The jailers went into a defensive stance and turned toward the direction the sword piercing Ji Yuanzhi came from. They only relaxed their stance when they saw that the culprit was Jing Rong. Magistrate Liu revealed an awkward expression when he realized he scared himself for nothing. He armed himself with his glib tongue and approached Jing Rong to welcome the latter with clasped hands. “It turns out to be your Highness. This humble official was under the impression that…”
Jing Rong raised his index and middle finger together, interrupting the magistrate’s words with his gesture. His expression was cool as he stared at Ji Shuhan’s now timid attitude. “It seems like Lord Ji doesn’t put me in his eyes. I sent Ji Yuanzhi to the yamen the other day, but now you’re rushing to bring the man away. I really underestimated your courage.” Although his words were not heavy, the arrogance in which he spoke with contained a deterrent pressure.
Ji Shuhan hurriedly justified himself, “Your Highness, this humble official doesn’t dare, but…”
“But what?”
“But my son didn’t kill anyone. That servant girl killed herself. This criminal charge shouldn’t be put on his head. Your Highness is wise. I beseech you to clearly investigate the matter.”
Jing Rong sneered. “Although threatening someone to kill herself doesn’t earn him capital punishment, he still cannot escape punishment.”
“That’s right! The evidence is undeniable. His crime cannot be erased,” exclaimed Magistrate Liu. At this moment, his lung capacity appeared to double in power. Afterall, Jing Rong was his protection amulet. The magistrate now felt he really has backing. Despite being an official, he kept encountering iron walls: Madame Jiang and now, Lord Ji.
However, Ji Shuhan remained firm; he must take away his son today.
Rooted in front of prison entrance, Ji Yuanzhi’s face looked weak and was covered in perspiration. He looked at his father with imploring eyes. “Father, please, you must save me!”
Hearing his son pleading for help, his resoluteness increased in the fold, which translated into the sharp expression from his brows. He raised his head and looked straight at Jing Rong. His tone became a bit more oppressing as he spoke, “Your Highness, you must know that my two eldest sons are important figures in the imperial court. One of them is the left secretary of General Yi. The other was bestowed the title of Changlin General by the emperor. They are heavily valued for their talent. Even if your Highness doesn’t consider this aspect, can you at least rethink the political situation…”
“Presumptuous!” His reprimand was like thunder filling people’s ears with dread. Jing Rong’s solemn face was quickly turning dark. His eyes which were glinting with coldness gradually suffused with flames of fury that expressed his desire to skin people alive! Never in his life up until now did someone threaten him. Not to mention using the political state of the imperial court to do so! ‘Is that rebellion?’
Even Ji Yunshu, who stood behind him, felt his fury.
Ji Shuhan was inwardly shocked. He suddenly realized he made a faux pas. “Your Highness please forgive this lowly official. Those are my true words, but I had no intention of angering your Highness.” His voice was faintly trembling.
“Ji Shuhan, you should know that troubles come from the mouth. Your rude words felt like threats to me. Even if you use all the names in your Ji family, do you think you can cover the sky with your hand? Or do you want to bear the crime of rebelling against the imperial household?”
‘Rebellion?’ Even he, Ji Shuhan, couldn’t afford to bear such a tall hat. “I… I absolutely didn’t have any intention or meaning to imply that. Please reconsider your Highness. This lowly official is only anxious because of my young son. He didn’t kill anyone. Although he was beside that servant girl at the time of her death, he shouldn’t be charged with such a crime.”
“Then, what about premeditated murder?” The words came out from Ji Yunshu, dull and indifferent. She stepped forward with an icy expression, watching the shocked Ji Shuhan.
“Father.”
“…”
Despite calling him “father,” the tone was freezing like ice. Her expression darkened as her lips faintly pulled up. “I’m fully aware that this body, hair, and skin are given by the parents. I should forbear your actions and wait until time takes you away, but I was wrong.” Her last four words were suffused with extreme coldness.
1.Joss paper : (a.k.a. Hell money) Chinese have a tradition to burn joss paper and other things for the dead, so that they will be able to journey through the underworld in comfort. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joss_paper