Chapter 88: Thoroughly Investigating the Wrongful Case

In the grand palace, the Empress sat upon the imperial phoenix throne while the Minister of Personnel, Lord White Ice, was reporting on the merits earned in the great war.

"I have reconciled the rewards with the Ministry of War. The military achievements of all officers and commanders have been settled. I beg Your Majesty to review them."

Shadow Phoenix took White Ice’s memorial and presented it to the Empress.

After reading the register of military honors, the Empress cast a glance at White Ice, then at the Minister of War, Lady White Autumn.

"Why has Long Cheng'en not been assigned any merit, when he slew two enemy generals and seized Stone Marker City?"

From Imperial Dawn Star to Fairy Li, Miss Zhang, and Xuan Yi, everyone had been granted military honors. Only Long Chen had been left out, so of course the Empress was displeased.

"This..." White Ice turned to look at White Autumn.

White Autumn stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty, Long Cheng'en did render service, that much is true. But he also committed faults."

The Empress asked in confusion, "Faults? What faults?"

Long Chen stood quietly to one side, his face revealing nothing.

White Autumn came from Duke Jing’s faction, so targeting him was perfectly normal.

White Autumn said, "In the battle for Riverbank City, our army suffered grievous casualties as well. In particular, during Shangguan Wei’s night raid, the western gate was breached and tens of thousands were lost. I have heard that this was due to poor planning by Long Chen."

"Furthermore, the former deputy commander of Riverbank City, later promoted to chief commander, General Shui Han, died for the country in this battle. The losses were severe, and it is said this was also Long Cheng'en’s fault."

"Therefore, as merit and fault cancel one another out, I believe Long Cheng'en need not be punished."

Long Chen nearly swore aloud in his heart. So not only was there no reward, they were saying he need not even be punished?

Dawn Star stepped forward angrily. "I was the commander-in-chief. The city defenses were arranged by my order. What does this have to do with Long Cheng'en? In war, how could anyone avoid casualties? How is General Shui Han’s death Long Cheng'en’s fault? If your Ministry of War keeps calculating merit this way, who would dare to risk their lives again?"

White Autumn’s targeting had been too obvious, and even the other ministers could no longer bear it.

The censor from the Court of Censors, White Peace, said, "Minister White’s words are indeed improper. The casualties from the enemy’s night raid and General Shui Han’s death have nothing to do with Lord Long. On behalf of the Court of Censors, I object."

The Court of Censors was specifically responsible for supervising the officials, and White Peace had the authority to object.

White Autumn argued, "Censor White, in the night raid at Riverbank City, tens of thousands of soldiers were lost. Who will bear this responsibility?"

Dawn Star said, "I will bear it. I am the commander-in-chief."

White Autumn was momentarily speechless. She did not dare to curse Dawn Star to her face.

"I am the commander-in-chief. I failed to secure the defenses and allowed the western gate to be breached. That is my responsibility and no one else’s!"

Dawn Star took the responsibility upon herself.

White Autumn then said, "Then what about General Shui Han’s death? How exactly did General Shui Han die? We have never truly clarified that matter!"

Long Chen remained silent, and Dawn Star could not very well say in public that Shui Han had been a spy.

The Empress spoke up. "General Shui Han was severely wounded in the battle against Shangguan Wei. The soldiers of Riverbank City all know this. What is there to be unclear about?"

White Autumn bowed. "Your Majesty, General Shui Han was highly skilled in martial arts. Even Long Cheng'en survived and returned, yet General Shui Han fell in battle. There must be something suspicious. I request that the Court of Censors and the Ministry of Punishment investigate again."

The Empress frowned. "Minister White believes General Shui Han’s death is questionable?"

White Autumn said, "I only wish to give General Shui Han an explanation, and to give the soldiers of Great Zhou an explanation."

The court suddenly fell silent. No one spoke, not even the hot-tempered Dawn Star.

Imperial Feather looked toward Dawn Star and sensed a subtle undercurrent in the air.

Imperial Starfall felt it too. She was in charge of interrogations, and she sensed even more keenly that something was not right about Shui Han.

With White Autumn’s disruption, the court was instantly filled with the scent of conspiracy.

The other ministers began whispering among themselves, wondering if something truly was amiss.

The elder minister of the Grand Secretariat, Li Yizheng, stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister has also heard certain rumors. Our army’s great victory should have been a joyous matter, yet because of General Shui Han, it has been cast under a shadow."

"This old minister requests a thorough investigation so truth may be restored."

Li Yizheng held high standing in the court, and his words were known to be fair. Since he had spoken, the other ministers all voiced their agreement.

White Autumn looked at Long Chen, a trace of cold amusement appearing on her face.

The Empress remained silent. Her expression was hesitant, as though she were worrying about something.

Dawn Star stepped forward to object. "General Shui Han died for the country. Everyone knows that. What is there to investigate? You people only like to make a scene out of everything!"

White Autumn said, "Princess, if there is no problem, then what harm is there in investigating? You oppose it so strongly. Could it be that the rumors are true?"

Dawn Star wanted nothing more than to slap White Autumn to death.

"Very well. Order the Court of Censors, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of War to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter."

The Empress finally spoke.

Long Chen was somewhat surprised. He had not expected the Empress to agree.

But after a brief thought, he immediately understood the hidden meaning and a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

White Autumn bowed. "Your Majesty is wise."

The censor White Peace and the Minister of Punishment, Hu Chengfu, both bowed. "We obey your command."

The Empress rose, and the ministers dispersed from the court.

After leaving the hall, the Minister of War, White Autumn, was followed by the Vice Minister of War, Wang Wei, as they returned together to the Ministry of War.

"Does My Lord also believe that General Shui Han’s death was suspicious?" Wang Wei asked.

White Autumn sneered. "I have people in Riverbank City as well. Shui Han never confronted Shangguan Wei head-on. She was responsible for defending the north gate and was not injured at all."

"After Shangguan Wei fled, Shui Han was locked in a room by Dawn Star and Long Cheng'en, and then she died under mysterious circumstances."

"There is definitely something wrong with this!"

Wang Wei said in surprise, "Impossible, is it? Why would the princess move against Shui Han? I heard that the princess appointed Shui Han as the chief commander of Riverbank City. That makes no sense."

White Autumn said with a cold smile, "It was merely a smokescreen, a clumsy attempt to hide the truth."

Wang Wei nodded. "This subordinate understands."

White Autumn said, "We must give General Shui Han justice and let her rest in peace beneath the yellow springs."

After the court adjourned, Dawn Star and Long Chen returned to the Western Palace together. When they reached the crossroads, Imperial Starfall came over.

"Fourth Sister, what exactly is going on?"

"Nothing!"

Dawn Star ignored Imperial Starfall, walking straight past her without a second glance.

After taking a few steps, she seemed to remember something, turned back, seized Long Chen by the arm, and dragged him away.

Imperial Starfall froze for a moment, then let out a scoff. "Fourth Sister is truly petty!"

Long Chen was speechless. At a time like this, she was still worried that Imperial Starfall might steal him away.

Back at the Western Palace, Dawn Star removed her court robes and changed into ordinary clothing. She lay down on the couch and cursed, "That White Autumn really thinks she belongs to the Jing family! Lady Sun Lingxue is not dead yet!"

Sun Lingxue was Duke Jing’s wife.

Rumors had long circulated in court that White Autumn was fond of Duke Jing. Not only did she want to marry her daughter to Jing Heng, she even wanted to marry herself to Duke Jing.

Xuan Yi and Qing Yue had also listened to the court debate just now, and they were burning with anger.

"That White Autumn is utterly shameless. And her husband just lets it go!"

"I’ve heard her husband is useless—in that regard—and his office rank isn’t high, so he doesn’t dare say anything."

"Useless? Does he have no fingers? Little Long Long has no manhood, and his fingers are still amazing."

"I also find it strange. Little Long Long’s fingers are very good indeed. We were all very happy."

Long Chen stared blankly at Xuan Yi and Qing Yue, then complained, "Hey! You two beauties, we have no grudge against each other, so why attack me like this?"

Weren’t they supposed to be cursing White Autumn together? Why had they suddenly dragged him into it?