Chapter Nineteen: The License Holder

In the deliberative chamber of the Crown Prince’s mansion sat the three sons of the same mother: the Crown Prince, Zhu Gaochi; the Prince of Han, Zhu Gaoxu; and the Prince of Zhao, Zhu Gaosui.

Zhu Gaosui rose and walked toward the Crown Prince, saying, "I say, Crown Prince, your people made a fool of the Imperial Guard last night. If this gets out, where will Father’s face be?"

The Crown Prince, a man of meticulous thoughts and methods, interrupted him. "Third Brother, do not be anxious. You and I are both Father’s sons and the Emperor’s subjects. There is no one’s 'people' here; we are all just handling business for the Emperor."

"Several Imperial Guards went missing two days ago, and yesterday a centurion died. That doesn't matter?"

Facing the challenge, the Crown Prince remained calm. "Since they have moved against the Imperial Guard, have you found out who they are?"

"Find them? My foot!" Zhu Gaoxu, who had been silent, finally spoke. "This is clearly the work of the remnants of Jianwen."

The Crown Prince, heavy in body, struggled to stand and gestured for the Prince of Han to be quiet.

"What are you afraid of? I’ve been slashed in battle and wasn't afraid then; why fear them? Sooner or later, we’ll round them up and chop them to pieces."

"I have the old man's ears here. If he hears this, don't blame me for not warning you," the Crown Prince said, tucking his hands into his sleeves.

Zhu Gaoxu exchanged a look with the Prince of Zhao. Zhu Gaosui’s features twisted into a mask of grievance. "Second Brother, I manage the Imperial Guard, but I have my difficulties. Don't you know what kind of person the old man is?"

Zhu Gaoxu slammed his hand on the tea table. "It's a mess, a complete mess! The Jianwen remnants have turned Nanjing into a foul-smelling pit, and we can’t even catch a live one." He then asked the Crown Prince why he sought a minor official from the Ministry of Justice instead of using the Imperial Guard or the Court of Judicial Review.

The Crown Prince smiled. "Second Brother, at a time like this, one must find someone with no backing and a clean slate."

"No backing?" Zhu Gaoxu laughed.

Zhu Gaosui took over. "As far as I know, that man surnamed Lu’s father-in-law is the son-in-law of Wen Lun from the Ministry of Personnel. Furthermore, his late father was a close friend of the Minister of War, Jin Zhong. And the Minister of War is an official under your Crown Prince’s mansion."

The Crown Prince replied, "Can you find anyone else in the court who can get things done?"

The two princes looked at each other. Zhu Gaoxu stepped forward and said, "It is all for the stability of our Zhu family’s empire. I cannot stand idly by and let only the Crown Prince put in the effort. I have a capable person under me who can assist the Crown Prince."

"Second Brother, that is unnecessary!" the Crown Prince said, troubled.

Zhu Gaoxu’s face changed. "Does the Crown Prince lack even this much magnanimity?"

Zhu Gaosui, standing aside, wore a trace of subtle mockery, watching his two brothers like a bystander.

The Crown Prince hesitated, then chuckled. "And who among the Six Ministries do you recommend?"

"Junior Justice of the Court of Judicial Review, Chi Han."

Seeing his brother recommend his own man, Zhu Gaosui took the opportunity to add, "Since Second Brother can recommend someone, the Imperial Guard cannot sit idle either. Otherwise, I won't have an answer when the old man asks."

"Third Brother is right." The Crown Prince watched them play their roles and nodded calmly.

After the night's events, Lu Chenzhou delivered Zhou Zheng’s body back to the Ministry of Justice, caught some sleep, and ate a hasty meal. As he stepped out of his manor, he saw Shen Hua, dressed in purple, standing in an open space reading a government notice on the wall.

Uncertain if it was her, Lu Chenzhou approached and coughed softly. When she turned, he feigned composure, pretending to read the notice himself.

"Master Lu, when are we going to the North Bureau of the Imperial Guard?" Shen Hua asked.

Lu Chenzhou looked at the completely unfamiliar face in disbelief, though the voice was undeniably hers. "How many more surprises do you have, Doctor Shen?"

"I figured it out by pondering medical texts when I had nothing to do," she replied coldly.

Lu Chenzhou leaned in to study the strange face. "It is indeed better looking than your own."

Shen Hua pursed her lips and said softly, "Naturally. After all, I spent quite some effort obtaining this skin."

"Human skin!" Lu Chenzhou shuddered.

Seeing his reaction, Shen Hua showed a hint of pleasure, which quickly faded. "The Ghost Market has everything."

"But this disguise will make the Imperial Guard suspicious. You need to change." Without waiting for her response, Lu Chenzhou dragged her to the nearest tailor to buy men’s clothing.

***

After changing, Lu Chenzhou met his subordinates from the Ministry of Justice near the North Bureau. As Shen Hua had anticipated, the gates of the Imperial Guard were not easy to enter.

"Autopsy? What autopsy?" the guards demanded.

"My master is in charge of investigating the Imperial Mausoleum case. We investigate anything related to it." Knowing Lu Chenzhou had the Crown Prince’s backing, the Ministry officials did not back down as they usually would.

Stalemate ensued until Lu Chenzhou produced a golden token. The guards led the way, though their dissatisfaction was clear.

Wei Shiqi’s body lay in the morgue. Curiously, the vast North Bureau lacked a proper coroner, so no one had examined the body. Shen Hua lifted the shroud and immediately realized Wei Shiqi had not died from the poison she had administered. She stripped the upper body and began a meticulous examination, starting from the hairline. Sure enough, she found a purplish-red spot under the armpit and called Lu Chenzhou over.

"Master Lu, here." She pointed to the lethal spot.

"That is too subtle." Before Lu Chenzhou could finish, Shen Hua took a silver hairpin from her waist and placed it near the red dot. Slowly, a long, black, slender needle emerged—as long as an index finger. Everyone was shocked.

"This is the cause of death."

"But how can a single needle prove it?" Tu Jiuan stepped out from behind them.

"Master, you are a martial artist. Do you not know this is a death point?" Shen Hua asked, pointing to the Jiquan acupoint. "This point connects to the heart. Damage to it is instantly fatal."

"But he was poisoned before. Does that have no effect?" a guard asked.

"The poison was not fatal; the assailant only meant to frighten the deceased," Shen Hua explained.

"That is just your word..." The guard stopped, staring at her suspiciously. "Your voice sounds familiar."

Lu Chenzhou stepped in. "Tu, we would not lie about the life of an Imperial Guard. The cause of death is found; now we must question those who had contact with Wei Shiqi, especially during the hour between his release from prison and his death."

Tu Jiuan looked displeased. It was unheard of for the Imperial Guard to be interrogated by outsiders.

"Are you suggesting there is a mole among us, Master Lu?"

"One can never be too careful." Lu Chenzhou did not yield; he had only nine days, and his family’s fate hung in the balance.

As they locked horns, a figure appeared at the door, eyes fixed on Shen Hua. When Shen Hua turned to look, the newcomer averted his gaze.

"Junior Justice Chi," Lu Chenzhou said, breaking the tension.

"I, Chi Han of the Court of Judicial Review, have been sent by the Prince of Han to assist the Ministry of Justice," Chi Han said with a polite bow, glancing at the needle. "Is this the cause of death?"

"It is."

Chi Han turned to Tu Jiuan. "Tu, since Lu is in charge, and we are here to assist, let us be accommodating. It is an internal matter. If there is a culprit, we are helping the Imperial Guard rid themselves of a blight, are we not?"

Tu Jiuan, respecting the Prince of Han’s recommendation, relented. "Very well, Junior Justice Chi, you handle the questioning."

Chi Han turned to Lu Chenzhou, waiting. Lu Chenzhou remained wary of this man recommended by the Prince of Han.

***

Half an hour of questioning yielded nothing. Chi Han then turned his attention to the guard who had discovered the body.

"How did you find him?"

"Our master was in prison..."

Chi Han interrupted, his expression hardening. "Forget the vomiting blood. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed the cause of death. Did you see or hear anyone suspicious when you returned to the quarters?"

"No."

"Why did you enter the quarters?"

"I was worried."

"Worried he was dead from poison, or worried he wasn't dead yet?" Chi Han’s tone was sharp.

"Master, what do you mean? Do you suspect me?"

Tu Jiuan’s face darkened as his subordinate was accused. Chi Han remained indifferent. "Then tell me, where did the scratches on your hand come from?"

The guard looked at his left hand, where three claw marks were visible. "I scratched it by accident."

"An accident? These are human nail marks. I checked the deceased’s body—he had blood under his nails. Quite a coincidence, isn't it?" Chi Han smiled, glancing at the livid Tu Jiuan.

"Take him," Tu Jiuan ordered.

"Tell us your motive," Chi Han demanded.

The guard laughed bitterly. "Wei Shiqi was dark and treacherous. I didn't want to kill him so soon, but yesterday provided an opportunity. If he lived, all the credit would be his. I’ve been a petty officer for ten years, always held down."

Chi Han sneered. "You are an Imperial Guard; you confess that easily?"

Lu Chenzhou watched, wary of Chi Han’s efficiency.

"What about the Jianwen remnants?" Chi Han suddenly pivoted, bringing up the taboo subject. "Where are they hiding? Who else is involved?"

Outside, Shen Hua listened, feeling that Chi Han was far more dangerous and calculating than the man they had just arrested.

"The Jianwen remnants? I killed him, I admit that, but I know nothing of others," the guard retorted.

Chi Han looked at Lu Chenzhou. "Master Lu, how shall we dispose of him?"

"He is an Imperial Guard; use your own methods to make him talk," Lu Chenzhou replied, shifting the burden back.

"Since you found the clues, Junior Justice Chi, it is only fitting you finish the job," Tu Jiuan added.

Chi Han didn't flinch. "Very well. To prevent him from escaping or being silenced, I suggest we sever his hand and foot tendons first to avoid any unnecessary trouble."