An Oriental Odyssey

On the day of the final trial for the case of Pei Xianya, who was involved in smuggling private salt and killing to silence witnesses, a large crowd gathered outside the Luoyang County Government Office. The people were discussing fervently, "He's the young master of the Imperial Tutor's family! So what? This is a major case overseen by the Empress herself. Whether it's a prince or a commoner, they'll receive the same punishment. Let the magistrate pass the verdict quickly. There's nothing to listen to; all charges are serious, and the sentence will surely be death. I bet he won't survive!"

Inside the government office, the magistrate knocked on the wooden platform and announced, "The accused Pei Xianya has violated the laws of the country, engaged in the production and trafficking of private salt, and committed murder to silence witnesses. There is sufficient evidence and conclusive proof. Denying the charges is futile, and the verdict is..."

Before he could finish, someone brazenly burst in, and the bailiffs tried to stop them. They faced off with a group of tall, strong, and imposing bodyguards. The government office became chaotic in an instant. Upon closer inspection, the one leading the group was a young woman with a solemn expression, exuding an aura of authority. She spoke softly, "Magistrate, your evidence is incomplete; you cannot pass the verdict!"

The magistrate was bewildered and pointed at the audacious woman, asking, "Who are you?"

One of the guards next to her firmly held his sword hilt and said in a low voice, "Princess Xinghui of the Prince Jing's Mansion."

The magistrate was taken aback, and his legs seemed to weaken involuntarily. Princess Xinghui, who doesn't know her? She's the sister of Prince Jing, the senior disciple of the Royal Tianqiao Master, and the favorite of the Emperor and Empress. Today, she actually barged into the court with her guards! "Princess, please take a seat."

Princess Xinghui raised her head slightly, and a guard stood in front of her, blocking her from the magistrate.

"Zhao Lanzhi."

"Greetings." He quietly responded to Princess Xinghui, his face cold and expressionless.

The guard beside Xinghui was none other than Jiang Ren, who said with annoyance, "Zhao Lanzhi, Princess Xinghui is of noble status. Who should she pay respects to here? You? Or perhaps the magistrate?"

"It's not me or the magistrate either. This is the court, and the four characters 'Ming Jing Gao Xuan' on the wall were personally written by the late emperor, representing the supreme authority of the country's laws. Princess Xinghui should pay her respects to these four characters!"

**( 'Ming Jing Gao Xuan' directly translates to 'The mirror hangs high' idiom meaning 'Perspicacious and impartial in judgment')**

Jiang Ren gritted his teeth in anger, "How dare you!"

Xinghui glanced at Zhao Lanzhi, who stood firm and refused to back down. Everyone present wondered why Zhao Lanzhi was acting so audaciously and inappropriately. Xinghui took a step forward and unexpectedly knelt down on both knees.

"What this official said is correct. The mirror hangs high, and the national law is just and supreme. Magistrate, I did not come here to disrupt your trial, and I won't take a seat. I'm only here to testify for my future husband. He is innocent and has committed no crimes! Please, judge with clarity!"

The crowd outside the government office started buzzing with discussions.

Xianya looked at Xinghui.

Xinghui looked at the magistrate.

The magistrate, feeling overwhelmed, sat back down in his seat, not knowing what to do.

After the trial, the report was sent to Empress Wu in the palace by Zhao Lanzhi.

The magistrate regained his composure and asked the sudden witness, Princess Xinghui, to speak, "Pei Xianya, you were involved in smuggling private salt and killed Ruyue. What do you have to say?"

"If the official has complete evidence of smuggling private salt, then I have nothing to say. However, according to the laws of our dynasty, if the stolen goods are returned, and the taxes paid in full, a lenient sentence can be considered. Although the amount involved is significant, I am the Princess of Prince Jing, and I will bear Young Master Xianya's debts!"

The people gasped at her words. The very thing Pei Xianya's father, the Imperial Tutor, and even the Prince Jing himself refused to do, Princess Xinghui was now offering to do?

Xinghui continued, "As for the death of the dancer Ruyue..." She smiled gently, "That was merely a baseless rumor."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Murder requires motive. Before Ruyue's death, Young Master Xianya treated her well, promising to free her from her profession after we got married. He had my full support. Considering their feelings for each other, why would Young Master Xianya have any reason to kill her?!"

Pei Xianya, on his knees, couldn't help but exclaim, "Princess!"

Princess Xinghui lowered her eyes calmly.

The officials serving as jurors murmured among themselves, "There seems to be another hidden side to this. Could the Princess be giving false testimony? Ah, no, if it's not true, how could a member of the imperial family condone such a disgraceful act, disregarding their dignity? When the Princess has not lost her mind!"

Zhao Lanzhi held his sword close, observing Princess Xinghui. He thought to himself that indeed, in this world, there was a poison more potent than the small snake venom that had killed Ruyue. It was enough to confuse right and wrong, leading people astray without remorse! That poison was none other than love. But if she truly had such feelings for Pei Xianya, why didn't she even spare him a glance when she came to the court?

Xinghui continued, "I know that some of you doubt the truth of my words, while others might be criticizing me for tarnishing the dignity of the royal family. Before I came here, I hesitated too. However, I cannot stand by and watch my beloved person suffer unjustly! If I don't come forward, then it would be me who caused his demise!"

After saying this, she slowly stood up, walked to Zhao Lanzhi, and looked directly into his eyes, her hazel-colored eyes calm and fearless. "I know you, Zhao Lanzhi, Constable Constable! You are an official directly under the command of the Empress! Xianya was once your close friend, but it was also you who personally arrested him and threw him into the dungeon! Your abilities are vast! All those witnesses and evidence were gathered and manipulated by you! If you have any more evidence to frame Xianya, please, bring them out. Let's see if I can be of any help!"

"I have none." Zhao Lanzhi shook his head. "Even with my vast abilities, as long as Princess, you vouch for him wholeheartedly, all charges against Xianya will be dropped."

"I can only testify, not guarantee."

"Whatever you say." Zhao Lanzhi smiled lightly.

Pei Xianya was now on the floor, crying bitterly. "Princess! Your kindness towards me is as immense as a mountain! I will surely repay you with my life!"

At this moment, Xinghui walked to Pei Xianya's side and wiped away his tears. "Young Master, I promised you, I will save you."

Zhao Lanzhi gave a detailed report of the situation in the court to Empress Wu.

The Empress was sipping tea with a small jasmine flower floating in the cup.

Upon hearing the report, she chuckled lightly, "I thought Xinghui was still a child. She's so young, yet she has such determination and forcefulness. Ah, she's indeed a girl, enslaved and driven by her love, blinded by it!"

Zhao Lanzhi remained silent.

The Empress glanced at him. "With Xinghui's actions, will it disrupt your plans?"

"It happened by chance, but actually, it helped me a little."

"Well then, indulge her. Whatever you decide to do next, you can proceed."

"As you wish."

An eunuch hurriedly came in from outside, bowed to Zhao Lanzhi, but didn't speak.

The Empress said, "Zhao Lanzhi is not an outsider. Speak your mind."

The eunuch then said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor's headache has recurred, and the Royal Tianqiao Master has brought the herbal medicine. After taking it, His Majesty fell asleep."

The Empress fell silent for a moment, put down the teacup, and coldly said, "Hmph, His Majesty's headaches have left the imperial physicians powerless. Is it that only the strange pills brought by the Royal Tianqiao Master can cure him?!"

Zhao Lanzhi lowered his head and remained silent.