Chapter 149

Gu Kang was quickly sent back to the Hall of Justice of the Ministry of Punishments, and at this moment the atmosphere in the Hall of Justice was especially bleak and solemn.

The previous triple‑hall hearing was already the highest courtesy for a case, yet now the Emperor Longqing, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, sits in the chief seat, while on the west side sit the Bei Di great prince Tuoba Heng and Princess Yuanqing.

After all, the case involves Bei Di, and the deceased is a maidservant beside Princess Yuanqing.

Both of them had grim expressions; they never expected that at the final moment, Gu Jiu Ling would not beg those Bei Di people for mercy and hand over the Mountains and Rivers Map, but instead would plead before Emperor Longqing.

Begging Emperor Longqing to issue an edict for a retrial, the price would be……

Tuoba Heng stared fixedly at the scroll placed on the high case before Emperor Longqing; the box outside the scroll was clearly the outer casing of the Mountains and Rivers Map they were seeking.

Gu Jiu Ling actually presented the map to Emperor Longqing, seeking it under his name—what are they to do?

Seizing the map from the Rui Wang Fu was already difficult; now, once the map is taken into the imperial palace by Emperor Longqing, retrieving it would be even harder.

At this moment, Tuoba Heng and Princess Yuanqing's faces fluctuated between green and red, even tinged with a hint of resentment.

Since Gu Jiu Ling has drawn this matter onto Emperor Longqing, they will inevitably vent this anger; how could a retrial today change anything?

They must kill Gu Kang, so that Gu Jiu Ling will feel anguish.

Emperor Longqing did not expect Xiao Yin and Gu Jiu Ling to come before him; he actually also wanted to see what secret Du Yushan that scoundrel had hidden.

Initially, Du Yushan sensed something, fled too quickly, and later was intercepted and killed by the Bei Di people.

He thought the matter was over, but more than ten years later the Bei Di people unexpectedly recalled wanting Du Yushan's collected Mountains and Rivers Map—could there be some shameful secret hidden within?

His mind shifted, his words gained a few more notes of evasion, and he finally pressured Gu Jiu Ling into agreeing to produce the Mountains and Rivers Map in exchange for her brother's chance at survival.

However, if she truly cannot produce any evidence to prove Gu Kang's innocence, then death is death.

On the right sat Minister of Punishments Vice Minister Ruan, Minister of Justice Chen, and Prefect of the Capital Qiao.

Originally, the Prefect of the Capital would not have been qualified to sit here at a triple‑hall hearing; a prime minister should preside, but this case involves the Gu family.

Although the Gu family had kicked Gu Kang out to avoid suspicion, they still had some connection, so the Prime Minister's residence avoided involvement.

There was still an outer seat, set apart from the others, where Xiao Yin sat with a relaxed, domineering air, appearing exceptionally steady yet tinged with arrogance.

A commotion came from the gate, and then several bailiffs dragged the blood‑soaked Gu Kang once again into the center of the hall.

Standing beside Xiao Yin, Gu Jiu Ling focused her gaze on her kneeling younger brother Gu Kang; Gu Kang had just walked through the gates of hell, and his mental state was not good.

His face was deathly pale, as if possessed; even seeing the emperor he did not kowtow, head lowered, body trembling violently, his mouth constantly murmuring.

"I didn't kill anyone! I didn't kill anyone! I didn't kill anyone……"

Gu Jiu Ling's brows knotted tightly, her face darkening somewhat.

A bailiff stepped forward and kicked Gu Kang's leg hard; with a crack, some bone fragments were exposed, a horrifying sight.

"Seeing the emperor and still not kneeling in salute?"

"The emperor?"

Gu Kang finally reacted, hurriedly gritting his teeth against the pain as he knelt before Emperor Longqing, kowtowing frenziedly.

"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Your Majesty! This commoner did not kill anyone! This commoner did not kill anyone……"

Gu Jiu Ling felt a sigh of relief in her chest; this boy still had a chance.

The entire hall was so quiet that the fall of a pin could be heard; only Gu Kang's thudding kowtows came monotonously.

Emperor Longqing looked at the bloody, filthy mass before him, waved his hand in disgust: "No need for rites! You keep claiming innocence; today I give you a chance to defend yourself—if you cannot produce evidence, you must pay with your life!"

"After all, the state has state law, the family has family rules!"

"Heh! You say you're wronged?" Princess Yuanqing gave a cold laugh, "If you're wronged, isn't my maidservant wronged too?"

"My maid went to Cuihong Lou to buy your famous Southern Qi dishes for me, but you dragged her into a private room, forced her to drink, and tried to molest her; when the molestation failed, you killed her to silence her—her death is what truly counts as wronged!"

"I didn't… I didn't… it wasn't me… it was Gu Huai who knocked me unconscious and dumped me into that room; it was him, not me, not me!"

Minister of Punishments Vice Minister Ruan said slowly: "The defendant is bold! How can you drag in the innocent?"

"I have investigated thoroughly; on the night of the crime, Gu San ye and Yao Qing gongzi were composing poetry opposite each other at Chongwen Lou, they never went to Cuihong Lou—don't spout nonsense!"

"I didn't… I didn't… I didn't……" Gu Kang kowtowed repeatedly.

He is now unable to defend himself against a hundred accusations; even if the case were retried a thousand or ten thousand times, he still could not redress his own grievance!

Minister of Punishments Vice Minister Ruan had long been bribed by Gu Cheng; everyone is a retainer of the crown prince, and besides he has received much silver from Gu Cheng—how could he not speak for Gu Cheng's younger brother?

The irony is that the silver Gu Cheng used to bribe Minister Ruan was the very silver previously brought back from the Bei Di Yi Guan, which ought to have been Gu Kang's.

The two other officials outside saw that the situation was not right, so they could only speak according to the evidence, saying whatever the evidence pointed to.

Seeing the interrogation once again reach a deadlock, Minister Ruan said coldly: "It appears the defendant Gu Kang still shows no remorse; seize him—apply torture!"

"Hold on!" Xiao Yin slowly lifted his gaze, swept a glance at Minister Ruan, a flicker of coldness in his eyes: "Minister Ruan, if you keep beating him he'll die—are you trying to extort a confession in the emperor's presence?"

Minister Ruan's face changed instantly; he hurriedly rose and knelt before Emperor Longqing: "Your Majesty! Prince Rui's words are harsh; I am loyal and diligent in serving you, conscientious in handling cases—how dare I extort a confession?"

Emperor Longqing waved his hand, letting him rise.

"Continue the interrogation!"

Those three words made Minister Ruan quite pleased—continuing the interrogation just means beating him, doesn't it?

It seems the emperor today is merely here to observe a bit, unwilling to intervene.

Tuoba Heng's iron‑blue expression finally eased a little; his ferocious gaze turned to Gu Jiu Ling—even if we retry your brother he must die, this is pointless!

"Your Majesty!" Gu Jiu Ling slowly rose, bowed to Emperor Longqing: "Your Majesty, I, your subject's wife, respectfully request the presentation of new evidence; my younger brother Gu Kang did not kill anyone, I have evidence!"

Gu Kang looked in disbelief at Gu Jiu Ling standing before him; at his most desperate moment, everyone had abandoned him, yet only she was willing to step forward and speak a word for him.

For a moment, Gu Kang did not know what to say; tears burst forth, he slowly slumped to the ground, big drops of tears mingling with blood falling onto the cold floor.

Only she believed his words—he did not kill anyone!