Three ex-husbands and a marriage

Overwhelming

The decomposed bodies of the men I had slain were brought in one by one, their stretchers lining the hall horizontally, emitting a pungent stench of rotting flesh that filled our nostrils. I lowered my head, focusing on the golden dragons etched on the timber borders of the raised platform where the emperor now sat, undoubtedly wearing a smug expression of triumph.

The only plausible explanation for this scenario was that he believed he could control Man Chiu by using me. From the outside, it appeared as if Man Chiu had become infatuated with me, a mere relative of the Bai Regent's family. I hazard a guess that the emperor believed Man Chiu's judgment had been clouded by Bai Xiao Wei's beauty.

Despite my circumstances, I couldn't help but admire the emperor's foolishness and audacity in his death-defying actions. In the books, it took years for Bai Xiao Wei and her men to breach the walls and overthrow the dynasty. But with Man Chiu's current power and memories, the empire likely already rested in his hands. The emperor knew this and yet struggled within his own net.

"The Prince of the Man tribes insisted on a marriage alliance with the south, unfortunately choosing the wrong Bai lady. It is Zhen's responsibility as the leader of this empire to reveal the truth and punish this cold-blooded murderer before she tarnishes the reputation of our mighty Tang Empire among those barbaric hordes," he declared.

"Your Majesty, the stench of death is polluting our holy hall. Now that the officials and Madame Bai have seen with their own eyes, everyone understands the girl's guilt," a small voice echoed from above, barely above a whisper yet commanding the silence of the entire hall in reverence.

Raising my eyes, I glimpsed the delicate beauty next to the emperor. Adorned in golden robes and hair ornaments, she resembled an exquisite doll. Her eyes, however, held a sharp glint, contrasting with her otherwise soft features. Despite lacking the dignified air of an empress, she commanded reverence from the hardened court officials, indicating her special position in court.

I attempted to recall details from the book, but it had been too long since my last read, and the details had blurred into obscurity.

"Bai Xiao Wei, now that you've seen the men you murdered, do you still dare deny your crime?" the emperor questioned.

"I am innocent. Your Majesty has brought in the bodies of men with whom I have no relation, without evidence or eyewitnesses," I responded calmly.

"Bring in the eyewitness," he commanded.
I must admit, I was momentarily stunned. Who could serve as an eyewitness? At the time of the incident, only Mother Bai and I were present. Could it be her? My heart sank, bitterness flooding my tongue temporarily.

When the clanging of cold iron against tile reached my ears, I turned to behold the figure in chains as she limped in—Xiao Shi. A flood of relief was immediately filled with anxiety and fear. Xiao Shi is barely recognizable. What sort of monsters can do this to her?

"Your triumphant look is no more. You must know that Zhen's investigators are not mere figureheads. Even a mosquito cannot pass without my consent. Today, you will answer for your crimes, and Zhen will pass judgment upon you, a judgment even the Prince cannot contest," the emperor proclaimed with a hearty laugh.
"What have they done to you..." I muttered, my heart shattering as I observed her condition. The once-confident girl, leader of the pack of men who had assisted me in burying the bodies, now resembled a wounded sparrow. Her eyes lacked focus, her body bloodied and bruised, blood seeping from the corner of her lips.

"Xiao Shi!" I called out, moving towards her, but Madame Bai restrained my arm.

Xiao Shi's unfocused gaze fixed on me as she lunged forward, growling in pain. "You cut off her tongue?" I shouted at the emperor, overcome with anger and shock.