Langhua: The Codependence of a Prince and His General

Resolution

The case was resolved in court two weeks later, in front of the imperial court.

The information that was leaked was traced to the harem, but not to the Seventh Prince or Benevolence Palace. Instead, Lord Lin had found the disfigured body of the eunuch Xiao Xian'zi, half-rotting in a mass grave. A coroner deduced from his black tongue that he had been poisoned. Meanwhile, testimony from palace maids and other eunuchs claimed that he had often been spotted around Consort Hui's Wisdom Palace, and he was last seen with one of Consort Hui's personal attendants.

With the Empress' permission, Consort Hui's palace was searched and traces of matching poison found. But that was not all.

They also found letters of correspondence between Consort Hui and several men, including the border general Ding Jin.

"The contents are... unbefitting of these hallowed walls, Your Majesty."

What Lin Junli left unsaid sent the Hall of Governance into an eruption of whispers.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Let us see."

Everyone held their breaths as a trembling eunuch brought the letters up to the throne. The Emperor's eyes scanned the parchment quickly... and then he laughed.

It was a cold laugh, rumbling deep in his throat like thunder foretelling a deadly storm.

"Drag Consort Hui to the courtyard and cane her to death."

"...Yes, Your Majesty."

A eunuch scuttled off in a hurry while the Emperor said casually, "Burn these cursed letters, then surround Consort Hui's maiden home. All members of her immediate family will be sold into slavery. Extended family members will be chased out of the capital, never to return."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Another eunuch ran off to bring an unknowing family their tragic fate.

Lin Junli bowed. "You are benevolent, Your Majesty."

"If this is truly a woman's folly, there is no need to spill too much blood," the Emperor said with magnanimity. "As for this Ding Jin... Great General Ma, he was your student, no?"

Great General Ma stepped out of his line and bowed low. "That was many years ago, Your Majesty. It seems he has grown arrogant while he was away from my sight."

"Indeed." The Emperor stroked his thin greying goatee. "Nevertheless, he was your responsibility, so it is only right that you clean up his mess. Send your men to apprehend him and bring him back for a public execution. The charges are consorting with a member of the imperial harem and falsely accusing his superior out of jealousy. If he resists, feel free to bring forward the execution."

Great General Ma did not miss a beat. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"As for his family, the same sentence that befell Consort Hui's shall apply. Let it not be said that we are unfair."

"Yes, Your Majesty. You are benevolent."

"Anything else?" The Emperor's gaze swept across the hall. "Any objections?"

No one raised their heads. No one was going to jump out of line and fall onto their knees this time, much less bleed on the court floor for Ding Jin.

This was the result he wanted, but Xuanyuan Lang felt cold.

"Very well. With this, the case is closed." The Emperor allowed himself a smile. "Lord Lin, for your excellent results, you are hereby promoted to an Upper Rank-2 official and will receive an additional two hundred gold as a reward."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor." Lin Junli's voice betrayed no joy.

The Emperor nodded approvingly. "Next, Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Lang."