Volume One, Chapter 13: Performing the Grand Opera before the Court of Judicial Review

The morning mist had yet to dissipate, but within the Eastern Palace, a chilling atmosphere already prevailed.

More than twenty spies from various noble houses, captured the previous night, knelt in the central courtyard like withered gourds strung together, their mouths stuffed with cloth, emitting only muffled whimpers. They were bound with hemp ropes by the Crown Prince’s guards.

Yet Li Xuan appeared utterly unfazed, leisurely seated at a rosewood table beneath the corridor, enjoying his morning meal. A bowl of crystal-clear bird’s nest porridge with rock sugar and several delicate Jiangnan-style side dishes were consumed with calm and ease, as if the thunderous actions of last night were but an inconsequential prelude.

Wang Fugui stood by nervously. The newly appointed Grand Steward of the Eastern Palace wore a face etched with anxiety. He kept glancing at the kneeling spies, then at His Highness’s serene expression, his heart fluttering wildly, as if harboring a dozen rabbits. The scale of this operation was enormous—like poking a hole in the sky—and one misstep could shatter the Crown Prince’s hard-won reputation.

“Your Highness, are you truly going through with this?” Wang Fugui’s voice was dry and hesitant. “This is like tearing the faces off several princes and roasting them over a fire. They... they will go mad.”

Li Xuan set down his jade spoon, wiped the corner of his mouth with an embroidered handkerchief, and slowly lifted his eyelids. “Wang Fugui, remember this: when dealing with mad dogs, either kill them with one blow or strike terror into them so they never dare bark at you again. Soft words only make them think you’re weak and invite fiercer attacks.”

His voice was low but carried an undeniable chill of command.

At that moment, Xiao Ningshuang, dressed in snow-white garments, emerged slowly from behind the Moon Gate, her slender sword in hand. Clearly roused by the commotion, her cold phoenix-like eyes swept over the kneeling captives before settling on Li Xuan. Her gaze bore a mixture of inquiry, gravity—and even a trace of unease she herself barely recognized.

“Are you trying to turn the entire capital upside down?” Her voice was as cold and clear as a winter spring.

Li Xuan regarded her and suddenly smiled. “Why would the Crown Princess say that? I’ve merely discovered some filthy rats infesting the Eastern Palace and, in the interest of purging the royal household, sent them to the Court of Judicial Review for lawful punishment. It is only right and just. How does that equate to stirring up trouble?”

His lofty words left Xiao Ningshuang momentarily speechless. She looked into his smiling eyes, which held no trace of a reckless playboy’s frivolity—only unfathomable scheming and confidence. Suddenly, she understood: this man was either a complete madman or a masterful player controlling everything.

“Aren’t you afraid Father will punish you?” she asked.

“Father is the sovereign of the realm, the utmost upholder of law. I submit this case, with all evidence and witnesses, to the Court of Judicial Review out of respect for the law. My elder brothers planted spies in the Eastern Palace and conspired unlawfully. Right and wrong—the Emperor holds the scales. Moreover, if this drama isn’t performed loudly and boldly, how can the entire capital see who’s truly scheming and who acts with honor?”

He patted Wang Fugui’s shoulder. “Give the order. Our grand ‘gift’ must be sent to the Court of Judicial Review with fanfare! Remember, slow and ostentatious. We must ensure every citizen along Zhuque Street comes to witness the spectacle!”

“...Yes, Your Highness!” Wang Fugui’s heart trembled as he took the command.

Half an hour later, a remarkable sight unfolded in the capital.

Dozens of robust men clad in pristine Crown Prince Guard uniforms, swords at their waists, marched fiercely down the center of Zhuque Street. They escorted over twenty dejected prisoners. At the front, two guards carried a large redwood box sealed with a tag inscribed: “Eastern Palace Major Case—Evidence and Witnesses.”

Most strikingly, at the very head of the procession, Wang Fugui personally led two young eunuchs—one banging a copper gong loudly, “clang! clang! clang!”—while the other shouted at the top of his lungs:

“Spies captured by the Eastern Palace! By order of the Crown Prince, sent to the Court of Judicial Review for strict punishment!”

“Spies conspired against the Crown Prince with irrefutable evidence!”

“Onlookers beware! Any delay in official business will bear no responsibility!”

The scene was livelier than a New Year’s festival. Shops, taverns, and teahouses lining Zhuque Street instantly filled with curious townsfolk, necks craned and voices buzzing.

“My goodness, what play is this? The Crown Prince’s residence has arrested people all the way to the Court of Judicial Review?”

“Didn’t you hear? Spies! Looks like the struggle for succession has been laid bare!”

“Tsk tsk, since the Crown Prince’s wedding, his actions have become increasingly baffling. Before he was reckless, now he’s... domineering!”

News flew like wings, spreading swiftly to every corner of the capital.

The First Prince’s Mansion.

Li Yuan slammed his treasured jade cup into pieces, his cold face contorted with rage. “Li Xuan! How dare he! How dare he humiliate us so!”

The Second Prince’s Mansion.

Li Zhan’s face was iron-clad, the scroll in his hand crushed out of shape. Known for his cunning and expertise in covert schemes, Li Xuan’s move was completely unorthodox. He turned private intrigues into a public farce, rendering all his backup plans ineffective—a suffocating frustration.

“Quick! Send men to the Court of Judicial Review! Under no circumstances can we allow them to hand over the prisoners!” Li Zhan barked orders.

But it was too late.

By the time the servants and guards from the noble houses arrived, gasping at the Court’s gate, they found rows of Crown Prince Guards standing like javelins. After days of training under Li Xuan, their eyes were sharp, their presence imposing—a silent barrier impossible to breach.

Chief Justice Liu Zhengfeng stood at the courthouse entrance, staring at the complaint submitted by Wang Fugui, penned in Li Xuan’s own hand, his head spinning. Sweat beaded on his back; this was no ordinary case—it was a branding iron capable of scorching a man alive.

Accept, and he would offend three princes with near-omnipotent reach.

Reject, and he would openly defy the Crown Prince and flout the law.

Caught in a dilemma, Wang Fugui approached Liu Zhengfeng, lowering his voice: “Master Liu, His Highness orders you to handle this case strictly according to the law. Anyone who dares to interfere opposes the law and the heir apparent. When the prince ascends the throne, reckoning will come. Please consider carefully.”

These words, firm yet soft, shattered Liu’s last mental defense.

He clenched his jaw, stamped his foot, and shouted to his clerks: “Bring all suspects and evidence into custody! This is a case personally delivered by the Crown Prince. Court will convene immediately for an overnight hearing!”

With Liu Zhengfeng’s order, the first act of the grand “Court of Judicial Review Appeal” drama, orchestrated by Li Xuan himself, officially closed.

Not far away, in a private room on the second floor of a teahouse, Li Xuan stood by the window, taking in the entire scene below. Lifting his teacup, he sipped lightly, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Brothers, this is only the appetizer. The true game is only just beginning.

When he returned to the Eastern Palace, Xiao Ningshuang still stood beneath the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, seemingly waiting for him.

Seeing him return, she said nothing, but her cold eyes now shimmered like a sky full of stars, reflecting a profoundly complex light.

“You won the first round,” she finally spoke.

“No,” Li Xuan said, stepping beside her to stand shoulder to shoulder, gazing at the sunset. “We won the first round.”

He deliberately emphasized “we.”

Xiao Ningshuang’s body stiffened imperceptibly, offering no retort. The evening breeze stirred a strand of her dark hair, gently brushing Li Xuan’s cheek, carrying a faint, elusive fragrance.