Chapter Fifty-Six: Good News and Bad News
The days were drawing close to June. Though the true swelter of summer had yet to arrive, the heat in the capital was already alarmingly intense. The sky had been dry for days, and the stifling air made it nearly unbearable. Even hiding indoors offered little relief; the oppressive heat seeped through every wall. Simply baring one’s chest did little to cool the body, and those arrayed in full court attire suffered all the more. Despite the sweat streaming down his back, Lin Qi dared not move a muscle. He stood rigid and proper before the main hall, not even daring to wipe his brow with a handkerchief—one must look suitably abject when bearing the rod in apology, and the more wretched the better.
Was he dejected? Of course he was. Never had Lin Qi imagined Li Xian would be so difficult: not only did he risk a public confrontation, he even had the audacity to refuse the emissaries sent by Prince Lu to mediate. Now, with the prince’s position all the more crucial, Prince Lu could not allow Li Xian to slip into the Crown Prince’s camp. Thus, for half a month, Lin Qi had been urged time and again to seek forgiveness for his missteps. For the sake of the greater picture, Lin Qi did not mind apologizing, but Li Xian clearly had no intention of accepting his contrition. Each attempt was met with a closed door. Whenever he recalled the smug satisfaction he felt when circumventing Li Xian, Lin Qi was plagued with regret. Finally admitted into the residence today, Lin Qi felt a measure of relief but dared not be anything less than cautious, lest he throw matters into further disarray.
“His Highness has arrived!”
At this sudden announcement, Li Xian appeared from the rear garden, clad in a robe of imperial purple. Lin Qi, lost in anxious thought, hastened to collect himself, taking several quick steps forward. He bowed deeply and intoned, “Your servant Lin Qi pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Zhou.”
“Inspector Lin, you are too polite. I was delayed by trifling matters and have kept you waiting. Please forgive me,” Li Xian replied with a genial smile and a wave of his hand, offering the customary courtesies.
“I dare not, Your Highness. It is only right for your servant to wait, given Your Highness’s many responsibilities.”
Had Li Xian worn a stern expression, Lin Qi might have felt more at ease; after all, he had gravely offended Li Xian, and a scolding would have been expected. But Li Xian’s politeness made Lin Qi tense with unease, fearing some hidden agenda. He retreated half a step and replied humbly.
“There’s no need for such formality, Inspector Lin. Come, let us sit and talk,” Li Xian said, gesturing invitingly and leading the way into the hall. Taking his seat at the head, he flicked his sleeve and ordered calmly, “Bring tea.” At once, the attendants bustled forward with freshly brewed fragrant tea, then withdrew to the sides.
“Your Highness, regarding the matter at court last time, your servant—” As soon as the attendants had left, Lin Qi, unable to contain himself, began, eager to discharge the duty of his apology.
“Let us not speak of the past; it is behind us. I have already forgotten it. Tell me—what unusual news comes from Luoyang?” Li Xian did not intend to let Lin Qi off so lightly with a mere apology. Cutting him off with a wave of his hand, he turned the conversation directly to the latest news from Luoyang.
“Well, um...” Lin Qi was no fool; he heard the unspoken meaning in Li Xian’s words and inwardly lamented his predicament. He hesitated, fearing to anger Li Xian further.
“All of you, withdraw,” Li Xian commanded, dismissing all the servants from the chamber. He then fixed his gaze on the anxious Lin Qi. “You may speak freely now, Inspector Lin.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Your servant has received reliable news: His Majesty’s edict has been issued. Lord Shangguan’s posthumous title will be ‘Mu Zhi.’ The imperial decree is already en route and should arrive in the capital within a day or two.” Lin Qi, seeing that Li Xian would not accept his apology, was left with no choice but to settle his mind and deliver his report swiftly.
Mu Zhi? What a farce—whose idea is this nonsense? Ha! This must be Empress Wu’s doing! Li Xian was momentarily stunned by the odd posthumous title, but soon discerned the intrigue. Since ancient times, single-character titles were esteemed, while double-character ones generally carried censure. Both ‘Mu’ and ‘Zhi’ were positive individually, but together they produced an awkward effect—‘Mu’ sounding like ‘wood,’ so ‘Mu Zhi’ might as well mean ‘wooden and upright’: blunt and obtuse. Clearly, it was a subtle slight. Yet the court officials could hardly object; not only had the imperial decree been issued, but both ‘Mu’ and ‘Zhi’ were their own suggestions. Since they could not agree, the two words were simply combined as a compromise. Of course, ‘Mu Zhi’ could also be interpreted as dignified and unyielding. Such is the way of classical Chinese: meaning depends on the chosen perspective.
“What does Sixth Brother have to say about this?” Li Xian, though his mind whirled with speculation, maintained a calm exterior and inquired after Li Xian’s opinion.
“Your Highness, Prince Lu has instructed that all matters should follow your direction. However Your Highness decides, your servants will act accordingly.” Sensing Li Xian’s approach, Lin Qi hurried to relay Prince Lu’s instructions and took the opportunity to express his own submission.
What’s the point now? It’s far too late for anything else! Li Xian could not help but seethe as he thought how his plan to muddy the waters had been ruined by Lin Qi’s eagerness for credit. If only he had delayed submitting the memorial, the Crown Prince’s camp would have acted, Empress Wu would have opposed, and the ensuing turmoil might have thrown the court into confusion. At that time, Prince Lu could step in, pleasing Empress Wu while vexing the Crown Prince—a delightful outcome. But the perfect script had been botched by Lin Qi. Now, the die was cast and all further action pointless; any further meddling would only make matters worse. Both Li Xian and the Crown Prince understood this well: the play was over.
“Very well. That will do for now,” Li Xian said with thinly veiled dismissal, unwilling to waste further breath on Lin Qi.
“Yes, Your Highness. But as for Prince Lu...” Lin Qi caught the hint but was unwilling to leave without fulfilling his duty, so he braced himself and invoked Prince Lu’s authority.
“I will give Sixth Brother an explanation myself.” Hiding behind Prince Lu had always been Li Xian’s strategy, and he was not about to change it now. He found Lin Qi’s anxious expression somewhat amusing, though his face remained impassive.
“Yes, Your Highness. Your servant takes his leave; please do not trouble yourself to see me out.” With nothing more to say, Lin Qi rose, bowed, and departed—resentful, yet unable to linger.
How well-informed these people all are. It’s no fun at all! Li Xian did not rise to see Lin Qi out, remaining seated as his thoughts wandered. Considering the news Lin Qi had brought, and recalling how even the Crown Prince, secluded in the inner palace, had learned the true cause of Shangguan Yi’s death, Li Xian’s heart grew heavy. Having lived three lifetimes, he understood well the importance of intelligence gathering. Unfortunately, he had neither reliable agents nor the funds to create an information network—no easy feat. Though he knew this was not a matter to be rushed, he was nevertheless unwilling to resign himself to the situation.
“Your Highness, Manager Deng has arrived.”
Just then, as Li Xian was lost in thought, Gao Miao entered from outside the hall, approached Li Xian, and whispered a report.
“Oh? Show him in,” Li Xian replied, surprised by Deng Cheng’s unexpected visit at such a time. He furrowed his brow, considered for a moment, and then gave his careful assent.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Gao Miao replied, and quickly left the hall. Moments later, he returned with Deng Cheng in tow.
“Your servant greets Your Highness.” Deng Cheng was drenched in sweat and carried a sizable trunk. Upon seeing Li Xian at the head of the hall, he hurried forward, set down the trunk, and bowed deeply in formal salute.
“That is not necessary. Manager Deng, you came in such haste—what urgent matter brings you here?” Li Xian had previously instructed Deng Cheng not to conduct business under the name of the Prince of Zhou’s household to avoid suspicion, and thus was not pleased to see him appear so frequently. Nevertheless, seeing Deng Cheng’s soaked brow, Li Xian held back any reproach, speaking only with a hint of detachment.
“Your Highness, I am pleased to report that the folding fan workshop has been completed as per your instructions. The first batch of fans has been produced—I await Your Highness’s inspection.” Deng Cheng, caught up in his excitement, failed to notice Li Xian’s tone. He eagerly bent down, opened the trunk at his feet, and revealed rows of neatly arranged folding fans.
Well! This fellow is truly capable! At the sight of the trunk filled with finished fans, Li Xian was delighted. Though he had designed the workshop for assembly-line production and the fans themselves were not complex, he had expected at least a month’s adjustment before seeing results. Yet only twenty days had passed, and already the first batch was complete—a most pleasant surprise!
“Excellent! Manager Deng, you have rendered great service!” Li Xian sprang to his feet, strode to the trunk, and drew forth a medium-sized fan. With a snap, he opened it and examined it closely, flicking it open and shut several times. Finding the workmanship exactly as he envisioned, he burst out laughing—his voice ringing with satisfaction.