Chapter 27

Gu Changjin, a sixth-rank Deputy Minister of Punishments, was not entitled to attend court sessions.

However, after Emperor Jiayou ascended the throne, he issued an edict stating clearly that the commitment of a thousand people is not as good as the care of one person (2). He also said that those who redress the grievances of the people will be unstoppable.

Thus, the path to the Golden Throne was opened, allowing all people across the land to present their grievances.

Those with grievances may have their case presented by the officials of the Three Judicial Bureaus, or they may choose to be personally escorted by these officials to plea their case directly before the Emperor.

Today, Gu Changjin was personally escorted by Tan Siyuan into the Throne Room to audience with the emperor.

With a worried look on his face, Chang Ji was concerned both about Gu Changjin's health and the treacherous political landscape he would encounter once inside the palace walls.

Emperor Jiayou had opened this path to the golden halls, but it was not without peril.

If their lord advocated for the exoneration of Xu Li'er and Madam Jin, and the case were retried but failed to overturn the Northern Inspectorate's original verdict, their lord could face mild punishments like salary deductions or rank reduction, or severe consequences like the loss of his titles and complete banishment from the capital's officialdom.

Their lord had once said that the emperor, seated high in the Golden Hall, was the ultimate arbiter of all cases in this world.

That was precisely why he insisted on bringing Xu Li'er's case before the emperor's attention.

For this was the only path to survival for both Xu Li'er and the Jin family.

Though Chang Ji had no idea what the enigmatic emperor would do today, he was well aware of the treacherous road his master had chosen to tread.

There was no turning back once an arrow was loosed, and his master had long since exhausted all avenues of retreat.

Without further hesitation, Chang Ji scrubbed his face fiercely, lit an oil lamp, and said, "I'll fetch water immediately. Heng Ping will prepare the medicine in the small kitchen. Master should take the medicine before leaving."

A dim yellow glow illuminated a corner of the room.

Gu Changjin carefully unbound the blood-soaked cloth, revealing the gruesome wounds that lacerated his jade-like flesh.

Some deep gashes still oozed blood, but not a hint of pain showed on his face. Once the new bandages were in place, he rose, donned his official robe, fastened his jade sash, and held his black silk hat as he slowly walked out of the room.

Outside, the night was as dark as ink, with no hint of dawn yet on the horizon.

The man placed his hat firmly on his head, his eyes resembling cold stars. As he had done many times before, he addressed his two devoted companions with a calm demeanor, "I will return safely."

Chapter 13

At the third hour of the Tiger, a carriage with goat-horn palace lanterns pulled up in front of the Gu residence.

Inside, a handsome man in his forties, with well-defined features, held a teacup, savoring its contents slowly.

Beside him, a gray-robed attendant refilled his tea and said, "Since you're here to pick up Lord Gu, why the need for such ostentation? Everyone in the capital knows that the Left Vice Minister of Justice loves hanging goat-horn palace lanterns on his carriage."

"Treason must be dealt with in a high-profile manner," Tan Siyuan snorted. "Do those ruffians from the Eastern Depot or the Jinyiwei think they can get away with yesterday's chaos on Changan Avenue? Do they really believe they can bully our Ministry of Justice?"

Knowing his master's explosive temper wouldn't tolerate any dissuasion, the attendant changed the subject.

"I've heard that Lord Gu's injuries are quite severe. It's uncertain if he'll make it to the morning court session today."

Tan Siyuan swirled the tea leaves with his lid and said, "I don't know about others, but Yunzhi, that boy, watch him. As long as he draws breath and Li'er's case hasn't reached the emperor's ears, he won't fall." His tone was unusually confident.

"When has Lord ever been wrong? I trust your judgment, so let's brew a fine pot of tea for Lord Gu first."

Just as the attendant finished brewing the second cup, a deep voice echoed from outside the carriage door.

"Lord Tan."

The gray-clad attendant hurriedly opened the carriage door. Outside, a tall figure clad in blue stood amidst the vast night, as stately and solemn as a luxuriant autumn pine inked onto parchment.

The attendant couldn't help but sigh inwardly. No wonder his master often mentioned Lord Gu when scolding the young men of their clan; indeed, he was strikingly handsome with an air of dignity.

Gu Changjin bowed deeply to Tan Siyuan.

Putting down his teacup, Tan Siyuan said hastily, "Yunzhi, get in the carriage quickly."

After Gu Changjin boarded, Tan Siyuan scrutinized him closely. Seeing that his face was as pale as paper and his lips had no color, he spoke coldly, "Don't worry, the Ministry of Justice won't let this go. Those eunuchs will pay for what they've done sooner or later."

Hearing his master utter another impulsive remark, the gray-clad attendant coughed softly and offered Gu Changjin the teacup, saying respectfully, "Lord Gu, please have some tea."

Gu Changjin thanked him and listened as the attendant continued, "Yesterday, when Lord Left Vice Minister learned about your assassination attempt on Changan Avenue, he nearly drew his sword to cut off Yang Xu's head at the Eastern Depot."

Yang Xu was one of the six chief scribes in the Supervisor of Ceremonies, and had been appointed as the head of the Eastern Depot in the fifteenth year of Jiaoyu.

It was said that when one person attains success, all those close to them would also rise. This was certainly true for the Yang family. Every male member held an official position, and even the least capable Yang Rong had earned the title of a scholarly candidate, eagerly awaiting Yang Xu to secure him a minor office.

Yang Rong was the only son of Yang Xu's elder brother, known for his towering physique and lawless behavior in Changping Prefecture. As Yang Xu's influence in the Supervisor of Ceremonies grew, so did Yang Rong's arrogance, indulging in acts of oppression and exploitation.

When Gu Changjin received the case file from the Northern Inspectorate, a quick perusal revealed its inconsistencies. The confession of the convicted woman, Jin, was vague and inconsistent, not matching the details of the suddenly emerged musician's testimony. The two indenture contracts were clearly recent forgeries, not the two-year-old documents the musician claimed them to be.

Gu Changjin, sharp-witted and experienced with over a hundred case files in the past two years, plus numerous field investigations into unsolved mysteries, had developed an astute approach to solving crimes, rarely making errors.

After reporting his suspicions to Tan Siyuan, he personally went to Changping Prefecture for covert inquiries. Meanwhile, Tan Siyuan, leading the Criminal Ministry personnel, stormed the Northern Inspectorate's prison to seize Jin, confining her in the Criminal Ministry's main jail.

Tan Siyuan sneered, "If you don't want others to know, don't do it. Does Yang Xu really think that his deeds are unknown to others? If not for the Emperor's mercy, his head would have rolled many times over!" Changing the subject, he addressed Gu Changjin, "Your attendant told me yesterday that you possess evidence of Yang Xu's corruption and selling of ranks. Have you brought it now?"