Chapter 9
I fell silent.
The Chief Justice’s crime actually sounded the most reasonable.
Since ancient times, few wise rulers had murdered their fathers and brothers. Even those who did would claim to be removing corrupt influences around the throne, then accuse the rightful heir of rebellion or some similar offense to silence the world.
But not Xiao Xuechi. He couldn’t even be bothered pretending.
They said that on the night he took the throne, the officials followed the firelight to the palace hall.
There they found the least favored third prince holding the deposed crown prince’s head in his left hand and a long sword in his right. The body of the second prince, who had an intellectual disability, lay below the throne. On the throne itself sat the late emperor, his heart pierced by a sword.
Almost every official present was stunned witless.
Grand Tutor Chen shakily stepped forward. “What happened? Who killed His Majesty?”
Xiao Xuechi turned his head.
The shifting firelight made his smile look like a demon’s.
He said only, “You guess.”
Could sacrificing one’s life for the nation awaken the conscience of a tyrant like that?
No.
As Xiao Xuechi spoke, he watched my expression.
I didn’t know what flicker in my eyes or brows displeased him, but he suddenly frowned and turned me to face him.
“What are you thinking?”
I looked at him.
I intended to give an evasive answer. Yet somehow, as the words reached my tongue, they became the truth.
“How to get the Chief Justice out.”
Xiao Xuechi paused.
My answer seemed to have surprised him.
His brow relaxed.
“You really aren’t afraid I’ll kill you.”
I lied without blinking. “I would never dare, Your Majesty.”
“Your face says you’ll dare again next time.”
Xiao Xuechi gave an amused snort and released my wrist.
My gaze followed him. There wasn’t much of a smile on his face, yet somehow I felt his mood wasn’t bad.
Perhaps his body was giving me confidence?
As these tangled thoughts ran through my mind, I shifted my round stool closer to him.
“Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven. Life and death are yours to command. A man like the Chief Justice won’t yield to tyranny even in death. Wouldn’t it be more entertaining to have a minister who declares himself ashamed to serve you devote himself to your service instead?”
Xiao Xuechi put down his silver spoon.
He looked at me meaningfully.
Just when I thought he wouldn’t agree, he casually picked up a strand of hair that had slipped beside my lips.
“Very well. If the empress can make that old fool kneel and apologize, I’ll spare his life.”
Make the Chief Justice kneel and apologize.
It sounded simple. In practice…
It was harder than climbing to heaven.
The man was already determined to die for the nation.
And now I had to persuade this fiercely principled old minister to bow his head and apologize to a notoriously tyrannical emperor.
Just thinking of that hopeless task was enough to make my vision darken.
When something weighs on my mind, I like to wander.
Fortunately, I was wearing Xiao Xuechi’s face that day. Going anywhere was convenient, and I needn’t worry about anyone noticing anything wrong. Passing eunuchs and female officials dared only bow to me from a distance. Not one ventured close.
As for the consorts…
The only noble consort, living in a side hall of Penglai Palace, had found one of my treasured storybooks insufficient and shamelessly borrowed all the rest.
Without realizing it, I walked out of the inner palace.
Since Xiao Xuechi cared so little about our body swapping, Jiang Youde turned a blind eye to my actions as well.
So long as I didn’t go too far, he would never interfere.
When I pointed to the figure kneeling outside Zichen Hall, his back as straight as a pine or cypress, and asked who he was, Jiang Youde answered without hesitation.
“The left supervisor, young Master Xun.”
I paused.
Young Master Xun.
There was only one person in the entire court called that: Grand Preceptor Xun’s eldest grandson, Xun Qing’ai.
By the time I collected myself, I had reached his side.
Xun Qing’ai caught sight of my dark robe and bowed his head without looking up.
“Your Majesty, please spare the Chief Justice’s life.”
I looked at him, but my gaze drifted involuntarily to his waist.
A pale sachet hung there.
Its stitches were crooked, and the few embroidered orchids were a miserable sight.
Yet it had been cared for very well.
Two years had passed without any fading.
“Why should I spare the Chief Justice?”
I asked carelessly, mimicking Xiao Xuechi’s tone.
Xun Qing’ai remained bowed.
“The Chief Justice spoke insolently, a grave disrespect indeed. Yet both court and country know his concern for the people. The late emperor repeatedly praised his integrity and declared him the ideal man to oversee justice. Executing him by cutting him in half in the street may wound the people’s hearts.”
Had Xiao Xuechi been there, that tyrant as contrary as a three-year-old, he would probably have smiled and asked, “And?”
But I wasn’t Xiao Xuechi.
Someone willing to help me persuade the upright Chief Justice was more than welcome.
“Oh. You make a good point, Minister Xun.”
Looking at the long hair that spilled like brocade from Xun Qing’ai’s lowered head, I said pointedly, “But I have no use for a minister disloyal to me. Still, beneath my cold exterior beats a warm heart.”
“If the old fool kneels and begs forgiveness, I’ll spare him.”
Jiang Youde gave me an indescribable look.
I ignored him and watched Xun Qing’ai’s back relax slightly.
He had understood.
“Grant me ten days, Your Majesty. I shall have the Chief Justice ask your forgiveness.”