Ch 197: Is There Really Such a Good Thing? [QT]

A few ghosts floated around the General’s Residence searching for Shen Yunxuan and the others, but after failing to find them, they quickly left. Meanwhile, the officials from the magistrate’s office spent a long time scouring the area before collecting the bullet casings from the ground and calling in a Taoist master they were acquainted with for an inspection.

The Taoist master carefully examined the residence and frowned. “There are traces of a powerful formation here, and residual Yin energy suggests that a large number of ghosts were present.”

Stopping at the altar, he added, “Someone performed a ritual here to send spirits to the afterlife. The ghost official came and took the souls away.”

The master’s expression grew solemn. “For the ghost official to have personally come here, something serious must have happened. Have you discovered anything else?”

The officials shook their heads. With no further leads, they had no choice but to seal the General’s Residence, forbidding anyone from entering, and return to the magistrate’s office to deliberate.

The next morning, terrified screams erupted all across the capital.

“Something terrible has happened! The master and madam both had strokes! Hurry, call a doctor!”

“It’s over! The young master and his concubine drowned in the pond—so much blood!”

“My god, why are there people hanging at this household’s gate? And why is the one in the middle completely naked?”

“Isn’t this the family home of Consort Xian? This is disgraceful! They’ve brought shame upon their family!”

“Wait… isn’t the one in the middle Consort Xian’s nephew? He… did he… was he castrated? Ah! It’s all destroyed!”

“What on earth is happening? Someone call for help! That scholar next door is lying in a pool of blood in his courtyard, and… there are words carved into his face!”

“Let me see… ‘wang ba’… Oh no, his tendons have been severed!”

Similar cries of horror echoed throughout the city as people finally saw what Shen Yunxuan had done. The illusion spell she had cast had worn off, and now, the truth was laid bare.

At the same time, notices appeared on the walls of both the magistrate’s office and the city gates. The notices were extremely long, drawing large crowds of literate citizens who began reading them aloud.

The notices were written in the official format of an imperial document, listing the crimes of each individual who had been punished. At first, people assumed it was an official government decree. When they realized it was not, they grew skeptical, but some of the crimes described had known witnesses who confirmed their truth. This greatly increased the credibility of the notices.

News quickly reached the imperial court, and the government dispatched officers to disperse the crowds and tear down the notices. However, the information had already spread from person to person, causing an uproar throughout the capital.

“Did you hear? One of them worked with his concubine to poison his wife. Could that really be true?”

“My cousin’s sister-in-law was a servant in that household. She said the first wife never came out of her room for days before she died—she was probably imprisoned and tortured. The cruelty is unimaginable.”

“I know that family! They reported the incident this morning. That man and his concubine drowned in the pond, and the old couple had strokes—they’re bedridden now!”

“What? Then does that mean everything in the notice was true? Does that mean… they’re all dead?”

“I can confirm one of them. I just came from there—Consort Xian’s entire family was found hanging at their gate. The notice mentioned that the nobleman who kidnapped and assaulted women… well, let’s just say his lower half was destroyed before they strung him up.”

“Wasn’t Consort Xian mentioned in the notice too? It accused her of framing Consort Shu. Poor Consort Shu was pregnant at the time and was banished from the palace. Her entire family was killed.”

“Wait, does that mean Consort Shu’s family was murdered by Consort Xian?”

“Who knows? But according to the notice, Consort Xian committed many crimes. It even includes a confession from her own relatives, complete with their handprints as a seal.”

“Who did all this? Who dared to go against Consort Xian?”

“Whoever they are, they must be fearless. They didn’t just kill—some were left crippled! I heard that a scholar who was preparing for the imperial exams had his hand tendons cut. He’ll never be able to write again.”

“That’s brutal.”

“And that’s not all. They also carved the word ‘wang ba’ onto his face.”

“Wait… wasn’t there a man in the notice who abandoned his first wife, let her die in childbirth, and caused the death of both mother and child? If that’s him, then he deserved it!”

The magistrate’s office was quickly overwhelmed as people crowded in, reporting incidents that had never been seen on such a scale before. Seeing the sheer number of terrified citizens, the officials immediately realized this was a major crisis.

People gathered at the magistrate’s office, eager to learn the full story. For the first time in the history of the capital, the streets were completely jammed with citizens. Officials were dispatched in all directions to investigate, but with crowds running back and forth to see the aftermath for themselves, the rumors only spread faster.

It became clear that every single person mentioned in the notice had met with disaster. Not one had escaped.

Meanwhile, ministers preparing for the morning court session discovered unexpected letters waiting outside their doors. Upon reading them, their expressions turned to shock.

The letters detailed Consort Xian’s crimes and, most alarmingly, claimed that Consort Shu’s son was still alive.

A prince. The emperor’s own bloodline, lost outside the palace.

This was an earth-shattering revelation. The current emperor had only two sons. If this child was truly of royal blood, his status would be incredibly precious. If Consort Shu had indeed been framed and the emperor learned of it, he would surely feel immense guilt toward this lost son—elevating the child’s importance even further.

Some ministers who had previously supported Consort Xian initially considered warning her. But then they hesitated. Why had these letters been sent to them? Were they the only ones who had received them? A quick investigation revealed that the letters had been delivered to everyone—even the magistrate’s office and the grand state preceptor had received them.

Realizing this, those who had ties to Consort Xian hurriedly severed all connections with her, fearing for their own safety.

During the morning court session, an upright and incorruptible senior censor stepped forward and presented a letter.

The gathered officials felt a wave of unease and instinctively lowered their heads. The censor spoke sternly, “Your Majesty, I have a matter to report. This concerns Consort Xian, the late Consort Shu, and even the imperial bloodline. The implications are grave. I beseech Your Majesty to investigate this matter thoroughly.”

He then handed the letter to the emperor and summarized its contents.

As the emperor read, the entire court remained silent. The officials could clearly sense his rising fury. The chief eunuch, standing closest to the throne, broke into a cold sweat. The letter had named him, revealing that he had been secretly working for Consort Xian, even assisting in the plot against Consort Shu.

But how could anyone have known? He had been incredibly discreet—yet now his actions had been publicly exposed.

His legs gave out, and he fell to the ground, pressing his forehead to the floor. “Your Majesty, I have been wronged! I have never done such a thing! Please, Your Majesty, investigate this carefully!”

The emperor’s eyes flickered with shock as he read the letter. His first instinct was to dismiss it as nonsense, but the numerous accusations all tied back to Consort Xian. If all of this were true, then her influence in the harem was far too great.

Out of an instinctive sense of caution for his own safety, the emperor knew he could not simply ignore the matter. Even if he did not fully believe it, he could not afford to overlook it. Without hesitation, he ordered the immediate arrest of the two witnesses mentioned in the letter and commanded that no one in the palace be allowed to leave their quarters.

The first witness was a palace maid who had accidentally discovered the truth but had kept silent out of fear. After her death, her ghost had encountered other spirits and learned from them that a living palace maid had once secretly mourned Consort Shu, sobbing while apologizing for not speaking up.

The second witness was a junior eunuch from the imperial aviary. He had been in a clandestine relationship with one of Consort Xian’s trusted handmaidens. That handmaiden had never revealed any secrets, but once, while drunk during a rare day off, she had inadvertently let something slip. That was how the junior eunuch learned the truth.

Years ago, Consort Xian had already silenced or eliminated all known witnesses. She had no idea that these two still held knowledge of her crimes. That was why Shen Yunxuan had specifically named them in the letter.

Both individuals were currently on duty and were quickly brought to the imperial hall.

The atmosphere in the grand hall was overwhelming. The majesty of the imperial court only deepened their terror, and both of them knelt trembling on the floor.

The emperor ordered the Minister of Justice to interrogate them. The palace maid was so frightened by the scene that she immediately assumed the emperor and the court officials already knew everything. In her panic, she no longer dared to keep silent and confessed everything she had seen.

She had originally been helping another maid deliver something to Consort Xian’s palace. On her way out, she realized she had dropped a hairpin and went back to look for it. While searching behind a tree, she had overheard Consort Xian’s trusted eunuch conspiring with another person, instructing them on how to frame Consort Shu.

The junior eunuch from the aviary initially tried to feign ignorance. But after hearing the palace maid’s testimony and realizing that the letter also exposed his secret relationship with Consort Xian’s handmaiden, he knew he had no way out. If he did not provide useful information, he would certainly be executed for his improper conduct alone. Left with no choice, he revealed everything he had overheard and later confirmed through conversations with the handmaiden.

With both witnesses testifying against Consort Xian, the court fell into dead silence.

Consort Xian was the most favored consort in recent years. This was no minor scandal—this was a royal scandal.

Who had the audacity to write such detailed and incriminating letters? And how had they managed to deliver them so secretly to every high-ranking official’s door?

At that moment, the officials investigating the source of the letters returned. Bowing hastily, one of them reported, “Your Majesty, based on our findings, these letters appear to have been written by a Taoist master. The writer used magic to ensure that no one noticed their delivery.

Furthermore, at the same time these letters appeared, numerous criminal cases across the capital were exposed. Notices listing the crimes of various individuals have been posted at the city gates and outside the magistrate’s office. The notices claim that those named have already been punished.”

Copies of the notices were brought before the emperor. The more he read, the more disturbed he became.

There had been this many cases of injustice and brutality within his own capital?

His voice turned sharp. “Are the claims in these notices true?”

One of the investigators stepped forward and replied, “The details are still under investigation, but based on our initial findings… nearly all of them are true.”

The situation outside was already spiraling out of control. The investigator had personally witnessed the chaos unfolding in the city. Many of the cases mentioned in the notices had already been confirmed by people who had come forward. Based on everything he had seen, he believed the accusations were genuine.

He then reported the strange occurrences at the general’s residence and added that even skilled Taoist masters had been unable to trace who was behind these events.

Just as they were discussing the matter, another official rushed into the hall and knelt before the throne. “Your Majesty! A report has just been filed regarding a massacre in Willow Village, just outside the capital.

Last night, thirty-seven people were burned to death, forty-eight were severely injured, and twelve remain unconscious. The survivors claim that a judge from the underworld descended upon the village to enact divine retribution.

The twelve unconscious individuals say they were thrown outside the village before the judgment began. When they woke up, they found that nearly everyone else had met a gruesome end. Beside them, they discovered an official document listing crimes, which they have now brought to the capital to file a case.

These people say they were kidnapped and forced to live in the village. Meanwhile, the severely injured survivors are in a state of extreme terror. They claim that the thirty-seven who burned to death were also tormented by vengeful spirits during their final moments.

“Additionally, a corpse was found in the mountains behind the village. After identification, it has been confirmed as Taoist Master Li, who frequently worked for the wealthy and powerful. Also discovered nearby was the corpse of a zombie.”

The emperor ordered the document to be brought forward. As he read through the long list of crimes committed by Taoist Master Li and his cohorts, his expression darkened.

Willow Village was located right outside the capital, and yet such horrifying atrocities had taken place there.

This was not just a failure of governance—this was his failure as an emperor.

The events of the day had been a direct humiliation for the emperor. His most urgent priority was to confirm whether these accusations were true, find out who was responsible, put an end to the spreading rumors, and, most importantly, locate the child that Consort Shu had given birth to.

Taking a deep breath, the emperor ordered all relevant departments to immediately investigate the matters outside the palace. As for what was happening inside the palace, he commanded that the chief eunuch be taken for interrogation, all of Consort Xian’s attendants be arrested, and Consort Xian herself be placed under house arrest. At the same time, her family was to be thrown into prison for a thorough investigation.

Just as the court was dismissed, the Grand State Preceptor hurried into the palace, his face showing an unusual trace of excitement. The ministers exchanged glances—such a major incident had just occurred, so why did the preceptor look so pleased?

Upon seeing the emperor, the preceptor immediately requested that all others be dismissed. Once they were alone, he spoke excitedly, “Your Majesty, congratulations! A great benefactor has intervened, and the Purple Star is about to return to its rightful place. This is a divine blessing upon our dynasty!”

The emperor, still in a foul mood, was startled by this declaration. “A benefactor? The Purple Star?”

The preceptor handed over a letter, different from the ones received by the other ministers. This one specifically mentioned the Purple Star.

He explained, “Many years ago, I had foretold the descent of the Purple Star, but its light was weak and quickly disappeared. I was never able to deduce its full meaning, and I have always felt ashamed of that.”

The emperor recalled this prediction. Years ago, the preceptor had indeed spoken of it, but since no further insight had been gained, he had dismissed it as an error in calculation. Now, hearing this again, his mind stirred. “Are you saying… Consort Shu’s son is the Purple Star incarnate?”

“Precisely!” the preceptor declared. “When I received this letter, I immediately performed another calculation and confirmed that the Purple Star has reappeared in the world. This benefactor has stepped forward to uphold justice—this is a most auspicious sign! I request Your Majesty’s permission to personally bring the Purple Star back to the palace.”

The Purple Star was said to be destined for emperorship. A figure like this might not appear for a thousand years, yet it had now manifested in his reign. There was no way the preceptor would miss the chance to retrieve him.

The emperor’s mood improved considerably. Could it be that all this chaos had been the result of divine intervention? If the Purple Star was his son, did that not prove that his rule was divinely sanctioned? Otherwise, the child would have been born elsewhere and led a rebellion against him—why else would the heir of the heavens have been reincarnated as his own offspring?

Moreover, if he considered things from another angle, if the crimes listed in the reports and notices were true, then the appearance of this benefactor had just conveniently eliminated several dangerous individuals. It was a thorough cleansing of the court’s corruption—especially those connected to Consort Xian.

Although she was his favored consort, if she had truly engaged in deceit and treachery, and if her entire family had been involved in wrongdoing, then their downfall would ultimately be beneficial to both the court and the imperial harem.

The emperor sat back, his anger dissipating significantly. “Very well. I entrust you with the task of finding the prince and ensuring his safe return to the palace.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The preceptor wasted no time in setting out. He had already learned that the Purple Star had barely escaped assassination. The recent chaos had been orchestrated by the benefactor to catch Consort Xian and her allies off guard, ensuring that the emperor’s people found the prince first and protected him.

A ruler born under the Purple Star was destined to face trials and dangers but would always have powerful protectors and benefactors by their side. Now, the preceptor himself had become one of those protectors, willingly devoting himself to safeguarding the prince’s safety.

Still, he was deeply curious about this mysterious benefactor.

Having spent too much time calculating the fate of the Purple Star, he had arrived at court later than expected. On his way to the palace, he had heard the shocking news spreading through the capital—this benefactor had accomplished all of this in just one day, then vanished without a trace before the city’s Taoist masters could even react.

Who was this benefactor? What level of power did they possess?

Would they ever reveal themselves again?

Would he ever have the chance to meet them in this lifetime?

Meanwhile, as officials conducted their investigations, they confirmed that the crimes listed in the public notices were all real. The people who had died or been injured had indeed committed the atrocities described. Those who remained alive broke down during questioning, begging for mercy, claiming to have seen the ghosts of their victims, and swearing that a female Taoist master had intervened to bring justice on behalf of the spirits.

At the same time, survivors from Willow Village insisted that the one who delivered justice was a judge from the underworld.

Taoist masters who examined the general’s residence sensed the presence of ghost officials and evidence of a large-scale ritual for the dead. They silently agreed that this must have been the work of a judge from the underworld.

Otherwise, how could someone appear and disappear so suddenly? How else could they command ghost officials? Even the grand state preceptor had been unable to trace this person’s whereabouts.

What’s more, the survivors had spoken of strange “weapons”—objects that fired deadly projectiles with incredible power. None of the Taoist masters had ever heard of such weapons before. Perhaps, they speculated, these were the judge’s divine instruments.

Even Lin’er, the child whose soul had been stolen and later returned, was believed to have been saved by the judge. Investigators concluded that the judge had sensed the boy’s fate was not yet sealed and had personally intervened to restore him.

The name “Judge” quickly spread.

Soon, even the common people began whispering about this mysterious figure.

Criminals suddenly grew fearful, wary of committing further evil lest they be judged. Meanwhile, those who had suffered injustices found renewed courage, believing that true justice existed in the world.

“If the judge is real,” they murmured, “then justice must be real too. Why should we resign ourselves to despair?”

“If the worst that can happen is death, then so be it. Even in death, we can seek justice from the judge.”

Noticing this shift in the people’s mentality, the emperor was momentarily stunned. Then, he murmured, “This benefactor is truly extraordinary.”

Even matters of governance had become easier to handle.

For instance, Chen Shi’s request for divorce had initially been a difficult matter. There was no precedent for a woman seeking to divorce her husband. However, due to the growing influence of the judge’s reputation, the magistrates took special interest in her case.

Upon investigating, they uncovered that Madam Feng had a history of attempting to marry into wealth. She had failed before but had eventually taken in an amnesiac man, claiming to have saved his life, and used that debt to marry him as an equal wife.

Madam Feng had bribed the household servants to frame Chen Shi’s trusted maid, Cui Tao, accusing her of having an illicit affair. This not only ruined the maid’s reputation but also tarnished Chen Shi’s name. She repeatedly schemed against Chen Shi, causing her husband to misunderstand her and instead pity Madam Feng. Emboldened by her success, Madam Feng grew more daring and eventually conspired with Taoist Master Li to take Lin’er’s life—only to have her crimes exposed by the Judge.

The magistrate began investigating from those closest to Madam Feng and finally uncovered the full truth. She was thrown into prison. The court ruled in favor of Chen Shi’s request for divorce and, due to her husband’s negligence—imprisoning Chen Shi and nearly causing her death—he was sentenced to eighty severe strikes of the cane. Additionally, since Chen Shi had suffered great injustice and nearly lost both her own and her son’s life, the court awarded her and her child seventy percent of the family’s assets.

The entire capital was shaken by the verdict.

A divorce—not only did she reclaim her dowry, but she also won the majority of the household’s wealth. Her husband and his so-called equal wife had suffered severe punishment; after receiving eighty strikes, the man was left crippled, while the woman imprisoned had no future left.

The harsh penalties sent a clear message. Many men immediately restrained themselves, becoming wary of mistreating their lawful wives. Many concubines also became more cautious, no longer daring to overstep their bounds. Meanwhile, women in proper marriages rejoiced and thanked the Judge.

When some women discovered that a small, dilapidated temple in the outskirts was being used to worship the Judge, they took action. Wealthy women donated money, while others contributed their efforts. Slowly but surely, the broken-down temple was renovated and turned into a shrine, where incense was burned in honor of the Judge.

A few spirits, witnessing this, were immensely pleased. In secret, they covered the Judge’s statue in gold. When the people saw that the temple’s statue had transformed into a golden figure, they believed it to be a divine miracle. Their faith deepened, and even more people came to worship.

From that moment on, the Judge became a legend in this world.

🌸˚˖𓍢ִ໋🌷͙֒✧🩷˚⋆