"Li Jing disregarded the law and imposed the death penalty without authorization. That makes him guilty!"
"After twisting the law for private ends like that, how can he have the face to leave Yuan Prison?"
Just as Jin Cheng began leading his men in dispersing the crowd, a voice suddenly rang out from within it, aiming its spearhead straight at Li Jing. Just as the commoners had denounced the nobles amid the bustling crowd earlier, someone was now denouncing Li Jing, and the source was equally hard to find.
Li Jing's thick brows furrowed slightly. This was precisely what he had feared most. Whatever the commoners said, he had, in the end, punished the nobles on his own authority rather than according to the law. This was also why he had misgivings and wanted to remain in Yuan Prison.
The voice in the crowd continued shouting, "Your Majesty! The New Law is exceedingly strict. You absolutely must not bend it for private ends! If you release Li Jing unlawfully today, you can release Wang Jing tomorrow, then Wu Jing and Chen Jing the day after. Even Ji Chang in Youli could be released! When that happens, the law will cease to be law, and the country will cease to be a country!"
Zi Shou certainly could not punish Li Jing severely, and those words suited his wishes perfectly. Whatever anyone else said, he was determined to shoulder the blame for bending the law for private ends today!
He snorted coldly and declared loudly, "So what if I bend the law for private ends? Do you object? Who dares show such insolence? Were today not a joyous occasion, with Minister of Works Li leaving Yuan Prison, I would have you executed without mercy! Withdraw at once!"
Seeing King Zhou defend him