Yin Shun smiled and said, "My dear Marquis, how could we lowly servants dare to presume the Emperor's divine will?"
His tone was gentle, but Xue Gui broke into a cold sweat. "Please forgive my offense, Your Excellency! This Marquis would never dare to speculate on His Majesty's thoughts!"
If such words reached the Emperor's ears, he might as well be skinned alive.
Princess Qingping cursed inwardly at his incompetence, her gaze fixed intently on Yin Shun.
Yin Shun gave her a knowing nod before approaching the Cao family.
Old Madam Cao shuffled forward on her knees. "Please, Your Excellency, convey to the Emperor that this guilty woman alone is to blame! I failed to discipline my son, allowing him to commit unspeakable crimes. I beg His Majesty's mercy—spare the rest of the Cao family!"
"Mother!" Cao Yang paled. "Eunuch Yin, Cao Dong was my younger brother! As the head of the Ministry of Justice, I knew the law yet failed to restrain him. The fault is mine. I willingly accept death—only spare my mother and brothers!"
Cao San and Cao Si clamored to take the blame as well.
Princess Qingping sighed and looked away, while Xue Gui watched with barely concealed glee.
What did it matter if Cao Yang was a high-ranking official or the Emperor's favorite?
Faced with a crime that implicated his entire family, even he had to kneel and beg for mercy!
Xue Gui stared at Chu Jing, hoping to see regret or fear in her eyes. But he was disappointed—her gaze remained steadfast, filled only with tenderness for Cao Yang, as if no one else existed.
Jealousy gnawed at him. Once the Cao family fell tonight, he would drag her back to his estate and make her suffer!
"Oh, Old Madam Cao, Lord Cao, you humble this old servant too much!" Yin Shun hurriedly gestured for them to rise. "His Majesty sent me to deliver a message, not to pass judgment! Lord Cao, compose yourself and accompany me to the palace at once!"
A stunned silence fell over the crowd.
Xue Gui blurted out, "To the palace? A criminal like him, and the Emperor still wishes to see him?"
Yin Shun cast him a sidelong glance. "If the Marquis doubts it, you may enter the palace and ask His Majesty yourself."
Xue Gui choked on his words, but Princess Qingping exhaled in relief. "If my royal brother still wishes to see you, there may yet be hope! Hurry and prepare—this could be your last chance!"
Cao Yang ignored her, first thanking Yin Shun before turning to Chu Jing.
Understanding his silent plea, she scrambled to adjust his robes. "My lord, be careful!"
He nodded, then faced Old Madam Cao. "Mother, your son must go now..."
"Go. Whether thunder or rain, all are blessings from Heaven."
Inside the Hall of Heavenly Favor, the Emperor, having just moved from his study, paused upon hearing the report. "'Whether thunder or rain, all are blessings from Heaven'... Well said, Old Madam Cao!"
As a ruler, he valued genuine submission far more than empty flattery. Those words moved him more than a thousand praises ever could.
Yin Shun led Cao Yang into the hall. The latter's gaze swept over Chu Huaishan and the others before landing on Yan Zheng in his wheelchair. He froze.
"Lord Cao, why hesitate? Pay your respects!"
Prompted, Cao Yang knelt. "Your guilty subject, Cao Yang, greets the Emperor!"
The Emperor hummed, glancing at Grand Tutor Rong.
The Grand Tutor spoke. "Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Cao Dong was implicated in the Yan family case. Now that he has taken his own life, and with Lord Cao and the Marquis of Pingjing present, why not have them confront each other openly to settle the matter?"
The Emperor nodded, but Cao Yang cut in firmly. "No need. Before his death, Cao Dong confessed to replacing military provisions and weapons, colluding with the Marquis of Pingjing to steal the city defense plans. Chu Huaishan can attest—this is the truth!"
The Emperor nearly choked.
He had orchestrated this confrontation to give Cao Yang a chance to explain himself to Yan Zheng!
Yet here he was, admitting everything outright!
Chu Huaishan had no choice but to confirm. "Indeed, at the Cao family banquet tonight, I personally heard Cao Dong confess. There is no doubt."
A heavy silence filled the hall.
All eyes turned to Yan Zheng.
His gaze, deep as a still pool, locked onto Cao Yang. "Then tell me, Lord Cao—why did Cao Dong do this?"
Cao Yang hesitated. The Emperor urged, "Speak!"
"Because... of Princess Ansheng." Cao Yang clenched his fists. "After her miscarriage years ago, Cao Dong blamed the Yan family. His revenge was born of personal hatred—a crime deserving death!"
He spun toward Yan Zheng and bowed deeply. "The Cao family has betrayed the Yans and the hundred thousand soldiers at the front! Whether execution or dismemberment, I submit to your judgment without complaint!"
Yan Zheng closed his eyes.
Since returning to the capital, he had sought nothing but the truth.
Now that it lay before him, he faltered...
The worried face of a woman flashed in his mind. If he destroyed the Cao family, would she... hate him?
"Did the Cao family... know of Cao Dong’s actions?"
"I swear on my life—they did not!"
Yan Zheng opened his eyes, his expression once again unreadable. "Then let one man’s crime not doom an entire family."
Relief washed over the Emperor and his ministers.
He wasn’t pursuing vengeance? Since when had the Marquis of Pingjing become so forgiving?
Cao Yang stood dumbfounded, shamefaced. "But... the Grand General and the heir..."
Yan Zheng’s eyes darkened, a crimson fury rising. "Which is why I ask Your Majesty to have Cao Dong’s body torn apart by horses, left to rot in the wilderness as carrion for dogs! As for his accomplices—execute them by a thousand cuts, their flesh offered in sacrifice to my father and brother!!"
The Emperor, eager to keep Cao Yang alive for his own purposes, waved a hand. "Draft an edict—grant the Marquis’ request! As for Cao Yang, though negligent, he is stripped of his posts as Minister of Justice and head of the Ministry of Revenue. He shall instead serve in the Grand Secretariat pending reassignment. The daughter of Chu Huaishan is hereby granted the title of County Princess Changle, with an estate of five hundred households!"
Outside the hall, Yin Shun escorted Cao Yang out. Princess Qingping had already left; only Xue Gui remained.
Tension rippled through the onlookers as they studied Cao Yang’s pale face—still reeling from Yan Zheng’s unexpected mercy.
The Cao family braced for the worst. Old Madam Cao steeled herself. "Speak. Your mother can bear it."
Before Cao Yang could answer, Yin Shun beamed. "Fear not, Old Madam. Though His Majesty has relieved Lord Cao of his duties, he is to serve in the Grand Secretariat. His future remains bright. Please, rise—all of you."
Before the Caos could react, Xue Gui shrieked, "The Grand Secretariat?!"
Everyone knew the Grand Secretariat held power surpassing even the Six Ministries!
This wasn’t punishment—it was a promotion in disguise!
"Eunuch Yin, surely there’s a mistake? Does His Majesty not know Cao Dong conspired against the Grand General? This is a crime warranting extermination of three generations!"
Yin Shun gasped in horror. "Marquis Chengen, have you lost your mind? Cao Dong’s wife is Princess Ansheng! To exterminate his family would mean executing the Emperor’s own—"
Xue Gui collapsed to his knees, kowtowing frantically. "I meant no such treason! None at all!!"
Meanwhile, the Cao family stood in dazed relief, their faces blank with disbelief.
Old Madam Cao still found it hard to believe: "Marquis Yan truly won’t pursue this further? The Grand General Yan and the Yan heir… those were six lives lost!"
Cao Yang glanced at his younger brother lying on the ground, ultimately refraining from mentioning the fate of being left for the dogs. "Mother, rest assured. Marquis Yan is a man of his word. Moreover, the Emperor has issued a decree—Cao Dong’s crimes will not implicate the entire clan. This time, we’ve narrowly escaped disaster…"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Yan Zheng’s wheelchair was pushed out from the Hall of Heavenly Favor.
Old Madam Cao hurried forward and knelt. "Thank you, Marquis, for your magnanimity!"
The rest of the Cao family followed suit, dropping to their knees.
Yan Zheng’s gaze swept over them coldly before settling on Chu Jing. "No need to thank me. I made a promise to someone—to spare the innocent."
The others were left bewildered, but Cao Yang and his wife seemed to grasp the implication. Cao Yang said, "Regardless, the Cao family owes you our deepest gratitude for sparing us. If there’s ever anything you require of us in the future—so long as it does not defy propriety or law—we will not refuse."
Yan Zheng arched a brow faintly. "Then pass a message to that person for me. Tomorrow at Chen hour, at Lucky Tavern. I’ll be waiting."
