After the attendant reported back, he strode fiercely toward Zhao Kuangzhi, who stumbled backward in terror and dropped to his knees before Princess Tijia: "Princess, save me!"
Princess Tijia's face darkened with displeasure as she spat, "Useless thing."
If he couldn't handle the task, what use was begging her now?
The attendant hoisted Zhao Kuangzhi up and dragged him out of the hall.
Moments later, the wretched screams of Zhao Kuangzhi pierced the air from outside.
The screams cut through the biting wind, one after another, utterly pitiful and brutal.
With every strike of the rod, it seemed to land directly on Chen Sizhen's spine.
Chen Sizhen broke out in a cold sweat, trembling all over: "Pr-Pr-Princess..."
He was terrified, desperate to plead for mercy, frantically trying to push his wheelchair—but his chair was a specially made noble's wheelchair, heavy and solid, and with his pampered, fragile hands, he couldn't budge it an inch.
Yan Tongshu turned to the crowd of onlookers who were among Chen Sizhen's staunchest supporters: "In this world, no one is perfect. Every person has flaws and strengths. If we enjoy a person's strengths when we need them, yet cling to their flaws and mistakes when we don't—blowing them out of proportion to shirk responsibility and escape guilt—then public decency and moral order will cease to exist. Lady Qing is human, not a god. Being human, she cannot possibly handle every matter flawlessly. Chen Sizhen abandoned his wife and children, neglected his birth mother, and instead of reflecting on his own faults, he tried to blame and smear his wife to evade punishment. He must be sentenced to the fullest extent of the law."
Accompanied by the screams of Zhao Kuangzhi coming from outside, Yan Tongshu's voice rang out like a summons from the netherworld.
She said coldly, "Per the laws of this dynasty, a man who remarries without divorcing his first wife, with no acceptable extenuating circumstances, shall serve three years in prison. One who abandons his birth mother shall receive thirty strokes of the rod and seven years of servitude. In total, ten years. Guards, strip Chen Sizhen of his consort robes and throw him in the dungeon."
Ideally, most of Chen Sizhen's wealth should have been compensated to Lady Qing as well, but since Chen Sizhen was a consort and owned no property of his own—it all belonged to the princess—Yan Tongshu had no choice but to skip the restitution.
"Yan Tongshu, how dare you!"
Princess Tijia shot to her feet, shielding Chen Sizhen from view as she glared at the attendants with icy eyes: "I am the princess! Who would dare touch him while I stand here?!"
Zhang Jiu said in a low, firm voice, "Your Highness, even the Son of Heaven is subject to the same laws as the common people when he breaks them."
"That's just it," Princess Tijia laughed coldly. "Commoners are commoners. How are they fit to be mentioned in the same breath as my consort?"
Yan Tongshu lifted her gaze, piercing straight into the princess's face: "Your Highness, this is Kaifeng Prefecture, not your princess's mansion. Please don't make things difficult for us."
With that, Yan Tongshu gave no time for Princess Tijia to react and simply issued the order: "Arrest him."
Wang Tuwei, the Commander of the Divine Strategy Army, stepped forward, blocking the way between the princess and Consort Chen, glaring fiercely.
The prefecture attendants were, after all, mere yamen runners, and facing military might, they couldn't help but hesitate.
Just as Yan Tongshu refused to yield an inch, Princess Tijia suddenly pulled a rolled-up scroll of bright yellow silk from her sleeve and raised it high: "I have the Empress Dowager's edict in hand! Who dares to act rashly?!"
In a shuffle, everyone inside and outside the hall fell to their knees.
Everyone except Yan Tongshu, who remained seated, bolt upright.
In the crowd, Qin Yi, along with Lu Xi, and Meng Yi had slipped into a corner, hiding themselves from view.
Princess Tijia's eyes went wide with shock: "Yan Tongshu, are you plotting rebellion? You see the Empress Dowager's edict and still refuse to kneel?"
Yan Tongshu raised an eyebrow: "What does the edict say? How am I supposed to know if it's genuine or a forgery?"
"You—how dare you doubt the authenticity of an imperial edict?" Princess Tijia unfurled the scroll and read aloud in a clear voice: "Feng Qingniang, during her husband's seven-year absence, has dutifully served her mother-in-law with filial piety and lovingly raised her young son—a true paragon of feminine virtue. We hereby bestow upon her a chastity arch and one thousand taels of silver to honor her conduct. Additionally, a three-courtyard estate in Jiangzhou is granted to her as compensation. She is hereby ordered to dissolve her marriage with the consort and return to her hometown to live out her remaining years in peace. As for the consort's conduct, it was but a momentary lapse, and leniency is appropriate. He shall be punished by being confined to his residence for three years to reflect on his faults, in hopes he may reform and observe his proper bounds."
As she finished reading, Princess Tijia looked at Yan Tongshu with a mocking gaze: "Did you hear that clearly, Magistrate Yan?"
Yan Tongshu's expression remained as calm as a deep, still pool: "Every word was crystal clear."
Princess Tijia flicked her sleeve and turned to leave: "Good. Then I shall take my consort back home for his confinement."
She was about to leave with her people when Yan Tongshu spoke unhurriedly: "Since Her Majesty the Empress Dowager intends to punish Consort Chen with additional confinement after his sentence is served, this official sees no objection. As such, I shall add the three years of house confinement on top of Consort Chen's ten-year prison term—thirteen years in total."
Having deliberately twisted the Empress Dowager's edict to suit her interpretation, Yan Tongshu circled right back to her original point.
She gave the order: "Take him. Anyone who interferes, kill."
Princess Tijia was incensed to the point of a heart attack: "You dare blaspheme the Empress Dowager's edict, and threaten your princess with death?!"
Yan Tongshu's demeanor never wavered, utterly unshaken: "Your Highness, rather than worry about your consort, you might do better to worry about yourself."
Princess Tijia furrowed her brow, sensing something was off: "What do you mean?"
Yan Tongshu turned to the side of the hall: "Clerk. Repeat the words Princess Tijia spoke earlier regarding her former consort, exactly as you recorded them."
By now, the clerk was trembling in abject terror, cowering in the corner, doing his best to remain invisible.
At Yan Tongshu's summons, he stood up shakily, frantically flipping through his record book to the page about Princess Tijia, and repeated it word for word—
"Ha! I didn't marry that man—I took a husband. My former consort Wang Qie was forever chasing after women, getting drunk in brothels and alleys, lacking any sense of husbandly virtue, and his leg was broken by me out of sheer justice. The Spring Wind Pavilion was shameless for seducing my consort, and I merely killed a few cheap slave girls. Not having burned the place down was already an act of mercy."
As the clerk finished, Xu Qiu stepped forward with two bouncers from the Spring Wind Pavilion.
These two bouncers had once worked at the pavilion but were cast out three years ago after being crippled in a brawl. Penniless and destitute, Zhao Sheng had searched long and hard for them, and had only managed to find them after calling in favors through Gao Qi's connections.
The two men knelt and confessed everything, directly pointing the finger at Princess Tijia for the murders at the Spring Wind Pavilion.
After hearing their testimonies, Yan Tongshu's gaze was like a blade, cutting straight into Princess Tijia: "Your Highness, you have taken lives."
Princess Tijia shrugged it off, not denying a thing: "I merely had a few cheap women beaten to death."
Yan Tongshu: "Those were five human lives."
"So what!" Princess Tijia lifted her chin with a sneer. "Those five were cheap women who seduced my consort—prostitutes. Being killed by me was their honor. Prostitutes hold the lowest status and aren't even considered people. Even if I'd beaten them to death, all it'd take is some silver to make up for it."
Yan Tongshu's voice rang out heavy as iron: "Even if prostitutes are of base status, they belonged to the Spring Wind Pavilion, not to your princess's household. Human life is above all else. The Son of Heaven is subject to the same law as the common man."
As if sensing what Yan Tongshu intended to do, Princess Tijia abruptly forgot about Chen Sizhen and scrambled behind Wang Tuwei for cover. Wang Tuwei's sword clanged out of its sheath, the blade pointing straight at Yan Tongshu.
But Yan Tongshu didn't so much as twitch an eyebrow. She coolly uttered two words: "Meng Zheng."
Meng Zheng stepped forward, and Yan Tongshu commanded: "Arrest Princess Tijia, bind her, and throw her in the dungeon, pending further orders."
Even Meng Zheng was stunned—let alone everyone else in the room.
He was a Fifth-Rank Commander of the Divine Guard Army, and Yan Tongshu wanted him to arrest Princess Tijia—the niece of Prince Ming, the most favored by the Dowager Empress, and a woman of the lofty First Rank?
Was she joking?
Meng Zheng didn’t move, and Princess Tijia breathed a sigh of relief.
She was a First-Rank princess of the court, after all. She refused to believe that anyone would dare risk execution just to avenge a few beaten-to-death prostitutes by arresting her.
Princess Tijia lifted her chin slightly and turned to leave under Wang Tuwei’s escort.
Chen Sizhen begged desperately for Princess Tijia to take him with her, but with flames licking at her own heels, she had no time for him now.
“Meng Zheng.”
Yan Tongshu spoke again, calling Meng Zheng’s name, then raised her hand, extending her index finger to signal a single word: one.
Meng Zheng’s pupils shook.
Yan Tongshu said in a deep voice: “Take her.”
Princess Tijia had just taken three steps when Meng Zheng drew his blade and charged at her. Wang Tuwei swung his sword to block him.
Wang Tuwei’s bull-like eyes went wide as he fought and retreated: “Meng Zheng, are you insane? What did Yan Tongshu promise you that you’d dare lay a hand on Princess Tijia?”
Meng Zheng slashed fiercely: “I owe her one.”
One condition.
A handshake to seal the oath.
Any condition at all.
So long as it didn’t violate morality or the law.
To be fulfilled at any time.
A man of honor keeps his word.
Seeing the fight break out, the Divine Strategy Army and the princess’s personal guards outside tried to rush in to protect her, but they were blocked by the Divine Guard Army and the Kaifeng Prefecture bailiffs, blades drawn. In that standoff, a single spark would have ignited the powder keg, and no one dared make a false move.
The situation was turning against her.
Princess Tijia sensed the danger and tried to flee while Meng Zheng was locked in combat with Wang Tuwei. That was when Zhang Jiu walked over and pulled a blade from the scabbard of a nearby bailiff.
“Princess!”
Wang Tuwei, having taken a cut from Meng Zheng, charged forward and swung his sword at Zhang Jiu. Zhang Jiu raised his blade and deflected the strike. Yan Tongshu was stunned.
Zh-Zh-Zh-Zhang Jiu… could fight?!
So this was the strength of the Tanhua of the thirty-third year of the Qiangan era?
Yan Tongshu turned to Li Fulin: “Vice-Prefect Li.”
Li Fulin blinked. This entire court session had sent his heart racing, and he’d barely dared to blink the whole time. Now that he finally did, his eyes stung dry.
Li Fulin asked: “What does Magistrate Yan command?”
Yan Tongshu asked with surprise: “Don’t tell me you know martial arts too?”
Li Fulin’s mouth twitched violently: “To answer Magistrate Yan, I am a civil official. Among the six arts, I only know simple horse riding and archery. Nothing else.”
Yan Tongshu let out an “oh” of disappointment, a pity. She’d thought the Kaifeng Prefecture was full of hidden dragons, with every civil official skilled in combat.
While the two were talking, Zhang Jiu had already brought his blade to Princess Tijia’s throat: “Princess, forgive the offense.”
Princess Tijia hissed through gritted teeth: “You just wait, I’ll make you pay.”
At the same moment, Meng Zheng kicked Wang Tuwei hard in the chest, sending him to the ground. The blade swept across his neck, then the tip pressed into the dirt beside it: “Commissioner Wang, calm down, or your neck might snap.”
Wang Tuwei froze at once.
Seeing that the situation was settled, Yan Tongshu ordered: “Princess Tijia is guilty of killing five people. She is to be held in the main jail, and after we report to His Majesty, she will be punished according to law. Chen Sizhen will be detained in prison and, in three days, escorted to serve his sentence. Wang Tuwei disrupted the court; he is to receive thirty lashes and be thrown out of the courtroom.”
Meng Zheng fell silent again.
Truly, the ever-righteous Magistrate Yan. She not only wanted to punish Consort Chen, she wanted to sentence Princess Tijia herself.
She not only wanted Princess Tijia to pay for her crimes, she wanted to flog Wang Tuwei, the Commander of the Divine Strategy Army.
He could already picture the bloody uproar in the imperial court come morning.
Yan Tongshu struck the gavel: “Court adjourned.”
Long after they had left, the stunned crowd outside the courtroom, and the Divine Strategy Army and princess’s guards still surrounded by the Divine Guard Army and Kaifeng Prefecture bailiffs, had not dispersed.
The onlookers were shocked.
Neither the Divine Guard Army nor the Divine Strategy Army dared to retreat first—afraid that if they took a single step back, the other side would go for the kill.
Qin Yi couldn’t suppress the smile at the corner of his lips. He laughed for a long while, then sighed: “What an upright young champion, what a Yan Tongshu.”
Qin Yi turned to Meng Yi, the Commander of the Divine Guard Army and father of Meng Zheng, and teased: “General Meng, I doubt your son has ever obeyed you half as well as he obeyed her today.”
Meng Yi lowered his head with a helpless look: “My son’s actions today startled me too. When I return, I will be sure to ask him what exactly happened between him and Magistrate Yan.”
Qin Yi stepped onto his carriage: “Go on, and while you’re at it, send both armies crowding in front of the Kaifeng Prefecture back to their posts.”
Meng Yi: “Yes, I obey.”
Qin Yi mounted his carriage and seemed to think of something. He lifted the curtain: “That corpse, it’s not of much use now. Dispose of it as well.”
Meng Yi replied respectfully: “Yes, I obey.”
The carriage rolled away at a leisurely pace, and Meng Yi let out a heavy breath.
Although he and the emperor were close—he had once saved the emperor’s life—serving at the side of a ruler was like lying beside a tiger. Every moment demanded a taut nerve, and it was exhausting.
Meng Yi looked back at the Kaifeng Prefecture building.
The crowd of onlookers gradually dispersed, and it was easy to imagine that for the next month, the trial of the princess and the consort would sweep through every street and alley.
Meng Yi clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze drifting into the Kaifeng Prefecture.
This Magistrate Yan Tongshu truly exceeded the expectations of both the emperor and himself.
The corpse had originally been kept in reserve—once they were certain Yan Tongshu had the courage and the strength to stand against the princess’s household, they would hand it over to her, to use as leverage in dealing with the Dowager Empress and Prince Ming.
But after Yan Tongshu’s barrage of moves, the princess was now in jail, and that alone was enough of a bargaining chip. The corpse had become redundant.
Meng Yi untied the reins, swung himself onto his horse, and rode to the front of the Kaifeng Prefecture.
He was a Third-Rank Commander, laden with countless military honors, and more than worthy of the title.
With his appearance, the Divine Guard Army and the Divine Strategy Army immediately fell back into order.
One soldier from the Divine Strategy Army spoke up: “General Meng, Commissioner Wang is still inside the Kaifeng Prefecture taking his punishment.”
Meng Yi swept him with a tiger’s glare, and the man shut his mouth: “The Kaifeng Prefecture is what it is. Drawing a blade inside—that is contempt for the law. Thirty lashes is letting him off easy. Back to camp.”
The questioner, too low in rank to argue, led his men back to the Divine Strategy Army camp.
...
In the backyard of the Kaifeng Prefecture, Li Fulin wiped cold sweat from his brow: “Merciful heavens. Magistrate Yan, Vice-Prefect Zhang, you two nearly scared me to death. My official robes are soaked through with sweat.”
Zhang Jiu didn’t answer.
Yan Tongshu shrugged. Well, what could she do? The princess and her consort were the ones who’d broken the law.
Li Fulin finished wiping his sweat and tucked the cloth into his sleeve: “Magistrate Yan, the verdict has been handed down, but if the Dowager Empress takes offense and questions us at court tomorrow...”
Yan Tongshu snorted: “What’s that got to do with me? That’s the emperor’s headache, not mine.”
That dog of an emperor had used her. She wasn’t going to clean up his mess.
With that, Yan Tongshu returned to her study.
Since she’d streamlined the procedures at the Kaifeng Prefecture, her workload had dropped significantly. Even the paperwork on her desk had been cut in half.
Hooray.
Yan Tongshu hummed a cheerful tune. She was definitely getting off work at five today.
And when she got home, she was going to have the best sleep of her life!
Meanwhile, Yan Liangrong returned to the Zheng household.
The strict mistress of the house had come back, and the servants inside immediately began to tread on eggshells.
Yan Liangrong searched both the study and the bedroom but found neither Zheng Chun nor Zheng Ke.
Because his appointment as a sixth-rank court official had been put on hold, Zheng Chun had been feeling downcast for days. Yan Liangrong was already worried about him, and now that she couldn't find him, she grew even more anxious.
She summoned a servant to ask, and the servant shook his head: "After the midday meal, the master said he was in low spirits and took the young young master out for a walk to clear his mind."
Yan Liangrong said worriedly, "He and Ke'er didn't bring anyone with them?"
The servant replied, "The master usually doesn't like to have attendants following him when he goes out with the young master, and this time was no different."
Yan Liangrong said, "I see."
She waved her hand and dismissed the servant.
The maidservant Cuinong offered her hot tea and comforted her, saying, "Madam, the master is a capable man who knows what he's doing. Nothing will happen to him. Please don't worry too much."
Yan Liangrong sighed. "It's not that I want to worry. It's mainly that my husband has always been one to dwell on things. This time, the hard-won opportunity slipped away, and he... sigh... never mind. With Ke'er accompanying him, I'm sure nothing will go wrong."
Cuinong massaged Yan Liangrong's shoulders. "Madam, you work yourself too hard managing everything inside and outside the household. Sometimes, you could delegate some tasks to others and lighten your own burden."
Yan Liangrong lowered her eyes.
Didn't she want to delegate to others?
On the inside, the Zheng family was of humble origins with no family background. Her father-in-law was in poor health and, being a self-styled man of letters, only cared for writing and rhetoric. Her mother-in-law didn't understand household management and, like her husband, was a simple, honest soul. If she didn't put on a stern front, wouldn't the servants grow lazy and deceitful?
On the outside, her husband was learned and talented, but he was kind by nature, broad-minded, and unskilled in social affairs. He would sometimes offend people over petty disputes.
If she didn't help smooth things over, when would they ever get ahead?
She simply couldn't let go of the Zheng household, inside or out.
Yan Liangrong waited until nightfall before Zheng Chun finally returned, holding Zheng Ke's hand.
Zheng Ke held Zheng Chun's hand with his left and a bamboo-woven dragonfly with his right, hopping and skipping all the way, his face flushed from the exercise.
Zheng Ke looked at Zheng Chun with lingering excitement. "Father, can we go see sister again tomorrow?"
Zheng Chun smiled indulgently. "Alright."
"What sister?"
Yan Liangrong's voice rang out from inside the room.
The smiles on Zheng Chun and Zheng Ke's faces vanished instantly. Zheng Ke stopped talking, carefully tucked the bamboo dragonfly into his chest, pulled his hand out of Zheng Chun's, and hid behind his father before entering the dining hall.
Zheng Ke tugged at Zheng Chun's clothes, not daring to look at Yan Liangrong. "Mother, there was no school today."
Zheng Chun also explained, "There were no classes today, so we had some rare free time. A little girl Ke'er likes was having an autumn food gathering at her house, so I took him over to play for a while."
Yan Liangrong walked over and held out her hand to Zheng Ke, who timidly took it. "Mother, I'll study hard tomorrow, I promise."
Yan Liangrong gave his round head a gentle tap. "Silly child, if there's no class, you can play all you want. Do you think I would punish you for that?"
Zheng Ke brightened immediately. "Thank you, Mother."
She took his little hand. The autumn air was cold, and Zheng Ke's hand was completely without warmth. She had a maid bring over a warm pouch for Zheng Ke and asked softly, "Have you eaten?"
Zheng Ke obediently said, "I had autumn treats."
Autumn treats were seasonal pastries made in the fall, usually prepared with mugwort or similar ingredients mixed with glutinous rice.
Yan Liangrong said, "Those are just snacks. In the evening, you still need a proper meal. Mother made some porridge that's being kept warm in the kitchen. Ke'er, have a little, alright?"
Zheng Ke nodded. "Mm, I love the porridge Mother makes best."
A little while later, the kitchen brought up the porridge.
Yan Liangrong and Zheng Chun and Zheng Ke sat down. She didn't let the servants handle it—she stood up herself, took the ladle, and first filled a bowl for Zheng Ke, then one for Zheng Chun.
Yan Liangrong placed the delicate white porcelain bowl in front of Zheng Chun. "Husband, this is the mushroom and chicken porridge I made. It's your favorite."
After setting down the bowl, Yan Liangrong handed Zheng Chun the spoon.
Last time Zheng Chun got drunk, the two of them hadn't seen eye to eye, and since then, their relationship had been a bit awkward.
Today, Zheng Chun hadn't gone to Kaifeng Prefecture to support her.
Yan Liangrong thought he must still be angry.
Zheng Chun was gentle in nature, but deep down, he carried a scholar's stubbornness and pride.
Usually, it was Zheng Chun who gave in, but once he got angry and dug his heels in, not even ten oxen could pull him back.
Yan Liangrong didn't want a moment of resentment to damage their relationship as husband and wife, so whenever Zheng Chun got stubborn, she would typically coax him a little.
After years of marriage, there was an understanding between them—Zheng Chun wouldn't snub Yan Liangrong's gesture. He picked up the spoon and slowly sipped the porridge.
The deep autumn cold had chilled him to the bone as he'd come back against the biting wind, but a few mouthfuls of hot porridge warmed him up considerably.
Yan Liangrong spoke softly, "The trial today went smoothly. Everyone who needed to be arrested has been caught. There shouldn't be any more major upheavals. Tongshu won."
At this, a look of pride spread across Yan Liangrong's face. "Soon, all the bad business should pass, and the postponed appointment will move forward again."
Zheng Chun gently stirred the hot porridge with his spoon and said in a subdued voice, "Officer Yan is truly impressive."
Yan Liangrong soothed him, "You're Tongshu's brother-in-law. If she does well, we benefit too."
Zheng Chun: "Mm, I know."
The two were silent for a moment, then Zheng Chun set down his spoon, filled a bowl of porridge for Yan Liangrong, and placed it in front of her with both hands. "You've worked hard."
This meant that the olive branch Yan Liangrong had extended had been accepted.
Yan Liangrong gave a soft "Mm," her taut nerves relaxing, and she picked up her spoon and began to eat the porridge at a measured pace.
The next day, Yan Tongshu attended the morning court session.
Because she'd left work early the day before and slept early, she was in rare high spirits.
Yan Tongshu held the ceremonial tablet with both hands, standing in the second row, her eyes bright and spirited.
The Minister of Personnel beside her twitched his mouth several times. This Officer Yan was something else—the bigger the trouble she stirred up, the more energetic she became.
Hmph.
Sensing the Minister of Personnel's disdainful glare, Yan Tongshu shot him a sharp look right back. You old codger, always being so sarcastic.
If you're unhappy, go take it up with the emperor.
Soon, the court session was more than half over, and the matters for discussion were mostly done. Lu Xi called out, "If there is anything to report, speak now. If not, this court is adjourned."
The Minister of Personnel was just about to step forward when Yan Tongshu, who had crossed swords with him many times, strode forward in big steps. "Your subject has something to report."
The Minister of Personnel grew angrier. You brat, where's your manners!
In the grand Zichen Hall, all eyes turned to Yan Tongshu, all waiting for the final verdict on Princess Tijia.
Qin Yi glanced up, the deep darkness in his eyes softening the moment they landed on Yan Tongshu. Suppressing a hint of delight at the corners of his brows, he parted his thin lips and played along. "Oh? And what do you wish to report?"
Yan Tongshu lowered her head with a look of deference, seemingly submissive, but her words were anything but.
She said, "Princess Tijia, arrogant and tyrannical, relying on royal authority, cruelly murdered five flower girls. A life for a life. Your subject requests that Your Majesty order the death penalty."
The Minister of Justice stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this cannot be done. Flower girls are of the lowest registered class, the property of the brothel. If the Princess beats them to death, that is their fate. How can such a trivial matter warrant the ultimate punishment? According to the laws of this dynasty, anyone who kills a flower girl without being her owner is fined twenty taels of silver and sentenced to one year of hard labor. The Princess has beaten five flower girls to death—she should be fined one hundred taels and serve two years of hard labor."
This was why Yan Tongshu had not directly pronounced the verdict on Princess Tijia in open court.
The laws of this dynasty were utterly disgusting.
Yan Tongshu said coldly, "Minister Chu has miscalculated. For beating five to death, the fine is one hundred taels, and the sentence is five years of hard labor at the gravel quarry."
The gravel quarry was brutally harsh. Few who went there survived more than three years, and even those who did live would have their bodies so worn out that they would die within a few more years. Hard labor did not necessarily mean the gravel quarry, but by mentioning it, Yan Tongshu showed his true intent to kill Princess Tijia.
The Minister of Justice tried to argue further, but Yan Tongshu did not give him the chance. He spoke up, "Your Majesty, I also wish to file an impeachment."
Qin Yi continued to play along, ignoring the Minister of Justice: "Against whom?"
