Chapter 21: The Public Trial Begins

“Meng Yuxi, do you understand the charges against you?”

“I do not. May I ask, Your Honor, what crime have I committed?”

Meng Yuxi stood before the court, chest out and shoulders broad, speaking confidently.

“Hmm?”

Wang Lingxin glanced at Li Zhao with a puzzled look.

‘Damn it, what is going on? Weren’t we agreed that he would be delirious and unable to speak clearly by now?’

Li Zhao smiled calmly and subtly shook his hand.

‘What’s the rush? The drug hasn’t taken full effect yet. If he starts babbling nonsense now, it would be no different from those cheap, vicious poisons used in the underworld. That wouldn’t showcase the remarkable efficacy of my Five Loss Elixir.’

Wang Lingxin, watching Li Zhao’s demeanor and gestures, roughly understood his meaning: this man was extraordinary—just wait.

“How dare you! Why aren’t you kneeling?”

Wang Lingxin slammed the judge’s wooden mallet and shouted.

“There is no conviction yet. According to the laws of the Great Li Empire, officials of the third rank and above, as well as their parents and children, are not required to kneel.”

Meng Yuxi replied.

This touched upon a blind spot in Wang Lingxin’s knowledge. Since the founding of the Great Li Dynasty, no official of the third rank or higher, while still in power, had ever had their parents or children summoned for interrogation. This was a first, a precedent-setting case.

He turned to the court advisor and whispered, “Is there really such a clause in the Great Li laws?”

The advisor’s face grew troubled as he murmured, “This is a special detention case with such a rule, but whether kneeling is mandatory—I honestly don’t recall any mention…”

“Damn this corrupt official. When he was dividing the bribe money, he never asked if I thought it was fair. But now, when it comes to such a grave matter, he suddenly wants my opinion.”

Seeing Meng Yuxi’s composed and confident demeanor, he thought, “If I say kneeling is allowed but later find out it’s forbidden, I won’t take responsibility. Besides, if he’s truly well-versed in the Great Li laws, arguing with him would be my undoing.”

Then he nodded firmly. “According to the Great Li laws, kneeling is indeed unnecessary!”

*Bang!* The judge’s gavel struck.

“Summon the witness: Madam Chen Meiying, the madam of the Floating Fragrance Pavilion!”

“Chen Meiying, is it true that you are accusing Meng Yuxi?”

Wang Lingxin sat high on the bench, with a commanding presence, interrogating.

“Your Honor, I am but a humble citizen, beating the drum to cry out my grievances.”

Chen Meiying knelt, pressed her head to the floor, and answered.

“Then, in front of the good people of Su City, please tell us what happened, so everyone can understand.”

“That day, Meng Yuxi, relying on his prestigious background, came to cause a disturbance at my Floating Fragrance Pavilion. He insisted on sleeping with my top courtesan, Miss Qin Ming! I suspected foul play—Miss Qin Ming is a good girl, pure and innocent. I refused time and again, but Meng Yuxi was adamantI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.