Chapter Eighty: Ruthless Extermination (Part Two)

Li Xian knew well that with the suggestion from himself and Li Xian, Empress Wu would inevitably become suspicious. Yet he was unconcerned, for he understood all too clearly that with Empress Wu’s ruthlessness and meticulousness, even if the two brothers wished to overturn the case, there was not the slightest possibility. Any clues that might have existed had surely long since been wiped away. Even if the brothers devoted themselves entirely to investigating, they would find no results. In truth, Li Xian never intended to pursue the matter at all. His aim was simple: to seize this opportunity to make the case against the Wu family an unassailable charge of treason, eradicating all the Wu clan’s sons present. If, by chance, the case could be extended to implicate other branches of the Wu family and ensnare them all, so much the better. As for Empress Wu herself, Li Xian did not consider her a great obstacle. He was fairly certain she would agree to his request, for, given her position as Empress, it was hardly appropriate for her to be too involved in the case. The execution of the Wu brothers on the spot could be explained away as a moment of righteous indignation, but if she were to preside over the investigation, it would be difficult to silence the criticisms of the world.

“Mother, the death of the two ladies will surely grieve Father. Should anything happen to him as a result, it would be most unfortunate. We earnestly implore you to return to the palace—all must be for Father’s health above all else.” Empress Wu had remained silent for quite some time. While Li Xian could maintain his composure, Li Xian grew impatient and spoke up in a strong voice.

“Very well. It is rare and commendable that you both show such filial devotion. I will grant your request.” Contrary to Li Xian’s expectations, Empress Wu cared little for the rumors of the world, but she could not help but worry about the Emperor’s health. Li Xian’s words struck at her softest spot, and with her heart thus moved, she could no longer maintain her silence. Smiling with a look of relief, she glanced at the two brothers and nodded in agreement. Yet before Li Xian could quietly celebrate, Empress Wu added, “This matter is of great consequence. Though you two are both exceptionally clever, you lack experience, and I cannot divide myself further. Let Yan Desheng assist you and keep watch over the proceedings.”

“Yes, we will heed Mother’s instructions!”

Yan Desheng was the chief eunuch of the Hall of Virtue and one of Empress Wu’s closest confidants. Leaving him behind was clearly meant to supervise the two brothers. The intention was so obvious it needed no speculation. With him present, the brothers would not be able to act as they pleased. Yet, at this juncture, there was no way for them to refuse, so they could only exchange a swift glance and bow in assent.

“Attend me, we return to the palace!”

With Yan Desheng restraining the brothers, Empress Wu felt confident there was little chance of mishap. She had no desire to linger in this place of entanglement. Nodding to the brothers, she prepared to depart. But before the eunuchs and maids could respond, a sudden, heartrending wail burst forth in the hall, drawing all eyes irresistibly toward it.

“Mother! Sister! Wake up! Mother, mother, sister…!”

Just as Empress Wu gave her command to return to the palace, Helan Minzhi, who had been like a statue since the incident, suddenly seemed to snap awake. With a loud cry, he leapt from behind the chairs and flung himself onto the bodies of his mother and sister lying in the hall, howling in agony—his cries so piercing they were unbearable to hear.

“Alas, dear child, the dead cannot return to life. You must restrain your grief. Come with your aunt back to the palace—she will see to everything for you.”

Seeing Helan Minzhi wild with grief, a complicated expression flickered across Empress Wu’s face, touched with guilt, pity, and, more than anything, sorrow. Whether she truly doted on her preternaturally beautiful nephew or felt some other emotion was unclear, but she did not deal with him as ruthlessly as she had the Wu brothers. Instead of rebuking his lack of decorum, she stepped softly to his side, gently patted his trembling shoulders, and spoke to him with great kindness.

“Mother, Sister, don’t leave me… Mother, mother…” Helan Minzhi, orphaned young, had relied on his mother and sister all his life, and their bond ran deep. Now, to see his closest kin die before his eyes in such a mysterious way, how could he bear the pain? All he could do was cry his heart out, paying no heed to whatever Empress Wu was saying.

***

Seeing Helan Minzhi in such a frenzy, Empress Wu was struck by a sudden pang of sorrow, her eyes reddening as if she might weep, though she forced herself to hold back. She gave a slight cough and signaled Yan Desheng with her eyes.

Yan Desheng understood. Without a word, he strode to Helan Minzhi’s side and, with a sharp chop of his right hand, struck the back of Helan Minzhi’s neck. With a muffled thud, Helan Minzhi’s convulsing body stiffened; his eyes rolled back and he collapsed in a heap atop his mother’s corpse.

“Take the Duke of Ying back to the palace!” Yan Desheng, clearly a master, was so confident in his technique that he did not even glance at Helan Minzhi’s limp body. With a wave of his sleeve, he instructed the young eunuchs standing by.

“Yes, sir.”

Yan Desheng was one of Empress Wu’s most trusted eunuchs. With his command, the young eunuchs dared not hesitate. They quickly answered, surrounded Helan Minzhi, and carried his limp body out of the hall.

“We bid farewell to Mother.”

With Helan Minzhi taken away, Empress Wu wasted no more time. With a nod to the brothers, she and her entourage left the main hall. Li Xian and the others hurried to see her off, and in moments, Empress Wu’s party, under the protection of the Imperial Guards, had disappeared beyond the screen wall.

“Eunuch Yan, you are a senior of the palace; naturally we will follow your lead. Tonight’s case is yours to direct, and we will obey your every instruction.” When Empress Wu had left, Li Xian exchanged a quick glance with his brother, then turned, smiling, to Yan Desheng.

“I dare not. Your Highness is too kind. I am only here to observe; as for the proceedings, I defer to Your Highnesses.” Yan Desheng, a veteran of the palace, was far too shrewd to accept the hot potato Li Xian was passing. He stepped back, bowed, and refused without hesitation.

“Oh come now, Eunuch Yan, what are you saying? Mother herself instructed that you are to preside. My brother and I will only act according to your wishes.” As soon as Yan Desheng finished, Li Xian chimed in, pressing him further.

“Prince Lu jests. I am but a humble servant; how could I presume to stand above Your Highnesses? That would never do. Whatever you wish to do, please proceed.”

By now, most of the Imperial Guards had escorted the Emperor and Empress Wu away. The armed men in the garden now answered only to the two princes. Without an imperial edict, even with one, Yan Desheng could not command their men, and to take charge of the case would be to walk into a trap set by the princes. Yan Desheng, no fool, was eager to leave this nest of trouble, but with Empress Wu’s orders, he could not extricate himself. Still, his experience was equal to the challenge. With a bland expression, he spoke his piece, ignored the princes’ reactions, bowed, and retreated to a corner of the hall, where he sat cross-legged and shut his eyes as if asleep.

***

Ha! The old fox! Seeing Yan Desheng’s obvious play for plausible deniability, Li Xian laughed to himself but was glad to be rid of the nuisance. He turned to Li Xian, his manner composed. “Sixth Brother, it’s getting late; we must conclude the case by dawn. Shall we begin?”

“You’re right, Seventh Brother!” Li Xian caught the cue and, clearing his throat, suddenly raised his voice: “Li Long, Wang Kai, Zhang Quan, Sun Sheng—attend me!”

“At your command, Your Highness!”

The four generals—Li Xian’s trusted men—had arrived outside the hall as soon as the Imperial Guards withdrew. On hearing their master’s summons, they rushed in, bowed, and answered as one.

“Listen well: tonight’s case is of utmost importance. By order of my mother the Empress, we must find the truth. Each of you, take your men and arrest all those traitors in the garden. Interrogate them separately. You have three hours—find out the truth. Remember, I want only the truth, and the methods are yours to choose. Understood?”

For secrecy’s sake, Li Xian had not briefed his men beforehand, so he now spoke in grandiloquent terms. But the implication was plain. The generals were no fools and instantly understood the meaning behind the words, responding without hesitation.

“Yes, Your Highness! We obey your command!”

Li Xian’s words were formal, but the meaning was clear as day. The generals, perceptive as ever, caught the hint and responded readily.

“Good. Go now!”

Li Xian surveyed the generals and, seeing they had all understood, wasted no further time. With a wave, he sent them on their way. As the generals rushed out, tumult immediately broke out beyond the hall. Yet within, whether the two brothers or Yan Desheng sitting silently in the corner, all remained unmoved, like statues. An eerie tension spread through the great hall…