing’s eager attempt to flee, Li Xian found it both annoying and amusing, forcing him to add this instruction.

"Your Highness, rest assured. That is a simple matter. I will summon them at once."

Cui Jing was startled by the "Wait," his plump body shuddering noticeably. When he heard it was only for coroners, his heart settled, and he replied with a fawning smile.

"That is for the best." Li Xian, unwilling to look at the ugly, sycophantic smile on Cui Jing’s face, grunted and turned his gaze to Chen Renhao, who appeared visibly uneasy. "Vice-Prefect Chen, you haven't forgotten my previous instruction, have you? It has been such a long time; surely you haven't failed to find the soldier who delivered the report?"

"This..."

At Li Xian’s question, Chen Renhao’s unease deepened. He stammered, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.

"Hmm?"

Seeing Chen Renhao’s hesitation, Li Xian’s face darkened. He let out a cold, menacing hum, and a powerful, oppressive aura suddenly bore down on the man.

"Y-Your Highness, please... please understand. This subordinate... has found the man. Allow me to summon him immediately." Li Xian’s presence was honed over three lifetimes; it was not something a man like Chen Renhao could withstand. Poor Chen, despite being a high-ranking official, was reduced to trembling, unable to speak clearly.

"Very well, I shall trouble you, Vice-Prefect Chen."

This was exactly the result Li Xian wanted. Seeing Chen’s reaction, he withdrew his oppressive aura, smiled faintly, and spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Yes, yes! I will go at once!"

Relieved as if granted a pardon, Chen Renhao turned and hurried toward the guards on duty. Moments later, he returned with a sturdy-looking bailiff. "Reporting to Your Highness, this is the man who delivered the report."

"Oh? A fine fellow. Not bad, not bad." Li Xian looked at the bailiff with interest and offered a cheerful compliment.

"I, Yan He, pay respects to the Prince of Zhou."

The bailiff seemed quite bold; in the presence of a prince, he showed no sign of panic, and his etiquette was impeccable.

"Yan He? A fine name. I heard you were the one who discovered the fire at the Supreme Court and reported it to Vice-Prefect Chen. Is that correct?" Li Xian narrowed his eyes, asking in a casual, conversational tone.

"That is correct."

Yan He seemed to be a man of few words, answering concisely without offering further explanation.

"Hmm, very well. I have more questions for you. Stay here, brave Yan. Gao Miao, send a few of our men to keep the brave Yan company." Li Xian looked at Yan He with an appreciative expression, then waved his hand, issuing the command in an unquestionable tone. Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone present turned rather peculiar...