"Yes, I obey your command." Meng Tan looked at the faint smile on Zhong Zhiling's face and couldn't help but smile along with him.
"Your Highness, you are here?" Jiang Bairen saw Zhong Zhiling coming in and hurriedly went to greet him, bowing and saying, "I am the commander of the Jinyiwei, Jiang Bairen, to greet Your Highness. I respectfully wish Your Highness the best of health."
"Get up." Zhong Zhiling nodded. As he entered the main hall, he looked around the room for a while because it had no windows and was much higher than ordinary rooms. He looked at the row of whips and other instruments of execution hanging on the wall, nodded, and then slowly said to Jiang Bairen. "Why? I am the only one here today? For such a serious case, shouldn't the Ministry of Justice be the main judge according to the law? Why don't you see anyone from the Ministry of Justice?"
"Your Highness, the Emperor has said that it's OK for others. This criminal will be tried by you, Your Highness." Jiang Bairen said hurriedly, adding, "No matter if he lives or dies."
"Okay, bring the person up here." Zhong Zhiling said calmly, turning around and sitting on the armchair.
"Yes, I obey your command." Jiang Bairen bowed and sent someone down to bring the people.
"Your Highness, please have some tea." Jiang Bairen brought the tea over attentively.
Zhong Zhiling looked at the tea leaves in the cup, curling his lips and looking at Jiang Bairen: "Is this Taiping Houkui originally a top-grade tea, or is Commander Jiang's tea-making skills superb? This is the first time I have seen tea brewed better than Chief Steward Zhao."
"Your Highness, thank you for your praise. I am sorry for my poor performance." Jiang Bairen apologized with a smile.
Zhong Zhiling gathered up the tea, brought it to his lips and took a sip, while looking up at Jiang Bairen: "Since His Majesty has allowed me to have full authority to judge the case, then Commander Jiang, please step aside."
"This..." Jiang Bairen was suddenly embarrassed. He had never expected that Zhong Zhiling would have such a request.
"I will personally report the results of the trial to His Majesty. Okay, you may leave now." Zhong Zhiling put down his teacup and waved to Jiang Bairen.
"Yes, I'll take my leave first." Jiang Bairen had no choice but to bow and agree. When he turned around, he saw Xu Chengjin had been brought up. He immediately ordered people to keep Xu Chengjin, and then he retreated with a group of Jinyiwei.
"Cousin, we meet again," Zhong Zhiling said calmly as he looked at the haggard man kneeling on the ground, and walked slowly towards him. "Cousin, remember the last time we met was thirty-four years ago."
“Seventh Brother! Seventh Brother! You have to save me!” Xu Chengjin, who was originally a puddle of mud, became excited as soon as he saw who was standing in front of him. He used his hands and feet to crawl towards Zhong Zhiling. For a while, the harsh sound of handcuffs and shackles rubbing against the floor tiles echoed in the room. After so many days of torture, the man finally crawled in front of Zhong Zhiling with great effort. He grabbed the hem of Zhong Zhiling tightly with both hands, looked up at the five-clawed dragon on his body, and said anxiously, “Seventh Brother! You have to save me! You have to save my cousin!”
"Cousin?" Zhong Zhiling curled his lips sarcastically, as if he had heard a joke. He lowered his head and looked at Xu Chengjin's haggard and excited face, and said slowly, "Cousin, do you still remember how I begged you before leaving Beijing thirty-four years ago? What did you say that time? And then... what did you do?"
"I..." Xu Chengjin seemed to be hit on the head. His lips trembled constantly. It was obvious that he had something to say, but as soon as he met Zhong Zhiling's gloomy eyes, he couldn't say it. He lowered his head silently, and when he saw Zhong Zhiling turning to leave, he hurriedly grabbed the hem of Zhong Zhiling again, and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Seventh Brother! What can I do at that time? I know that you and Siyao are in love, but, but the emperor has taken a fancy to her! What can I do? All the land under heaven belongs to the emperor, and all the people are his subjects! This whole world belongs to the emperor. If he wants Siyao, how dare I stop him? For you and Siyao, do I... have to bear the emperor's wrath and the Xu family will be buried with him?!"
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