PC Chapter 19

Xingqing Palace, along with Taiji Palace and Daming Palace, is one of the “Three Great Palaces,” located within the Chunming Gate in the eastern city of Chang’an. It occupies a large area and has historically been regarded as a royal garden, combining the world’s beauty into one place, with pavilions, terraces, and green pools. Its opulence surpasses even that of the other two palaces. After the previous emperor’s death, Prince Ning was urgently recalled from the border and, having no other place to stay, temporarily resided in Xingqing Palace, and has remained there ever since.

In the early years, there were some imprudent censors who criticized Prince Ning for disregarding propriety and exceeding his authority. However, Li Shi was entirely dismissive of these accusations. He continued his own affairs while remaining in his residence, and if any criticism became too intense, he would have the critics stay with him, though he lived in the world’s most famous building—the Hua’e Xianghui Pavilion—while they were confined to a dungeon in the back courtyard of Xingqing Palace.

Over time, as Li Shi’s power grew, such criticisms ceased.

Su Cen, however, had no time to admire the royal gardens. Led by Qi Lin, he proceeded to the Administrative Affairs Building, where Qi Lin first went in to announce him and then guided him inside.

Contrary to the rumors of Prince Ning being excessively luxurious and indulging in pleasure, his study was decorated in a simple and elegant manner. When Su Cen arrived, Li Shi was dressed in plain clothes, sitting at a desk and reviewing reports from various regions.

Su Cen knelt and paid his respects, but Li Shi either did not notice or deliberately ignored him, keeping his gaze fixed and not lifting his eyes at any point.

Since Prince Ning did not speak, Su Cen did not dare to move. He knelt with his head bowed, fearing any slightest movement might disturb the important figure and lead to his dismissal.

From sunset to the first lights of the evening, Su Cen’s legs went from being painfully numb to feeling completely unresponsive, with his spine stiff and cracking with every movement.

If he were to die kneeling here, he would at least have some company on the road to the underworld, paying one life for another.

“Get up.”

“Hmm?” Su Cen struggled to lift his head, confirming he wasn’t hallucinating. His gaze met Li Shi’s dark eyes, and he couldn’t help but smile bitterly, realizing that Li Shi was aware of his presence.

Su Cen tried to move, but the blood returning to his knees felt like sharp needles piercing his bones, causing him to collapse again. He furrowed his brow and said, “Can I kneel a little longer? I can’t get up right now.”

Li Shi smiled lightly, the smile spreading through the flickering candlelight like ripples on fine wine.

“What did you come to see me about?”

Su Cen collected himself and straightened his posture in his kneeling position: “I want to handle the case of the newly appointed scholar.”

Li Shi touched the ink jade ring on his thumb: “Wasn’t it said that the culprit has already been captured?”

Su Cen gritted his teeth. Song Jiancheng was too eager for success; the news was leaked even before the criminal was handed over to the Ministry of Justice. Traditionally, reporting to a higher authority is frowned upon. Su Cen carefully phrased his response: “There are still some doubts in the case. I would like to clarify them before closing it.”

“You want to overturn the case,” Li Shi said sharply.

“Yes, I want to overturn the case,” Su Cen admitted directly. “I previously pointed in the wrong direction, leading to the wrong person being captured. I have no complaints about the punishment for my mistakes. However, Song Si-zheng, in his eagerness for credit, coerced a confession. I cannot stand by and watch as an innocent person suffers while the real culprit remains at large. I request a re-examination of the case.”

“What about the evidence?” Li Shi asked.

Su Cen was at a loss for words. In the end, his belief that Gao Miao was not the murderer was based merely on his judgement. The case had progressed too smoothly; when a suspect was needed, one appeared conveniently. With witnesses and evidence all presented, the case was left for the Ministry of Justice to investigate. However, he couldn’t believe someone could commit murder in their own home and still sleep soundly. But judgement cannot substitute for evidence. Wu Deshui’s death had its suspicions, and the murderer could be anyone, including Gao Miao.

Ultimately, he could only say, “I’m still investigating…”

“Do you understand the severe impact this case has had in the capital? The newly appointed scholars are all nervous, and rumors of ghostly murders are spreading. Some in court are taking advantage of this to put pressure on us. You may continue your investigation into the case. If you do uncover something, I will provide an explanation to the victim’s family. But right now, I need a culprit to calm the public.”

Su Cen was stunned and immediately felt a chill, as if falling into an icy abyss.

Li Shi knew. He knew Gao Miao was wrongfully accused, knew that Song Jiancheng had coerced a confession, and knew the real culprit was still at large. He knew everything, but he did not care.

For him, a single life was as insignificant as grass, whereas Li Shi held the lives of thousands in his hands and was above them all. Gao Miao, or anyone else, was just one among the many and not worth mentioning.

“I’ll make a deal with you,” Su Cen said through gritted teeth as he slowly stood up, “You said everything is a transaction. I want to make a deal with you: give me three days. If you do, I will definitely find the real murderer.”

Li Shi raised his eyebrows with interest, “What will you use to make this deal?”

Su Cen couldn’t help but laugh self-deprecatingly. He was actually negotiating with the powerful and wealthy Prince Ning? His eyes vaguely glistened with tears of laughter as he shrugged off his outer garment, “My body. Let’s see if the prince is interested.”

After returning from the imperial city, he first went home, ate, drank, and suppressed his illness. He then bathed, changed into fresh clothes, and donned a fragrant robe. Before heading out, he asked Qu Ling’er, “Do you know what men do with other men?”

Previously, at the teahouse, Li Shi had assessed him through a sheer curtain. Zheng Yang had said that Li Shi was interested in him, and he wasn’t being overly sentimental; he dared to act on Li Shi’s “interest.”

It was indeed quite amusing that, despite his previous attempts to avoid Li Shi, it turned out that Li Shi remained indifferent while he had proactively come forward.

He had priced himself clearly: his body for three days, in exchange for one life—quite a bargain.

Li Shi seemed unsurprised, twirling his ring with a smile, “Have you checked everything?”

“The Late Emperor Taizong’s edict prohibits bringing this matter to the public. I will keep it confidential once I leave Xingqing Palace and won’t say a word.”

“It doesn’t matter if you do speak, it will only add more lives to the cost,” Li Shi motioned with his chin, “Come closer.”

Su Cen dragged his numb legs step by step towards him. Under the candlelight, Li Shi’s face appeared even more mature and stern. Su Cen unconsciously held his breath as Li Shi continued, “Sit.”

Su Cen was taken aback. There was only one carved rosewood chair with twin dragons on pearls behind the desk, which naturally was where Li Shi sat. If he was to be seated, where could he sit?

After a moment’s hesitation, Su Cen slowly moved to the front of Li Shi and took a seat on his lap.

Li Shi smiled at his perceptiveness. The sound of his laughter was low and muffled, resonating deeply in Su Cen’s chest.

Su Cen’s entire back felt numb.

Unlike Qu Ling’er, whose frame was delicate and flexible, Su Cen did not dare to sit too firmly. He was unsure where to place his hands and felt awkward in every way.

Adding to this discomfort was the subtle, cooling sandalwood fragrance that enveloped him, making him acutely aware of the man’s presence.

Soon, he began to sweat profusely.

Li Shi, however, did not rush. He pointed at the desk, saying, “Take a look.”

On the desk were a number of memorials from various regions, openly displayed. Seeing that Li Shi had no intention of hiding them from him, Su Cen picked up one to examine.

It was a memorial from the governor of Jiangzhou, detailing the problems of illicit salt trade and the failure to curb it. The memorial urged the court to take measures to combat it as a deterrent.

Su Cen frowned and put down the memorial.

“How do you view it?” Li Shi asked.

“From my perspective, it’s one-sided,” Su Cen said. “The court’s efforts to combat illicit salt have been well-known. Given this situation, why does it continue unabated? The problem may need to be addressed within the court itself.”

“Your Highness must be aware,” Su Cen continued, “that during the Yonglong period, the Turkic tribes were rampant, leading to years of border warfare and emptying the state treasury. Emperor Taizong introduced the salt monopoly system, where the court controlled salt production, sold it to merchants, who then paid the monopoly fee and sold it to the people. This method worked well at first, meeting the needs of the treasury and saving labor and resources. But over the years, problems arose. Salt merchants continuously increased their profits, causing the price of official salt to rise repeatedly. There are even poems saying ‘Life doesn’t seek thousands of households, only wishing for salt profits in Huaixi,’ highlighting the huge profits from salt. When ordinary people have no salt to eat, illicit salt begins to flood the market.”

Su Cen looked up at Li Shi after speaking. He had been somewhat radical in his remarks and was worried he might have angered him. However, Li Shi’s face showed no particular reaction, and he continued, “What do you suggest we do?”

“Instead of just stopping the symptoms, it’s better to get to the root of the problem.”

Li Shi laughed, “It sounds simple. When the salt merchants obtained the monopoly from the court, it was essentially to relieve the court’s difficulties. The court cannot afford to abandon them once they’ve been of help. Moreover, over the years, local salt merchants have colluded with officials to form a vast and entrenched network. Removing them will be like pulling out a radish and bringing out the mud. Do you still want to deal with this issue?”

Su Cen lowered his head and thought for a moment, “If the court is inconvenient to act, then let others do it. The reason why salt merchants can inflate prices is due to the court’s strict control over salt and the prohibition of illicit salt trading. If illicit salt is allowed to flow out, it will certainly impact the official salt market, causing prices to drop. Moreover, since the cost of salt obtained from the court is higher than illicit salt, over time, if they can no longer make a profit, they will naturally abandon their monopoly rights. Then, abolishing the monopoly system will become a straightforward task.”

Su Cen grew increasingly excited as he spoke and relaxed, looking at Li Shi, “Once the monopoly system is abolished, dealing with those illicit salt traders will be much simpler. Their base is not deep, and since it’s inherently shady, once official salt prices drop and they face some pressure, they will collapse quickly.”

Suddenly remembering something, Su Cen jumped up in shock: “Those illicit salt traders … are you…”

Li Shi promptly pressed him back onto the desk: “Interesting.”

 

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