Offered As A Lucky Bride To The Mad Princess To Ward Off Misfortune - Chapter 64

64: The Drum of Justice Sounds, Voicing All Injustices

Upon hearing the news of the fire at the Princess’s Mansion, the feigned smile on Princess Rongxi’s face froze instantly.

The reporting guard continued to explain the cause of the fire: “The imperial guards stationed outside the capital were dispatched to maintain order among the citizens on the streets and failed to notice a sky lantern falling into the courtyard of the Princess’s Mansion. Tonight, the air is dry, and the wind is fierce. By the time the fire was discovered, it was already uncontrollable…”

Before the guard could finish, he was violently kicked and sent sliding several meters, crashing into a pillar.

Si Chengli pointed at the guard, his eyes blazing with fury: “How could the fire be uncontrollable? What nonsense are you spouting, you wretched slave!”

Si Chengli was already half-drunk, swaying unsteadily on his feet. His crude actions lacked any semblance of the decorum expected of a noble heir, causing many in attendance to frown.

“Chengli,” Princess Rongxi called out, “come here.”

Si Chengli, panting heavily, reluctantly returned to Princess Rongxi’s side. “Mother.”

Princess Rongxi performed a courtesy to Emperor Wenjing and said, “Chengli has had too much to drink and is genuinely concerned about the Princess’s Mansion. I hope Your Majesty will forgive him.”

Emperor Wenjing waved a hand, dismissing the matter, and instead ordered the imperial guards to extinguish the fire at the Princess’s Mansion.

“There’s no need to panic. I’ve already sent men to put out the fire. Besides, your mansion has such a large lotus pond; the fire shouldn’t be too dangerous.”

For the emperor to remember the garden in her mansion was a great honor, but Princess Rongxi could muster no joy. The fire was supposed to have started at West Garden, but now, at this critical moment, her own mansion was ablaze.

As Emperor Wenjing had noted, her mansion had a vast lotus pond, and when it was built, great care had been taken to ensure favorable feng shui, with water features in nearly every courtyard. How could a fire have grown so fierce that its glow was visible even from the imperial palace?

Her gaze shifted to Si Zonghe, only to find a look of confusion on his face as well. Princess Rongxi clutched her handkerchief tightly, an ominous feeling growing that something significant was about to unfold.

Seeing that Princess Rongxi did not respond, Emperor Wenjing assumed she was frightened and summoned two palace maids. “Escort the Princess to rest.”

As the maids approached to support her, Princess Rongxi suppressed the panic in her heart. When she raised her eyes, her expression had softened. “Thank you, Imperial Brother.”

As she drew closer to her seat, as if sensing something, she turned her head and met Xiao Qiling’s gaze directly.

Xiao Qiling remained seated, calmly setting down a teacup for a maid to refill. The light from the colorful tasseled glass lanterns above reflected in her eyes, her long hair cascading over her shoulders beneath her ornate hairpiece. She appeared composed and unhurried, offering a faint smile from afar.

Princess Rongxi’s heart skipped a beat, the unease she had felt since hearing about the fire reaching its peak. Her jaw tightened as if she had suddenly realized something, and she pushed aside the two maids, intending to walk in the opposite direction.

Her hurried steps caused the jade pendants on her palace attire to clink sharply against one another. Passing the seats of the princes, princesses, and foreign envoys, she kept glancing back at Xiao Qiling.

Xiao Qiling remained seated with her consort in the distance, her earlier smile seeming like nothing more than a polite gesture.

Such a smile from any other prince would have been easily accepted by Princess Rongxi, but coming from Xiao Qiling—someone who had not smiled at her since the Empress’s passing—it sent a chill down her spine.

Walking too quickly, Princess Rongxi tripped over the trailing hem of her dress.

As another party involved in the matter, Si Zonghe’s heart pounded with fear upon learning of the fire at the Princess’s Mansion. He had been closely watching Princess Rongxi’s movements and stepped forward to steady her, deliberately raising his voice. “Is Your Highness returning to the mansion? The fire is dangerous. Allow me to escort you back.”

As long as they could leave the palace, there was still room to maneuver. Their years of tacit understanding required no further words. Princess Rongxi steadied herself and said, “I’ll trouble you, Commander.”

Si Zonghe turned, touching the hilt of his sword at his waist, and strode toward Emperor Wenjing. Princess Rongxi followed closely behind, and just as they were about to request permission from the emperor, a deep, resonant drumming echoed from outside.

Boom—Boom—Boom—

The heavy drumbeats drowned out the music of silk and bamboo in the Golden Hall, and together with the glow of the fire, they shattered the illusion of peace and prosperity in the capital.

On the day of Emperor Wenjing’s grand birthday celebration, someone had dared to ascend the Grievance Platform and strike the Drum of Justice to voice their injustices!

The Grievance Platform was located outside the palace gates. According to the laws of Great Qi, anyone who ascended the platform to strike the drum, regardless of their grievance, would first receive twenty lashes. Only those who endured the punishment could bypass the local magistrate and present their case directly to the emperor.

“Who is striking the drum?”

“The Drum of Justice hasn’t been struck in over a decade. The last time was the Cui family’s young…”

“Silence! Why bring that up? Are you tired of living?”

The last woman to ascend the Grievance Platform hadn’t survived the twenty lashes, and since then, no one had dared to approach it. The Drum of Justice had become a mere symbol of Great Qi’s legal justice outside the palace.

Thus, when it resounded once more, all eyes turned toward the palace walls. With the capital’s magistrate still in place and the Great Qi court stable, what grievance could be so grave as to risk one’s life to strike the drum?

On one side, a raging fire burned; on the other, the drum’s reverberations pierced the heart. Two seemingly unrelated events occurring simultaneously at Emperor Wenjing’s birthday banquet caused astute officials to sense something unusual. They lowered their heads in silence, awaiting the emperor’s orders.

A fire breaking out in the capital on the day of the emperor’s birthday was already an ill omen. If it hadn’t been Princess Rongxi’s mansion, Emperor Wenjing would have pursued the matter. Now, the sound of the Drum of Justice completely erased the smile from his face, his eyes reflecting layers of dark shadows.

Emperor Wenjing stepped out of the Golden Hall, gripping the railing and looking up at the overcast sky. “According to the laws of Great Qi, administer the lash punishment to the one striking the drum.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The guard receiving the order departed swiftly, disappearing from view.

“Have all the foreign envoys left the palace?” Emperor Wenjing asked suddenly, as if it were a casual inquiry.

The chief eunuch went to confirm and soon returned, whispering, “Your Majesty, all the foreign envoys have left the palace.”

Emperor Wenjing nodded, his tone cryptic. “How thoughtful.”

Thoughtful?

Who was thoughtful?

Princess Rongxi instinctively stepped back half a pace, only to be met by someone behind her. “Your Highness, take care.”

Si Zonghe’s voice was low, and the cold steel of his sword pressed against Princess Rongxi’s waist. In an instant, she made the most advantageous decision.

Her gaze was deep, her lips thin and sharp, exuding the innate arrogance of royal bl00d. “The Drum of Justice has sounded, and yet Commander Si, as the leader of the imperial guards, lingers here? Are you neglecting your duties?”

Si Zonghe’s pupils constricted. He bowed and strode outside.

“Mother, are you and Uncle returning to the mansion?” Si Chengli, still unaware of the situation, drunkenly pushed through the crowd.

“He’s gone to the Grievance Platform.” Princess Rongxi said, weighing whether to leave the palace when another voice came from behind.

“Commander Si moves quickly. Could he be curious about who struck the Drum of Justice and wants to investigate?”

Xiao Qiling had left her seat at some point and now stood in Princess Rongxi’s path.

Princess Rongxi’s lips tightened further, her hands clenching beneath her wide sleeves, veins bulging on the back of her hand. Yet her face maintained its usual smile.

The fire at the Princess’s Mansion, the sounding of the Drum of Justice, and the foreign envoys being sent back to their residences seemed unrelated, yet they felt intricately connected. She had been uncertain before, but Xiao Qiling’s presence here left no room for doubt.

Even if Xiao Qiling had uncovered West Garden, there was no evidence to convict her. At most, she could be accused of indulging her heir in West Garden’s debauchery. Realizing this, Princess Rongxi steadied herself and beckoned to Si Chengli with a smile. “Look at me, so worried about the fire at the mansion that I didn’t notice Prince Ning. I’m concerned about the treasures in my mansion tonight, so perhaps Prince Ning could visit another time for a chat.”

“It was indeed I who blocked your way.” Xiao Qiling said, stepping aside to let Si Chengli approach. As Princess Rongxi turned, Xiao Qiling sighed as if struck by a thought. “‘Thorough preparation leads to negligence; familiarity breeds trust.’ Those were the words you spoke to my mother when the Cui family’s fire broke out. Tonight, with your mansion ablaze, how could you forget, Aunt?”

Princess Rongxi caught the implication in Xiao Qiling’s words and gritted her teeth.

Xiao Qiling wasn’t just referring to the fire at the Princess’s Mansion but was obstructing her departure over the West Garden affair.

She had indeed overlooked the stirrings around West Garden, mocking Emperor Wenjing for growing complacent in peaceful times, yet failing to remain vigilant herself, giving Xiao Qiling an opportunity to act.

“The Cui case was settled long ago. Even if the Cui girl had survived the twenty lashes, the Cui family’s crimes would still have been judged.” Princess Rongxi said sharply, her gaze piercing. “Prince Ning, by bringing up old matters, are you expressing discontent with His Majesty?”

Xiao Qiling, as if anticipating this attempt to use Emperor Wenjing to suppress her, gave a nonchalant smile. “I wouldn’t dare. You’re overthinking, Aunt.”

Fifteen years ago, the Cui family was imprisoned en masse. At the time, Elder Cui was a high-ranking minister, basking in glory. But accusations of Princess Rongxi’s reckless disregard for human life and disruption of the court led to the discovery that a Cui family member, serving as a salt inspector, had been involved in smuggling salt, resulting in a tax deficit of ten million taels.

The national treasury’s annual revenue was barely over twenty million taels, so the revelation shocked the court.

The salt inspector died in prison, refusing to admit guilt, unable to withstand the torture. Elder Cui died by smashing his head against a pillar in court to prove his innocence. Despite the overwhelming evidence, even Cui’s allies in court could only remain silent.

In the emperor’s fury, the remaining 263 male members of the Cui family were imprisoned. On the eve of their execution, the Cui family’s eldest daughter ascended the Grievance Platform to strike the drum but couldn’t endure the twenty lashes. As the Cui family was raided, Lady Cui set fire to the mansion with all the female family members, becoming a forbidden topic in the capital.

“With such a large fire, returning to the mansion would be futile.” Princess Rongxi said, realizing escape was impossible and choosing not to rush.

With a gentle, feigned smile, she glanced meaningfully toward the city gates. “They say familiarity breeds trust. Are you so certain, Prince Ning, that the one striking the Drum of Justice tonight can endure the twenty lashes?”

Xiao Qiling’s expression darkened. “The lashes back then—”

“When the lashes were administered back then, I was in the palace having tea with your mother.” Princess Rongxi interrupted, finally noticing Si Chengli beside her. She pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his flushed forehead.

“Let’s see tonight if I can have my tea in peace.” Xiao Qiling said, her gaze shifting toward the palace gates as she stepped aside.

Princess Rongxi continued wiping Si Chengli’s sweat, a glint of menace flashing in her lowered eyes.

A moment of silence hung in the air, broken only by the persistent drumming of the Grievance Drum.

Her sharp manicured nail grazed Si Chengli’s temple, causing him to cry out in pain. “Ouch! Mother, what are you doing?”

A bead of bl00d seeped from Si Chengli’s temple. Princess Rongxi appeared unruffled, but after a moment of thought, her mind was in turmoil.

Just as she was unaware of Xiao Qiling’s plans, Xiao Qiling didn’t know her contingencies. Xiao Qiling seemed to be blocking her, but in truth, she was probing for information.

Si Zonghe, who had gone to handle the Grievance Platform, had not yet returned. Princess Rongxi looked at Si Chengli and said softly, “No matter what happens later, stay by my side, understood?”

Si Chengli, confused and thinking she was worried about the fire, nodded vaguely. “Don’t worry, Mother.”

Hearing this, Princess Rongxi placed the handkerchief in Si Chengli’s hand, offering a rare smile before resuming her dignified and regal demeanor as the Grand Princess.

Tonight was destined to be an eventful night.

Shortly after Si Zonghe left to order the lash punishment, another guard rushed in to report: “Your Majesty, it’s bad! Half the city’s citizens have surrounded the Grievance Platform, kneeling before it to prevent the lash punishment and begging Your Majesty to investigate their grievances!”

“Have they gone mad, daring to obstruct the imperial guards?”

“The Drum of Justice isn’t something just anyone can strike! If everyone could do it, wouldn’t it cause chaos?”

“Where is Commander Si? Where are the imperial guards?”

The courtiers around Emperor Wenjing scolded the guard, who remained composed and continued, “Your Majesty, it’s not that the imperial guards can’t apprehend them, but the number of people ascending the Grievance Platform is too great. Over fifty individuals are seeking justice for themselves, all accusing the same injustice.”

Since the establishment of the Grievance Platform, those who struck the drum did so for their own or their loved ones’ grievances, and a single person’s action was enough to present a case.

But now, so many had ascended the platform together, all accusing the same injustice. Risking their lives to do so, were they seeking justice for themselves, or did they distrust Great Qi’s laws, fearing their grievances wouldn’t reach the emperor?

Older courtiers couldn’t help but recall the scene from fifteen years ago when the Drum of Justice was last struck. The continuous drumming now—was it not also an indictment of the emperor’s injustice?

A sudden gust of wind blew into the hall, lifting the tassels on Emperor Wenjing’s crown, revealing the dark glint in his eyes.

“Why are the citizens kneeling before the Grievance Platform?”

The guard knelt and replied, “Your Majesty, tonight the citizens were lighting sky lanterns to pray for blessings. Xuanwu Gate was already crowded, and when the Drum of Justice sounded, they gathered around, listening to the grievances being voiced. Public resentment is rising, and it’s becoming uncontrollable.”

“Uncontrollable? What exactly are they accusing?” a count demanded, pointing at the guard.

The guard hesitated. “They accuse… they accuse…”

“Speak! Who are they accusing?”

“They accuse Princess Rongxi of abducting innocent citizens and running West Garden, where lives are recklessly taken!”

At these words, the hall fell silent.

Even the most intoxicated courtiers sobered instantly.

Accusing Princess Rongxi, and of such a grave crime as taking lives—if there was no evidence and it was mere slander against a royal, it was a capital offense!

Who would dare accuse Princess Rongxi?

All eyes turned to her, searching for any hint on her face. Princess Rongxi merely raised her eyelids slightly, calmly accepting their scrutiny, as if the accusations had nothing to do with her.

She turned to face Emperor Wenjing, her words clear. “Imperial Brother, the citizens are swayed by rumors and misinformation. Why not bring those on the Grievance Platform into the palace to prevent this matter from escalating and tarnishing the royal family’s reputation?”

Emperor Wenjing’s expression darkened as he studied Princess Rongxi. Privately, even if she had taken lives, nothing angered him more than this being exposed on his birthday.

A ruthless glint flashed in his turbid eyes. He summoned the deputy commander of the imperial guards and ordered coldly, “Go to the Grievance Platform. Have Commander Si bring all those who struck the drum here.”

The deputy commander knelt and asked, “Your Majesty, should the twenty lashes be administered?”

The law requiring twenty lashes for striking the Drum of Justice was meant to deter frivolous claims. Now, with half the city watching, if the accusations were true, justice must be served; if fabricated, those inciting the crowd and slandering royalty would face death.

The lashes were no longer necessary.

“Bring them here directly.”

Half an incense stick later, Emperor Wenjing sat high on the dragon throne. The consorts and courtiers sat solemnly, their varied gazes shifting between Princess Rongxi and the men and women kneeling in the center of the hall.

The courtiers’ thoughts were diverse, especially those who had been involved with West Garden, their minds racing as they stared at the accusers, fearing implication.

Emperor Wenjing sat elevated, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling figures.

Their clothes, though made of fine silk, were barely modest, stained with dirt, and their exposed arms and shoulders bore faint traces of bl00d.

“Who kneels here, and what are your grievances?”

The woman kneeling at the forefront kowtowed three times. “Your Majesty, I am Lin Wanniang from Wei County, Yizhou. My father, Lin Feng, was a scholar of the third year of Zhaoyuan, earning a living by copying books. Last year, my family arranged a marriage for me…”

Lin Wanniang’s eyes dimmed as she spoke of the marriage. “I was to come to the capital to marry, but I was abducted on the mountain road and taken to West Garden. They forced me into prostitution, beating me with boards and whips if I refused, and often withheld food.”

Tears streamed down her face, and the men and women behind her wept in shared anguish.

Lin Wanniang rolled up her sleeve, revealing an arm covered in scars. “Moreover, those who came to West Garden often had perverse tastes. If someone died, they were simply buried in the courtyard. If Your Majesty doubts me, you can dig in the courtyard—the bones of those who suffered are still there. I beg Your Majesty to grant us justice!”

Emperor Wenjing rubbed the ring on his finger, his gaze fixed on Princess Rongxi. When she had suggested bringing these people into the hall, he thought the guard’s report was exaggerated, but now it seemed true.

“Where is this West Garden you speak of?”

“In Wuzhui Lane, west of the capital.” Lin Wanniang replied, describing the surrounding estates in detail.

Emperor Wenjing nodded, ordering an investigation, then asked, “If you were held in West Garden, how did you escape tonight?”

“My greatest fear was someone entering my room at night, but tonight, no one came to West Garden. Curious, I tried the door, only to find it locked from the outside. Then I smelled kerosene and gunpowder, sensing something was wrong. I pounded on the door and called for help, hearing others in nearby rooms doing the same.”

“Fortunately, as the fire started, a group of guards rushed in to save us, allowing us to come here and present our grievances to Your Majesty.”

As she spoke, Emperor Wenjing’s gaze on Princess Rongxi grew colder, piecing together the night’s events.

Clearly, someone had known of Princess Rongxi’s plans and acted first. The fire at the Princess’s Mansion was likely deliberate.

Under the emperor’s watch, on his birthday, someone had dared to set a fire and incite these people to strike the Drum of Justice, showing utter disregard for imperial authority.

Emperor Wenjing’s brow furrowed deeply, his gaze chilling as it left Princess Rongxi. More than her, he despised the mastermind behind it all.

With half the city witnessing their grievances at the platform, the news would spread across the capital by morning. He had to provide an explanation.

His years as emperor gave him a keen sense that such abductions for pleasure were no simple trade. If investigated, how many others would be implicated?

Under the scrutiny of all, Emperor Wenjing felt his bl00d run cold, unsure how to resolve this.

He spoke sternly, word by word, “Do you know who sent those guards? Are your claims true, or are you acting on someone’s orders? Though I’ve spared you the twenty lashes, if you’re lying, I will punish you severely!”

Accusing others without first verifying the truth and instead using authority to intimidate the accusers—Yu Nanqing had seen this before at West Mountains, thinking it was aimed at Xiao Qiling. She hadn’t expected Emperor Wenjing to so openly favor Princess Rongxi under the courtiers’ gaze.

No wonder Great Qi had fallen to such a state in her past life. Yu Nanqing smirked, hiding her disdain, and poured herself a cup of tea.

As she raised it to her lips, Xiao Qiling gently held her wrist. “Drink slowly.”

Yu Nanqing’s eyelashes fluttered, and she softly acknowledged.

Many courtiers shared her sentiments, but the accusers kneeling in the hall were the most shocked.

They thought escaping West Garden would bring justice, but in the Golden Hall, they realized the extent of Princess Rongxi’s influence, enough to sway the emperor’s heart!

Lin Wanniang cried out, “Your Majesty, aren’t the scars on our bodies proof enough? I know nothing of court politics. I only know I was saved and went to the Grievance Platform to seek justice for myself. Every word I’ve said is true. If Your Majesty doubts me, investigate West Garden!”

The men and women behind her kowtowed in unison.

Unable to identify the guards’ mastermind, Emperor Wenjing’s expression grew darker, the hall’s atmosphere stifling. No one dared breathe loudly, fearing to disturb the emperor.

His gaze swept over his consorts, princes, and courtiers, searching for the mastermind.

The familiar sound of a teacup being set down drew his attention. He first saw two slender fingers, pale yet strong, clearly belonging to a seasoned martial artist.

Looking up, he saw the ornate robe of a prince, granted by imperial decree, with intricate gold embroidery at the collar. The upright posture momentarily made Emperor Wenjing feel as if he were seeing the late Empress, though the aura was more akin to Emperor Wuxuan, whom he preferred not to recall.

His expression darkened further as he met Xiao Qiling’s calm, unhurried gaze, so reminiscent of Emperor Wuxuan.

In that moment, he knew the mastermind.

The court’s power was firmly in his grasp, and he had relegated Prince Ning to the insignificant Ministry of Works, believing the poison in her body would keep her in check. Yet she dared stir this trouble.

Xiao Qiling stood, stepping to the front of the kneeling accusers, her slender hand emerging slightly from her sleeve as she bowed to Emperor Wenjing. “The guards who saved them were my mansion’s soldiers.”

After a prince established their own residence, they could command two thousand soldiers. As a former crown prince, Xiao Qiling had five thousand. Even after her demotion, Emperor Wenjing, citing her poisoning, had allowed her to keep that number.

He thought five thousand couldn’t cause trouble, but now…

Emperor Wenjing raised his voice. “Prince Ning, why are you involved in this?”

Under imperial authority, Xiao Qiling stood firm, her expression calm. “This matter is grave. After uncovering West Garden, I didn’t dare act alone. I intended to investigate fully before reporting to Father, but I learned of the imperial guards’ large-scale use of kerosene. So I sent men to guard West Garden, ready to save people if anything happened.”

A sky lantern fire could be called an accident, but the imperial guards’ use of kerosene matched Lin Wanniang’s account of smelling gunpowder.

Xiao Qiling then detailed the investigation, from anomalies at West Mountains to the Grand Court’s findings, leading to Changxing Street and West Garden.

Princess Rongxi, initially composed, grew pale. She wanted to distance herself and the Si family from Si Zonghe but feared he might turn against her. Her expression shifted several times before she gave up.

Courtiers uninvolved with West Garden rose indignantly, urging Emperor Wenjing to investigate thoroughly.

Emperor Wenjing, visibly angry, looked at the accusers. “Since you accuse Princess Rongxi, do you recognize her?”

With several consorts seated alongside Princess Rongxi, the accusers’ gazes wavered. “Is it her?”

“No, it’s that one.”

“No, it should be…”

As Emperor Wenjing’s expression grew grimmer, Lin Wanniang stopped her companions’ guesses and kowtowed. “Your Majesty, I’ve never seen Princess Rongxi. I only heard her orders from those who held us.”

Emperor Wenjing, irritated by their noise, slammed the table. “So you can’t confirm West Garden’s true master and are making baseless accusations? Aren’t you afraid I’ll charge you with deceiving the emperor?”

Before they could respond, his fierce gaze turned to Xiao Qiling. He had been lenient, sparing her life for years, yet she dared target those close to him.

Today it was Princess Rongxi; tomorrow, would she aim for the throne?

“Prince Ning, did you orchestrate this?”

Yu Nanqing’s heart tightened.

The West Garden victims hadn’t seen Princess Rongxi. If Emperor Wenjing seized on this, their words would lose credibility, and any further evidence might be dismissed as slander.

Xiao Qiling maintained her earlier composure, respectful yet distant, showing no panic. “I only ensured their safety. From the sky lanterns’ release to the drum’s sounding, only a quarter of an hour passed. Even if my soldiers acted on my orders, they couldn’t have arranged everything so perfectly in such a short time.”

Courtiers who had called for an investigation spoke in Xiao Qiling’s defense. Lin Wanniang, scanning the crowd, suddenly pointed at Si Chengli. “That’s Princess Rongxi’s son! I recognize him. Everyone in West Garden treated him with utmost respect, and he mentioned Princess Rongxi!”

Others, including two men, joined in accusing Si Chengli. His wine cup slipped, crashing onto the table. “Shut up! This is slander! Slander!”

Princess Rongxi had repeatedly warned Si Chengli not to reveal his identity in West Garden, yet it was common knowledge there.

Unable to avoid the matter, Princess Rongxi took a deep breath and stood. “Imperial Brother, Chengli is drunk. Let me speak on this matter.”

Emperor Wenjing glanced at her, his initial warmth gone but still inclined toward her. “Rongxi, what do you have to say in your defense?”

“There’s more to West Garden than meets the eye. I ask Your Majesty not to believe these one-sided claims. I know I wronged Prince Ning during the crown prince affair, causing her to resent me. Tonight, to vie for Your Majesty’s favor, she burned my mansion, ruined the sky lantern blessing I prepared for you, and pinned this filthy affair on me.”

“Since my husband’s passing, my only wishes have been to raise Chengli and pray for Great Qi’s prosperity. I’ve long been a devout Buddhist, unable to bear seeing the suffering of others. On my travels, I rescued many destitute men and women, and West Garden is where I housed them, providing doctors for their care. I never imagined…”

Princess Rongxi choked, raising her sleeve to dab at her eyes.

“The Drum of Justice is for voicing injustices, but their scars aren’t from West Garden. I treated them kindly, yet they’ve incited the citizens to stage this performance and slander me.”

Having been widowed young and praying for Great Qi’s prosperity, Princess Rongxi, now with her mansion burned, appeared vulnerable, swaying some courtiers. She bowed slightly to Emperor Wenjing. “I am innocent, and I ask Your Majesty to see clearly.”