At this moment, a voice came from the imperial steps, creating faint echoes in the vast hall: “Is this the woman Lord Lu spoke of?”

This voice came quite abruptly, causing Shen Xiling to regain some of her composure. She raised her head to look toward the imperial steps and saw the new emperor seated on the dragon throne—Xiao Ziheng.

Speaking of which, she had encountered this majesty twice before. Once was when she first entered Fenghe Courtyard and this majesty had deceived her under a false name. The other time was on Lantern Festival when he had invited her to eat a bowl of yuanxiao at a roadside shop and given her a fox lantern.

Shen Xiling’s impression of this majesty was not deep. The only thing she remembered clearly was his peach blossom eyes that had been tinged with romantic charm in those days, always looking at others with smiling intent, quite kind and gentle. Now seeing him again after several years of separation, those eyes naturally looked the same and still carried smiling intent and romantic charm, but no longer had any kindness. Looking down from on high, they revealed some arrogance and teasing that was chilling.

The Son of Heaven’s expression and the cold solemnity of the court made Shen Xiling’s mind even clearer. Her vision was no longer limited to seeing only Qi Ying, and she began to take in the situation in the great hall.

On both sides of Liang Palace’s great hall, officials stood divided into civil and military groups, while several people knelt in the empty space in the middle. Among them were several old acquaintances, such as Young Master Qi and Third Young Master Qi. Both young masters were of noble birth from aristocratic families, yet now they knelt in the hall in tattered clothes. Especially the eldest young master, who was covered in wounds—it was truly unbearable to look at. The third young master was crying with tears streaming down his face, his complexion also deathly pale.

Beside the two of them knelt several other people—some dressed as farmers and others as merchants. Shen Xiling had been in business for many years, and though she had no dealings with these people, she roughly knew they were all in the money lending business and had been operating for many years.

Shen Xiling had previously read the family letter that Yao Shi had sent to Qi Ying, and already knew about the lawsuit the two young masters had gotten into. From the current scene, it appeared that those farmers and money house managers were the plaintiffs. They were having a public trial before all the civil and military officials. From the atmosphere in the hall, it seemed quite a bit of debate had already taken place—she wondered if a public verdict had already been reached.

But why had she been dragged into this?

She was completely unrelated to this case—why had she suddenly been imprisoned and then suddenly brought to court?

Ridiculously, Shen Xiling had spent all these days in prison, but her mind had been constantly preoccupied with worrying about Qi Ying. She had never spared even a moment to think about herself, not even carefully considering why she had been imprisoned. Only now did she begin to ponder this.

When the Shen family fell into trouble years ago, she and her mother had been imprisoned for crimes of association, but the Qi family’s case had not yet reached a verdict, so naturally there was no talk of associated crimes. So why exactly had she appeared here?

Shen Xiling’s thoughts were chaotic at that time, and she was somewhat dazed. The countless threads before her eyes left her unable to sort things out clearly for the moment, so she remained stunned in place.

After the Son of Heaven finished speaking, an unremarkable-looking, hunched gentleman stepped forward and bowed to the Son of Heaven: “Reporting to Your Majesty, it is indeed this woman.”

Upon hearing this, the new emperor raised his eyebrows, seeming to find it quite interesting. Supporting his forehead with his hand and sitting lazily on the throne, he looked down at Shen Xiling and said: “I also have some impression of this woman. I vaguely remember meeting her several times at the Chancellor’s villa in the past. It’s said that she is…”

His tone paused as he lightly tapped his forehead with his finger, as if he couldn’t remember, then seemed to suddenly recall and continued: “…it’s said that she is the orphan of Lord Fang Yukai. The Chancellor, remembering Lord Fang’s life-saving grace in the past, took her in and adopted her. Lord Lu, why have you brought her to court today?”

This Lord Lu mentioned by the Son of Heaven was none other than Lu Zheng, the Court of Judicial Review’s Minister Lu, who also had considerable connections with the Qi family. Originally, Yang Dong’s case had passed through his hands as well. At that time, how subservient and obedient he had been to Young Master Qi, yet now with the wind changing direction, he immediately turned against them as well. Before all the court officials, he sang in harmony with His Majesty. At this moment his expression was very earnest as he bowed and answered: “Previously, this minister was ordered to thoroughly investigate the case of the Right Vice Minister and Third Young Master Qi’s money lending and land acquisition. To not fail Your Majesty’s gracious trust, this minister thoroughly investigated all the various connections behind members of the Qi clan. Unexpectedly, some complications were discovered. This minister, considering the gravity of the case, dared not make decisions privately, so wishes to request Your Majesty’s imperial judgment in court today.”

The Son of Heaven raised his eyebrows, seeming quite puzzled, and asked: “What exactly is this case that makes Lord Lu so troubled?”

Lu Zheng bowed completely to the ground, a harsh light flashing in his eyes as he pointed directly at Shen Xiling and declared loudly: “Reporting to Your Majesty! This woman is not the orphan of Lord Fang Yukai!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was in uproar, and Shen Xiling’s eyes widened in shock!

This…

She had never imagined it would be about this matter!

Fang Jun… She had lived in hiding under this false identity for many years without any problems arising. Why had this matter been so suddenly brought up at this critical moment!

She became flustered and instinctively looked up toward Qi Ying, that person who had always properly protected and cared for her. She wanted to know his thoughts—she didn’t know what she should do anymore.

But he still hadn’t turned around.

His back was desolate and distant, hidden among the figures of many officials, as if completely unaware of Lu Zheng’s accusation.

Upon hearing this, the Son of Heaven reacted, first showing a surprised expression, then frowning deeply as he said to Lu Zheng: “Lord Lu’s diligence in investigating cases is naturally good, but the Chancellor is a pillar of the nation, and his reputation and face concern the dignity of the state. If you use baseless talk to damage his reputation, don’t blame me for punishing you instead!”

The Son of Heaven’s expression was solemn and very serious, appearing as if he truly didn’t believe Lu Zheng’s words. However, the observing officials saw that Lu Zheng, who had always been quick to follow the wind and cautious, had changed from his usual timidity and was actually taking a stance of arguing with reason and giving no ground. He declared loudly: “Your Majesty, this minister has witnesses. May I summon them to the hall?”

The Son of Heaven frowned, pondered for a moment, and said: “Granted.”

Lu Zheng seemed prepared for this. As soon as His Majesty nodded, he immediately turned and beckoned to the palace attendants waiting at the hall entrance. The attendant understood and hurried away, returning shortly with someone to the hall.

Everyone in court turned to look, craning their necks to see what kind of person this so-called witness actually was. Shen Xiling’s heart pounded like thunder, and she couldn’t help but turn around as well.

She saw a thin woman walking from outside the great hall who seemed to have difficulty walking, her steps somewhat unsteady, and her face was completely unfamiliar.

Shen Xiling didn’t recognize her at all, but saw her slowly kneel beside her to pay respects to the Son of Heaven. The great hall was extremely quiet for a moment—even a dropped pin could be heard clearly.

In this silence, all the officials heard the woman say: “Commoner woman Fang Jun pays respects to Your Majesty.”

…Fang Jun.

Five years ago, Great Liang suffered a great defeat at Shicheng. The former Director of the Privy Council was beheaded by the Son of Heaven, and Qi Ying succeeded to the Deputy Director position. Upon learning this, Northern Wei immediately sent assassins to carry out an assassination. Fang Yukai, who had just been transferred to the Privy Council not long before, died blocking a sword for his superior during that assassination—pierced through the heart by a single sword stroke and killed on the spot.

Lord Fang came from a humble background. His elderly mother, wife, and daughter all lived far away in Ba Commandery. His elderly mother was too frail for the journey, and his wife, devastated by Fang Yukai’s death, put poison in her own and her daughter’s food. The wife died on the spot, while the daughter Fang Jun was barely saved because insufficient poison had been used, but she became like a living corpse.

Fang Jun… Fang Jun… She was clearly… How could she…

Looking at this thin, pale woman beside her who was obviously ill, Shen Xiling was not merely shocked for a moment, but… horrified.

She had never imagined that this person… was still alive.

She was completely stunned.

Lu Zheng’s voice became even louder as he pulled out several documents from his chest, handed them to Su Ping to present to His Majesty, and said clearly word by word: “Your Majesty’s wise judgment—this woman is the real Fang Jun. Her household registration documents are all here. This minister also sent people far to Ba Commandery to carefully investigate her background, and she is definitely Lord Fang Yukai’s only daughter without mistake!”

He then pointed at Shen Xiling and said: “While this woman has usurped another’s position like a magpie occupying a dove’s nest, deceiving others for many years under someone else’s name!”

Shen Xiling immediately felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave!

Her whole body began to tremble. She could almost neither hear nor speak, and even her thoughts froze, yet she could still see that the woman beside her who was truly called Fang Jun was looking at her with eyes full of resentment and hatred. She dared not meet her gaze and immediately looked away in embarrassment, only to meet the shocked gazes of Left Prime Minister Qi Zhang, Young Master Qi, and Third Young Master Qi.

They were all looking at her too, their eyes full of incredulous betrayal. The Left Prime Minister even showed a miserable expression, as if he wanted to devour her flesh and blood!

But soon their gazes moved away from her and all turned toward Qi Ying, their eyes full of questioning, doubt, absurdity, and anger.

They… were blaming him.

They were resenting him because of her.

Grief and powerlessness suddenly overwhelmed her. She knew that everything at this moment was like arrows shot toward him—he would be wounded beyond recognition, and it was all because of her! All because of her!

Why! Why had her four-years-ago self begged for his mercy! If she hadn’t gone to Fenghe Courtyard to seek him out, if she hadn’t shamelessly stayed by his side all this time, if she had simply frozen to death in that snowy field years ago, then he wouldn’t be the target of everyone’s attacks now!

Shen Xiling had never hated herself so deeply!

She hated herself, but stronger than hatred was heartache. She wanted to rush toward him and stand in front of him, blocking all those cold, hostile gazes directed at him. She wanted to tell everyone that she herself had fabricated the lies and deceived him, that he had no idea she wasn’t Fang Jun, that she…

At that time, Shen Xiling had only one thought in her mind—to protect him. Her originally chaotic thoughts suddenly became clear, and she even planned to take all the blame upon herself and then commit suicide in court. This way, even if people doubted the truth of her words, there would be no way to verify them after death. Perhaps this way he could be safe! At least one charge could be removed!

Her eyes brightened, and she was about to speak immediately, but before she could say anything, the Son of Heaven on the imperial steps set down Fang Jun’s household registration documents in his hands, pondered for a moment, and said: “Lord Lu, even if you can prove that the real Fang Jun is someone else, you still cannot conclude that this matter is related to the Chancellor. Perhaps this woman deceived the Chancellor, and Lord Qi knew nothing about it?”

The Son of Heaven’s words perfectly aligned with Shen Xiling’s plan. She was overjoyed and wished His Majesty would immediately have her executed with extreme punishment, putting an end to all this evil karma. But unexpectedly, Lu Zheng beside her said again: “Reporting to Your Majesty, this minister has another witness who can prove that this matter was personally arranged by the Chancellor.”

Author’s Note: The detail that the real Fang Jun was still alive was made very subtle at the time, and everyone has already guessed extremely, extremely, extremely well! It’s just that this part of the original text itself was too inconspicuous.

Thank you all for your comments. Let’s accompany them through the most terrible storms together.