Back In Time (The Reincarnation of the Cruel Concubine)

Escape again

It had been three weeks since the chief judge found the empress and prince guilty of mercury poisoning in Zhou Xie Ling, but there was no bright spot as to who would be tried. Again the prosecutor's department led by Yang Jian Zhu stalled for time, it seemed like there was something they had planned. When viewed from the current situation, Yang Jia Li was judged innocent for still pretending not to know and saying that this was a trap for him.

Even though the evidence of the jade jewelry was absolute, Yang Jia Li's side denied, they brought in several of the queen pavilion ladies to testify that the empress had lost her jewelry long before there was mercury poison.

Wu Li Mei waited anxiously, based on the news he received, the trial will be held today. After going through a very long and difficult process, it was at the behest of Emperor Zhou that the trial was finally accelerated.

Wu Li Mei turned to Dayang Yi who was walking beside her, "Darling Yi?"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Are you sure today?"

"Of course, Your Highness." the lady-in-waiting nodded twice, "I have news from Commander Hao. Yesterday, His Highness Emperor Zhou urged the prosecutor's department to immediately conduct a trial."

"really?"

"Yes." Yeah."

"It has been more than three times that the trial has been postponed, hopefully today they are really given the appropriate reply" Wu Li Mei said, the woman hastened her steps towards the torture hall.

The grand concubine clenched her hands behind hanfu's arms, just as she entered the torture hall. Yang Jia Li and Zhou Xing Huan also entered.

"Sy base!" wu Li Mei's. The concubine was sitting gracefully on the throne once occupied by the empress, her gaze was so sharp and pointed at Yang Jia Li.

Wu Li Mei rolled her eyeballs looking at Yang Jia Li today, the woman with the white hanfu looked pale and weak. But, Wu Li Mei was sure it was just a ruse to attract the sympathy of the people.

Yang Jia Li sat in a special wooden chair reserved for the judiciary. He kept his head down while putting on a languid face, deliberately he asked the ladies to put more powder so that he looked sick.

Yang Jia Li circulated his gaze, and instantly his neutrals instantly met Wu Li Mei, his eternal enemy.

"Damn!" muttered Yang Jia Li, he could see how Wu Li Mei was sitting where she should be.

The chief justice has prepared, but as has the court. The suspects can do a defense, and that is also what Yang Hong Hui will do today. One of the top brass of the Yang Clan, and a loyal supporter of Yang Jia Li.

Yang Hong Hui stepped closer to the judges, but before that he paid respect to the emperor first.

"Greetings, Your Grace. May the emperor live a thousand years."

"Rise!"

"Let me give a plea to the empress on the charge of mercury poison."

Emperor Zhou was silent for a moment, before finally nodding.

A few ladies-in-waiting from the queen pavilion, including Dayang Yue entered the torture hall afterwards. Each of them gave testimony about the jade jewelry belonging to Yang Jia Li that was in the hands of the mercury seller. They said that they saw Zhou Xing Huan take the jewelry from the empress' room. They also said that the prince often visited for no apparent reason.

"No!" reject Zhou Xing Huan. "That's a lie, they're lying. The queen herself gave it to me."

"Does the prince have any evidence?" ask the judge.

Zhou Xing Huan fell silent, "But, they also have no proof if I take it."

"There's." Yang Hong Hui stepped closer to the judge, he gave Yang Jia Li a golden konde stitch and pearl jewelry. "The prosecutor's department's investigation found this in Prince Zhou Xing Huan's pavilion."

"really?" the chief judge asked Yang Jian Zhu.

Yang Jian Zhu nodded, "Right, we discovered that while conducting a search in the prince's room."

Zhou Xing Huan clenched her palms full of anger, "How dare you guys, I never took anything from the empress. Nah! It's all a trap."

"This is not a trap, this is the truth." Yang Hong Hui replied.

"What truth?!"

"It's your truth that scapegoats the empress to cover up your mistakes."

"That's not true, he was also involved in all of this." Zhou Xing Huan argued.

"Alright then." said Yang Hong Hui. "Let me give you the final proof that the empress is indeed innocent." The middle-aged man received a bunch of letters from his subordinates, then gave them to the judge.

The chief judge accepted it with a frown, "What is this?"

"It was a letter that Prince Zhou Xing Huan had sent to the mercury seller from Su Country, the letter had been sent for months. It turned out that the prince's move back to the palace was to destroy the empire through Princess Zhou Xie Ling."

"As stated there, the prince still holds a grudge for the exile he received."

The judges began to discuss again, they reexamined the evidence and witnesses brought to the queen's defense. Until a tough decision was finally obtained, Chief Justice Hao brought his verdict written on a piece of paper to the emperor. However, the decision remained in the hands of the emperor.

Wu Li Mei waited for the final decision anxiously, across there she could see Yang Jia Li smiling obliquely to him. That cunning woman is good at role-playing.

Emperor Zhou carried the piece of paper in his hand, standing firmly towards the two men on trial.

"I hereby found the empress innocent of the mercury poison charge based on the defense I've been given."

"I find Prince Zhou Xing Huan completely guilty of a felony involving Princess Xie Ling. As punishment, the princely title would be dishonorably released, and Zhou Xing Huan would have to serve the punishment of drinking poison."

Hearing the verdict, Wu Li Mei felt as if she was being struck by lightning. He was angry and disappointed with the decision made to Yang Jia Li, how could it be when the strong evidence led to him.

"No!" reject Zhou Xing Huan. "I can't accept this."

"I'm not entirely at fault, Yang Jia Li took part in this plan."

"It's all a lie!"

Zhou Xing Huan thrashed, she did not accept to be blamed alone. "She's a cunning woman, she's the brains of all this."

"You sly woman, all this is your fault. You bastard!" maki the man was to Yang Jia Li.

The soldiers immediately did their duty, they untied the rope in the seats of the two men. But, the difference was, Zhou Xing Huan was instantly blocked while Yang Jia Li was released.

"You cheap woman, crafty woman! Tell the truth that this is your plan, Yang Jia Li."

"No! You're the guilty one, the truth has shown you everything. You can't blame me for a mistake I didn't make." Yang Jia Li sobbed, he said bitterly to scavenge sympathy.

"I can't possibly poison a princess, she's already like my own son."

"I have been taking care of him since childhood."

"You are guilty!" point Yang Jia Li at the prince, "You should feel what my daughter feels." she said full of tears.

In the next instant, Yang Jia Li drifted to the ground, lucky that there was a soldier who swiftly caught up to him. This was part of the drama he was playing in, he had to pretend to faint, and so would hasten his victory.