The emperor roared in fury, "Yan Zheng! Have you not heard a single word I said?"
Yan Zheng remained motionless, his sleeves folded in a formal bow.
"Fine, fine! Do you truly believe I dare not touch you? Your family’s matriarch sought to cast you out just days ago. Do you not fear that with one imperial decree, I could strip you of even the Yan surname?"
The Son of Heaven’s wrath sent Chancellor Gu, the Marquis of Pingjing, and others to their knees in haste.
Only Yan Zheng sat calmly in his wheelchair. "If Your Majesty insists, this subject shall accept your judgment."
Crash—
The memorials on the imperial desk were swept to the floor in one furious motion.
Yin Shun hurriedly interceded, "Your Majesty, calm your anger! Surely the Marquis of Anning has yet to grasp the situation. Given time, he will understand your intentions!"
"Understand? It seems you are the one who fails to understand! This Yan fellow speaks of nothing but demanding the Marquis of Pingjing’s life in recompense!" The emperor turned his glare back to Yan Zheng. "What I find curious is this—your father and brother charged into an ambush of their own volition. Even without the leaked city defense plans, they were doomed! Why fixate on the Marquis of Pingjing instead of seeking vengeance against the southern barbarians?"
Yan Zheng lifted his gaze, unflinching. "Because he killed my elder brother."
Other debts could wait.
But for Yan Xun—from the day he crawled out of Hangu Pass, he had sworn an oath: not a moment’s delay, he would claim the head that slew him.
The emperor fell silent. A brother’s vengeance was justified.
Yet how he loathed the Marquis of Pingjing! Why stir trouble during wartime, leaving him now trapped between two impossible choices?
Sensing the emperor’s hesitation, the Marquis of Pingjing kowtowed frantically. "Your Majesty! Do not listen to the Marquis of Anning’s slander! This subject never sent anyone to steal the city defense plans—it is all his fabrication!"
The emperor wavered.
If pressed, he might have to accept the Marquis of Pingjing’s account...
Just then, a palace guard rushed in, breathless. "Your Majesty! Grand Tutor Rong, Duke Chu, and a host of ministers kneel outside the hall, demanding an audience!"
The emperor stiffened. "Even the Grand Tutor...?"
The guard added, "Grand Tutor Rong declared their petition concerns the Yan family—a matter of state. They implore Your Majesty to prioritize the realm’s stability, lest they remain kneeling indefinitely!"
With those words, any further hesitation became impossible.
Foolishly, the Marquis of Pingjing mistook their intent. "Your Majesty, grant them entry!" he cried.
The emperor lacked even the energy to glare. With a weary wave, he yielded.
Led by Grand Tutor Rong and Duke Chu Huaishan, a solemn procession of officials filed into the hall in two columns.
After the ceremonial bows, Grand Tutor Rong stepped forward, ceremonial tablet in hand. "Your Majesty! This old subject has learned the Marquis of Anning stands in this hall. As one condemned, has his name been cleared? By what right does he occupy the Fengtian Palace?"
The emperor faltered. The Marquis of Pingjing cut in, "It has not!"
Grand Tutor Rong nodded. "Then we humbly ask Your Majesty to declare—is the Yan family guilty or innocent?"
As his voice faded, Chu Huaishan and the assembled officials knelt as one. "We beg Your Majesty’s judgment!"
A sea of bowed heads pressed against the floor. The emperor found himself cornered.
Though he wished to shield the Marquis of Pingjing, he was no tyrant to twist truth into falsehood.
Yet this collective kneeling left him no choice—he must decide between them.
"This matter... is of grave importance. Let us reconvene—"
"Your Majesty!" Chu Huaishan stepped forth, voice ringing. "In the name of the Grand General who gave his life for the realm, and the four Yan sons who fell in battle—grant them justice!"
The emperor clenched his fists. Only then did the Marquis of Pingjing grasp the peril, snarling at Chu Huaishan, "What is your meaning? Will you shield your son-in-law?"
Chu Huaishan ignored him. "We who sit safe in the capital, basking in peace, owe all to those who bled on the frontiers! Your Majesty, this is not just before our eyes—the people watch, the world watches!"
Silence engulfed the hall.
The emperor exhaled. There was no escape.
"What would you have me do?"
Chu Huaishan glanced at Grand Tutor Rong. The elder statesman’s expression turned shrewd as he bowed. "We implore Your Majesty to hold a public trial—to reassure the people!"
Once more, the officials prostrated. The Fengtian Palace held its breath.
Yin Shun felt the air thicken. After an agonizing pause, the emperor relented. "Granted."
"Your Majesty—!"
The Marquis of Pingjing’s protest died under the emperor’s icy stare.
With a nod to Grand Tutor Rong, the old tutor announced, "Summon Minister of Revenue Cao Yang!"
The order echoed through the palace gates. Beyond the Meridian Gate, Cao Yang straightened his robes and strode forward.
After his bows, he addressed the throne. "Your Majesty, this subject has verified—the leak of Hangu Pass’s defense plans bears no connection to the Marquis of Anning. The testimony of Yan Xun’s attendant Ji He proves it!"
He presented the blood-written confession to Yin Shun, who gasped. "It’s inscribed in blood!"
Every stroke seethed with grief and fury.
The emperor read in solemn silence. At last, he spoke. "Since the truth is clear, the Marquis of Anning is pardoned."
"Your Majesty is wise!"
The chorus of praise rose, yet Yan Zheng remained still, his hollow gaze fixed on the throne.
That look sent a shiver through the emperor. He knew—if this continued, his cousin’s life was forfeit...
"With the Yan matter settled, Minister Cao, have the traitor who stole the plans executed at once!"
Grand Tutor Rong and Chu Huaishan cried out, "Your Majesty!"
The emperor’s voice turned glacial. "Grand Tutor, Duke Chu—you demanded a public trial. Do you now question my judgment?"
Even Grand Tutor Rong could press no further.
They had anticipated the emperor’s protection of the Marquis of Pingjing, but not such unwavering resolve.
The imperial word was law. There would be no reversal.
Yan Zheng’s eyes darkened like an abyss.
The Marquis of Pingjing, who had clung to hope, finally sagged in relief.
Amidst the ministers’ united pressure, he had feared his imperial cousin would yield. But the throne held firm...
Just as he steadied himself, a woman’s voice pierced the hall from beyond the doors:
"This subject, Lady Chu, brings the criminal Ajiao to plead for the Yan family’s innocence!"
Boom—boom—boom!
Every official stiffened.
Someone—someone had struck the Dengwen Drum outside the Fengtian Palace!
Even Yan Zheng turned, his cold mask cracking with shock.
Chu Huaishan staggered to the entrance. Under the moonlight, there stood his daughter, Chu Ruoyan, mallet in hand, before the towering drum.
"Ruoyan—stop!" His voice trembled.
That drum, established by the late emperor, had never once been sounded—until now.
Unmoved, Chu Ruoyan set down the mallet and knelt toward the hall.
"Your Majesty, this subject, Lady Chu, seeks your divine judgment—for my husband’s wronged house!"
