Chарtеr 369: Тhе Вrоnze Spаrrоw оf Сhаng'an Sings 23
The nехt day, it wаs time for thе Judiсiаl Аffаirs Вureau tо arrange the public раradе of thе Jin сlаn. Аll membеrs оf thе Jin fаmilу werе locked in рrisоn cаrts and parаded through thе streets оf Сhаng'аn, drаwing сrоwds of onlооkers.
Zhаng Хingwеi stoоd on thе tеahousе bаlcоny with a gravе exprеssiоn whеn suddenlу someonе lеаpеd in thrоugh thе rеаr windоw, aррeаring behind him аnd cupрing his hands in sаlutе.
"Мastеr, wе hаvе alreadу sent peoplе disguised as Jin clаnsmen to infiltrаte thе Judiсial Аffairs Bureau's dungeon. Success is assured today."
Zhang Xingwei’s face showed sorrow. "Does he blame me?"
The man knelt on one knee. "He would never dare blame you, my lord. To brave fire and water for you is our duty."
"Alas, how could he not blame me? Even if you do not, I blame myself."
As soon as he finished speaking, loud cries of injustice echoed from the street below. The man immediately vanished into hiding, while Zhang Xingwei moved to the window to look down. His expression changed dramatically.
There, Jin Cang knelt inside a prison cart, clad in prisoner’s garb, wailing and crying out to the heavens:
"The Empress is wise and just! 'The Prince of Qin Breaks the Enemy Formation' was my doing alone. It has nothing to do with the Crown Prince, and even less to do with my clan."
Zhang Xingwei glanced at the other prison carts. The man he had arranged to sacrifice himself was stunned by this sudden turn. He had been prepared to die to prove his loyalty—why had Jin Cang taken the lead?
Jin Cang continued to cry out, banging his head against the prison cart relentlessly, oblivious to the blood streaming from his wounds.
"In years past, the Crown Prince saved this humble sinner from obscurity and recommended me to the Music Academy. I am eternally grateful."
Hearing this, Zhu Yan wanted to rush out but was stopped by Shen Du. He shook his head—he had already arranged for warriors to intercept the carts before the execution ground, ensuring they would not die in vain.
Zhu Yan restrained herself, wiping away her tears.
"This sinner played that piece at the instruction of Vice Minister Lai. I know I have wronged the Crown Prince. Today, I speak the truth and will die to prove my loyalty. I beg the Empress to see clearly and restore justice for the Crown Prince."
As soon as Jin Cang uttered these words, guards from the Judicial Affairs Bureau rushed forward to whip him. Unable to evade the blows, Jin Cang endured them with unyielding resolve. When Lai Luozhi approached, he hurled curses at him.
At first, Lai Luozhi paid no mind, but Jin Cang described the events with such vivid detail—as if he had truly played "The Prince of Qin Breaks the Enemy Formation" under Lai Luozhi’s orders—that Lai Luozhi grew furious. With a command, he ordered the prison cart opened and Jin Cang dragged out, hauled across the frost-covered bluestone pavement.
Icicles still hung from the eaves along the bitterly cold street, and a layer of frost coated the bluestones. Jin Cang, barely clothed, was dragged across the icy ground. The bone-chilling cold, combined with the torture he had endured in the Judicial Affairs Bureau, soon became unbearable. He began vomiting blood in great spurts.
Seeing this, the glimmer in Lai Luozhi’s gray eyes dimmed. He raised a hand, signaling his men to release Jin Cang. Jin Cang curled into a ball, blood gushing from his mouth and spreading across the frost-covered ground, melting the ice and seeping into the cracks between the stones.
Lai Luozhi stepped on Jin Cang’s fingers, sneering. "Daring to spout nonsense even at death’s door. Men, carry him into the jar."
Several men surged forward, dragging Jin Cang toward a large urn. Once inside, with firewood lit beneath, the person within would soon be roasted to charred bones.
This was Lai Luozhi’s newly invented torture device—Inviting the Lord into the Jar.
Zhu Yan covered her mouth, unwilling to let her sobs escape. Shen Du frowned, never expecting Lai Luozhi to carry out private punishment midway. He glanced toward Jing Lin in another location, his meaning clear.
Jing Lin nodded and slipped into the crowd.Before anyone could react, Jin Cang, who had been hanging his head and allowing himself to be dragged along, suddenly found strength from somewhere. He broke free from the men dragging him, rushed up to Lai Luozhi, grabbed his collar, and began shouting and spitting at him. Lai Luozhi kicked him away, his face darkening as his collar was torn. Before he could kick again, Jin Cang seized the chaos to snatch a waist knife from one of the men. He slashed wildly at those closing in, forcing them back, then let out a long, anguished cry to the sky. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he plunged the blade straight into his abdomen and dragged it viciously to one side. Blood gushed out, spilling his intestines onto the ground.
“We were incompetent, deceived by the petty villain Lai into harming the Crown Prince. Today, I deserve to die. But the Crown Prince’s injustice must be known. Today, I write this letter in blood, begging the Empress to see the truth and clear the Crown Prince’s name.”
With these words, Jin Cang pulled out a white cloth already inscribed with blood-red characters. He flung it into the air with all his might. Lai Luozhi, sharp-eyed, moved to seize it, but Shen Du appeared out of nowhere and intercepted it. Seeing this, Jin Cang smiled in relief, then drove the knife deeper into his abdomen, carving it open once more before breathing his last.
Blood pooled in great swathes beneath him, quickly flooding the street around his body. The Jin clan wailed uncontrollably, and those arranged by Minister Zhang took the lead, howling and proclaiming the injustice.
The crowd of onlookers swelled, and cries of grievance shook the entire long street.
The common people, wary of the blood, all shied away from Jin Cang’s body. Zhu Yan could bear it no longer. She dashed forward in a single stride. Seeing this, Shen Du inwardly cursed and swiftly flew over, reaching Jin Cang first. He lifted him, heedless of the blood staining his robes, and checked his pulse without a moment’s hesitation.
“Speak quickly. There is little time left.”
Tears burst from Zhu Yan’s eyes as she grasped Jin Cang’s hand, sobbing, “Uncle.”
Lai Luozhi approached with his men but was blocked by the Inner Guard. He said darkly, “Shen Du, I advise you not to interfere in this matter.”
Shen Du coldly retorted, “This office is tasked with investigating the Crown Prince’s case. Since Jin Cang cries out for the Crown Prince’s injustice, it concerns this office.”
Seeing that Shen Du was immovable and that Jin Cang’s life was fading, Lai Luozhi ordered his men to secure the scene, then turned and rode his horse toward the palace.
Blood continuously welled from Jin Cang’s mouth. He twitched the corner of his lips, pain wracking him with coughs.
“Uncle!” Zhu Yan’s eyes were blurred with tears she could not wipe away.
Jin Cang shook his head, gasping for breath.
“Just now… I saw a red fire moth tattoo on Lai Luozhi’s chest, near his heart. It was very distinct… cough… You must be careful. Protect yourself… and your mother.”
With that, the hand gripping hers gradually lost strength and slipped away.
Even Shen Du, who had handled countless cases, had never witnessed such a brutal act of self-destruction. He reached out and closed Jin Cang’s eyes. Seeing Zhu Yan dazed and distant, he quickly gathered her into his arms. He ordered his subordinates to guard Jin Cang’s remains with care, then had Zhu Yan placed in a carriage to be escorted back by Jing Lin. He himself took the blood letter and headed to the palace.
Zhu Yan’s eyes were vacant, unaware of Shen Du’s departure, yet she clung tightly to a corner of his robe.
“Be good. I will return.”
By the time Shen Du arrived, Lai Luozhi had long since been there. It was easy to imagine what lies he had already spoken.
That mouth, skilled at distorting truth, was the source of all original sin.
“Chief Shen, charging forth in rage for a beauty—risking life and death for a mere musician. How laughable, how laughable.”
Ignoring his mockery, Shen Du swept a glance over Lai Luozhi’s chest, then produced the blood letter. Kneeling on the ground, he spoke with solemn gravity:"Your Majesty, this is a blood-written letter personally penned by Jin Cang, pleading for the Crown Prince's innocence. As the Crown Prince's case is currently under my jurisdiction, and with new evidence emerging, it is only right that the case be reopened for retrial."
Zhou Zhao remained silent for a long while. Seeing Shen Du's robes soaked in blood, then glancing at Lai Luozhi's pristine white garments without a speck of dust, he smiled faintly and asked Lai Luozhi:
"What does Minister Lai think?"
Earlier, before Shen Du arrived, Lai Luozhi had already stated his opinion. Now, he could not help but resent Shen Du, yet had no choice but to repeat himself:
"I believe..."
"Your Majesty," Shen Du cut off Lai Luozhi's words, addressing Zhou Zhao, "Jin Cang stated in the blood letter that he was deceived by Minister Lai into framing the Crown Prince. He was controlled by Minister Lai's mind-influencing technique. I wonder if Minister Lai admits to this crime?"
"Nonsense! Of course I do not admit it. How can he make such baseless accusations?" Lai Luozhi grew furious at the sight of Shen Du.
Shen Du chuckled softly, growing even calmer. "Everything requires evidence. Since Jin Cang has made this claim, to clear Minister Lai's name, this case should be reopened. Moreover, as a suspect, Minister Lai should recuse himself."
Shifting the focus, he kowtowed to the Empress.
"Your Majesty, the Jin clan members should be handed over to the Cabinet for handling, so that justice may be served for Minister Lai."
Zhou Zhao waved his hand, as if impatient. "Then let it be done as such."
Lai Luozhi's words were stifled before they could leave his lips. Fuming with anger, his originally pale complexion flushed with color.
Suddenly, Zhou Zhao hurled three writing brushes at Shen Du, leaving long black ink stains on his already disheveled official robes:
"If you have wronged Minister Lai, I will surely make you pay."
Shen Du bowed in fear. "Your servant is terrified."
Only then did Lai Luozhi feel slightly better. The two knelt and took their leave, each walking their separate ways, ignoring the other.
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