425 What to Do? (1/2)
”Mr. Hu, you must help me!” Eunuch Zhao grabbed his sleeves, almost shedding tears.
”It is hard for me too! Not only did I travel to this place without stopping for half a month, I can't even understand these barbarians' language. I can't find the person you're looking for, and the embassy said that you were here so I rushed over without even a sip of water.
”And look, these dogs blocked me outside! I said that I came with our emperor's orders but he just wouldn't listen! I've never been so wronged like this! It's fine if I have to stand out in the sun for a few days, but if I fail the Majesty, it would be horrible!
”Oh, right. Why are you here? Where is the duke? My eyes are failing me. Can you please show me?”
Mr. Hu's expression was extremely awkward. Under Eunuch Zhao's highly anticipating eyes, he pointed at Ye Qingxuan. Overjoyed, the eunuch rushed over and bowed.
”Duke, well met!”
Ye Qingxuan was silent. He was speechless and also could not say anything. After not hearing a reply, the eunuch looked up in confusion and squinted. ”Ah, what are you wearing…” Before he could finish, he saw the chains clearly and his face paled. ”You barbarians! What is this? How dare you? Hurry and unchain the duke! If this was in the East, all of you would be exiled!”
”Order in the court!” Borja pounded the gavel. ”Mr. Hu, what is this? This is the Sacred Court! Intruding the court is one thing. Yelling without any rules is another. Do Easterners not understand manners?”
”Wait, wait, this is a misunderstanding!” A priest drenched in sweat who had been chasing the eunuch finally ran in. He stopped the guards and spoke to Eunuch Zhao in basic Eastern language. The eunuch nodded in annoyance.
”Fine. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Since this is the court, then I'll follow the court's rules.” He waved at his men. ”Dismissed.”
Then his expression turned ugly. He pointed at Ye Qingxuan's chains. ”These must be taken off. Now! This is a serious political case. Mr. Translator, tell that guy pounding the hammer up there that if he can't give a proper explanation, the Aurora Empire will view it as humiliation from the Sacred City! Manners, does he understand?!”
The priest responsible for interpreting froze. He glanced at Ye Qingxuan and his face turned green when he saw the chains. Running over to Borja, he murmured something.
Borja furrowed his brows and loudly said, ”I don't care who this Easterner is. This is the Sacred Court and I am the judge. I make the decisions!”
”…What is that barbarian saying?” The eunuch was confused and looked to Mr. Hu.
The man was helpless. ”He said that he's judging the trial. He's the biggest.”
”Preposterous!” Eunuch Zhao's face changed. He walked over to the podium, got onto his toes, and yelled at Borja, ”The trial?! Huh? You? You're qualified?!”
Mr. Hu buried his face and wished he could disappear.
”What is he saying?” Confused, Borja looked at the eunuch who was yelling with spittle flying.
”He's insulting you! Don't mind that. I'll explain later but please get rid of the chains!” The interpreter wiped at his sweat. ”Otherwise, it really will become a diplomatic problem.”
Borja was stunned. His face darkened. ”This is my courtroom! I don't have to listen to others. If he wants to interfere, then give me the Pope's order. Otherwise, I won't listen!”
The interpreter's face darkened as well. His job meant being yelled at from both sides. Since Borja refused to listen, he would not hold back anymore. He awkwardly returned and told the eunuch, ”Judge Borja is judging the case now and refuses to retract his order.”
”How dare he!” The eunuch was furious. He pointed at Borja, roaring, ”What right do you have to judge him? Do you think that you're the minister of the Cabinet? Why don't you barbarians understand the rules?! Even if he has committed a crime, he should be prosecuted by us. Who do you think you are?”
The interpreter rolled his eyes. He skipped the insults and just said, ”According to the second amendment, the Sacred City should not interfere with a country's matters! According to the law, nobles should be judged by their own ruler. Ye Qingxuan's identity is sensitive. Judge Borja, please consider your decision carefully!”
Now, the confused Borja finally felt something was wrong. There was a hint of fear but he could not back out now. He could only keep going. ”As far as I know, the suspect is a musician without a nationality. There is no identity that the Sacred City recognizes. The law is inapplicable to him…”