Chapter 6: Is this Judgement Satisfactory?

Ren Ye pressed his foot against the footrest, his hands gripping the cold armrests of the throne, forcibly suppressing the emotions threatening to break through. He resolved not to dwell on the foolish actions of the original host.

Stay calm.

The more desperate the situation, the more critical it was to remain calm.

First, Ren Ye had little understanding of the exact rules or detailed mechanics of this “large-scale narrative role-playing” Star Gate. However, one thing was clear: he couldn’t lose, nor could he afford to be overly passive. Huang Wei had explicitly said that in the previous chain of missions, four players had already died.

One wrong step, and it would be irreversible.

Second, his identity as the useless Prince Huai held no deterrent power over the officials present. Even the guards at the hall’s entrance might not obey his commands. In other words, to survive this coup, he had to find a point he could control.

But what could he control?

Ren Ye’s gaze slowly swept across the grand hall before settling on Wang Jingzhong. After pondering for a while, he imitated the tone of a deputy director from his previous workplace and asked, “Accused of treason, do you have anything to say?”

The emotionless voice echoed through the Hall of Sincerity. The severely injured Wang Jingzhong looked up at Ren Ye with his cloudy eyes.

The two locked eyes for a moment, and Ren Ye felt a faint sense of relief.

By questioning Wang Jingzhong, Ren Ye had been testing the man’s character—whether he would betray him publicly. The look Wang Jingzhong returned was one of determination and guilt.

In that instant, Wang Jingzhong also misinterpreted the meaning behind Ren Ye’s question. Despite the pain from his injuries, his thoughts drifted back to memories of fighting side by side with the former Prince Huai during the Southern campaigns…

Covered in white hair and shackled by iron chains, his frail and aged body still managed to stand tall as his gaze shifted to Princess Consort Xu Qingzhao.

The regal and cold princess, dressed in a Daoist robe, exuded an otherworldly aura. When Wang Jingzhong’s eyes met hers, her gaze remained indifferent, as if the unfolding events were entirely unrelated to her.

“Your subject has something to say,” Wang Jingzhong declared, his voice echoing throughout the Hall of Sincerity.

Ren Ye frowned slightly. “What is it?”

Still kneeling, Wang Jingzhong straightened his neck, his cloudy eyes brimming with tears. “I remember the wild horses of the southern frontier, the exotic beauties of foreign lands. I recall sharing three cups of warm wine with the late prince before leading soldiers into battle with the promise of victory or death. Most vividly, I remember standing shoulder to shoulder with the late prince on Mount Qingliang, swearing to protect every inch of Great Qian’s land! Now, the late prince is gone, and I have grown old… My hands can no longer wield a blade, and my body can no longer bear armor. How can this decrepit and muddleheaded old man allow his young lord to suffer?”

His powerful voice reverberated through the Hall of Sincerity.

Ren Ye stared at the white-haired veteran kneeling on the ground, feeling an inexplicable pang of sadness. He realized Wang Jingzhong had misunderstood his intentions.

“This old servant shall face death willingly, hoping that one day my young lord will once again raise the Sword of the Nation!” Wang Jingzhong shouted, closing his eyes.

Imperial Inspector Liu was the first to react, flailing like a clown as he shouted, “Stop him! This old fool wants to die!”

Outside the hall, the guards remained unmoved despite the commotion. Some even teared up, understanding the meaning behind Wang Jingzhong’s words.

“My lord enters the hall; the old servant pays his respects!”

Wang Jingzhong straightened his frail body once more and then bowed deeply.

“Thud!”

The sound of his head striking the ground was deafening. The stone tiles cracked upon impact, and blood and brain matter splattered across the floor.

The frail body remained kneeling, head smashed against the floor. Only the warm blood continued to flow.

Wang Jingzhong, who had practiced martial arts from a young age and possessed immense strength, was unstoppable in his determination to die. How could a few civil officials possibly restrain him?

The grand hall fell silent again. The officials were dumbfounded. None had expected Wang Jingzhong to resolve the situation in such a manner. Did he not care about his family?

Ren Ye was equally stunned. He hadn’t anticipated that a single question would prompt the old general to bash his head in right there in the hall.

What kind of courage and loyalty was this? What kind of bond must he have shared with the late Prince Huai?

In just a few seconds, in a mere handful of words…

The surge of anger and sorrow in Ren Ye, who moments ago had only cared about his own safety, was difficult to suppress.

Is this truly a game? Everything in this world—the grass and trees, the bricks and tiles, the people and their deeds—feels so real.

The blood from the old general’s fractured skull was still warm, staining the floor of the grand hall…

Imperial Inspector Liu’s cold gaze fell upon Wang Jingzhong’s corpse. Filled with rage, he turned and shouted, “Your Highness, though Wang Jingzhong is dead, treason is no small matter. He must have accomplices. I request Your Highness immediately arrest all his family members and interrogate them with severe methods.”

Ren Ye, pulled back to his senses by the shout, turned slowly. His face remained icy as he looked at Imperial Inspector Liu, his eyes brimming with undisguised hatred.

“I request Your Highness arrest Wang Jingzhong’s family and interrogate them thoroughly!”

Over forty officials bowed in unison, their voices aligning perfectly.

Once again, they were pressuring him. United as they were, their goal was clear: to strip Prince Huai of his royal title, humiliate him, and ultimately orchestrate his demise under the guise of legitimacy.

“Investigating Wang Jingzhong’s accomplices will naturally require time. This can be discussed later.” At this moment, the Princess Consort calmly set down her teacup. Her voice, clear and ethereal, echoed in the hall: “Since all the esteemed officials are so fond of resolving cases, I too have a case that requires the prince’s judgment.”

The officials turned as one toward the Princess Consort, their expressions filled with surprise.

Since marrying into the royal family, she had maintained an otherworldly detachment and had never spoken up in court. For her to interject now was highly unusual.

Sitting upright, the Princess Consort’s bright eyes swept over the officials. Her serene expression remained unchanged. “Xue’er, read it.”

At her command, a maid dressed in an emerald-green gown stepped forward from the Princess Consort’s side, walking slowly toward Imperial Inspector Liu.

Imperial Inspector Liu’s sinister eyes fixated on the maid, a sudden unease creeping into his heart.

The maid, Xue’er, stopped two steps away from Imperial Inspector Liu. From her left sleeve, she pulled out a folded memorial. Unfolding it, she began to read in an emotionless voice:

“Imperial Inspector Liu Quan, in the first year of the reign of Emperor Jing, June, received a bribe of fifteen thousand taels of silver from merchant Qin Guangyuan in Qingliang Town in exchange for facilitating the refurbishment of Qingliang Prefecture’s city walls. In July of the same year, Liu Quan colluded with southern border generals, selling critical military intelligence, including the location of grain depots and the quantity of stored provisions, for forty thousand taels of silver. This is corroborated by testimony from Liu Quan’s attendants. In the second year of Emperor Jing’s reign, Liu Quan secretly met with southern border envoys in the capital…”

Xue’er read on with mechanical precision, her clear voice recounting detailed accusations.

Imperial Inspector Liu was initially dumbfounded, then drenched in cold sweat. Finally, he collapsed to the floor, trembling. He turned a desperate, pleading gaze toward Chief Historian Li Yan.

The surrounding officials also felt a chill run down their spines, sensing that the Princess Consort had come prepared, as if wielding a blade.

When Xue’er finished reading, Imperial Inspector Liu, trembling all over, knelt and shouted, “Princess Consort, I am innocent! This is slander! Someone is framing me! It must be Wang Jingzhong’s accomplice. I beg Your Highness and the Princess Consort to investigate!”

“The charges read by Xue’er are all backed by witnesses and evidence.” The Princess Consort, cool and aloof, calmly lifted a cup of tea and turned to Ren Ye. “Your Highness, how should this case be judged?”

Her words caused Ren Ye, who had been observing quietly, to feel a jolt of alarm.

What does she mean by this?

When Wang Jingzhong had smashed his head on the floor of the hall, she hadn’t even blinked. Now, with him dead, she produced these charges and pointed them at Imperial Inspector Liu, who had been the loudest voice.

What is she plotting? Is she using me as a weapon, inciting conflict, or provoking deeper divisions?

Ren Ye instinctively rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, his mind racing.

“Princess Consort, Imperial Inspector Liu is a senior official of the court. Even if he is guilty, the matter should be handled by the Three Judicial Offices in the capital.”

“Princess Consort, this must not happen!”

“…!”

Over ten officials, after careful deliberation, stepped forward one by one to defend their colleague.

Imperial Inspector Liu also looked at the Princess Consort in terror. “Princess Consort, someone is framing me! This must be…!”

“Treason and collusion with the enemy. If this reaches the emperor’s ears, who will protect you?” The Princess Consort’s voice was soft but clear, each word sharp. “Xue’er still has over twenty memorials in her sleeve. Shall she continue reading?”

The hall fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

“Your Highness, can you judge this case?” Xu Qingzhao asked softly, her tone gentle yet laced with unmistakable pressure. Her eyes, tinged with a thoughtful glint, focused on Ren Ye. “If not, then as they suggest, let it be handed over to the capital. What do you think?”

Ren Ye met her gaze, his expression calm.

At that moment, the Prefect of Qingliang discreetly signaled the other officials and motioned toward Ren Ye with his lips.

“Swish, swish…!”

Another ten or so officials stepped forward, turning their focus on Ren Ye. They spoke in turn, their voices steady.

“Your Highness, Liu Quan was appointed by the Emperor as an Imperial Inspector. Matters of life and death must naturally be decided in the capital.”

“Your Highness, Qingliang Prefecture’s situation is complex. There is a possibility that someone is framing Imperial Inspector Liu. If this matter isn’t handled properly and the Emperor is displeased, it could… it could threaten certain lives!” An older official in his sixties spoke with a sinister undertone, his sharp gaze fixed on Ren Ye like a predator sizing up a helpless bird in a cage.

“Your Highness, Qingliang is rife with danger. We must remain vigilant. The city has five thousand troops from the Qingzhou Guard. If word of today’s events spreads and chaos breaks out among the officials, who knows where blood will spill or who will be buried in the aftermath?” Another middle-aged official spoke more brazenly, his tone entirely unconstrained.

The officials in the hall were shrewd, sharper than monkeys. They didn’t understand why the Princess Consort had suddenly intervened today, nor did they know whether she held evidence against other officials. None of them dared confront the daughter of the Grand Chancellor head-on.

But they did dare to target Prince Huai. They dared to target Zhu Zigui! After all, this young man’s capable father was long gone. In the vast royal family of Great Qian, not a single person dared claim kinship with him. Coupled with his own reputation for uselessness, pressuring him was undoubtedly the correct choice.

If he gave in, Imperial Inspector Liu would be saved.

From the throne, Ren Ye watched these people, their posturing, and the corpse of Wang Jingzhong, still kneeling in death. He listened to the unmasked threats and suddenly recalled something from his past.

When he was first detained, as a former law enforcement officer, regulations required that he be interrogated and held in a city where he had no connections. In that unfamiliar place, no colleagues, former coworkers, or family could visit him.

For three of the six months awaiting trial, he endured inhumane treatment. The prison guards and bullies relentlessly tormented him for one simple reason: his family wasn’t depositing money into his account.

“You think you’re special because you worked in anti-fraud? I’ll have you scrub toilets. I’ll get the hardened criminals to slap you awake in the middle of the night, and I’ll make sure you pull extra night shifts…”

At first, Ren Ye thought compliance and good behavior would earn him a reduced sentence and an early release. But he eventually realized the depths of human malice. Absolute kindness doesn’t lead to repentance; it invites condescension, a charity bestowed from above.

One day, they might not hit you because they’re in a good mood. Maybe they’ll give you an extra bite of food because they thought of their mother. But the next day, in a worse mood, that charity is snatched away in an instant.

After three months of endurance, Ren Ye learned an important truth. Over the course of seven days, he got into multiple fights, spent time in solitary confinement twice, visited the infirmary three times, and ended up in the hospital once. After that, he was transferred to another facility. No one in the original prison dared touch him again.

When someone makes endless demands of you, you must make them pay a price!

Never let yourself be easily exploited or bullied. Make them think twice before every move.

“Swish!”

In an instant, Ren Ye suddenly stood up.

“Your Highness, if Imperial Inspector Liu is to be sent to the capital for trial, then we can also revisit the case of Wang Jingzhong…” One official, seeing Ren Ye rise, thought he was about to concede and began to soften his tone.

“Thud, thud…!”

Ren Ye ignored him entirely. He took four steps down the nine-tiered platform and walked directly to the main doors. There, he approached a nearby guard and drew a gleaming steel blade from the man’s belt.

As he moved, the Princess Consort didn’t even lift her head. But when the blade was drawn, a flicker of brilliance shone in her eyes.

The officials in the hall froze in shock as they watched Ren Ye arm himself.

“Thud, thud…!”

With swift, determined steps, Ren Ye strode toward Imperial Inspector Liu, blade in hand.

Seated on the floor, Imperial Inspector Liu looked up at Ren Ye, trembling violently. “Y-Your Highness…!”

Ren Ye looked down at him, his gaze extremely cold: “Did you hear the charges that Xue’er recited? In the first year of Emperor Jing’s reign, you secretly communicated with the southern border. If this investigation goes further, it may unearth something big!”

Imperial Inspector Liu was stunned.

Ren Ye pointed the knife at him: “Listen carefully, I will cut you, and you cannot move. If you move even a little, I will take these charges and start raiding your entire family!”

“Your Highness…!” Chief Historian Li Yan could no longer hold back and shouted out loud.

“Swish!”

Ren Ye swung the guard’s blade and struck Imperial Inspector Liu on the cheek.

“Ah!!!”

A painful scream echoed throughout the hall, and Imperial Inspector Liu covered his cheek, rolling in agony.

“Swish!”

Ren Ye swung his arm again, and Imperial Inspector Liu’s hands, which were covering his cheek, flew up, with six fingers severed.

“Did you hear my command? You cannot move!”

Ren Ye shouted angrily, glaring as he swung the blade once more.

“Swish!”

Imperial Inspector Liu, rolling on the ground, was struck in the back with the blade, the wound deep enough to be half the length of the sword.

His body screamed for him to dodge, or he would die, but his relatively calm mind reminded him that today, with the princess backing him, if he moved, they might raid his whole family.

Torn between fear and reason, he dared not run, but could not stay completely still, his posture was utterly pathetic.

“Swish!”

Another blow came, cutting deeply into his right wrist, the wound so deep it showed the bone, flesh turning outward, blood pouring out.

“Your Highness, please spare me… Spare me…” Imperial Inspector Liu begged, beginning to shout loudly.

“Swish!”

“You think, sitting in this position, I didn’t prepare at all? You think I’m just a plaything?!” Ren Ye shouted, his forehead veins bulging.

In that instant, the officials, who had been anxious, angry, and even on the verge of stopping the violence, suddenly all turned to look at the princess.

What did that useless man mean? No preparations at all? Does that mean the princess and he were in on this together, setting up this trap on purpose?

The thought was chilling.

The officials sweated profusely, hearts pounding, as they remembered what she said—there were still over twenty more charges in Xue’er’s hands…

Could this be real?

The princess, however, ignored the officials and did not refute Ren Ye’s words. She quietly drank her tea, as if an outsider.

On the ground, Imperial Inspector Liu’s blood mingled with Wang Jingzhong’s blood, covering the floor, along with fingers, severed hands… still warm.

Ren Ye had struck him with over ten blows; he couldn’t even remember the exact number, only that after feeling exhausted, he wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

“Swish!”

He took a deep breath, turned his head, and walked slowly towards the Prefect of Qingliang, asking simply, “Are you satisfied with how I handled this case?”

The Prefect of Qingliang gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and glanced at Imperial Inspector Liu, who lay weakly in a pool of blood: “Your… Your Highness, your judgment is divine!”

“Do you have another case to judge?” Ren Ye asked again.

“I… I’m a little tired, I wish to return and rest.”

Ren Ye withdrew his gaze, drew his blade, and poked it at another official nearby, asking, “What about you? Do you have a case to judge?”

The tip of the blade pierced the skin, blood flowing from the shoulder blade. The official didn’t dare to move, trembling as he responded: “I… I have no cases to judge.”

“Then disperse.”

Ren Ye threw the blade down with a clang and turned to walk back to his seat.

“Swish!”

Princess Xu Qingzhao stood up, a coldness suddenly spreading across her delicate face. Her eyes swept sharply over the officials, and she softly said, “While Prince Huai is here, everyone can perform their duties and play their important roles. But if Prince Huai is no longer here, where will you find another prince to keep an eye on things in the capital? A place where dragons lie hidden and tigers crouch? How will you continue to gain the emperor’s favor and conveniently embezzle and commit injustice?”

The officials fell silent at the blunt warning.

“I just don’t like talking, not that I’m dead.” The princess turned towards the side door, her voice cold as she left one final sentence: “Don’t go too far. After all, he is my husband!”

With that, the princess left the Hall of Sincerity, accompanied by her maid.

In the hall, Ren Ye picked up the handkerchief handed to him by a maid and wiped the blood from his hands: “First, investigate Imperial Inspector Liu’s entire family. As you said, selling the country and colluding with enemies is a serious matter. He must have accomplices!”

After speaking, Ren Ye gave a glance to the eunuch beside him, who quickly followed Xu Qingzhao.