Chapter Sixty: Polar Reversal
Li Yunjie’s heart gave a violent start. “Qingmeng, watch over the magistrate’s office!”
“Before I return, no one is to act rashly!”
With these words, he bent down to ask for the address of the Maoshan residence. Then, with a single leap, he moved like the wind, weaving through the bustling streets straight to Maoshan’s home.
Anxious beyond measure, Li Yunjie’s steps were swift as flight, and in the blink of an eye he reached the gate of Maoshan’s residence. Drawing a deep breath, he pushed the gate open with force and shouted loudly, “Madam Mao, are you there?”
The courtyard was utterly silent; only the rustling of leaves in the wind replied to him. Li Yunjie’s heart tightened. He hurried to the main house and pushed the door open.
Inside, a woman’s body hung from a white silk sash, swaying gently with the breeze...
...
Half an hour later, Li Yunjie returned to the magistrate’s office, his face grave and his steps heavy.
“My wife!” Maoshan caught sight of Li Yunjie carrying the cold, lifeless body. Overcome with grief, he staggered to Li Yunjie’s side. Confirming it was indeed his wife, Lady Du, he collapsed to his knees in despair, his face ashen, mumbling, “Impossible… This can’t be…”
“She promised me she would live well!”
“She would never take her own life by hanging!”
As he spoke, Maoshan’s gaze suddenly became savage. Seizing a moment when the constables were distracted, he drew the sword at his waist!
He charged straight at Song Zeye within the hall.
“It was you!”
“You drove my wife to her death!”
“I’ll kill you! Kill you!”
Maoshan roared, slashing wildly and without skill. Yet before he could get near Song Zeye, several constables had already thrown him to the ground.
“Impudence!” thundered Song Yongnian from the judge’s bench. “How dare you commit violence in the hall of justice?”
“Guards!”
“Administer fifty heavy strokes with the staff!”
Li Yunjie regarded Song Yongnian’s smug, petty face with cold eyes and called out in a loud voice, “Stop!”
Song Yongnian sneered. “Your Highness, this man disrupted the court. I am enforcing the law impartially—what could be amiss?”
Li Yunjie slowly laid Lady Du down, his voice icy. “There is nothing amiss with what you propose, Lord Song.”
“However, Maoshan has just lost his wife—he lost his reason in a moment of grief. It is understandable.”
“If you must punish someone,” Li Yunjie’s gaze suddenly sharpened, “then let me take his place!”
The hall fell into stunned silence.
Su Qingmeng frowned at Li Yunjie, moved despite herself. Shiyi was about to speak up for her young master, but was stopped by a glance from Li Yunjie.
Song Yongnian’s brow furrowed, his eyes darting between Li Yunjie and Maoshan.
Just then, Song Zeye stepped forward, righteously declaring, “Even the Emperor is equal before the law!”
“Since His Highness wishes to take the punishment, let it be as you say!”
As he spoke, he shot Song Yongnian a knowing look and discreetly revealed the jade badge of the Eastern Palace from his sleeve.
Song Yongnian understood at once and declared sternly, “So be it—apologies, Your Highness!”
He waved a hand and issued a written order. “There are too many suspicious points in this case—temporarily detain Maoshan in custody!”
“When the truth is uncovered, a new trial will be set!”
“Court is adjourned!”
...
At the Linjiang Inn.
Li Yunjie lay facedown on the bed, his expression somber.
“Young master,” Shiyi said angrily, “why did you stop me back there?”
Li Yunjie sighed. “Maoshan is not a cultivator. If he received fifty strokes with the staff, he would hardly survive it.”
“I never thought that petty county magistrate Song Yongnian would actually go through with it!” Su Qingmeng said irritably.
“He’s just a dog relying on power,” Li Yunjie said in a low voice. “The moment I saw Wu Jin today, I knew this case was anything but simple.”
“You mean this is the Crown Prince’s doing?” Su Qingmeng’s brow furrowed.
Li Yunjie fell silent, pulling a slip of paper from his sleeve. “I found this in Lady Du’s hand.”
Su Qingmeng took it, her face changing dramatically.
On the page, bold characters declared:
“Master Song did not violate me.”
“I compared the handwriting,” Li Yunjie said quietly. “It is indeed Lady Du’s.”
“Then…” Su Qingmeng said in a low voice, “Maoshan was lying?”
Li Yunjie shook his head. “What would his motive be?”
“Perhaps he had some grudge against Song Zeye and wanted revenge?” Su Qingmeng mused aloud.
“Would he go that far?” Li Yunjie pondered, then said slowly, “If it was only for revenge, he wouldn’t risk so much.”
“Then why?” Su Qingmeng pressed.
Li Yunjie’s eyes turned cold. “We don’t know yet.”
He sat up slowly. “But we’ll know soon enough.”
“You’re already fine?” Su Qingmeng frowned, watching Li Yunjie sit upright on the bed. Only two hours had passed, and yet he was already able to sit.
This was far from what a mere seventh-rank cultivator should be capable of.
Li Yunjie nodded calmly. “Fifty strokes with the staff are nothing to me.”