Yu Xingmian walked forward at an unhurried pace until he reached Zhou Deyu's side.
Everyone's heart gave a shudder.
The well-informed officials had long since investigated Yu Xingmian's background, while the ministers with guilty records from five years ago reached an understanding with a single exchanged glance-
If they could not force this man out of court today, they would spend every waking moment trembling in fear!
Under the gazes of virtually everyone in Chongyun Hall, Yu Xingmian spoke calmly. "Lord Zhou."
Zhou Deyu gave a heavy snort, which counted as his greeting.
All his unlawful deeds had taken place during the five years Yu Xingmian had spent in prison, so he did not yet fear the man much.
Yu Xingmian was not offended. He slowly released the information he had prepared, bit by bit. His very first sentence made Zhou Deyu involuntarily shudder.
"You have served as an official in the capital for ten years, Lord Zhou. Have you ever missed the wife you left behind in Changxi Town?"
Every trace of color instantly drained from Zhou Deyu's face.
What Yu Xingmian mentioned was not the most fatal matter of his official career, but it was the one he least wanted exposed.
Ten years ago, he had come to the capital to take the imperial examinations and placed second. Just as he was riding high on the spring breeze of success, a concubine-born daughter of Pan Jifeng, then a Hanlin Academician, had taken a fancy to him. The Pan Family had sent someone to tactfully hint that they wished to take him as a son-in-law.
The Pan Family! They had a capital official of the Principal Third Rank-a height he might never reach in his entire life.
How could he possibly refuse the olive branch extended by someone above