Chapter 47

Chapter 47

At that moment, the City Patrol guards drew their swords, poised to charge, while the scholars blocking their path stood firm, refusing to yield.

“Strike us down if you dare!” someone in the crowd roared.

This immediately ignited a response from the surrounding students. “That’s right, we shall never yield!”

The City Patrol could only bellow back, “If you don’t move aside, we’ll arrest you all too!”

Amidst the heated standoff, a sharp, high-pitched voice suddenly cut through the air from behind: “The Emperor approaches!”

The two sides, bristling with gunpowder, instantly fell silent. Everyone turned to look, seeing a group of figures behind them. At the center stood a man clad in a black and gold dragon robe, crowned with gold and jade, his expression cold and stern, radiating imperial majesty with every glance.

The City Patrol at the periphery immediately lowered their weapons, kneeling in unison and shouting, “Your Majesty!”

Many of the scholars had already seen the emperor once before. Now, as they gazed upon his impassive face, an involuntary shiver ran through their hearts, and they too knelt, calling out, “Your Majesty!”

In an instant, the entire yamen entrance was filled with kneeling figures.

Lin Ting observed the scene, relieved that the Capital Prefect’s yamen entrance faced a side alley and wasn’t on a bustling street. Otherwise, if commoners were to witness this, it would be disastrous—the emperor’s visage should maintain an air of mystery.

Pei Xingjian raised his hand slightly. “Rise.”

The crowd stood, remaining silent and still. No one dared to argue anymore.

Pei Xingjian’s gaze fell upon the City Patrol Deputy Chief—Zhou Yue.

“We were informed someone beat the grievance drum and came to see for Ourself. Deputy Chief Zhou, why have you brought the City Patrol here?”

Zhou Yue replied, “Your Majesty, this humble officer heard there was a disturbance here and thus led the City Patrol to suppress it.”

A disturbance? Lin Ting silently scoffed, “More like coming to help the Marquis of Anding cover his tracks.”

Pei Xingjian clearly thought the same. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Oh? Is that truly the case?” His gaze shifted to the group of scholars behind.

At this moment, Wang Ya stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, this man is lying. The City Patrol came to arrest the farmer who filed the complaint.”

“The farmer claims he wishes to accuse the Marquis of Anding of using Your Majesty’s authority to amass wealth, confiscate land, and even illegally seize control of iron mines.”

The emperor’s oppressive gaze returned to Deputy Chief Zhou.

Beads of sweat instantly appeared on Zhou Yue’s forehead as he protested, “Your Majesty, these people were blocking the entrance, hindering the government office’s duties. This humble officer merely intended to take them away for further questioning before reporting to Your Majesty.”

“The City Patrol is a nest of vipers! Who knows if you’re really taking them for questioning or just silencing them?”

Zhou Yue quickly countered, “I only meant to verify the facts before submitting them to Your Majesty for review.”

Pei Xingjian raised his hand to cut him off. “Since you were going to submit them to Us sooner or later, We shall conduct the interrogation now.”

Zhou Yue was caught off guard. “Ah?”

In the blink of an eye, the emperor had already stepped into the government office, leaving behind only a command: “Bring them in.”

The Tianxuan Guard immediately moved swiftly, escorting the farmer who beat the drum inside.

The scholars, seeing this, crowded in as well, straining to see from the courtyard to peer inside.

The Capital Prefect, upon hearing of the emperor’s arrival, rushed out in a fluster to greet him. “Your Majesty, this unworthy official begs forgiveness for his tardiness!” He then ushered the emperor into the tribunal hall, bowing deeply toward the judge's seat. “Your Majesty, please.”

But Pei Xingjian stopped before the chair and waved at Lin Ting.

Lin Ting, confused, approached, only to hear the emperor say, “You sit here.”

Lin Ting pointed at himself in disbelief. “Ah? Me?” Was the emperor joking? “But I don’t know how to conduct a trial!”

He didn’t even know Great Yong’s laws. Making him the presiding judge would be like being completely lost.

“It’s fine,” Pei Xingjian reassured him. “You need only sit here in Our stead. Others will handle the questioning.” He paused, then added, “Just like in Chonghua Palace.”

Lin Ting instantly understood. “Got it, got it. I’m just here for show, right? I know how to do that.” It was his specialty.

Pei Xingjian was initially puzzled by the term “vase,” but after a moment’s thought about Lin Ting’s usual demeanor in Chonghua Palace, he quickly grasped the meaning.

“But where will Your Majesty sit?” The central seat had been given to him. Surely the emperor wouldn’t stand to the side and watch? He couldn’t imagine Pei Xingjian doing something so improper.

Pei Xingjian walked toward the screen behind the grand chair. “We will be behind here.”

The Capital Prefect was terrified out of his wits. He hastily ordered servants to bring in several luxurious chairs and a tray of fresh fruit.

Having the emperor personally oversee a trial at the Capital Prefect’s office was a first in his lifetime, and his heart pounded like a drum.

Once everyone was seated, the farmer was soon brought into the hall.

The Capital Prefect began the interrogation.

The man claimed to be a farmer from a small town, his family having tilled the same few dozen acres of land for generations. Not long ago, however, the Marquis of Anding had seized the land. Refusing to accept this, the farmer secretly followed the marquis’ men and discovered that he was not only seizing land but also extorting wealth everywhere and illegally seizing control of iron mines… detailing nearly ten capital offenses.

The more the Capital Prefect questioned, the more alarmed he became. These cases were well beyond the purview of his office. But with the emperor present, they had no choice but to continue.

Just then, another man, covered in mud, rushed in and shouted, “This humble officer wishes to accuse the Marquis of Anding of illegally kidnapping Grand Tutor Zhang’s adopted son and subjecting him to torture!”

Upon questioning, the Capital Prefect learned that this man was originally a guard assigned by the Marquis of Anding to capture the tutor’s adopted son. However, after offending the marquis for some reason, he was condemned to die. Fleeing for his life, he encountered the Tianxuan Guard on their way back to the capital and was rescued.

At these words, the scholars realized they had been manipulated. Instantly, they were equal parts enraged and humiliated.

Each of them ducked their heads like frightened quail, not daring to raise them again.

Zhou Yue hurried forward and ordered his men to seize the two accusers. “Your Majesty, this humble officer requests permission for the City Patrol to escort them.” Clearly, he wanted to prove he had no ties to the Marquis of Anding.

Pei Xingjian saw no need to complicate matters for him. “Go ahead.”

Deputy Chief Zhou led the men away.

By the time Lin Ting followed Pei Xingjian out, the crowd outside the government office had already dispersed.

On the carriage ride back, Lin Ting felt strangely surreal.

Pei Xingjian, sensing his intense gaze, opened his eyes and looked over. “Why do you stare?”

Lin Ting asked, “Will the Marquis of Anding really submit so easily?” After all, even in court, he had never demonstrated proper deference. There was no telling whether he might resist.

Pei Xingjian replied, “The proof is undeniable. He has no choice.”

Lin Ting considered this and acquiesced, reassured.

…

When they arrived at Chonghua Palace, they found Qingzi pacing fretfully in the courtyard, as though catastrophe loomed.

Lin Ting asked, "Eunuch Qing, what's the matter?"

Qingzi, seeing the Emperor return, immediately looked as if he had found a lifeline and darted over.

"Your Majesty, you’ve finally returned."

He gestured inside with his horsetail whisk and said, "The Empress Dowager stormed into the Chonghua Palace in a fury earlier. I couldn’t stop her no matter how hard I tried."

As he spoke, Empress Dowager Xie emerged from the hall and, upon seeing them, snapped:

"Emperor, what have you done to my brother?"

Pei Xingjian’s eyes turned cold. "The Empress Dowager resides in the rear palace, yet her sources of information are quite efficient. However, this question should be directed at the Marquis of Anding."

Empress Dowager Xie had already sensed foreboding yesterday when she learned the Marquis of Anding was being impeached. Sure enough, today he was thrown into the imperial prison.

Thus, she had rushed over in a panic to demand answers without stopping to think.

"He is your uncle in title."

Pei Xingjian raised an eyebrow. "As the Empress Dowager just said, it’s only in title—there’s no actual blood relation."

"You—" Empress Dowager Xie shook with rage, her fingers trembling. "If my Ye'er were still alive, I—" Her voice suddenly turned shrill. "It was you! You killed my Ye'er!"

Pei Xingjian, however, curled his lips and cut her off. "The Empress Dowager forgets. My eldest brother was the one you incited to poison me. Unfortunately, he had bad luck and ended up drinking that bowl of poison himself."

His eyes reddened, glinting eerily. "If we’re being truthful, you were the one who caused your own child’s death."

Lin Ting, who had been following behind, had immediately covered his ears tightly the moment the two began arguing, afraid of accidentally overhearing something he shouldn’t.

Even so, he still caught words like "incited" and "poison."

Instantly, he felt deeply uneasy.

He was just a guard—why was he learning more and more of the Emperor’s secrets?

Couldn’t these two argue somewhere private?

When he glanced back, he saw Zhao Dehai had somehow already led a group of palace servants to the hall’s entrance, standing far away.

Lin Ting: ???

Ha, indeed, the old fox knows best. He shot Zhao Dehai a few pointed looks.

Zhao Dehai, receiving Lord Lin’s silent glare from afar, winced helplessly in response:

"My lord! This old servant called for you! But you just charged ahead with your head down—I couldn’t stop you!"

Lin Ting took a deep breath and quietly retreated a few steps.

Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager, her wounds reopened, immediately cast aside dignity and shrieked, lunging forward. "I’ll kill you!"

Pei Xingjian sidestepped, and the Tianxuan Guard swiftly restrained the Empress Dowager.

Just as Pei Xingjian was about to issue orders, he turned and noticed the others standing far away. His temple twitched, and he said coldly, "Zhao Dehai."

Zhao Dehai scurried over in a panic. "Your Majesty, this servant is here."

"Escort the Empress Dowager back to Cining Palace. She is not to leave without orders."

Zhao Dehai flicked his whisk. "As you command."

Before being dragged away, Empress Dowager Xie still struggled, shouting, "Pei Xingjian, you destroy fathers and brothers—may you perish miserably—" before being forcibly gagged and hauled off.

Only after she was gone did Lin Ting hesitantly follow Pei Xingjian into the hall.

The Empress Dowager’s words had been vicious, yet Pei Xingjian showed no change in expression.

Inside the hall, the candlelight blazed brightly, making hearts uneasy.

Lin Ting stood beside the imperial desk, the Empress Dowager’s parting words echoed in his mind. Though he knew they were likely spoken in anger, he couldn’t help but dwell on how perilous Pei Xingjian’s rise to the throne must have been.

The struggle for succession was always a fight to the death—one wrong move meant death. He felt a sudden gratitude that he had arrived in this era after Pei Xingjian had already ascended. Had he been made to help him seize the throne, he would’ve been dead in two days.

"You heard the Empress Dowager’s words?"

The sudden question in the silence startled Lin Ting.

Looking down, he saw Pei Xingjian’s gaze still fixed on the memorial, though a drop of ink had gathered on his brush and fallen onto the open paper, blooming into a dark stain. Pei Xingjian seemed oblivious.

Lin Ting murmured, "Mm."

Pei Xingjian’s expression remained unchanged. "She wasn’t wrong. The deaths of the late Emperor and all my brothers were, to some degree, tied to me in some way." His tone was cold, as if stating fact.

"Since my accession, countless voices inside and outside the court have called me a tyrant. Over time, I’ve come to own the title."

Lin Ting’s chest tightened at his words. "Your Majesty, this subject doesn’t see it that way."

The Emperor’s eyes snapped to him.

Lin Ting continued, "By that logic, doesn’t the Empress Dowager also destroy husbands and sons? Aside from Your Majesty, didn’t the others die by her hand?"

Someone crushed under pressure naturally lacked confidence and needs lifting up.

"This subject actually thinks Your Majesty is a good emperor."

The hall was dead silent. The candlelight lit Lin Ting’s downcast face, soft yet bright, as if spotlighted.

Pei Xingjian went still for a beat before taking the compliment in stride.

"A reward for him!"