His tone rang out sharp as blade striking stone, each word seeming ready to spark flames of grief and indignation, the characters written in bold, flowing strokes as if about to break through the paper itself. Yet Xiao Jue merely furrowed his brows lightly, once again extinguishing that glimmer of hope in his heart that he had already deemed absurd.
This was not her handwriting…
After pondering for a moment, he let out a soft sigh. Without looking at anyone, he handed the petition to the eunuch beside him and said, “Read it.”
The eunuch raised both hands and respectfully accepted the petition. As his eyes scanned the document, his hands trembled, nearly following in Du Changsheng’s footsteps by dropping the petition to the floor.
Taking a deep breath and gripping the corners of the petition tightly, the eunuch was grateful that he had maintained enough composure to avoid disrespecting the imperial presence. He began reading word by word, though upon closer listening, his voice carried a slight tremor.
Almost as soon as the first sentence left his mouth, the solemn and dignified court erupted with a thunderous roar.
More terrifying than if a massive boulder had crashed through the roof of the Great Ceremonial Hall and landed on their heads.
Over a hundred pairs of eyes immediately turned toward the accused, Prince Zhao Xiao Chen, then toward the petitioner Qin Chang Ge, whose faint smile had never faded, their faces drained of all color.
Officials of lower rank began pinching their own thighs, wondering if Xiliang had undergone some upheaval today. Why was everything turned upside down? How could such terrifying events exist in this world? Officials of higher rank kept shifting their gazes between the emperor and the prince—was this a signal? Did it indicate that Prince Zhao, who had enjoyed such deep imperial favor, was finally beginning to fall from grace? Had His Majesty finally decided to act against his frail younger brother?
Hmm… that basket of finest tribute oranges we sent to Prince Zhao recently—did the doorkeeper pass it along to His Majesty? Could we get it back?
Hmm… when we had our third aunt’s wife visit Prince Zhao’s concubine to become her sworn mother—did that succeed? After court dismisses, we must tell her to stop making those visits.
Hmm… our brother-in-law’s sworn brother’s maternal cousin is said to have been promoted by someone under Prince Zhao’s patronage… well, we’d better instruct the doorkeeper not to let him in anymore.
…
As they continued listening, their shock only grew… was this really true? The legendary Empress Ruiyi, who supposedly died in an explosion while eloping, the greatest taboo in the imperial palace that could never be mentioned—everyone already knew this not-so-secret secret. They had always believed that the former empress, with her celestial beauty and demon-like heart, was so near to being a monster that no one could harm her. Perhaps this unmentionable rumor was indeed the truth.
Could it really be as this young woman stated in her petition—that the former empress had long since died, and the murderer was actually the emperor’s beloved brother, who had personally created this family tragedy by killing his sister-in-law and nephew?
But why? These two were said to share similar political views, and no past grievances had ever been heard of. His Highness was frail, spending half the year away from court, so what irreconcilable conflict could he have had with his sister-in-law, secluded deep in the palace, that would necessitate murder?
The civil officials began their melancholy reflections… “What the world cannot retain are beauty bidding farewell to mirrors and flowers departing from trees.” Who would have thought that woman, known as Xiliang’s foremost beauty and most intelligent person, had already met her fragrant end? And if today’s matter could not be resolved favorably, then Prince Zhao Xiao Chen… this man equally renowned as Xiliang’s most elegant gentleman, a peerless jade tree of the imperial family with unmatched talent, appearance, and character—would he too face a falling fate? …Truly, those of extraordinary beauty were envied by heaven, destined to appear and vanish like meteors, ultimately to be scattered by wind and rain.
The military officials began recalling the incident of the two princes Qin and Chu, their faces paling as they remembered Prince Chu’s skin being blown about by the cold wind on the ground… More people, however, began deeper contemplation. Was all this merely a case of fabricated charges? Otherwise, how could an ordinary commoner woman uncover such a shocking case from Xiliang’s highest echelons? How could she, dressed in white commoner’s clothes, be permitted to ascend the golden hall and seek justice for the former empress before the eyes of the world? …More importantly, His Majesty seemed to recognize this woman. Could it be… that the political winds had quietly shifted without anyone noticing? Or… was this all merely a scheme?
Undercurrents surged, gazes shifted—in this moment, hearts harbored ghostly thoughts, shadows flickered, and the entire resplendent golden hall was shrouded in an atmosphere of eerie mystery.
All eyes focused on Xiao Chen.
Purple-gold crown with jade beads, deep purple brocade robe with golden threads depicting nine-cloud dragon patterns, bright purple belt inlaid with colorful jade and grass patterns, mutton-fat jade pendant with dragon designs—rarely dressed so formally, Xiao Chen’s hair was like ebony and complexion like bright moon. His expression remained calm and indifferent. Facing the various interested gazes of the crowd, he appeared composed, as if the grave charges that could cost him his life, brought by that woman over there, had nothing to do with him at all.
No one knew what he was thinking. Surprise? Anger? Heartbreak? Devastation at His Majesty’s thunderbolt action of producing this potentially lethal trump card without even a word of warning, despite such deep trust?
Yet his serene countenance remained like eternal moonlight reflected upon an undisturbed azure lake, a pool of tranquil depths.
The eunuch finished reading, pursed his lips, and held the petition with its sweat-dampened corners above his head. Yu Hai took it, bowed, and gently placed it on the gilded imperial desk before immediately stepping aside.
Lightly stroking the petition’s cover, Xiao Jue slowly raised his eyes to look at Xiao Chen.
Their gazes met without retreat—Xiao Jue’s dark pupils deep as the sea, while Xiao Chen’s profound eyes rolled like clouds.
After a moment of mutual regard, each looked away. Xiao Chen calmly stepped forward from the ranks, swept his long robes aside, and knelt straight in the center of the hall. He quietly removed his purple-gold crown and placed it properly beside him.
Another thunderous reaction.
The officials exchanged uncertain glances—what did this mean? Had Prince Zhao admitted guilt without a word?
Qin Chang Ge’s eyes narrowed.
Xiao Jue pressed his lips together, staring intently at the purple-gold crown on the golden brick floor. After a long pause, he spoke in a low voice: “What is the meaning of this?”
Kowtowing openly, Xiao Chen said serenely: “Since your subject has been accused by many, I am now a person awaiting judgment. Regardless of the truth, until suspicion is cleared, I should not continue to enjoy the privileges of a prince, to preserve the nation’s legal system.”
All the ministers showed expressions of admiration. Prince Zhao truly lived up to his reputation as a wise and virtuous prince—”unperturbed by sudden crises, unangered by baseless accusations”—truly displaying noble bearing. People immediately recalled how Prince Zhao had once been commissioned to oversee the revision of the national legal code, spending months in sleepless dedication and wholehearted effort. The comprehensive legal code “Liang Instructions” covering criminal, civil, and ceremonial law was thus created. Due to its thoroughness and fair legislation, it immediately became revered as supreme law by neighboring countries upon its release. Eastern Yan’s “Yan Punishments,” Northern Wei’s “Legal Classic,” and Central Chuan’s “Legal Rites” were all modeled after Xiliang’s legal code. This man who had formulated laws, who had first proposed during the legal revision process that “only philosophers should handle punishment,” believing that only virtuous and enlightened individuals should manage prison administration, with “respectful adherence to heavenly mandate, loyalty to the sovereign, strict law enforcement, and clean conduct” as the standards for “virtue and wisdom”—this brilliant virtuous prince who had once argued forcefully in court against the previous dynasty’s “redemption” corruption, declaring “punishment does not avoid royal relatives and high officials”—this pillar of the state, how could he first overturn his own persistent arguments? How could he place himself among the crimes he deeply despised? How could he knowingly break the law?
Xiao Jue naturally thought of these things as well, showing slight approval in his eyes. Glancing at Qin Chang Ge, he suddenly said: “In former times, there was a law that those who petitioned the throne, commoners who accused officials, slaves who accused masters, wives who accused husbands—even if they won, they would still be exiled three thousand li. However, after our Xiliang was established, we changed the legal code so that winners bear no guilt and need not be exiled to pestilent and bitter cold lands—do you know who first proposed this benevolent policy?”
The officials’ eyes began darting quickly—this wasn’t right… Everyone knew this was Prince Zhao’s revision. Instead of examining the case first, His Majesty was using this question to pressure this woman, then could naturally lead into the topic of “Prince Zhao is not a person who violates laws for evil.” Did his heart still lean toward the prince?
A multitude of dark, rolling eyes all turned toward that composed petitioner. Many of these people came from local prefectures and counties and were experienced in legal cases, knowing that the petitioner’s momentum was also very important. Being suppressed and constrained from the start could very likely lead to retreating step by step until completely defeated.
Qin Chang Ge knelt on the ground with a straight spine, her upturned face beautiful as a flower, her expression bright and clear as a flower. She looked directly at Xiao Jue with composure and smiled: “It was not a person.”
A sound of sharp intakes of breath, and the officials’ faces turned pale again. Only Xiao Chen turned his head with interest to glance at her.
Raising his eyebrows, Xiao Jue’s expression showed slight anger: “Is this your response before the throne?”
“This commoner woman dares not,” Qin Chang Ge bowed her head respectfully, “What this commoner woman means is: laws should be fair, upright, correct, and reasonable. Under any enlightened rule, strict and fair legal governance should be the primary concern. The law that even victorious petitioners who accused officials would be exiled three thousand li was inherently unjust. Your Majesty is surrounded by brilliant talents who shine like pearls and jade. Abandoning the previous dynasty’s corrupt practices was naturally what should be done—sooner or later, someone should have eliminated these abuses. If not you, then another. The credit belongs not to any individual, because those who eliminate abuses and establish order should be motivated only by public spirit, by legal principles, by clear and bright governance, by the Way of the Son of Heaven that follows heavenly patterns and corresponds to heavenly principles through studying and understanding things, not by individual meager efforts. Therefore, regardless of who removed the abuses from the previous dynasty’s legal code, this commoner woman believes we need not thank that person. I should only rejoice at living in this peaceful and prosperous age, able to bask in Your Majesty’s benevolent radiance. Therefore, this commoner woman said: it was not a person.”
What a sharp tongue! The officials turned their heads with a “whoosh” and looked at Xiao Jue again… Your Majesty, this woman seems quite formidable. Did you find her somewhere and give her detailed instructions?
Du Changsheng’s gaze quietly shifted toward Prime Minister Mao Feng’en, who was renowned as a crafty old fox smooth as glass. The old man squinted his eyes, appearing to be in meditation, looking at no one. When he caught Du Changsheng’s glance, considering their distant family connection through marriage, the old man slightly moved his little finger horizontally across his lips.
Keep quiet… watch… Du Changsheng remained silent.
“Then present your evidence,” Xiao Jue said after listening, making no comment and simply waving his hand.
A eunuch brought forth a golden tray. Qin Chang Ge placed each scroll on it one by one, announcing each clearly in a crisp voice that rang sharp and strong, echoing continuously throughout the Great Ceremonial Hall—the political center where six nations’ gazes converged, the seat of the first power on the Inner Continent, where clouds rose and rainbow colors shimmered!
“…Present evidence totaling thirteen scrolls: First, testimony scroll from Yingdu great scholar Meng Tingyuan regarding Prince Zhao’s instruction on the third year of Tianbi, second month, day yimo—the day the former empress was murdered—to falsely claim a birthday celebration and hold a banquet at the prince’s mansion.”
“Second, Meng Tingyuan’s original altered household registration scroll.”
“Third, testimony scroll from scholars who attended the banquet that day.”
“Fourth, identity scroll of the missing person Huang Mogu among the thirteen attendees.”
“Fifth, bone examination report of the murdered scholar Huang Mogu’s remains.”
“Sixth, testimony scroll from Prince Zhao’s household staff.”
“Seventh, layout map scroll of the secret passages in Prince Zhao’s mansion.”
“Eighth, testimony and physical evidence scroll from the widow of former Imperial Guard Commander and Chief Imperial Bodyguard Dong Chengjia.”
“Ninth, testimony scroll from Prince Zhao’s sedan chair bearers that night (only one bearer survived by chance).”
“Tenth, testimony scroll from Personnel Minister Jiang Hua.”
Qin Chang Ge spoke these final words slowly and forcefully, almost like nails being hammered into the already chilled atmosphere of the hall, which had fallen silent due to her comprehensive and methodical presentation. Her words seemed to carry the sound of wind and thunder, each one appearing to spark lightning and fire—some people, frightened by that murderous tone, actually swayed with dizziness, and thinking of the strongly worded petition with its clear implications, momentarily lost all color from their faces.
This woman had actually obtained such detailed evidence! These interlocking pieces of evidence came like an ambush from ten directions, surrounding and trapping with no escape route. Everyone listening felt that she was determined to prove Prince Zhao guilty unto death!
But even so, no one had anticipated that this woman possessed such a trump card!
She had actually managed to get Jiang Hua to testify for her!
Qin Chang Ge looked up at the forty-eight-row dragon-carved ceiling and smiled coldly. This was the advantage of being imperial family—though her status wasn’t much, her influence penetrated nearly every high official and noble mansion in Yingdu. With well-informed intelligence and personnel connections, under the Phoenix Alliance’s deliberate multi-faceted operations, obtaining whatever she wanted wasn’t particularly difficult.
Xiao Chen had silenced everyone who could be silenced, but after she had discovered that line of text on the wall of Prince Zhao’s study, she had issued orders mobilizing all of the Phoenix Alliance’s power to gather evidence. With determination, there was nothing in this world that couldn’t be accomplished. For instance, one of those four sedan bearers should have long since died from the “Green Mesh Fragrance” poison, but he happened to have heart disease. Shortly before the incident, he had spent years of savings to buy some Composite Fragrant Resin through someone’s help—that substance happened to counteract Green Mesh Fragrance, so he didn’t die. The acquaintance he had asked for help was actually a subordinate of a Phoenix Alliance branch that regularly supplied fine incense powder to Prince Zhao’s mansion—the net of heaven is vast, and there is divine will in the unseen.
Meng Tingyuan was a great scholar of Yingdu with enormous influence. Moreover, old Meng was cunning and had probably reached some agreement with Xiao Chen beforehand, so Xiao Chen hadn’t moved against him. Those scholars who attended the gathering didn’t know the inside story, and killing them would have been conspicuous, so their lives were spared. Now Qin Chang Ge only needed them to testify that there was indeed a banquet that night and that Prince Zhao had indeed left midway.
And Jiang Hua… this was an unexpected development.
After that precious son of his had drugged the emperor, this fellow heard that impeachment memorials were flooding the imperial desk like snowflakes. Calculating that his crimes warranted his entire family dying ten times over, he probably panicked and ran to Prince Zhao’s mansion in the middle of the night seeking an audience. Prince Zhao received him in his study, they talked for an hour, then parted on bad terms—this was the result of great effort by the Phoenix Alliance to investigate.
Jiang Hua returned disheartened and was intercepted halfway by Qi Fan—the subsequent events need not be detailed, but were nothing more than the classic strategies of coercion, bribery, and explaining the pros and cons to induce defection.
These various measures and arrangements had been carried out secretly all along. Qin Chang Ge kept them hidden without revealing them, waiting only for the best opportunity, waiting for the most powerful testimony meant for only one person’s ears, waiting for someone to speak out after long suppression and silence—Empress Dowager Jiang.
This was a scheme she had been carefully arranging since long ago. To draw Empress Dowager Jiang into the trap, she hadn’t hesitated to take roundabout approaches to drag people into the water, hadn’t hesitated to wait from autumn until winter.
A purple jade Guanyin statue, presented as a birthday gift for Empress Dowager Jiang’s small Buddhist hall—except for the very few people who handled this matter, even Princess Wen Chang, who personally delivered the birthday gift, didn’t know that this purple jade Guanyin was Guanyin, but also wasn’t. This was the secret technique “image within image” by Central Chuan’s master sculptor Li Nanke, never revealed to others.
Li Nanke was born with an unusual condition—an eye disease that caused him to see double images of everything. This man had strong will and was a formidable person who refused to accept fate. Though he was naturally the least suitable person to learn sculpture, he forced himself to become an outstanding master sculptor. After achieving fame, feeling that his sculpting skills could hardly improve further and deeply resenting his chronic ailment, he had a flash of inspiration and began researching “double image” techniques—that is, due to different light, angles, and materials, hiding images within images to make sculptures display different appearances.
By age seventy, Li Nanke had achieved some success in this art. By seventy-eight, he could make one image show three reflections. Because this technique related to secrets he didn’t want known, he kept it confidential and only passed it to his eldest disciple, never demonstrating this skill before outsiders.
Li Nanke’s eldest disciple was originally a member of a Phoenix Alliance branch.
One image with two faces—actually two faces carved together. This trick was done within the purple jade Guanyin. After the birthday celebration, Qin Chang Ge had continuously instructed Princess Wen Chang to constantly cultivate Tong Shun’s favor. Estimating that Xiao Jue had begun thoroughly investigating the Changle fire incident from three years ago, she had Tong Shun slightly adjust the angle of the statue during the Empress Dowager’s Buddhist prayers.
Kalamandarin incense was worth its weight in gold and naturally had mind-soothing and intoxicating effects.
In the curling incense smoke, the repositioned purple jade Guanyin’s kind eyebrows and gentle countenance transformed into the deeply etched features of a departed woman in someone’s heart.
People with ghosts in their hearts are easily induced to reveal their inner demons.
Tong Shun’s timing of the report was perfectly calculated.
Behind the curtain, hearing the Empress Dowager’s delirious words with his own ears, Xiao Jue couldn’t pretend to be deaf even if he wanted to. Already harboring doubts from reviewing the case files, Qin Chang Ge had opportunely added fuel to the fire.
The massive, solid wall of trust in Xiao Chen that had formed over years due to his consistently good behavior was thus struck and shattered once again.
Understanding Xiao Jue very well, Qin Chang Ge had forced him to hold court and examine the case under public scrutiny, catching Xiao Chen off guard.
With a faint smile like clear dew flowing at dawn, Qin Chang Ge glanced at Xiao Chen amid the officials’ whispers. He was listening attentively, his demeanor composed, still maintaining that expression of scattered clouds and distant moon. Seeing her look over, he turned his head to glance at her.
His posture… contemptuous.
Qin Chang Ge pursed her lips, raised an eyebrow, smiled, and turned her gaze back to look at the somber-faced Xiao Jue above, completely unfazed.
Among all these people here, in their noisy panic, stunned senseless by today’s successive bombshells and unable to distinguish the underlying connections, only the three involved parties maintained calm clarity. Xiao Jue was first to give a cold laugh, sweeping one hand to spread out the thick stack of testimonies with a “swish,” saying: “You claim thirteen scrolls of testimony, so why did you only report ten scrolls? Where are the other three?”
This was exactly what she had been waiting for.
Let you… be contemptuous?
“Your Majesty,” Qin Chang Ge pointed with one hand, casual yet certain in tone, “the remaining three scrolls are in Your hands.”
!!!
From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed Xiao Chen’s form seeming to sway slightly.
Qin Chang Ge’s slowly blooming smile was cold as ice and snow. She slowly kowtowed, speaking word by word: “The remaining three scrolls are sealed in the Imperial Golden Archives, which no one except Your Majesty has the authority to access: the Imperial Guard deployment change and reassignment records, the list of Imperial Guard commanders on duty that day, and the attendance records personally signed by Prince Zhao and former Commander Dong Chengjia.”
“The eleventh scroll: Imperial Guard deployment change and reassignment records for the third year of Tianbi, second month, day yimo.”
“The twelfth scroll: List of Imperial Guard commanders on duty for the third year of Tianbi, second month, day yimo.”
“The thirteenth scroll: Handover records personally signed by Prince Zhao Chen and Dong Chengjia for the third year of Tianbi, second month, day yimo.”
“And,” Qin Chang Ge glanced sideways at Xiao Chen with pointed meaning, “these three scrolls are in Your Majesty’s hands.”
The deliberate, heavy repetition and emphasis could exert tremendous pressure on people.
In the atmosphere shocked into cold, condensed severity, Qin Chang Ge looked up, staring intensely at Xiao Jue.
This was a silent battlefield, a bloodless struggle. You, or I—neither of us could afford to be tender-hearted. You can’t do it? I’ll help you.
“Please, Your Majesty, uphold justice and help me complete the evidence.”
…
Xiao Jue stood frozen on the imperial throne, staring at Qin Chang Ge… Who are you… who are you…
Your methods…
You, a woman whose posture appears as fragile as drifting duckweed—why do your actions hide murderous intent, your words conceal sharp blades, keen as a famous sword’s edge?
Why choose to expose everything so openly in court, nakedly and bloodily displaying his distrust before everyone? Displaying it in front of A’Chen?
A’Chen… would be deeply wounded.
At this moment, his emotions were complex beyond words… If A’Chen was guilty, he would seek revenge, but he didn’t want to directly and publicly wound his frail younger brother with the blade of separation and suspicion before the verdict was delivered, like cutting him in the face.
Maintaining fair judgment after proving guilt was different from harboring early suspicion before accusations were even made—the implications and resulting harm were different.
How would the sensitive and delicate A’Chen think of this?
Qin Chang Ge lowered her eyelashes… What I want, you must be wondering about. You won’t know yet.
How could matters be so simple?
Moreover, when striking down enemies, there’s no need for compassion. If I were warm as spring wind toward my enemies, my fate would probably have long since turned cold as harsh frost.
I still remember your words: “A commoner making false accusations against imperial family—do you know the consequences?”
Without forcing matters to a certain point, how could I obtain the results I want?
Having reached this point, the officials made no sound at all.
Anyone could see the eerie atmosphere of this moment—the complainant with her meaningful smile, the defendant who had remained steady and calm but suddenly appeared as if struck heavily with a pale face, and high on the imperial throne, the emperor with his iron-blue complexion and turbulent gaze that seemed to carry hate, resentment, shock, and suspicion.
This was not an ordinary murder case, nor were these ordinary complainant and defendant. If they wanted to live, they’d better keep quiet.
…
After a long pause, Xiao Jue said hoarsely: “Very well, but I hope you can prove Prince Zhao’s guilt with evidence.”
He beckoned with one hand, and Yu Hai understood, entering the side hall to retrieve those three pieces of evidence.
Seeing this scene, the officials truly wished they could buy locks to secure their mouths.
This time, they didn’t even dare make exclamations of surprise.
All thirteen scrolls of evidence spread across the dragon desk, Xiao Jue looked not at Xiao Chen but only at Qin Chang Ge, saying: “Summon the witnesses.”
“Your Majesty is wise and holy.” Qin Chang Ge smiled and turned to signal.
Those who had been waiting in the side hall were led in one by one by eunuchs: Meng Tingyuan, the scholars from the gathering, various witnesses from Prince Zhao’s mansion, and Dong Chengjia’s widow. The last to appear was Jiang Hua.
Originally on leave, he now appeared as a witness, his face full of embarrassment as he shuffled reluctantly into the hall and knelt in a corner.
The others were mostly just common merchants and laborers. At most, they had been to the side halls outside the prince’s mansion. How could they have experienced this core of the nation, the majestic political center, facing the supreme dignity of the Son of Heaven above, surrounded by nobles they would normally avoid from afar? Not to mention having to provide testimony before the emperor in this place of layered eaves and flying golden dragons that would make one faint just from looking at it, giving evidence of an imperial prince’s crimes… Each one held their breath desperately, kneeling on the white jade and mica bricks, clinging to the brick joints, staring at the heels of the person kneeling in front, not daring to raise their heads.
Qin Chang Ge silently sighed—they had too little courage. Fortunately, before departure, she had Qi Fan give each of them one of her previously developed “Courage Pills” that could boost confidence. She had made those for fun before, never expecting they would prove useful today.
Each person performed the three kneels and nine kowtows in sequence, taking turns to speak. Though some stammered, some spoke incoherently, some had incorrect sentence breaks, and some were completely confused, they managed to finish speaking.
“…This humble commoner should have been in the third month, but Prince Zhao said in the second month: ‘I plan to celebrate your birthday, but I may have no time in the third month. Could we move it earlier?’ This humble one was vain, coveting the prince’s favor, so I agreed… The second month, day yimo, was truly not this humble one’s birthday.”
“…That night Huang Mogu was drunk and stained Prince Zhao’s robes. Prince Zhao went to the inner room to tidy up and was gone for about two quarters of an hour… We all witnessed this personally.”
“…Huang Mogu had an allergic reaction to alcohol and usually drank little, but his behavior was abnormal that day…”
“…This slave entered the study that night to clean up the mess. Manager Liu instructed that the inner room was forbidden, and no one else was allowed to enter. I was told to guard the door connecting the inner and outer rooms.”
“…That night Prince Zhao left through the back door in a sedan chair. We slaves received instructions and waited at the back door beforehand. Around the second watch, His Highness came out. This slave and several other brothers carried him all the way to the palace duty room, where Commander Dong came out to receive him… After this slave returned, I slept very deeply. When I woke up, I found myself in a mass grave… Several brothers had died, and only this slave survived, but I’ve been disabled ever since, begging for food to survive…”
“Guilty woman Yao Qiong respectfully wishes Your Majesty ten thousand years and represents my late husband in seeking justice at the vermillion steps… My late husband first committed heinous crimes under someone’s instigation and manipulation, then was designed and murdered by those same people who burned their bridges. My late husband left a blood letter, which this guilty woman possesses. Knowing the enemy was powerful, this guilty woman dared not speak out for years, carrying my late husband’s blood evidence while hiding and wandering. Today I finally reached the golden hall to clearly explain everything to Your Majesty… My late husband was guilty, but Prince Zhao bears the greater crime of murder to silence witnesses. If not for loyalty to this person, why would my late husband betray Your Majesty and suffer death? This guilty woman is willing to bear my late husband’s crimes and suffer the punishment of death by a thousand cuts, only asking Your Majesty to uphold clear legal governance so that all guilty parties cannot escape!”
“Criminal official… Jiang Hua… is guilty… Prince Zhao and Commander Dong’s secret plot to exchange guards before Changle Palace that day—criminal official witnessed this personally and heard it with my own ears… Criminal official was on duty that day. Around the zi hour, when criminal official went out to deliver the day’s memorial to the Imperial Study, I saw them… The Golden Archives has records of criminal official going out…”
…
All voices spoke as one, the evidence was ironclad.
Everyone thought: Prince Zhao is finished.
Gazes—whether pitying, reluctant to watch, or gloating—turned toward Xiao Chen, who remained silent and motionless throughout. This man was always known for his stability, wisdom, and outstanding intelligence, said to have the reputation of “one word worth ten thousand gold.” He rarely spoke, but every word was never wasted, every word carried great weight—today’s observation confirmed this. But in the current inescapable net woven by this formidable woman, what powerful words could he use to break through the web and even counterattack?
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Xiao Chen looked not at any of the whispering people, not at the seemingly casual but sharp Qin Chang Ge. He only knelt in place, looking at Xiao Jue with quiet, even slightly sorrowful eyes, his gaze cool and remote like plum blossoms in snow, like a distant moon in clouds. This moment of pure, desolate sorrow was as poignant as an unfinished elegy.
He seemed to feel nothing about such overwhelming accusations of heinous crimes, seemed unconcerned about proving his own innocence. He seemed only to want to dig out what Xiao Jue truly thought from his gaze, wanting to know whether the youth who once danced with his sword in the light snow of deep pavilions was truly this majestic and noble man before him.
He only stared intently at Xiao Chen like that.
But Xiao Jue’s fingers only gripped those thirteen testimonies tightly.
His gaze slowly moved down to Xiao Jue’s clenched fingers, and Xiao Chen suddenly smiled with extreme desolation.
As if carrying deep hatred, unable to resolve past melancholy.
That year’s frost on the stone bridge—how had it reached today still hanging cold on his brow? So cold…
Even his heart was frozen…
His gaze grew colder degree by degree.
Like a piece of cold jade sinking into the eternal ice springs of an abyss that would never see daylight.
This moment of silence was like ten thousand years.
After ten thousand years, when seas became fields and floating clouds changed, the distant became even more distant.
A low, weak voice, yet like the sudden sound of a great bell, broke through layers of bindings and reverberated in everyone’s heart.
“You consistently point to evidence that I acted strangely that night, that I had secret dealings at Changle Palace, but you cannot produce evidence that I killed the former empress.” Xiao Chen said indifferently. “Moreover, all your evidence is built on the premise that Empress Qin and Crown Prince Mingxuan are dead.”
“What if—”
He turned his head mockingly toward Qin Chang Ge.
In this moment, his gaze was cold as an ice sword, piercing into flesh and bone.
“What if Empress Ruiyi and Crown Prince Mingxuan never died at all?”