The evidence is conclusive and there is no way to defend oneself.
When Li Linfu learned that Shen Qingci had not yielded in prison and that the Shen and Su families were secretly gathering evidence, he became extremely anxious. He immediately ordered the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review to expedite the trial and ensure that Shen Qingci's guilt was proven.
Three days later, in the Dali Temple courtroom, a solemn yet oppressively silent atmosphere prevailed. Shen Qingci, dressed in prison garb, the chains dragging on the ground with a grating sound, walked step by step into the courtroom. Though his face was haggard, he still stood tall, his gaze resolute and fearless. Su Yunqing was held to one side, her plain clothes dusty, the wound on her arm still unhealed, yet she still stood tall, her eyes filled with stubbornness.
The Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review sat high in the hall, his face grim. He slammed his gavel: "Shen Qingci, do you know your crime?"
"I am innocent!" Shen Qingci replied loudly. "Treason is a heinous crime. I have been devoted to the country and guarding the border. How can I be accused of treason? This is a frame-up by Li Linfu. I beg Your Excellency to investigate thoroughly!"
"Hmph, you dare to argue even when you're about to die!" The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review sneered and ordered someone to present the forged Xiongnu secret letter. "This secret letter was found in your military camp. It clearly states your crime of colluding with the Xiongnu, and there is also the Xiongnu king's seal as proof. Do you still want to deny it?"
Shen Qingci stared intently at the letter. The handwriting was clumsy, and the seal was crude. He was furious. "My lord, this letter is a complete forgery! I have never seen this letter, nor have I ever had any contact with the Xiongnu! This seal is obviously a fake. Please examine it carefully!"
"Inspection?" A hint of panic flashed in the eyes of the Minister of Justice, but he quickly regained his composure. "No need for inspection! His Majesty has personally reviewed this letter, and the evidence is conclusive!" As soon as he finished speaking, several "witnesses" were brought into the courtroom. They were all desperate criminals secretly bribed by Li Linfu.
"I personally witnessed Shen Qingci secretly meeting with the Xiongnu envoy at the border!"
"I once delivered letters between Shen Qingci and the Xiongnu!"
"You scoundrel..."
The witness testimonies came flooding in, each accusing Shen Qingci of treason. Shen Qingci argued his case forcefully, refuting each point, but was repeatedly interrupted by the Chief Justice of the Court of Judicial Review: "Stop trying to deny it! The witnesses and evidence are all there; what else do you have to say?"
At this moment, Su Yunqing stepped forward: "My lord, these witnesses are all Li Linfu's henchmen. How can their testimonies be counted? My husband fought valiantly on the border, repelling the Xiongnu and making outstanding contributions. This is witnessed by all the soldiers of the Zhenbei Army! If he really colluded with the Xiongnu, why would he risk his life to kill the enemy?"
"Such a woman's view!" the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review exclaimed sternly. "Shen Qingci's feigned killing of the enemy was merely to deceive everyone and cover up the truth that he was colluding with the enemy!" He then ordered someone to present "evidence"—several forged military pay accounts. "These accounts were found in your camp, showing that you embezzled military pay, lined your own pockets, and shared the spoils with the Xiongnu!"
Shen Qingci looked at the riddled accounts, his heart turning cold. He knew that the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review had long been bribed by Li Linfu, and today's public trial was nothing but a meticulously planned farce. No matter how he tried to defend himself, he couldn't change the predetermined outcome.
“My husband is devoted to the country, how could he embezzle military pay?” Su Yunqing exclaimed excitedly. “Those military pays were all embezzled by Li Linfu, he is the real culprit!”
"Outrageous!" The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review slammed his gavel. "Su Yunqing, as the wife of a disgraced official, how dare you roar in court and slander a high-ranking official! Guards, drag her away!"
"Stop!" Shen Qingci roared, protecting Su Yunqing. "This matter has nothing to do with her. I will bear all the blame!" He looked at the Minister of Justice sitting high in the hall, his eyes filled with disappointment and anger. "You have turned black into white and confused right and wrong. You will be punished by heaven in the end!"
Seeing this, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review became even more certain and immediately pronounced the verdict: "Shen Qingci has committed treason and collusion with the enemy. The evidence is conclusive. He is sentenced to exile three thousand li to Ningguta! Su Yunqing knew about this but failed to report it and protected the criminal. He is sentenced to exile as well. They shall depart immediately!"
"No! My husband has been wronged!" Su Yunqing cried out in anguish, tears streaming down her face.
Shen Qingci held her hand tightly and whispered in her ear, "Yunqing, don't cry. No matter how difficult the road ahead may be, I will be with you. One day, I will clear my name and make those wicked people receive the punishment they deserve."
Chains bound their hands and feet once more, and the soldiers escorting them pushed them out of the Dali Temple. Outside, Shen Yanzhi and Su Mingyuan were already waiting there, their grief overwhelming as they saw their children being led out. Shen Qingci and Su Yunqing, separated from their parents by the crowd, gazed at them from afar, a thousand words unspoken, only tears welling in their eyes.
They knew that this road to exile was destined to be fraught with thorns and hardships. But as long as they were still together, as long as their faith remained unbroken, they would surely endure this long period of darkness and wait for the day when their innocence would be vindicated.
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