Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for your subject!”
Before the courtiers could even perform their ceremonial bows, the General stepped forward and knelt in a grand salute as soon as the Emperor took his seat.
The Emperor’s brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly resumed his usual faint smile, betraying no emotion. “General, please rise and speak your mind,” he said calmly.
“No! I fear that standing would dishonor my daughter,” the General replied, remaining on his knees without lifting his head. His sorrowful tone left the other courtiers exchanging bewildered glances, their eyes alight with curiosity.
“How does this involve your daughter?” the Emperor asked, puzzled, casting a sidelong glance at the solitary Imperial Preceptor standing nearby.
Among the assembled courtiers, the Imperial Preceptor stood out in her purple court robes, exuding an air of noble detachment. A palpable void seemed to surround her, setting her apart from the others like an immortal who had just descended to the mortal realm, untouched by worldly clamor.
Her elongated eyes were partially veiled by the strands of hair that fell across her forehead, her long lashes fluttering slightly as the strands swayed gently against her pale cheeks.
“Last night, my daughter happened upon Assistant Minister Wen, who had collapsed by the roadside from exhaustion. Out of kindness, my daughter offered her a ride. Yet, that scoundrel, she dared to behave indecently toward my daughter!”
“Outrageous!” The Emperor slammed his hand on the table in fury, causing the General to flinch. He glanced up at the enraged sovereign and immediately lowered his head again.
The courtiers all knelt in unison. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”
Gritting his teeth, the Emperor demanded, “Tell me, how is your daughter now?”
“My daughter was terrified. She dared not sleep all night upon returning home. My wife stayed by her side until dawn, and she only just fell asleep as I left for court this morning,” the General lamented, his voice growing even more sorrowful.
“Your Majesty, I beg you to uphold justice for your subject!”
Murmurs spread among the courtiers. There had long been rumors of Assistant Minister Wen’s disregard for rules, her wild and unrestrained behavior, her frivolous conduct. But no one expected her to dare lay hands on the General’s daughter!
“Very well, very well. I shall uphold justice for you. Please rise first,” the Emperor said, attempting to soothe the General.
His peripheral gaze shifted to the Imperial Preceptor, and anxiety gnawed at him as he took in her composed expression.
If you don’t speak up now, I’ll really have to punish her!
Meeting the Emperor’s expectant look, the Imperial Preceptor took a step forward. “Your Majesty, I have already visited the dungeon. Assistant Minister Wen has admitted her wrongdoing and vowed never to repeat it.”
“What kind of talk is this, Imperial Preceptor? Does a mere admission of guilt suffice? Should she not be punished?” the General retorted, glaring at her.
The court fell silent. The other ministers held their breaths, and the Minister of Justice, Xiong, kept his head bowed low, fearing any connection to the matter since the accused was held in his jurisdiction.
The Imperial Preceptor regarded the fuming General with a calm demeanor. “She has already received forty strokes of the heavy rod. The punishment has been carried out.”
Minister Xiong stole a glance at the Imperial Preceptor. Forty strokes? Hadn’t she nearly lost her composure after just four?
“Hah!” The General stared at her in disbelief before turning back to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, please discern the truth. This is not the first time Assistant Minister Wen has harassed a virtuous woman. Even the Imperial Preceptor’s own cousin fell victim to her misdeeds, as Your Majesty well knows. I cannot fathom why the Imperial Preceptor continues to shield her!”
The Emperor’s eyebrows arched slightly he, too, was curious. But now was not the time for curiosity. He spoke gently, “General, the matter concerning the Imperial Preceptor’s cousin has already been clarified as a misunderstanding. Assistant Minister Wen is an honest person who tends to compliment others’ beauty without any ill intent.”
“But…”
The Emperor raised his hand to interrupt the general’s words: “It was I who ordered the State Preceptor to go to the prison. The punishment has been meted out, and she has already promised not to repeat her actions. There’s no need for the general to dwell on this matter further. If she were truly punished, others might think something serious had happened to your daughter, which wouldn’t be good for the young lady either.”
“This…” The general was momentarily stunned. It was clear the Emperor was siding with the State Preceptor. Just moments ago, he hadn’t even known what had happened, and now it was being framed as the Emperor’s own order for the State Preceptor to visit the prison.
“Very well, I will deduct a year’s salary from her as a lesson and to appease your daughter.”
“Your Majesty, I…” The general had no intention of letting Wen Ningwan off so easily. “I merely believe such a person is unworthy of serving as the Deputy Chief of the Dali Temple. It tarnishes Your Majesty’s dignity and corrupts the court’s integrity. A mere salary deduction is far too lenient. Why not sentence her to a month of hard labor at the Heavenly Altar? That would teach her a proper lesson!”
Minister Xiong was taken aback and glanced at the State Preceptor. The crowd murmured among themselves, the Heavenly Altar was a sacred site for rituals, built to pray for favorable weather and national peace.
Hard labor there could easily cost one’s life. The Heavenly Altar stood atop a solitary mountain dozens of meters high, surrounded on all sides by sheer cliffs.
Three sides were enclosed by mountains, while the fourth faced the imperial palace in the capital from afar. The three sides were connected to the opposite peaks by a single iron-chain bridge, a treacherous path where many laborers had fallen to their deaths before even reaching the altar, their bodies shattered beyond recognition.
Given Deputy Chief Wen’s frail physique, she likely wouldn’t even dare to set foot on that bridge.
The Emperor, too, was well aware of the extreme dangers of the Heavenly Altar. The general was clearly aiming for Wen Ningwan’s death. Not daring to make a rash decision, the Emperor turned to the State Preceptor.
The State Preceptor remained composed, her expression cool as ever. “Deputy Chief Wen holds crucial leads in the case of the Yan Kingdom’s crown prince’s murder. Sending her to hard labor would be unwise.”
“Leads? What leads? As far as I know, she hasn’t even investigated the case. Where would these leads come from?” the general sneered. “Could it be that the State Preceptor is bending the law for personal gain, fabricating excuses to spare her punishment?”
“Minister Xiong was present at the time. Deputy Chief Wen stated she possessed important leads,” the State Preceptor replied calmly.
The Emperor inwardly sighed in relief finally, a reason to release her. Given the State Preceptor’s stance last night and her unorthodox actions this morning, sentencing Wen Ningwan to hard labor at the Heavenly Altar might truly push the State Preceptor to the brink.
Minister Xiong, his heart heavy, stepped forward. “It is true.”
“Very well, then give her three days to uncover the truth and deliver justice to the Yan Kingdom. If she fails.”
The Emperor glanced at the State Preceptor, who said, “There will be time for punishment if she fails.”
“Good!” The general smirked at the State Preceptor before addressing the Emperor. “Your Majesty, if she fails, it will prove she never had any leads. The crime of deceiving the throne surely warrants more than mere hard labor at the Heavenly Altar, wouldn’t you agree?”
The Emperor frowned slightly before forcing a benevolent smile. “Then what does the general propose if she fails?”
“The crime of deceiving the throne is punishable by death!” the general declared coldly.
The Emperor’s heart tightened, but he maintained his smile. “That seems excessive. In investigations, even with crucial leads, unforeseen circumstances can arise. It hardly warrants a charge of deceiving the throne.”
“Your Majesty, you must not be too lenient,” the general pressed.
The Grand Tutor glanced at the troubled Emperor and said, “If the truth cannot be uncovered, it shall be treated as the crime of deceiving the sovereign.”
“???”
Are you serious? The Emperor tilted his head in confusion, staring at the Grand Tutor, but quickly composed himself and nodded.
“As the Grand Tutor suggests.”
＊＊
Wen Ningwan emerged from the imperial prison, where Miao Shiyi was waiting outside. Limping, Wen Ningwan rushed toward her and enveloped her in a bear hug.
Miao Shiyi was startled as Wen Ningwan excitedly patted her back with force.
“Shiyi! My dear! I finally see you, I thought I was really done for this time!”
The Grand Tutor, having just left the court, happened to witness the scene as Wen Ningwan threw herself at Miao Shiyi. With a slight arch of her brow, she walked past them expressionlessly, not sparing them a glance.
Wen Ningwan, still clinging to Miao Shiyi, spotted the Grand Tutor passing behind her and immediately withdrew her arms.
“Does this count as harassment?”
Miao Shiyi snapped out of her daze, turning to look at the departing Grand Tutor, then back at Wen Ningwan’s nervous face.
“You only have three days,” the Grand Tutor said without turning around.
Wen Ningwan limped after her, rubbing her sore backside. “What three days?”
“If the true culprit isn’t found within three days, it’s the crime of deceiving the sovereign punishable by beheading.”
“Why?” Wen Ningwan stared at the Grand Tutor in utter bewilderment.
The Grand Tutor cast a sidelong glance at the limping figure beside her and patiently explained, “Didn’t you claim to have crucial leads? If you can’t uncover the culprit despite having such leads, it proves you never had any hence, the crime of deceiving the sovereign.”
“But I never had any to begin with!” Wen Ningwan exclaimed in shock, and the Grand Tutor stared at her in disbelief.
Wen Ningwan spread her hands. “Really, I didn’t. I thought you were hinting for me to lie to save myself!”
The Grand Tutor massaged her temples, took a deep breath, and swept her gaze over Wen Ningwan before nodding. “You’re something else.”
Wen Ningwan stuck out her tongue innocently and quickly latched onto the Grand Tutor’s arm. “Save me, Grand Tutor!”
Miao Shiyi trailed behind, watching Wen Ningwan’s shameless bootlicking with disdain.
The Grand Tutor tried to pull her arm back, but Wen Ningwan clung tightly, biting her lip and gazing at her pitifully, refusing to let go.
“Do you want to go back to the imperial prison?” the Grand Tutor said coldly. “Let go!”
Wen Ningwan immediately released her, only to immediately seize her sleeve instead.
The Grand Tutor tried to tug her sleeve free, but Wen Ningwan held on with an iron grip.
“…” The Grand Tutor broke into a sweat. “Fine, let go. I’ll help you.”
“Thank you, Grand Tutor!” Wen Ningwan beamed with joy but still didn’t let go.
One hand clutched the Grand Tutor’s sleeve, while the other rubbed her sore backside.
Miao Shiyi, standing behind them, eyed her curiously. “Young Minister, what’s wrong with you?”
“It’s swollen. Feel it if you don’t believe me, there’s a huge lump,” Wen Ningwan whined, turning to look at Miao Shiyi with puppy-dog eyes.
Miao Shiyi blinked. It was the first time someone had ever made such a request to her. Smirking, she said, “Shall I really feel it?”
The Grand Tutor raised her hand, smoothly pulling Wen Ningwan’s grip away from her sleeve and dodging Miao Shiyi’s outstretched hand.
Miao Shiyi’s hand met empty air, and she gaped at the Grand Tutor in astonishment. Meanwhile, Wen Ningwan blinked, staring at the hand now holding hers, and grinned triumphantly.
“Look, look! The Grand Tutor is taking liberties with me!”