Volume One, Chapter 19: Let the Court of Judicial Review Teach You a Lesson in Conduct

“I have no misunderstanding about you,” Mu Yuanzhi chuckled. “I’m asking, how did you happen to see it?”

“I saw it after dinner while digesting, and I was so scared I immediately went to find Father Emperor!” Pei Yunxi was a bit anxious, her voice tinged with the grievance of being scolded by Mu Yuanzhi, looking pitiful indeed.

Pei Shangling felt his heart ache seeing her like that. Angrily, he said to Mu Yuanzhi, “Little sister cares about you. Who are you being so fierce to?!”

Imbecile! Mu Yuanzhi already knew why Pei Shangling opposed her marrying Gu Rongjin at yesterday’s banquet. It wasn’t because he thought Gu Rongjin unworthy, but because it made him lose face.

He had long changed; he was no longer her spirit brother.

“Just because of her one sentence, she wants to search my bedchamber. Don’t you think that’s ridiculous?!” Mu Yuanzhi loudly reproached Pei Shangling.

A search of the palace was a grand matter. Could the dignity of the master of a palace be trampled on so casually?

“It's even more ridiculous that you disregard the safety of the entire palace!” Pei Shangling remained unmoved. “Besides, Father Emperor has ordered it. Whether you agree or not, you must comply!”

Sure enough, whatever Pei Yunxi said was law. These people with sick minds never thought for themselves.

“What if nothing is found?” Mu Yuanzhi retorted sharply.

“If nothing is found, then naturally the assassin escaped,” Pei Shangling shrugged.

Ha, no wonder Pei Yunxi was always invincible!

“Sister Yuanzhi, don’t be angry. Today, whether it’s Changle Palace or Spirit Brother’s bedchamber, they will search it thoroughly, all for everyone’s safety.”

Pei Yunxi’s sensible words made Mu Yuanzhi appear unreasonable!

Pei Shangling’s patience had clearly run out. He ordered sharply, “Search!” and the entire palace guard filed in.

Like locusts swarming, they ravaged Weiyang Palace, overturning boxes and cabinets, valuable or worthless, everything thrown about recklessly.

“Stop! Don’t touch that! This is Her Highness the Princess’s personal belonging!”

“Be careful!”

No matter how much the servants shouted in defense, the palace guards did not cease. Hongdou was even pushed to the ground.

Mu Yuanzhi hurried over to help her up, frowning as she asked, “Did you hurt yourself anywhere?”

“I’m fine, Mistress. They are too much!” Hongdou sobbed, feeling wronged. Her mistress was a princess, yet her belongings were tossed about with no one speaking up to maintain justice!

Fourth Prince led the search, and Prime Minister Xiao remained silent. No one dared stand up for Weiyang Palace.

“Don’t cry. Crying won’t solve anything,” Mu Yuanzhi wiped Hongdou’s tears with her sleeve.

She had long learned not to cry when facing troubles. Even if she cried her heart out, no one would care.

Hongdou, moved by Mu Yuanzhi’s warmth, fought back tears and nodded firmly, “I understand.”

Mu Yuanzhi watched coldly as they continued their search. Go ahead, search all you want. She wanted to see if they could really find an assassin!

Pei Yunxi anxiously craned her neck, watching the guards rummage through the palace.

She had another goal this time: to find that dead cat, Luzhu. She was certain the cat was dead, surely buried somewhere by Mu Yuanzhi!

“Report! Fourth Prince, we’ve found something!” A palace guard came forward holding a blood-stained cloth, followed by others carrying a heap of rotting flesh and bones.

“What is this?!” Pei Shangling’s eyes widened.

Mu Yuanzhi’s pupils contracted sharply. She clenched her fists tightly.

Luzhu…

Even in death, it would find no peace!

Who would dig three feet underground during a search for an assassin? It must have been orchestrated by Pei Yunxi!

Mu Yuanzhi took a deep breath to steady her emotions, trying not to show any abnormality.

Seeing what the guards held, Pei Yunxi cried out, “Could it be Luzhu?!”

Pei Shangling, without hesitation, grabbed Mu Yuanzhi’s hand, “Did you kill Little Sister’s cat?!”

Little Sister’s cat? That was clearly her cat!

Mu Yuanzhi jerked her hand free. “It was a stray cat, bitten to death by some animal. I felt sorry for it and buried it in the backyard.”

“Well, aren’t you kind-hearted!” Pei Shangling didn’t believe a word.

“Is it really not Luzhu?” Pei Yunxi looked on the verge of tears.

Xiao Yichen steadied the trembling Pei Yunxi, comforting her.

Pei Yunxi was frustrated. She had miscalculated, not expecting the dead cat to be so decomposed that it was unrecognizable, wasting her chance and giving Mu Yuanzhi an excuse!

“Of course not. I buried it myself,” Mu Yuanzhi said, then looked at the two guards. “But you lot, why dig underground when searching for an assassin? Did you think the assassin could burrow underground?”

The two guards lowered their heads, stammering.

“That’s enough. No need to ask such trivial questions!” Pei Shangling interrupted sharply, then shouted inside, “Have you found the assassin?!”

Mu Yuanzhi sneered coldly, folding her arms to watch their continued performance.

The palace guards returned one after another, no assassin found.

“Are you satisfied, Fourth Prince?” Mu Yuanzhi mocked.

Pei Shangling remained silent. The once noisy Weiyang Palace fell eerily quiet except for the flicker of burning torches.

Pei Yunxi spoke unwillingly, “Spirit Brother, I heard the arson assassin might be a surrendered general once under General Mu.”

“What do you mean?” Mu Yuanzhi shot a sharp glance.

Pei Yunxi quickly hid behind Xiao Yichen and Pei Shangling, stammering, “I-I mean nothing.”

“It’s information I obtained and told Princess Yunxi,” Xiao Yichen stepped forward, shielding Pei Yunxi with a protective stance, as if fearing Mu Yuanzhi might suddenly attack her.

Pei Shangling snorted coldly, “Since it’s your biological father’s old troops, hiding them in your bedchamber seems reasonable.”

“Oh, so it’s all baseless accusations now?” Mu Yuanzhi admired the bigger trap waiting for her.

“Princess Yuanzhi, you are still young. Don’t be used by those with ill intentions,” Xiao Yichen’s calm, cold eyes were full of complex emotions.

“I may be young, but compared to some, at least my mind isn’t broken,” Mu Yuanzhi glanced at Xiao Yichen and Pei Shangling with scorn.

Pei Shangling exploded, “Mu Yuanzhi, don’t think you can just talk your way out. Given the evidence today, if you don’t confess, you’ll be imprisoned in the Court of Justice!”

“What evidence? Rumors and hearsay?” Mu Yuanzhi held her ground against the haughty crowd, never backing down.

The Court of Justice was no place for a human. The jailers there were robust and skilled in interrogation, nothing like the palace maids in Yongxiang Alley. One visit there might strip her skin!

“Are you feeling guilty?” Pei Shangling closed in on Mu Yuanzhi. “Seems a stint in Yongxiang Alley hasn’t changed your wicked nature. Then the Court of Justice will teach you a lesson! Seize her!”

“!”