Xiao Liheng: “…”
“The note I transcribed at that time was given to this person, right?” Tie Ci pointed at Chi Xue and asked the Cabinet academician.
The academician nodded.
“Chi Xue, tell us what you did with the note that day.”
“This servant received the paper the Crown Princess wrote that day and, following the Crown Princess’s command, went to the inner treasury. I selected several gifts from the inner treasury and, together with that paper, had palace attendants deliver them to the Xiao residence. The Crown Princess said that Grand Secretary Xiao worked tirelessly for the country day and night, so she specially bestowed silk, satin, gold, and silver as rewards.”
Chi Xue also detailed all those rewards, including the time she went to get them, the palace attendants who recorded the inventory, the attendants who delivered the rewards, and even the Xiao residence’s response when receiving the imperial edict—she recounted everything in minute detail. Her speech was clear and her gaze steady, clearly a most trustworthy person. Finally she said: “The inner treasury is under Palace Secretariat jurisdiction. All imperial household rewards leaving the treasury are recorded in detail. If the Assistant Minister doesn’t remember clearly, records can be retrieved for verification at any time.”
Her meaning was clear: the Palace Secretariat belonged to the Empress Dowager and wouldn’t give false testimony for the Crown Princess.
“I’ve already sent people to retrieve the records. The inner treasury also keeps archives of reward documents and writings.” Tie Ci smiled at Assistant Minister Xiao. “Assistant Minister, I indeed transcribed the exam questions and gave them to an accomplice. Look, should this accomplice also be arrested?”
Xiao Liheng: “…”
Hateful little wretch!
She’d actually dug such a pit so early and waited for him to jump in!
His heart grew cold, realizing Tie Ci had prepared for this and dug him a trap back then.
She had actually predicted this affair early on.
Yet she remained composed, lying dormant and waiting.
He was certainly waiting for the spring examination incident to unfold, hoping to crush the royalist faction in one blow. But she was also waiting for him to make his move, using his force against him to make him trap himself in his own cocoon.
If he now insisted the Crown Princess had obtained and passed exam questions, the Crown Princess could drag him down with her.
The fraud case would become a joke.
With Shen Mi and others having eliminated the possibility of secretly receiving exam questions, and the Crown Princess’s side also eliminating the possibility, “leaked exam questions” would virtually cease to exist.
But in confrontations like this, once things became unfavorable to one’s side, the solution was to turn it into a muddled case.
By constantly involving others and raising various possibilities, to refute these possibilities, the defendant would be forced into constant self-defense and evidence presentation, dragging the case into a lengthy tug-of-war period. During such periods, there were too many variables and too many opportunities for manipulation.
And the people didn’t have the time and energy to keep following and paying attention.
He slowly smiled and said: “The Crown Princess truly knows how to joke.”
Tie Ci also smiled: “When it comes to you, it becomes a joke.”
Xiao Liheng acted as if he hadn’t heard, continuing on his own: “Shen Mi and others receiving preferential treatment was witnessed by Ma Hetong’s own eyes. Most Yueli Academy candidates passed—this shows the Crown Princess and Grand Tutor’s excellent teaching, with the academy full of talented people.”
Once he said this, the candidates’ anger was stirred up again. Someone shouted: “Right! Even without leaked exam questions, why should the academy candidates pass in such numbers? This should be investigated, thoroughly investigated, to see if there were benefit exchanges or backdoor requests!”
The Justice Ministry Vice Minister frowned, Assistant Minister Li nodded repeatedly, and the Vice Chief Censor looked completely agreeable.
Dan Shuang angrily said: “A bunch of shameless officials and fickle idiots!”
Turning around, she saw Mu Si staring at her and immediately turned her face away.
Chi Xue frowned: “They’re being such rogues, denying everything and dragging things out. Today’s hearing has reached deadlock—the longer it drags on, the worse for us.”
Assistant Minister Li turned to discuss with the Vice Chief Censor briefly, then said: “Both sides hold to their own versions, and this involves the two chief examiners. Let’s temporarily adjourn court and wait for the two chief examiners to appear before continuing the trial…”
Qi Yuansi angrily said: “What do you mean ‘both sides hold to their own versions’? Any evidence favorable to us, you turn a blind eye to. Any evidence unfavorable to the other side, you also play deaf and dumb. Trying cases like you do, how can you face the four characters ‘Bright Mirror Hangs High’ above your heads!”
Assistant Minister Li said: “Young Master Qi, please calm down. For this case, we must wait until all the accused are present to get clear answers.”
Some scholars and citizens who were gradually understanding the situation began to create disturbances.
The Vice Chief Censor said stiffly: “We have been steeped in legal codes for half our lives. How we conduct trials is not for you to nag about. This is the Court of Judicial Review—naturally Assistant Minister Li should preside!”
Assistant Minister Li said cheerfully: “Since this is so—”
“Shouldn’t this old man be presiding over the Court of Judicial Review?” An aged voice suddenly interrupted. “Or has this old man suddenly been dismissed? Your Highness?”
The last sentence was directed at Tie Ci. Tie Ci smiled with some surprise and personally stepped forward to welcome and support him: “Take your time walking, elder.”
The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, his face covered with age spots, walked into the crowd supported by a young girl. Assistant Minister Li hurriedly pushed back his chair and stood up.
The Minister casually bowed to Tie Ci and walked toward the seat Assistant Minister Li had vacated, sitting down while muttering: “Ah, haven’t ridden in a carriage for so long, nearly shook my old bones apart… unfilial girl…”
The young girl beside him smiled shyly at Tie Ci, then looked past Tie Ci’s head toward Murong Yi and smiled again.
Tie Ci clearly saw her hand hidden at her waist secretly make a fist gesture to Murong Yi.
Tie Ci: “…”
These Xi Pi fans were truly exhausting.
This girl looked familiar—probably also a member of that Miaoqi Society or whatever.
Her mood was somewhat complex. The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was elderly and usually didn’t handle affairs—he actually wasn’t among her targets to win over. She hadn’t expected him to be requested to come out by someone using Xi Pi fans.
With the Minister’s arrival, Assistant Minister Li had to yield his position. Standing aside looking embarrassed, the old man lifted his eyelids, glanced at him, and said slowly: “Little Li.”
Little Li could only respond.
“Go make me a cup of tea,” the Minister muttered. “Can’t you see this old man’s lips are parched? Young people these days really have no perception.”
The fifty-something “young person” Assistant Minister Li had to be ordered around to make tea.
Though the Minister appeared aged, after sitting down he acted with swift decisiveness. Without requiring a new round of accusations and defenses, after drinking tea and opening his eyes wide, he said: “This old man has been watching for a while. Currently, Ma Hetong’s accusations against He Zi, Duan Yande and others for favoritism and fraud, leaked exam questions, and Shen Mi and others cheating—all lack solid evidence.”
Ma Hetong was about to speak when the Minister continued: “This old man reminds this scholar not to be a tool for others. What you’re upset about and witnessed personally is merely Shen Mi receiving preferential treatment. But even if Shen Mi received preferential treatment, that doesn’t involve criminal conduct. It cannot be used as evidence that he cheated.”
Ma Hetong’s face reddened and he couldn’t speak.
“And the censors accuse the Crown Princess of spying on exam questions and transmitting them out of the palace,” the Minister glanced at Xiao Liheng. “The exam questions flowed to the Xiao residence—Grand Secretary Xiao, please quickly submit to arrest.”
Xiao Liheng: “…”
He said: “Elder Weng, these exam questions flowing to the Xiao residence were clearly the Crown Princess’s deliberate doing…”
The Minister: “Eh? What is Grand Secretary Xiao saying? This old man can’t hear clearly!”
Xiao Liheng: “…Guard, you relay this!”
Guard: “Elder Weng…”
The Minister: “Ah, so noisy, deafening my ears. Who are you? My old eyes are dim—why don’t you look like Grand Secretary Xiao?”
Guard: “…”
Xiao Liheng: “Elder Weng!”
The Minister: “Eh? What?”
Xiao Liheng: “…”
The Minister: “Grand Secretary Xiao has no objections? Then this case will be tried separately. Ah, I’m old and confused. Today’s main case is the Crown Princess accusing Xiao Liheng and others of framing, right? Currently we have palace attendants Wang Xi, Liu Datong, and vagrant Deng Erya as witnesses. Accusing Shengdu Prefecture’s Assistant Prefect and court officials of unauthorized use of private punishment—we have injuries to Shen Mi, Wu Yuanhong and others as evidence. Accusing the above persons of falsifying edicts to disrupt government and incite student unrest… mm, for the former we have the Crown Princess and His Majesty as witnesses.”
Everyone: “…”
Are you really old, sir? Your thinking is clearer than young people’s.
“As for inciting student unrest…” The Minister looked up at the crowd. With several sharp sounds, some scholars were thrown out of the crowd by Blood Cavalry. The mounted warriors expressionlessly reported the names, ages, native places of several people, where they had appeared at various meeting halls last night, their words and actions during that time, how they incited candidates…
Many nearby candidates watching all exclaimed in recognition: “I know this person—isn’t this Brother Liu from Huiming County!”
“How is Brother Zhang from Huangzhou here? Brother Zhang hosted guests at Juxian Tower last night, spending money like water with great generosity.”
“This Zhang comes from a poor family and has been staying in temples—where did he suddenly get so much silver?”
Amid the discussion, those few scholars who had been bought to incite student unrest trembled all over, huddled on the ground without speaking.
The Minister squinted his presbyopic eyes and said slowly: “If you gentlemen honestly confess everything, this official will give lenient punishment. Otherwise, I’ll directly send documents to educational officials everywhere to first revoke your examination degrees before trial. You gentlemen can weigh this yourselves.”
Candidates valued their degrees most—no one could bear such responsibility. They immediately spoke of how they had encountered people in casual conversation mentioning examination conditions, bringing up Ma Hetong’s complaint, hinting at unfairness in the metropolitan examination. Being among those who had failed, hearing incitement that making a scene might lead to re-examination and perhaps another chance, driven by anger and desire, they had been deceived.
It must be said the Xiao family was still careful in their actions, basically using suggestive methods to incite the scholars, leaving no traces.
But some were more deeply involved, specifically spreading news for the Xiao family to control discourse among candidates. For example, that Zhang from Huangzhou had some connections with the Xiao family. The Xiao family secretly promised him that if there were re-examinations, they would definitely ensure he passed with honors. Under such enormous temptation, he naturally spared no effort.
He didn’t want to speak, but the old man didn’t ask questions either, turning to instruct the Grand Court Secretary behind him: “Investigate this person’s daily expenses, money transactions, and bank exchange records.”
Large silver note expenditures and exchanges at banks all had records—it was easy to trace the source.
Scholars were still scholars—when the Minister mentioned investigation, the man went soft all over and confessed everything in just a few words.
Citizens and scholars were in uproar as the situation rapidly reversed. Xiao Liheng sat there grinding his teeth to powder.
But this Minister of the Court of Judicial Review was elderly, experienced, highly positioned, and had been deeply rooted in the Court for many years. Though he seemed to have ignored affairs for a long time, once he took charge, Assistant Minister Li had no say at all.
His aide behind him, seeing the unfavorable situation, urgently reminded: “Master, the current situation is unfavorable to our Xiao family. You cannot continue entangling here and should quickly enter the palace, unite with the Censorate and our people to cry injustice, to prevent the other side’s counterattack…”
Xiao Liheng said: “With their attitude, they’re determined to bite off a piece of our flesh!”
“Then we can only let them bite, and even we must actively throw out meat! Look at the citizens’ and candidates’ expressions now—they’re already wrong. If they continue to be held hostage by public opinion, the Xiao family’s involvement will deepen further…”
Xiao Liheng gritted his teeth. The Xiao family had recently been pressed hard by Tie Ci all along. Fourth Master Xiao and others from the old Xiao residence were still in prison without release. No matter how many people he found to try to clear their names, the royalist faction held on relentlessly. Originally controlling the Yongping Navy, Xiao Bi’an had also been firmly pinned down by more evidence Di Yiwei produced. His stirring up the spring examinations, besides seeking more connections and influence, had another reason—to divert attention from Tie Ci and others, muddy the situation, bring down royalist leaders, and seek opportunities for the convicted Xiao family members.
Originally he controlled all developments. Among the Three Legal Departments, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review didn’t handle affairs, with Assistant Minister Li making all decisions. The Censorate belonged to him. As long as he contained the Minister of Justice, no matter how this case was turned, it couldn’t escape his palm!
Who knew how the old man had suddenly been persuaded to act!
Clearly they had investigated before—neither Tie Ci nor her people had any relationship with the old fellow, and he had always been prudent in self-preservation, staying out of all affairs.
Xiao Liheng hesitated. At this moment, no matter who was thrown out, no matter how shallow the bite the Xiao family received, it meant the Xiao family had suffered another complete defeat this time.
In the future, trying to manipulate public opinion and use scholars would be absolutely impossible.
At this moment came another sound of urgent hoofbeats. The crowd parted to make way as two carriages entered the crowd. Several elderly men got down from the first carriage. When Xiao Liheng saw clearly who had come, his eyes contracted.
Minister of Justice! He Zi! Duan Yande!
He quickly stood up: “Old Jiang, you finally made it…”
Minister Jiang, who had previously had decent relations with him, looked at him coolly and said: “Yes, isn’t it a pity?”
“What do you mean, Minister Jiang…”
“Not a pity? They didn’t break my carriage and my legs, yet still let me rush here.” Minister Jiang didn’t look at Xiao Liheng, striding forward and waving his sleeve at the Justice Ministry Vice Minister who quickly stood up: “Clay sculpture and wooden puppet! Go stand aside!”
The Justice Ministry Vice Minister gratefully retreated as if granted amnesty.
Xiao Liheng watched the Minister of Justice sit down in the co-hearing position, his head buzzing.
Duan Yande stepped forward and smiled: “On the day exam questions were drafted, this old man’s carriage broke down, making me a quarter-hour late, causing delays leaving Chengqian Hall and encountering the Crown Princess. Today Minister Jiang, who should have come for co-hearing, also had his carriage break down and nearly broke his leg, almost unable to come. Grand Secretary Xiao, tell us—how coincidental is this?”
Xiao Liheng’s mouth corner twitched once as he smiled: “Are you two so unlucky?”
Duan Yande chuckled and turned to look at the crowd of citizens and candidates: “Everyone, tell us—how coincidental is this?”
The crowd responded with a thunderous roar: “Coincidental!”
Xiao Liheng’s complexion grew increasingly ashen in this thunderous sound.
He Zi bowed all around to the crowd: “The imperial examinations are the nation’s ceremonies for selecting talent. I have taken responsibility as chief examiner, staying vigilant day and night, not daring to fail His Majesty’s and the world’s scholars’ expectations. The previous various accusations have been submitted in memorials for self-defense. Afterward, the legal departments of Great Qian will naturally investigate and clarify everything. Please do not fall into traps, make unauthorized speculations, or be misled by others, ruining people’s futures.”
He was a model for the scholarly community and a renowned Confucian scholar throughout the realm. Many sought just one meeting with him but couldn’t obtain it. When he spoke, everyone automatically held their breath and listened quietly.
But He Zi didn’t say much, gesturing with his hand: “I haven’t taught for long, and actually am not familiar with the accused candidates. Only Shen Mi, I know a little about. Since you candidates all feel he climbed up through connections and sought advancement, why not first listen to his past story.”
The second carriage stopped, the curtain lifted, and a woman and young girl stepped down. Rong Pu, Tian Wu, Yang Yixiu and others followed behind.
Seeing Rong Pu, Xiao Liheng was slightly startled.
He had ordered troops to directly guard Zhegui Tower to trap these people. When necessary, he would use the safety of Rong Pu and others to threaten Tie Ci into yielding.
But these people had actually escaped.
Just as he had also ordered the arrest of He Zi and others, yet He Zi and the others now appeared here easily.
Xiao Liheng counted the numbers, unease growing in his heart.
The Imperial City, Palace City, Shengdu Prefecture, Court of Judicial Review, Zhegui Tower, He residence, Duan residence—he had stationed troops at all these places, intending to trap and capture people from all sides to maximize his control over the situation.
He had calculated that even if Tie Ci was cunning and could clear herself with words, facing absolute military force, she would be powerless.
But now it seemed all the restrictions had been broken.
This required considerable military strength.
Where did Tie Ci get so many people? Apart from those guarding the palace, could the remaining Crown Princess Nine Guards and three hundred Blood Cavalry manage to break through everywhere, protect everyone, and even conduct investigations?
Xiao Liheng couldn’t figure it out no matter how he thought, so the bad premonition in his heart grew stronger.
In the crowd, Shen Mi saw the mother and daughter and straightened up in shock: “Mother! Little sister!”
He looked around frantically, wanting to ask who had alarmed his mother, then quickly used his shackled hands to pull at his clothes, hiding the whip marks on his body.
Seeing his disheveled state, Mother Shen’s eyes reddened. She barely restrained herself from rushing over. She had aged somewhat this past year, losing her previous pampered and delicate air, appearing much more plain and steady, looking like a quite dignified woman.
She bowed to everyone and said in a trembling voice: “Elders and gentlemen, I am Shen Yingshi, wife of former Personnel Ministry Vice Minister and Haiyou Guangzhou Prefect Shen Shaoshan…”
She spoke at length, telling how her husband was executed for involvement in a bribery case, how the family was registered as commoners, how her only son Shen Mi ran about everywhere seeking court clemency, obtaining permission for only one person to fall into base status. For this, Shen Mi abandoned his excellent studies and bright future, voluntarily requesting base status registration, keeping this secret from his mother and daughter. She said that to prevent her from being sad, though his future was already cut off, Shen Mi pretended to continue his studies while actually wandering the streets doing countless menial jobs, being trampled and mocked by others, yet showing nothing when he returned home. Not only that, he continued trying his best to maintain their dignified life, falsely claiming excellent academic performance earned academy rewards requiring no tuition, using money earned from his menial labor to continue supporting mother and daughter, while she remained immersed in the pain of losing her husband, still enjoying a noblewoman’s life, ignorant of worldly hardships, letting her only son bear all the world’s suffering for her…
Her tone was low but her words clear. When reaching sad parts, she spoke movingly, shame and heartache overflowing in her expression, occasionally stopping to wipe tears.
The citizens were silent as birds, listening with tears in their eyes. The candidates’ expressions were heavy—most had read “The Chronicle of Benevolence,” but Shen Mi had focused on the Crown Princess’s kindness to him, narrating events after meeting the Crown Princess. He hadn’t mentioned much about earlier events, especially concerning his mother’s behavior, following the principle of concealing relatives’ faults. But Shen Mi’s mother’s personal account came from a different angle, emphasizing Shen Mi’s endurance of humiliation and her own ignorance, and how the Crown Princess had enlightened her, making everyone sigh continuously.
Finally, Mother Shen choked up and couldn’t speak, rushing to Shen Mi’s side and lifting his hands to show everyone the thick calluses: “…I was truly blind then. The child supported me through hard labor, yet I couldn’t see the calluses on his hands, spending whole days embroidering and writing, calculating which fabrics looked good and which foods were refined… I truly failed as a mother…”
Everyone saw that Shen Mi’s hands not only had calluses but also fresh red marks from the shackles just now, with very thick finger joints—really unlike a scholar’s hands.
He Zi immediately continued: “You surround this examination compound, fearing ten years of cold window study and bitter reading will be wasted. But no matter how bitter your reading, it’s only rising at third watch, sleeping under stars, staying indoors undisturbed, not engaging in production. Yet you don’t know some must bear family livelihood and overwhelming hardships while still studying relentlessly under such circumstances. For such ten years, such purely filial persons, if their dreams are shattered because of your false accusations, aren’t you afraid that when you raise your heads three feet up, the gods will be angry!”
Duan Yande: “Young people should think more when encountering matters. Don’t create more sins!”
Mother Shen patted Shen Mi’s back crying loudly, then raised her head pointing to the sky and wailing: “If my son is innocent, let the sky show bright sun within three quarters of an hour! If the Xiao family is guilty, let violent winds arise within three days!”