C5 Mentioning the Injustice

A thick fog had settled overnight, and by dawn, it had only grown denser. Early in the morning, Fong Zhang, the delighted magistrate, strolled into his office. The previous night, he had taken a new concubine, fresh and lively as a spring willow, and the experience had been utterly captivating.

As he settled in and sipped a few cups of tea, a bailiff entered with news: "Sir, someone has filed a complaint. They're accusing Shea Shun and Shea Hu, sons of Ministry Shea, of assaulting a young lady from the Marquis Mansion, leading to her death!"

"Spit!" Fong Zhang sprayed his tea in shock, slamming the table. "Who dares spread such nonsense? Throw them out!"

"Sir, it's not just anyone. The accuser is Seventh Master Jing, a recognized scholar about to enter the academy. The deceased is the fourth young lady of the Xuanping Marquis Mansion, his betrothed."

Fong Zhang's jaw nearly hit the floor. Good heavens! The deceased was the fourth young lady of the Xuanping Marquis Mansion! He licked his dry lips, "What on earth happened?"

The bailiff leaned in and whispered the details. Fong Zhang listened, stunned into silence, unable to utter a single word.

...

A figure stood below the hall, dressed in plain white, exuding an extraordinary presence. Nearby lay a body on a wooden board, disheveled and terrifying in appearance. Fong Zhang observed Jing Bao, noting his frail frame and sorrowful demeanor, yet his posture remained upright, and his every movement carried an air of distinction.

He took a deep breath. "Jing Bao, I'll accept your petition, but you should go back for now. Once I've thoroughly investigated, I'll make a decision."

Did he really think he could just brush him off with a few words?

Jing Bao let out a cold laugh. "Aren't you going to investigate the case, sir?"

"Aren't you going to ask about the details?"

"Aren't you going to bring the murderer to justice?"

His questions came one after another, pressing. Fong Zhang coughed awkwardly.

"Jing Bao, this is the Heaven Obeying Mansion. The case has been presented to me, and I need time to investigate. These things take time!"

"Are you planning to investigate how Shea Hu and Shea Shun turned to crime, or how they forced the young lady?"

Fong Zhang slammed the table. "You... how dare you!"

"The woman who died was my fiancée. If I shouldn't be bold, then who should?"

Jing Bao stepped forward, looking at Fong Zhang with eyes as dark as a deep well.

Fong Zhang felt a pang in his heart, losing the courage to meet Jing Bao's gaze.

Jing Bao continued, "Since you're afraid of the powerful and value your life over justice, I won't force you. If the Heaven Obeying Mansion can't deliver justice, I'll kneel at the gates of the Imperial College and cry for it! I want the scholars of the world to see what kind of justice this is, what kind of peaceful era this is. It's all nonsense!"

"You... you... you..." Fong Zhang was nearly beside himself with anger.

"Don't worry, who said I'm not handling this? Writing a report takes time too, you know. No need to rush!"

"Thank you, sir, for seeking justice for the people!"

Jing Bao's expression softened, and his tone became gentle.

"Mr. Fong, perhaps you could add a note in your report that the Marquis Mansion was only searched, not convicted! The mansion remains as it is. Even the emperor hasn't spoken or written a decree, yet some can't wait to push people to their deaths. Isn't this forcing all officials and nobles to face extinction?"

Fong Zhang: "..."

"Who can guarantee they won't be the next Xuanping Marquis?"

"Who can ensure their children won't meet the same fate?"

Jing Bao's voice suddenly turned sharp: "If there's no guarantee, then why have children at all? Just to watch them be humiliated or violated?"

Fong Zhang: "..."

Jing Bao looked at him with tears in his eyes: "Mr. Fong, you have children, daughters raised like treasures. Can you honestly guarantee their safety?"

Fong Zhang remained silent, then picked up his pen and wrote swiftly.

As he watched the report being sent off, he smirked inwardly. This kid might be persuasive, but would the report even reach its destination?

Just as Fong Zhang was feeling smug, the report was delivered directly to the palace.

Coincidentally, with the Duke Hao's return to the capital, the emperor was in a great mood, attending court despite his illness. Amidst the harmonious atmosphere, the report was presented.

Inside the hall, the news had just been announced when another tragic message arrived: Consort Lu from the inner palace had hanged herself.

The entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

The old emperor, although not particularly attached to Consort Lu, felt a twinge of sadness at the unexpected loss of a concubine. Especially since she had taken her own life.

"Sigh—"

Duke Hao let out a soft sigh, almost as if speaking to himself, "Couldn't even wait for Fourth Miss to serve her time; she was too impatient."

His words drifted into the old emperor's ears like smoke. The emperor slowly turned his head and glanced lightly at the crown prince, a sharp glint flickering in his eyes.

At the government office, Fong Zhang craned his neck, eagerly waiting for someone from the Ministry of Punishments. Instead, he was startled to see Mr. Zhang from the palace, prompting him to rush over.

Mr. Zhang didn't even glance at him, announcing in a sharp voice, "Who here is Seventh Master Jing?"

Jing Bao quickly stepped forward and bowed, "That would be me."

Mr. Zhang silently sized him up, then said coldly, "Go back and see to the proper burial of Fourth Miss."

"Sir?" Jing Bao blurted out.

"Go back and wait!"

Mr. Zhang tossed out the words and turned to leave.

Fong Zhang hurriedly chased after him, leaving the vast office with only Jing Bao standing alone in the hall. She lowered her head, a look of indescribable sorrow and bitterness crossing her face. Then she bent down and gently covered herself with the white cloth.

"Miss Lu, let's head home!"