Free Web NovelChapter 24: A maid’s trial
The sound of the cell opening was what brought Ru Yi out of the hazy state she’d found herself in. Her head throbbed, her stomach highlighting the lack of food in it.
That was the least of her worries.
She’d expected the triplets to kill her off and dump her body in a ditch. But they’d brought her back before the guards even realized she was gone.
"Get up!" One of the men roared, "It’s time for your trial."
Ru Yi was getting familiar with the contempt on their faces whenever they looked at her. She could care less what they thought.
With as much dignity as she could muster, she stood up from the cold ground, wobbling on her feet when her sight went in and out of focus.
Two meaty hands grabbed her roughly and pulled her out.
It was time for the court to decide her fate. She already knew what the verdict was going to be. Hadn’t she spent the better half of the night preparing her mind at the possibility that she would be executed.
Still—it didn’t make it any better when she brought out and had to face the small crowd that had gathered outside the inner court in anticipation.
Most of them were maids, and among the strange faces Ru Yi made out a very familiar one. It was no other than Lang Ying.
Ru Yi looked away. She could bear the disappointment that was boldly worn on Lang Ying’s face.
She could almost hear her soft voice saying, ’I told you so’.
They walked down the corridor that led to the court, passing guards that did not spare her a glance.
No one spoke, the silence a telling sign that she was about to meet her end.
Her steps slowed down as the doors to the hall came into view. They were huge and already open, as if ready to welcome her.
Ru Yi stepped in—immediately shrinking under the gaze of everyone in the hall.
At the far end was the throne, the Emperor sitting on it. She’d never seen him before, but he looked every bit of his title. He was the one who would decide whether she lived or died.
Ru Yi was forced to her knees, a tiny sob slipping out from the pain the impact caused. She kept her head lowered to show her respect.
From her position on the floor she could see the ministers that were lined up on both sides, their robes falling in ordered layers.
One one side were darker robes in deep blues and blacks. They were from the Emperor’s clan. On the other side were brighter colors, crimson threaded with gold. The Empress’s clan.
Just below the king was General Han Zheng. Looking at him subtly from under her lashes, she could see the slight resemblance between him and Han Shuying.
The spot beside him which was meant for the crown prince was empty. That was strange, he usually attended every court meeting and trial.
"Raise your head." It was the Emperor that spoke, his voice deep but lacking a certain strength.
Ru Yi obeyed, and upon close inspection she saw the dark circles right under his eyes. He looked like he could barely hold himself up.
Was it the effects of the poison?
Ru Yi had to give it to the empress. She’d been smart enough to kill him all at once, but instead administer small doses so it would look like he died from being sick.
"The accused," General Hang Zhen spoke, his voice immediately overpowering the Emperor’s, "was found alone beside Princess Lin Yuexin at the time of her death."
Murmurs rippled through the gathering before dying just as fast.
"No other witness has come forward," he continued.
One of the ministers on the Empress’s side spoke first. "Your majesty, the evidence is clear. The servant was found at the scene, with no sign of intrusion. It would be unwise to delay judgement."
His tone was careful. He glanced briefly at the general. "The Lin family will feel wronged if we don’t show our immediate stand on the matter. The last thing we need is to make enemies of them."
From the opposite side a minister spoke. "This matter is a very delicate matter and should be resolved with precision. An investigation should be launched by the defense department before we can come to a conclusion."
Everyone quietened down when General Han Zheng raised his hand. "Let’s hear what the accused has to say."
He looked at Ru Yi, his face stern. "Do you deny the charge?"
She inhaled slowly, her heart beat picking up speed. "I did not kill the princess. I would never intentionally harm—"
"Isn’t she the maid that tried to seduce the crown prince?" Someone from the Empress’s side asked. "It’s clear that the girl had a motive, especially with the princess’s wedding around the corner."
Ru Yi could see all of them agreeing with him as his words settled heavily in the hall. But it didn’t matter because she’d already given up before she got to the court.
If she could easily see why she was seen as guilty. Whoever had truly killed the princess had planned it perfectly. She couldn’t even defend herself if she wanted to.
"You killed the princess because you didn’t want her to get married to the crown prince?" General Han Zheng asked.
"No," she answered. "I had no problem with the two of them getting married. Even if—"
"What then were you doing in the inner palace at a time when everyone was gathered in celebration?"
Ru Yi opened her mouth, but no explanation would come out. They certainly wouldn’t believe her story, just like the triplets hadn’t.
"I think we can all see for ourselves that the girl is guilty. Anyone capable of murder within the palace walls, is an enemy of the Emperor." General Han Zheng held Ru Yi’s gaze. "To stand as an enemy of the Emperor is to stand guilty of treason."
Ru Yi had braced herself for the worst, but it didn’t make it any better to bear now that she was faced with the reality of it. freeweɓnøvel.com
"The maid has been found guilty as charged, and will be executed publicly come morning." They were Han Zheng’s final words.
A certain tightness engulfed Ru Yi’s chest, fear rushing through her veins. In her previous life she’d died in an accident, suddenly before she could even process what was happening.
Now?
She was very much aware of the fate ahead of her. Knew she was going to feel the pain from the blade right before it would make contact with her skin.
Would Shen Qingyue be the one to execute her?
There was so much racing through her mind.
"We can have—" The Emperor started to speak when a coughing fit wrecked through him. He held a black cloth to his mouth and gestured to Han Zheng to end the trial.
"The court has rendered its judgement," Han Zheng announced. "There will be no further hearing."
Everyone was dismissed with the flick of his hand.
Ru Yi was about to be pulled up when the sound of someone running reached her ears. Everyone turned to the door when Crown prince Zhen Chao burst in, a scroll in his hand. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
"Wait!" he bent down, trying to get his breathing under control. "You can’t execute her."
There was murmuring before General Han Zheng cleared his throat and silence blanketed them once more.
"And why is that? The Emperor has already made his judgement." The displeasure on Han Zheng’s face was there for all to see.
"Because..." his gaze drifted to Ru Yi who was still on the floor. "She’s carrying royal blood."
