Chapter 6: Fight! Fight Even Fiercer!

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Cheng Ruyi, his hands still cuffed, continued to struggle restlessly. Yan Kuang cast a faint glance at him before turning away to wash up and prepare himself. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacification Office, holding a rank equivalent to the fourth grade, Yan Kuang wielded considerable power, yet by regulation, he was forbidden from entering the main hall to participate in court discussions without imperial decree.

With so many officials in the Great Chu dynasty, he naturally stood further back. However, recently, intense political strife had broken out between Han Shaozhen and Imperial Censor Yuan, each representing the Noble Consort and the Empress’s faction respectively. The court’s atmosphere grew increasingly treacherous, and more attention turned to Yan Kuang, the Pacification Office’s commander.

Thus, he needed to prepare meticulously today, lest the remonstrating officials accuse him again of “disrespecting the Son of Heaven by disorderly attire.” Yan Kuang dressed carefully by the side, while Cheng Ruyi, cuffed to the bedpost and stirred by wrist discomfort, slowly regained consciousness.

“What’s this? Lord Yan, you…” Cheng Ruyi was about to complain, but when he looked up, he was instantly stunned. Before him stood Yan Kuang, clad in a crimson robe, official hat, and jade belt—his robe pristine and flowing straight down like a steadfast pine standing firm against wind and rain.

Cheng Ruyi had never seen Yan Kuang like this. Whether it was the wide sleeves concealing his usual aura of menace or the dignified official hat, Yan Kuang no longer resembled the dread-inspiring judge of the underworld. Instead, he appeared as a loyal and righteous minister, with a heart as red as fire entrusted with the world’s affairs and a spirit illuminated by sun and moon.

Cheng Ruyi’s lips moved, yet no words came out. The crimson-clad man looked at him indifferently, yet Cheng felt like a guilty wild spirit, about to be burned clean by the solemn righteousness shining from those peach-blossom eyes.

Yan Kuang, unaware of Cheng’s silent bewilderment, said, “I am going to court now. Your testimony—I will present it to His Majesty without altering a single word.”

With that, Yan Kuang took his tablet and left, and soon after, from afar came Cheng Ruyi’s voice—“Lord Yan, please untie me… ahhhhhh…”

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In the court hall, all officials bowed their heads solemnly. The Emperor of Great Chu sat on the throne, his eyes swollen and bruised, wearied as he scrutinized the officials before him. Though just in his early thirties and having reigned for several years, the Emperor’s face was lined with exhaustion and illness, constantly treated with decoctions and attended by imperial physicians.

After the officials finished their obeisance, the Emperor, still drowsy, murmured, “Hmm… summon the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacification Office… what was his name?”

The chamberlain beside him whispered, “Your Majesty, it’s Yan Kuang…”

“Ah, send Yan Kuang up to respond,” the Emperor waved his hand, sinking back into his seat as if even half a word was a drain on his lifespan.

Rubbing his temples, the Emperor knew well that this so-called major case was but a clash between two factions in his harem, supported by rival old ministers on court. The key witness was a low-ranking eighth-grade official from Feng Prefecture—the one who forged the prophecy labeling Noble Consort Du as a “disaster,” and accused Chancellor Han Shaozhen of embezzling military funds—Cheng Ruyi.

Such a trivial minor official must be acting under someone’s orders… It was best to get it over with quickly.

“Announce—the Commander-in-Chief of the Pacification Office, Yan Kuang, enter the hall to respond!” The eunuch’s proclamation echoed outside the hall. Yan Kuang obeyed the summons, holding the testimony as he entered.

Han Shaozhen, dressed in a purple robe at the front row of officials, did not once take his eyes off Yan Kuang. Opposite Han Shaozhen, an elder in a red robe frowned deeply, eyes fixed on Yan Kuang, never straying.

The two exchanged glances, silently locked in a tense battle of wills as if soldiers on a battlefield.

“Commander-in-Chief Yan Kuang, I pay respects to Your Majesty,” Yan Kuang bowed deeply and presented the testimony: “Cheng Ruyi’s statement is here in full, not a word altered.”

The eunuch handed the testimony to the Emperor, who frowned as he leafed through it several times. His brows knitted tighter and anger flickered in his eyes. Suddenly, he slammed the testimony down.

“Yuan Shanqi, look for yourself!” the Emperor snapped, stomping his foot with disappointment and anger genuine and unfeigned.

The red-robed elder who had been watching Yan Kuang was startled, instantly kneeling with his robe gathered. Half the officials followed suit, all crying out, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”

The other half stood firmly behind Han Shaozhen, who sneered coldly, “Minister Yuan, quite the spectacle you’ve staged. One might think you intend to force a coup.”

“Chancellor Han, mind your words!” Yuan Shanqi retorted sternly, “This hall is not your private mansion where you can speak loudly or spout reckless words!”

Han Shaozhen raised his brows and replied, “His Majesty asked Minister Yuan to read the testimony, but instead of respecting the imperial will, you lead the court to act this way… Clearly, you are guilty!”

“Your Majesty!” Yuan Shanqi shouted, kneeling and bowing heavily, “I submitted a petition days ago: all these machinations come from Feng Prefecture’s official Cheng Ruyi alone! He deceived my daughter to obtain my official seal, enabling him to spread lies and commit evil!”

Han Shaozhen seized the moment to sneer, “Shifting all blame onto your daughter, Minister Yuan, your paternal love is truly rare indeed!”

Yuan Shanqi flushed with anger but controlled himself, “Chancellor Han, you don’t know—Cheng Ruyi has an uncanny charm, not like an ordinary man! My daughter, naive and shallow, was bewitched by him, now madly obsessed! She lost decorum before Your Majesty’s consort and caused a scene at the Pacification Office days ago. Witnesses abound inside and outside the palace!”

Yuan Shanqi continued, “Your Majesty! Cheng Ruyi murdered his father and mother, broke engagements without marrying, hired assassins… his crimes are too numerous to list! Each sin has witnesses! How can we believe such a villain’s testimony?”

At these words, Minister Du, standing behind, suddenly grew agitated. His daughter had once been betrothed to Cheng Ruyi but mysteriously died.

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Minister Du rushed forward, grief-stricken, “Your Majesty… my daughter died unjustly! As a father, I must seek justice for her!”

Yuan Shanqi quickly added, “General Du! Our daughters were both wronged by this villain! Speak justly—how can his testimony be trusted?”

“Enough! Enough fighting!” The Emperor rubbed his temples, nearly twisting his brows together. He pointed at the testimony on the floor, “Du Hai, I advise you to look carefully at this testimony…”

Du Hai was puzzled, but the Emperor, unwilling to wait, spoke bluntly, “The testimony brought by Commander Yan states that it was Imperial Censor Yuan who ordered the killing of your poor daughter to eliminate future troubles.”

“What!?” Du Hai’s eyes widened like copper coins as he lunged forward, grabbing Yuan Shanqi by the collar.

His eyes bloodshot, Du Hai roared, “Did you harm my daughter? Speak clearly! She was only sixteen… only sixteen!”

Du Hai, Minister of War and a decorated military man with great strength, dragged and shook Yuan Shanqi, who could not resist.

Other officials hurried to intervene. Han Shaozhen leisurely took a step back, holding his tablet as if enjoying the spectacle, flashing a triumphant brow raise at Yan Kuang.

Yan Kuang frowned, wishing he could roll his eyes at him.

Unaware of Yan Kuang’s thoughts, Han Shaozhen delighted in the chaos, silently urging, “Fight, fight! Fight harder…!”

Yuan Shanqi finally broke free from the crowd, his headdress askew but still holding his tablet upright, “Your Majesty! I have served the late emperor for decades, and you for many years—my heart belongs to you and to Great Chu! Your Majesty!”

Du Hai, restrained by the officials, refused to relent, “Yuan Shanqi! Did you harm my daughter or not?”

“I swear on my life to prove my innocence!”

Suddenly, a dull thud echoed as Yuan Shanqi charged and crashed into the front pillar of the hall.

Silence blanketed the hall for a moment before chaos erupted again. The Emperor clicked his tongue, smacking his forehead hard, feeling the headache worsen.

Author’s note:
Raising my cup, I gaze at the azure sky,
Bright as jade trees before the breeze.
Little Cheng: This Yama King is truly handsome.