Indeed, how was the verdict to be rendered? There was faith in the King of Chu's capacity for impartial and stringent justice when dealing with others. Yet, what of those close to the Chu King's consort? It was long whispered that Yan Congzheng, well into his twenties, remained unwed, bound by an unyielding affection for the consort. Rumors even suggested that others coveted her as well...
Though the courtiers sat motionless, their eyes darted restlessly, casting furtive glances from every corner toward the Crown Prince. Their gazes lingered briefly before reluctantly withdrawing. They reminded themselves: state affairs must take precedence—what use was there in watching this spectacle? Speaking of which, would the King of Chu seize this opportunity to crush Yan Congzheng utterly? Despite Yan's meritorious rescue of the sovereign, even a lenient sentence would mean exile thousands of miles away.
Li Ce stepped forward solemnly: "Within the Yan clan, there is Yan Shuangxu, esteemed as the Princess of Wei, who conspired with the King of Wei and has already been executed; there is Yan Lian, the Minister of Revenue, who concealed critical knowledge and was sentenced to death by hanging; yet Yan Congzheng, as the eldest son, upheld the sacred bond of lord and subject, forsaking his father to save the king at great personal injury. He possesses both the valor of a warrior and the integrity of a scholar. Your servant believes Yan's merits outweigh his faults, and as for the manner of his commendation, that is for Your Majesty to decree."
So it was not a sentence, and thus absent from official records? Not only was Yan Congzheng spared punishment, but the King of Chu insisted his merits overshadowed his transgressions. Though the final judgment lay with the Emperor, it was clearly a call for reward. Such audacity! Yet, such admirable resolve! No one dared openly pardon the kin of a traitor, even if they had saved the sovereign. Could this not be a calculated stratagem? Should upheaval arise later, those who vouched for him would be implicated.
In governance, success was not always requisite; one must strive at least to avoid error. The King of Chu feared neither accusations of factionalism nor whispers that he was currying favor, nor did he shy from angering the Emperor by urging the Three Departments to affirm that Yan's merits surpassed his faults—a truly formidable feat.
But what of the Emperor's thoughts? The Tang Emperor inclined his head, his expression stern yet commanding respect, offering no rebuttal but merely inquired: "Are there any objections among the other ministers?"
The court fell silent as if gripped by a chill; none wished to speak on this matter. Only Censor Lin Qing stepped forward, saying: "Your servant finds this unsuitable."
The Emperor furrowed his brow, awaiting Lin Qing's explanation.
Lin Qing had accompanied Li Ce to Jinzhou for less than a month, returning with dozens of memorials, many filled with trivial complaints—even reproaching officials for the injured Hu Jia bedridden with shame. The Emperor often suspected Lin Qing was idle and lacked empathy. When the Emperor, gravely ill, managed to lift his head only to see Lin Qing impeach Li Ce over petty grievances, he nearly spat blood.
Yet today, Lin Qing's words struck the mark. "Yan Congzheng's merit in saving the sovereign warrants no punishment. However, should he be promoted or appointed, what if others rise in imitation, conspiring rebellion as a family? Would all who saved the sovereign be judged thus? In 'Records of the Grand Historian,' Chunyu Kun admonished King Wei of Qi, stating that with laws beside him and censors behind him, he would be drunk after a single drink. Your servant believes the King of Chu has forgotten that the court has censors and ministers, and thus feigns drunken nonsense."
The sharpness of his words caused the courtiers to crane their necks, awaiting a rebuttal from Li Ce or another. Yan Congzheng was the commander of the palace guards under the Ministry of War—surely Minister Jiang Min, known for his fierce defense of his own, would berate Lin Qing? Such a clash would inevitably provoke retaliation from the Censorate, perhaps even a brawl.
Yet, after long moments, no one spoke in refutation or support. Some ministers withdrew their heads in disappointment. Alas, with the Emperor present, the court's atmosphere had dulled considerably.
When Lin Qing finished, the Emperor raised his majestic brows, revealing a benevolent smile as he slowly declared, "The King of Chu and the Three Departments are just and resolute, and Lin Qing's concerns are not without merit. Yet, the court must employ the worthy and the capable to benefit the people. The Imperial Physician reports Yan Congzheng's injuries are severe—a tendon in his arm is damaged, likely precluding his wielding heavy bows or swords. The King of Chu is correct: Yan has the warrior's valor and the scholar's integrity. I hereby appoint him Governor of Yunzhou, entrusted with all military and civil affairs—defending against the Turkic incursions and maintaining internal peace."
The governorship was a fourth-rank civil post—not as glamorous as deputy commander of the palace guards—but a generous act of imperial grace.
"And what of the previous Governor of Yunzhou?" the Minister of Revenue asked, raising his tablet.
"Oh," the Emperor gestured, "send him to Jinzhou. The post of Governor there, held by Zhou Ci, lies vacant, does it not?"
Only now did the ministers realize that following this treason trial, dozens of posts, including the Minister of Revenue's, were unoccupied. It was time to recommend appointments, consider protégés, kin, and even themselves—some envisioned promotions with bright eyes and eager hearts, ears pricked to hear how the King of Chu would judge the remaining traitors.
How they were judged mattered little; what mattered was noting which offices would become available—Director of the National Academy, Military Commissioner of Southern Shan, Governor of Chenzhou in Jiangnan, Captain of Puzhou—some lesser posts could be ignored, but could they perhaps acquire a military commission?
Finally, Li Ce spoke: "I propose stripping Zheng Feng'an, Military Commissioner of Hedong, of his post, confiscating his estate, and banishing him to his fields."
Zheng Feng'an's crime lay in obeying Li Chen's secret orders to supply road passes, enabling the transport of crossbows into Jinzhou to frame the Crown Prince. Moreover, he was a relative of the Lu clan. Yet Li Ce argued that at the pivotal moment of rebellion, Zheng had defected and helped stabilize the situation, warranting a merciful punishment: exile and confiscation, but no execution.
This sentence was lenient, but unexpectedly, the Emperor instructed: "Do not confiscate all his property. Leave him thirty acres of poor land, a residence, and a hundred taels of silver for sustenance."
The ministers promptly knelt, praising the Emperor's mercy.
Beyond this, judgments were pronounced on officials implicated in the Wei King's rebellion, either rewarding or punishing as appropriate.
As the court adjourned that day, the officials, their stomachs growling, realized it was already noon. Under the scorching sun, those garbed in scarlet hurried away from the sun-exposed main road; some walked while chatting quietly.
"Do you think… today felt different?"
"You noticed it too?" another replied. "The Emperor suddenly favors the King of Chu, trusting him entirely. From beginning to end, he never once asked the Crown Prince for his view. Could it be because the Crown Prince benefited from the palace upheaval…"
The two officials stroked their beards thoughtfully, still unsatisfied, and whispered to a colleague nearby.
"Prefect Liu, do you think that's so?"
Liu Yan, Prefect of Jingzhao, walked silently with a stern face but replied: "What do you mean?"
"Didn't you hear our talk?"
"I heard it," Liu Yan's voice rose, "You say the Crown Prince profited from palace chaos."
His voice startled the two conversing officials into silence and swift retreat, unwilling to reveal their true thoughts to the unyielding Liu Yan. He glanced after them with a cold snort but a hint of amusement.
The Emperor's trust in the King of Chu was a blessing. He cared not for lineage or primogeniture—the realm needed a wise and virtuous ruler.
Near a bright window, Ye Jiao and Cui Jin'er whispered conspiratorially. Speaking of the perilous day of the Wei King's rebellion, Cui Jin'er paled, gripping her tea cup tightly.
"How could he dare?"
Recalling Ye Jiao's forged imperial token to intimidate the rebels, Cui Jin'er blushed and nudged her, "And you, how dare you?"
Discussing today's court verdicts, both princesses fell silent.
"Yan Shuangxu met a cruel fate, but she feasted on white rice for over twenty years—how could her heart be as black as coal? The Wei King sent her east, yet she dared not go west. Foolish, thinking to become empress… but," Cui Jin'er's expression softened with regret, "she was so young, and now she's dead."
Ye Jiao recalled the day she saw Yan Shuangxu, who perhaps sought only a swift death, hence her wild denunciations of the Crown Prince.
Sighing, Ye Jiao asked, "How is His Highness Prince Zhao?"
The compassionate are ever prone to sorrow.
"Your fifth brother," Cui Jin'er shook her head, "after burying that child with his own hands, he couldn't eat for days. His drinking only increased—drunkenly muttering nonsense about 'the coldness of imperial kin and fraternal strife.' I had no choice but to confine him at home to prevent trouble."
"I'll go see him," Ye Jiao said. "You're nearly showing; he needs to be warned."
The news of Cui Jin'er's pregnancy remained tightly guarded.
Cui Jin'er rose promptly, taking Ye Jiao to visit Prince Zhao.
Li Jing reclined beside a table, several wine flasks at his feet. Holding one, his gaze was blurred as he gently swayed.
Seeing Ye Jiao, Li Jing staggered to greet her, "Sister's back? Where's my brother-in-law?"
He was clearly quite drunk.
"If you keep this up," Ye Jiao teased, "I'll report you to Her Majesty the Empress to get you in line."
Li Jing froze as if sobered in an instant. Stumbling forward, he grasped Ye Jiao's sleeve, "Dear sister, please don't go—Her Majesty is... terrifying."
"See?" Ye Jiao exchanged a smile with Cui Jin'er. "Even fifth brother has someone he fears."
Suddenly, Li Jing left Ye Jiao's side, supporting Cui Jin'er's waist as he knelt slowly. Ignoring the onlookers, he pressed his ear to her belly and mourned, "Child, your grandmother does not wish for your birth—are you afraid?"
Cui Jin'er's usually supple