And so Emperor Jing of Zhou sat upright upon the Imperial Throne.
His gaze moved from Shen Duan to Fang Qi, from Fang Qi to Kou Yuan, and finally settled on Song Jing.
"Minister Song."
"As Left Vice Censor-in-Chief, you oversee censorial discipline and the channels of remonstrance.
What do you make of He Yanming?"
Song Jing inwardly stiffened, but when the emperor asked, he could not refuse to answer.
After a moment's deliberation, he stepped forward, ceremonial tablet in hand, and declared clearly,
"Your Majesty, I have never set foot in Suzhou myself. I dare not judge his integrity on hearsay alone."
With that single sentence, he neither contradicted Shen Duan nor opposed Fang Qi, nor trapped himself.
With a light nudge, he kicked the ball back into the Imperial Presence.
Popular sentiment could not be touched, and the Upright Officials could not be harmed. He offended neither side.
Watching this, Emperor Jing of Zhou's expression darkened with anger.
The upright faction would not serve him, the corrupt faction could not be broken, and among all the robed officials filling the hall, not one would lay the truth on the table.
The emperor rose with a sweep of his sleeve, his voice abruptly deepening.
"Then we shall resume tomorrow!!!"
After court adjourned, in the Eastern Warm Pavilion of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
Emperor Jing of Zhou sat behind the Imperial Desk, He Yanming's Memorial spread before him.
He had read it three times. With every reading, each word felt more like a knife, its edge cutting to the bone.
He Yanming had submitted a Request for Release from Office. Shen Duan had said, "There is no need to grant it," while Fang Qi had said, "He should stay, not leave."
The two sang in harmony. Before Wei