Chapter 46 (2/2)

They didn’t have to wait long before an official dressed in his purple robes, indicating his high ranks. Behind him, are two other officials dressed in green robes that signify that they are of lower rank than the purple-robed ones. In their hands are a few stacks of papers.

The official in purple glanced over at Lin Xiao’s group before he took his seat behind the desk and the two officials with him placed the papers on the table. The official in purple looked through the papers before finally speaking: “I am the official in charge of the case brought forward by Xia YuanFeng from the Xia family. It is a case of familial betrayal; assassination attempts as well as misusing his authority to threaten the public by Elder Xia HaoXiang. Hmm… this alone should be enough for the Patriarch to send them away in exile. Can Lord Xia tell me why he wishes for the Court to handle this case instead?”

As he was being called out, Xia YuanFeng stood up and went forward, giving the official a cusped hand salute. “Answering the Lord Official’s question, I simply thought that sending them away will not solve this problem in the long run. I believe that he has others help within the family and yet, he won’t say anything. Therefore, this lowly one can only ask Lord Official to help me solve this problem.”

“I see. You can return to your seat. Can I have the accused stand before me?” the official said and then, the guards brought Elder Xiang forward. Since Elder Xiang was the accused, he was forced to kneel before the official. “Elder Xia HaoXiang, do you have anything to say in your defense?”

“My lord, I was wrongly accused! Someone is plotting against me! And that someone is here right at this moment!” Elder Xiang said.

“Is that so? Can you please tell me who this person is?” the official asked and Lin Xiao suddenly felt that something was wrong.

“Martial Uncle, why do I feel like the progression of this court hearing is wrong?” Lin Xiao asked Xia YuanFeng.

“What do you mean?” Xia YuanFeng asked back.

Before Lin Xiao could answer, he heard his name and his master’s name being uttered by Elder Xiang and Lin Xiao’s expression turned extremely cold. He looked over at Elder Xiang who is currently looking at them with a sinister smile on his face.

“What blasphemy are you spouting?” Lin Xiao can’t help but ask. “You tried to kill Shizun and now you want to place the blame on Shizun? How about I cut off your tongue and see what nonsense you will spout next?!” Lin Xiao hissed as he stood up. He was just about to go to Elder Xiang’s side when he felt his arm being held in a tight grip.

“Xiao-er, calm your anger,” came Long YinLian’s soothing voice, quelling some of Lin Xiao’s anger.

Unfortunately, this reaction was all that Elder Xiang needed as the elder then turned back to the official. “My lord, did you see? That boy had wanted to cut off my tongue! I was only afraid that he will take my life away because his master told him so! The lord patriarch of my family wouldn’t believe me so I can only defend myself by sending the assassins out! This is all a self-defense!”

“Nonsense!” Lin Xiao roared out and Xia YuanFeng raised his hand up to massage his temple.

“Lin Xiao, listen to Ah’Yin and sit down. Calm yourself first because the way it is going, it seems that Elder Xiang wants to shift the blame on the two of you. The official will be asking you two soon, so just answer the question honestly. I don’t believe that Elder Xiang can shift the blame with all the evidence found but if you keep acting like this and the official found that you are dangerous, he may also hand out punishment for you,” Xia YuanFeng advised Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao could only grit his teeth as he sat back down and crossed his arm. His eyes stay on Elder Xiang, glaring daggers at him. If a look could kill, Elder Xiang would’ve died several times already.

While their court hearing was in progress, they didn’t know that outside the hall, everyone was in a panic. The reason for their panic was because the Emperor had arrived for a visit, without informing them in advance. They didn’t prepare anything so the small officials could only shake in fear as they kneel on the ground, thinking that they might be punished by the Emperor for their lack of preparation.