Qin Ye ignored his remark and instead asked coldly, "Did you feel no fear when you killed Feng Sheng?"
Feng Xiaoyuan countered, "What is fear? When my mother was raped and murdered, he took silver and slept soundly in his room—did he feel fear then? Don’t you find it satisfying that such a wretched man is dead?"
Qin Ye narrowed his eyes. "If they were guilty, the law would judge them. It wasn’t your place to kill. You scorn the law—what do you take the imperial justice for?"
The little boy blinked innocently. "Brother, tomorrow is my seventh birthday. You’re well-versed in the Great Chu Law—you know children under seven cannot be punished for murder. What can you do even if you know? The law couldn’t touch my gambling-addicted father, just as it can’t touch me now."
Qin Ye’s icy gaze lifted. "You know the law well?"
"Of course. I’m determined to top this year’s child scholar exams." Feng Xiaoyuan grinned confidently. "Qin Ye, the top scholar, ‘Young Master Qin’—just wait for me to break your legend."
Qin Ye’s expression darkened, but the child only smiled wider.
Feng Xiaoyuan smirked as he stepped back from the room, only to collide with a youth. Rubbing his head in pain, he snapped, "Who are you? Why are you eavesdropping?"
This seven-year-old outlaw, knowing the law couldn’t touch him, showed no fear even when caught.
The young troublemaker, clad in purple casual robes, crossed his arms and declared arrogantly, "Me? I’m your imperial justice, brat."
Feng Xiaoyuan scowled. "What nonsense! Justice isn’t a person. Are you the law incarnate or something?"
Qin Ye emerged and, seeing Chu Jincheng, showed no surprise. He bowed respectfully. "Your servant, Qin Ye, pays homage to Your Majesty. May the Emperor live ten thousand years."
Locking eyes with the brat, Chu Jincheng finally understood why Qin Ye had the Minister of Justice submit a memorial.
Something had felt off—and now he knew.
Qin Ye had deliberately lured him here to hear Feng Xiaoyuan’s testimony firsthand. Otherwise, even the Minister of Justice would struggle to rule on this case.
That scheming Qin Ye had used him!
The young emperor’s face darkened with fury.
Hearing Qin Ye’s address, the boy’s pupils dilated.
This youth, who claimed to be justice itself and was Qin Ye’s age—was none other than the reigning emperor, Chu Jincheng!
Terrified, he dropped to his knees and kowtowed.
Chu Jincheng sneered. "Brat, you weren’t so humble when you said the law couldn’t touch you. A prodigy aiming for the child scholar exams? At your age, you’ve already committed patricide. How many more would you quietly kill once you enter officialdom?"
Feng Xiaoyuan panicked. "Your Majesty, spare me! I was just spouting nonsense—children’s words shouldn’t be taken seriously!"
Chu Jincheng raised a brow mockingly. "Tch, using your age as a shield. Too bad I’ve outgrown that trick."
Desperate, Feng Xiaoyuan cried, "Your Majesty! I’m not yet seven! Nothing I do is punishable!"
True, a child under seven couldn’t be tried—even the Ministry of Justice couldn’t touch him.
But standing before him was the emperor.
Chu Jincheng’s voice turned glacial. "Patricide alone warrants death. Knowing the law yet breaking it adds another charge. Exploiting your age to mock justice—yet another offense. Qin Ye, how should this brat be sentenced?"
Qin Ye replied, "Death."
"You—!" The boy was dumbstruck. "You dare alter the law?! It’s the foundation of our dynasty!"
"Who said I’d change it? A child murderer like you is a once-in-decades exception—hardly worth rewriting the law." Chu Jincheng waved dismissively. "Hand him to the Ministry of Justice. Try him as if he were seven or older."
"As you command." Qin Ye bowed.
Feng Xiaoyuan scrambled back in horror.
Qin Ye made no move to restrain him, instead delivering another blow. "During the investigation, the Ministry of Justice traced Feng Sheng’s movements. He never visited gambling dens or bet a single coin."
The boy froze. "What?"
Qin Ye continued, "Feng Sheng was miserly. Sun Liang offered silver to buy your mother for a night, but Feng Sheng refused. Neighbors overheard their argument—while you were safely studying at school."
The boy staggered back, disbelief written across his face.
Qin Ye pressed on. "Every coin Feng Sheng pinched went into the bank. The banker heard him say, ‘My son is a genius not seen in a century. Even if I haul night soil, I’ll fund his rise to the top ranks.’ The day before his death, he paid your Qingbo Academy tuition."
Flaming with denial, Feng Xiaoyuan shouted, "Lies! I could’ve tested into Hanlin North Academy for free—the best in the capital! Why would he waste money on Qingbo?!"
Qin Ye stepped closer. "Because both the emperor and I studied at Qingbo. Your father wanted you to be the capital’s pride, like us. Instead, you lied about gold in the river, making him drown in public while diving for fake treasure."
Sun Liang had killed Feng’s wife during the assault. Feng Xiaoyuan, believing his father had allowed it, staged Feng Sheng’s death as suicide.
Two killers.
Feng Xiaoyuan crumpled. "No… He was so stingy, so cruel to us… He wouldn’t save for my tuition. You’re lying!"
Chu Jincheng, enjoying the drama, expected Qin Ye to elaborate.
Instead, the arrogant official tossed out: "Believe what you want."
The emperor: "!"
Soon, guards dragged Feng Xiaoyuan away, his frantic screams a far cry from his earlier calm defiance.
Alone again, Chu Jincheng gritted his teeth. "Well played, ‘Young Master Qin.’ Luring me here to clean up your mess."
Qin Ye bowed, unrepentant. "I couldn’t touch him, yet couldn’t let a murderer roam free or allow such defiance of imperial authority. Hence this scheme, begging Your Majesty’s intervention."
"Hah! Your bureaucratic flattery improves." Chu Jincheng wasn’t fooled.
Qin Ye tried another angle. "Your Majesty, Feng Xiaoyuan’s case has gripped the capital. Your personal judgment will deepen the people’s reverence."
Chu Jincheng scoffed.
He’d heard such platitudes since childhood—did Qin Ye really think this amateurish attempt would work?
"Your Majesty," Qin Ye said suddenly, "I request transfer to the Ministry of Justice."
Annoyed, Chu Jincheng rolled his eyes. "First climbing the Ministry of Justice, now the Ministry of Justice—will you ever quit?"
Qin Ye said with a solemn gaze, "The Dali Temple does offer rapid promotions, but from the very beginning, the place I’ve wanted to go… has always been the Ministry of Justice."
The young emperor frowned in thought. The fourth-rank position in the Ministry of Justice was that of a Judicial Secretary. If Qin Ye went there without any connections, trying to climb higher would be nothing short of suicide.
Chu Jincheng gritted his teeth and retorted, "Stop aiming too high! First, work your way up to Chief of the Dali Temple, Assistant Chief Qin!"
Qin Ye had recently cracked several difficult cases, including the current one, earning Chu Jincheng’s approval for a promotion to Assistant Chief of the Dali Temple.
Without a hint of modesty, Qin Ye pressed further, "But the current Chief is only in his forties—far from retirement. No matter how great my achievements, I won’t be able to rise beyond this position."
Chu Jincheng snapped, "Then couldn’t I just transfer you to the Ministry of Justice? Must I spell everything out for you? Wouldn’t it be far better to go straight in as a Vice Minister rather than a mere Judicial Secretary? Otherwise, with no family backing or connections, who do you expect to protect you?"
At this point, he suddenly realized—why was he worrying about Qin Ye again?
Damn it, wasn’t Qin Ye supposed to be his sworn rival?
Qin Ye replied calmly, "My only concern is serving the people and the court. Your Majesty is my backing."
Chu Jincheng: "???"
How could he just claim a backer like that?!
How could someone be so shameless!
But as emperor, his duty was to prioritize the court and the people. "That bastard Qin Ye… I must owe you from a past life!" Chu Jincheng stormed off, cursing under his breath.
Watching his retreating figure, Qin Ye allowed a faint smile to curl his lips. "This official… thanks Your Majesty for paving the way."
The little tyrant covered his ears, still grumbling as he walked away, "Pave your damn way yourself!"
