Chapter 38
The eldest princess waited outside the Chaofeng Palace early in the morning, and after the morning court session, she went in alone.
"Greetings, Your Majesty"
"Yuan'er?"
"Your Majesty, I have come today with important matters to report."
"What is it for?"
"A few days ago, someone was illegally selling contraband on the black market and making huge profits from it. This even caused quite a stir in the city, leading to widespread panic. My daughter went to great lengths to catch the culprit and has come to report this to Your Majesty."
"This matter will be handled by the Inspectorate."
“My daughter knows, but… the arrested painter has confessed, and the person behind it all seems to have some connection with Huang Zi?”
"Oh? Who is it?"
"Yan Heng!"
His brow furrowed slightly, revealing a subtle, almost imperceptible expression.
"Bring that man up."
"yes"
The three were led to the main hall and made to kneel in the center.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, this is the painter who was trying to escape; he was stopped at the city gate."
"Your Majesty, spare my life! This humble subject was merely doing a job for a fee!"
"How dare you! Don't you know that drawing such obscene things is an even greater crime!"
"Princess, spare me! Princess, spare me! I haven't dared to spend any of this silver; I'm handing it all over!"
"Hmph, you painter do have some sense of propriety. Your Majesty, please make the decision."
The Empress, in her high position, watched the drama with great interest.
What does Yuan'er think?
"According to our country's laws, he should be sentenced to two years in prison and have his ill-gotten gains confiscated."
The Empress waved her hand, and the guards took the person away.
"The painter has confessed to bribing her. Su Wanxing, what do you have to say?"
Only then did Su Wanxing dare to raise her head. Inside the Chaofeng Hall, the floor was paved with gold bricks, so shiny they could reflect a person's image. Each brick was imbued with a hundred years of history. Twelve golden pillars with phoenixes stood tall and straight, with flowing clouds wrapped around their bodies. The gilded luster shimmered in the sunlight, so dazzling that one dared not look directly at them.
The Empress sat regally on her throne. Even though faint lines had been etched at the corners of her eyes, she still exuded an aura of authority without anger. Her bright yellow brocade robe with twelve imperial symbols trailed on the ground, and seven pigeon-blood rubies adorned the collar. Every detail revealed the weight and nobility of the Empress's power.
She knew this might be her only chance in her life, and resolutely answered loudly.
"Your Majesty, it was this commoner who did it."
"oh?"
Huang Shang was surprised by the woman's composure in the face of danger and became somewhat interested.
"I know I have violated the laws of our country, but if I don't do this, I will not be taken seriously."
Huang Shang remained silent, hinting that she should continue.
"I live in a wealthy family and thought I would live a carefree life. But I suddenly discovered that no matter what, the men here can't live the life they want. I witnessed a man's death because he was defiled. Despite the indifference and ridicule of the people around him, he resolutely chose to report it to the authorities. But the official said that because the person was unconscious and unable to speak to refuse, it did not constitute a crime."
Su Wanxing's voice was a little choked up, but she quickly composed herself and continued.
"Here, a man's reputation is everything, yet he chose to believe in the law, and it was because he believed the law could uphold justice that he lost his life. I feel that this world has too many negative views about men. They think men make a scene because they didn't agree on a price, they think men are targeted because they weren't properly dressed, and even some men who haven't reached adulthood are defiled. They blame all the wrongdoing on the victims, which leads many men to be afraid to report to the authorities. Even if some are lucky enough to have the perpetrators punished, it's only for a short three years. But three years is just a short time for the perpetrators, while for the victims, the pain will take a lifetime to heal. And even if they win the case, there will still be people who look down on them, making it impossible for them to return to their former lives. Therefore, Your Majesty! I beg Your Majesty to look at these men who are in danger!"
After Su Wanxing finished speaking, she suddenly arched her back and then slammed her head down, her forehead hitting the ground with a desperate force, a muffled thud echoing in the Chaofeng Palace.
Huang Shang's pupils narrowed slightly, as if they were coated with a thin layer of ice, her lips pressed into a cold arc, and her gaze fell heavily on Su Wanxing.
Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, the eldest princess shouted at them.
"You audacious commoner, how dare you act so presumptuously in this great hall!"
Su Wanxing raised her head and spoke to the princess.
"These are my heartfelt words. Both the Empress and the Princess are devoted to the people, and I believe you will consider their needs as well."
"How dare you! Are you saying that compared to the Empress, you are more popular with the people?"
No, I mean...
"Shut up!"
The Empress's imposing presence interrupted Su Wanxing's words.
"I ask you, do you know Yan Heng?"
Su Wanxing was speechless for a moment, quickly considering whether she should get to know Yan Heng.
"Your Majesty, I see she's not speaking; she must know you."
Huang Shang then slowly walked up to Su Wanxing, a hint of anger showing in her cold eyes.
"Your Majesty, silence does not equate to agreement. Only when I say I understand is it a clear expression. The same applies to relationships. From now on, it is the woman who must prove the man's consent, not the man who must prove it himself. The criminal should be the one to prove her innocence."
Another "thud" resounded, crashing heavily into the golden hall.
The situation before my eyes seems to be overlapping.
The image of the second princess reappeared before my eyes.
"Your Majesty, I believe everyone is free and has clear rights. Our country is progressing every day. Even if a husband and wife commit adultery, it is unacceptable and should be punished. We should all have complete control over our own bodies, instead of being completely controlled by our wives' families after marriage. Therefore, I believe that a three-year sentence is not enough to heal the victims' hearts. We must let all criminals in the world know that they are committing crimes."
The subtle atmosphere among the group gradually intensified.
The eldest princess knew that the emperor was very displeased at the moment.
Su Wanxing knew that her words were insignificant, so she kowtowed repeatedly, the sound echoing throughout the hall.
"Bring Yan Heng here!"
"yes!"
After an incense stick had burned, the guards hurriedly arrived.
"Your Majesty, the Prince has disappeared!"
"What?"
Su Wanxing looked up in surprise, and a trickle of blood slowly dripped from her head.
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