The courtroom was located in the main hall of the Ministry of Justice.

After Emperor Tianqi and the Crown Prince arrived, they sat in the back hall and listened to the trial through a screen.

Yun Chuwei and Yun Zheng both removed their masks and stayed behind the screen with Emperor Tianqi.

The trial went very smoothly.

Yue He was initially full of confidence.

But when Xie Xuan produced the part of the evidence that he had "destroyed," he was completely stunned.

His expression was as if the sky had fallen.

Yun Chuwei's lips curled up, and she couldn't help but laugh.

Yue He originally thought he could destroy the evidence, but in reality, he was just helping Xie Xuan find the key evidence.

Soon, Yue Jingsheng's charges were determined.

Misappropriating military funds, replacing provisions, and enriching oneself is not a minor offense.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, execution in the autumn is inevitable.

Xie Sheng's face paled slightly.

He didn't understand how things had turned out this way.

In his previous life, Yue Jingsheng was clearly still alive and had not been beheaded.

The knife he later used to kill Yun Chuwei was prepared for him by Yue Jingsheng.

Why has everything changed in this lifetime?

Did everything change just because he refused to marry?

As he was wondering whether he should plead for Yue Jingsheng, Yue He crawled in on his knees.

"Your Majesty! My son was ignorant and made a mistake. I beg Your Majesty to show leniency and spare my son's life!"

After Yue He finished speaking, he slammed his head against the ground, and blood began to flow from his forehead shortly afterward.

Emperor Tianqi looked at Yue He with a cold face and did not say anything.

There are some things he isn't unaware of, he just doesn't want to get involved.

He knew that Yue Jingsheng had no real ability, but the Empress and the Crown Prince insisted on placing him in an important position.

He also knew that Yue Jingsheng had done many lawless things, and that the Empress and the Yue family had covered up many of his crimes.

He's been turning a blind eye to it.

But Yue Jingsheng should never have touched military funds and provisions.

It's hard to say whether he bears any responsibility for the two recent defeats against the barbarians!

Seeing that Emperor Tianqi remained silent, Yue He knew that he was unwilling to let Yue Jingsheng off easily.

He thought for a moment, then said, "Your Majesty, I have failed in my duty to raise my son! I am guilty! Please give me a chance to atone for my sins!"

Emperor Tianqi then spoke: "How do you intend to atone for your crimes? In the past two years, our Great Chu has fought against foreign tribes, and we have suffered more defeats than victories. Can you possibly reverse the situation?"

Yue He was drenched in sweat. How could he possibly have such skill?

He pondered for a moment and then said, "This humble subject is incompetent and is afraid I cannot help Your Majesty in the matter of fighting against foreign tribes. This humble subject has heard that Your Majesty saw a person wearing a Yama mask in the palace, but has been unable to find him. This humble subject is willing to sign a military pledge to find this person! If I fail to find him, this humble subject is willing to accept punishment!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Chuwei narrowed her eyes slightly.

She knew about this too.

Huo Qingjue had told her that Emperor Tianqi had personally witnessed a man wearing a Yama mask, but the Imperial Guards and Embroidered Uniform Guards failed to capture him. Emperor Tianqi was furious about this, and a large number of Imperial Guards and Embroidered Uniform Guards were punished.

The Tianqi Emperor even issued an imperial edict, ordering that they should dig three feet into the ground to find this person.

Yun Chuwei knew why Emperor Tianqi was reacting so strongly.

That person's ability to appear openly in the palace posed a huge threat to Emperor Tianqi.

That wasn't an assassin, but a sword hanging over the head of the Apocalypse Emperor. That sharp sword, who knew when it might fall?

It must be said that Yue He was quite clever, knowing what Emperor Tianqi feared most.

If he could find this person, he might actually be able to save Yue Jingsheng's life.

Yun Chuwei also wanted to know who the person wearing the Yama mask was, but she didn't want that person to be found out.

That person killed Xie Sheng in his previous life, which, in a sense, was revenge for her.

She didn't want him to get caught.

Moreover, she didn't want Yue Jingsheng to continue living. He'd lived so long; it was time for him to pay for those three girls' lives!

She was about to say something when Xie Sheng spoke first.

"Father, that person enters and leaves the palace as if it were his own home; it's too dangerous. Why don't you let Lord Yue give it a try? Perhaps Lord Yue can really find the person? Nothing is more important than your safety!" Xie Sheng appeared gentle, but his eyes held a deep hatred.

In his previous life, he died at the hands of that Yama mask!

In this life, he is determined to find that person and strike first.

Moreover, that person seems to have a Ghost Face Army under his command. If he could be recruited, he would have nothing to fear!

After listening to Xie Xuan's words, Emperor Tianqi looked at Yue He and said, "Yue He, you have never been on the battlefield, so you may not understand the meaning of a military pledge. Do you know what the consequences are if you make a military pledge but fail to keep it?"

Yue He originally did not want to risk his life, but after hearing Emperor Tianqi's words, he knew that Emperor Tianqi would not give him a chance unless he risked his life!

He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "If I cannot do it, I am willing to atone with my death!"

That was his only son!

With the Empress around, he didn't even have a concubine.

Although he had concubines for his use, he dared not let them get pregnant.

Therefore, this is his only bloodline. He has to take the gamble!

Emperor Tianqi looked at Yue He, his expression softening slightly. He said, "Very good! Sun Jiasheng, go and fetch pen and ink, so that Lord Yue can write a military pledge!"

Sun Jiasheng immediately went to prepare paper and pen.

Soon, Yue He made a pledge.

Emperor Tianqi was very satisfied when he saw the military order.

After the Yama mask appeared, he punished many people, but he never killed anyone.

On the one hand, in recent years, natural disasters and man-made calamities have been frequent, and wars against foreign tribes have repeatedly failed. Those who compile history have already been gossiping behind his back, and he did not want to add another piece of evidence of murder and tyranny to their record.

On the other hand, he only had those few people around him, and killing them would only give those assassins an opportunity.

However, he felt that human potential could only be unleashed when facing death.

If it weren't for their lives being at stake, they might never have found this person.

But this person must be found, otherwise he will be unable to eat or sleep in peace.

He was wondering who should be the one facing death. Unexpectedly, Yue He rushed out.

Yue He did do something that suited his tastes.

Hopefully Yue He can really do it, otherwise he wouldn't have shown mercy.

"I hope Lord Yue will not disappoint me!" Emperor Tianqi said.

Yue He hurriedly assured Emperor Tianqi, "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail you! That son of mine..."

Emperor Tianqi stood up after thinking for a moment, and said coldly, "We'll discuss Yue Jingsheng's matter after Lord Yue finds him. Yue Jingsheng doesn't have much time, and neither does Lord Yue! Lord Yue, take action!"

After Emperor Tianqi finished speaking, he took a step and walked out.

The crowd could only bow and respectfully see them off.