BXG - 24

◎ Sudden Change ◎

Zhou Tan remained seated, nodding slightly at Peng Yue as a formality. As they were equals in rank, this gesture was not improper.

Peng Yue stepped closer, scrutinizing Yan Wuping kneeling before the hall. Sensing his gaze, Yan Wuping met it unflinchingly.

That icy glare gave Peng Yue pause. He suddenly asked, “Who are you?”

“Has my lord forgotten? I am Yan Wuping, originally from Jiangnan. In the fourteenth year of Yongning, I followed you to Bianjing and managed your dockside business. Last year, by your grace, I entered Dianxing Temple,” Yan Wuping replied with a faint smile. “Lord Peng, I’ve done many unspeakable things for you but have always been loyal. Why did you feel the need to silence me?”

Zhou Tan coughed lightly from his seat, signaling He San to retrieve Yan Wuping’s petition and begin reading it aloud. From his side, Yan Wuping produced a damaged iron token from Dianxing Temple and respectfully presented it. “My lord, here is the evidence. I retrieved this from the arsonist on the day I narrowly escaped death. Each token has a unique number; verify it when you return.”

As per protocol, the Ministry guards collected the evidence and sent for witnesses. Yet Peng Yue remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on Yan Wuping. “Have we met before?”

In Peng Yue’s memory, Yan Wuping had always been astute, capable, and obedient—never meeting his eyes with such sharpness.

Such piercing eyes—he must have seen them somewhere.

The crowd below grew restless as the summoned witnesses failed to arrive. Bai Ying tugged at Qu You’s sleeve, whispering anxiously, “Could something have gone wrong?”

Qu You shook her head. “If anything happened to the witness now, Peng Yue would be implicated. He wouldn’t make such a foolish move.”

Suddenly, a commotion arose among the onlookers outside the Ministry. Qu You turned to see a plain-clothed man in simple cotton robes stride through the crowd and approach the hall.

She recognized him vaguely but couldn’t place him until Zhou Tan’s expression shifted. Then it struck her—she had seen this man at her wedding ceremony.

Wasn’t he… Ren Shiming, the one who had escorted Zhou Tan during the wedding?

What was he doing here?

Zhou Tan looked up, his face paling slightly, though his tone was angry. “This is an official trial of the Ministry of Justice. No unauthorized person may enter. Who allowed him in?”

Ren Shiming showed no fear, lazily bowing to the assembly. His demeanor appeared gentle and harmless, but upon seeing Zhou Tan, a mocking chill crept into his expression. “May I ask, Lord Zhou, how can you conduct a public trial without confirming the identity of the drummer?”

Before Qu You could react, Ren Shiming tossed down a property deed and registration record, then turned to address the courtyard outside the Ministry. “The drummer, Yan Wuping, is clearly a woman! She sold herself into Chunfeng Huayu Pavilion in the thirteenth year of Yongning. Though her records there were destroyed, she left traces while forging her new identity. Here is the original contract—proof of her deception! What punishment does she deserve for misleading the court and drumming falsely?”

The aged contract fluttered down, leaving even Yan Wuping stunned. Beneath his sleeve, Zhou Tan nearly broke the skin of his palm, clenching it tightly. After a long moment, he finally stood.

Qu You saw a victorious smile spread across Ren Shiming’s face.

Yan Wuping was taken away by the guards to “verify her identity,” and the public trial was temporarily adjourned. The crowd dispersed like scattered birds and beasts. Qu You flashed the iron token Zhou Tan had slipped her earlier and mingled into the Ministry’s front courtyard.

Heading toward Zhou Tan’s usual study, she encountered Ren Shiming emerging from the rear hall. Their eyes met briefly, but he didn’t recognize her. Just as he turned to leave, a furious shout erupted behind him: “Ren Chuyue!”

Ren Shiming paused briefly, sneered, and walked off without looking back.

Qu You quickened her pace toward the rear hall and found Zhou Tan standing at the entrance. He seemed slightly out of breath but showed no surprise at seeing her. With visible fatigue, he explained, “When I forged Wuping’s household registration years ago, I still lived with the Ren family. When Chuyue asked, I told him it was for a pitiable woman seeking emancipation. This boy is clever—he figured it out. I neglected to clean up the remnants I left behind.”

Qu You said softly, “It was so long ago. You shouldn’t blame yourself.”

Zhou Tan’s lashes trembled, and he shook his head. “Chuyue isn’t inherently bad. He shouldn’t be associating with people like Peng Yue—it’s my fault…”

He trailed off, and Qu You noticed him gripping his injured forearm tightly. Hurriedly changing the subject, she asked, “With today’s public trial aborted, do you have another plan?”

Zhou Tan straightened, a cold smile flickering across his lips. “No matter. I never expected the public trial to succeed. Without convening the Three Departments Trial, how could we prosecute a Minister of Dianxing Temple?”

Qu You’s brow furrowed momentarily before relaxing. “According to Article 42, Volume 3 of the Great Yi Legal Code, cases unresolved by the Ministry of Justice can proceed to the Drum of Petition.”

Zhou Tan glanced at her, raising an eyebrow slightly.

“You know the legal code well.”

Ransoming Yan Wuping from Chunfeng Huayu Pavilion, forging her identity, and placing her under Peng Yue’s trust—all meticulously executed to gather evidence. Finding Gan Yuanxiang, willing to sacrifice herself, to create a city-wide scandal. Timing every detail perfectly to strike the Ministry’s drum, knowing full well he couldn’t handle the case himself, yet opening a public trial to pave the way for Yan Wuping to strike the Drum of Petition.

To topple Peng Yue, he had orchestrated this intricate web over two years. Only now did Qu You fully understand why he needed her to contact Boss Ai—to completely distance himself from the case.

Even if the Drum of Petition led to the Three Departments Trial and implicated Boss Ai, at most it would involve her disguised as a man. Everyone knew of their discord, so she could claim sole responsibility, sparing Zhou Tan any conflict of interest.

He could even use her presence that day to explain away coincidences regarding Gu Xianghui’s involvement. Perhaps he initially hoped she’d join the scheme precisely to cover these contingencies.

Clever, calculated.

Had Ren Shiming not intervened unexpectedly, nothing would have gone awry.

Qu You pressed her lips together and asked, “Now that Yan Wuping’s true identity has been exposed, who will strike the Drum of Petition?”

Zhou Tan replied simply, “There will be someone. I have my ways.”

The provision for drumming grievances in the Great Yi Legal Code was indeed fascinating. Early in the dynasty’s founding, unrestricted use of both the Ministry’s drum and the Drum of Petition caused chaos due to overwhelming demand, necessitating regulations.

While the Ministry’s drum already had numerous restrictions, the Drum of Petition, which reached the emperor directly, was rarely accessible. Finding someone more suitable than Yan Wuping wouldn’t be easy.

Zhou Tan didn’t see her off. Alone, Qu You exited the front courtyard. A teary-eyed Zhiling finally arrived, distraught over hearing that Yan Wuping’s identity had been exposed. “Master Qu, we were delayed on the road. What shall we do? Master Yan said that once the Drum of Petition sounded, we could submit those petitions…”

Qu You reached out to wipe her tears but realized her male disguise made it inappropriate. Instead, she handed over a handkerchief. As Zhiling took it, Qu You suddenly froze, staring at her. “Master?”

Behind the screen in the rear hall, an entire panel was filled with writing. Zhou Tan scanned it absently, still standing motionless. Suddenly, Qu You, clad in deep blue robes, rushed back, panting and glistening with sweat, her small face radiant.

“If you’re looking for someone to strike the Drum of Petition, the best candidate is right here.”

Zhou Tan felt his heart sink heavily. “Who?”

Qu You gazed steadily at him, her eyes blazing with a fire he knew all too well.

“Me.”