“What Longshen Fruit? I know nothing of any such thing — do not try to pin false charges on me!” Wu Zhengli said with a cold laugh.

The moment those words rang out, the atmosphere in the great hall became rather awkward — after all, everyone present the night before had witnessed firsthand the fearsome power of Longshen Fruit. The scene of flying flesh and blood had left a vivid impression on them all.

“Well, this matter is rather —” Prefect Chi glanced at Ling Zhiyan.

Ling Zhiyan’s expression was grave and composed. He unrolled the four case files on the desk one by one.

“Master Coroner Fang conducted a formal examination of the Qing Prefecture Embroidery being sold in the Wu Family’s cloth shop — this is the inspection record.” Ling Zhiyan held up the first case file. “Of the Qing Prefecture Embroidery confiscated from the Wu Family’s cloth shop, there are one hundred and forty-one crates in total. One sample was drawn from each crate, giving one hundred and forty-one samples — every single one of them tested positive for the presence of Longshen Fruit. These embroidered items have all been soaked in concentrated Longshen Fruit extract. An embroidered piece the size of a palm, when set alight, produces smoke that — when inhaled — is equivalent in effect to consuming three Longshen Fruit plants.”

Prefect Chi drew a sharp breath. “That potent?”

Ling Zhiyan nodded. “This batch of Qing Prefecture Embroidery was almost certainly released onto the market before Military Advisor Hua eradicated the Longshen Temple in Cheng County, Qing Prefecture — the concentration is very high. As for the hazards of Longshen Fruit, Military Advisor Hua explained them in detail last night.”

“It is merely a few crates of embroidery — what harm could it cause?” Wu Zhengli said with contempt.

Ling Zhiyan’s eyes flashed with sudden intensity. “This substance undermines the body’s foundations without a person’s awareness, and in the later stages it destroys the mind entirely. In mild cases it renders a person no better than a walking corpse — in severe cases it causes the heart to rupture and death!”

Wu Zhengli said, “Utter nonsense! Many people have come to my cloth shop to purchase embroidery, and I have not heard of a single one who has experienced such a condition. On the contrary — everyone says that inhaling the incense from the embroidery leaves them clear-headed and full of energy. Some have said that ailments they have suffered for years improved considerably. That is the truth!”

Prefect Chi’s eyes went wide. “Is this really so?”

“Of course it is true!” Wu Zhengli gave a cold snort. “All these so-called hazards — I suspect Judicial Inspector Ling is simply trying to cause alarm with exaggerated claims!”

Prefect Chi swiftly glanced at Hua Yitang.

“Since Lord Wu refuses to believe it, why not let us conduct an experiment?” Hua Yitang said with a smile that did not quite reach his eyes. “Move all one hundred and forty-one crates of embroidery into Lord Wu’s room — burn one crate per day for Lord Wu to inhale — and see whether, after one hundred and forty-one days, his constitution is vigorous and his health robust, or his heart ruptures and he expires.”

“Military Advisor Hua’s suggestion is most reasonable,” Prefect Chi nodded emphatically. “In this way, all rumors would be dispelled without need for argument. Wu Zhengli — are you willing to submit to this test in person?”

Wu Zhengli’s face went ashen. His eyelids and lips twitched several times. He said not a word.

“Wu Zhengli!” Prefect Chi brought the gavel down hard. “It is plain that you have long known the Qing Prefecture Embroidery contains Longshen Fruit toxin and is capable of taking lives! And still you refuse to admit it?! Someone — beat him severely —”

With that, he drew out a command token and was about to fling it down, when from outside the hall came a great shout.

“Prefect Chi, please stay your hand!” Wu Zhengli came striding rapidly into the great hall, swept his robes aside, and dropped to his knees with a thud. “We implore Prefect Chi to consider the Wu Family’s many years of charitable deeds and show mercy in your ruling!”

“Military Advisor Wu need not make such a grand gesture — please rise,” Prefect Chi hurriedly put away his command token. “Patrol Captain Wu, help Military Advisor Wu to his feet first.”

But Wu Zhengli declined to rise, remaining on his knees. He kowtowed again. “Prefect Chi, if this official may speak: in the matter of the Qing Prefecture Embroidery, Wu Zhengli was deceived by unscrupulous persons and did not initially know of it. Fortunately, the embroidery has not been on sale for long, no one has been harmed, and no irreversible damage has been done —” Wu Zhengli raised his head, eyes rimmed red. “Your subordinate begs Prefect Chi to spare my brother’s life!”

Wu Zhengli stared at Wu Zhengli with a dazed expression. Gradually, tears welled in his eyes. “Little brother…”

Prefect Chi’s expression was also somewhat moved. “Military Advisor Wu raises a fair point. In the first place, no great harm has come of this matter. In the second place, Military Advisor Wu has served the prefectural office for many years, conscientiously and without complaint — if not for merit, then surely for his labor…” Prefect Chi looked at Hua Yitang. “Military Advisor Hua, Judicial Inspector Ling — what are your thoughts?”

Hua Yitang narrowed his eyes slowly.

Lin Sui’an now saw clearly what was happening. Prefect Chi and Wu Zhengli were playing complementary roles — one playing the gracious face, one playing the sympathetic face — clearly working together to exonerate Wu Zhengli.

Ling Zhiyan’s expression grew darker. “Prefect Chi’s reasoning is flawed. The reason Qing Prefecture Embroidery has not caused catastrophic harm in Yi Du is because Military Advisor Hua eradicated the Longshen Temple in Cheng County, Qing Prefecture, cutting off the source of the embroidery — not because Wu Zhengli had a sudden attack of conscience.” He held up the second case file. “This is the account ledger of the Wu Family’s cloth shop for the past half year. From it one can see that Qing Prefecture Embroidery was purchased at thirty strings of copper cash per crate, with fifty pieces per crate, while the selling price was thirty strings per piece — fifty times the purchase price. Ordinary embroidery typically sells for only about thirty percent above cost.”

Ling Zhiyan held up the third scroll. “This is the account ledger of the Wu Family’s cloth shop from three years ago. Due to poor management, the shop ran at a deficit year after year and stood on the brink of collapse. In under a year, the Wu Family’s cloth shop reversed its losses and turned a profit — entirely because of the windfall brought by Qing Prefecture Embroidery. The Wu Family’s cloth shop is the bedrock upon which the Wu Family was built. Whether it profits or fails is directly tied to the Wu Family’s survival. To claim that Wu Zhengli knew nothing of the Qing Prefecture Embroidery matter, that he was deceived by another party — this is nothing but empty sophistry!”

Wu Zhengli’s face was white as paper. Wu Zhengli faltered. “My brother may have simply been careless in this matter —”

Ling Zhiyan’s gaze turned icy. He held up the fourth case file. “This is the testimony of every shop manager under the Wu Family’s cloth shop banner. Each of them personally admitted that the sale of Qing Prefecture Embroidery was carried out entirely under the orders of the Wu Family’s household head, Wu Zhengli!”

Wu Zhengli frantically tugged at Wu Zhengli’s sleeve. Wu Zhengli drew a deep breath. “Throughout his time as household head of the Wu Family, Wu Zhengli established fifteen charitable halls, taking in more than two hundred destitute and homeless people. On the fifteenth of every month, he distributed grain to the poor at the Great Mercy Temple. He built bridges and paved roads for his neighbors and the people of the area, always seeking to do good — with a reputation that all speak well of. Such virtue stands as a model for Yi Du’s noble households. One ought not, merely because of a minor error —”

“The Tang Code on Criminal Law, Article on Banditry and Robbery states: the making or keeping of poison for harmful intent is classified among the ‘Ten Abominations’ under the crime of ‘Unnatural Conduct.’ Those who make or keep poison — defined as concocted venom capable of harming others — as well as those who order others to do so: death by strangulation. Family members who are aware but fail to report: exile of three thousand li. Ward chiefs, precinct chiefs, or village chiefs who are aware but fail to report: exile of three thousand li!” Ling Zhiyan spoke each word as though driving a nail into stone. “The toxin of Longshen Fruit is capable of causing addiction that cannot be broken. If it were sold on a wide scale, the common people would — in mild cases — lose all their family property, and in severe cases suffer the complete destruction of their families. Its harm exceeds that of poison for harmful intent and more! According to the law, Wu Zhengli’s family property shall be confiscated, and he shall be sentenced to death by strangulation! Wu Zhengli, as Military Advisor of the War Department, has knowingly broken the law — making his offense doubly serious. He shall be stripped of all his achievements and official rank, given one hundred strokes of the cane, and exiled three thousand li!”

The great hall fell into dead silence. Every subordinate official was left stunned. Prefect Chi broke into a cold sweat. Wu Zhengli’s face turned the color of gold foil. Wu Zhengli’s face also went pale.

Oh! Ling the great and handsome one is going completely berserk today! Lin Sui’an thought to herself.

Jin Ruo gave a thumbs up. Hua Yitang was delighted, but since they were in the great hall he could not shake his fan about showing off, and had to make do with jiggling his leg instead.

“What Judicial Inspector Ling says is — is most reasonable…” Prefect Chi pulled out a handkerchief to mop the sweat from his face, and rapidly sent Wu Zhengli meaningful glances.

“Judicial Inspector Ling has gone too far!” Wu Zhengli stiffened his neck. “Longshen Fruit is not, after all, a manufactured poison for harmful purposes. It is not appropriate to judge it by the standard of that crime. If a comparable precedent is truly needed, Longshen Fruit’s effects are similar to those of Five-Mineral Powder — that should serve as the proper reference!”

“Quite right, quite right — Five-Mineral Powder is much more appropriate —” Prefect Chi eagerly seized the opening. “Then let us rule as follows: Wu Zhengli to pay a fine of three hundred strings of copper cash, to be placed under house arrest for three months, and all cloth shops to be suspended for rectification for half a year. Judicial Inspector Ling — what do you think?”

Ling Zhiyan’s eyes looked as though they might shoot flames. “Prefect Chi’s ruling is unjust!”

“Judicial Inspector Ling — this is the Yi Du Prefectural Office — not your Court of Judicial Review!” Wu Zhengli snapped. “And besides, even if this case were transferred to the Court of Judicial Review for retrial, the ruling would still be made by the Court President. You are nothing but a sixth-rank Judicial Inspector of the Court of Judicial Review — you have no standing to question Prefect Chi’s ruling!”

Ling Zhiyan’s face turned an iron grey. His jaw tightened. His hand slowly rose and pressed against his chest.

Lin Sui’an reacted instantly and gave Hua Yitang a sharp kick.

Ling the great and handsome one is going to use his Clandestine Censorate Tablet!

Without the divine handwritten decree from the holy sovereign, invoking the Clandestine Censorate Tablet would create an absolute nightmare of a mess to clean up afterward! Think of something, quickly!

“Oh my, oh my!” Hua Yitang straightened up in his seat. “Prefect Chi makes a fair point, and Judicial Inspector Ling also makes a fair point — this case is truly difficult to rule on!”

The moment Prefect Chi heard Hua Yitang’s tone, it was plainly that of a peacemaker — and he was immediately overjoyed. “What is Military Advisor Hua’s brilliant suggestion?”

Hua Yitang shook his head. “Do not trouble your subordinate with this, Prefect Chi. Your subordinate was previously only a county officer in Cheng County, Qing Prefecture — the lowest of the ninth rank. Having received the grace of the holy sovereign’s discerning eye, I was promoted to Yi Du’s Judicial Military Advisor — and though that represents a promotion of seven consecutive ranks, even now I am merely a seventh-rank officer. In this hall, who am I to speak —”

He cleared his throat and directed a series of long, flutter-lashed blinks toward Prefect Chi with his beautiful eyes. “Come to think of it — it is really quite the coincidence. In Qing Prefecture, your subordinate’s case involved Longshen Fruit. Coming to Yi Du, your subordinate encounters Longshen Fruit again through the net. Could this be what they call ‘Heaven’s net is vast and lets nothing through’? Or might one say — it is all thanks to the sacred sovereign’s great fortune?”

Prefect Chi’s face twitched sharply. Wu Zhengli’s complexion changed.

Lin Sui’an thought to herself: Hua Yitang’s meaning was unmistakably clear. The reason he had risen so rapidly through the ranks was entirely because he had merit in solving the Longshen Fruit case — it was the holy sovereign’s will! In other words, when it came to the Longshen Fruit case, the sovereign’s intention was to handle it with strict severity!

However, as of now the court had yet to amend the Tang Code to classify Longshen Fruit on the same level as manufactured poison for harmful intent. Attempting to sentence someone on those grounds would be very difficult. And besides, Yi Du was far removed from the imperial court, where the noble family factions held the upper hand. The Wu Family also had close ties with the Suizhou Su Family — quite possibly the Su Family had dealings with Longshen Fruit as well. If Prefect Chi wished to keep his seat as Yi Du’s Prefect, he would simply not dare to make a complete enemy of all the noble families at once.

Balancing both sides of the scale — it all depended on how this Prefect Chi chose to weigh his options.

Prefect Chi lowered his eyelids, his fingers rubbing against the gavel repeatedly. After a long moment, he drew a deep breath and spoke. “Longshen Fruit — its harm is grave — those who traffic in it shall not be treated leniently. However, in consideration of Wu Zhengli’s years of benevolent service to the people, which constitutes merit — and taking into account that the embroidery sold through the Wu Family’s cloth shop has not caused serious injury or significant harm — mercy shall be granted beyond what the law alone requires.” He raised the gavel high and brought it crashing down. “Hear the ruling — Wu Zhengli, Household Head of the Wu Family: all family assets to be confiscated, entire family estate to be seized and surrendered; one hundred strokes of the cane! Military Advisor of the War Department Wu Zhengli: conduct unbecoming due to failure of oversight, fined one year’s salary, suspended from duties for one month, placed under house arrest for reflection.”

Lin Sui’an thought: Well, Prefect Chi is truly a master of even-handed balancing. That move of sacrificing the chariot to protect the general was well played indeed.

Hua Yitang clicked his tongue once. Ling Zhiyan frowned and lowered himself back into his seat.

Though not ideal, given the present circumstances, this was already the best ruling that could be fought for.

Wu Zhengli was grateful to have kept his life, kowtowing repeatedly in thanks. But Wu Zhengli then made a preposterous demand that caught everyone off guard. “Your subordinate, as Military Advisor of the War Department, failed to dissuade my brother from wrongdoing — nearly allowing a great calamity to come to pass. This is your subordinate’s dereliction of duty! My brother’s constitution is frail and may not withstand one hundred strokes. Your subordinate is willing to bear fifty of those strokes in my brother’s place — and humbly requests Prefect Chi’s approval!”

Wu Zhengli was moved to tears. “Little brother…”

Wu Zhengli gripped Wu Zhengli’s hand, eyes red. “Brother — blood is thicker than water. From now on, my brother will live in my home — as long as I have a bite to eat, my brother will not go hungry!”

Prefect Chi dabbed at his eyes with his handkerchief. “Indeed — hardship reveals true bonds! Very well — this official grants the request! Bring them out — fifty strokes each!”

Wu Zhengli and Wu Zhengli walked out of the great hall arm in arm, and lay across the punishment benches side by side. The officiating guards raised the wooden canes high and brought them down hard. Wu Zhengli’s screams shook the rafters. Wu Zhengli clenched his teeth and did not make a single sound.

Jin Ruo frowned. “What is the point of this little performance of fraternal devotion — are they trying to nauseate us?”

Lin Sui’an said, “It is not a performance for our benefit — it is a ruse of suffering enacted to win Wu Zhengli’s heart.”

“Hm?”

“The person who really poisoned Wu Zhengli in the jail cell was indeed Wu Zhengli,” Hua Yitang said coldly. “After today’s scene plays out, Wu Zhengli will not dare expose Wu Zhengli even if his life depended on it.”

Jin Ruo clapped his hands together. “I understand now! What Wu Zhengli’s words were really saying, between the lines, is: we are now both grasshoppers tied to the same rope! If the Wu Family wants to rise again in the future, the only one it can rely on is him — Wu Zhengli!”

How utterly infuriating! Lin Sui’an let out a sigh and looked toward Ling Zhiyan.

Judicial Inspector Ling was not watching the punishment proceedings. Instead, he stared at the four case files on the desk, brow knotted tight.

One other person also had a very strange reaction.

Qu Hui stood in the shadows at the corner of the great hall, staring fixedly at the two Wu brothers as they received their punishment. Her expression was unnervingly calm — only her eyes, in their depths, flickered with a ferocious light.

Skit

In the Judicial Office, Fang Ke produced a black cloth money pouch, untied it, took out its contents, and counted — clearly very satisfied.

Yita, who was serving tea, expressed puzzlement: “Ling — Sixth Young Master’s — money pouch — why is it — in — Master Fang’s — hands?”

Fang Ke curled his lips. “Judicial Inspector Ling paid for the inspection report on the Wu Family cloth shop’s embroidery. Three strings per report.”