Han Tingyi’s face was streaked with pure terror at that moment. He seemed to have been scared out of his wits, clutching Minister of Works Han Xuan so tightly as if he had grabbed the only lifeline left. "Father! Father, save me! I don't want to die! You're the Minister of Works, you have to save me! Your son isn't ready to die, I haven't lived nearly enough!"
Minister of Works Han Xuan stared at his panicking, distraught son with a face drained of all color, as if he had just been struck by lightning.
"You—you've gone mad! You have a wife and a child, why did you forcibly seize that commoner girl? Even if you did that, why did you go so far as to murder those innocent women?"
Han Tingyi did not seem to hear a single word his father said, only clinging desperately to Han Xuan's robes, wailing and begging, "Father, save your son! You only have me as your one and only son! Save me, please!"
Minister of Works Han Xuan felt as if all his strength had been siphoned out of his body in that instant. He no longer had the vigor he had moments before. He pushed Han Tingyi away, knelt toward the emperor on the high dais with vacant eyes, and cried out in a hoarse, strained voice, "Your subject has failed to teach his son properly, your subject is guilty! My eldest son Han Tingyi has committed these heinous, unforgivable deeds. If he must pay with his life, if he deserves to die, this old servant will not utter a single word of complaint. But I have served as an official for thirty years. Even with only this one son, I have never once bribed the Vice Minister of Personnel. I will not admit to a crime I never committed!"
Dantai Ji turned to look at Fan Xiuwen, who had thrown the entire court into an uproar, and said, "Lord Fan, what is your take on this matter?"
Fan Xiuwen spoke in a composed, unyielding tone, "This matter can only be cleared up if we ask Vice Minister Xu."
All the officials in the room then turned their gazes to Vice Minister Xu, the very first person to be impeached.
Vice Minister Xu said not a single word, only huddled on the ground with his head ducked low, as if his very soul had already fled his body.
He heard Fan Xiuwen call his name, and kept his head bowed as he mumbled, "Your subject knows nothing. I have never taken any bribes!"
Fan Xiuwen let out a cold snort. "Since Vice Minister Xu refuses to confess, I beg Your Majesty to immediately send officers to conduct a thorough search of Vice Minister Xu's residence. Let us see if he has taken any bribes, and if he is truly as spotless and untainted as he claims!"
Vice Minister Xu's limbs went limp all at once. He collapsed flat on the floor, and began to wail.
"I— I confess! Your Majesty, spare my life! It was I who was blinded by greed, it was I who lusted after silver and gold! This was all my doing, and my fault alone!"
The moment Vice Minister Xu's confession rang out, the entire grand hall erupted into another wave of murmurs.
No one could help but sigh in disbelief. A Vice Minister of Personnel, for the sake of silver, had committed such a shameless, disgraceful act! Everyone had known Vice Minister Xu as one of the most impoverished, honest households in the entire capital. He could not even scrape together a decent betrothal gift for his own son's wedding. No one would have guessed he was a corrupt official taking bribes behind closed doors.
Even more astounding was that Fan Xiuwen, Lord Fan, who had just joined the Censorate, had managed to unmask two corrupt worms in the imperial court.
In an instant, all the civil and military officials in the hall wore different expressions: some were pleasantly surprised, some were terrified, some were curious, and others were clearly eager to stoke the flames of this scandal just to watch a good show.
The emperor was filled with overwhelming disappointment and fury.
Over on his side, Minister of Works Han Xuan was still furiously yelling questions at Vice Minister of Personnel Xu Zhenyi.
"I never gave you any silver to bribe you, let alone ask you to arrange a post for my son! Speak! Tell His Majesty the truth! Clear my name!"
Vice Minister of Personnel Xu Zhenyi opened his mouth and said, "It was your wife who gave me a thousand taels of silver, to ask me to secure a good, local post in the capital for your son. Did Minister Han truly not know anything about this?"
Han Xuan's eyes flew wide open. He staggered backward, and his eyes rolled back into his head before he fainted dead away right there in the grand hall.
That was right. Minister of Works Han Xuan had fainted from sheer rage.
His son was still kneeling on the floor, sobbing and begging for his life.
The Vice Minister of Personnel was also on his knees before the dais, begging for mercy.
Looking at the unconscious Minister of Works Han Xuan, the emperor's face darkened. He stood up from his dragon throne, swept his gaze across the chaotic hall, and spoke with imperial authority, "Issue my decree. This entire case shall be taken over jointly by the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review. The corruption case of the Vice Minister of Personnel must be investigated to the very last detail. Seize all his family property, and confiscate it into the national treasury. All involved parties shall be dismissed from their posts and thoroughly interrogated. As for Secretariat Drafter Han Tingyi, who forcibly seized commoner girls and committed countless murders, his crimes shall be fully investigated without exception!"
The chief ministers of the three judicial bodies all knelt down to receive the decree, vowing that they would get to the bottom of this case.
Dantai Ji turned around, swept his gaze across the uneasy officials, and paused for a moment specifically on Fan Xiuwen, before he said, "Is there any other matter to report?"
No one dared to answer. Many people turned their eyes toward Fan Xiuwen.
Dantai Ji said, "Court is adjourned."
All the officials, save for the unconscious Minister of Works Han Xuan, bowed in unison. "We respectfully see Your Majesty off!"
The emperor left the hall. The grand hall fell into complete silence for a long while.
After that, the Vice Minister of Personnel, the Minister of Works, and the Secretariat Drafter were all led away. The assembled officials did not leave immediately. They gathered in small groups, patting their chests in relief as they chattered about what had just happened that day.
Every official who crossed paths with Fan Xiuwen would force a smile, greet him respectfully as Lord Fan, and try their best to appear cordial.
Unfortunately, Lord Fan rarely smiled. He simply put away his ceremonial tablet, held his head high, and walked past the crowd to leave the grand hall.
The moment Fan Xiuwen was gone, Rongyao, who had hidden herself in the shadows to watch the entire proceeding, scrambled to her feet. Her face was flushed with excitement as she trotted quickly, heading toward the outer court.
Meanwhile, the emperor who had just finished the morning court walked straight toward the rear palace, only to find the rear hall completely empty.
Dantai Ji asked the eunuchs standing guard at the door, "Didn't the princess come today?"
The eunuch hurriedly answered, "She did, Your Majesty. The princess only left a moment ago."
Dantai Ji felt confused. His daughter had never left so hastily before. Every other time Yaoyao snuck in to watch the morning court, she would wait for him here, pestering him to answer all sorts of questions after the session ended. Today's court had been such a rousing, dramatic spectacle, he had fully expected Yaoyao to badger him for hours. He never imagined she would leave so early.
Dantai Ji shook his head, rubbed his temples, and did not dwell on the thought, heading to the Wenyuan Pavilion to attend to state affairs.
Over at the outer court, groups of officials were filing out of the Golden Throne Hall, heading toward the palace gates.
Fan Xiuwen had just stepped down the stone steps when someone called out to him.
"Lord Fan, a moment please!"
He turned around, and bowed respectfully to the man who had called him.
"This low official greets Grand Secretary Zhang."
Grand Secretary Zhang looked at the spirited, unyielding young official before him, and the more he looked, the more pleased he felt. He had once served in the Censorate himself, many years ago, back when he had been just as fearless, unafraid of powerful figures, and determined to root out corrupt officials for the good of the people.
Fan Xiuwen was even bolder and more dauntless than he had been. He was like a sharp blade, slicing through the heavy haze that had hung over the imperial court.
"I was right to place my trust in you," Grand Secretary Zhang said. "You truly are an upright and uncorrupted official."
Fan Xiuwen bowed again, lowering his head. "Your praise is too high, Grand Secretary. This low official does not deserve such an honor."
"No," Grand Secretary Zhang insisted. "You are far more exceptional than I ever imagined. In less than five years, you brought order and prosperity to Xinghua County. Now, barely after joining the Censorate, you have rooted out the corrupt pests in the capital, fighting for the people. You have not lost the integrity of a scholar, nor the fiery spirit of youth, nor your original resolve. You are more than worthy of my praise."
Fan Xiuwen lifted his eyes slightly, his hand tightening at his side. "Thank you, Grand Secretary, for your kind words."
Grand Secretary Zhang continued, "But you handle matters far too aggressively. From what I have observed of your character, you are not an impatient man. Why were you in such a rush today? If you keep acting this way, you will surely anger the powerful nobles and put yourself in grave danger, drawing unwanted trouble onto your own head. The work of impeaching corrupt officials should be done step by step, with more caution."
Fan Xiuwen's expression did not shift. He simply replied, "The common people cannot afford to wait. This official will not stop. One day sooner that the corrupt officials and vile underlings are brought to justice, one more good day the people will get to enjoy."
Grand Secretary Zhang paused for a moment, then frowned and said, "Do you realize that a fine official like you, if you were to lose your life at the hands of those treacherous, greedy officials, would be a tremendous loss to the Great Zhou Dynasty? You must protect your own safety, climb the ranks step by step, and earn the emperor's full trust and favor. Only then can you root out corrupt officials and all those shameless evildoers who prey on the common folk far more effectively."
Fan Xiuwen lowered his gaze and said, "Thank you for your reminder, Grand Secretary."
Grand Secretary Zhang stepped forward and patted Fan Xiuwen on the shoulder. "You are an exceptional public servant. Brimming with knowledge and competence, you are the youngest jinshi in the entire Great Zhou, a truly rare and outstanding talent. Do not ruin yourself over rash impatience, and do not let this old man down by stumbling into the mire of political ruin."
With those words, Grand Secretary Zhang took his leave. He walked with steady strides, his official tablet held in hand, moving steadily forward step by step.
Fan Xiuwen stared at Grand Secretary Zhang's receding back for a long while, no trace of joy on his face. He pressed his lips together tightly, then lifted his foot to continue on his way.
But he had only taken two steps when he met resistance.
Someone had grabbed hold of the hem of his official robe.
Fan Xiuwen turned around in confusion, and froze where he stood.
