Before the Golden Hall, the Dragon-Awakening Drum was struck ten times in succession, and the Dragon-Alert Bell was rung nine times.
After the peals of bell and drum,
Under the astonished gazes of the entire court of civil and military officials, Jiang Chen strode up to the throne. After crying "Long live the Emperor," he began to voice his injustice. "Your Majesty, your subject has spent ten years in diligent study, honing both the literary and martial arts. This loyal heart of mine is witnessed by heaven and earth. Yet fate has crossed my path with a petty villain, causing me to suffer an immense grievance. Having no other recourse to seek justice, I can only come to Your Majesty to file a formal accusation. Your Majesty’s benevolence and virtue will surely see justice done for me."
"Lord Jiang, what has caused you such distress? Tell Us what injustice you have suffered."
"Your Majesty, it is like this..." Jiang Chen then recounted the entire sequence of events, embellishing key details here and of course. In the end, his accusations pointed squarely at Du Ruhai.
On this matter, Jiang Chen was completely justified and stood on solid ground. He felt no pressure whatsoever in stirring up a scene.
After listening, Eastern Lu pondered for a long while. "If it is truly as Lord Jiang has said, then you have indeed suffered a grave injustice. We have taken note of this. However, hearing only one side of a story leads to darkness. We must also hear the account from the Qianlong Arena’s side."
"I am willing to face Du Ruhai in direct confrontation!"
Jiang Chen’s personality was to fight for victory even when in the wrong. This time, he was entirely in the right.
Moreover, Du Ruhai had truly provoked him this time. Jiang Chen had already made up his mind to see this through to the bitter end with Du Ruhai.
Just as they were speaking, Du Ruhai arrived in a flood of tears. With snot running and tears flowing, combined with the glaring five-fingered handprint on his face, he had also conveniently loosened his topknot and disheveled his robes along the way. He entered in a state of total disorder, hair hanging loose.
Looking at him, one couldn't help but feel he was in a wretched state.
"This Du Ruhai is indeed an old fox. His acting skills are a cut above that kid Jiang Chen's, by more than just a little." Some of the ministers thought privately.
One had to admit, Du Ruhai's performance was even more exquisite and immersive than Jiang Chen's. The aggrieved look in his eyes, his desolate movements, combined with his disheveled hair and clothes—he was acting from head to toe.
"Your Majesty, this old subject is wronged!" Du Ruhai pressed his head to the ground, his buttocks high in the air, his tears flowing like a faucet turned on full blast.
"Lord Du, rise and speak." Before the assembled officials, Eastern Lu could not show favoritism.
In the Golden Hall, Jiang Chen did not cause a scene either. He stood coldly to the side, watching Du Ruhai put on his strenuous performance, mocking him silently in his heart. He felt nothing but contempt for this clownish Du Ruhai.
"Your Majesty, this old subject wishes to accuse this Jiang Chen of being lawless! He created a huge disturbance at the Qianlong Arena, assaulted the person in charge, and even bewitched and deceived Princess Gouyu into breaking ancestral rules and regulations. Your Majesty, this boy acted wildly during the Sacrifice to Heaven ceremony first, and now he challenges ancestral law afterward. This father and son from the Jiang family have committed grave crimes! Your subject implores Your Majesty to decree the execution of the Jiang family’s nine relations!"
Du Ruhai had reached his current position through a certain degree of official cunning. He naturally knew how to incite emotions, arouse public anger, kick someone when they were down, frame them, and pin heavy labels on people in order to crush the Jiang father and son completely.
However, he had calculated everything except the fact that Eastern Lu had already quietly listed the Jiang father and son within the royal camp.
Not only did this performance of his fail to stir Eastern Lu’s emotions, it actually made Eastern Lu a bit more wary of Du Ruhai.
It was some of the elders among the officials whose emotions were agitated by Du Ruhai’s display.
These were old fossils. They were already unhappy that Jiang Chen had gotten off without being beaten to death after his wild display at the Sacrifice to Heaven ceremony, seeing it as an ill omen.
Now, before his wounds had even healed, Jiang Chen went to create a disturbance at the Qianlong Arena, challenging ancestral law. In their eyes, this was simply rebellious and unfilial.
"Your Majesty, the Jiang father and son are this presumptuous and cannot be indulged!"
"Your subject concurs. This kind of evil trend must not be encouraged!"
Soon, two white-bearded elders jumped out to back him up.
Jiang Chen glanced at these two old men, then looked over at the Long Teng Marquis standing to the left of the hall, and fell into thought.
The Long Teng Marquis had a calm and indifferent expression, as if this matter had nothing to do with him whatsoever. In reality, with things having developed to this point, Jiang Chen could be certain that behind it all, it was definitely the Long Teng Marquis pulling the strings.
Du Ruhai performed his accusation, the two old men fanned the flames. Then a batch of lackeys would follow suit to support the tiger.
Everyone present was a prominent figure in the Eastern Kingdom. Where there was the Long Teng Marquis’s faction, there naturally had to be an opposing side.
"Your Majesty, this old subject has just heard the words of Jiang Chen and Lord Du, and finds the matter somewhat suspicious. Why not give them a chance to each explain themselves and clear their names? If Jiang Chen is at fault, national and family laws will surely not spare him. But if someone truly dared to cheat and tamper with the Qianlong trials, is that not also a challenge to ancestral law? Your subject believes we must not wrong an innocent person, nor let a single guilty one go free. This matter must be handled fairly and openly to give both parties a satisfactory account." This official was obviously a staunch supporter of the royal house, stepping out to help Eastern Lu out of his predicament.
"Indeed, that is also my meaning. Right now, all we have are their one-sided stories. Your subject believes we should let them tell their full stories and explain themselves." This was an official friendly to the Jiang family.
Eastern Lu pondered for a moment and nodded. "Very well. Lord Du, you may speak first."