Chapter 6: An Accuser Won't Let Go! A Charge of Deceiving the Throne Strikes the Duke's Household

Everyone in the Great Li dynasty knew of the Prison Pacification Bureau.

Major crimes, treason, practitioners of sinister occult arts, clandestine rebel factions—all fell within its jurisdiction.

Rumor at court and beyond held that its prisons contained more than human beings.

Exactly what was imprisoned there, however, was probably known only to its director, Wei Mingyuan.

Even Emperor Jingyuan knew only a little more about the bureau than his officials did.

The late emperor had issued a decree forbidding future sovereigns to visit it except in a time of national crisis.

Among the common people, a saying circulated: “No more crying, no more noise. Wei Mingyuan is here.”

At the old eunuch’s announcement, Emperor Jingyuan’s brow finally began to relax.

With the Prison Pacification Bureau involved, at least his imperial dignity could be preserved.

Yet doubts stirred within him too.

Since its establishment by the late emperor, the bureau had owed its loyalty not to the imperial family, but to imperial authority itself.

In other words, even if the reigning emperor wished to excuse a guilty man, the bureau could refuse to release him and would still judge him according to law.

As things stood, however, Emperor Jingyuan had no choice but to admit Wei Mingyuan.

At this point, perhaps only his intervention could bring the affair to a satisfactory end.

It also meant that the matter would pass beyond the emperor’s control.

So be it.

Emperor Jingyuan gave a quiet grunt. “Summon him.”

Before long, Wei Mingyuan strode into Zichen Hall in close-fitting black official robes, his expression as still as a tranquil lake.

His steps were steady. He held his head high, his chest straight, and his eyes forward.

Li Xuanzhen paused at the sight of his face.

He deserved his reputation as Great Li’s handsomest man. Though past forty, he was still strikingly beautiful.

There was a soft, almost feminine quality to that beauty, yet no lack of masculine presence.

What caught Li Xuanzhen’s attention, however, was the Prison Pacification token at his waist.

The brass token appeared quite ordinary. Yet he could sense a thick aura of blood about it, as though countless dead souls were wailing within.

Sometimes the bureau’s badge carried more weight than an imperial edict!

Stopping below the dais, Wei Mingyuan bowed and saluted respectfully.

“Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jingyuan nodded. “What brings Our minister Wei here?”

Wei Mingyuan turned toward the assembled officials and spoke softly.

“I have already established the full course of events.

“I have come to see justice done for everyone present.

“And to preserve Great Li’s dignity.”

The dukes and senior officials raised their brows.

His presence meant the Prison Pacification Bureau would take charge of what followed.

Even the dukes, even Right Chancellor Zhang Wenzhen, could offer no more than supporting testimony.

The final decision would rest entirely with Wei Mingyuan.

The six vice ministers each retreated a step, keeping their distance from him.

His official rank was not especially high—only the third rank—but his position was not something theirs could compare with.

Wei Mingyuan glanced at Li Xuanzhen, then looked toward the other young noblemen.

“My inquiries have established that Young Master Zhao did instigate yesterday’s affair at the Imperial Academy. He promised ten taels of gold to anyone who dared declare that he would marry a princess.

“Every young gentleman here made that declaration.”

He looked toward the other three dukes.

“Your sons were scarcely any quieter than Young Master Li.”

All three dukes snorted angrily and glared at their sons.

Even now, the little bastards had not told them the truth.

Feeling his grandfather’s furious gaze, Li Xuanzhen turned his head and pretended not to notice.

He knew that once Wei Mingyuan entered the hall, this affair was essentially settled.

Even if he wanted to strike hard at Zhao Ji and the Duke of Zhao’s household, he probably would not get his wish.

Wei Mingyuan continued.

“Yet someone singled out the Duke of Liang’s grandson.

“I have confirmed that this was deliberate.

“As for the purpose, I suspect the person intended to use the two offenses as an opportunity to suppress the household.

“Whether military command was the objective, I have not yet established.

“However, I believe the person behind this merely wanted to obstruct the Duke of Liang’s household and lacked the nerve to meddle with military power.”

Just as expected, Li Xuanzhen thought. It was much as he had guessed.

But Wei Mingyuan’s final two remarks were plainly an attempt to smooth things over.

The reason was simple: the culprit had not yet been identified, so the culprit’s purpose remained unknown.

With one sentence, however, Wei Mingyuan had defined the nature of the whole affair. A clever touch indeed.

Li Xuanzhen cast a discreet glance at the director whose very name inspired terror.

The man was even more dangerous than the rumors suggested. Unless absolutely necessary, Li Xuanzhen must avoid too much contact with him.

“Afterward,” Wei Mingyuan went on, “at the banquet at Hundred Flowers House, the Duke of Liang’s grandson was likewise pushed into announcing, ‘Tonight’s on me.’

“But we can no longer establish precisely who incited him.”

Li Zhenbei spoke coldly. “Why not?”

Wei Mingyuan saluted.

“Your Grace, the attendant on duty at Hundred Flowers House last night has disappeared.

“I suspect he is unlikely to be alive.”

He turned and saluted toward the dais.

“Your Majesty, I believe this matter should end here.

“Pursuing it too deeply may make a satisfactory resolution difficult.

“After all, everyone present is a pillar of Great Li and harbors no disloyalty toward Your Majesty.

“As for the young gentlemen, a modest punishment should suffice.

“They are all pillars of the nation. Punish them too severely, and we risk damaging the spirit of our young men.”

Emperor Jingyuan gave a quiet snort.

He could see it too. Wei Mingyuan was plainly siding with these wastrels.

If the emperor wanted to punish Li Xuanzhen now, he would have to punish all the others as well.

But it was difficult to enforce punishment on everyone.

Li Xuanzhen would receive the same penalty as the other young noblemen.

And what of Zhao Ji, the chief offender?

Surely he could not be punished as harshly as Li Xuanzhen had demanded earlier.

Emperor Jingyuan had no wish to offend all five dukes.

An idea occurred to him. He spoke quietly.

“Since Our minister Wei is here, why not tell Us how these wastrels should be punished?

“In a manner that preserves both Great Li’s dignity and the dukes’ standing.”

Wei Mingyuan smiled.

“Your Majesty, I believe the young gentlemen were merely amusing themselves.

“Such minor incidents occur even among the common people.

“Why not impose a monetary fine and let the matter rest?”

Li Xuanzhen could only marvel.

With a few words, Wei Mingyuan had reduced the affair to this. What a remarkable man.

On the dais, Emperor Jingyuan nodded.

“Very well. We shall follow Our minister Wei’s recommendation.

“You wastrels spend your days learning nothing of use.

“In consideration of the dukes, We shall fine you a thousand taels as a warning.

“Repeat this offense, and We shall show no leniency.”

The dukes and senior officials bowed and saluted respectfully.

“Your Majesty is wise.”

Just then, Zhao Ji hurriedly spoke.

“Your Majesty, I have one more matter to report.”

Emperor Jingyuan frowned.

“Our minister Wei has established the facts. What further objection do you have?”

They had finally quieted the affair, and Zhao Ji was jumping out again!

Honestly, faced with this lump of mud that could not be made to stick to a wall, the emperor felt exhausted.

Zhao Ji glared at Li Xuanzhen and saluted.

“Though yesterday’s events were merely our fooling around, Li Xuanzhen truly has committed a grave act of disrespect. I beg Your Majesty to investigate.

“Without stern punishment, the laws of Great Li will be openly challenged.”

The emperor’s newly relaxed brow tightened again.

If Zhao Ji’s earlier complaint had enjoyed his tacit approval, this new accusation lay beyond his control.

He could not help suspecting that someone was taking the opportunity to use his hand against the Duke of Liang’s household.

An oriole waiting behind the others for its chance!

But Zhao Ji had brought the charge before the throne. The emperor could not pretend he had not heard it.

He snorted angrily.

“Zhao Ji, you were the chief offender in the earlier affair. We have already shown you all mercy.

“As a duke’s son, you must answer for every word you speak.

“If there is so much as half a falsehood in your accusation, We shall not spare you even if the Duke of Zhao brings a coffin into this hall!”

That was plainly aimed at Li Zhenbei.

The old duke, however, merely lowered his eyes from his nose to the tips of his shoes, behaving as though he had heard nothing.

Feeling the emperor’s anger, Zhao Ji swallowed. He glared once more at Li Xuanzhen, then saluted again.

“Your Majesty, every word I speak is true. I would never dare deceive you.

“Li Xuanzhen has no genuine talent or learning. He entered the Imperial Academy only because his uncle spent an enormous sum buying favors at every level.

“If position and money alone can secure places at the Academy for a family’s children, then the sons of every merchant in the realm might as well be admitted.

“Such corrupt practices must not be encouraged.

“Every word I have spoken is true, with nothing invented. If so much as a single word is false, I am willing to accept Your Majesty’s punishment.”

Emperor Jingyuan’s brow remained tightly furrowed, his expression turning cold.

Great Li’s Imperial Academy existed to educate the children of officials.

Merchants’ children were barred from admission. That was a rule laid down by the late emperor.

There was another absolute requirement.

Every official’s child seeking entry had to take the Academy’s entrance assessment.

Only those who passed were eligible to study there.

Great Li’s laws also expressly stipulated that no official might use private bribes to place a child of his family in the Academy.

Offenders were to be dismissed from office, stripped of noble rank, and exiled to the frontier, regardless of past merit.

If Zhao Ji’s allegation was true, Li Xuanzhen’s uncle had committed the crime of deceiving the throne.

This was a serious offense indeed. Once proven, it might be more than the entire Duke of Liang’s household could bear.

Wei Mingyuan glanced at Zhao Ji. The corners of his mouth slowly lifted.

The movement lasted only an instant, but Li Xuanzhen caught it all.

He suspected Wei Mingyuan had already investigated this matter too.

Why hadn’t he reported it earlier?

That did not fit the bureau’s principles, nor Wei Mingyuan’s character.

Li Xuanzhen could not fathom it.

Or did Wei Mingyuan have another plan? Did he intend to hold this leverage over the Duke of Liang’s household?

Emperor Jingyuan spoke in a low voice.

“Li Xuanzhen. Is Zhao Ji’s allegation true?”

Li Zhenbei stepped forward and saluted.

“Your Majesty, Zhao—”

Before he could finish, the emperor raised a hand and cut him off.

“Your Grace. We wish to hear Li Xuanzhen speak.”

At the sight of the emperor’s displeasure, and the anger in his voice, Li Zhenbei’s heart lurched.

He knew nothing whatsoever about this.

At the time, that worthless son of his had told him Li Xuanzhen had passed the Academy’s preliminary examination through his own learning.

Li Zhenbei had even drunk a whole pot of wine to celebrate.

Now it seemed the ungrateful boy had set his own father up for disaster!

This was deceiving the throne.

Li Xuanzhen, meanwhile, stepped forward and saluted.

“Your Majesty, I have something to say.”