TGCFNM -Chapter 509 Entering the Palace to Attend the Trial

As soon as Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin returned to the Wan Residence, they were notified to enter the palace. Chu Ling therefore changed into her official robes and, together with Wan Sanjin, headed into the palace once again.

This time, the person escorting them was not Eunuch Gao, but Eunuch Zhang, who served at the emperor’s side. Eunuch Zhang appeared much more steady and spoke little. After inviting them onto the carriage, he said nothing further.

Once they arrived at the palace, Eunuch Zhang flicked his fly-whisk and bowed.

“Lord Chu, Adviser Wan, please follow this old servant.”

Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin immediately returned the courtesy and followed him forward.

After walking for a while, Wan Sanjin couldn’t help whispering, “This isn’t the same route as last time.”

Eunuch Zhang gave a light chuckle and politely replied, “Last time Lord Chu was invited to the Central Palace to hear a case. This time, we are going to His Majesty’s Imperial Study.”

Wan Sanjin leaned forward with a smile. “Thank you for informing us, Eunuch Zhang.”

As he spoke, a small pouch quietly slipped over.

Eunuch Zhang understood immediately and said with a faint smile, “Actually, this old servant doesn’t know what the matter is either. But His Majesty hasn’t touched today’s tea or snacks, and even the attendants serving close to him have already received a beating.”

Wan Sanjin appropriately showed a nervous expression and even glanced back at Chu Ling.

Chu Ling returned the look with an equally “grave” expression.

Eunuch Zhang smiled again. “However, this time Lord Chu and Adviser Wan will only be listening from the side, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.”

Wan Sanjin and Chu Ling immediately expressed their gratitude, looking deeply moved.

When they reached the outside of the Imperial Study, Eunuch Zhang first went in to report their arrival. Then he pushed open the door and let Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin enter.

The two stepped inside and immediately knelt to perform a deep bow.

“That’s enough. Rise and stand to the side to listen,” the emperor said with an unpleasant expression, glancing down briefly before shifting his gaze away.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the two replied in unison. They bowed and retreated to stand beside Lu Shi, quietly straightening up.

Lu Shi stared straight ahead as if he hadn’t seen Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin at all. However, the fingers hidden inside his sleeves waved slightly backward, so Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin tactfully stepped back a little farther.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, may we begin the trial of this case?” Lu Shi asked with a bow.

The emperor waved his hand. “Proceed.”

Lu Shi respectfully responded and ordered that Prince Qi and Xuanyuan Zheng be brought in. At the same time, he called out, “Lord Chu, I heard you just finished interrogating Xuanyuan Zheng’s son, Xuanyuan Bai?”

Chu Ling stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Reporting to Lord Lu, yes.”

“What happened?” Lu Shi asked.

Chu Ling clasped her hands and explained, “Taking advantage of the chaos at the Xuanyuan residence last night, Xuanyuan Bai secretly escaped and collapsed outside the Wan family’s gate. The steward brought him inside. After he regained consciousness, during my questioning he stated that, fearing the rampant spread of the Gu worms, he decided to come report the case himself—placing righteousness above family.”

Lu Shi’s mouth twitched. What a claim of placing righteousness above family. These little monkeys really weren’t afraid of being investigated.

Chu Ling cautiously took a porcelain bottle out from her sleeve, her eyes tense.

“This is exactly what Xuanyuan Bai retrieved from a vase in his father’s study. Inside this porcelain bottle is the dormant Beauty Gu!”

The moment those words were spoken, even the emperor’s expression changed. He instinctively leaned back slightly.

Chu Ling carefully presented the bottle. The emperor frowned and signaled Eunuch Zhang to receive it.

Eunuch Zhang brought over a tray, and Chu Ling gently placed the porcelain bottle onto it.

Eunuch Zhang had intended to present it to His Majesty for inspection, but seeing the emperor’s expression, he instead kept a slight distance. He raised it slightly and, after the emperor waved his hand, stepped aside with the porcelain bottle and handed it to the young eunuch beside him.

Seeing that the moment was appropriate, Chu Ling immediately spoke:

“After investigation and interrogation by this humble official, it has been confirmed that the Xuanyuan family maliciously impeached and suppressed other officials. After those officials were convicted and sent to Sin Street, the Xuanyuan family then forced their daughters into Canghua Tower to become courtesans. They deceived the girls into taking the Beauty Gu. Once this Gu is taken, the victim dies within seven days. The Xuanyuan family used this method to gain enormous profits.”

The emperor suddenly slammed the table, startling Chu Ling.

After glancing at her, the emperor waved his hand for her to step back, then looked at Lu Shi.

“This case—investigate it thoroughly for me!”

Lu Shi bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon, Prince Qi and Xuanyuan Zheng were escorted in. Both looked rather unwell, their faces pale.

Chu Ling took a careful glance and wondered whether they had been affected by Su He’s incense or whether they were simply frightened because their crimes had been exposed.

When the emperor saw them, his face filled with fury as he coldly shouted, “Kneel before me!”

Prince Qi and Xuanyuan Zheng immediately knelt, their faces pale as they kowtowed.

“Listen carefully—listen to the fine deeds you’ve committed! Then tell me whether the hearts in your chests are black!” the emperor roared. “Lu Shi, begin the trial!”

Lu Shi responded, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I will first interrogate Lord Xuanyuan.”

As he spoke, he signaled for the young eunuch to bring forward the porcelain bottle, then asked in a deep voice, “Lord Xuanyuan, do you recognize this item?”

Xuanyuan Zheng’s expression changed instantly, and panic was visible to the naked eye.

“Y-Your Majesty, this humble official… has never seen it.”

Lu Shi barked, “Lord Xuanyuan, you are standing before His Majesty. Please answer truthfully. Do you recognize this porcelain bottle or not?”

Xuanyuan Zheng clenched his teeth. “I do not recognize it.”

“Heh!” Lu Shi sneered, pointing at the bottle. “This porcelain bottle was personally found by your legitimate second son, Xuanyuan Bai. He fled the Xuanyuan residence overnight and went to the Wan residence to report the crime. Xuanyuan Bai has already confessed everything and signed a written confession. At this point, are you still going to pretend ignorance and claim you know nothing?”

Xuanyuan Zheng seemed to suffer a tremendous blow. He stared blankly at Lu Shi.

“You’re saying… my son confessed?”

Lu Shi nodded. “The evidence is conclusive. He has confessed, signed the confession, and has already been imprisoned.”

Xuanyuan Zheng collapsed onto the ground, his face drained of all color.

How could this be… how could this be?

“Lord Xuanyuan,” Lu Shi said solemnly, “tell me: where did you obtain the Beauty Gu? And why did you collude with Canghua Tower to cultivate those Beauty Gu?”

Xuanyuan Zheng’s lips trembled. He stared at Lu Shi for a long while but did not dare to truly speak.

Lu Shi frowned. “Lord Xuanyuan, I am questioning you in front of His Majesty. You had better answer truthfully. Think carefully—so many lives in the Xuanyuan family rest in your hands!”

Xuanyuan Zheng had just begun to open his mouth when his eyes suddenly widened.

His mouth opened as he let out a short cry. His eyeballs bulged, and blood flowed from the corners of his eyes. With a loud thud, he collapsed right there in the imperial study.

Prince Qi, standing nearby, stared at the fallen Xuanyuan Zheng in disbelief. Panic was impossible to hide in his eyes, and his expression turned rapidly ugly.

Lu Shi immediately moved forward to examine him, but Chu Ling grabbed him by the arm and stopped him.

Because she had clearly seen the killer.

It was the evil ghost that followed the Empress Dowager.

That ghost could touch people.

At the same time, a voice announced from outside:

“The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

Immediately afterward, a phoenix-headed cane stepped into the hall first, followed by a left foot wearing phoenix-embroidered auspicious cloud shoes.

Lu Shi and the others all bowed in unison.

“Greetings to the Empress Dowager. May Your Majesty enjoy ten thousand blessings and peace.”