Zhang Yao was to be shackled outside Shenwu Gate and displayed to the public for ten days.
After hearing those words, Zhao Heming couldn’t help coughing. His footing slipped, and he staggered back two steps.
Mao Heng instinctively reached out to steady him. To his surprise, he caught sight of moisture at the corners of Zhao Heming’s eyes.
For judicial officials, the greatest taboo was losing composure in front of prisoners. Mao Heng hurriedly stepped in front of Zhao Heming, shielding him.
Just then, a bailiff announced from outside:
“My lords, Yang Zhaoyue of the Eastern Depot wishes to see the prisoner.”
Taking advantage of the interruption, Mao Heng said, “Come in and take the prisoner out.”
“Yes.”
Yu Lin was pulled to her feet and escorted out of the rear hall.
Once the door closed, the room dimmed.
Wu Longyi rose and walked over to Zhao Heming and Mao Heng.
“Things have come to this. Let it go.”
Zhao Heming did not respond.
Wu Longyi sighed and continued, “From the moment you and I learned she was a woman, we should have understood she could never stand on the same side as us.”
“I did understand.”
Zhao Heming answered quietly.
Wu Longyi continued, “Then what are you sad about?”
Smiling, he asked Zhao Heming, “Surely you haven’t developed feelings for her after spending so much time together?”
Zhao Heming immediately turned around.
“Chief Censor, mind your words.”
Wu Longyi only smiled.
As an elder who held great affection for this younger colleague, he could not resist teasing him a little.
Mao Heng, however, had eyes only for the case. Stroking his jaw, he said gravely:
“Now that Yang Zhaoyue from the Eastern Depot has involved himself, Xu Songnian has probably already gone to kneel beside His Majesty’s bed. During the next stage of the hearing, the three of us need to carefully discuss our position.”
Turning toward Zhao Heming, he continued:
“The truth is obvious. Du Lingruo was on the verge of confessing. It was your student who taught him to change his testimony and revive a dead-end case. My thought is to separate the two of them and interrogate them under torture. If we hit hard enough, perhaps contradictions will appear.”
“It won’t work.”
Zhao Heming interrupted him.
“She knows exactly how to deal with that sort of separate interrogation.”
“You taught her?”
“She served as a judicial officer for ten years. Do you think that was for nothing?”
“…”
Zhao Heming let out a deep sigh.
“To prevent her testimony from conflicting with Du Lingruo’s, she’ll only speak in broad terms during questioning. Even if you beat her to death, you won’t hear a single detail from her that might contradict his statement.”
Mao Heng felt both helpless and irritated.
“This woman is truly a nightmare…”
Wu Longyi said, “What she wants now is to use Du Lingruo as leverage and force Xu Songnian to save her in front of His Majesty. She has almost succeeded. As for us, the Three Judicial Offices have already been placed on the defensive.”
Mao Heng replied, “Are we really just going to let her use us like this?”
Wu Longyi shook his head and sighed.
“To speak honestly, I feel sorry for the girl. Struggling for survival on death row is pitiful, and not at all easy. Since things have already reached this point, we might as well grant her wish.”
“Zhang Yao has confessed. Wang Shaolian can be convicted as well. During the remainder of the hearing, our focus should be deciding their punishments. We can then submit our recommendations to His Majesty for approval. Revising the Regulations on Criminal Judgments should be our top priority.”
Mao Heng nodded.
“The Chief Censor is right. But that Zhang Yao…”
The moment he mentioned the name, his head started hurting again.
Wu Longyi said, “Even if we determine a punishment, personnel from the Northern Pacification Bureau can only be dealt with by His Majesty. As for how His Majesty chooses to punish him, we should stop dwelling on it.”
Mao Heng unconsciously pressed his temple.
“I don’t care how His Majesty punishes him. What I can’t understand is how he managed to say such revolting things in court.”
Wu Longyi had clearly not expected that to be Mao Heng’s concern. For a moment, he laughed speechlessly.
As he spoke, Mao Heng walked over to a round-backed chair and sat down. Then he slammed the table.
“We’ve handled cases involving sexual misconduct before, but never one like today. It was uncomfortable to hear and infuriating to judge.”
“Who exactly was he insulting in that courtroom? Huh? Himself?”
“Standing there with that cold horse-face, cursing himself, acting as if he were some chaste and virtuous widow crawling over a bed of nails to defend her husband’s honor…”
Wu Longyi laughed.
“What kind of comparison is that?”
After thinking over his own words, even Mao Heng started laughing.
“That Commander has truly driven me crazy.”
In front of the thorn bushes outside the Court of Judicial Review, Zhang Yao and Yang Zhaoyue stood side by side.
A gust of wind blew past.
For some reason, Zhang Yao’s nose suddenly itched. He lowered his head, pressed a finger against his nostril, and suppressed a sneeze.
Glancing at the burial garments he wore, Yang Zhaoyue remarked:
“Every autumn rain brings another chill. Commander, you’re dressed rather lightly.”
Zhang Yao looked down, straightened the sleeves of his burial clothes, and said directly:
“Tell Chief Eunuch Xu on behalf of Zhang Yao not to worry. I’m not the sort who dies from illness.”
Yang Zhaoyue replied:
“The Chief Eunuch saw Minister Zhao’s memorial in the inner office and immediately sent me out to rescue Du Lingruo. But the memorial never mentioned your name. I never expected you to be implicated in this prostitution case as well. Once I bring Du Lingruo back, I will certainly inform the Chief Eunuch and ask him to help you.”
“Too late. Besides, I don’t care.”
Yang Zhaoyue asked, “I heard… you confessed?”
Zhang Yao remained silent.
After waiting and receiving no answer, Yang Zhaoyue cautiously asked another question.
“I suppose I should ask on the Chief Eunuch’s behalf… why?”
I want to die so badly.
Those four words flashed through Zhang Yao’s mind.
What he said aloud was:
“What’s there to deny about a sexual offense?”
As a eunuch, Yang Zhaoyue was not as uncomfortable hearing such things as Mao Heng and the others had been, but he still felt awkward.
He forced a laugh.
“Commander Zhang truly hasn’t changed.”
“So there’s no need to waste words on me. When the Ministry of Justice submits its report, His Majesty can punish me however he likes.”
“Very well.”
Yang Zhaoyue smiled and nodded.
“As it happens, the Chief Eunuch has recently prepared quite a few medicinal remedies for his own injuries. Oh, right.”
The mention of medicine shifted the conversation.
In an even tone, Yang Zhaoyue asked:
“How is Miss Min’s illness these days?”
Only then did Zhang Yao turn his head toward him.
His expression darkened.
“I was just about to ask the Chief Eunuch. The medicine doesn’t seem as effective as it was last year.”
Yang Zhaoyue gave an understanding sound.
“Miss Min has been taking that prescription for quite a long time. Now that the weather is turning cold, the formula no longer suits the season, so its effectiveness has naturally declined.”
“In a few days, I’ll have Du Lingruo bring Miss Min into the palace. The Chief Eunuch can examine her pulse again, adjust the prescription, and prepare a new course of medicine. If she starts taking it now, while early autumn has just begun, the winter months won’t be so difficult for her.”
Zhang Yao lowered his hand.
“The Chief Eunuch no longer stays at his residence outside the palace?”
Yang Zhaoyue waved dismissively.
“No, no. These days there are simply too many people who hate him and want him dead. It’s safer to stay inside the palace.”
“Still, Commander Zhang, rest assured. No matter where the Chief Eunuch is, you and Miss Min remain the people closest to his heart.”
Zhang Yao let out a cold laugh.
“I know exactly what sort of thing I am. As long as Miss Min’s medicine doesn’t stop, that’s enough. There’s no need to say more.”
Yang Zhaoyue nodded respectfully.
“Understood.”
As their conversation ended, Yu Lin was escorted over from the rear hall.
Both men immediately stopped talking.
Yang Zhaoyue straightened and dismissed the attendants around them.
He looked Yu Lin up and down before smiling.
“I’ve seen you many times before, Miss, but this is the first time I’ve seen your hair worn loose.”
“Does it look good?”
Deliberately, she brushed the loose hair over her shoulder and smiled as she asked.
The question caught Yang Zhaoyue off guard.
For a moment, he had no idea how to answer.
Before he could speak, Zhang Yao suddenly said from beside him:
“It looks better than when it’s tied up.”
Yu Lin glanced at him.
Assuming she still hated Zhang Yao for his misconduct, Yang Zhaoyue worried she might lose her temper.
He hurriedly said:
“Perhaps… Commander Zhang should excuse himself…”
Before he could finish, Zhang Yao had already walked away by himself and disappeared behind the thorn bushes.
Only then did Yang Zhaoyue turn to face Yu Lin properly.
“You’ve suffered greatly, Miss. I’ve heard from the Court of Judicial Review’s staff about the testimony you gave in court. You’re remarkably intelligent. Your thinking coincides perfectly with our Chief Eunuch’s.”
As he spoke, he bowed to her.
“Thank you for understanding the Directorate of Ceremonial.”
After straightening, he added:
“As a token of gratitude, our Chief Eunuch will do his utmost before His Majesty to ensure your body remains intact after death.”
“I don’t want an intact corpse.”
Yu Lin looked directly at him.
“I want a rotten life.”
“…”
Yang Zhaoyue smiled faintly.
“I’m afraid that may be difficult.”
“It’s only a rotten life. For the Chief Eunuch, it shouldn’t be difficult.”
Yang Zhaoyue did not answer immediately.
Yu Lin stepped closer.
“The reason I taught Du Lingruo how to testify is because I want today’s hearing to rest upon my testimony.”
“I admit that the prostitution case was a trap. Wang Shaolian is guilty of slandering the Directorate of Ceremonial.”
“If I retract my statement, then Wang Shaolian’s testimony becomes credible instead. The brothel inside the Ministry of Justice prison becomes something established by the Directorate of Ceremonial.”
Yang Zhaoyue’s voice turned cold.
“As expected of a former Vice Minister of Justice. But Miss, you’re forcing our Chief Eunuch’s hand.”
“The Chief Eunuch is the smartest man in the world. He understands that any conspiracy requiring another person’s cooperation creates leverage.”
“And whoever gives others leverage will eventually be blackmailed.”
After saying that, she bowed to him.
“But all I want is a life.”
“I can be sold by the government as a slave. I can be assigned as a military prostitute. As long as it’s life, I’ll accept whatever kind it is.”
Yang Zhaoyue remained silent for a while before finally saying:
“I’ll deliver your words. And I hope that before the Chief Eunuch responds, you’ll hold firmly to your testimony.”
Yu Lin straightened and nodded.
“Yes. I understand.”
While they spoke, Mao Heng and Wu Longyi had already returned to their seats in the main hall.
The bailiffs came forward and led Yu Lin away.
Yang Zhaoyue walked back toward Zhang Yao.
“I won’t stay for the rest of the hearing.”
Zhang Yao glanced at Yu Lin’s retreating figure.
“What did she say?”
Yang Zhaoyue smiled bitterly.
“She’s forcing the Chief Eunuch to save her life.”
“Oh.”
Yang Zhaoyue sighed.
“But as she herself said, even if she’s saved, it’ll probably be a rotten life. The best outcome would be being assigned to an official broker and sold as a servant.”
Zhang Yao frowned without realizing it.
“Yang Zhaoyue.”
“What?”
“Have you ever bought a woman?”
Yang Zhaoyue was momentarily speechless.
Unsure whether to answer truthfully or not, he hesitated.
Before he could respond, Zhang Yao asked another question.
“How much do they cost?”
Yang Zhaoyue countered:
“Is she really that good?”
“You were willing to kneel in court just to sleep with her in prison. What now? If she becomes a servant, are you planning to buy her too?”
“Aren’t you afraid she’ll kill you?”
Though Yang Zhaoyue meant it as a joke,
in the eyes of the world, during that cool early autumn in Liangjing,
Commander Zhang Yao of the Northern Pacification Bureau had indeed come very close to being killed by Yu Lin.
…
Three days after Yu Lin’s originally scheduled execution date, the officials gathered outside Pichang Temple.
The crowd did not see Yu Lin arrive to be dismembered.
Instead, they saw Zhang Yao.
Wearing a heavy cangue, he was escorted by Imperial Guards to Shenwu Gate.
The Emperor issued an edict ordering Zhang Yao to be shackled outside Shenwu Gate and displayed publicly for ten days.
During that period, he was to receive only one bowl of water and one bowl of rice each day.
When people heard that the prisoner was the Commander of the Northern Pacification Bureau, countless curious onlookers surged forward.
The Imperial Guards blocked them ten meters away.
Zhang Yao stood silently before Shenwu Gate.
The cangue weighed fifty jin.
No matter how strong his body was, the burden left his shoulders aching, his chest tight, and his ears ringing.
“Did you hear? He violated that woman in the Ministry of Justice prison.”
“Which woman?”
“Yu Lin!”
“What? He’s the Commander of the Northern Pacification Bureau. What woman couldn’t he have? Why would he buy the services of a female prisoner?”
“Ah… truly disgraceful. Disgraceful. Absolutely disgraceful…”
The crowd stood too far away to see him clearly, and so rumors and speculation spread freely.
Zhang Yao paid no attention to any of it.
The prison prostitution case had already been concluded.
Wang Shaolian received a sentence of death by hanging.
The Ministry of Justice showed Zhang Yao no leniency either.
Applying the severe penalties used for rape, they sentenced him to one hundred strokes of the cane and exile three thousand li away.
Fengming Emperor approved the recommendation and further ordered revisions to the Regulations on Criminal Judgments, using this case as precedent.
Then, with a stroke of the imperial brush, the Emperor graciously commuted Zhang Yao’s punishment.
His sentence became ten days in the cangue.
And so he became a “wooden dog.”
Among officials, it was the most dreaded punishment short of death.
Zhang Yao did not care.
To him, it merely meant finding another place to think about dying.
At the moment, he was somewhat worried about Zhang Min’s health.
At the same time, he was considering which broker he could find to sell one of the coffins in his house.
Because Xu Songnian had indeed succeeded in obtaining a pardon for Yu Lin, citing her assistance to Du Lingruo in exposing Wang Shaolian’s crimes.
Her life had been spared.
Unfortunately, it was exactly the sort of rotten life she had described.
Fengming Emperor stripped away all her previous honors and achievements.
He also erased her household registration in Liangjing.
Yu Lin became a government slave.
Though she left the Ministry of Justice prison alive, she lost her freedom forever and became property that could be bought and sold.
Zhang Yao owned coffins but had no money.
Even next month’s salary was already gone—he had spent it in advance the previous month to order a shipment of fine timber being transported to Liangjing by water.
Standing before Shenwu Gate now, he was filled with regret.
This world really did know how to make life difficult.