On the twenty-seventh day of the eighth month in the tenth year of Jinghe, the sky was overcast.
The morning audience had yet to begin, but the civil and military officials had already assembled before the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
They gathered in twos and threes, whispering into one another's ears.
"Both cases are being heard together today. Prince Ning and that Wei Family Son will appear before the throne together."
"Abandoning territory and murder, tried together. Does this mean..."
"Shh. Mind your words."
"I heard Lord Feng called in sick today. He won't be attending the morning audience."
"Sick? At a time like this? His disciple is about to stand trial before the throne, and he isn't coming?"
"What could he do even if he came?"
"True enough... Still, a pity about that child. So young, only thirteen..."
"What pity? He killed a member of the Imperial Clan! The Heir of Prince Ning! Is that a trifling matter?"
No one answered.
At a quarter to six, bells and drums sounded together.
The great doors of the Hall of Supreme Harmony slowly opened. The officials filed inside, taking their places in separate ranks according to their standing.
Those in purple robes faced the emperor, Scarlet Robe stood to the side awaiting instructions, and those in blue and green stood at the rear, likewise facing the emperor.
The ranks of civil and military officials stretched from inside the hall to beyond its threshold.
Today's audience differed from the usual, however. A large space had been left clear in the center of the hall.
Emperor Jing of Zhou sat upon the imperial throne, strands of pearls hanging from his crown.
Wang Cheng stood beside the throne, holding a Yellow Silk Decree, his eyes lowered and his face expressionless.
"By His Majesty's decree,