"Confessing everything?"
The officials in the courtroom couldn't help but twitch their lips—this was the first time they'd seen a prisoner confess so readily, especially to such a grave crime as salt smuggling.
In the span of just one incense stick's burning, Shen Qingping had laid out every detail of his smuggling routes with perfect clarity.
He even went the extra mile to assist Song Yu, adding helpfully,
"The officials along the way played no small part in making my salt-selling operation a success. Would His Highness like me to list their names as well?"
"Bring pen and paper," Song Yu ordered.
Shen Qingping pursed his lips. "You'll have to remove my shackles first."
Something felt off.
The crowd exchanged uneasy glances. This didn’t feel like a courtroom anymore—it was more like the front courtyard of the Qin Prince's Mansion.
The way Young Master Shen spoke, it wasn’t as if he was admitting to smuggling salt, but rather as if he were helping Prince Qin decide whom to eliminate.
As Shen Qingping took up the brush and began writing swiftly, Song Yu and Song Shihuan finally had the chance to study him closely. The lash marks on his body were unmistakable, and the sight ignited fury in both father and daughter.
Damn that Chu Wuliang.
He deserved to be thrown in with the Shen family.
"It's done. If His Highness and the Princess still have doubts, you can question Scarface—he was the one who helped me sell the salt."
Shen Qingping coolly sold out his accomplice without hesitation.
"Good. I will investigate as you’ve said."
"By the way, the Great Qi hasn’t decreed that a convicted criminal can’t submit a memorial, has it?" Shen Qingping’s tone shifted, his smile turning icy.
"That is correct. Whom do you wish to impeach?"
In an instant, Song Yu understood what Shen Qingping was about to say.
"Chu Wuliang, for one, and..." Shen Qingping proceeded to name every one of the five officials who had accused him of salt smuggling in court days earlier.
"The charges I’m bringing against them are numerous—too many to list here on the spot." Shen Qingping ignored the stunned silence around him. "But I’ve already prepared the memorial in advance. It’s on the desk in Your Highness’s study."
When he had invited those five families’ prodigal sons to dinner that night, he’d never intended to let any of them remain peacefully in the capital.
A faint smirk curled Shen Qingping’s lips.
Now that was a true "Banquet at Hongmen."
......
As they stepped out of the Court of Judicial Review, Song Yu paused.
"Shen Qingping has confessed everything he knows. From here, I will personally oversee the investigation to ensure that those who truly violated the laws of Great Qi face justice."
In the crowd, several spies stiffened, then swiftly melted away into the distance.
Ping Prince's Mansion.
"Shen Qingping confessed everything?"
At the spy’s report, Song Yanzheng clenched his fists inside his sleeves.
His father had left him only a few dozen spies, and he’d never dared to deploy them—until now. With the future of the Ping Prince's Mansion at stake, he had no choice but to gamble.
"Your Highness, Prince Qin himself confirmed it—he confessed everything."
"Keep watch over the Princess Consort’s courtyard. I must see the Emperor at once."
In that moment, Song Yanzheng made his decision: he would sacrifice the Shen family to secure a possible future for the Ping Prince's Mansion.
Purple Dawn Palace.
Emperor Yuanyou barely glanced up at Song Yanzheng’s frantic arrival. "What brings you here?"
"Grandson has urgent matters to report to Your Majesty."
"The salt smuggling in the court isn’t limited to the Shen family—the Shen family is involved as well."
"Oh?" The Emperor feigned surprise, though Shen Xiao had already informed him of the Ping Prince's Mansion’s close ties to the Shen family. "How do you know this?"
"Shen Pu came to the Ping Prince's Mansion and confessed everything, begging me to save his family." Song Yanzheng knelt. "But as a member of the imperial family, how could I tolerate such a heinous crime? I refused Shen Pu outright, placed guards around the Princess Consort, and came at once to report to Your Majesty."
But instead of the pleased reaction Song Yanzheng expected, Emperor Yuanyou’s expression darkened with something far more complicated.
Years ago, Song Ling had done the same—watched as the Chang family fell.
Now it was Song Yanzheng’s turn, and the Shen family would be the ones to fall.
"Your Majesty?" Song Yanzheng ventured cautiously.
"You did well."
The Emperor’s voice was flat. "I will order an investigation into the Shen family."
When Song Yanzheng opened his mouth to speak again, Emperor Yuanyou waved him off. "I am tired. You may leave."
No sooner had Song Yanzheng departed than the Emperor commanded,
"Wu Qi, inform Prince Qin of Song Yanzheng’s impeachment of the Shen family. Then have the Imperial Guards surround the Shen residence—no one leaves."
Wu Qi bowed and hurried out, glancing up at the overcast sky.
With Shen Qingping’s scheme already in motion, the Shen family had no escape.
Which made the Grand Prince’s sudden betrayal seem almost... farcical.
......
Shen Residence.
"Second Brother, gather your things at once. Take Sister-in-law and the children and flee the capital—now."
Shen Pu had also learned of Shen Qingping’s confession. He slumped into his chair, struggling to breathe.
"Elder Brother..."
"Go! Before Prince Qin’s investigation reaches us. Tell everyone you’re returning to the ancestral home for rites." Shen Pu’s voice shook. "Once you’re out of the capital, run as far as you can."
Second Master Shen understood the gravity. He rushed to prepare, while Lady Shen wept silently beside them.
"Don’t cry, my lady. If we can save even one, we must. The Shen bloodline cannot end here."
Shen Pu forced a smile. He knew he wouldn’t escape.
But when Second Master Shen led the family toward the gates, they swung open to reveal a line of Imperial Guards.
"Second Master Shen, where are you taking so many people?"
Song Yu’s smile didn’t reach his eyes.
"Your Highness... we were just... returning to our ancestral home for rites..." Beads of sweat dotted Second Master Shen’s forehead. When Shen Pu arrived and saw the scene, his heart sank.
"I’m afraid none of you will be leaving."
Song Yu folded his arms. "The Grand Prince himself has accused the Shen family of salt smuggling. By His Majesty’s order, every member of the Shen household is confined to this residence."
"The Grand Prince... Impossible..."
Terror flashed in Shen Pu’s eyes. How could Song Yanzheng betray them now?
Song Yu leaned in, his whisper for Shen Pu alone:
"Even if Song Yanzheng hadn’t spoken, I would have uncovered your crimes soon enough."
"Did you truly believe Shen Qingping was smuggling salt?"
"From the beginning, His Majesty’s target was never the Shen family—it was yours."
A slender finger pressed against Shen Pu’s chest. Darkness swallowed his vision, and he collapsed to the ground.
