Bai Sheng and the others waited in prison for their trial, but a day passed without any news.
On the second day, at the hour of You, an official and a squad of guards entered the prison and walked directly to the cell where Bai Sheng and her companions were held.
Lu Hua and the others immediately became tense, but Bai Sheng gave them a reassuring look, saying, "Don't be afraid."
Lu Ye took Bai Sheng's hand and squeezed it tightly.
The official stood outside the cell, his stern gaze sweeping over Bai Sheng and the others one by one.
His eyes lingered on Lu Ye and Bai Sheng's faces for a moment, a flicker of admiration flashing in their depths.
He raised his hand, pointed at Bai Sheng and the others, and said coldly, "These people poisoned the Fifth Princess, causing her to be disfigured. Guards! Take them all to the execution ground. The men are to be beheaded immediately, and the women are to be disfigured first, then their bellies cut open!"
Lu Ye and Bai Sheng exchanged a glance, anger surging within them.
The three girls turned pale with fright, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
Lu Ye shielded everyone behind him and stated resolutely, "The laws of Great Xia stipulate that all legal cases must undergo trial, with verification of witnesses and evidence, before sentencing. This official, facing a legal case, intends to behead us without even a trial. Does this mean he has no regard for the laws of Great Xia? Or that he does not put the Emperor in his eyes?"
The official chuckled, his face full of mockery, "Your cosmetics disfigured the Fifth Princess's appearance. The evidence is conclusive, so is there any need for a trial? You are merely obscure commoners. Beheading you is as simple as a word from the Fifth Princess. Guards! Take them away!"
The guards opened the cell door, preparing to escort them out.
"Please, no, Your Excellency Han, this case... absolutely cannot... be concluded like this," Lord Wei, the Grand Judge of the Dali Temple, arrived in a hurry, panting heavily.
Lord Han turned, his expression impatient. "Why can't this case be concluded like this? The witnesses and evidence are all present, and the Fifth Princess has instructed me to handle it swiftly. Moreover, before beheading, she wants dozens of cuts made to the faces of these female convicts to vent her anger."
Lord Wei stepped forward a few paces and said urgently, "Your Excellency Han, this case is being overseen by Consort Mei. Consort Mei specifically instructed that she be notified during the trial and that she must be present throughout the proceedings. Your Excellency Han, you were away on business the past two days, so you are unaware of this matter."
"We are saved," Lu Yin whispered excitedly to Lu Hua and Ding Xiang.
Lu Hua and Ding Xiang bit their lips and nodded heavily.
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye also relaxed slightly.
They had both decided that if these officials were to behead them without rhyme or reason, they would fight to the death, spare no effort in destroying the Great Xia dynasty's imperial family, strip them bare, and then flee elsewhere with their entire families.
"Consort Mei? How... does she know these small merchants?" Lord Han frowned. He truly couldn't fathom how these people could have any connection to Consort Mei.
"This subordinate is also unsure. Regardless, Consort Mei gave such instructions," Lord Wei wiped the sweat from his brow, which had broken out from anxiety.
After a moment of contemplation, disdain gradually appeared in Lord Han's eyes. "Even if Consort Mei gave instructions, so what? Besides the Fifth Princess, the Empress has also personally ordered me to execute all these people. I—will still listen to the Empress."
After all, Consort Mei was merely an ugly, discarded woman, while the Empress held far more power. It was always safer to obey the superior.
"Take them out!" Lord Han insisted on his stance.
"Your Excellency Han, this... this... it will be difficult to explain to Consort Mei!" Lord Wei said with a grimace.
"Hmph, who is Consort Mei to matter? Only what the Empress says counts!" Lord Han declared proudly.
"Is that so?" A sharp, feminine voice suddenly echoed from the prison.
Everyone turned to see Consort Mei, wearing a mask, striding towards them with a palace maid and an eunuch.
Consort Mei, being a martial artist, displayed no delicate or weak demeanor; her powerful aura pressed forward.
"This humble subject pays respects to Consort Mei," Lords Han and Wei immediately turned to face Consort Mei and knelt.
"What? Am I insignificant, and my words count for nothing? Far less than the Empress?" Consort Mei looked coldly at Lord Han, radiating a murderous aura.
Lord Han's face turned a ghastly pale. Trembling, he stammered, "I beg Consort Mei for forgiveness. This humble subject... simply did not dare to disobey the Empress's command."
Consort Mei snorted, "That is natural. The Empress is of higher rank and greater power than I. It is understandable that officials have eyes that favor the powerful.
However, at this moment, this case is not decided by the Empress and the Fifth Princess.
Lord Han can inquire at the alleys and lanes of the capital. Almost everyone in the capital knows about this case and is closely watching the outcome of the trial. If Lord Han does not conduct a trial and executes the suspects directly, it will truly alienate the public.
Does this not also indicate that Lord Han has no regard for the laws of Great Xia? Which is to say—he has no regard for the Emperor?
The Empress's favor might be greater than mine, but the Empress's face is not as great as the laws of Great Xia and the Emperor!"
"Yes, yes! Consort Mei speaks the truth. This humble subject was muddled! I beg Consort Mei for forgiveness!" Lord Han's knees trembled incessantly as he knelt on the ground.
Consort Mei glanced at him sideways and said calmly, "Lord Han, go and make thorough preparations. The trial will commence tomorrow morning at the hour of Mao. I will be present at every session."
"Yes!" Lords Han and Wei responded respectfully.
Consort Mei glanced at Bai Sheng in the prison and gave her an encouraging look.
Bai Sheng mouthed a silent "thank you" with gratitude.
As Consort Mei was about to leave with her entourage, she saw Yan Mingkun, the Censor-in-Chief, approaching with several attendants.
Upon seeing Consort Mei, Yan Mingkun was clearly startled. He immediately bowed and said, "This humble subject pays respects to Consort Mei. Why has Consort Mei come to this unsanitary place?"
Consort Mei smiled, "And why has Lord Yan come here?"
Yan Mingkun stated solemnly, "I heard today throughout the streets and alleys of the capital that the case of the Fifth Princess's disfigurement is of great importance. Therefore, I specifically came to the Dali Temple to observe.
Unexpectedly, upon entering the Dali Temple, I heard that Lord Han intended to execute the suspects immediately without a trial. To prevent Lord Han from making a grave mistake, I hurried over, never expecting to meet Consort Mei here."
Consort Mei said gently, "Bai Sheng, the owner of 'Red Powder Beauty,' is a young friend of mine. Naturally, I must oversee this case to prevent anyone from... engaging in favoritism and deception."
"Your Ladyship, rest assured, this official will also monitor this case at all times, to give the people of the entire capital an explanation," Yan Mingkun said with a firm tone.
"Very good. Lord Yan is just and upright, truly worthy of the title of Censor-in-Chief," Consort Mei praised. "I shall take my leave first. I will be present at the trial tomorrow."
"We respectfully bid farewell to Consort Mei," the three officials said in unison.