Chapter 116: Public Trial

Preceded by the imperial honor guard, the Empress rode a dappled grey horse, clad in her phoenix robes, with Shadow Phoenix and her personal guards in tow.

She remained on horseback outside the palace, demonstrating the martial spirit of her rule. As she entered the grounds, the surrounding commoners bowed their heads in reverence. The clamor of the marketplace fell into sudden silence, and the civil and military officials rose to receive her.

The Empress rode into the square, dismounted with the assistance of Shadow Phoenix, and took her place upon the phoenix throne at the head of the assembly.

Princesses Di Yuwei, Di Xingwan, and Di Luoxi rose, as did Jing Tianlie, who stood with a respectful bow. The officials on both sides knelt in unison, chanting, "We pay our respects to Your Majesty. May your reign be eternal."

The Empress swept her gaze across the court and gave a slight nod. "Rise." The officials thanked her and took their seats.

Her eyes moved over Jing Tianlie and Long Chen, then lingered on the three princesses. Suddenly, she lifted her gaze toward the Half-Moon Pavilion.

High above, Ji Ba, leader of the Heavenly Alliance, hurriedly averted his eyes and whispered, "She actually sensed it."

Just moments before, Ji Ba had attempted to gauge the Empress's cultivation. Having heard rumors that she had been injured during her battle with Long Ye, he was shocked to find her strength seemingly undiminished. He had merely tried to catch a glimpse of her power, yet he was discovered instantly.

Hong Qi asked nervously, "Leader, what of her cultivation..."

Ji Ba pondered for a moment before replying, "Inscrutable." Hong Qi felt a chill and could not help but glance down at the Empress.

Clad in her phoenix robes, the Empress possessed a regal and imposing air. Her voice, though not loud, carried across the entire square. "My ministers, you are gathered here today, and surely you know why."

"The case of General Shui Han is shrouded in mystery. The Fourth Princess and Long Cheng'en claim the general died from wounds sustained in battle, while the Grand General and the Ministry of War believe there is more to the story."

"To clear the air, I have ordered a public inquiry into the case of General Shui Han today. You, my ministers, and all the commoners here shall be my witnesses."

"Censor Bai, as the Censorate is overseeing this, you may begin."

Bai Anning, an official of the Censorate, rose and bowed to the Empress. "As you command, Your Majesty." He then bowed to the officials and the commoners.

"During the Battle of Linjiang, General Shui Han fell in combat. This is a great loss for our Great Zhou."

"According to the Fourth Princess and Lord Long, General Shui Han was wounded by Shangguan Wei and later succumbed to those injuries, dying a loyal martyr."

"However, according to the Grand General and the Ministry of War, there are suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, and they have requested a retrial."

"Yesterday, the Grand General had the general's remains brought back from Linjiang to the capital, where an autopsy was performed at the Censorate."

At this, the officials who had been unaware were shocked; they had not expected Jing Tianlie to have exhumed Shui Han's grave.

"The dead should be left in peace; how could he dig up a grave?"
"It was to clear General Shui Han's name."
"The Grand General is certainly... bold."

The commoners were equally appalled. They held deep-seated beliefs about the sanctity of the grave and were highly critical of Jing Tianlie’s actions.

"Is Jing Tianlie not afraid of heaven's wrath?"
"How is digging up a grave any different from murder?"
"Why don't the general's family members object?"
"Shui Han was an orphan; he grew up in the army."

Hearing the murmurs, Jing Tianlie frowned. Seeing his grim expression, Bai Qiulian quickly rose. "Everyone, the Grand General did this only to provide justice for General Shui Han and to find his true killer. It was not meant to desecrate the grave."

"If General Shui Han has any spirit in the afterlife, he would thank the Grand General."

Bai Qiulian’s explanation did not quiet the crowd; it only fueled the gossip. The commoners, in particular, began to whisper about the illicit affair between Bai Qiulian and Jing Tianlie, savoring every word.

Long Chen listened quietly, thinking to himself: *So, the Censorate official is the Empress's person.* Just moments ago, Bai Anning appeared impartial, but he had deliberately revealed the exhumation to incite the ire of the officials and the public.

Seeing that the crowd's focus had drifted, Bai Anning quickly shouted, "The autopsy results are in! Your Majesty, please review them!" He produced a document from his sleeve and presented it to the Empress, who took it via Shadow Phoenix.

Upon reading the document, the Empress’s expression shifted, and she turned her gaze toward Di Luoxi and Long Chen.

Seeing the Empress’s grim look, Jing Tianlie and Bai Qiulian were overjoyed, assuming the truth had been exposed. Jing Tianlie was surprised, however; he had assumed the Empress had ordered Di Luoxi to eliminate Shui Han. It seemed he was mistaken. If not the Empress, why would Di Luoxi target the general? Was she acting against the Grand General’s estate on her own?

Bai Qiulian, impatient, rose and bowed. "Your Majesty, please make the autopsy report public so that everyone may know how General Shui Han truly died."

The Empress hesitated, clutching the document. Minister of Justice Hu Chengfu, who had learned the results the night before, glanced at Jing Tianlie and also stood. "I request that you make it public, Your Majesty."

The officials and commoners realized something was amiss and waited for the Empress to speak. Di Yuwei and Di Xingwan turned to Di Luoxi, worried that a catastrophe was unfolding. Despite their usual rivalries and disputes over Long Chen, they were kin. If Di Luoxi had blundered, the entire Royal Family would suffer.

Di Luoxi rose and said, "I object. I request that this public inquiry be terminated."

Long Chen also stood and bowed. "This case is of great importance. I humbly request a closed-door proceeding."

Their joint opposition only deepened the suspicions of those present. Everyone felt there was a conspiracy at play.

In the Half-Moon Pavilion, Ji Ba withdrew his hand from the embrace of a beautiful concubine, sniffed the lingering scent of her skin, and chuckled. "Long Cheng'en and the Fourth Princess are putting on a fine show—playing hard to get."

Ji Ba disliked heating fires in winter, preferring to warm his hands against the concubines he kept for that very purpose.

Hong Qi asked, "They are faking it?"

Ji Ba smiled faintly. "Be careful when you do business with Long Cheng'en."

Hong Qi offered an awkward laugh, understanding the implication: he was not clever enough to avoid being outmaneuvered by Long Chen.

With Di Luoxi and Long Chen both objecting, Bai Qiulian was ecstatic. She cried out, "Fourth Princess, why do you object? Does General Shui Han's death implicate you? Or perhaps... did you kill him yourselves?"

The crowd erupted in an uproar. The rumors regarding Di Luoxi and Long Chen grew even more scandalous.

Long Chen shouted, "I act for the sake of the Imperial Court, not for myself!"

Bai Qiulian sneered, "A fine excuse. It is rare to see such a 'loyal' eunuch."

Hu Chengfu added, "Providing a clear answer for General Shui Han *is* acting for the sake of the court."

Bai Qiulian agreed, "Exactly. The truth is that General Shui Han was murdered by villains. Your Majesty, please reveal the findings!"

As Bai Qiulian’s words echoed, the crowd grew shocked, their eyes fixed on the Empress. She held the autopsy report, her expression heavy. After a long silence, she sighed. "Make it public."