A clap of thunder roared outside the hall, splitting the oppressive clouds that had lingered for so long, as raindrops the size of beans began to fall.
The sound of rain poured down, isolating the inside and outside into two separate worlds.
Inside the grand hall, the court officials heard the rain mingling with the voices of their colleagues.
“I studied with Zheng Xia since we were young. Though his family was poor, his character was noble and pure—he would never engage in corruption or bribery,” Zhu Yong declared loudly.
Chu Zhao shook her head. “That proves nothing. It is not evidence.”
Zhu Yong kowtowed. Of course, he knew this wasn’t evidence—otherwise, repeating this line to countless people over the past six months would have already yielded results.
Driven to desperation, he could only sorrowfully repeat those words.
“I visited Zheng Xia once in prison,” he said, suppressing his grief. “Zheng Xia told me he was only responsible for safeguarding the exam questions set by the Rectifier. He didn’t even know their contents until after the exam was over.”
Chu Zhao shook her head again. When she reviewed the case files, she found too many loopholes—it seemed as though the blame had been hastily pinned on a mid-level official to wrap things up. But the suspect’s own testimony was still not evidence.
Zhu Yong lifted his head. “Zheng Xia said he sealed the storage box with a strip, but the strip he affixed was not the same one the Rectifier opened in the examination hall.”
Chu Zhao frowned. “Yet the case records state that the handwriting was confirmed to be his.”
Zhu Yong’s expression turned sorrowful. “Zheng Xia is actually left-handed. Because it’s considered inauspicious, he has always concealed it, and very few people know. He trained his right hand to be proficient, so in daily life, no one could tell the difference. Zheng Xia told me that day he used his left hand to write the seal. Though the handwriting appears similar at a glance, there are actually many differences—”
So that was it? Then—Chu Zhao couldn’t help leaning forward. “Then he—”
Before she could finish her question, Zhu Yong let out a mournful cry.
“But when Zheng Xia was first interrogated after the incident, his left hand was—injured.” He prostrated himself on the ground, his voice choked with sobs.
Injured left hand? So Zheng Xia could no longer prove it himself? Chu Zhao was astonished. Was it a coincidence or intentional?
This case was indeed problematic.
Chu Zhao nodded. “This case must be retried.”
Zhu Yong, still prostrate, wept bitterly. “The Empress is wise.”
Their conversation ceased, and only the relentless patter of rain filled the hall. Beyond that, there was no other sound—a suffocating silence.
In truth, only the two of them had been speaking earlier. No one had refuted, questioned, or responded. The Vice Minister of Justice had even closed his eyes entirely.
The official who had been interrupted earlier resumed counting on his fingers inside his sleeve. One, two, three—
“Are there any other matters to report?”
A male voice spoke up again—this time, it was the familiar voice of the Grand Tutor.
His words broke the stagnant atmosphere, and the court officials instantly stirred back to life.
“I have a report,” one official stepped forward. “Grand Tutor, for the King Who Pacifies the Country’s birthday this year, should we follow the usual protocol or elevate it one rank?”
The King Who Pacifies the Country was Prince Zhongshan. The late emperor, concerned for this brother stationed afar, had always ordered the Ministry of Rites to send birthday gifts each year. Now, with the court and Prince Zhongshan in a tense standoff, wary of each other, should the gifts still be sent? And if so, according to what standards?
Before Deng Yi could respond, another official immediately stepped forward.
“The King Who Pacifies the Country is insolent and does not deserve gifts from the Son of Heaven.”
“Minister Huang, that is not entirely correct. Though the King Who Pacifies the Country is arrogant and unruly, burdened with crimes, the Son of Heaven’s magnanimity can forgive and enlighten him, showing that he will not be neglected or abandoned.”
“If you ask me, we should send him a disciplinary whip and a volume on filial piety and fraternal duty.”"With the Western Liang campaign still unresolved, we should avoid further complications."
The hall buzzed with arguments and clamor, Deng Yi occasionally interjecting a word or two.
This was the true atmosphere of court.
Zhu Yong, still kneeling on the floor, and Chu Zhao behind the Dragon Throne, seemed to have been forgotten.
Though sharing the same court, they were isolated as if by a curtain of rain.
Zhu Yong remained kneeling dazedly. No one called upon him to speak nor ordered him to withdraw. Gradually, his eyes grew vacant and he fell silent.
Chu Zhao also remained silent.
Yet today's humiliation was even greater than before—after all, someone had finally spoken up for the Empress, only to be completely ignored by the full assembly of officials—
Xiao Yu grew concerned and couldn't help glancing back at Chu Zhao.
Seated calmly in her chair, Chu Zhao showed no trace of anger. When Xiao Yu looked over, she even smiled at him.
Was this child worried she might lose her temper, stand up to berate the courtiers, or storm out in a huff?
If she did so, Deng Yi and the other ministers would immediately ban her from future court sessions.
She was here to secure her position in court—she wouldn't get angry. To be provoked would be playing right into their hands.
......
......
By the time court adjourned, the muffled thunder and heavy rain had ceased. Palace attendants had cleared the accumulated water, allowing officials to walk cleanly and comfortably along the paths.
"Thought we'd get drenched."
"This morning session was conducted with dignity."
Chatting and laughing, they dispersed in various directions.
Zhu Yong walked out of the front hall with vacant eyes. Somehow, he stepped into a drainage ditch, soaking his shoe. The splashing water not only drenched his own robes but also splattered the official beside him.
"Watch where you're going!" the nearby official snapped. Turning and recognizing who it was, he immediately cursed without restraint, "Are you blind?"
Several following officials felt both embarrassed and displeased. "No need for insults." "We all serve the same court."
Hearing this, the official smirked cynically, "Serve the same court? Not necessarily." With that, he cast a contemptuous glance at Zhu Yong, "Not just blind, but black-hearted and spineless—willing to do anything to curry favor with Empress Chu."
He then flung his sleeve and strode away.
"It's not about currying favor."
"How can you speak like that?"
A few officials retorted, but didn't dare raise their voices or pursue him. Noticing the stares from around them, they hung their heads and hurried Zhu Yong along, half-dragging him until they reached outside the Imperial City and away from other officials before stopping.
"Minister Zhu, why were you so impulsive!"
"You've already done all you could for Zheng Xia's matter. Didn't you accept the outcome yourself?"
They all began to reproach him.
Zhu Yong finally snapped out of his daze. He had actually been petitioning about this matter for half a year, exhausted every possible approach, and had mentally resigned himself to the outcome. But first hearing the death sentence, then suddenly discovering someone shared his view, he couldn't help—
He murmured, "I still can't bear to watch Brother Zheng die with my own eyes."
"You're being foolish," one friend sighed. "Don't you understand this case clearly? It's ironclad."
Another official spoke bluntly, "You're just clinging to old sentiments. Hearing someone cry 'injustice,' you believe it. People change—how could your good brother, after years as a Rectifier and Inspector, possibly remain completely clean?""Exactly, which official below is clean?" Another shook his head. "It's merely the difference between being caught and not being caught. He was just unlucky this time—not only was he caught, but he also encountered a scholar who couldn't see reason and drowned himself. The matter blew up, so he had to pay with his life. Other times, it wouldn't have been such a big deal."
Amid the clamor of persuasion, Zhu Yong's expression shifted with melancholy.
"I know about the others, but Brother Zheng..." He gritted his teeth. "Back then, he missed his chance to enter the capital because of corrupt examiners. He hated academic fraud more than anything. He told me he'd rather stay in Jingzhou as a minor official to prevent students from suffering his fate."
Several officials sighed helplessly. "You only hear such words—don't take them seriously." "Now look, not only did he not get saved, but you've dragged yourself down too."
Zhu Yong gazed at them and murmured, "But the Empress believes—"
Daring to mention the Empress? They cut him off in a chorus.
"What does the Empress believing matter? What can she actually do?"
"Besides, the Empress may not truly doubt Zheng Xia's case. She's desperately fishing for someone to take the bait—and sure enough, you fell for it."
"She said it casually, and you believed her. Once it's over, she's fine, but what about you?"
Zhu Yong stared at them; they stared back.
Court officials ignore the Empress and can't touch her, but you? A mere Hanlin compiler!
In unison, they declared: "You're finished!"
Finished? Was the Empress really just speaking carelessly?
Zhu Yong, despondent, wandered slowly along the Imperial Street. He didn't bother going to his office—what was the point? Better to return and arrange matters for his family. If dismissed, he'd leave the capital. If investigation followed dismissal, he'd—
Rapid hoofbeats, splashing rainwater, and sharp curses interrupted his spiraling thoughts. He hurriedly stepped aside as several horses brushed past him.
Looking up, he saw over a dozen imperial guards—tall, rough-faced men in black uniforms with swords, emanating a chilling aura punctuated by glints of gold.
Other officials on the Imperial Street also scrambled aside, pointing and muttering with displeasure.
"How unruly these imperial guards are!"
"They're not ordinary guards—they're the Dragon Cloak Guard."
"Nothing but a lawless bunch from the start."
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