The Ministry of Justice.

Fang Tong, Bingzheng, and Jiang Wen knelt on the ground.

Because Minister Huang and Vice Minister Zhong of the Ministry of Justice had been dismissed from their posts, the official temporarily assuming the minister’s position was Liu He, transferred from the Ministry of Personnel.

He sat above them at this moment, his sharp eyes fixed intently on the three people on the ground.

He demanded: “Today we open the trial of the case from years ago when Du Mubai allegedly plagiarized poetry. You three are all connected to this case. Quickly tell the truth in full detail.”

His authority was overwhelming!

As the principal offender, Bingzheng spoke first: “My lord, this matter began with me alone. I wrongly accused Du Mubai.”

He proactively took all responsibility upon himself.

This allowed Fang Tong and Jiang Wen to breathe sighs of relief.

Liu He had served in the Ministry of Personnel and had always been responsible for matters of official conduct. Therefore, he was far stricter than Minister Huang.

In short, he demanded justice!

After hearing Bingzheng’s words, he didn’t continue questioning him. Instead, he turned his gaze toward the other two and continued his interrogation: “And what about you two? Why did you help Bingzheng give false testimony? Why did you wrongly accuse someone else?”

Fang Tong kowtowed loudly and shouted his innocence: “My lord, see clearly! We too were deceived by Bingzheng. It’s just that he was always so honest in his daily life, his words and actions were trustworthy. Moreover, before all this, he was indeed writing poetry in his room every day. But Du Mubai, on the other hand, was running around outside all day—how could he have the mind to compose poetry? So we momentarily believed Bingzheng’s words and helped him give false testimony. We truly didn’t know! Therefore we wrongly accused Du Mubai, which was truly improper. We beg my lord, considering that we two were also ignorant, to give us lenient punishment.”

He was quite the educated man, well-versed in laws and regulations.

“Lenient punishment” and “pardon” were clearly two different meanings.

The former carried implications of remorse and guilt, while the latter had none at all.

He was indeed a scholar!

His skill with words was quite impressive.

Liu He frowned slightly, his expression meaningful. Then he glanced at Jiang Wen. “What do you have to say?”

Jiang Wen trembled and slowly raised his head.

He too followed suit.

He said, “In response to my lord, what Fang Tong said is exactly what I wanted to say. We two are also victims. We were both deceived by Bingzheng. If not for him, we wouldn’t have been implicated in this, and Du Mubai wouldn’t have borne the stigma of plagiarism. The chief culprit is Bingzheng.”

As he spoke, he pointed forcefully at Bingzheng.

He displayed an expression of both vexation and strong reproach.

But Bingzheng remained kneeling calmly and quietly.

His gaze fell on the floor—he didn’t care what anyone said!

He had already resigned himself to death.

Liu He couldn’t help but frown again: “So according to you, you two are innocent?”

Jiang Wen: “Naturally not, it’s just that…”

He suddenly realized he might have said the wrong thing.

He had been so confused as to place all the blame on Bingzheng’s head, completely clearing himself of responsibility. This somewhat contradicted Fang Tong’s earlier phrase of “lenient punishment.”

When he looked at Fang Tong in panic, what met him was Fang Tong’s eyes full of disappointment and frustration.

A perfectly good plan was about to be ruined by him!

Fang Tong could only swallow his anger and quickly make amends, saying: “My lord, that’s not what Jiang Wen means. We only wronged Du Mubai because we believed Bingzheng’s words. The primary guilt should rest with Bingzheng. We two are secondary offenders. It’s just that we were truly ignorant and didn’t think things through. We ask that my lord, considering we didn’t act with intent, give us lenient punishment.”

Another phrase of “lenient punishment”—this managed to wrench the situation back on track.

Liu He had spent many years in the Ministry of Personnel and had seen all sorts of messy court affairs and word games!

He could naturally tell what kind of people Fang Tong and Jiang Wen were.

Being straightforward by nature, his thick dark eyebrows rose high as he said: “Du Mubai was a talented scholar back then, and he entered the Marquis of Pingyang’s household as a disciple—such an honor few could obtain. I’m afraid you two were clearly motivated by jealousy, so without regard for the facts, you wrongly accused him.”

“My lord, see clearly! We would never do such a thing.”

“Whether you’re human or demon, you two know in your hearts.”

“We truly only believed Bingzheng’s words, which is why…”

Liu He interrupted them: “Say no more! I understand what you mean.”

Fang Tong’s face turned crimson. He had to admit he was indeed jealous of Du Mubai, and this Liu He who temporarily assumed Minister Huang’s position was indeed a very clever man.

When the magistrate ordered him to be quiet, he naturally couldn’t explain further. It felt like being stripped naked and exposed under the blazing sun.

Even more like having something pierce his heart.

Liu He didn’t want to listen to them argue anymore. Instead, he turned his gaze once more to Bingzheng, who appeared gentle and weak.

He had already reviewed this person’s file. He came from a humble background, with an elderly grandmother at home. This person normally didn’t like to talk, kept a low profile, and never said much to others—completely without guile.

How could such a person engage in falsely accusing others of plagiarism?

As for the saying about knowing a person’s face but not their heart, Liu He didn’t believe it!

So he asked: “Bingzheng, I’ll ask you one more time. Was this matter your deliberate doing? Or is there another reason? If there is, just speak up. I will seek justice for you. This is the great hall of the Ministry of Justice—no one can do anything to you!”

At this moment, Fang Tong and Jiang Wen both looked at Bingzheng.

Their eyeballs seemed ready to pop out.

They glared hard at Bingzheng, warning him not to speak carelessly.

Otherwise…

But Bingzheng kept his head lowered, completely ignoring their stares. Instead, he slowly raised those hollow, weary eyes to meet Liu He’s stern gaze and said: “My lord, what I have to say, I’ve already stated clearly just now. This matter is entirely my fault alone. I was jealous of Du Mubai, which is why I wrongly accused him. Fang Tong and Jiang Wen were also deceived by me, which is why they agreed to testify for me. All the guilt, I admit alone. Whether to execute or torture me, I leave entirely to your discretion!”

After speaking, he prostrated heavily on the ground again.

His forehead struck the floor.

With a “bang!”

It looked painful to watch.

Fang Tong and Jiang Wen breathed long sighs of relief once more.

Liu He’s heart was still troubled. For some reason, his instinct told him that Bingzheng must still be hiding something.

But with the facts before him now, he couldn’t afford to ponder other possibilities.

During his silence, the Vice Minister of Justice walked to his side, bent down, and reminded him in his ear: “Minister Liu, it’s time to render judgment.”

“I know.”

Then render it already!

Dawdling for so long.

If it were Minister Huang, he would have pounded the gavel long ago.

Liu He had never served in the Ministry of Justice, but as an official of the Ministry of Personnel, he was well versed in trial procedures. It was precisely for this reason that headquarters had transferred him here.

You should know, he had been taking a bath when the transfer document was delivered to his residence. He didn’t even have time to dry himself before going out to receive it!

Now, he couldn’t afford to complain!