Chapter 211: Reversal of the Case

Chapter 211: Reversal of the Case

"Morning court begins—ministers and officials present yourselves!"

The newly appointed chief eunuch stood before the Golden Hall, holding a whip several meters long. He whipped it three times in the air, the sound like thunder, echoing for miles around.

The ministers, who had been somewhat drowsy, were suddenly alert upon hearing the commotion. They hurried into the hall, fearful of being the last to arrive and becoming the target of attention. Only Grand Tutor Yan Liu, carrying an unknown slender object, walked slowly at the back of the crowd, his aged face solemn.

The Yan family had always been esteemed and scholarly, with Yan Liu himself a renowned scholar widely respected by scholars across the land. Since the death of the previous emperor, he had held a nominal position in the court, usually staying in his hometown of Huzhou to study literature in seclusion. His presence today was indeed rare.

Huolang, now wielding immense power, still had to show Yan Liu some respect, bowing slightly as he greeted him, "Master Yan, what a coincidence."

Huolang's reputation among literati and scholars was already tarnished, and Yan Liu, known for his integrity, naturally disliked his overbearing authority. The coldness in his tone was evident. "I cannot bear the courtesy of the Regent."

A cold glance was all it took.

Huolang's expression remained unchanged as he gestured with an inviting hand. "Master Yan is the pillar of our dynasty. Your presence today gives us all confidence. However, I wonder if this golden whip can truly strike the emperor."

Yan Liu paused at Huolang's insinuation, sneering, "This golden whip strikes corrupt rulers and treacherous ministers. Whether it can strike the emperor, I do not know, but the Regent should be cautious."

With that, he ignored Huolang and entered the hall with a cold sweep of his sleeve.

As the sun rose, the eaves of the Golden Hall jutted out, making the five ridges and six beasts on the roof appear even more majestic. Usually, morning court had only about a hundred officials, but today, all departments were represented, doubling the number of attendees, making the vast hall crowded and noisy. Huolang stood at the head of the military officials, while Yan Liu stood at the head of the civil officials, both unmoving.

Amidst a loud announcement, the emperor, rumored to be under house arrest by the Regent, finally emerged to receive the kneeling homage of the officials. His crown shimmered, obscuring his expression, showing no signs of suffering.

The officials bowed and knelt, shouting "Long live the Emperor" three times before rising. Even Huolang, typically rebellious, completed the full ceremony.

Emperor Luqian sat above, casually inquiring about last year's harvest and disasters across the regions, much like an annual report. The officials, not wanting trouble, exaggerated their responses, praising the emperor's wisdom and virtue for the prosperity of Beishu.

Suddenly, Grand Tutor Yan Liu turned and spat in the face of one of the officials, pointing angrily, "Peace and tranquility? Wise ruler and loyal ministers?! Last year, the snow disaster froze the ground five feet deep, affecting dozens of counties within the border. People suffered from hunger and cold, resorting to cannibalism. Later, Xiling invaded our borders, and supplies were delayed, leading to the deaths of many soldiers outside Guiyan Pass. The nobles in the capital treated lives callously, keeping mistresses and abusing servants, violating natural order and ethics. Yet you all fawn and cover up these crimes with empty words, truly traitors to the state, why do you still live?!"

No one expected the first to challenge the court today would be Grand Tutor Yan Liu rather than Regent Huolang. Yan Liu, with his distinguished service and high status, was even respected by the late emperor. He had stayed away from the capital, living in Huzhou, rarely involving himself in court affairs, yet he seemed well-informed about recent events.

The official, spat upon, dared not protest, accepting the scolding silently and retreating.

"Master Yan, please calm down; this is my fault."

Emperor Luqian finally spoke, his voice calm, seemingly oblivious to the rebuke in Yan Liu's words. He leaned forward slightly, the beads of his crown swaying. "However, since Master Yan mentioned the case of the Lin'an Prince ordering his servants to abuse and kill his mistress, I recall a young hero. He fearlessly carried a woman's corpse thousands of miles to the capital to seek justice, displaying remarkable integrity. I intend to grant him an official position. What does Master Yan think?"

Yan Liu looked uncertain. "Who is this young man?"

Luqian replied, "Gongsun Mo."

Gongsun Mo stepped forward from beside the coiled dragon pillar. "Your humble servant is here!"

Only then did everyone notice the young man in plain clothes standing in the hall. Yan Liu scrutinized Gongsun Mo, his gaze settling on the fan he held, sharp with experience. "Could you be a descendant of the Gongsun family of Luzhou?"

Gongsun Mo smiled and bowed. "Old master has keen eyes. My father was your old friend and instructed me to visit you if I ever came to the capital."

Yan Liu's expression softened. "So you are the son of Gonggong. Impressive! You solved a complex case with great skill, showing your father's spirit. Such talent must not be wasted; granting him an official position is justified."

He directed the last sentence at Luqian.

Luqian smiled faintly. "While I intend to grant him an official position, Gongsun Mo has only solved one case, which may not convince everyone. Perhaps he should stay in the capital longer to establish more merit before receiving an appointment."

Gongsun Mo interjected, "If Your Majesty finds my achievements insufficient, I have two more wrongful cases to address. One involves royal relatives, the other government officials. Would Your Majesty be interested in hearing them?"

His words sent ripples through the officials, many looking anxious. The Gongsun family was notorious for their relentless pursuit of justice, even bringing down princes in the past. Who knew if they might implicate themselves?

"A case involving royal relatives and government officials is serious!"

"This young man is causing trouble; we must not let him continue!"

"I am doomed!"

Luqian waved his sleeves, commanding silence. "Gongsun Mo, speak freely. With Master Yan present, I will not show favoritism."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Gongsun Mo bowed gratefully, then unfolded his fan with a snap. Today, the Gongsun family would regain its fame:

"The first case I wish to discuss is titled 'Stealing Heaven.' It remains locked in the Gongsun family archives, marked as top secret, and few clan members have seen it. I have read it briefly and will share the story with you."

"In the northern region, there was a wealthy and influential family, the Huangs, with immense wealth and prestige. The patriarch, Old Master Huang, was elderly and had only one daughter, which made his brothers covet the family fortune."

"Old Master Huang was deeply worried. In his old age, he finally had a son, but the child was weak and sickly. He sought out a renowned doctor in Ruzhou."

The story began to unsettle some, but they continued listening.

"This doctor, surnamed Lu, was a miracle worker, saving countless lives. Seeing the severity of Old Master Huang's son's illness, he used all his skills to extend the boy's life by ten years. Is that not miraculous?"

The officials nodded. "Extending life with mere human effort deserves the title of miracle doctor."

Gongsun Mo snapped his fan shut, creating a sharp sound. "There is another coincidence. This Doctor Lu had a young son, only a few years older than Old Master Huang's son, but they looked identical, as if carved from the same mold."

"Old Master Huang felt a connection and stayed with the Lu family for a long time. When he had to return home due to urgent matters, he offered Doctor Lu a high position, but the doctor declined, preferring a simple life. Disappointed, Old Master Huang left."

"Though Doctor Lu extended the life of the young Huang by ten years, he could not save him forever. On his way home, Old Master Huang felt disheartened, wondering how to preserve his family's wealth. Then, he remembered Doctor Lu's son, who looked exactly like his own, and hatched a sinister plan!"

Gongsun Mo struck his fan against his palm, startling those engrossed in the story. Yan Liu frowned, impatient. "What was the plan?"

Gongsun Mo surveyed the crowd, taking in their reactions. "Old Master Huang ordered his servants to slaughter the entire Lu family, kidnapping Doctor Lu's son and burning the county to the ground, killing 1,362 innocent people!"

"He then brought the young Lu home, raising him as his own son, claiming his real son had recovered. No one in the family suspected anything."

Everyone was shocked. Those in the court, all shrewd individuals, understood the motive behind the kidnapping but were appalled by the mass murder.

"Absurd!"

Master Yan was so furious that his beard seemed to move in the wind without it, and he waved his sleeve in anger, scolding, "Ignorant child, you speak nonsense, the reputation of the Gongsun family is ruined because of you! Even if a single death row prisoner appears in any place, it must be reported layer by layer for the emperor's decision. In the past, Princess Anyang caused a great uproar in the court just by whipping a horse slave to death, let alone a total of one thousand three hundred and sixty-two lives!"

I must inquire which noble family from the northern lands possesses such formidable power, capable of slaughtering all the people in the county overnight without causing the authorities to stir! Which family has such means to recruit so many masters? If you do not reveal the specifics today, I shall not let it go!

The officials whispered to each other, speculating about the Huang family's origins in secret:

"The noble families of the North are only the Chen, Wang, Xie, and Jun clans. When did a Huang family emerge? Could it be a fabrication out of thin air?"

"Your Excellency Huang, I've heard that you are from the northern regions. Could it be that..."

The designated official recoiled in shock: "I am not! Don't you dare to slander me!"

"Perhaps the words of this Gongsun lad are mere nonsense, and should not be easily believed."

Ignoring the surrounding chatter, Yan Taishi's aged eyes were fixed intently on Gongsun Mo: "What do you say? Will you speak or not?!"

Gongsun Mo closed his eyes and gently waved his folding fan.

In the city of Ruzhou, within Qingfeng County, a solitary peach tree blooms on its own.

Originally a skilled hand in the apricot grove, why did I mistakenly save the wolf from Zhongshan?

He finished speaking and suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a gleam of brilliance. Folding his fan, he pointed towards the emperor seated on the high throne from afar:

"The northern land, unique indeed; the yellow one, the emperor also!"

"The mastermind behind this wrongful case was the late Emperor Beishu!"

With a resounding boom, thunder struck the hearts of all present. This powerful declaration echoed through the Golden Hall, as if it had traveled far beyond the vermilion palace walls, reaching even the distant Imperial City, which could not subdue the many wronged spirits of yesteryear.