Chapter 207

Duke Rongrui was truly furious, and he took the opportunity to vent all the fright and displeasure he had suffered earlier.

Translation: "Duke Rongrui was truly furious, and he took the opportunity to vent all the fright and displeasure he had suffered earlier."

He was truly furious, and he also took the opportunity to vent all the fright and displeasure he had suffered earlier.

But despite his anger, he secretly felt a bit happy.

Translation: "But aside from his anger, he actually felt a bit happy inside."

Because Xiao Qidi's move was utterly foolish, it completely backfired, actually giving him a chance to show off.

Translation: "Because Xiao Qidi's move was utterly foolish, a case of shooting oneself in the foot, it actually gave him a chance to show off."

Because Xiao Qidi's move was utterly foolish, completely backfiring, it actually gave him a chance to show off.

After this incident, he not only avoids any punishment, but his noble position becomes even more secure.

Translation: "Thanks to this incident, he will not only avoid any punishment, but his noble status will become even more secure."

From now on, Xiao Qidi will have no chance to target him or the entire royal family.

Translation: "From now on, Xiao Qidi will have no chance to target him or the entire royal family."

This kid is indeed still too young, having only a few tricks and a bit of cleverness, but not much.

Translation: "This kid is indeed still too young; he has a few tricks and some cleverness, but not much."

Faced with Duke Rongrui's confident questioning, Xiao Qidi did not answer, merely uttering a seemingly irrelevant remark: "The southern pearl on Duke Rongrui's belt is truly dazzling."

Note: there is a comma before the quote inside Chinese? We'll translate: "Faced with Duke Rongrui's confident questioning, Xiao Qidi did not answer, merely uttering a seemingly unrelated remark: 'The southern pearl on Duke Rongrui's belt is truly dazzling.'"

But need to keep punctuation? We'll keep as is.

The officials instinctively looked over, and many showed envious expressions.

Translation: "The ministers instinctively looked over, and many showed envious expressions."

But they were not surprised.

Translation: "But they were not surprised."

Because this egg-sized South Sea pearl had already been set on Duke Rongrui's belt ten years earlier, it was not the first time anyone had seen it.

Translation: "Because this egg-sized South Sea pearl had already been set on Duke Rongrui's belt ten years ago; it was not the first time anyone had seen it."

Pearls produced from the deep southern ocean are of high quality and extremely hard to obtain; even those the size of a grain of rice are quite valuable.

Translation: "Pearls produced from the deep southern ocean are of high quality and extremely hard to obtain; even a grain-sized one is valuable."

The pearl that Duke Rongrui possesses is absolutely a top-grade southern pearl.

Translation: "And the one Duke Rongrui possesses is absolutely the finest among southern pearls."

Only someone of his stature, a royal noble, is worthy of such a pearl.

Translation: "Only nobles like him are worthy of such a pearl."

Duke Rongrui casually adjusted his belt, frowned, and asked, "Your Majesty, do you have nothing to say, so you're changing the subject?"

Translation: "Duke Rongrui casually adjusted his belt, frowned, and said, 'Your Majesty, you have nothing to say, so you're changing the subject?'"

"How much silver did you spend to buy it?" Xiao Qidi asked.

Translation: "'How much silver did you spend to buy it?' Xiao Qidi asked."

Duke Rongrui idly touched the pearl on his belt and said, "I didn't spend any silver; it was a gift. I had the craftsman set it on my belt as decoration. If Your Majesty likes it, I can take it off and give it to you."

Translation: "Duke Rongrui idly touched the southern pearl on his belt and said, 'I didn't spend any silver; it was a gift from someone else. I had a craftsman set it on my belt as decoration. If Your Majesty likes it, I can take it off and give it to you.'"

"Wouldn't that be taking what someone loves?" Xiao Qidi said with a half-smile, "If I give it to me, would you be willing to part with it?"

Translation: "'Wouldn't that be taking what someone loves?' Xiao Qidi said with a half-smile, 'Give it to me, Your Majesty—can you bear to part with it?'"

Duke Rongrui said, "Although this pearl is precious, it's not exactly a one-of-a-kind treasure in the world; giving it to Your Majesty would be no problem."

Translation: "Duke Rongrui said, 'This pearl is precious, but it's not exactly a one-of-a-kind treasure in the world; giving it to Your Majesty would be no problem.'"

Xiao Qidi coldly replied, "No need, I already have one. Li Ying, bring it out for everyone to see."

Translation: "Xiao Qidi coldly replied, 'No need, I already have one. Li Yao, bring it out and show everyone.'"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Translation: "'Yes, Your Majesty.'"

Li Ying pulled a cloth bag from his sleeve.

Translation: "Li Yao pulled a cloth bag from his bosom."

He untied the knot and poured out an exquisitely crafted, ornate hairpin.

Translation: "He undid the cord and tipped out a hairpin exquisitely and splendidly crafted."

The hairpin was set with a dazzling South Sea pearl, slightly smaller than the one on Duke Rongrui's belt, but with even more splendid color and texture.

Translation: "On the hairpin was set a dazzling large South Sea pearl, slightly smaller than the one on Duke Rongrui's belt, but with even more splendid color and texture."

Duke Rongrui stared for a moment and blurted out, "Is that Lady Ronghua's hairpin?"

Translation: "Duke Rongrui froze, then blurted, 'Lady Ronghua's hairpin?'"

"That's right," Xiao Qidi said softly, "This is indeed your aunt's hairpin; the pearl on it and the one on your belt were originally a pair. Ten years ago she gave you one for your birthday and kept the other for herself."

Translation: "'Exactly,' Xiao Qidi said softly, 'This is your paternal aunt's hairpin; the southern pearl on it and the one on your belt were originally a pair. Ten years ago she gave you one for your birthday and kept the other for herself.'"

Duke Rongrui felt an inexplicable unease rise again and hurriedly asked, "Why is my sister's hairpin in Li Ying's hands?"

Translation: "Duke Rongrui felt an inexplicable surge of unease and hurriedly asked, 'Why is my sister's hairpin in Li Yao's hands?'"

Li Ying did not answer, but instead countered, "May I ask, Duke Rongrui, do you know the origin of these two pearls?"

Translation: "Li Yao did not answer, but instead asked him, 'May I ask, Duke Rongrui, do you know the origin of these two southern pearls?'"

Duke Rongrui impatiently replied, "Naturally they come from the distant South Sea; Lady Ronghua bought them from a wealthy merchant."

Translation: "Duke Rongrui replied impatiently, 'Naturally they come from the distant South Sea; Lady Ronghua bought them from a wealthy merchant.'"

"Then do you know how much silver Lady Ronghua spent to buy these two pearls?"

Translation: "'Then do you know how much silver Lady Ronghua spent to buy these two pearls?'"

"How would I know?!"

Translation: "'How would I know?!'"

Duke Rongrui grew even more impatient, saying, "This pearl must be extremely valuable; my sister spent extra thought and silver to buy it for my birthday—what's the problem? Do you think Li Ying believes that, as the esteemed Lady Ronghua, my sister couldn't afford such a trifling sum?"

Translation: "Duke Rongrui grew even more impatient, saying, 'This pearl must be valuable; my sister spent extra thought and silver to give me a birthday gift—what's the problem? Do you think, Officer Li, that as the esteemed Lady Ronghua she couldn't afford this little sum?'"

"Let me tell you," Li Ying said, his eyes flashing with hatred, "Those two top-grade southern pearls cost Lady Ronghua a full 5,360,000 taels of gold!"

Translation: "'Let me tell you,' Li Yao said, his eyes flashing with hatred, 'The two top-quality southern pearls cost Lady Ronghua a full 5,360,000 taels of gold!'"

Duke Rongrui was somewhat surprised, "Really, that much?"

Translation: "Duke Rongrui was somewhat surprised, 'Really, that much?'"

The other officials gasped in shock.

Translation: "The other ministers sucked in cold breath."

"Five million three hundred sixty thousand taels... of gold?"

Translation: "'5,360,000 taels…… of gold?'"

"Good heavens, Lady Ronghua is truly wealthy! To spend so lavishly on just two pearls!"

Translation: "'Good heavens, Lady Ronghua is truly rich and generous! For two southern pearls she spent so lavishly!'"

"Alas, our annual salary plus any bonuses amount to only a few tens of thousands of taels of silver..."

Translation: "'Alas, our annual salary plus the rewards we receive amount to only a few ten-thousand taels of silver……'"

「……」

Translation: "……"

Li Ying loudly said, "An ordinary family's yearly expenses range from about two to ten taels of silver, and even the wealthy hardly exceed fifteen taels. You officials should be content; there's no need to compare yourselves with royalty and nobility."

Translation: "Li Yao loudly said, 'An ordinary family's yearly expenses are roughly two to ten taels of silver; even the affluent spend no more than fifteen taels. Officials, you should be content—why compare yourselves to nobles and royalty?'"

Upon hearing this, the officials' faces grew slightly embarrassed.

Translation: "Hearing this, the ministers' expressions turned slightly embarrassed."

Li Ying raised his voice again: "In our Great Xuan, one tael of gold equals about ten taels of silver. Roughly calculated, Lady Ronghua spent 53,600,000 taels of silver to buy those two pearls. Do you officials find this number somewhat familiar?"

Translation: "Li Yao raised his voice again: 'In Daxuan, one tael of gold equals about ten taels of silver; roughly calculated, Lady Ronghua spent 53,600,000 taels of silver to buy those two pearls. Don't you officials find this number somewhat familiar?'"

The officials fell into contemplation.

Translation: "The ministers fell into thought."

Minister Wen trembled as he spoke: "Five million three hundred sixty thousand taels of silver... isn't that... the amount the presiding official said my son obtained by selling grain and relief supplies in the flood relief case ten years ago? This..."

Translation: "Officer Wen trembled as he spoke: '53,600,000 taels of silver…… isn't that…… the amount the presiding official said in the ten-year-old flood relief embezzlement case that my son obtained by selling grain and supplies?! This……'"

"Exactly, I remember too!" another official immediately chimed in to confirm.

Translation: "'Exactly, I remember too!' Immediately another minister chimed in to confirm."

Soon another official blurted out, "Why is this number such a coincidence?"

Translation: "Soon another minister blurted out, 'Why is this number such a coincidence?'"

Li Ying said, "A coincidence? No! Listen, everyone, to my story!"

Translation: "Li Yao said, 'A coincidence? No! Listen, everyone, to my story!'"

"Ten years ago, Lady Ronghua, while traveling for pleasure, arrived at Jinquan County in Shan'nan, which borders Luohe Prefecture, and there she happened upon a caravan that had traveled far and wide, collecting countless rare treasures, among which was a pair of top-grade southern pearls."

Translation: "'Ten years ago, Lady Ronghua, while traveling for pleasure, arrived at Gold Spring County in Shannan Commandery, bordering Luoxia Commandery, and there she happened upon a merchant caravan that had traveled the four directions, collecting countless rare treasures, among which was a pair of top-quality southern pearls.'"

"Lady Ronghua took a liking to that pair of pearls, but the silver she carried was far insufficient, so she set her sights on the grain storehouse of Jinquan County."

Translation: "'Lady Ronghua took a liking to that pair of southern pearls, but the silver she carried was far insufficient, so she set her sights on the grain storehouse of Gold Spring County.'"

"In previous years, Luohe Prefecture often suffered floods, so the court established a reserve granary and emergency depot in Jinquan County, stockpiling large amounts of grain and supplies that were not to be used under normal circumstances, to be ready for emergencies."

Translation: "'In past years, Luoxia Commandery often suffered floods, so the court established a reserve granary and emergency depot in Gold Spring County, stockpiling large amounts of grain and material, not to be used under normal circumstances, to prepare for emergencies.'"

"Strangely, in the few years before Lady Ronghua's visit to Jinquan County, the weather was favorable—Luohe Prefecture enjoyed several years of smooth rains and winds, rarely experiencing any flood disasters."

Translation: "'Yet in the few years before Lady Ronghua's visit to Gold Spring County, the weather was kind—Luoxia Commandery enjoyed several years of favorable winds and rains, rarely seeing any flood disasters.'"

"Lady Ronghua therefore thought that even if she diverted these reserves for emergency disaster relief, it would be fine, so she ordered local officials to sell them all off, thereby obtaining 5,360,000 taels of gold, which she then used to purchase the two top-grade southern pearls from the caravan."

Translation: "'Lady Ronghua therefore thought, Even if I divert these reserves meant for emergency disaster relief, it would be no harm, so she ordered local officials to sell them all off, thereby obtaining 5,360,000 taels of gold, and then used this huge sum to buy the two top-quality southern pearls from the merchant caravan.'"

"

Translation: "'One of them she used as a birthday gift, sending it to Duke Rongrui; the other she set into her hairpin.'"

By this point, Duke Rongrui's face had turned deathly pale.

By this point, Duke Rongrui's face had turned deathly pale.

All the ministers were likewise struck speechless with shock.

Translation: "All the ministers were also shocked speechless."

Li Ying went on: "Who would have guessed that, just a short while later, Luoxiang County— which had gone years without flooding— was suddenly struck by a once-in-a-century downpour; the dikes burst overnight, and the flood disaster instantly swept over the land! And then came the matter of Lord Wen's son stealing the disaster‑relief grain supplies. I have now laid out the full truth of that case for you all."

Translation: "Li Yao continued, 'Who would have thought that not long after, Luoxia Commandery, which had seen no floods for years, was suddenly hit by a once-in-a-century downpour; the riverbanks collapsed overnight, and the flood disaster struck the land in an instant! What followed…… was the case of Officer Wen's son embezzling disaster relief grain and supplies—a case whose full process I have now laid bare for you all.'"

His words echoed, and the hall fell into an eerie silence.

Translation: "As his words fell, the hall fell into utter silence."

"No… impossible!" Duke Rongrui shattered the silence, disbelief in his voice, "These alleged facts are nothing but fabrications you've made up!"

Translation: "'No…… impossible!' Duke Rongrui broke the silence, unable to believe, 'These so-called truths must be…… something you fabricated!'"

Li Ying's gaze hardened. "In the earlier Longyuan County magistrate case, Lady Ronghua and several royal family members hurried to Hewan County to try to shield and rescue the magistrate, but they failed and were all apprehended by the sovereign. Acting on his command, I blocked the news and carried out a secret investigation and interrogation; everything I've said comes directly from Lady Ronghua's own confession. Otherwise, why would you think her hairpin studded with southern pearls would be in my possession? This is proof! Furthermore, the officials implicated in the Jinquan County affair years ago were also secretly arrested by me, and they have freely admitted to it."

Translation: "Li Yao's eyes turned icy, 'In the earlier case of the Longyuan Governor, Lady Ronghua and several royal family members rushed to He Wan County to shelter and rescue the Longyuan Governor, but failed—instead they were all captured by Your Majesty. I, acting on Your Majesty's orders, sealed the news, conducted secret investigations and interrogations; the facts above all come from Lady Ronghua's own confession! Otherwise, why would Lady Ronghua's hairpin bearing the southern pearl be in my hands? This is evidence! Moreover, the officials involved in Gold Spring County at that time were also secretly arrested by me, and they confessed without reservation!'"

A loud clatter echoed.

Translation: "Clang!"

Lord Rongrui fell off the chair, and even the chair was overturned onto the ground.

Lord Wen also slumped to the ground at this moment, his eyes having lost all luster, his whole person seeming to have lost his soul.

And the expressions of the several other officials beside him also became extremely complex, faintly mixed with resentment.

Li Yao stepped forward, tore open his belt, pried off the South Sea pearls inlaid on the belt, and together with Lady Ronghua's southern pearl hairpin, handed them to Xiao Qidi.

Xiao Qidi held the two items in his palm, coldly surveyed all the officials in the hall, and his thin lips moved slightly.

Ten years ago, nearly a hundred thousand people starved to death in Luohe County, countless more were displaced, and it even gave rise to a shocking miscarriage of justice—all because a member of the Daxuan royal family took a fancy to these two pearls!

Lord Wen, you now know why your son died, you know the extent of the injustice he bore, and the culprit behind his tragedy is precisely the person you have been desperately protecting.

If earlier I had asked you to imagine yourself as an ordinary commoner suffering the exploitation of nobles and aristocrats, you still could not empathize, yet you remained self‑righteous and obstinate in defending the royal family—then… how about now? Do you feel the pain?

And you few as well.

Xiao Qidi's gaze fell on the remaining several officials whom he and Lord Wen had singled out together.

Do you know why I also had you step forward?

Not only because, like Lord Wen, you are courtiers who most flatter the nobles and aristocrats, but also because your hometowns are all in Luohe County! You all have fellow villagers, elders, friends, and relatives who died in that man‑made disaster!

Lord Zhao, your elderly mother escaped death and fled the flood, yet she starved to death because no relief grain arrived, didn't she?

Lord Qi, the Old Village Chief and fellow villagers who once rallied the whole village to fund your studies, enabling you to enter officialdom and the court, likewise died of starvation and cold due to lack of disaster relief grain and supplies, didn't they?

And Lord Zhang, Lord Sun… you ten or so officials who previously wept and begged for Lord Rongrui's mercy before me the most…

You… do you all feel the pain now?

Each of Xiao Qidi's words was like the sharpest knife, mercilessly stabbing the most painful scar deep in their hearts.

Snort—

Lord Wen spat out a mouthful of fresh blood on the spot.

The others either beat their chests and stamped their feet, or collapsed to the ground like ashes.

They believed that no matter how they defended Lord Rongrui before His Majesty, His Majesty could not impose a punishment they could not bear.

But they never expected that the truth they faced would be this cruel.

His Majesty need not punish them; he has already made their souls suffer a death by a thousand cuts.

Pain!

It is truly too painful!

"Give me back my son's life!" Lord Wen suddenly roared, blood flowing from his mouth, eyes wide with fury as he sprang up and charged at Lord Rongrui.

Lord Rongrui shouted in fright, "What does my son's death have to do with me! I didn't order anyone to make him a scapegoat!"

Li Yao interjected coldly, "If it weren't for Lady Ronghua seeking a birthday gift for you, how could this tragedy have occurred? Though you may be unaware, it is all because of your insatiable greed and reckless conduct."

Lord Wen had already collapsed, his fury fully ignited, and he lunged at Lord Rongrui like a madman, striking and biting him.

"Imperial Guards! Quickly drag this madman away!" Lord Rongrui cried out in terror.

The nearby imperial guards snapped to attention and hurriedly grabbed him to pull him away.

But just as they dragged Lord Wen away from Lord Rongrui, another ten or so officials surged forward one after another, swarming to attack Lord Rongrui.

Even those officials who had originally been the most eager to cling to the royal family began to lay hands on Lord Rongrui, and the remaining officials present were all somewhat eager to join in.

And Xiao Qidi did not speak to stop them.

Seeing the situation turn bad, with the hall already in chaos, Lord Rongrui bellowed at the commander of the imperial guards, "Quick! Quickly summon more imperial guards to protect me!"

The commander of the imperial guards was about to issue an order when he suddenly heard Xiao Qidi say in a low voice, "Are the imperial guards meant to protect the Royal City, or to protect Lord Rongrui?"

Hearing this, the commander of the imperial guards hesitated somewhat.

But upon further thought, he and many officers of the imperial guards, high and low, had ties of marriage or kinship with Lord Rongrui or some members of the Xiao clan; if Lord Rongrui suffered any mishap this time, the royal family would collapse entirely, and his position, authority, and even his life might be lost.

It would be better to gamble on protecting Lord Rongrui well; as long as the royal family's foundation remains unshaken, he too could still have a slim chance of survival.

Thus, after brief consideration, he chose to ignore Xiao Qidi and hurried away.

Several other imperial guards drew their sidearms, formed a circle, and shielded Lord Rongrui within.

The drawing of the imperial guards' sidearms did indeed produce a strong deterrent effect.

Even the ten or so officials led by Lord Wen, no matter how angry, dared not readily advance, for they were merely civil officials without weapons or armor.

Soon, the commander of the imperial guards returned, accompanied by hundreds of imperial guard subordinates, about to storm into the hall.

"Commander, no!" an official mustered his courage and barred the hall's entrance.

"Get out of the way!" the commander of the imperial guards bellowed, "Anyone who blocks the path will be killed without mercy!"

"Commander, I never ordered you to summon so many imperial guards; what is your intention?" Xiao Qidi asked, his expression unchanged, "If I do not permit you to enter, will you even kill me?"

The commander of the imperial guards raised his hand, signaling the hundreds of imperial guards outside the hall to take position, sealing the hall completely.

Then he walked to the hall's threshold and spoke loudly:

"Your Majesty, I harbor no such intention! But I cannot stand by and watch Lord Rongrui fall into danger; I must take him away and keep him safe!"

"Hurry, hurry, go quickly!" Lord Rongrui, hiding behind a few imperial guards, urged him on in haste.

Regardless, first escape the hall, then we'll talk.

To die just like that in the hands of those few officials would be utterly unacceptable.

A few imperial guards escorted him while moving toward the hall's door.

Seeing the threshold not far off, Lord Rongrui secretly breathed a sigh of relief, glanced back at the young sovereign seated on the throne, and smirked to himself:

"Well done, Xiao Qidi, still trying to use the officials' hands to take my life? You're dreaming, and you haven't even weighed whose people the Royal City's great imperial guard army truly belongs to… hah!"

Whoosh—

Suddenly, a faint sound came from outside the hall's door.

The commander of the imperial guards standing at the threshold suddenly stiffened, then slowly raised his hand toward the back of his head.

However, his hand had only risen halfway when he suddenly plunged face‑first to the ground, falling stiffly beside Lord Rongrui's feet.

Only then did they see an arrow pierce his helmet, already embedded in his skull, blood steadily streaming from the rim of his helmet; his body twitched a few times before he breathed his last.

"What's going on! Where did the arrows come from?!" Duke Rongrui turned pale with shock.

Several hundred Imperial Guard troops hurriedly turned back, and suddenly saw over a thousand soldiers wearing strange black armor, wielding long blades and radiating a fierce aura, charging at them……