The Palace

Princess Jin, after hearing the report, also slammed the table and rose: “How dare such a thing happen! This Judicial Office has such audacity.”

“But—” She then sighed deeply: “Marquis Wei, I can understand your desire to conduct business, but sometimes you mustn’t be too… aggressive.”

She lifted her eyes, speaking the word “aggressive” with considerable meaning.

When Wei Chenghui made his report, he downplayed the serious aspects, only saying the Wei family had reasonably collected land with compensation for the people. Unexpectedly, the other party encountered a murder case and insisted on framing it on him to gain more money. He claimed Du Ruoxiu and Quan Feng were in league, intentionally targeting the Wei family.

But how could Princess Jin not know the intricacies involved? Though she favored the Wei family, she still gave a reminder.

Wei Chenghui naturally didn’t argue much: “Yes, this minister shall carefully follow Your Majesty’s teachings.”

Princess Jin nodded: “The Emperor’s serious injury hasn’t healed yet. Thus, I shall issue an edict with you to have the person released first.”

She pondered briefly, then said: “I should make the trip with you. According to your words, this Du Ruoxiu has some bandit-like qi. After releasing the person this time, he might inevitably cause trouble later. I’ll go speak a few words with him – let this matter end here. New officials light three fires upon taking office, but they cannot rely on the Emperor’s favor to act wildly.”

Wei Chenghui was delighted – this was exactly what he wanted!

“Thank Your Majesty. This old minister… is deeply grateful.”

The Judicial Office

“What’s happening?”

The man with shackled hands and feet in the room spoke gravely – it was Wei Wujun.

“My lord feared Du Ruoxiu would collude with Quan Feng and use torture to extract confessions, achieving the effect of signed confessions. He specially ordered us to secretly protect you. We didn’t expect my lord’s guess to prove correct…” The black-clothed man quietly reported what he had heard in the courtyard.

Wei Wujun was furious, but he remained relatively calm: “But if I leave now, it would inevitably be seen as fleeing from guilt. When facing the Emperor, it would be hard to explain. Moreover, according to Great Zhou law, escaping from prison seems no small crime.”

“Young Master need not worry. My lord has entered the palace to see the Emperor and surely has a solution.”

Wei Wujun hesitated no more – indeed, compared to being “forced” to confess, leaving was an expedient measure! Moreover, he wanted to show Quan, Feng, Du and others that the Wei family wasn’t afraid of them – this Judicial Office couldn’t contain him!

“Go,” he commanded.

“Yes, Young Master!”

The newcomer nodded, drew his sword and struck, immediately breaking his hand and foot shackles, then took out two sets of clothing from the pack on his back.

Wei Wujun looked and saw they were Judicial Office constable uniforms. He couldn’t help but laugh: “You really have it figured out.”

He quickly changed clothes. With the lamp still burning, the two quietly emerged.

They encountered many constables on the way, but both acted calmly without arousing suspicion.

However, turning a corner, Wei Wujun suddenly whispered a halt: “This is toward the front gate!”

The black-clothed man quickly replied: “Young Master, our people split into two routes because we know the other side must have preparations. Therefore, one group went toward the prison to draw their attention. The escape route is at the back gate, while I lead Young Master out through the front gate – the most dangerous place is the safest.”

Wei Wujun praised: “Truly someone trained by a master.”

The black-clothed man said: “Young Master flatters me. Once we pass this final checkpoint, we can retreat completely unharmed.”

As they spoke without stopping, they had soon reached the office’s main gate.

Wei Wujun pretended to lean aside talking with the black-clothed man as they walked out quickly with lowered heads.

“Good.”

After another ten steps or so, Wei Wujun finally relaxed slightly.

“Wei Wujun has escaped, quickly pursue!”

However, just as his words fell, a stern shout came from behind. Startled, he turned to look and saw the office behind them brightly lit with over ten constables pursuing them, led by Du Ruoxiu.

The black-clothed man’s expression changed slightly: “Not good, we’re discovered! Senior Brother Yu’s side must also be unable to hold them back. Fortunately, Young Master has already escaped. Our carriage is at the street entrance ahead with people to meet us. Once there, we’ll be safe. Young Master, run quickly!”

Wei Wujun didn’t hesitate, following him in using lightness skills to dash away rapidly.

“Wei Wujun, you’re guilty of murder. If you continue to disregard law and refuse capture, according to Great Zhou law, this official has the right to… kill you!”

From behind, Du Ruoxiu shouted again.

Wei Wujun wasn’t afraid Du Ruoxiu truly dared to do so, but hearing this, his heart still grew wary and his movements slowed. Then he heard the black-clothed man suddenly speak with surprise and joy: “Young Master, don’t be intimidated by this Du Ruoxiu! Look, isn’t that the First Young Master at the intersection ahead?”

“He must have come to meet you!”

Wei Wujun looked in that direction and indeed saw dozens of people gathered about ten zhang away, all in military uniform. The leader was indeed his elder brother Wei Wuya, though what slightly puzzled him was that beside his brother stood Chao Huang.

Perhaps he had come to watch the excitement after hearing news. He sneered inwardly but paid no attention now. Seeing Wei Wuya beckoning to him with moving lips, though he usually disliked this elder brother, he immediately ran toward him, shouting: “What are you saying? This surnamed Du is deliberately making things difficult – you cover my rear!”

Unexpectedly, Wei Wuya’s expression suddenly changed. Just as he was puzzled, several “whoosh” sounds came from behind through the air. Cold qi shot straight through his body, terror arising suddenly, while his back already transmitted heart-corroding pain, piercing bone and flesh.

He instinctively looked down to see three sharp arrows piercing his chest, fresh blood spurting out.

“Jun’er!”

From the side, a stern shout echoed throughout the entire street.

“Father…”

Wei Wujun’s eyes rolled back, but he only managed to glance at the middle-aged man and richly dressed woman getting out of the carriage before collapsing with a thud!

He died with fear, hatred, and unwillingness.

He lay facing the sky, his final gaze reflected and frozen on someone outside the office.

This was a woman with half-ruined features, holding a bow and arrow in her hands.

Behind her was another woman dressed as a constable, her hand slowly moving away from the bow and arrow in the first woman’s hands.

At the same time, the middle-aged man rushed over, placing his hand under the fallen man’s nose. Finally, the man swayed and stood up, striding to the woman’s front. His eyes seemed ready to spew fire, filled with hatred and malice: “Feng Suzhen, you dare shoot and kill my son! This life – you must repay it!”

Though he spoke thus, before the Empress Dowager, he retained a fraction of reason. His raised hand didn’t immediately fall. After all, no matter how much Princess Jin detested Feng Suzhen, outside the palace, for the royal family’s dignity, she would never dispose of a palace consort.

Wuming stepped forward in alarm to block, but Suzhen reached out to stop her, saying calmly: “Marquis Wei, you indeed have high position and power, but there are things you don’t know. According to Great Zhou law, any criminal suspect guilty of murder who dares to escape from prison shall be treated as deserving death penalty.”

“Just now, Feng Suzhen personally heard Master Du repeatedly warn him, yet your son persisted stubbornly. By law, he deserved execution.”

“How dare you!” At this time, Wei Wuya had also led his crowd over, shouting loudly: “Even if my second brother fled from guilt, we Wei family are New Dynasty meritorious officials. How can you dispose of us! We will definitely report this to the Emperor—”

Before he finished speaking, a palm wind swept down before his eyes. His face immediately stung – it was Wei Chenghui, furious beyond measure, who struck him hard across the face.

He stared blankly at his father, seemingly not understanding why the other had directed his anger at him.

Wei Chenghui was still furious beyond control – before Princess Jin, his son’s words were tantamount to admitting Wei Wujun was an escapee!

But Wei Chenghui didn’t notice the dark gleam that flashed briefly in Wei Wuya’s slightly lowered eyes.

At this moment, Suzhen caught this detail and smiled: “Marquis Wei, look – it’s not Feng Suzhen speaking nonsense. Second Young Master’s escape can be witnessed by First Young Master. Before Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and Master Du, First Young Master wouldn’t contradict his testimony later, would he?”

“Naturally not. This person indeed escaped – so many of our eyes saw it.”

Before Wei Wuya could respond, Chao Huang had already spoken.

Wei Chenghui laughed in extreme anger: “Noble Consort Shu, you want to discuss law and regulations? The harem cannot interfere in politics. What you’re doing now…”

Princess Jin had maintained a grave expression throughout, finally speaking: “Feng Suzhen, return to the palace with me. Families have family rules, nations have national laws.”

As Wei Chenghui had predicted, she wouldn’t dispose of or execute a palace consort outside the palace, but the cold light and murderous intent in her eyes, plus those words about family rules, meant she absolutely wouldn’t spare the other party.

How could Suzhen not understand? She said nothing, only respectfully replied “Yes.”

“Du Ruoxiu, you also bear responsibility for tonight’s events. Men, take him back as well!” Princess Jin coldly commanded.

Soon, several imperial guards stepped forward, restraining Suzhen, Du Ruoxiu, and his aide. Du Ruoxiu saw Suzhen glance at him quickly as various scenes flashed rapidly through his mind.

Quan Feitong had approached him.

Asked if he had the resolve to punish Wei Wujun.

If he dared, there was a strategy…

As Wei Wujun had said, the benefactor’s porridge distribution, clearing the scene, deliberately luring him to kill, using old corpses to make him reveal the victim’s identity, having virtuous and respected people witness – all were planned in advance.

But none of these were the key point!

Everyone knew that even if he dared to throw eggs against stones, with the Wei family’s power, when it reached the royal family, they still couldn’t convict the person.

Their purpose was to force Wei Wujun to… escape!