Court Hearing

On the day of the court hearing, Elder Xiang who was tied up was escorted by few guards who surround him to prevent him from escaping. Lin Xiao saw that the older man’s expression wasn’t good, and he appeared to have aged even more compared to when he first saw him.

“Xiao-er, come on up into the carriage. The official’s time is precious. If we’re late, we won’t be able to get proper judgment and then both you and Ah’Yin won’t receive the justice you deserved,” Xia YuanFeng said when he saw Lin Xiao stop to look at Elder Xiang.

Lin Xiao turned away from Elder Xiang and quickly hopped into the carriage. Once inside, he went to sit beside Long YinLian right away, not giving Xia YuanFeng any chance to get close.

“Shizun, since we are going to the Imperial Court, are we going to enter the gate to the Imperial Palace?” Lin Xiao asked in a soft voice. But before Long YinLian could speak, Xia YuanFeng already began to answer Lin Xiao’s inquiry.

“The House of the Imperial Court was moved a year ago. It is now located in the inner city, close to the Imperial Palace. This movement was made by the Emperor himself so that citizens can have better access to have their case heard,” Xia YuanFeng explained. “The Emperor has made quite a few big movements ever since he ascends the throne. The old Imperial Court was renamed to Sovereign Court Hall where the court meeting takes place. Only high ranked officials and ministers are allowed there. I also heard that he has an army of his own, separate from the one the eight generals have. Other than that, there were also rumors that the Emperor is still looking for the one responsible for the previous emperor’s death.”

Lin Xiao hummed in acknowledgment but didn’t show any further interest, so Xia YuanFeng tacitly kept quiet. He only speaks up again after a while to inform them that they will be arriving soon.

“Xiao-er,” Long YinLian who has been quiet called out to Lin Xiao.

“Lin Xiao is here,” Lin Xiao answered as he looked up to his master.

“Later, make sure that you behave yourself. Only speak when asked and whatever the result will be, just accept it calmly, understand?” Long YinLian gave Lin Xiao a warning.

Lin Xiao frowned but he can only promise Long YinLian. “I understand. I will be sure to behave myself,” he said, assuring the older man. ‘As long as that guy receive what he deserved, I won’t do anything.’

When they arrived at the Imperial Court, Lin Xiao could see how majestic the building was from the outside. ‘If the Imperial Court is already this majestic, then I wonder how those palaces in the Imperial Palace look like…’ Lin Xiao can’t help but wonder as he stared at the buildings in front of him with awe.

They were received by an official working at the Imperial Court and after checking for their documents to make sure nothing was amiss; they were finally led into the Court. As soon as they stepped inside, Lin Xiao’s eyes landed on the three huge buildings in front of him. On the door to their entrance, Lin Xiao saw a huge plate. From the left building, it read: ‘Hall of the Star’, ‘Hall of the Sun’, and ‘Hall of the Moon’ respectively.

“Lord Xia, please wait inside the Hall of the Star. My superior will attend to your case soon,” the official that received them earlier said before he excused himself, presumably to inform his superiors about their arrival.

Xia YuanFeng led everyone to the Hall of the Star and before they could enter, they were stopped by the guards who stood on duty. At first, Lin Xiao was confused but when Xia YuanFeng showed the guards their documents, the guards let them in. ‘How strict. I guess this means it is not as easy to get your case be heard by the officials. Without proper documents, you won’t be allowed in.’

Inside the hall, there were several wooden benches that could hold three adults, and everyone present took their seats. Lin Xiao was just about to go and sit at the back, bringing Long YinLian with him when Xua YuanFeng grabbed Long YinLian first.

“Ah’Yin, you can sit with me here at the front,” Xia YuanFeng said in a gentle tone.

“…” Lin Xiao who was beaten by someone who he had to call ‘Martial Uncle’ felt like he had been cheated off of his own master. Ever since he came to the city, he found that he is spending less and less time with Long YinLian. In the end, Lin Xiao can only thicken his face and sat down on the empty spot beside Long YinLian.

They didn’t have to wait long before an official dressed in his purple robes, indicating his high ranks. Behind him, are two other officials dressed in green robes that signify that they are of lower rank than the purple-robed ones. In their hands are a few stacks of papers.

The official in purple glanced over at Lin Xiao’s group before he took his seat behind the desk and the two officials with him placed the papers on the table. The official in purple looked through the papers before finally speaking: “I am the official in charge of the case brought forward by Xia YuanFeng from the Xia family. It is a case of familial betrayal; assassination attempts as well as misusing his authority to threaten the public by Elder Xia HaoXiang. Hmm… this alone should be enough for the Patriarch to send them away in exile. Can Lord Xia tell me why he wishes for the Court to handle this case instead?”

As he was being called out, Xia YuanFeng stood up and went forward, giving the official a cusped hand salute. “Answering the Lord Official’s question, I simply thought that sending them away will not solve this problem in the long run. I believe that he has others help within the family and yet, he won’t say anything. Therefore, this lowly one can only ask Lord Official to help me solve this problem.”

“I see. You can return to your seat. Can I have the accused stand before me?” the official said and then, the guards brought Elder Xiang forward. Since Elder Xiang was the accused, he was forced to kneel before the official. “Elder Xia HaoXiang, do you have anything to say in your defense?”

“My lord, I was wrongly accused! Someone is plotting against me! And that someone is here right at this moment!” Elder Xiang said.

“Is that so? Can you please tell me who this person is?” the official asked and Lin Xiao suddenly felt that something was wrong.

“Martial Uncle, why do I feel like the progression of this court hearing is wrong?” Lin Xiao asked Xia YuanFeng.

“What do you mean?” Xia YuanFeng asked back.

Before Lin Xiao could answer, he heard his name and his master’s name being uttered by Elder Xiang and Lin Xiao’s expression turned extremely cold. He looked over at Elder Xiang who is currently looking at them with a sinister smile on his face.

“What blasphemy are you spouting?” Lin Xiao can’t help but ask. “You tried to kill Shizun and now you want to place the blame on Shizun? How about I cut off your tongue and see what nonsense you will spout next?!” Lin Xiao hissed as he stood up. He was just about to go to Elder Xiang’s side when he felt his arm being held in a tight grip.

“Xiao-er, calm your anger,” came Long YinLian’s soothing voice, quelling some of Lin Xiao’s anger.

Unfortunately, this reaction was all that Elder Xiang needed as the elder then turned back to the official. “My lord, did you see? That boy had wanted to cut off my tongue! I was only afraid that he will take my life away because his master told him so! The lord patriarch of my family wouldn’t believe me so I can only defend myself by sending the assassins out! This is all a self-defense!”

“Nonsense!” Lin Xiao roared out and Xia YuanFeng raised his hand up to massage his temple.

“Lin Xiao, listen to Ah’Yin and sit down. Calm yourself first because the way it is going, it seems that Elder Xiang wants to shift the blame on the two of you. The official will be asking you two soon, so just answer the question honestly. I don’t believe that Elder Xiang can shift the blame with all the evidence found but if you keep acting like this and the official found that you are dangerous, he may also hand out punishment for you,” Xia YuanFeng advised Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao could only grit his teeth as he sat back down and crossed his arm. His eyes stay on Elder Xiang, glaring daggers at him. If a look could kill, Elder Xiang would’ve died several times already.

While their court hearing was in progress, they didn’t know that outside the hall, everyone was in a panic. The reason for their panic was because the Emperor had arrived for a visit, without informing them in advance. They didn’t prepare anything so the small officials could only shake in fear as they kneel on the ground, thinking that they might be punished by the Emperor for their lack of preparation.