This is why Mu Changxi's actions this time can be seen as taking a stand for the people of Haizhou City.
While, by rights, Song Chaoyu should not have been in the main hall of the yamen, as Mu Changxi was presiding over the case, and women were not permitted in court unless they were plaintiffs or defendants.
But Mu Changxi didn't care about such formalities. He wanted Song Chaoyu to be by his side, watching him deal with this Magistrate Gu.
He wanted Song Chaoyu to know that wherever he, Mu Changxi, was, there would be a place for her.
However, since Mu Changxi and Song Chaoyu arrived in Haizhou, they had done so much for the people of Haizhou.
Therefore, apart from Lord Lei and Zhang Qi, the city's garrison commander, who were displeased, no one else had a single word to say about Song Chaoyu appearing in court.
With Gu Xuezhuo's "precedent," even if Lord Lei and General Zhang had any dissatisfaction, they dared not voice it at this moment, and could only let Song Chaoyu sit beside them.
—
The trial of Gu Xuezhuo was tedious and lengthy.
Seeing Song Chaoyu watching with keen interest, Lord Lei didn't say much. Instead, General Zhang appeared somewhat dismissive, "Looking at the Princess Consort so seriously, anyone who didn't know would think she understood everything! No matter what, the Princess Consort is merely a woman. Can she truly understand what they are doing by sitting here? Doesn't she find it boring?"
These words were quite harsh.
Song Chaoyu smiled coldly, "What? Does Lord Zhang not understand what they are doing and wish to ask me?"
Her light remark instead embarrassed Lord Zhang.
A hint of resentment flickered in Lord Zhang's eyes, "Although the Princess Consort is of noble status, her presence here is against the rules. Moreover, I have heard that no matter where the Prince goes, he brings the Princess Consort along, and no matter what he does, he lets the Princess Consort help. If the Emperor were to know, he would likely feel that His Highness the Prince has overstepped the rules! What does the disaster relief in Haizhou City have to do with the Princess Consort? The Princess Consort should be here to take care of the Prince!"
The implication of these words was that Song Chaoyu was meddling in affairs that did not concern her.
Even Tiaohong, who stood behind Song Chaoyu, glared at Zhang Qi with annoyance, clearly displeased with his arrogant attitude.
Song Chaoyu merely smiled slightly, then took a sip of tea before slowly saying, "If there were people in Haizhou City who could help the Prince, I naturally wouldn't have to be so busy. Who wouldn't want to laze around in their room? It's a pity… that in this vast Haizhou City, I can't find anyone who sincerely wants to help the Prince. Why is it that even I, who come to help, am now subject to criticism?"
Though she smiled, her tone was filled with a chilling coldness.
This made Zhang Qi narrow his eyes, realizing that Song Chaoyu was not to be trifled with.
But how could Zhang Qi be content to be mocked to such an extent by such a young woman as Song Chaoyu?
He snorted coldly again, "Haizhou City has many officials, but it's a pity the Prince is unwilling to use them. We are all officials appointed by His Majesty himself, yet the Prince does not trust us. One doesn't know if the Prince distrusts us or His Majesty."
Song Chaoyu realized that Zhang Qi habitually invoked the Emperor as a shield, thinking that by bringing up the Emperor, he could make them fearful.
Seeing Zhang Qi about to speak further, Song Chaoyu placed her teacup on the table with a "clang," "General Zhang should be cautious with his words! Those who know would think General Zhang is worried sick about Haizhou City, losing sleep, which is why he says these things to me. Those who don't know would think General Zhang is blaming the Emperor for sending the Prince instead of a disaster relief minister whom the General favors!"
She let out a cold laugh, looking at Zhang Qi with a playful gaze, "If General Zhang truly wishes to do something for Haizhou City, he might as well think about what he can do. Instead of finding trouble with a mere woman like me, if others were to know, it would only make the General a laughingstock!"
She knew that Zhang Qi must be unconvinced.
So she continued, "If the General is not convinced in his heart, he is welcome to submit a memorial to His Majesty about all these matters. Let His Majesty see what the officials of Haizhou City are doing. While others are engaged in disaster relief, they are only concerned with gossiping behind people's backs. See if His Majesty punishes the Prince, or if you only end up embarrassing yourself."
Song Chaoyu usually disliked speaking so much with others, did that make them think she was easily bullied?
Zhang Qi stared blankly at the young woman before him, who was actually eloquent and sharp-tongued, and knew that he had spoken out of turn today.
No matter how displeased he was, he could only lower his head and remain silent to alleviate his embarrassment.
Song Chaoyu also heard Tiaohong murmur behind her, "What kind of people are these in Haizhou City? No wonder nothing can be accomplished, and they only know how to trouble the Emperor and the Prince!"
Song Chaoyu glanced back at Tiaohong, who then stuck out her tongue and stopped talking.
But these words also made Zhang Qi blush with shame, and he dared not say anything more.
Meanwhile, Mu Changxi's interrogation of Gu Xuezhuo in the front had not stopped.
In the beginning, Gu Xuezhuo still harbored some hope.
However, as more and more people came forward to file complaints, and the charges against him increased, he realized that there was likely no room for maneuver.
He began to beg for mercy, to speak well of Mu Changxi, hoping that Mu Changxi would let him off the hook.
But he had forgotten that he was the father-official of Haizhou City. If he lost the hearts of the people, he had lost everything.
Mu Changxi would absolutely not be able to save his life at this moment.
Ultimately, Mu Changxi spent an entire day listening to the people of Haizhou City testify against Gu Xuezhuo's wrongdoings in Haizhou City.
At first, Lord Lei and General Zhang could still intercede for Gu Xuezhuo.
But the countless heinous crimes gradually caused cold sweat to break out on the foreheads of Lord Lei and General Zhang.
By the afternoon, as more people arrived, some, while accusing Gu Xuezhuo, also reported some of the things that Lord Lei and General Zhang had done.
This made a thin layer of sweat appear on their foreheads, and they dared not speak for Gu Xuezhuo anymore, for fear of "drawing fire upon themselves."
Song Chaoyu also understood that if the entire yamen of Haizhou City were not in cahoots, how could the people's grievances be so intense?
After listening to these crimes for a day, by the evening, when the candles were lit in the main hall, Song Chaoyu's heart was already filled with anger.
She became even more resolute in her conviction: Ning Wang Mu Hansu must not ascend to the throne! If his subordinates were all people with the hearts of jackals, wouldn't the common people suffer even more in the future?