Her clear countenance held bright, unblemished eyes, pure and unadulterated.
At this moment, the morning light streamed in, bathing her in a golden glow as the young woman gracefully approached.
The noble and aloof girl appeared like a celestial being from on high, looking down upon the mortals before her, or like a monarch surveying her kingdom, regarding the ants beneath her feet.
She paused, standing there, her gaze majestic and defiant as she looked towards Xue Wenjie.
Xue Wenjie started, his eyes lingering on her for a moment, stunned.
At this, everyone present knelt in obeisance, while Xue Wenjie remained standing, contemplating her.
The maiden smiled at him and said, "Imperial Uncle, since this is a trial by the Three Judicial Offices, as an outsider, how about I listen from the side?"
Xue Wenjie snorted coldly and sat down in the chair she had brought.
"Begin!"
With the Empress present, Grand Tutor Lin's complexion improved slightly.
He knew that if it weren't for the Empress's timely arrival, his ability to sit here peacefully would have been questionable.
"Bring in the prisoner Hua Yunjin." Zhu Keyu's voice rang out as a youth slowly walked in.
His black attire accentuated his pale complexion, and his cool gaze settled on the young woman above, carrying a hint of gentleness.
"Hua Yunjin, do you know your crime?" Zhu Keyu demanded coldly.
Hua Yunjin looked up and slowly replied, "What crime?"
Zhu Keyu sneered, "Did you kill the Hua family patriarch?"
The youth curved his lips into a smile, and his pale face gained a touch of color from this expression. "Did you see it with your own eyes?"
Hearing this, Zhu Keyu scoffed, "Naturally, I was not fortunate enough to witness the Prime Minister committing murder on the spot, but the waiter at the restaurant can testify."
He then shifted his tone, saying, "Guards, bring the witness."
Soon, a man entered and knelt on the ground. "Your humble servant pays respects to the esteemed officials."
"Tell us everything you saw that day, clearly and in detail."
The man nodded and recounted all that he knew.
"Hua Yunjin, with both witness and evidence present, do you still refuse to confess?"
Hearing this, Hua Yunjin sneered, "Are you truly disregarding the nation's laws by attempting to convict this official based solely on a restaurant owner, or do you believe this official is someone you can do with as you please?"
Xue Wenjie stood up at this moment, walked down, and approached Hua Yunjin, saying coldly, "Prime Minister Hua, with the witness and evidence all here, there is no room for you to deny your guilt."
"Imperial Uncle, the trial is not yet concluded, please remain calm," a clear voice floated over.
Xue Wenjie started, having forgotten that the Empress was present.
However, he thought, this mere girl, who had barely grown up, believed that her presence here could save Hua Yunjin?
With this thought, Xue Wenjie glanced at Zhu Keyu, who, understanding his intention, said, "It seems the Prime Minister will not shed tears until he sees the coffin."
"Bring the witness," Zhu Keyu commanded.
A young woman in green walked in from outside the door, appearing to be no more than fourteen years old. Upon her entry, Xue Zining recognized her as Li Fanghui, the legitimate daughter of Li Shengming.
She was the Princess Huimin, whom she had personally enfeoffed.
"Bring a chair for Princess Huimin," Zhu Keyu instructed.
Princess Huimin sat on the chair, and Zhu Keyu asked, "Princess Huimin, could you recount what happened that day at the Mingyue Restaurant?"
Just as Princess Huimin was about to speak, she saw someone in the corner. Her entire body trembled uncontrollably, for this was someone she would never forget.
It was because of this person that she had escaped a life of hardship and become someone free to marry.
And now, this person sat there, while she…
She stood opposite, and although she rarely left her residence, she had heard that the Prime Minister was aligned with the Empress.
However, what she was about to say would likely be unfavorable to the Prime Minister.
For a moment, she was unsure whether she should speak.
"Princess Huimin," Zhu Keyu reminded her.
Princess Huimin lowered her gaze, her hands, hidden within her sleeves, clenched tightly.
Li Shengming grew anxious. "Princess Huimin, why do you not speak what you know?"
Princess Huimin bit her lower lip, unsure of what to do at this moment.
"You ungrateful wretch, why don't you speak?" Li Shengming cursed angrily, even rising from his chair as if to step forward.
However, he was stopped by a pair of hands. Xue Wenjie stood up and approached Princess Huimin, saying coldly, "Princess Huimin, what are you hesitating about?"
Princess Huimin's body stiffened. "What is the Regent King saying? This humble subject does not understand."
"Princess Huimin, withholding information, even as a princess, will result in punishment," Xue Wenjie said, his eyes flicking towards the young woman in the corner.
The corner of his lips curled up, revealing a smile with a hidden meaning.
Princess Huimin shuddered. She knew, she knew everything, but she also knew that once she spoke, Hua Yunjin's guilt would be confirmed.
Would she become someone ungrateful?
She did not want to.
"Your Highness, this humble subject is feeling unwell today and cannot clearly recall what happened that day."
Xue Wenjie let out a light chuckle, his voice as cold as frost. "Princess Huimin, have you thought this through?"
Princess Huimin bit her lip, feeling her body tremble, enveloped by an icy aura.
Just as she was about to speak, a voice interrupted her. "Princess Huimin, just speak the truth."
She trembled and looked up at the maiden. The maiden's expression was calm, but her gaze towards her was gentle.
"Your Majesty..." she exclaimed involuntarily.
She saw the maiden stand up, the eight dragons playing with a pearl on her imperial yellow brocade robe exceptionally striking, solemn, and majestic.
The maiden walked slowly, step by step like a monarch surveying her kingdom, approaching her.
At this moment, she stood up, bowed, and paid her respects. "Your Majesty."
"Princess Huimin, the Son of Heaven who breaks the law is subject to the same punishment as commoners. You cannot have exceptions just because I am here," the maiden spoke, her lips lightly parting.
Princess Huimin blinked, then looked up, this time meeting the maiden's gaze directly. The maiden's clear face was still somewhat young, but so what?
She was striving with all her might to be a good ruler.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This humble subject will certainly speak all that I know and omit nothing." This time, her eyes held no trace of confusion.
Princess Huimin turned and addressed Zhu Keyu, "Master Zhu, I saw a figure in the Mingyue Restaurant who bore a striking resemblance to the Prime Minister enter a private room. Afterward, the waiter found someone dead when delivering tea. That is all I know."
"Thank you, Princess Huimin," Zhu Keyu bowed.
"No need for thanks. Please remember what you are, Master Zhu, the Court Minister, and what your duties entail."
After speaking, Princess Huimin turned to Xue Zining and said, "Your Majesty, this humble subject shall take her leave!"
Xue Zining nodded. Zhu Keyu called out coldly, "Prime Minister Hua, with both witness and evidence present, what further defense do you have?"