Chapter 70: A Subtle Hint of Murderous Intent (Part 2)

All present? Li Xian had exceptionally sharp eyes; upon entering the hall, he cast but a single glance and took in the entire scene, causing him to pause in surprise. Not only were Emperor Gaozong and Empress Wu present, but also Lady Wu Shun of Han and Lady Helan Minyue of Wei, mother and daughter. Their presence clearly contravened the protocol for an imperial audience, and the atmosphere in the hall was distinctly peculiar, tinged with an undercurrent of awkwardness.

Something is off here—what’s going on? Li Xian, sensitive by nature, sensed the strangeness in the air in that split second. Considering the location—the Hall of Benevolent Heart—he instantly grasped the situation: this was Gaozong’s clandestine trysting place, and the oddity of the scene likely stemmed from the Emperor being caught red-handed by the Empress in a moment of indulgence. With his confidence shaken, he would be forced to let Empress Wu take charge of everything. Hence, this audience was being held in such an unusual place. But why would Empress Wu orchestrate matters thus? Clearly, there was more beneath the surface.

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

Li Xian’s brother, Li Xian, clearly lacked his subtlety; he strode boldly into the hall and approached the central dais without sensing any discord. Li Xian had no choice but to rein in his musings and follow suit. The two brothers stopped half a pace apart and bowed in greeting.

“Enough, enough. Xian’er, Xian’er, you’ve had a tiring journey. You may rise,” Gaozong said, his face still colored by some embarrassment, but upon seeing his two sons, his expression softened and he raised his hand kindly.

“Thank you for your imperial grace, Father,” they replied, straightening up according to custom.

“Xian’er, Xian’er, the two Ladies are present. Go pay your respects,” Empress Wu interjected just as the brothers straightened, her words pointed, as if intentionally stirring trouble.

As expected, her remark deepened the Emperor’s embarrassment and caused both Wu Shun and Helan Minyue to blanch slightly. The brothers, too, were put in an awkward spot; after all, these so-called Ladies were not meant to appear in such formal settings between imperial father and sons. Clearly, Empress Wu’s actions were deliberate; no other explanation sufficed.

“Greetings to Lady of Han, Lady of Wei.”

Since the Empress had spoken, the brothers had no choice but to comply, willing or not.

“My, I hardly deserve such honor. Please, Your Highnesses, there’s no need for such ceremony,” Lady Wu Shun merely inclined her head in a half-bow, but Lady Helan Minyue gave a coquettish laugh, adopting a delicate pose and responding with a barbed remark dripping with sarcasm.

Li Xian, proud by nature, could not tolerate such mockery. His face darkened, and he gave a cold snort, clearly on the verge of losing his temper.

This is bad—Sixth Brother is about to fall into the trap! Seeing his brother’s reaction, Li Xian’s heart sank. He had no desire for the two brothers to become pawns in the conflict between Empress Wu and Helan Minyue. He quickly laughed and interjected, “Lady of Wei is too modest. During my time in the capital, I acquired some curiosities that I thought might suit the palace. Since both Ladies are present, it’s the perfect opportunity to present them.” Turning to face the Emperor and Empress, he bowed and said, “Father, Mother, my brother and I have prepared a few small gifts. They may not be particularly precious, but they are exquisitely crafted. May we present them now?”

“Hmm, very well, very well. Meiniang, what do you think?” Gaozong, not wishing for a confrontation between Li Xian and Helan Minyue, and eager to avoid giving Empress Wu a pretext, seized the opportunity to change the subject, but ultimately deferred to the Empress.

“Xian’er is most considerate—let them be brought forth,” Empress Wu replied, casting Li Xian a meaningful glance and smiling with hidden intent.

“Yes, your child obeys,” Li Xian replied, instantly grasping the veiled warning in her gaze. He dared not reveal his unease and hurriedly bowed before stepping aside. Turning to the attendant Gao Hesheng, he said with a smile, “Eunuch Gao, please have Gao Miao from my residence bring the gift chests from my carriage.”

“It is my duty to comply, Your Highness,” Gao Hesheng did not immediately consent but stole a glance at Empress Wu. Only after she gave a slight nod did he bow in assent and leave with several young eunuchs to fetch the chests.

“Xian’er’s administration of Qizhou has been most effective; I have heard all about it. Excellent, just as I wished,” Gaozong said, plainly eager to avoid further awkwardness before the gifts arrived. He smiled and praised Li Xian.

“You flatter me, Father. It is only my duty,” Li Xian, though proud, was no fool. At his father’s praise, he promptly demurred.

“Yes, knowing your duty is good. To govern a province is as to govern a nation; the welfare of the people must come first. I hear you’ve urged both agriculture and sericulture, with much effort. What results have you achieved?” Gaozong asked, both to test his son’s abilities and to forestall any further incident until the gifts arrived.

“Father’s instruction is correct. I believe agriculture and sericulture are the foundation of the state, so I have…” Li Xian did not suspect the reason for his father’s detailed questioning, but the topic delighted him, and he launched into a lengthy discourse. Gaozong and Empress Wu, both well-versed in statecraft, listened with occasional probing questions, but Lady Wu Shun and Lady Helan Minyue were utterly lost, unable to excuse themselves and forced to sit by with polite smiles, only half-listening.

Li Xian, for his part, heard not a word, though he wore a look of rapt attention. His thoughts had drifted elsewhere.

Li Xian was already certain of Empress Wu’s intentions, not merely because he’d lived through this once before, but because he’d perceived the murderous intent lurking in her earlier glance—faint, yet undeniable. He knew it wasn’t directed at him, but at Lady Wu Shun and her daughter. Clearly, Empress Wu’s patience had run out; she meant to eliminate them. The question was, why expose her conflict with Wu Shun and Helan Minyue before her sons?

To make them scapegoats—this was the only plausible explanation. Reviewing the events in his mind, Li Xian deduced the scheme: Empress Wu had staged this scene to provoke Helan Minyue, then intended to further agitate her, leading to a confrontation with the proud Li Xian, thereby sharpening their conflict. If anything befell Wu Shun and her daughter thereafter, the two brothers would become prime suspects. Even if no evidence was found, the scandal would still tarnish them. Should Empress Wu then step in as their savior, she could ensure their loyalty and make them her pawns against the Crown Prince.

This is a deadly trap—one that could cost lives! Though Li Xian could not be certain, he knew Empress Wu was fully capable of such machinations. Had he not intervened earlier to restrain his brother, Li Xian might have clashed openly with Helan Minyue, and the rest would have unfolded as Empress Wu desired. Of course, this was only his private conjecture; only Empress Wu knew her true intentions. In any case, Li Xian had no wish to become ensnared in her schemes.

“Your Highness, your chests have arrived,” Gao Hesheng returned with several eunuchs bearing the chests. Seeing Li Xian in the midst of a grand exposition, he dared not interrupt, so he quietly approached Li Xian and whispered a report.

“Thank you,” Li Xian replied, coming back to himself. He glanced at Gao Hesheng but chose not to interrupt his brother’s performance, gesturing for him to wait.

“Oh, Eunuch Gao is back!” Helan Minyue, unconcerned with preserving Li Xian’s moment, seized the opportunity. Irritated by the endless monologue and unable to leave, she eagerly called out, instantly drawing everyone’s attention and cutting Li Xian’s speech short.

Li Xian, ever upright, could scarcely swallow this interruption. His face darkened with rage as he glared at the triumphant Helan Minyue, on the verge of an outburst...