"Exactly the same!"
"It tastes the same to me as well!"
"Although there’s some bitterness, the two powders indeed taste the same,"
several chefs proclaimed unanimously after tasting.
"Impossible!" Song Tao exclaimed, "You don’t understand glazes, how could you possibly discern their flavors?"
Without waiting for the officials from the Three Departments to speak, the invited head chefs all became upset and clamored, "What kind of way is that to speak? We are among the top chefs in the city. We don’t dare claim expertise in other areas, but when it comes to flavors, we have distinguished them since we were young; it’s impossible for us to be wrong."
One even swore, "If I’m wrong in my tasting, I’m willing to put up a three-day banquet at our restaurant as an apology to you."
He stepped to the side and said, "Who else wants to come forward to taste? Everyone taste and then you’ll know whether we have lied!"
The crowd, enjoying the spectacle and not afraid to add to the chaos, shouted from within, "I’ll taste it! From Pear West Street to East Street, there’s nothing I can’t discern. My taste is no worse than these chefs."
Others egged on, "Let him taste, let him go up and taste."
The officials from the Three Departments ignored these people and began whispering among themselves in pairs and trios.
Song Tao suddenly looked up, her gaze filled with horror as she looked at Yuan Yunzhong, "It was you! You... you framed me!"
How Yuan Yunzhong had framed her, she couldn’t articulate despite murmuring to herself for quite some time.
Yuan Yunzhong sneered and said, "Didn’t Third Miss Song previously claim that Boss Song’s ’Jade Porcelain’ contained ox bone ash? When the officials from the Three Departments came to see you, didn’t you assure them that you hadn’t ’wronged’ Boss Song, saying you had ’nothing to fear if you stand straight’? Now, how come the porcelain fired by Boss Song without ox bone ash came out like ivory and warm jade, while your ’ox bone ash’ added Jade Porcelain turned out all damaged, not a single piece complete and flawless? Third Miss Song, shouldn’t you explain what exactly is going on here?"
"Someone tampered with my pottery jar." At this point, Song Tao could only insist stubbornly, feeling extremely insecure on the inside, her hands unconsciously twisting together like twirled breadsticks, and she couldn’t help but look towards Prince Ning.
Prince Ning quickly opened a gold-trimmed flowering Sichuan fan with a "whoosh" and leisurely waved it, appearing completely detached from the situation.
Song Tao bit her lip.
The Chief Judge from the Ministry of Punishments banged the gavel heavily.
Everyone knew that a judgment was about to be handed down and held their breath in anticipation.
Once again, a hushed silence fell in front of the Glazed Factory. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎
The Chief Judge from the Ministry of Punishments declared, "The case brought by Lady Senior Song against Lady Junior Song for defiling sacrificial offerings is dismissed. By law, Boss Song is innocent and is to be released immediately. Lady Senior Song’s false accusation against Lady Junior Song carries a punishment of twenty heavy cane strokes and a fine of two hundred taels."
While the fine seemed minor, the caning... If one doesn’t bribe the Yamen officials in advance, twenty heavy strokes could cost a person’s life.
Song Tao’s legs weakened, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.
She cried out loudly, insisting on her innocence, "I did not falsely accuse Song Jiyun! It’s true that someone tampered with the glaze in my pottery jar, and if you do not believe me, I can fire another kiln."
Yet no one paid her any heed.
After a whispered consultation, the officials from the Three Departments nodded and agreed, "That is acceptable."
The Chief Judge from the Metropolitan Censorate even asked Prince Ning, "Do you feel it is appropriate?"
Prince Ning mockingly responded, "A Vassal King is not permitted to forge connections with government officials, let alone involve himself in the affairs of the Three Departments. I’m merely here to watch the excitement; how should the esteemed officials judge the case if not as they see fit? There’s no room for me to speak!"
The Chief Judge from the Metropolitan Censorate pretended not to understand and chuckled, "Prince, you are being too modest. You govern in your own right, and you are very familiar with the Imperial laws. We have much to learn from you!"
But he did not mention what insight he might have, simply instructing the scribe standing by, "Go draft a public announcement for us to review."
The scribe bowed and swiftly penned the document.
Tears filled Song Tao’s eyes as she shouted desperately, "My lords, I have been wronged! You must deliver justice for me, you must!"
Although the government officials at the scene had promptly stopped her, the chief judge from the Ministry of Punishments still wore an unconcerned expression, rebuking the officials present, "Is this how you usually handle cases?"
The few officials dared not waver any longer and, just like how they would address someone filing a complaint, they wielded their command batons and shouted "Silence!" The two officials blocking Song Tao even whispered, "If you continue like this, by law you can be flogged with twenty more lashes."
"But I, I am being wronged!" Song Tao’s legs gave way, and she collapsed onto the ground, her mouth still moving rapidly.
She didn’t want to be in such an embarrassing state, but she was truly afraid and couldn’t stand up.
She wanted to seek help from Prince Ning but knew of his heartless turnabout and was genuinely afraid of him.
She looked around in bewilderment, not knowing what to do.
Meanwhile, the onlookers had already started discussing among themselves.
"I think this Third Miss Song is simply not as skilled, jealous of her cousin. She thought she could deceive us people from the Capital who are ignorant about porcelain and slip by unnoticed. But Lord Yuan saw right through her with his keen eyes, and now she’s just acting shamelessly!"
"However, the girl is also a bit foolish. Making such a big fuss, didn’t she consider how she would end this if she failed to produce the porcelain?"
"Are you saying there’s still some trick to it?"
"Hard to say, hard to say."
"I think she’s relying on Prince Ning’s support, but didn’t anticipate that magic might be high, but the righteous path is even higher. Boss Song also has people speaking up for him."
All kinds of remarks were made in a short time.
Song Jiyun had previously only had some guesses, but now she could almost be certain of what had happened.
She couldn’t help but glance at Yuan Yunzhong, thinking that he had gone to such lengths for her, how could she just reap the benefits!
Song Jiyun stepped forward and gave a bow to the chief judges, her voice clear, "Your Honor, by law, am I allowed to charge Third Miss Song with the crime of false accusation?"
Before the Glazed Factory, there was a hush.
Seriously, Song Jiyun said, "I know that your honors have already determined that I have won. But this is not simply a matter of winning or losing. I was just thinking, if anyone who feels discontent can make something out of nothing and run to the yamen to lodge a complaint, matters like porcelain making that cannot tolerate a hint of fraud are alright since they can prove themselves. But what about those plagued by rumors and gossip, unable to prove their innocence? What about those who are falsely accused?"
"Yes! Yes! Boss Song makes a great point!" The spectators immediately agreed with excitement.
"There have been those driven to death by rumors before!"
"Your honors!" Song Jiyun raised her voice over the noisy crowd, "This precedent must not be set, or it will be harmful for centuries."
Some officials from the Three Departments also started murmuring among themselves.
A few chief judges even nodded in agreement.
Yuan Yunzhong gave Song Jiyun a smile filled with meaning.
Among women, she was the only one who understood him.
Prince Ning, however, wore an inscrutable expression.
Only Song Tao, with a harsh voice, lunged toward Song Jiyun, "Song Jiyun, you are ruining me!"
Yuan Yunzhong’s expression turned tense.
But the officials swiftly intercepted her, "How dare you! Bellowing in the court, have you no respect for the law?"
Zheng Quan and others also stood in front of Song Jiyun.
Song Jiyun, however, pushed through the people in front of her, and looking down from her superior position, she gazed coldly at Song Tao, "You’ve done so many bad things, why should anyone else have to indulge you, tolerate you, forgive you?"
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