Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Inside the private room, Weng Yanqing stood by, awaiting Ying Fusheng's next instructions.

"Regarding this matter of the Three Judicial Offices, the Xiao family, both in principle and in practice, needs to throw out some corrupt officials to quell the impact of the case files." Ying Fusheng stood by the window, turning to look at the others behind him. "That is to say, only a few corrupt officials will be caught in this affair."

Weng Yanqing listened and asked, "What does Your Highness mean?"

Ying Fusheng looked at him, a hint of profundity in his eyes. "Corrupt officials can never be fully rooted out. With the Censorate in place, for every group we catch, half will slip through their fingers... If my Father can expose this batch of corrupt officials today, what about the ones in the future?"

Weng Yanqing pondered. In truth, evidence of these corrupt officials' dealings had already been traced by the Court of Imperial Stud through the postal stations. If that lead were handed to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, all necessary evidence could be uncovered. But he sensed that His Highness did not intend to leave this entirely to the Guard for secret house searches and arrests. Or rather, it wasn't just about arresting corrupt officials—what His Highness wanted was...

Ying Fusheng said, "Repeating the same action will only breed wariness."

"To strike, we must uproot the problem entirely."

"Your Highness, this will be extremely difficult. The best course is to act through the Embroidered Uniform Guard. While it may not catch everyone, it can still punish those who escape the net." Weng Yanqing weighed the pros and cons. The Sixth Prince was merely assigned a task; they could perhaps push forward the investigation of corrupt officials, but the final decision rested with the Emperor himself. Any misstep would be overstepping authority, inviting imperial suspicion.

Moreover, the Censorate, controlled by the Xiao family, had stood firm in the court for years. Such a colossal entity would be incredibly hard to shake with their limited strength.

Outside the window, street vendors hawked their wares amidst the bustling crowd. The common people went about their daily routines, rising at dawn and resting at dusk. The post-war hardships across Dayuan had long been reduced to urgent reports. Confiscating properties and filling the treasury only alleviated short-term crises. The petitions submitted by scholars and the experiences the people had gathered the courage to recount were all evidence of corrupt officials bleeding the populace dry.

"Weng Yanqing, what do you think the common people will believe?" Ying Fusheng suddenly asked.

Weng Yanqing paused and didn't respond.

Ying Fusheng turned to Song An. After a moment of thought, Song An said, "Perhaps the government?"

"Trust the court and government?" Shen Yunfei interjected from behind. "The people must trust His Majesty."

The current Emperor, having led campaigns personally and governed diligently, had long won the hearts of the people across the land.

Ying Fusheng shook his head, his gaze drifting to the sky.

The dazzling sun shone like heavenly light, spilling over the mortal world.

"What the people trust most lies there."

...

When the news from the Court of Judicial Review spread, students from the Imperial Academy rushed to share it. The Sixth Prince, to appease student unrest, personally visited the Court of Judicial Review to sort through the case files, selecting those with doubts for re-examination. Discussions buzzed in tea houses and taverns. Some said the Sixth Prince spoke out for the scholars and the people; others doubted whether he could understand the complexities of the case files, given his youth.

A coarse-clothed old man and a young girl stopped outside a tavern, piecing together the court situation from fragments of gossip.

"Grandfather, did the officials see our petition?" the little girl whispered. "They say many corrupt officials have been arrested, so why haven't our fields been returned?"

The old man quickly covered her mouth, pulling her into the shadows. His face was already resigned. "They won't investigate our case."

The scholar traveling with them fell silent for a moment, then said, "The Court of Judicial Review is still accepting petitions. I'll write another one for you and submit it."

"We've already submitted several," the old man said, grabbing his arm and shaking his head. "Don't waste your future on this."

He had heard the rumors—if the court wanted to protect someone, no amount of petitions would change that. They were ordinary people; they couldn't control such things. It wasn't worth throwing their lives away.

The scholar was about to insist when voices rang out from a distance. Several students ran by, spreading the word: "News! His Majesty has ordered the Censorate to hold a public trial!"

"A trial for what?"

"Chen Yuanli! The case files the Sixth Prince mentioned are all to be retried! It will be held at the Censorate in a few days—"

The old man and the scholar stopped in their tracks, disbelief flickering in their eyes.

Through every alley and street in the capital, the news spread like wildfire.

In the court, civil and military officials buzzed with discussion.

"His Majesty has tacitly allowed the Court of Judicial Review to continue its investigation."

"But those murder cases handled by the former Prefect of Shuntian won't be easy to deal with!"

As news of the Court of Judicial Review reopening the bribery case of the Shuntian Prefect spread, the court officials' attention fell on the Censorate. After the morning court session ended, the officials' glances at the Censorate made Xiao Yao particularly displeased.

"Lord Xiao is back!"

Inside the Xiao residence, security was tight. Xiao Yao stormed in, followed by Xiao Yan, who had also returned from the Censorate. Servants, seeing Xiao Yao's anger, lowered their heads and dared not speak. One offered a cup of hot tea, but Xiao Yao threw it to the ground in irritation.

"Xiao Yan, what exactly are you trying to do?" Xiao Yao glared at him. "Are you dragging the Shuntian Prefect's case into this as well?"

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes and remained silent. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the head of the Xiao family walking in with a cane. He turned and bowed respectfully. "Uncle."

The head of the Xiao family, standing in a position of authority, was the current Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, the superior of all censors, the younger brother of the current Empress Dowager, and Xiao Yan's uncle. The head of the Xiao family was advanced in age and in poor health. In recent years, the affairs of the Censorate had fallen to the clan elder Xiao Yao and the younger generation's Xiao Yan, with the Emperor's permission to skip morning court.

"Have you seen the Empress Dowager?" The head of the Xiao family turned to Old Madam Xiao. "This matter involving the Sixth Prince should be discussed with her."

Old Madam Xiao had already sent word to the palace, but the Empress Dowager had repeatedly refused to meet. Now, they needed to gauge the Emperor's stance through the Empress Dowager. "The Sixth Prince's actions show no regard for us. I have written a letter and sent it to the palace, to be presented to the Empress Dowager."

Hearing this, the head of the Xiao family said, "The Empress Dowager is also confused."

He looked at Xiao Yao. "The clan elder was indeed negligent this time."

"Who would have thought the Sixth Prince could be so glib, twisting two unrelated matters into one?" Xiao Yao said discontentedly. "Don't worry, I'll handle the rest. I won't let the fire reach the Censorate."

"Now that His Majesty has returned to court, he has long harbored grievances against the court, unlike a few years ago," the head of the Xiao family reminded him. "Be cautious in all things. Don't let suspicion fall on us."

"You did well this time, helping the clan elder out of a tight spot. But the Shuntian Prefect's case should be handled by him." The head of the Xiao family turned to the respectful Xiao Yan and instructed without room for argument, "We are all members of the Xiao family. Everything we do is for the family. Be considerate of each other and avoid discord."

With these light words, he acknowledged Xiao Yan's help but still assigned the Shuntian Prefect's case to Xiao Yao.

Xiao Yan lowered his eyes and said, "It is my duty. Since the Shuntian Prefect's case was handled by the clan elder, it should be decided by him... But does the clan elder need my assistance?"

Xiao Yao waved his hand. "No need."

He had no desire to exchange another word with Xiao Yan.

After a few words, they parted on bad terms. The head of the Xiao family glanced at Xiao Yan from a distance as he left with Old Madam Xiao. Xiao Yan sat in the main hall, downed the now-cold tea in one gulp, and ordered, "Watch their movements. Report any changes to me."

The servant obeyed and left. Xiao Yan rubbed the edge of the teacup, and from the shadows behind him, several members of the Xiao family emerged.

One of them said, "His Majesty has been dissatisfied with the Xiao family for a long time. This time, I'm afraid..."

During the Emperor's campaign years, the Xiao family had secretly cultivated good relations with various factions, flouting Dayuan's laws. The wealth and power gifted by various forces had led the so-called clan elders to repeatedly test the Emperor's bottom line. And the head of the Xiao family, his uncle, had been recommended by the clan elders after his father's death to take over as Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate.

Thus, he had always relied on these clan elders and only listened to their advice.

If His Majesty truly intended to shield the Xiao family, he would not have gone through the process of the Three Judicial Offices. These stubborn old fools in the clan still thought the Emperor was merely letting them go through the motions to appease court resentment, not realizing that the Emperor had long been displeased with the Xiao family... The Empress Dowager's repeated refusals to accept the Xiao family's requests had already made her stance clear.

She was a member of the Xiao family, but more importantly, she was the Empress Dowager of Dayuan.

Several concessions were made only out of consideration for the Empress Dowager and the contributions of the Xiao clan’s elders. If the Censorate’s current state does not change, the Emperor will step in himself, and then it’s uncertain whether the Censorate will still exist.

“If it weren’t for that day’s Three Judicial Offices deliberation, the Xiao clan would have had no choice but to cut off one of its own arms.” Xiao Yan set down his teacup. The Xiao clan was plagued by severe internal strife; if he openly took a stand, the elders would resist. For now, all he could do was nudge things along. “I cannot be the one to do this. This matter must be handled by the imperial family.”

Hiding the meaning in his eyes, Xiao Yan said, “The knife that showed up at the Three Judicial Offices deliberation—the Sixth Prince.”

Just then, someone rushed in from outside the Xiao residence to report:

“Lord Xiao Yan! News from the Censorate—the Sixth Prince and officials from the Court of Judicial Review are heading to the Censorate together!”

“What business does he have at the Censorate?” The Xiao family members were taken aback.

“The Court of Judicial Review is investigating a case, and it’s said that the Sixth Prince happened to accompany them, so they went along to the Censorate,” the messenger said. “They should be at the Censorate’s gate by now.”

“Is that all? Let Xiao Yao handle it, then.”

“No…” The messenger’s voice trembled. “Word got out that today’s hearing is public. The students of the Imperial Academy and the common folk have all gathered at the gates of the Three Judicial Offices.”

“Was it the Sixth Prince’s doing?” Xiao Yan asked.

The messenger had already looked into it. “No, no one knows how the news got out.”

A flicker of concern crossed Xiao Yan’s eyes. The public hearing was known only to a few—why had it suddenly spread so widely? He suddenly remembered how Xiao Yao had looked earlier… His eyes went cold. Some people were truly greedy and reckless—they’d stoop to anything.

He stood still, deep in thought. “Fetch the memorial I prepared in advance.”

The messenger was shocked. “Milord, this is—?”

Xiao Yan said in a low voice, “I’m going to the palace to see the Emperor.”

…

Within half an hour, the news that the Sixth Prince had gone to the Court of Judicial Review and then accompanied its Chief Minister to the Censorate reached the ears of all major factions in the capital. The Emperor had tacitly allowed the Court of Judicial Review to reopen the case of the Shuntian Prefect. Those who had been suppressed, openly or covertly, were now all on edge.

“Foolish. If he had gone to the Empress Dowager, the Xiao clan would have backed him.”

In the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince said coldly, “Yet he went and offended his own supporters first.”

After the task of placating the Imperial Academy students was assigned to Ying Fusheng, the prince had previously challenged the Censorate, earning him much praise from the Emperor in court. Lately, the Crown Prince had calmed down a bit. Knowing Ying Fusheng had screwed up with this affair, he was happy to see him embarrass himself. “The Xiao clan has been in court for years; a few case files are no big deal… To be safe, send someone to check it out.”

“If necessary, give him a push.”

At the same time, upon hearing the news, the various factions in court immediately sent people to the Censorate.

The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review sat in a carriage, traveling alongside the Sixth Prince. Watching the drowsy prince nodding off beside him, he sat upright, occasionally reaching out to pick up the blanket that had slipped to the floor for the Sixth Prince.

The Emperor had ordered the Censorate to handle the undecided case files as a consolidated case, to investigate suspects in the Chen Yuanli case and to calm public grievances.

As soon as they arrived at the Censorate’s gate, several imperial censors stood at the entrance, surrounded by students kept at bay by the officials. It was a lively scene.

The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review stepped down first, then reached out to help the Sixth Prince alight. The officials of the Court of Judicial Review following behind widened their eyes at their Vice Minister’s attitude toward the Sixth Prince that day. Was this the same unyielding Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review?

“Has the Vice Minister changed his ways?”

“If you can make the Court of Judicial Review stand tall, the Vice Minister will smile at you too.”

The Censorate had been slacking off, suppressing several of their case files. Just as the officials of the Court of Judicial Review were wondering how to argue with the Censorate to have the files resubmitted, the Sixth Prince arrived like a godsend.

Ying Fusheng got out of the carriage, saw the commotion at the Censorate’s entrance, and looked back in confusion.

The censors hurriedly ushered him inside, afraid that his sharp tongue might cause more trouble at the gate.

With students and common folk gathered now, the censor in charge of receiving him observed Ying Fusheng and said, “Sixth Prince, the Three Judicial Offices deliberation has yet to be settled, and now the Imperial Academy students and folk are gathered here. I’m afraid—”

“What’s the big deal? Isn’t a Three Judicial Offices review a good thing?” Ying Fusheng looked at him curiously. “If it’s a good thing, let them know. Once the matter is resolved and a few corrupt officials are caught, the students’ emotions will naturally be calmed. Father highly values the gathering of the people. Don’t be careless; you must give the common folk an explanation.”

The censors exchanged glances but said nothing.

“Or are you saying you can’t even catch a corrupt official this time?” Ying Fusheng frowned. “That can’t be. The problematic case files are right there. Are you trying to play favorites and commit fraud?”

His arguments came in a steady stream, effectively silencing the Censorate officials.

The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review beside him remained cold and aloof, ignoring all the gazes directed at him. This allowed the officials of the Court of Judicial Review following behind to hold their heads high for the first time as they walked into the Censorate, experiencing the joy of riding on someone else’s coattails.

For years, among the Three Judicial Offices, the Court of Judicial Review had been suppressed by the other two, often taking the blame and cleaning up messes, always having to act according to the Censorate’s wishes.

When Xiao Yao arrived, he saw this scene. His face darkened as he entered the Censorate, and upon seeing Ying Fusheng standing in the court hall, his eyes were full of gloom. He bowed and said, “Sixth Prince.”

Ying Fusheng nodded, waved his hand, and told him not to bother. Let everyone begin.

The Censorate had no choice but to set up a seat for him in front of the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. The Sixth Prince sat down and remained silent, seemingly not intending to interfere with the court hearing, listening attentively to the proceedings.

“Hand the case files to the Sixth Prince,” Xiao Yao ordered.

Ying Fusheng raised an eyebrow. “Give them to me?”

“The Sixth Prince cares about the case files. With the Imperial Academy students gathered outside, if the Prince sees clearly, it will be easier to explain to them,” Xiao Yao said, placing heavy emphasis on the word “explain.”

“A thoughtful arrangement, as always, from Elder Xiao.” Ying Fusheng nodded and then added, “Today, the Court of Judicial Review brought along some case files that were said to have been returned by the Censorate. I had them bring these as well. You have no objections, Elder Xiao?”

“Of course not.” Xiao Yao had long prepared for this. The returned case files were deliberately sent back by him, precisely to guard against the Court of Judicial Review and the Embroidered Uniform Guard behind it.

Over the past few days, the Censorate had to work overtime reviewing the files, doctoring the problematic ones to fill in the “evidence” that was needed. To satisfy the Emperor and the Sixth Prince, the Censorate had no choice but to go through the court proceedings, making these files public through open hearings, and even pushing forward a few scapegoats to quell public outrage.

For this reason, Xiao Yao had to rebuild relations with other factions. They had already decided whom to push to appease the Emperor’s anger, determined not to give the Court of Judicial Review and the Embroidered Uniform Guard another chance.

Upon hearing this, the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review furrowed his brows. Meanwhile, Xiao Yao had already walked up to the court and ordered the prisoners to be summoned. Other court officials were also present to observe, by the Emperor’s decree. Xiao Yao bowed to them and said, “Since the Imperial Academy students are outside, why not let a few of them in to observe the open hearing? Let every scholar in the land know.”

“As thoughtful as ever, Elder Xiao,” Ying Fusheng said.

“Vice Minister!” the officials of the Court of Judicial Review hurriedly whispered.

The Vice Minister shook his head, signaling them to be patient. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xiao Yao let in several students. Soon, many students gathered outside the hall. Xiao Yao was completely unflustered, sitting confidently in the court.

“Vice Minister,” Ying Fusheng turned to him. “May I borrow two people to record the testimonies in court?”

The Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review summoned some men. The Censorate officials beside them said, “Your Highness, the court testimonies are already recorded by others.”

“You keep your own records. What I’m recording is for my father and the students’ account,” Ying Fusheng said, turning to look at the Vice Minister. Shen Yunfei stepped forward. “His Highness has spoken. Vice Minister, you must ensure that everything is recorded properly.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness,” said the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Xiao Yao had no patience for their antics. He quickly summoned the defendants. “Let us begin.”

Soon, the officials announced the suspects and brought them into the court. The first few cases tried were precisely the problematic case files Ying Fusheng had flagged during the Three Judicial Offices deliberation. The Censorate had long prepared for this, doctoring the evidence to argue for “innocence,” and even if there was guilt, it was only a minor offense, not serious enough to warrant confiscating their property.

“Did you never have any dealings with the Shuntian Prefect?” Ying Fusheng asked.

The official said, "Of course there is interaction, but with so many court matters related to the Shuntian Prefecture, such dealings are unavoidable!"

"Oh, just official business?" Ying Fusheng pressed further.

The official pleaded tearfully, "A thousand times true!"

The assembled court officials below the hall frowned and murmured, observing the proceedings. Among them, several "students" whispered.

"So it's innocent?"

"Rumor has it these are the case files selected by the Sixth Prince, who even criticized the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate a few days ago..."

"The Censorate has so many cases to handle every day—isn't the Sixth Prince just making trouble? The Censorate has been handling cases for years; they can tell which files are problematic and which aren't!"

"But then again, the Sixth Prince is doing this for our sake!"

The Deputy Chief of the Grand Court of Revision sensed something amiss. The whispers in the hall had subtly shifted, turning unfavorable to the Sixth Prince, with several students guiding the narrative. He realized this was Xiao Yao's deliberate move—he had let in students, but they were all his pre-arranged pawns, planted to sway public opinion.

Now that the common people had gathered, if the hall's discussions spread outside, the blame would fall entirely on the Sixth Prince.

Ying Fusheng sat quietly, ignoring the murmurs around him, occasionally asking a question or two. He appeared blind to the subtext, focusing only on one or two suspicious points in the testimonies, questioning them repeatedly.

Several senior ministers cast glances at Ying Fusheng, their brows furrowed with concern. The Sixth Prince's efforts to investigate corrupt officials were commendable, but he had never formally taken up a court post, was young and inexperienced, and his relying on words alone only stirred trouble.

In contrast, Chief Examiner Xiao Yao was diligent and meticulous, carefully reviewing every case. His thoroughness won praise—he was truly a censor worthy of the Xiao family name.

Gradually, the whispers in the hall grew louder. Taking the opportunity, Xiao Yao brought forward several pre-arranged scapegoats. If all cases were found innocent, it would be difficult to justify to His Majesty. So, he needed to offer up some "useless" officials at the right moment. This tactic had been used repeatedly in recent years: the Emperor wanted results, and as long as results were delivered, the matter could be settled.

After several hours, as the trials neared their end, Xiao Yao's demeanor grew more relaxed. The "students" he had planted in the hall subtly influenced the others. The expressions of many toward Ying Fusheng shifted, and unfavorable remarks quietly spread outside.

Ying Fusheng lowered his gaze, silently watching the scene in the hall.

Outside the Censorate, the noise from the hall grew louder. The "commoner students" mixed in the crowd picked up signals from inside, spreading the word that the Sixth Prince's pointless questioning was disrupting the court's order, and that all the petitions submitted by the Sixth Prince and the Grand Court of Revision had been found innocent—something the Censorate had already known, yet it had to retry the cases just because of the Sixth Prince.

"Isn't this a waste of time?"

"Exactly. The Censorate could have been handling other corrupt officials, but now the Sixth Prince's antics delay everything. By the time the evidence is destroyed, it'll be too late for the Censorate to investigate."

The Censorate gatekeepers stood by and let the "commoners" shout.

Some among the real commoners looked around in confusion, exchanging bewildered glances. How could it be innocent? Those were the petitions they had written. The Grand Court of Revision and the Sixth Prince were supposed to speak for them, yet now the verdict was innocent!

"Guilty! How can it be innocent!" the commoners shouted in opposition.

The students' eyes turned red. "Vice Minister Xu of the Ministry of Justice accepted bribes—this is officials covering for each other!"

"You're instigating trouble—are you shills for corrupt officials?" someone countered. "Lord Xu has convicted countless corrupt officials—everyone knows that. An imperial official like him can't be slandered without evidence."

Just then, a high-ranking official intervened, shouting, "Silence! Without proof, you dare slander the Vice Minister of Justice? Drag the troublemakers away!"

The commoners felt a lump in their throats, their eyes reddened.

The evidence they had submitted with their petitions—every word, every phrase—was what they had witnessed with their own eyes. How could it be innocent?

Several students resisted being dragged away. Amid the uproar, a strange sound came from above. Everyone looked up sharply. A flash of red light, then a fire dragon shot up unnaturally fast, like a fire dragon consuming everything. In an instant, it engulfed the plaque bearing the words "Censorate."

All were stunned, gazing up as the fire dragon blazed spontaneously, consuming everything like a divine punishment.