Chapter 81: Applying a Drop of Eye Medicine (Part One)

The Gong Family Garden was the private estate of Gong Linhan, a retired Imperial Censor. Though Gong himself never held a high office, he had amassed considerable wealth, and the garden he built was anything but modest. The grounds spanned several courtyards, five in all, with an adjoining rear garden. Aside from its somewhat remote location, there was little to criticize; the grand hall reserved for entertaining guests was so lavish that ordinary folk could scarcely dream of entering it. Spacious and bright, it radiated the aura of affluence. Sitting within, one was surrounded by opulence. Yet amidst such splendor, the two corpses laid out in the center of the hall were jarringly conspicuous. Coupled with the intermittent cries of agony echoing from elsewhere in the estate, the hall felt almost like the antechamber of hell. But neither the brothers Li Xian and Li Xian nor Yan Desheng, seated in his own corner, paid any heed to the scene. They all sat in silence, unmoving, like three clay statues.

Time slipped by, minute after minute, and before one could even blink, more than two hours had passed. The cries continued throughout the garden, yet Li Long and his men never came to report on the investigation. Clearly, progress was less than promising—at least so it seemed to Yan Desheng. What puzzled him further was how the two brothers could remain so composed, sitting for hours without uttering a word or even exchanging a glance. Not only did they not ask about the case, they didn't speak to each other at all. Yan Desheng, quietly marveling at their discipline, could not help but grow anxious. After all, the case had been entrusted to them directly by the Empress Wu, and without a proper resolution, he feared he could not fulfill his duty. Yet he had already spoken too boldly before, and now he dared not approach the brothers to discuss the matter. Seeing that waiting would solve nothing, he resorted to a feigned cough, hoping to catch their attention. To his surprise, the brothers, as if in tacit agreement, ignored him completely, as if he did not exist.

“Your Highnesses, dawn is nearly upon us,” Yan Desheng waited a while longer, and seeing no response from the brothers, he finally broke the silence with a gentle reminder.

“Yes, dawn is near. Are you tired, Grand Eunuch Yan? Perhaps you would like to rest for a while?” Upon hearing Yan Desheng speak, Li Xian remained unmoving, but Li Xian turned, feigning deep concern.

Tired? Hardly. For someone of Yan Desheng’s capabilities, sitting for two hours was nothing. Clearly, Li Xian’s words were mere pleasantries, the kind of empty talk one expects from a prince. Yet even knowing this, Yan Desheng had neither the courage nor the inclination to confront Li Xian. Helplessly, he pressed on, bluntly stating, “Your Highness, if the case is not resolved before dawn and Her Majesty the Empress inquires, the consequences may be severe.”

“Ah, yes. How dreadful that would be!” As soon as Yan Desheng finished, Li Xian adopted an exaggeratedly troubled expression, pressing a hand to his brow and sighing.

Before the Empress departed, Li Xian had confidently promised to resolve the case before daybreak. Now, faced with the situation, he acted as though utterly at a loss, driving Yan Desheng nearly mad with frustration. He felt an urge to pin Li Xian to the ground and thrash him, but could only imagine it—never dare to do it. After a moment's struggle, he managed to suppress his anger, forcing a bitter smile as he shook his head, “This is a case of treason. Your Highness should proceed accordingly. Since it involves the imperial family, it is inappropriate to hand it over to the judiciary. The sooner it is settled, the better.”

Ah, finally the words he was waiting for! Li Xian’s intention had always been to handle the case swiftly and severely. His only concern was whether the Empress had other plans. The reason for provoking Yan Desheng was precisely to test his position. Now, hearing Yan Desheng speak thus, Li Xian felt reassured—clearly, the Empress did not want the judiciary involved, so everything would proceed smoothly.

“Thank you, Grand Eunuch Yan, for your guidance. I know how to proceed. Please remain seated; I shall return shortly.” Li Xian smiled, clasped his hands in thanks, and signaled to Li Xian. Then he stood and moved to leave.

“Wait, Seventh Brother. Mother instructed that Grand Eunuch Yan oversee the case; these errands should fall to us. I will accompany you.” Li Xian understood the hint, stood up, and smiled, not bothering with Yan Desheng’s expression. Together, the brothers left the hall. Yan Desheng wanted to follow, but dared not. He could only shake his head and resume his meditative pose, though his peace did not last long. Soon, hurried footsteps echoed, and he snapped his eyes open to see the brothers returning with grim faces.

“Your Highnesses, is there any progress?” Yan Desheng saw their dark expressions and felt his heart pound. He hurried forward, asking anxiously.

“Monstrous! I have never encountered such cruelty before!” Li Xian did not answer but spat out his anger.

Yan Desheng was taken aback, uncertain whom Li Xian was cursing. He hesitated before cautiously asking, “Your Highness, what has happened?”

“Grand Eunuch Yan, forgive my brother’s outburst. The case is simply too shocking. Please, see for yourself.” Li Xian was less explosive but his face was equally grim. He gritted his teeth, withdrew a thick stack of confessions from his sleeve, and handed them over.

“Oh?” Yan Desheng, still unclear, refrained from commenting, merely uttering a vague sound as he quickly took the confessions and leafed through them. His expression grew darker, but his eyes betrayed relief. The pages detailed the treasonous crimes of the Wu family, corroborated by confessions from both family members and servants. Notably, none mentioned Yan Desheng’s greatest fear. In short, all blame fell upon the deceased Second Wu. Thus, Yan Desheng had fulfilled the Empress’s instructions. The fate of the Wu family was of no concern to him.

“Despicable, truly despicable. Such depravity deserves execution and extermination of the clan. Your Highnesses have labored tirelessly to solve this major case; both His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress will surely reward you. Allow me to congratulate you in advance.” Yan Desheng quickly reviewed the confessions, his worries gone, and followed suit with some curses, then subtly shifted all credit onto the brothers, making clear he wanted neither recognition nor involvement.

Ha! The old fox thinks he is clever. The trouble began in the Palace of Virtue, and now he wants to wash his hands of it? Not so easy! Li Xian, sharp as ever, immediately saw through Yan Desheng's intentions. He would not let him off so lightly. Li Xian’s plan was not only to destroy the Wu family, but also to subtly undermine the Empress in front of the Emperor. If Yan Desheng simply slipped away, that second aim would be lost.

“Grand Eunuch Yan, you’re too modest. Without your leadership, none of this could have been accomplished. Now that the case is resolved, we have merely fulfilled our supporting role. Dawn approaches; if Father awakens and no one is present to respond, he may be enraged. Please, Grand Eunuch, present the report.” Li Xian shook his head, firmly pushing the credit back onto Yan Desheng, subtly pressuring him.

“Your Highness, you are mistaken. Everything was arranged by you two; I dare not claim any credit. Please, keep the confessions. I shall take my leave.” Yan Desheng, hearing the credit returned, felt a jolt of panic. He hurried to decline, holding the confessions out for the brothers.

“Grand Eunuch Yan, there’s no need for modesty. We merely followed your instructions, nothing more. Please, keep the confessions so you may report to Father.” The brothers shook their heads in unison, refusing to take the confessions. Li Xian reinforced Li Xian’s words, leaving Yan Desheng silently cursing. He was about to protest further, but the brothers gave him no chance. Li Xian strode to the front of the hall and called loudly, “Li Long!”

“At your service!”

Li Long, who had been waiting outside, hurried in and bowed deeply.

“I order you to guard all prisoners here. Without imperial command, no one may enter or leave the garden. Any who disobey shall be executed without mercy!” Li Xian issued the order with grim determination.

“Yes, I obey!” Li Long, already aware of the arrangement, complied promptly and went to direct the Prince's guards to secure the estate.

“Grand Eunuch Yan, please. Do not let Father awaken and find you absent—it would not be good.”

Yan Desheng, hearing the order, felt another pang of dread. His face darkened, but before he could react, Li Xian gestured for him to move.

“Very well, I shall accompany Your Highnesses,” he replied, resigned to his fate. Despite his many misgivings, he had no choice but to comply. Sighing, he swept his sleeves, and led the way out of the hall…