At the entrance of the Court of Judicial Review, just as the Minister of Justice was about to leave with his sword, the Minister of Revenue blocked his path at the courtyard gate.

The Minister of Revenue maintained his usual leisurely demeanor: “Where might you be heading? I just received two taels of fine tea. Why don’t you join me for a tasting?”

The Minister of Justice struggled to contain his impatience: “I have official duties to attend to. Enjoy your tea by yourself!”

The Minister of Revenue continued blocking his way: “What could be so urgent that it can’t wait for a cup of tea? What kind of pressing matter is it?”

The Minister of Justice was desperate but couldn’t simply cut down this old man blocking his path: “There’s been a murder in the streets.”

Minister of Revenue: “Yes, I heard about that. But I also heard the Minister of Justice was present and witnessed it himself. No need for you to rush over there.”

Minister of Justice: “Are you deliberately trying to obstruct His Highness the Crown Prince’s affairs?”

Minister of Revenue feigned confusion: “The Crown Prince ordered you to handle something? What matter? Surely not the murder case? Such a trivial street killing shouldn’t require your attention. Are you perhaps trying to deceive me, using the Crown Prince’s name to pressure me?”

After their circular argument dragged on, the Minister of Justice gradually calmed down.

He stared at the old man: “It seems you won’t let me leave. You’re a third-rank official, and I’m also a third-rank official. How exactly do you plan to stop me?”

Minister of Revenue: “I’m a full third rank, you’re an associate third rank. Why so agitated? We’re colleagues—what’s wrong with building some camaraderie?”

The Minister of Justice let out a cold laugh and immediately ordered: “Guards! On charges of obstructing official business, please invite our dear Minister to sit and have some tea! Since the Minister wants tea so badly, let him drink by himself. Once I return from my business, I’ll properly enjoy tea with the Minister!”

With that, he adjusted his clothes and sword, mounted his horse, and rode out of the imperial city with the troops he had managed to gather.

The Minister of Revenue sighed. Since he still held his official position, even if the Minister of Justice detained him here for tea, no one would dare touch him. The question was whether his official position would still carry any weight by the time the Minister of Justice returned…

The Minister of Revenue was particularly unconcerned. He good-naturedly allowed himself to be escorted inside for tea, carefully pinching his carefully selected tea leaves with obvious distress while observing the cloudless sky outside.

He sighed inwardly: At least he had managed to delay things for a while. He wondered if this delay would have any effect on matters over there…

If the Ministry of Justice took custody of the person and acted swiftly, there would be no turning back—

Yet there was still room for reversal.

Princess Danyang returned unexpectedly, putting the Justice Ministry officials who had come to arrest the Deputy Minister of Revenue in a difficult position.

Originally, the Justice Ministry had planned to muddle through by arresting the Deputy Minister on other charges. But now that Mu Wanyao had returned and personally confirmed his identity… on what grounds could the Justice Ministry imprison a fourth-rank high official?

In the Great Wei’s official system, apart from the first and second ranks which were largely honorary positions, the highest officials were only third rank, followed by fourth rank. Without an imperial decree, how could the Justice Ministry detain a fourth-rank high official?

The Justice Ministry was at an impasse, unable to simply pretend in front of the Princess that the man wasn’t the Deputy Minister but rather a fugitive… that would be severely underestimating her intelligence. Just as the Justice Ministry thought their mission had failed, someone on Mu Wanyao’s side unexpectedly turned—Yan Shang held his blade to the Deputy Minister’s throat.

Mu Wanyao: “Yan Shang, put down the sword!”

The person she least wanted to be betrayed by was him.

Yan Shang glanced at her lightly before looking away. He was like an emotionless jade statue; if previously he had been troubled by personal feelings, at this point he had no way to retreat. If the Deputy Minister wasn’t imprisoned, or even if not imprisoned immediately… how could this matter proceed?

Without forcing the Deputy Minister to confess, who would be held accountable for all those lives lost in Yizhou?

Yan Shang didn’t mind making himself look foolish, but he feared that if this plan failed, no one would ever be able to move against these Revenue Ministry officials again. These people would never admit their wrongs, and with someone like the Princess covering for their every minor mistake… only the common people would suffer, and only civilians would be sacrificed.

But from their lofty positions, they couldn’t see these were human lives at stake.

Human lives should never have been treated so cheaply.

Yan Shang turned toward the Justice Ministry officials and said softly: “May I ask, sir, if two officials fight in public, shouldn’t both be imprisoned for investigation?”

The Justice Ministry official’s eyes flickered: “But he is a fourth-rank high official…”

The implication was clear: your rank is too low—even if you fight with a fourth-rank official in the street, the high official can’t be imprisoned.

Yan Shang spoke quietly: “If a seventh-rank minor official is wounded by a fourth-rank high official, does the law not punish that either?”

The Justice Ministry officials’ eyes lit up, while Mu Wanyao’s side realized what was happening and sent Fang Tong to stop him, but they weren’t as quick as Yan Shang. In the Deputy Minister’s moment of confusion, the blade at his throat was suddenly placed in his hand by Yan Shang.

And in the next instant, the blade in the Deputy Minister’s hand was pressed against Yan Shang’s chest.

Blood seeped out.

Mu Wanyao felt she was going mad: “Yan Shang!”

Yan Shang’s face was pale, his chin slightly raised as his hand still gripped the Deputy Ministers, both holding the sword together. Blood dripped from the blade’s tip—Yan Shang’s wound. To bring down a high official, how could one spare oneself? The Justice Ministry officials immediately called out, preparing to arrest both men.

Yan Shang had given them an excuse, and the Justice Ministry officials immediately said: “Your Highness, forgive us! These two are both imperial officials who fought in public, and the Deputy Minister even wounded the other with a blade. By both reason and law, they should both be imprisoned…”

Mu Wanyao’s eyes fixed on the increasingly dark bloodstain on Yan Shang’s chest. Seeing the Justice Ministry officials move in her peripheral vision, she gave a signal, and her Princess Manor guards all drew their swords against them. The Justice Ministry officials’ expressions changed drastically, while Mu Wanyao’s gaze turned cold: “I’ve already notified the Court of Judicial Review. This case should be handled by them. These two fought in front of my Princess Manor, offending my dignity. I will get to the bottom of this matter before handing anyone over to you.”

The Justice Ministry officials were suspicious: The Court of Judicial Review? How could the Princess have reacted so quickly to call them?

The Princess was now openly opposing them. This was using power to suppress them, forcing them with her authority—not even pretending anymore!

Time was running out. The Justice Ministry side gritted their teeth: “If the Princess obstructs official business, we need not show restraint! Attack!”

The standoff continued outside the Princess Manor. As the Justice Ministry officials pressed toward the Princess Manor side, and just as both sides were about to clash, the reinforcements from the Court of Judicial Review still hadn’t arrived.

The Deputy Minister suddenly gave a low laugh: “So that’s how it is.”

He finally understood Yan Shang’s plan, finally understood that he would inevitably be imprisoned today, and what awaited him if he were imprisoned.

The Deputy Minister stepped backward, with Yan Shang watching him intently. But when he saw the movement, just as Yan Shang tried to move, he was restrained by Fang Tong. Following the Princess’s orders, Fang Tong prevented Yan Shang from taking any action. Unable to stop him, Yan Shang could only watch as the Deputy Minister retreated five steps.

The Deputy Minister still held the sword.

The Justice Ministry side watched him: “He’s trying to escape! Everyone be careful, don’t let him get away!”

The Deputy Minister laughed at this: “Escape? You minor officials underestimate me!”

He had no intention of escaping at all.

After retreating five steps, facing the Princess’s direction, the Deputy Minister suddenly dropped to his knees and kowtowed to Mu Wanyao.

Mu Wanyao’s face turned slightly pale.

She struggled to speak: “Get up! With me here, they won’t put you in the Justice Ministry prison today!”

The Deputy Minister gazed deeply at the Princess, gave a self-mocking smile, then turned to face Yan Er-lang, his eyes turning much colder.

Still kneeling, the Deputy Minister said: “Yan Er-lang, that ‘throwing a brick to attract jade’ move wasn’t bad. Zhang Shi-yi was just bait. So the one you wanted to be imprisoned was me all along. What are you anyway?

“You’re just trying to build your reputation, wanting to use me to establish your good name. ‘Pleading for the people!’ What a fine reputation! But what wrong have I done? Was I the mastermind behind the Yizhou incident? Wasn’t I the one who sent you for disaster relief? Some money changing hands in official circles is commonplace—what’s wrong with that?

“You’re so arrogant, so inflexible, even forcing the Princess and me into this position! You got my cousin killed, and that wasn’t enough—you won’t rest until I’m ruined too, is that it? I too work for the people; without the Revenue Ministry, without my mediation, who knows what state Yizhou would be in today? You pressure people like this—you’re nothing but a cruel official! How could you ever leave your name in history!”

No one had treated Yan Shang’s wound.

Due to blood loss, his face had become slightly pale. Restrained by Fang Tong, facing Mu Wanyao’s hostile gaze—how could he feel any better?

As the Deputy Minister questioned him, Yan Shang’s dark eyes looked over. Staring at the other’s imposing words, a hint of coldness appeared in Yan Shang’s eyes.

Yan Shang said softly: “I don’t deserve to use the words ‘pleading for the people,’ and you’re not worthy to mention them. If I were after reputation, I wouldn’t have returned to the city with the Princess today. Working for the common people—how dare you say such things? Seventy-two lives were lost in Yizhou, or perhaps even more… you ask what wrong you’ve done, so let me ask you: what wrong did the common people do, what wrong did the people you deceived do? Did they deserve this?

“You just took some money, but they paid with their lives.

“When I investigated in Yizhou, I didn’t just look into officials. There were also merchants colluding with officials, wealthy families buying grain from merchants, and commoners forced to become bandits in the mountains… all of them, what wrong did they do?

“Do they deserve such officials, deserve such suffering? Deserve to have no one speak up for them?

“I may not be worthy to say I plead for the people, but you’re even less worthy to question me about it.”

Though his voice was soft, it was deafening.

The Deputy Minister’s face alternated between green and white, finally knowing he couldn’t out-argue Yan Shang. He left only one final cold remark: “Yan Er-lang, let me give you some advice: there are many clever people in the world. Don’t think you can truly control the situation, that no one can turn the tables.”

Yan Shang immediately felt an ominous premonition.

The Deputy Minister no longer wasted words with him but turned to Mu Wanyao. Seeing her somewhat dazed, the Deputy Minister bowed again—

“Your Highness!

“Yan Er-lang wishes to use me to establish his reputation as a gentleman, harm Your Highness’s reputation, and damage the Crown Prince’s name… I have followed Your Highness since your youth, Your late father entrusted you to me, but I failed midway, not fulfilling my duty as a loyal official.

“I failed to manage my subordinates, failed to restrain Yan Er-lang, but this man Yan Er seeks only fame—I cannot bear to see Your Highness fall for his deceptive words! I especially warn Your Highness to be wary of him, not to trust him!

“I took the wrong path, causing Your Highness to be caught in a dilemma, and now to be threatened by such a petty person! I feel guilty in my heart and do not wish Your Highness to be held hostage by him. I… apologize for my death!”

Mu Wanyao: “You—”

It was too late.

No one matched the Deputy Minister’s resolve. As he spoke, holding his sword, he took one last tearful look at the Princess, then slit his own throat before anyone could stop him!

He would rather die than be imprisoned, rather die than confess his crimes.

He would rather die than let Yan Shang’s plan proceed!

He had seen through Yan Shang’s intentions and immediately broke the situation with his death, forcing today’s events into another deadlock!

Mu Wanyao’s face was pale as she watched Yan Shang stagger forward, pushing past everyone to collapse beside the Deputy Minister’s body. She gripped the Deputy Minister’s hand, but no matter how she called out, she couldn’t wake him. Mu Wanyao raised her head, her eyes filled with hatred and anger as she glared at Yan Shang, whose face grew even paler.

She had been driven step by step into a corner by him, causing the death of her most capable supporter! She looked at him as an enemy.

That one look from her pierced his heart like a knife, making it bleed inch by inch.

Mu Wanyao’s voice was hoarse: “Are you satisfied now?

“Forcing me into a corner, are you satisfied?!”

“First blocking people, then killing… Yan Shang, who doesn’t know your methods!”

Yan Shang’s lips trembled, his eyes slightly red. He stood rigid under the bright sun, his lips deathly pale, the blood on his chest making his robes even redder. But he too had been driven into a corner by the Deputy Minister—

The Deputy Minister was dead!

He died without confessing!

In the end, Yan Shang had lost!

The Court of Judicial Review officials arrived belatedly, confronting the Justice Ministry personnel in the crowded alley.

Mu Wanyao knelt beside the corpse, looking at the Deputy Minister with immense grief. Her mind was filled with anger and sorrow, but surely this situation should end here?

With the Court of Judicial Review present, what charges could the Justice Ministry pursue? That ridiculous case of Zhang Shi-yi—surely they couldn’t make the Princess Manor pay for that?

The Justice Ministry side was awkward, knowing that with the Deputy Minister’s death, they had lost. They were about to slink away, waiting for the Princess to settle accounts with them later when they heard an extremely soft voice: “It’s not over yet.”

Mu Wanyao was furious: “What else do you want to do!”

That extremely soft voice came from Yan Shang.

Like someone who wouldn’t die or break, who couldn’t let go no matter what today.

Having come this far, there was no way back… looking back would make Mu Wanyao blame him, going forward would still make Mu Wanyao blame him… there was nowhere left to retreat!

Fang Tong restrained Yan Shang as he swayed slightly. Yan Shang took two steps forward, his wide robes billowing in the wind. He knelt, facing no one in particular.

Yan Shang lowered his head and said softly: “I want to reopen the case.”

The Justice Ministry people didn’t understand: “Reopen what case?”

What case was there to reopen?

Yan Shang raised his face to look at Mu Wanyao, but she turned her head away, refusing to look at him. He gazed at her quietly, with immense sadness, his voice like a distant whisper: “Previously in my memorial, I said the Yizhou disaster was the fault of the Yizhou Governor alone. Now I want to retract what I said then.

“The Yizhou disaster wasn’t just the Governor’s doing, it was all the Yizhou officials colluding, all the Yizhou officials colluding with the Revenue Ministry here in Chang’an… the Revenue Ministry isn’t innocent. I spent months in the Revenue Ministry, I know what it’s like. The entire Revenue Ministry is corrupt, no one is innocent.”

The Justice Ministry officials’ faces turned white.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review’s expression changed drastically.

Mu Wanyao suddenly raised her head to look at him.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review said threateningly: “Yan Er-lang, you should know what you’re saying. As an imperial official, saying your memorial was wrong, wanting to retract your previous submission… even the Censorate won’t spare you! Do you want to do this?”

Yan Shang’s lips trembled, but he remained silent.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review’s face turned cold: “You’re accusing the entire Revenue Ministry by yourself—do you have evidence?”

Yan Shang said softly: “Am I not evidence enough?”

Even the Justice Ministry’s lead investigator began to feel uneasy, feeling this was different from what was initially agreed upon. Before coming here, no one expected Yan Shang to make such a big move—even he, who would have loved to see drama between the Crown Prince and the Revenue Ministry, couldn’t help but warn him: “Accusing so many officials and retracting your previous memorial, this is admitting you covered things up before, admitting you were complicit… Yan Er-lang, regardless of others, the law must first punish your crimes.

“Only after proving your innocence can you accuse others. Your mistakes, whether covering up or being complicit… in the Justice Ministry, will be met with severe torture.”

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review said coldly: “In the Court of Judicial Review as well.”

Yan Shang said softly: “Yes, I know. I confess, I submit to the law. I accept all my crimes… I only ask that others’ crimes not be overlooked!”

Yan Shang was taken away by the Justice Ministry.

The Court of Judicial Review was caught off guard by this situation and, to avoid suspicion, could only watch as Yan Shang was taken away. Afterward, the Minister hurriedly went to the palace to discuss with the Crown Prince. Soon after, Mu Wanyao also entered the palace to discuss the current situation with the Crown Prince in more detail.

This imprisonment would mean torture for Yan Shang—if he didn’t die, he’d be half dead.

Soon after, memorials impeaching the Revenue Ministry and Yan Shang flew onto the Crown Prince’s desk within half a day.

In the dim candlelight, the Crown Prince threw the memorials at Mu Wanyao, grinding his teeth: “The fine dog you raised! Turned around and bit us! Yaoyao, this bite really hurts!”

Mu Wanyao closed her eyes, letting the papers hit her. When she opened her eyes, her face was snow-white, but her voice was very calm: “What use is blame? What’s important now is protecting the Revenue Ministry.”

The Crown Prince laughed mockingly: “Protect? How? You’ll see, starting tomorrow, all officials will come to impeach! When things get big enough, even our usually uninvolved father will inquire! We can barely protect ourselves!”

Mu Wanyao suddenly stood up, her voice loud with suppressed anger: “Even if it’s difficult, we must protect it! Are we just giving up? Not even struggling at all? Are our wings to be clipped like this? No matter what brother thinks, I won’t watch my power base be toppled!”

She turned and strode toward the hall’s exit.

The Crown Prince stared at her retreating figure, finally confirming that Mu Wanyao was still on his side.

The Crown Prince said softly: “Little sister, this time we’re being skinned alive, all because of Yan Shang. I want Yan Shang dead—you don’t mind, do you?”

With her back to the Crown Prince, Mu Wanyao’s face was as white as paper.

Her expression was empty.

Her whole being was like a puppet in a daze.

But she held herself together, turned back, and answered the Crown Prince: “…I don’t mind.”

After all, it had been said before.

May the best person win.

After all, she had warned him when she first started getting close to him.

After all, she had said it early on—

If you stand against me, I’ll kill you—

What’s wrong with that?

Was Yan Shang necessarily right, did they have to be suppressed?

What wrong had she done, to meet Yan Shang, to bring him in, to reach this point where everyone was against them—

The Crown Prince and Mu Wanyao’s worries weren’t wrong.

Under torture in the Justice Ministry prison, barely clinging to life, Yan Shang accused all Revenue Ministry officials the next day.

Memorials from the Censorate and various court officials kept coming.

Some impeached the Revenue Ministry, some impeached Yan Shang… it had become a situation where everyone would die together, a mutual destruction.

Yan Shang had made the situation so brutal that even if the Crown Prince’s Revenue Ministry faction fell, Yan Shang himself probably wouldn’t survive the Justice Ministry prison. Especially since the Crown Prince had united with many others, focusing on Yan Shang’s crime of reopening the case, saying he was unfit for office, inconsistent, someone who lied even in memorials, without a word of truth… his accusations couldn’t be trusted!

Others said they were all the same, if the Crown Prince was to be investigated, then Princess Danyang, being just a princess, should also be investigated, and princesses should be prohibited from participating in politics! All these troubles came from the Emperor’s leniency toward his children, leading to today’s situation.

The officials friendly to Mu Wanyao also strove to argue the Revenue Ministry’s innocence.

But some officials said Yan Shang showed the spirit of a true scholar, unafraid of power, and should be given leniency, investigating the Revenue Ministry first before rewarding Yan Shang. However, such voices were weak now, not gaining momentum.

In the chaos, even the Secretariat got involved.

Minister Liu spoke forcefully in court, spitting on all officials’ faces, stopping those ill-intentioned people from deciding to execute Yan Shang. But although Minister Liu had scolded them into retreat, he knew it was just momentary intimidation… these people still wanted Yan Shang dead.

Because Yan Shang had torn open an unspoken agreement in the official world.

He hadn’t just exposed the Revenue Ministry’s corruption; he had made all officials fear for themselves, worried that if they couldn’t bring down Yan Shang, they might one day meet someone like him who would strip away their facade…

The Emperor’s mental state had improved recently, and because the situation was special and no longer suitable for the Crown Prince to oversee court affairs… today at morning court, the Emperor came.

Listening to the righteous indignation below, the Emperor’s face remained very calm.

Finally, the Emperor temporarily removed the Crown Prince’s duties, letting the Court of Judicial Review and Justice Ministry jointly investigate Yan Shang and the Revenue Ministry matters, with the Secretariat in charge and the Censorate monitoring.

This was the major case before year’s end, and the Emperor ordered the Secretariat to investigate everything thoroughly, with anyone showing favoritism to be dismissed and investigated—

Liu Wenqi, as a palace servant, had the fortune to participate in court affairs. But his face alternated between green and white, unable to get a word in from start to finish.

And he didn’t know the Emperor’s attitude either.

He only heard that this matter started with Zhang Shi-yi harassing a courtesan, and now including that courtesan, everyone had been thrown into the Justice Ministry prison. And unsurprisingly, Zhang Shi-yi would probably die in this case.

Liu Wenqi was completely dazed.

Who would have thought Yan Shang would choose such a move to open… He let the Censorate officials impeach him, making him too busy to defend himself. In the end, when opening his gambit, did he still use Zhang Shi-yi as a pawn, to avenge him?

It was like being struck by a club from nowhere.

Liu Wenqi felt extreme shame and feared Yan Shang would die this time. If Yan Shang died in prison, had he also contributed to it?

From what the officials were saying, about eighty percent of them believed that while the Revenue Ministry might be guilty, it wasn’t yet proven; however, Yan Shang was already guilty, and they even hoped his crime would warrant immediate execution, best to behead him right away.

These officials, though they might have had good relationships with Yan Shang normally, showed no mercy when truly fighting.

Therefore… the Emperor’s attitude became extremely important.

Because the remaining twenty percent of officials were watching, wanting to know if the Emperor would protect anyone.

Not just those officials—even Liu Wenqi, who served by the Emperor’s side daily, couldn’t guess whether the Emperor would protect anyone.

Liu Wenqi could only carefully suggest to the Emperor during his service: “…The voices in court are too one-sided; perhaps they fear Yan Er-lang. But this precisely proves Yan Er-lang is right…”

The Emperor glanced lightly at Liu Wenqi and suddenly said: “Because Yan Shang is from your hometown, and that Zhang Shi-yi ruined you, is that why you speak for Yan Shang?”

Liu Wenqi was startled, then knelt: “Your Majesty, I would never let personal matters interfere with public duty! I speak for Yan Er-lang because he does what is right…”

Liu Wenqi wasn’t surprised that the Emperor knew his background. How could the Emperor not investigate thoroughly when using him?

The Emperor surely knew Liu Wenqi hadn’t aligned with any faction. Even though the Princess had sent him into the palace, Liu Wenqi had never sided with her… Liu Wenqi could only rely completely on the Emperor, all his power came from the Emperor, which was why the Emperor could trust using such a palace servant.

The Emperor laughed softly and said kindly: “Rise, I’m not blaming you.”

The Emperor seemed lost in thought: “I thought the previous Yizhou incident was over, didn’t expect they could reach this point… Yan Suchen, I indeed wasn’t wrong about him.”

Liu Wenqi’s heart stirred: “Does Your Majesty mean to protect him?”

The Emperor smiled wryly.

The Emperor said slowly: “Let’s watch further. See what they all think, see how far these officials will go… Wenqi, I’ve been thinking lately, if ministers are strong and the emperor weak, but the ministers are firm yet wholly dedicated to public good, perhaps the realm could transition for a while?”

Liu Wenqi was startled.

He wondered if the Emperor’s health really couldn’t hold on?

But looking at the princes now… he carefully said: “Each prince has their strengths. Overall, the Crown Prince’s power remains strongest. Just that this time, the Crown Prince… might be wrong.”

The Emperor neither confirmed nor denied.

He murmured: “Hope he can wake up.”

Yet the path was for others to walk, and the Emperor, having no interest in any of his sons, merely watched without speaking—

“Grandfather! Grandfather!”

Minister Liu returned from court, and though it was the dead of winter, he was drenched in sweat, showing how troublesome recent court matters were. He walked ahead with his hands behind his back, and just as he entered the manor gates, Liu Ruozhu called out and chased after him.

Liu Ruozhu stamped her feet, catching up to her grandfather at his study. She anxiously said: “Grandfather, I’ve heard about the recent major case at court… will Second Brother Yan be alright? Grandfather, you’ll protect Second Brother Yan, won’t you? Second Brother Yan did nothing wrong!”

Minister Liu sighed lightly.

He said: “This time, he’s affected too many people’s interests… I didn’t expect him to be so unyielding, so rash. If I had known he would act like this, when he came to ask before, I shouldn’t have said anything about ‘doing great deeds while valuing one’s life.’ How is this valuing his life? He’s already thrown caution to the wind.”

Liu Ruozhu felt panic in her heart.

She wouldn’t believe others, but when even grandfather said this, it showed how difficult Yan Shang’s situation was.

Liu Ruozhu: “But he’s right, we all know he’s right! Why aren’t officials speaking up for him? Why isn’t anyone standing up to support him? Is it because Second Brother Yan is alone, with no faction backing him… but as long as something is right, shouldn’t someone support it?”

Minister Liu said: “The clever ones are all watching now… waiting to see His Majesty’s attitude.”

He smiled bitterly: “Yet our Emperor… isn’t he also watching us? Our Emperor most dislikes forceful intervention. At this point, even I don’t know if His Majesty means to protect the Crown Prince or protect Suchen. We can only uphold the law fairly…”

Liu Ruozhu breathed a sigh of relief: “Upholding the law fairly is good enough. I believe you and others can surely sort this out… When I went out today, the common people talking about this all said Second Brother Yan was right. The common people all support Second Brother Yan.”

Her eyes sparkled as she desperately suppressed her worry: “The people’s hearts are with Second Brother Yan, it must be like last time with the Zheng family head, Second Brother Yan will win the people’s hearts…”

Minister Liu said flatly: “Last time he didn’t win the people’s hearts, but the gentry’s support. This time he’s opposed the gentry. Though we’re unwilling to admit it, still… the voices of the great families are the loudest. Besides sympathy, can the people climb the palace steps for Suchen, or beat drums to appeal his case?

“And if that really happened… the Crown Prince would be even more eager to paint Suchen as someone seeking fame.

“Still wanting Suchen dead.”

Liu Ruozhu was stunned, the light in her eyes dimming. She actually knew in her heart, she just hoped Second Brother Yan could have a good ending… Tears welled in her eyes as she said: “Then what can we do? Can no one save Second Brother Yan? Not even you, grandfather?

“And the Princess… has Princess Danyang abandoned Second Brother Yan?”

Minister Liu smiled bitterly.

He said: “I think their past feelings must have been good, or Princess Danyang wouldn’t just want to kill Suchen.”

Liu Ruozhu held back tears, and after a while said: “Then… can I go see Second Brother Yan?”

Minister Liu shook his head: “The Justice Ministry prison isn’t somewhere ordinary people can enter now. Besides, what could you do if you went?”

Liu Ruozhu: “I… I at least want to let Second Brother Yan know the people’s voices, that the people support him. He shouldn’t doubt that even if all officials want him dead, there are people who know he’s right. It’s just that throughout history, those who touch others’ interests have always struggled like him.

“I hope he won’t give up hope, won’t despair.”

As she spoke, she choked up more, standing in the dusk, crying too hard to continue.

Minister Liu turned to look at her, seeing his granddaughter’s endless tears as she repeatedly wiped her eyes. He had always taught his granddaughter justice, taught her great love, taught her about state affairs… yet at this moment, Minister Liu felt gratified that he had somehow taught his granddaughter so well.

Liu Ruozhu pressed her lips together, suddenly saying stubbornly: “I- I must let Second Brother Yan hear the people’s voice… I don’t care what they think of him at court, I just hope to use my own strength to let him know that in this world, there are people who understand him.”

Minister Liu said: “…Good child.

“You are all good children.

“…How could I not fight with all my might to protect you?”

In the Justice Ministry prison, dark and sunless, damp and cramped.

Yan Shang woke hazily, roused by the pain of the whip wounds on his back. This imprisonment was completely different from the previous time. Each day’s interrogation was no longer just going through the motions. Every questioning was accompanied by severe torture.

Day and night, time lost all meaning. Yan Shang held on with one breath, knowing those people surely hoped he would die during interrogation, which was why he couldn’t die—at least not until he saw some good results would he be willing to face death.

Waking from pain in the middle of this night, when he opened his eyes, Yan Shang saw dim candlelight.

There should have been no one to light candles where he was imprisoned. Yan Shang propped himself up on the straw and looked up to see Mu Wanyao sitting against the wall opposite him, looking down at him.

Yan Shang stared at her blankly.

Mu Wanyao stared at his haggard appearance. Through his inner clothes, she could vaguely see the bloodstains on his white garments, but she pretended not to notice.

Mu Wanyao said softly: “You’ve ruined me.”

Yan Shang looked at her as if in a dream, reaching out his hand: “Yaoyao…”

Mu Wanyao sat against the wall, not coming closer. She said flatly: “Yan Shang, I’ve come to break with you. We’re finished.”

He didn’t speak, just looked at her this way.

Mu Wanyao dared not look at him too much, afraid that one more glance would soften her heart. But what right did she have now to let her heart soften?

After a long while, Yan Shang said softly: “Alright.”

Mu Wanyao was still for a moment, then suddenly laughed mockingly: “Alright?

“Because you think you’re about to die, you don’t want to implicate me, so you say ‘alright’?”

She suddenly stood up, anger surging through her whole body. She stepped forward and knelt before him, grabbing his shoulders to make him look up at her, speaking furiously: “Even facing death, you still want to be the good person?! Is being good so important, are the common people so important?

“Why… won’t you just bow your head! Why… even now you won’t bow your head!

“His Highness the Crown Prince sent me to find you, said if you just bow your head, he can spare your life… but I know you won’t bow your head, yet I still came… I feel… you make me feel like I’m watching you walk toward death! Obviously you’re forcing everyone to walk toward death together, but now, you want me to watch you walk first!

“Everyone wants you dead! Everyone wants you dead! Do you know that! Do you know that!”

As she spoke her vision turned red, as she spoke she became utterly desperate, as she spoke tears rolled down.

Yan Shang looked at her, his heart breaking.

He said one sentence.

Mu Wanyao: “What?”

Yan Shang said: “It should be that you don’t want me. Because I’m so inadequate, unworthy of you.”

He slowly reached out to embrace her shoulders, saying softly: “I’m the one who’s not good. I’m the one without the ability to protect you, I’m the one naive about keeping a low profile, I’m the one who has to oppose everyone… But I have no choice. I can’t get past my own conscience, I can’t do it.

“I can’t know that too many people have died, yet pretend not to know, only build up my own power, only endure. There’s no way to endure… this kind of thing, no matter how many years pass, as long as I come out and admit it, I would have to die. Throughout history, people like me, no matter how well-prepared, how many have survived?

“Just be a lofty princess, just abandon me, just forget me, just hate me.”