(PS: I was hospitalized for a minor operation a few days ago. Regular updates resume today.)
Emperor Jing's words rang out with the weight of stone striking the ground.
A wave of relieved praise and cheers rose through the hall. The envoys from the Western Regions stood one after another, bowing toward the imperial throne. The envoy from the Yuezhi Kingdom looked somewhat pale. His lips moved, but ultimately he said nothing. He silently returned to his seat, lifted his wine cup, and drained it.
The assembled officials also breathed sighs of relief. The few who had been whispering among themselves moments earlier now had fine beads of sweat seeping from their foreheads. They lowered their heads, not daring to look toward Emperor Jing, wishing they could shrink into inconspicuous specks.
And Zhang Jie, the chief grand secretary standing at the head of the officials, now wore a different expression.
His smile still hung on his face, but beneath that gentle, humble, carefully dignified smile, something had cracked.
He had never imagined Zhao Feng would actually solve the case on time. When Zhao Feng had pledged his life to the deadline, Zhang Jie had secretly gloated. He had thought Zhao Feng would stumble over this case and fall from that position everyone feared. Better still, it would damage Emperor Jing's prestige.
Yet Zhao Feng had completed the task brilliantly and on schedule.
It must have been Su Qingwan!
Zhang Jie's gaze settled on Su Qingwan, who sat in a distinguished seat at the side of the hall, her head lowered as she drank tea.
Her face was serene, her entire bearing untouched by worldly dust.
It was as though nothing beyond the rites had anything to do with her.
But Zhang Jie knew how unfathomable this outstanding disciple of the