By now, the crowd of onlookers had split into two factions: one pleading for leniency for Meng Xiangyang’s brother, the other demanding the Marshal punish the murderer to the fullest extent. The two sides’ voices rose and fell in a clamor.

Shi Ting watched this lively scene with cold eyes and said nothing.

He had long since guessed how the Marshal would choose.

“Zhiming is right.” The Marshal finally spoke, his voice carrying a few notes of gravity. “The Shun Cheng Law was promulgated by my own hand, and it must be upheld in full. Only the rule of law can keep society stable and the people at peace.”

At these words, Meng Xiangyang’s heart sank. The premonition was like a hand, closing tight around his throat.

“Marshal—” Meng Xiangyang made to speak again, but the Marshal waved him off.

“Xiangyang, I know you are someone who understands the greater picture. One must not disregard the fairness and impartiality of the law for the sake of any one individual.” He looked toward Xie Zhiming, still kneeling perfectly upright. “The charge of deliberate homicide against Meng Xiangyang’s brother is confirmed. Effective immediately, he is relieved of the post of Chief of Staff. His garrison troops are to be transferred to the command of Chen Gang. Meng Xiangyang’s brother himself is to be handed over to the Military Police Bureau for lawful processing.”

Meng Xiangyang stared in disbelief, and the outcome sent him stumbling back two steps, suddenly shaking free of Shi Ting’s hold.

“Marshal, Xiangyang’s brother is innocent.” Meng Xiangyang’s eyes were bloodshot. In his agitation, the gun in his hand swung in the direction of the Marshal.

Seeing this act of madness, all present were aghast. Liu Yin shouted urgently, “Protect the Marshal!”

What followed was utter chaos, and amid that chaos, a gunshot rang out.

Liu Yin called out loudly, “Minister Meng, you actually fired at the Marshal.”

Those words struck Meng Xiangyang like a hammer blow, and his frenzied emotions quickly settled back to their usual state. He raised a pair of bewildered eyes — and indeed saw that the Marshal was surrounded by a wall of bodyguards, encircling him on all sides, while the Marshal looked at him with an expression that held fear, fury, and other emotions Meng Xiangyang could not read.

“I did not.” Meng Xiangyang’s hand went limp, and the gun fell to the ground.

He did not remember firing. How could he have fired at the Marshal? No matter how angry he was, he would not commit murder against the Marshal in full view of everyone.

At Liu Yin’s command, several bodyguards pinned Meng Xiangyang to the ground. He was still wearing a dumbfounded expression as he was taken away.

He was certain he had not fired. Then who had fired, and why?

The more he thought about it, the more confused he became, his mind instantly turning to a thick paste.

“Marshal, Marshal, are you all right?”

People crowded forward one after another to check on him.

The Marshal’s face was somewhat pale, but fortunately the bullet had not struck him — the round was now deeply embedded in the window frame.

“Minister Meng was truly too impulsive — he actually fired at the Marshal.” Someone was indignant.

Those who had just been pleading for Meng Xiangyang’s brother fell awkwardly silent. They had never imagined things would turn out this way.

Some sharper minds had already caught the scent of something unusual.

Normally the Marshal would never have risked offending Meng Xiangyang by making such a decision — but as the Meng family had grown increasingly insufferable, the Marshal’s patience with them had finally run out. Today’s events were proof enough of that.

These perceptive individuals could not help thinking: given the shifting tide, whose side should they take — the Marshal’s, Shi Guang’s, or perhaps even Shi Ting’s?

Meng Xiangyang’s brother was locked up to await sentencing. Meng Xiangyang, for having discharged a weapon recklessly at the entrance of the Marshal’s offices, was likewise placed under house arrest.

When Yan Qing heard these two pieces of news from Shi Ting’s own lips, she was deeply shaken.