The corruption trial was presided over by Empress Li Jun, who held full command of the court. Only those granted permission by Her Majesty were allowed to attend. Among them were Minister of Justice Yun Shu and Captain Wei, the officer who had led the investigation.
The accused, Wen Jiabao, entered the hall with his wife and children, kneeling before the Empress. Beside him, Zhang Yuan, an honest man caught in the middle of the scandal, kept his head lowered. In his heart, he still hoped Her Majesty would clear his name and spare him from the charges.
Just as the trial was about to begin, a palace eunuch stepped forward and leaned close to Li Jun. "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Nalan Wenzheng requests permission to enter."
Wen Jiabao's eyes lit up, as though he had just found a savior. His reaction did not escape Li Jun's sharp gaze.
She gave a slight nod. "Let him enter."
The great doors opened, and Prime Minister Nalan Wenzheng stepped inside, bowing deeply before the throne. Li Jun motioned for him to take a seat before beginning the proceedings.
"Zhang Yuan, after thorough examination, all reports and accounts have been found accurate. No evidence of corruption or misconduct has been discovered. Therefore, you are cleared of all accusations and may return to your duties."
Zhang Yuan quickly pressed his forehead to the floor, his voice trembling with relief as he repeated his praise over and over. "Your Majesty is wise… Your Majesty is wise… Your Majesty is truly wise!"
The Empress gave a small nod, then turned her gaze toward Wen Jiabao.
"Wen Jiabao, as Minister of Revenue, you have abused your position, committed corruption, and oppressed the weak. You are found guilty and will be punished…"
Before she could finish, Prime Minister Nalan Wenzheng rose from his seat.
"Your Majesty cannot sentence Wen Jiabao. This trial is based on incomplete records. The missing ledger has not yet been found. Moreover, Your Majesty has already seized his assets. I suggest the trial be postponed until the evidence is complete."
The hall grew tense, eyes shifting between the Prime Minister and the Empress, waiting to see how she would respond.
Li Jun smirked and raised an eyebrow. "Who said the ledger hasn't been found? Why are you all so certain?"
Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, even Wen Jiabao froze. He remembered clearly: the ledger was hidden in a place so secure that not even his own family knew where it was. How could the Empress possibly know about it? Doubt and unease began to chip away at his arrogance.
Nalan Wenzheng's gaze shifted sharply toward Yun Shu, his eyes cold carrying a murderous edge.
Yun Shu felt his chest tighten. Under that deadly stare, he lost his composure, panic flooding his face. He raised a trembling hand and stammered, "I… I don't know."
The moment the words left his mouth, Yun Shu realized something wrong. His face turned ashen, and cold sweat trickled down his spine.
"If the ledger truly exists, Your Majesty, then please present it in this court," Nalan Wenzheng challenged.
Li Jun snorted softly, the sound laced with contempt. She already understood the tangled web of collusion among them. "Which ear of yours heard me say the ledger has been found? I was clearly asking, who said the ledger has not been found?"
Her gaze slid toward Yunshu. "And it seems… Minister Yun was the one who told you everything."
Yun Shu's hands shook violently. The Empress was playing with words, and without realizing it, he had stepped right into her trap. His head lowered, wishing he could vanish from the hall entirely.
"Your Majesty," Nalan Wenzheng spoke again, "if the evidence is incomplete, the verdict would not be valid."
Li Jun's voice rose, her expression darkening with displeasure."Nalan Wenzheng, if you dare speak again, I will charge you with rebellion. Great Qi belongs to the Li family, not the Nalan family. My royal father was kind enough to let your clan from the former dynasty live… but I am not him."
The hall fell into a heavy silence.
Li Jun had learned the full history of the Nalan family from Shen Yuqing. Nalan Wenzheng had served three emperors across two dynasties. His power reached deep into the court, and few dared to stand against him. Even the Grand Emperor Jingwen, her father, had treated him with high honor.
Nalan Wenzheng's body shuddered. He stumbled back and collapsed into his seat, clutching his chest. No words came from his lips. the Empress's words had given him a heavy blow.
Madam Wen, wife of Wen Jiabao and niece to Nalan Wenzheng, suddenly cried out, "Uncle… don't trouble yourself for us. Let our family die together!"
Li Jun's smile deepened. "Madam Wen, I never said I would sentence you to death. Your husband committed grand corruption. How could I possibly let your whole family die so easily? The imperial treasury is in deficit, and your husband hid the private ledger, refusing to speak…"
Her gaze slid toward Madam Wen and her daughter. "I have decided to sell you and your daughter to a brothel. With beauties like you, the price will be high indeed."
She spoke casually, but the sound of her soft laugh chilled the air.
"As for your son…" Her eyes turned to Wen Jiasong. "He shall serve in the palace as a eunuch."
"Father.. no!" cried Wen Jiasong, the spoiled son, clutching his father's sleeve."Please… tell Her Majesty where the ledger is! I don't want to be a eunuch! Please, Father… please!"
"You lunatic Empress! Immoral and shameless!" Madam Wen cursed, no longer caring about her image. The sweat on her forehead betrayed her fear, and her eyes darted toward Nalan Wenzheng, who sat powerless and defeated.
Shen Yuqing clenched her fists. She did not agree with Li Jun's evil plan, a woman from a respectable family would rather die than face such humiliation.
Li Jun touched her chin and said without restraint,
"Madam Wen and Miss Wen's appearances are not bad… so today, I shall make an exception and let you enjoy the world's pleasure. Wait for me, I will contact the buyer."
Wen Jiabao could no longer bear the sight of his wife and children weeping.
Puff!
He suddenly coughed up blood, the crushing pressure from both his family's despair and the Empress's merciless words breaking him down.
"Don't… please…" he gasped hoarsely. "I'll speak… I'll tell Your Majesty where the ledger is…"
Li Jun's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"Mm… very well. Since Minister Wen has chosen to be sensible, I shall reconsider your sentence."
She exchanged a glance with Shen Yuqing, and the two women shared a knowing smile.
At the side, Nalan Wenzheng's face had turned as white as paper. His hand rose, pointing shakily at Li Jun in speechless outrage.
Yun Shu, who had been silent until now, tried to stand. His legs trembled so badly that he collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.
Li Jun glanced at the two trembling men and said with a straight face,"Hmm… looks like Prime Minister Nalan and Minister Yun are lacking vitamin D. Someone, take them outside to bask in the sun so their bones can grow stronger."
The imperial guards moved forward without hesitation. Though none of them understood what "vitamin D" was, they understood the Empress's true intention. They escorted the two ministers out toward the imperial garden.
Shen Yuqing unsure whether to laugh or sigh. The Empress had always ruled the court in her own unpredictable way.
Two hours later, a report came: both ministers had collapsed from heatstroke.
The empress received the news with a calm expression and promptly issued an imperial decree, granting them an extended leave of six months in consideration of their old age and declining health. She further ordered that once suitable replacements were appointed, the two would be formally retired.
And just like that, after decades of holding power, Prime Minister Nalan was quietly removed from court. The change sent shockwaves through the ranks of officials.
When the Grand Emperor later asked about the matter, Li Jun answered with a serene smile:
"They fell ill during the corruption trial, Father. I have arranged for them to rest."
Seeing that his daughter had not only recovered from the brink of death but had also begun managing court affairs with decisiveness and calm, the Grand Emperor felt greatly reassured. He said nothing further.