Chapter Twenty-Four: Confession Brings Leniency

In truth, it was no wonder Wu Chengsi instinctively called out as he did. Every time the Drum of Petition sounded, half the time or more, it was because of accusations against the three of them.

That Xue Huaiyi, favored far beyond reason, was unbearably arrogant and reckless. Each time he paraded through the streets, he disregarded everything in his path, trampling and whipping any mere mortals who happened to be in his way.

This had resulted in numerous deaths and injuries.

Yet His Majesty never punished Xue Huaiyi. Instead, it was Wu Chengsi and Wu Qiongsi who were disciplined, as if their failure to restrain or admonish Xue Huaiyi was the true crime.

Wu Chengsi had grown so fearful of that drum’s ominous sound, he forgot that the one preparing to strike it was, in fact, an “assassin” targeting them.

But no matter how he feared, shouted, or forgot himself, he could only watch as the assailant seized the heavy mallet.

“No! Please!”

Seeing he could not stop it in time, Wu Chengsi’s knees gave way and he collapsed on the spot, one hand reaching out in vain, crying out in despair.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

What answered him was the thunderous peal of the Petition Drum, its reverberations filling the skies above the capital in an instant.

Wu Chengsi’s vision went dark as the sound shook him, and he slumped forward to the ground...

The old emperor who also heard the drum set aside the memorial she was reading and sighed.

Another accusation against Xue Huaiyi, no doubt. Xue Huaiyi had only just left the palace—trouble again already...

Yet she could not bear to scold, could not bear to strike, and certainly could not bear to cast him off. Thus, whatever trouble he stirred, she had to clean up after him.

Rubbing her aching cheek, the old emperor leaned back into her chair, waiting for the palace guards to bring in the one who had struck the drum.

But when the group was ushered in, the sight startled the emperor greatly.

That bruised and swollen one—was that her own bull-strong Xue Huaiyi?

And the two with clear shoeprints on their faces—were those Wu Qiongsi and Wu Chengsi?

And who was that, the tall, robust, almost impossibly handsome man being escorted in?

The empress’s gaze rested on that young man, his features sharp, sword-like brows over bright eyes, his appearance clean and striking.

She waved for the guards to release them, then looked at the young man with a gentle expression and asked kindly, “Was it you who struck the Petition Drum? What grievance do you bear? Speak freely, and I shall render you justice.”

Xue Huaiyi, who, upon seeing the emperor, had meant to wail aloud, could only manage: “...Hic!”

Wu Qiongsi and Wu Chengsi, who had been bracing themselves for a thunderous imperial wrath, shrank back on their knees, speechless.

But Peng Liang felt nothing of the sort.

Meeting the emperor’s gaze, Peng Liang strode forward, dropped to one knee, clasped his fists, and declared, “Your servant Peng Liang, formerly a junior captain of the Left Martial Force, later assigned as personal guard to Minister Zhang Jiafu of the Ministry of Personnel, greets Your Majesty. May you enjoy everlasting youth, may your imperial might shake the heavens, ten thousand years to your reign!”

“Oh my, what a silver tongue! Rise, rise and tell your story clearly. I will see that you receive justice,” the emperor replied, delighted by the final phrases of blessing—especially the words about imperial might shaking the heavens. Her greatest worry was always whether her throne was truly recognized by both the people and heaven, whether she genuinely enjoyed the mandate of the Celestial Dragon. Now, hearing this, she felt a soothing comfort throughout her being.

She hurriedly bade him rise, not yet knowing the matter, but already promising him fair redress.

Hearing this, Peng Liang raised an eyebrow slightly, his admiration for Lord Di growing yet again.

He stood, saluted, and spoke in a clear voice: “Your Majesty, ever since I entered Lord Zhang’s service, I have been self-disciplined and loyal, ready to give my life. Today, by Lord Zhang’s order, I delivered a stern lesson to Master Xue and the two Lord Wus. I struck the Petition Drum only because they pursued me relentlessly. Lord Zhang also instructed me: should I have the fortune to meet Your Majesty, I must report how Master Xue and his companions run roughshod through the streets, disregarding human life. I beg Your Majesty to discern the truth!”

So, it was indeed the matter of Xue Huaiyi and his companions. The emperor’s pleasure at Peng Liang’s fine looks and bearing swiftly faded. She looked down at the three kneeling men, who, beside Peng Liang, seemed entirely unremarkable, barely worth a second glance.

She shifted slightly, turning toward Su Hong, who stood respectfully at her side.

“Go, summon Zhang Jiafu to the palace. And as for those three—take them away and see them properly attended to. As officials of the realm, are these not shameful deeds?”

Su Hong, who had been suppressing laughter at the sight of the three—especially the one beaten worse than a pig’s head—quickly acknowledged and signaled the young eunuch to escort the trio out.

The emperor cast Su Hong a helpless look and shook her head. She herself wanted to laugh, but feared it would undermine her imperial dignity.

Once the three had been removed, the whole imperial study seemed brighter.

She sat upright again and looked to Peng Liang, her brows and eyes softened with a smile.

“Now that we are alone, perhaps you can tell me your true purpose? Zhang Jiafu has served in court for many years; he is not one with great ambition. Indeed, he is much the same as the likes of Xue Huaiyi. Do not think me blind. For Zhang Jiafu to send you to provoke them, there must be more at stake than seeking justice for the people. Speak honestly—this is your one and only chance.”

Feeling the weight of the emperor’s authority, Peng Liang found his respect for Lord Di growing yet again.

So he straightforwardly recounted how Zhang Jiafu had abandoned him, even slaughtered his entire family, leaving nothing out.

To prove he had truly served as Zhang Jiafu’s personal guard, he revealed several of Zhang’s most private identifying marks.

And at the end, he also mentioned Lord Di.

Lord Di had said: “If the emperor questions you, and you do not mention me, she will doubt every word you say. She will never believe you could devise such a plan against Xue Huaiyi and his lot on your own.”

“Di Ying? That legal officer from Bingzhou?”

The empress’s heart gave a sudden jolt at the name.

That magistrate was indeed intriguing—she had sent for him in Bingzhou, and now he had come to the capital of his own accord. So, it was truly he who wished to sound the Petition Drum today?

No matter. She might as well meet him.

This was the man who had stirred up such commotion in Bingzhou, and upon entering the capital, went straight for Xue Huaiyi and his companions—bold beyond measure. What sort of impression would he make upon meeting her?

Would he dare criticize even her...?

The empress, struck by this thought, could not help but smile.

“Xiao Hongzi, go to the Petition Drum and bring Di Ying in.”

Her curiosity had truly been piqued.

Peng Liang, still standing in the hall, was speechless.

He had anticipated all sorts of consequences after telling the truth, but had not expected that the emperor’s focus would shift so suddenly.

Was he... in the clear now?

But since the emperor had not dismissed him, he dared not move, and could only wait obediently for Di Ying to be brought in.

Yet, all of them had forgotten one thing: Zhang Jiafu had also been summoned to the palace earlier.