Chapter 239: Maiden, It's Your Turn

A few days later, His Majesty arrived in person at the Dali Temple.

Within the solemn and austere main hall, Xiao Jieyun sat upright in the center.

Xiao Yuanhang sat at the lower seat, and Tuan Tuan sat on the chair beside him, her pair of glossy big eyes curiously scanning around.

This place is even larger than Jingzhao Prefecture!

Chen Hao stood rigidly, his complexion a bit pallid; as the legitimate eldest son of Prince Chen, being summoned to the Dali Temple made his heart uneasy.

Marquis Wei Zhengqiu sat opposite Xiao Yuanhang, calm and unperturbed.

The several black‑clad men captured that night knelt in the center of the hall.

The boxes used to hold gold ingots were also neatly stacked on the floor.

The Minister of Dali Temple, the Vice Minister, and all other officials stood with hands at their sides on either side, holding their breath and concentrating.

Xiao Jieyun slowly spoke, "Yuanhang, since you proposed that I personally adjudicate, speak now."

Xiao Yuanhang rose and said, "Your Majesty, these few are the perpetrators who, a few nights ago, attempted to burn down the Fuyun Tea House."

"They intended the arson precisely because the young lady placed the box used by the Tianji Pavilion to receive silver, and displayed it publicly in the tea house."

Xiao Jieyun's complexion instantly darkened.

"How audacious! To dare set fire in the capital, intending to destroy evidence?"

The officials on both sides felt a sudden chill in their hearts.

Xiao Yuanhang looked at those black‑clad men, "Who ordered you? In front of His Majesty, do not conceal the truth! If you persist in ignorance, it is a grave crime of deceiving the ruler, bringing disaster upon your entire clan!"

The leading black‑clad man trembled, yet kept his head bowed low, "It was Chen Hao, Young Master Chen, who ordered us to act."

At those words, everyone's gaze turned to Chen Hao.

Chen Hao snapped his head up, his complexion drained of color, "Your Majesty! I am wronged! I have never had any dealings with the Tianji Pavilion, nor any connection with these people; how could I have ordered them to commit such a heinous act! Please, Your Majesty, see the truth!"

Wei Zhengqiu sighed, "Young Master Chen's words are erroneous! Since there is eyewitness evidence here, you cannot defend yourself with empty words."

He turned to face the Emperor, "Your Majesty, this scoundrel is brazen, daring to set fire in the capital's crucial area; if not severely punished, how can the law be upheld and the people's hearts pacified? Please, Your Majesty, adjudicate impartially to set an example!"

The Minister of Dali Temple spoke in agreement, "Your Majesty, Marquis Wei's words are all reasonable. With eyewitness evidence present, we cannot exempt the accused because of high status; otherwise, where is the authority of the state law? I second the proposal: punish according to the law to set things right!"

Xiao Yuanhang glanced at them and gave a slight smile, "It's only eyewitness evidence; why are you all so eager?"

He patted Tuan Tuan's little head, "Maiden, it's your turn."

Tuan Tuan opened the Sachet and took out the Wanxiang Key that Chu Yuan had given her.

The treasure from the National Preceptor hasn't been used yet; now it's yours, little key.

She clenched her small hand, closed her eyes, and steadied her mind.

Everyone stared at her, Xiao Jieyun included.

A moment later, she opened her eyes.

The scene inside the hall had dramatically changed; countless lines, some bright, some dim, some thick, some thin, appeared out of nowhere, weaving all the people together.

Wow! So many lines! Colorful, so fun!

She hopped down from the chair.

She walked up to the black‑clad man who was accusing Chen Hao.

A gray line was linking him to Wei Zhengqiu.

"You obey his orders because you think he is your savior, right?"

The black‑clad man was startled, looking at the Xiao Tuanzi standing before him.

"You're so foolish! Back then, when you were being chased, it was he who sent people after you; he saved you only so you'd obey him forever!"

The blood color on the black‑clad man's face vanished instantly, and his whole body jolted sharply.

He lifted his head, staring intently at Wei Zhengqiu, "Is what she said true?"

Wei Zhengqiu's complexion changed drastically, "Nonsense, sowing confusion! I have always obeyed the law and have never met these thieves. Your Majesty, such absurd words cannot be believed."

Xiao Yuanhang squinted at him, "Using such a method, leveraging gratitude for revenge—how despicable."

Tuan Tuan then approached the Minister of Dali Temple, a pink line linking him to Wei Zhengqiu.

This line differed from the others; it was thick and bright, pulsing with a thump‑thump!

The Minister of Dali Temple felt his scalp explode, couldn't help but step back half a pace, silently cursing, "How does this living ancestor charge at me?"

Everyone's gaze followed Tuan Tuan's steps, all turning toward him.

He felt uneasy all over; the legs beneath his official robe trembled slightly.

Tuan Tuan looked up, "I know why you speak to him!"

The Minister of Dali Temple's heart skipped; she knew? How could she possibly know!

But now trying to clear herself is obviously too late; she can only brace herself to the end.

"Princess, you misunderstand; I am merely adjudicating impartially. Even if there is some deviation, it is certainly not favoring anyone."

Tuan Tuan rolled her eyes, "These people, why are their mouths so stubborn! They did the bad deed yet won't admit it!"

"You've always liked his sister, for many years, right?"

The Minister of Dali Temple's face flushed so red it seemed it could bleed.

The surrounding officials and the attendants standing nearby all wore shocked expressions.

Wei's sister? Isn't she a widow for many years?

He continued, "He told you, 'If you help him, he'll arrange for his sister to marry you.'"

"Why are you so foolish! His sister has long been involved with the manager of Wang Ji Duanzhuang, and he's been deceiving you!"

The Minister of Dali Temple's complexion shifted from red to white, then from white to green.

He snapped his head toward Wei Zhengqiu, "Marquis, you once gave me a hand‑embroidered handkerchief from your sister, saying it was her affection. Could it have been to manipulate me?"

"Fool! Shut up!" Wei Zhengqiu barked loudly, a vein bulging on his temple, "Your Majesty! The Princess is still young and naive, yet she babbles like this in the hall; she must be directed by someone! Please, Your Majesty, see through this!"

Tuan Tuan was not scared at all and walked straight up to him.

Countless golden threads stretched from the chest, fine and delicate, onto Wei Zhengqiu's body.

"The reason you helped that broken top is because they paid you, letting you deliver to the Tianji Pavilion, and you made a profit each time, right?"

Wei Zhengqiu widened his eyes and said, "Princess (Commandery), you must not defame an old minister! I am completely innocent…"

Tuan Tuan was too lazy to listen to the rest and cut in, "You secretly melted those gold ingots and hid them in the big iron box under the floor tiles of your bedroom, covered with a winter coat belonging to your wife, right?"

Wei Zhengqiu's mind went blank, and a Boom— rang in his ears.

Since the treasure he hid in the cave vanished without a trace, he no longer trusted anyone.

After that, he extorted wealth everywhere, even colluding with the Nether Top, and stored all the newly accumulated riches in his bedroom, fearing they would disappear again.

That was his greatest secret.

And today, under everyone's watchful eyes, a child publicly exposed him!

His legs went weak, he could no longer hold himself up, and he slipped from the chair onto the floor, his face ashen.

Tuan Tuan walked back to her father's side, tugging his sleeve, "Father! Did I do well?"

Xiao Yuanhang scooped her up in one arm, "Well done! Very well done!"

The courtroom fell silent.

A moment later, Xiao Jieyun spoke slowly, "Marquis of State Stabilization Wei Zhengqiu."

Wei Zhengqiu fell to his knees, "His Majesty! I, the old minister, am guilty! I beg Your Majesty for mercy!"

Xiao Jieyun looked down at him, "Weren't you just now repeatedly insisting that I should handle this impartially to set an example?"

Wei Zhengqiu kept kowtowing, "Please, His Majesty, forgive me!"

Xiao Jieyun showed no mercy, "Wei Zhengqiu, you are greedy and corrupt, colluding with the underworld, manipulating the law, with irrefutable evidence and countless crimes."

"Hence, strip the title, confiscate the property, and imprison in the Heavenly Prison. All members of the Wei clan involved shall be severely punished without mercy."

"As ordered!" a black eunuch nearby came up and dragged Wei Zhengqiu out.

"Dali Temple Minister, you bear heavy responsibilities, yet you pervert the law for personal gain, align with corrupt officials, your conduct is lacking, unfit for your position. Remove your office, and you shall never be reinstated."

The Dali Temple Minister fell to his knees and bowed, "Thank you, His Majesty, for your mercy!"

"The other offenders shall be detained for strict interrogation!"

"As ordered!"

Xiao Jieyun looked at Tuan Tuan, "You truly are my Princess (Commandery) of State Stabilization! As for the Tianji Pavilion matter, I will no longer pursue it."

Tuan Tuan clapped her little hands and cheered, "Imperial Uncle is so kind! Thank you, Imperial Uncle!"

Father and daughter returned to the Prince's Mansion; Tuan Tuan went to Jinglan Garden to find her mother, while Xiao Yuanhang returned to the study.

A moment later, a servant reported outside the door; Gongsun Yue entered the study, requesting an audience with Prince Ning.