The Emperor's gaze fell upon the woman kneeling below. Dressed in black night gear, her long hair tied back with a dark gold hairpin.
"Who is this woman?" he asked, his eyes flicking to Xue Feiyan.
Ling Yan kept her head bowed, her voice clear. "I am a servant of the Seventh Prince, Xue Feiyan. My name is Ling Yan."
"A servant?" The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "I have visited the Seventh Prince's residence many times. Why have I never seen you?"
"This commoner serves only in the inner courtyard. I do not show my face on ordinary days." Her answer was natural, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"I see." The Emperor nodded. "And you say you can prove the Seventh Prince's innocence?"
His hand tightened on his knee. Xue Feiyan was his son, the one he had placed high hopes on. He didn't want to watch him be destroyed.
Ling Yan looked up, meeting the Emperor's anxious gaze. "I can."
"How?" A voice called out from the ranks. It was Minister Tong of the Court of the Imperial Clan.
"I saw it with my own eyes. I was part of it. How can I not prove it?" Ling Yan sneered, raising her voice. "Your Majesty, the death of the Crown Prince was masterminded by Deng Qinyao. And his accomplice… was me."
"What?" The Emperor was stunned. Whispers erupted among the officials.
"An accomplice? Her?"
"She's just trying to save her master."
"A servant girl, involved in such a plot? Impossible."
Xue Liulan watched the court's reaction impassively. Many who had been fence-sitters were suddenly eager to condemn Xue Feiyan. Someone was pulling strings.
Xue Feiyan stared at Ling Yan, his muscles tensing. He looked ready to rush forward and drag her away. But before he could move, Xue Liulan was beside him, a hand clamping down on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Seventh Brother. I won't let you suffer an injustice," he said loudly. Then, he leaned in, his voice a whisper only Xue Feiyan could hear. "Make one move, and I guarantee Ling Yan dies right now."
Xue Feiyan froze. He looked at Ling Yan, then saw Murong Jin. She had moved slightly, revealing the gold hairpin in her sleeve, its tip aimed directly at Ling Yan's back.
"You…" He glared at his brother, teeth gritted. Ling Yan's skills had deteriorated. She was no match for Murong Jin now.
Xue Liulan met his murderous gaze with a lazy smile.
"Well? Do you want her to live a little longer, or die right here?" His smile vanished.
Xue Feiyan didn't answer. He couldn't choose either. He couldn't let anything happen to her. If she took the blame, the best outcome was execution. He was running out of time.
"If she is harmed, I will bury Murong Jin with her," he hissed.
Xue Liulan stared straight ahead at Murong Jin, as if he hadn't heard a word.
Ling Yan knew none of this. She stared fearlessly at the Emperor.
"Tell us everything you know," Li Yan said after a long silence.
She shot him a grateful look. "More than ten years ago, my family suffered in a flood. My father sold me for food. In Jindu, I met the Seventh Prince by chance. He saved my life, and I have followed him ever since."
"So you intend to trade your life for your master's?" Minister Tong interrupted again.
Xue Liulan frowned and stepped forward. "Minister Tong, the Minister of Justice is presiding. Irrelevant people should speak less."
"Fifth Prince, this official is merely anxious about the Crown Prince's case," Tong said quickly, bowing to the Emperor. "Your subject is guilty."
"Enough." The Emperor waved a hand, focused entirely on Ling Yan.
"The Seventh Prince took pity on me and kept me in his residence, teaching me martial arts for self-defense. When I accompanied him out, I often dressed as a boy servant, so few knew I was a woman."
"No wonder I never saw such a beauty by Seventh Brother's side," Xue Liulan laughed, glancing at Murong Jin.
She shook her head at him. Life and death, and he's still joking.
"Because of this, every time the Crown Princess met with my master, I knew."
"You mean Murong Yu knew of your existence?" Li Yan asked.
"Yes. So later, when I relayed false orders from the Seventh Prince, she believed me." She spoke calmly, never once looking at Xue Feiyan.
Since they were destined to be parted by death, what was the point of looking?
"What false orders?" Li Yan avoided Xue Feiyan's glare, keeping his voice steady. This was the plan they had agreed on: blame everything on Deng Qinyao.
"I told Murong Yu that the Seventh Prince wanted the Crown Prince dead. And I gave her the Xiangjue poison." She walked to the kneeling Deng Qinyao and pointed. "And all of this… was on the orders of Lord Deng Qinyao."
"Lies!" Deng Qinyao looked up, glaring at her. "Slander! You're just trying to save Xue Feiyan!"
"Silence in the court!" Li Yan shouted. He glanced at the Emperor, who watched like a spectator at a play.
"Slander? Lord Deng, if you hadn't promised to help the Seventh Prince seize the position of Crown Prince, why would I have listened to you?" Ling Yan stepped closer, her imposing aura making her words seem all the more true.
"Continue," Li Yan said.
"Lord Deng found me. He said he could help the Seventh Prince, but he needed my help. My task was to persuade Murong Yu to poison the Crown Prince."
"Because you were his most trusted servant, she didn't suspect you?"
"Your wisdom is great, Minister." She knelt before Li Yan.
"And because it was Ling Yan, Murong Yu believed until the end that the one using her was our seventh brother. That is why she chose death to prove her accusation," Xue Liulan said, addressing the Emperor. "Father, Seventh Brother was framed. Please, give him justice."
"Your Majesty! I am innocent!" Deng Qinyao wailed. "This is a conspiracy! They are framing me!"
His desolate cry echoed in the hall, sending chills down spines.
The Emperor pondered for a moment, then looked at the officials. "What do you think?"
They looked at each other, unsure. The Emperor's expressionless face gave them no clue.
Guo Shangzhong stole a glance at the Emperor. He knew his master well. If Xue Feiyan was innocent, even if he never trusted him again, the Emperor would be relieved.
He signaled a few officials with his eyes. They stepped forward and knelt. "We believe the Seventh Prince was framed."
Seeing someone take the lead, others followed. "We also believe the Seventh Prince was framed."
Xue Liulan watched them with a cold smile. He glanced at Murong Jin. Her lips curved in a similar, chilly smile, devoid of warmth, not even bothering with mockery.
"Since you all agree, Decree: Deng Qinyao conspired with Ling Yan to poison the Crown Prince and frame the Seventh Prince, Xue Feiyan. He is sentenced to death by three thousand cuts. Execution in three days."
Xue Feiyan started. He moved to step forward, but stopped when he saw Ling Yan's eyes. They were watery, filled with sadness, but mostly relief that he was safe.
"Ling Yan," he whispered.
"Court is dismissed," the Emperor said impatiently, sweeping out of the hall.
"We bid farewell to the Emperor."
The officials dispersed. Ling Yan and Deng Qinyao were taken away by the guards. Xue Feiyan stood frozen in the hall, staring blankly in the direction she had gone, lost.
"What will you do?" Xue Liulan asked softly, standing beside him.
"If our positions were reversed, and it was Murong Jin… what would you do?" Xue Feiyan gave a cold laugh and walked away.
"What would you do?" Murong Jin asked, walking to Xue Liulan's side, smiling.
"Me?" He thought for a moment, then pulled her into his arms. "That day will never come."