As Fan Xian laughed inwardly at himself, Teng Zijing asked the most pressing practical question. "Prince Cheng ordered me to watch you. How should I handle that?"
"Watch when you're supposed to, report when you're supposed to." Fan Xian quickly adjusted his mindset. "Just play your role as his eyes and ears. You're on Prince Cheng's side now. Who knows? At a critical moment, that might help me even more."
He thought of Li Hongcheng, the Heir of Prince Jing. Without Li Hongcheng's testimony, he would have lacked a witness of real standing to support his alibi for tonight's brutal beating of Guo Baokun.
The two quietly discussed their plans a little longer. As they spoke, a faint rooster's crow sounded in the distance.
Fan Xian's expression changed. "Damn! I got so caught up talking that I forgot the time! I need to hurry back to the pleasure boat and show my face. Go back to the residence and wait for me!"
Teng Zijing nodded.
Early the next morning, an exhausted Fan Xian emerged from the pleasure boat on the Glazed Crystal River. After exchanging a few perfunctory pleasantries with Li Hongcheng, who came over to greet him, he hurried back to Count Sinan's Residence.
After a whole night of running around nearly half the Capital, he was exhausted in both body and mind.
At the same time, Guo Youzhi, the Minister of Rites, saw that his son had been beaten beyond recognition. His hatred for Fan Xian burned so fiercely that he could not wait another minute.
The moment the gates of the Capital Prefecture Yamen opened, he stormed straight into the courtroom with a Legal Adviser and his household servants, filing a written complaint against Fan Xian.
Fan Xian had only just returned to his room and lain down fully clothed. Before he could even close his eyes, a commotion rose outside the courtyard.
A group of burly, stern-faced Capital Prefecture Yamen runners then barged into Count Sinan's Residence, warrant in hand, shouting that they had come to arrest "the criminal Fan Xian"!
Chapter 20: A shocking turn in court
The inner courtyard of Count Sinan's Residence.
"What? You really did it? And you beat him that badly?"
Hearing Fan Xian admit it without hesitation, Auntie Liu felt a headache coming on.
Ever since she had realized that Fan Xian had no desire to compete with Fan Sizhe for the family fortune, and instead often looked out for her son, Auntie Liu had gradually come to regard him as one of her own.
Now, upon hearing that he had landed himself in serious trouble, she was so anxious that she paced in circles.
"This is trouble. The Minister of Rites will lose face if he doesn't have you thrown in prison. And Guo Baokun belongs to the Crown Prince's faction. They won't just stand by."
Her voice held more helplessness than reproach. "You don't seem like an impulsive boy. How... how could you fail to hold back?"
Fan Xian looked utterly unconcerned and even shrugged. "Auntie, if I really hadn't held back, he'd be dead."
Auntie Liu stopped abruptly. His reply left her speechless for a long moment before she finally let out a deep sigh. "I'll arrange a carriage to take you back to Danzhou. If you aren't here, they can't pursue the case."
Something stirred in Fan Xian's heart. He felt that Auntie Liu was going rather far to protect him, and he voiced his puzzlement.
Auntie Liu gave him an exasperated look. "My surname may be Liu, but I'm part of the Fan family. If we don't protect our own, are we supposed to side with outsiders?"
Her words were crisp and decisive, and Fan Xian's remaining doubts finally dissolved.
He had previously suspected Madam Liu of involvement in the assassination attempt in Danzhou. His long conversation with Fan Jian that night had largely cleared her of suspicion, but a trace of unease had remained.
Only now did her unhesitating protection fill his heart with warmth.
In the end, Fan Xian declined Auntie Liu's kind offer. Just outside the courtyard, he ran into Fan Sizhe, who was brandishing a stick and angrily declaring that he would chase the constables away.
Seeing his "little brother" so loud and blustering yet so sincere, Fan Xian felt even warmer inside. After gently talking him down, he straightened his robes and walked calmly toward the front hall, then confidently accompanied the constables to the Capital Prefecture.
The Capital Prefecture Yamen.
The people who had come after hearing the news already packed the space outside the yamen several rows deep, their chatter forming a steady buzz.
Smiling and saluting the crowd with clasped hands, Fan Xian called, "Excuse me, coming through," as he calmly stepped over the high threshold. He looked less like a man arriving for trial than someone dropping in for a casual visit.
Upon entering the courtroom, he immediately spotted Guo Baokun lying on a stretcher made from a door panel, swathed in so much gauze that he looked like a mummy.
Unable to resist, he went over and made a few mocking remarks. But Guo Baokun's facial injuries were so severe that air leaked through his mouth as he spoke. After stammering for some time without producing a single clear word, he could only shake with rage like a corpse suddenly coming back to life.
Just then, Mei Zhili, the Capital Prefect, slowly emerged from the rear hall. Dressed in his official robes, he took the presiding seat with a solemn expression.
"Who stands before this court?"
After the customary opening, Mei Zhili proceeded with the hearing, asking Guo Baokun's Legal Adviser and Fan Xian to give their accounts.
Fan Xian flatly denied the accusation, with sound reasoning: since Guo Baokun had been beaten with a sack over his head, he had never seen his attacker's face. On what grounds could he accuse Fan Xian without a shred of evidence?
The Legal Adviser immediately countered that Guo Baokun had recognized Fan Xian's voice, and that Fan Xian had announced his own name during the assault.
Fan Xian scoffed. "Who commits a crime while holding up his identity card and shouting, 'I did it'? Surely even a made-up story ought to make sense, Legal Adviser?"
The two traded several more rounds of verbal blows.
Only then did Fan Xian present his key evidence. "That night, I was drinking with courtesans at the Drunken Immortal Residence on the Glazed Crystal River. Miss Si Lili and Li Hongcheng, the Heir of Prince Jing, can both testify to that. I had no time to commit the crime."
Mei Zhili could disregard the testimony of a top courtesan, but the mention of the Heir of Prince Jing immediately drew his brows into a tight knot.
Both plaintiff and defendant insisted on summoning witnesses. With no other choice, Mei Zhili sent someone to invite Li Hongcheng and bring Si Lili before the court.
The two arrived. Guo Baokun's Legal Adviser first respectfully asked Li Hongcheng whether he had seen Fan Xian during the period when the assault occurred.
Li Hongcheng answered frankly, "Fan Xian had already entered Miss Si Lili's bedchamber by then."
The Legal Adviser turned to Si Lili for confirmation. She nodded.
The Legal Adviser then asked whether Fan Xian had left at any point.
Si Lili covered her lips and laughed softly, her eyes glinting. "Every moment of a night of passion is worth a fortune. If Young Master Fan had left halfway through... could he even call himself a man?" Though she had not answered directly, everyone in the courtroom exchanged knowing looks.
Only Fan Xian's mouth twitched. He wanted to rub his nose but forced himself to resist, feeling rather awkward.
At this point, Fan Xian had clear witness testimony, while Guo Baokun had no concrete evidence.
Having heard everything, Mei Zhili had already reached his decision. He cleared his throat, preparing to deliver a verdict in accordance with the law.
Just as he was about to rise, an even greater commotion erupted outside the courtroom!
A squad of soldiers in gleaming silver armor roughly dispersed the crowd outside the prefecture, then flooded into the yamen and formed two solemn ranks.
A magnificent gilded carriage inlaid with jade slowly approached and came to a stop before the Government Office gates.
An attendant bowed and lifted the curtain. Crown Prince Li Chengqian bent down to leave the carriage, then crossed the high threshold with measured steps and entered the courtroom.
At the Crown Prince's arrival, Fan Xian bowed, while Mei Zhili, Li Hongcheng, Si Lili, and the others dropped to their knees.
The Crown Prince wore a gentle expression and raised a hand. "Rise, all of you."
His gaze lingered briefly on Fan Xian before turning to Li Hongcheng. After exchanging a few smiling pleasantries, he personally stepped forward to help Mei Zhili up.
Overwhelmed by the honor, Mei Zhili asked in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, what instructions bring you here in person?"
The Crown Prince's smile remained unchanged. "Nothing important. I merely came to see how you conduct a trial, Magistrate Mei."
Mei Zhili hurried to offer him the presiding seat, but the Crown Prince waved him off. Instead, he brought over an ordinary square stool himself and sat beside it.
"Magistrate Mei, continue the hearing. Don't forget your position and your duties," the Crown Prince added mildly.
A chill ran through Mei Zhili's heart. He returned fearfully to his seat, unable to stop even the courtroom block in his hand from trembling.
The Crown Prince gestured for him to proceed.
Fan Xian spoke up clearly. "Your Highness, this case has already been heard."
The Crown Prince raised a brow and looked at Mei Zhili. Left with no choice, Mei Zhili forced himself to quickly summarize the questioning and both sides' testimony.
After listening, the Crown Prince's lips curved into a cold smile. "An imperial compiler was beaten. That is an affront to the imperial family's dignity! Naturally, I believe Hongcheng's words. But a courtesan... can this court accept her unsupported claim as proof?"
His voice grew louder as he spoke, until he abruptly slammed his palm onto the table beside him!
Bang! The resounding crash made several people in the courtroom shudder.
Mei Zhili fell silent with fear, then repeatedly agreed, "Your Highness is absolutely right." At the Crown Prince's signal, his attitude abruptly changed, and he barked, "Si Lili! Your testimony is vague and evasive. You are clearly trying to shield him! Guards, apply the torture! We'll see whether she confesses!"
Fan Xian's and Si Lili's expressions changed at the same time.
Fan Xian hurried to speak in an attempt to stop it, only to be rebuffed by Guo Baokun's Legal Adviser.
Two constables brought out a finger press. They roughly fitted the cold wooden rods around Si Lili's ten fingers and drew the cords taut, awaiting the command.
At that critical moment, another clear voice rang out from outside the courtroom:
"Wait!"
Second Prince Li Chengze walked in at an unhurried pace.
Another flurry of kneeling greetings swept through the courtroom.
The Crown Prince called out, "Second Brother," without so much as lifting himself from his seat.
Li Chengze approached the Crown Prince and knelt in accordance with etiquette. Only then did the Crown Prince rise as if suddenly realizing his oversight and warmly help him up.
"What brings you to the Capital Prefecture today, Second Brother?" the Crown Prince asked with a false smile.
"Why, to admire Your Highness's might, of course." Li Chengze returned an equally insincere smile.
The Crown Prince gave a short chuckle and sat down again.
"Once you take a seat here, even the Capital Prefect must act at your bidding. Such awe-inspiring authority. Truly admirable," Li Chengze said sarcastically.
Mei Zhili hurriedly brought over another square stool and placed it on his other side.
"Magistrate Mei is presiding. I am merely observing," the Crown Prince said coolly.
Li Chengze sat beside Mei Zhili, leaving the magistrate trapped between him and the Crown Prince. He chuckled. "What a coincidence. I'll observe for a while too."
Cold sweat streamed down Mei Zhili's temples. As though sitting on needles, he could only steel himself and give the order again. "Begin!"
Seeing this, Fan Xian knew he could no longer stop it.
He could not let Si Lili suffer torture in his place. Gritting his teeth, he was about to step forward and confess.
Alarmed, Si Lili quickly rose and declared that she was willing to endure torture to prove her innocence. She also seized the chance to stop Fan Xian, spelling out the consequences.
"If you confess now, it will only make your crime worse, and I won't escape punishment for giving false testimony either! Don't do anything foolish!"
Fan Xian froze mid-step. With both fists clenched, he could only watch as the constables pulled the cords tighter.
"Ugh-!" Agony shot through Si Lili's fingers. Her face instantly turned deathly pale, and a stifled groan escaped her as fine beads of cold sweat broke out across her temples.
Mei Zhili questioned her again, but Si Lili gritted her teeth and refused to change her testimony.
Seeing her remain so defiant, the Crown Prince gradually lost patience. He raised a hand to halt the torture, then called toward the doors, "Bring him in!"
Two constables escorted a man into the courtroom and forced him to his knees.
When Fan Xian saw the man's face, his pupils abruptly contracted-it was Teng Zijing!
Before you continue