Ren Ye planted his feet firmly on the footrest, his hands gripping the icy armrests of the throne. He forcefully suppressed the emotions threatening to overwhelm him, pushing aside thoughts of the original owner's past idiocies.
Calm.
The more desperate the situation, the calmer you must be.
First, Ren Ye didn't fully understand the specific rules and mechanics of this "large-scale narrative role-playing" Star Gate. But one thing was certain: he couldn't lose, couldn't stay passive. Huang Wei had explicitly stated that in the previous consecutive missions, four players had already died…
One wrong step meant utter ruin.
Second, his current identity as the "Worthless Prince of Huai" held zero authority over the officials present. Even the personal guards at the door likely wouldn't obey him. Meaning, to survive this forced abdication attempt, he had to find a point of leverage he could control.
What point could he control?
Ren Ye's gaze swept slowly across the grand hall, finally settling on Wang Jingzhong. After a long moment of thought, he imitated the cold, detached tone of a former deputy bureau chief from his old unit: "Accused of treason. Do you have anything to say?"
The emotionless question echoed in the hall. Wang Jingzhong, covered in wounds, turned his clouded eyes towards Ren Ye.
They locked eyes for several heartbeats. Ren Ye felt a slight easing of tension inside. His question had been a test – a probe of Wang Jingzhong's character, to see if he would betray him right here in this hall. The look Wang Jingzhong returned was one of unwavering resolve… and deep shame.
In that moment, Wang Jingzhong also interpreted Ren Ye's question in his own way. Kneeling, his wounds throbbing, his mind flooded with memories: fighting side-by-side with the previous Prince of Huai on the bloody battlefields of the Southern Frontier…
The white-haired Wang Jingzhong, shackled hand and foot, his frail, aged body imprisoned, still struggled to straighten his posture. He lifted his gaze towards the Princess Consort – Xu Qingzhao.
The noble, coldly beautiful Princess Consort, clad in robes of the Great Ultimate, exuded an ethereal aura. As Wang Jingzhong looked at her, her eyes remained placid as still water, as if everything happening here was utterly beneath her notice.
"I do have something to say," Wang Jingzhong's powerful voice boomed through the Hall of Preserved Heart.
Ren Ye frowned slightly. "What do you wish to say?"
Wang Jingzhong knelt, his neck unbowed, tears welling in his clouded eyes. "I remember the fiery steeds and exotic beauties of the Southern Frontier! I remember sharing three cups of scalding wine with the late Prince before leading our troops into the enemy ranks, vowing victory or death! I remember standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him on Qingliang Mountain, swearing to protect every inch of the Great Qian's territory! Now… the Prince is gone. And I am old… My hands can no longer lift a sword, my body can no longer bear armor. How can this decrepit, senile old man cause trouble for my young lord?!"
His impassioned shout reverberated through the hall.
Ren Ye stared at the kneeling, white-haired old warrior, an unexpected pang of sorrow striking his heart. He knew the man had misunderstood his intent.
"Your servant goes now to his death! May my young lord one day lift the Sword of State Protection once more!!!" Wang Jingzhong closed his eyes and roared.
Liu Jishan was the first to react. Like a frantic clown, he jumped up, shouting: "Stop him! The old wretch means to kill himself!"
Outside the hall, the two columns of royal guards remained motionless. Some, understanding the meaning behind Wang Jingzhong's words, felt their eyes sting.
"My lord enters the hall! This old servant pays his respects!"
Wang Jingzhong straightened his body once more and shouted the formal greeting. Then, with utmost reverence, he slammed his head towards the stone floor.
"Swish, swish!"
At least seven or eight officials lunged forward simultaneously, trying to grab Wang Jingzhong's body.
"CRUNCH!"
His head struck the ground with devastating force. The stone slab cracked; blood, red mixed with white, instantly spread across the floor…
The aged body remained in its kneeling posture, but his head… was shattered alongside the cracked stone, leaving only the spreading warmth of his blood.
He had trained in martial arts since childhood, possessing immense strength. Resolved to die, how could a few scholars possibly stop him?
Silence descended on the grand hall once more. The officials were stunned, utterly unprepared for Wang Jingzhong to break the deadlock with his own life. Had he abandoned his family? Ren Ye was equally stunned. He truly hadn't anticipated that one simple question would drive the old general to dash his own brains out on the floor.
What kind of courage… what depth of loyalty did that take?! What kind of bond had he shared with the previous Prince?!
Those few seconds… those few sentences…
Instilled in Ren Ye, who moments ago had been solely focused on his own survival, a surge of uncontrollable rage and grief.
Was this really just a game? Every blade of grass, every brick, every person, every event felt agonizingly real.
The blood from the old general's skull was still warm as it stained the hall floor…
Liu Jishan stared at Wang Jingzhong's corpse with venomous coldness, consumed by hatred. He whirled around and shouted: "Your Highness! Though Wang Jingzhong is dead, treason is a grave matter! He must have accomplices! This subordinate petitions Your Highness to immediately arrest his entire clan and interrogate them under severe torture!"
Ren Ye heard the shout and snapped out of his daze.
His face icy, he turned his gaze towards Liu Jishan, his eyes unable to conceal pure loathing.
"Your Highness, we petition you to arrest Wang Jingzhong's clan members for rigorous interrogation!"
Over forty officials bowed in unison, their voices merging into a single, chilling demand.
They were forcing the issue again, united. It seemed their goal today was to strip the Prince of Huai of his princely robes completely, trample them, and ultimately find a "legal" way to eliminate him.
"The matter of investigating Wang Jingzhong's accomplices will naturally take time and can be discussed later," the Princess Consort suddenly spoke, her voice clear and detached, like wind chimes, as she leisurely set down her teacup. "Since all you esteemed ministers seem so fond of adjudicating cases, I too have one that requires the Prince's judgment."
The officials turned as one towards the Princess Consort's side, their expressions registering fresh shock. Since her marriage into the Prince's household, she had maintained an aloof, otherworldly demeanor, never once speaking out in court. Her intervention now felt profoundly abnormal.
The Princess Consort sat upright, her bright eyes sweeping over the assembled officials, her face as serene as ever. "Xue'er, read."
At her command, a maidservant in a jade-green dress, named Xue'er, stepped out from beside the Princess Consort's seat and walked slowly towards Liu Jishan.
Liu Jishan watched her approach, his shadowed eyes flickering with unease.
Maidservant Xue'er stopped two paces in front of Liu Jishan. She drew a folded document from her left sleeve, opened it, and began to read in a flat, emotionless voice: "Liu Quan, Magistrate of Records and Good Works. Sixth month, first year of Jingdi's reign. Accepted bribes totaling fifteen thousand taels of silver from merchant Qin Guangyuan in Qingliang Town, securing him advantages in the Qingliang Prefecture city wall repairs. Seventh month, first year of Jingdi's reign. Colluded with Southern Frontier generals, selling military intelligence including grain depot locations and reserves for forty thousand taels of silver. Witnessed by his personal attendant. Second year of Jingdi's reign. Liu Quan privately met with Southern Frontier envoys in the capital…"
Maidservant Xue'er recited the charges listed on the document like an automaton, her voice clear and penetrating, detailing each offense meticulously.
Liu Jishan's initial confusion turned to panic, then cold sweat drenched him. Finally, his legs gave way, and he collapsed onto his backside, his eyes wide with terror as they darted towards Chief Administrator Li Yan, pleading silently.
A chill ran down the spines of the surrounding officials. Today, the Princess Consort had clearly come armed.
When Xue'er finally finished reading, Liu Jishan was trembling violently. He scrambled to his knees, crying out: "Princess Consort! I am wronged! This is slander! Someone seeks to frame me! It must be Wang Jingzhong's accomplices! I beg Your Highness and the Princess Consort to…!"
"The charges Xue'er read are backed by witnesses and evidence," the aloof Princess Consort stated coolly, lifting a cup of clear tea. She turned her head towards Ren Ye. "Prince, how do you judge this case?"
Her question sent a jolt through Ren Ye's heart.
What is she playing at?
She hadn't even blinked when Wang Jingzhong died. Now that he was gone, she produced charges targeting the most vocal antagonist, Liu Jishan?
What was her goal? To use him as a tool? To incite further conflict? To ignite a deeper fire?
Ren Ye unconsciously rubbed his thumb and forefinger together, his mind racing…
"Princess Consort, Liu Jishan is a high-ranking imperial official. Even if guilty, he should be remanded to the Three Judicial Offices in the capital for trial!"
"Princess Consort, this is highly inadvisable!"
"...!"
A dozen officials, carefully weighing their words, stepped forward one by one, launching verbal salvos to protect their comrade.
Liu Jishan also stared at the Princess Consort in terror: "Princess Consort, I am being framed! This must be…!"
"Collaborating with the enemy? If this reached the Emperor's ears, who could protect you?" The Princess Consort's voice, though soft, cut through the noise. "Xue'er has twenty more scrolls in her sleeve. Shall I have her read them?"
Silence descended instantly upon the hall.
"Prince, can you adjudicate this case?" Xu Qingzhao's gentle inquiry carried an undeniable pressure. Her eyes held a challenging glint as she looked at Ren Ye. "If not, we can do as they suggest… send him to the capital. What say you?"
Ren Ye met her gaze, his own expression unreadable.
At that moment, the Prefect of Qingliang exchanged a swift glance with other officials, subtly nodding towards Ren Ye.
Swish, swish, swish…!
Another dozen officials stepped forward, their target unmistakably Ren Ye.
"Your Highness, Liu Quan was appointed Magistrate of Records and Good Works by His Imperial Majesty himself. His life and death are solely the Emperor's prerogative. He must be sent to the capital!"
"Your Highness, the situation in Qingliang Prefecture is complex. We cannot rule out the possibility of villains framing Magistrate Liu. If this matter is mishandled… if the Emperor were to punish…" A wizened official in his sixties paused, his voice dripping with menace, his eyes boring into Ren Ye like he was examining a trapped bird, "...some individuals might find their lives in grave peril."
"Your Highness, danger lurks everywhere in Qingliang! We must be vigilant! The Qingzhou Garrison within the city walls numbers five thousand men. If word of today's events spreads, causing unrest among the officials…" Another middle-aged official spoke, his threat even more brazen and unrestrained, "...who knows where blood will flow, or where the dead will be buried?!"
These court officials were cunning as foxes. They couldn't fathom why the Princess Consort had chosen today to act, nor did they know if she truly held evidence against others. None were eager to directly challenge the daughter of the Grand Secretary. But they dared to pressure the Prince of Huai, Zhu Zigui! His formidable father was dead. Within the Great Qian imperial clan, not a soul would claim kinship. And the Prince himself was notoriously useless. Pressuring him was the safe bet.
If he backed down, Liu Jishan would be saved.
Upon the throne, Ren Ye looked at these men, looked at Wang Jingzhong's kneeling corpse, heard their naked threats… and suddenly remembered something.
During his initial days in detention, as a former law enforcement officer, he'd been transferred for interrogation and custody per regulations – a strange city, no familiar colleagues, no visits from friends or family from his old unit.
For three months during the six-month pre-trial period, his life was hell. Cell bosses and prison bullies tormented him relentlessly. The reason was simple: his family couldn't send money. So what if you busted fraudsters? They made him scrub toilets. They had violent inmates slap him in the middle of the night. They forced him onto endless night shifts…
At first, Ren Ye just wanted to serve his time quietly, earn early release. But he learned: the evil in human nature cannot be tolerated. Absolute kindness doesn't bring repentance; it brings condescending charity.
If the bully was in a good mood, he might not hit you. If he remembered his mother, he might give you an extra bite. But if he was in a bad mood tomorrow? That "charity" vanished instantly.
So, Ren Ye endured for three months… and finally understood. He fought back for seven consecutive days. He went to solitary confinement twice, the infirmary three times, the hospital once… and then he was transferred. After that, no one in the entire detention center dared touch him again.
When someone tries to take everything from you, you must make them pay a price!
You cannot be easily plundered, easily oppressed. You must make them consider the consequences.
Swipe!
In an instant, Ren Ye stood up.
"Your Highness, if Liu Jishan is sent to the capital for trial, perhaps the Wang Jingzhong case can also be re-evaluated…" An official, seeing Ren Ye rise, mistakenly thought he was yielding and began to soften the demands.
Thud… Thud…!
Ren Ye ignored him. He descended the nine steps of the dais in four strides. He walked straight towards the entrance of the hall, approached one of the royal guards, and yanked a gleaming steel sword from the man's scabbard.
As he walked, the Princess Consort didn't look up. But when he drew the blade, a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.
The officials in the hall stared, dumbfounded, as Ren Ye gripped the sword.
Thud… Thud…!
Ren Ye strode rapidly towards Liu Jishan.
At his feet, Liu Jishan looked up from where he sprawled, trembling uncontrollably. "Y-Your Highness…!"
Ren Ye looked down at him, his gaze icy. "You heard the charges Xue'er read? Collaborating with the Southern Frontier since the first year of Jingdi? If we dig deeper… I fear we might pull up the radish and bring the mud with it."
Liu Jishan froze.
Ren Ye pointed the sword at him. "Listen carefully. I am going to cut you. You will not move. Move a single muscle, and I will use this evidence to execute your entire clan first!"
"Your Highness…!" Chief Administrator Li Yan, witnessing this, finally couldn't hold back. He stepped forward, shouting in protest.
THWACK!
Ren Ye brought the guard's sword down hard across Liu Jishan's face.
"AAAAAAGH!!!"
A blood-curdling scream tore through the hall. Liu Jishan clutched his face, writhing in agony.
THWACK!
Ren Ye swung again. Six fingers flew into the air as Liu Jishan instinctively raised his hands to shield his ruined face.
"Did you not hear my command?! YOU WILL NOT MOVE!" Ren Ye roared, his eyes bulging with fury as he swung the sword a third time.
THWACK!
The blade bit deep into Liu Jishan's back as he rolled on the ground, leaving a gash nearly half the length of the blade.
His body screamed to flee – don't move, you'll die! But a sliver of rational thought warned: She has evidence. Move, and your whole family dies.
Torn, he writhed pathetically, unable to fully comply, unable to fully resist.
THWACK!
Another blow. His right wrist split open, bone gleaming through the pulped flesh, blood gushing.
"Your Highness, spare me… please spare me…!" Liu Jishan finally broke, begging.
THWACK!
"You thought sitting on this throne, I had no preparations?! That I'm just a plaything?!!" Ren Ye bellowed, veins standing out on his forehead.
That single sentence froze every anxious, angry, or intervention-minded official in the hall. Their eyes snapped towards the Princess Consort.
What did the worthless Prince mean? 'No preparations'? Did that mean the Princess Consort was in league with him? That today's events were a counter-trap they had set together?
The implication was terrifying.
Officials stared at the Princess Consort, cold sweat beading on their brows, hearts pounding. They remembered her words: 'Xue'er has twenty more scrolls…'
Was that true?
The Princess Consort paid them no heed. She didn't contradict Ren Ye's implication. She simply sipped her tea, the picture of detached serenity.
On the floor, Liu Jishan's blood mingled with Wang Jingzhong's, spreading wider. Fingers, a severed hand… still warm.
Ren Ye hacked at him over a dozen times; he lost count. He only stopped when exhaustion hit him, wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve.
Swipe!
He caught his breath, turned his blood-spattered face towards the officials, and walked slowly towards the Prefect of Qingliang. His question was simple: "Do you find my adjudication… satisfactory?"
The Prefect gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, glancing at Liu Jishan lying barely conscious in the expanding pool of blood. "Y-Your Highness… dispenses justice with divine clarity!"
"Any other cases you wish me to adjudicate?" Ren Ye pressed.
"This official… feels somewhat fatigued. I request permission to retire."
Ren Ye shifted his gaze, using the bloody tip of the sword to lightly poke the shoulder of another official beside the Prefect. "And you? Any cases?"
The tip pierced skin; blood welled. The official dared not flinch. "N-No cases, Your Highness."
"Then court is dismissed."
Ren Ye dropped the sword with a clatter and turned back towards his throne.
Swipe!
The Princess Consort, Xu Qingzhao, rose. A sudden chill emanated from her beautiful face. Her sharp eyes swept over the assembled officials. Her voice, though quiet, carried like a blade: "While the Prince of Huai's residence stands, you all have your roles to play, your important positions. But should the Prince of Huai's residence… cease to exist…" She paused, letting the implication sink in. "Where, pray tell, in the dragon-and-tiger-infested capital, would you find another Prince to monitor? How would you continue to curry the Emperor's favor… and thus continue your corrupt practices so conveniently?"
Her blunt warning hung in the stunned silence.
"I simply prefer silence. I am not dead." The Princess Consort turned towards a side door, her parting words as cold as ice: "Do not push things too far. He is my husband, after all."
With that, she left the Hall of Preserved Heart, her maidservant following.
On the dais, Ren Ye took a handkerchief offered by an attendant and wiped the blood from his hands. "First, investigate Liu Jishan's entire family. As you said: Collaborating with the enemy is a grave matter. He must have accomplices."
He exchanged a glance with his personal eunuch, then hurried after Xu Qingzhao.