gavel

Zhong Nian faced the court boldly, awaiting further questioning.

Zheng Xingchuan stroked his beard. "There was indeed a bloody pair of scissors in the room, but whose blood it is remains unknown. Your accusation based solely on the scissors seems hasty. Since you weren't present, how can you be certain?"

"I wasn't there, but Prince told me what happened when I arrived," Zhong Nian replied.

"So you only heard Prince's version of events," Zheng Xingchuan noted. "Have you considered that Prince might have planted the scissors to exonerate himself? Would your sister really attempt to assassinate Prince?"

Zhong Nian smiled sadly. "Greenping was always strong-willed. Our father indulged her, allowing her to go to Yanzhou to meet her ideal partner. However, she encountered obstacles and watched her love marry another woman."

His revelation shocked everyone, especially when he hinted at jealousy and betrayal involving the Emperor's closest generals.

A minister asked, "Who was this person?"

Zhong Nian shook his head. "Since that person is married, it's futile to discuss further."

The crowd felt frustrated, sensing he withheld crucial information.

"Zhong Nian, you're trying to clear Prince by maligning your sister," Chi Ying accused.

Zhong Nian retorted, "Do you have proof I'm lying? Do you have proof my sister didn't attempt to assassinate Prince?"

Zhong Nian firmly stated, "Yes!"

Chi Ying was momentarily stunned. Zhong Nian continued, "When the guards searched the room, they found the scissors under the table. Originally, they were in the sewing basket. That night, my sister planned to kill Prince with the scissors while he slept. However, Prince defended himself, pushing her away, which led to her fatal fall."

To harm the relationship between a couple by speaking half-truths, causing three families to harbor resentment towards each other—how unethical is that!

Sitting in her chair, Shi Ying also began to feel uneasy. She had once considered marrying Zhong Lüping to Yang Qiong, and Cui Yi had thought about marrying his sister to Xu Cheng, but both were already in love with others, so nothing came of it. She assumed that Zhong Lüping was not the type to hold grudges, but after hearing what Zhong Nian said today, she wasn't so sure anymore. Could it be that Zhong Lüping really liked Yang Qiong? Otherwise, why would she bring up these old stories from Yan Prefecture to her brother?

"His Highness liked Lüping and proposed marriage several times. When I mentioned it to Lüping, she never gave any response. One day, when I pressed her too hard, she got angry and said she was willing to marry His Highness. Only then did I request the Emperor to bestow the marriage. But the next day, when she went to the palace, she regretted it and denied ever agreeing."

Zhong Nian turned his head and glared at Cui Yi, continuing, "But at that moment, the Emperor flew into a rage, accusing Lüping of treating her lifelong affair as a joke. Once she agreed, she couldn't back out..."

Cui Yi jumped up angrily, slamming the table: "What nonsense! When have I ever said such things! Don't think you can slander me just because you are a descendant of a meritorious official. Slandering the Emperor is a crime punishable by death for nine generations!"

Zhong Nian looked unconcerned: "Your Majesty will deny it anyway. Whether Your Majesty punishes me and my family doesn't matter. Since this trial is being held in front of the citizens of the capital, I must speak the truth. If the Zhong family has to take the blame, even if we have the power to turn the world upside down, how can we compete with the Emperor's authority? We will ultimately die, so I might as well say what needs to be said before I die, to clear Lüping's name."

Cui Yi was almost driven mad by him. It was clearly he who forced Zhong Lüping to agree to marry Cui Xiang, using some despicable means. If Zhong Lüping truly committed suicide, it was because she was driven to a dead end. Yet, he dared to bite back! Zhong Nian spoke of "taking the blame" in front of the Grand Justice of Dali Temple, the six ministers, and countless onlookers. If Cui Yi punished him, it could make people inside and outside the court believe he was a tyrant.

"Lüping entered the palace that day. Although there were only four of us in the imperial study, Du Zhongquan was outside the door, along with the imperial guards, all of whom have ears. Whether Lüping actually said she regretted it or not can be verified," Shi Ying said coldly.

"Of course, Her Highness has always been meticulous and would help cover up for the Emperor. Naturally, their mouths have been bought," Zhong Nian seemed determined to blacken them all, risking everything. With nearly a hundred lives of the Zhong family at stake, he gambled on whether officials and commoners would believe him.

The most terrifying lies are not outright fabrications but mixtures of truth and falsehood. Zhong Lüping indeed did not want to marry Cui Xiang and planned to kill him with scissors. It was indeed an accident when Cui Xiang pushed her and caused her death. These key points were true, making Zhong Nian confident and composed. However, Shi Ying had no direct evidence proving Cui Xiang intentionally killed Zhong Lüping, and the situation changed again. Cui Xiang, who had almost lost hope, now seemed triumphant, his lips curling into a smile.

Shi Ying wanted to denounce his nonsense but knew better than to lose her temper. As a superior, losing control would make subordinates think she was shamed into anger, which would benefit Zhong Nian more.

She looked expectantly at Cheng Fengyi, but as a doctor, he could only conduct an autopsy. Without direct evidence of murder, Zhong Nian insisting it was an accident left her helpless.

An unbearable silence fell over the hall. The six ministers exchanged nervous glances, afraid of becoming scapegoats. Zheng Xingchuan dared not speak but felt compelled to, looking at Cui Yi: "Perhaps... adjourn the session? I'll look for more evidence on-site?"

"That's a good idea. My lord will surely find more evidence favorable to the Emperor," Zhong Nian mocked.

Zheng Xingchuan was speechless: "You..." He couldn't call for an adjournment now; it would seem like they were forging evidence.

At this point, Shi Ying realized that while siblings, Zhong Nian's tactics far surpassed Xie Yong's. Before Shan Jian's guidance, Xie Yong accomplished nothing, serving as a mere figurehead in the Wu王府. But Zhong Nian managed to corner her and Cui Yi. Unfortunately, Shan Jian was dead, and Baili Zan had gone south on tour, leaving her without a quick-thinking ally.

"Lüping was forced to marry His Highness by the Emperor, filled with resentment, and impulsively ended her life..."

Before Zhong Nian could continue, a voice rang out like a bell: "Utter nonsense!"

Upon hearing that voice, Zhong Nian froze in terror, unable to turn around.

Everyone sitting behind the desks breathed a collective sigh of relief as the crowd parted, revealing the newcomer.

It was none other than Zhong Nian and Zhong Lüping's father, Jiangzhou Marquis Zhong Yuanshan, Cui Yi's uncle!

Dressed in riding attire, dust-covered, Zhong Yuanshan rushed from Jiangzhou, sweat pouring down his face. Pushing aside the guards, he stormed into the hall.

As the first meritorious subject of the coup, Zhong Yuanshan enjoyed privileges such as not kneeling in the palace and dismounting at the gate of his residence. But upon entering the hall, he knelt immediately.

Seeing this, Cui Yi knew he was uninvolved, feeling relieved. He said kindly, "Marquis, please rise."

Zhong Yuanshan thanked him and stood up. Seeing his father, Zhong Nian shrank back, stuttering, "Father..." Unexpectedly, Zhong Yuanshan kicked him hard, sending him flying across the room, smashing the desk of the Minister of Works, scaring the elderly man half to death.

"Traitor!" Zhong Yuanshan's face turned purple with rage, his trembling finger pointing at Zhong Nian. "If Lüping hadn't written home, I would still be kept in the dark by you two ignorant fools! Do you think the Zhong family can decide the fate of the empire alone? Who gave you the audacity to rebel!"

The word "rebellion" sent shockwaves through the hall and the crowd outside, gasping collectively.

The situation reversed again! Zhong Yuanshan's arrival revealed a bigger secret. Did Zhong Nian plan to rebel? Was the Zhong family dissatisfied despite its dominance? Who did he intend to support? Cui Xiang?

Cui Yi repeated slowly, "Rebellion... Marquis, you cannot make such accusations lightly. Your son plotting rebellion, and you didn't know?"

Zhong Yuanshan knelt again, pleading earnestly, "Your Majesty, had I known earlier, I would have strangled him in his cradle! This letter from Lüping, delivered secretly to Jiangzhou, revealed her plight. How could I believe my own son was capable of such treachery!"

He took out a letter and presented it.

The secretary took the letter and handed it to Cui Yi. After reading a few lines, Cui Yi frowned.

Though Shi Ying hadn't seen the content, Zhong Nian's changing expression confirmed Zhong Yuanshan's words.

"I failed as a father and ask to be stripped of my titles and banished to Lingnan!" Zhong Yuanshan declared remorsefully.

Zhong Nian spat blood, crying out, "Father!"

Zhong Yuanshan roared, "Shut up! You're not my son! For your own glory, you even drove your sister to suicide. I wish I had arrived earlier to save Lüping from your clutches!" He glared at Cui Xiang, who shrank back, terrified.

After reading the letter, Cui Yi passed it to Zheng Xingchuan, who was equally shocked. Shi Ying asked, "Can I see it too?"

"Not now, we can review it later," Cui Yi shook his head, signaling Zheng Xingchuan to continue. "Minister Zheng."

Zheng Xingchuan hit the gavel, asking, "Marquis, rebellion is serious. Does the princess mention this in her letter?"

Zhong Yuanshan sighed, "I received Lüping's letter, learning she was coerced by my son under my name to marry Prince Jing. That night, I questioned my wife, who admitted conspiring with my son behind my back with the Ye and Xie families to support Prince Jing. After he ascended the throne, Lüping would be empress, and Xie Yuru would be concubine..."

Before he finished, Cui Xiang, realizing the game was up, fell to the ground, kowtowing desperately: "Your Majesty, forgive me! Your Majesty, forgive me! It was all Zhong Nian's doing, misleading me. I never intended to rebel! Please spare me!"

Zhong Nian, abandoned by everyone, remained silent.

"So, what happened to Lüping?" Cui Yi asked.

Cui Xiang, sobbing, confessed, "Two nights ago, Zhong Nian discussed plans with the Ye and Xie families. I thought Lüping was asleep, but she overheard and tried to kill me. In a panic, I pushed her, and she hit the cabinet. I swear I didn't mean to kill her! I loved her!"

A chorus of boos erupted outside. Inside, the crowd reacted with various expressions, but all shared the same sentiment: How could brothers differ so much? Cui Yi fought for his love, yet his brother...

"Fine, now we have witnesses, evidence, and confessions. The case is clear. Please, Your Majesty, pass judgment," Zheng Xingchuan said, contemplating retirement due to the day's shocks.

Cui Yi coldly responded, "Execute."