As his words fell.
Bang!
Jiang Wuyuan slammed his palm onto the long desk in fury and drew a long-sealed case file from his sleeve.
"Eight years ago, while investigating the Censor-in-Chief's corruption case, your negligence led you to wrongly identify the Prince of Hejian as an accomplice. You failed to clear his name in time, and, unable to endure the condemnation of court and country, the Prince of Hejian took his own life along with his entire household!"
"Xu Jingchun, you indirectly drove a prince of the Jiang Family to his death. Your audacity truly knows no bounds!"
Xu Jingchun's face twitched, guilt filling the depths of his eyes. The past rose before him, bringing fresh agony.
This was the scar deep within his heart that he could least bear to expose.
At the time, the court's Three Judicial Offices had kept him tied up, and he had failed to notify the Prince of Hejian that day. The Prince's Mansion was innocent, yet because of that single lapse, the prince had unexpectedly committed suicide with his household.
By the time he arrived, regret came too late. Even doing all he could to raise the children of the Prince's Mansion could not bring the prince and his wife back to life.
Jiang Wuyuan stared at him for a long time before declaring harshly:
"I have no authority to punish you!"
"But I will have the Censors submit memorials and enter the palace to report this to His Majesty!"
With that, he rose to leave. At the doorway, he turned back and said:
"This is the price of defying me!"
Xu Jingchun walked to the window, his emotions surging and ebbing.
Noon.
The majestic Forbidden City.
Inside the Imperial Study.
Emperor Jingde bent over his desk, gloom shrouding his imposing