Miss Truth
Chapter 316 - 199: Wall-Climbing Husband_2

Chapter 316: Chapter 199: Wall-Climbing Husband_2

"Thank you," Ran Yan suddenly said.

Xiao Song was stunned for a moment before he realized, "You’re referring to the matter concerning Ran Shilang?"

Ran Yan nodded. Because of this matter, she truly felt grateful to him from the bottom of her heart.

"It was just a small effort," Xiao Song said warmly, clenching the sulfur stone in his hand, "don’t be reckless, Ah Yan, I know very well how much weight my shoulders can bear, at least... I can ensure you won’t have to experience such nightmares again."

Ran Yan was taken aback, turned away to gaze at the snowfield growing ever whiter, feeling a slight sting in the corners of her eyes.

In the boundless sky, the curtain of white snow grew thicker and thicker. She wasn’t sure if it was because of the snow’s reflection or her eyes gradually adapting to the dark, but she felt that the night seemed much brighter than before.

"Don’t climb over the wall to enter the residence next time; just come find me during the day." Ran Yan quickly composed herself, turned her head to smile at him, "I too am well aware of how much weight these shoulders of mine can bear, at least, I can keep the promise I made to give each other half a year’s time. Those who wish to harm me might not necessarily be able to do so, and the worst outcome is but a life lost."

Watching Ran Yan like this, Xiao Song felt that in the darkness, she shone so brightly, her nonchalant attitude towards life and death was something not even he could achieve.

Just as he was thinking this, he saw Ran Yan exhaling mist, and she said leisurely, "But if I really do die, you only have one choice."

Xiao Song, with interest, asked, "Which one?"

"You, as the Assistant Minister of Ministry of Justice, if you let me get killed by someone else while being on guard, could you still have the face to live on this earth? Even if you avenge me, it won’t erase your failure," Ran Yan paused, looking at him as she continued, "If you truly have deep feelings for me, you might as well die with me."

Xiao Song fixed his gaze upon Ran Yan’s eyes, and finding a hint of laughter in them, knew she was just joking, but he pretended to take her words seriously, "If you die, I could do as you say, but what if you are safe?"

If she was safe, could they perhaps mend their relationship, and the lovers eventually be united?

Ran Yan was astonished, intending to mock him but instead found the tables turned on her, and with somewhat less conviction, she said, "There’s no fairness in this matter."

Xiao Song bowed his head and chuckled quietly to himself. When it came to setting people up, in the entire court, apart from the crafty old fox Fang Xuanling and the current Emperor, he had never been outwitted by anyone.

"Have you laughed enough!" Ran Yan, flustered and exasperated, gave him a sharp glance.

Xiao Song quickly tried to calm her, "Don’t be angry, don’t be angry, I’ll stop laughing."

Ran Yan glared at him indignantly, "If you’re not laughing, then hurry up and leave!"

"Alright," Xiao Song complied, standing up. He bent over to stuff the sulfur stone into her hand and incidentally grasped her soft hand. His movement was very natural and without any intentional touching, but feeling guilty as if he were a thief, he coughed to cover it up, "You should go inside."

Ran Yan gave him a suspicious look but didn’t want to push back and forth with farewells, so she nodded slightly in acknowledgment, rose, and entered the house.

Xiao Song stared at the closed door for a while before he vanished into the vast snowy night.

The next morning, bright and early, the sound of the dawn drum struck punctually at the fifth watch. One by one, the various districts began to follow suit, beating their drums.

While the night sky was still dim, many sedan chairs could already be seen heading towards the palace gate. As the sound of three thousand drums ended, civil and military officials had already gathered in front of the palace, waiting for the morning court session.

Soon after, with a clang, the bell rang out, and officials formed into lines, marching in rank order into the palace.

The hall was a picture of splendor, with the carved gold imperial throne set upon a three-tiered dais, surrounded by several golden columns entwined with dragons. In each corner of the court stood imposing guards in armor.

To the left, the sound of pearl curtains rustled lightly as four young maids led the way, drawing the curtains apart. Li Shimin walked briskly into the hall and, after seating himself on the throne, received the bows from the assembled officials, following the procedure.

Li Shimin gently raised his hand to signal, and the ministers spread out neatly and orderly, each holding a hu tablet and kneeling back at their respective desks. For a moment, the vast palace was filled only with the soft rustling of fabrics.

Once everyone had knelt back at their desks, a temple official stepped forward, as was customary, and announced, "Those with matters to report may step forward, those without may leave the court!"

"Your servant, Assistant Minister of Supervision, Wei Zheng, has a matter to report," a man from a seat on the left stood up and stepped into the center of the hall. He appeared to be in his forties, with a gaunt face, a straight nose, a philtrum, and a beautifully bearded chin, though his expression was rather amiable.

Wei Zheng did not often speak up at court. Although he liked to speak his mind, he never provoked the Emperor’s displeasure over trivial matters. Thus, when he stepped forward, while every official sat silently with eyes downcast, they all pricked up their ears.

"What is the matter?" Li Shimin straightened up and focused his attention.

"I accuse the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhang Liang, and the Assistant Minister of Ministry of Justice, Xiao Song, of dereliction of duty and mishandling crimes," declared Wei Zheng with gravity in each word.

Li Shimin paused briefly, fully aware that a word from Wei Zheng meant no trivial matter, but to accuse both the highest and second-highest officials of the Ministry of Criminal Justice simultaneously still caught him off guard.

"Tell me more," Li Shimin leaned back in his seat, his tone almost indifferent.

Wei Zheng said, "The Ministry of Criminal Justice has neglected a major highway robbery case that happened in the eastern part of Chang’an in March. By mid-August, Assistant Minister of Ministry of Justice Xiao Song even volunteered to go to Jiangnan Road to assist with the investigation, supported vigorously by Minister Zhang Liang, yet they failed to report this matter to Your Majesty. The Ministry of Justice handles cases without consideration for their seriousness or urgency, nor in any proper order, dragging a major case on until today. As the Minister and Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Justice, they cannot escape blame."

It had been more than eight months since March, almost a year! Li Shimin’s brows furrowed slightly, and he glanced at Zhang Liang and Xiao Song with a loud and authoritative voice, "Is this true?"

Zhang Liang, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, rose unhurriedly from his seat and walked to the center of the hall to stand shoulder to shoulder with Wei Zheng. Xiao Song also stood up, taking his place a step behind, standing firmly in the center of the hall.

Holding his hu tablet in both hands, Zhang Liang bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty, there is no such matter."

Upon these words, the hall fell into a deep silence. (To be continued. If you like this work, please vote for it with your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)