The Canglong Empire's Royal Palace was usually peaceful. Eunuchs scurried about, attending to the royal family's endless needs, while officials buried themselves in rivers of ink and documents within their offices.
Today, that peaceful routine was disrupted.
"Chief Eunuch! This little eunuch stole ginseng from the garden!"
The voice rang throughout a grand hall, adorned with luxuries of jade and gold most would never get to touch, a crowd clamored and hustled to find who made this declaration.
As the crowd gathered, the accuser came into view. An old eunuch, with a head of half-black, half-white hair; the eunuch was holding a young boy by their shirt.
"It's Eunuch Minde… that boy must have offended him somehow," someone from the crowd sighed.
"Such a pity… every eunuch knows not to offend that old snake," another lamented.
Zhou Mingxuan pushed his way through the sea of court officials and eunuchs, 'Ever since I arrived in this world, I've been reading books day in and day out! Finally, some entertainment!'
At the forefront of the hall, seated in a grand chair behind a desk buried under a mountain of papers, an old-man emitting an air of immortality spoke.
"Zhang Minde, for this accusation, do you have any evidence?" the old man said.
The accusing eunuch, Zhang Minde, straightened his posture and spoke with a tone of righteous authority, "Chief Eunuch, I solemnly swear that I found the ginseng underneath this child's sleeping mat! If I am lying, Heaven may strike me down where I stand! Here it is as proof!"
At that moment, an attending eunuch carried a bag into the hall and unraveled it. Contained within were 3 ginseng, cleanly picked.
'Does he believe presenting evidence without witness testimony will truly get this child punished?' Zhou Mingxuan thought, a chuckle escaping him.
Then, the Chief Eunuch spoke authoritatively, "I see. This evidence seems undeniable… this child is sentenced to death, by a thousand cuts!"
Just as Zhou Mingxuan's eyes widened in shock, the child held by Zhang Minde began to panic, "No! No, I really didn't steal it! Please reconsider, Sir Chief Eunuch!"
The Chief Eunuch waved his hand, his robe flowing as he did, "Take this one away, execute the punishment."
Soldiers flooded the grand hall, and the crowd began to disperse.
Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Objection!"
Zhou Mingxuan strode into the center of the grand hall, between the soldiers and the young eunuch, his dark eyebrows creasing as he thought, 'This is utterly ridiculous. I don't expect a fair trial here, but they didn't even let the kid speak!'
The dispersing crowd quickly reorganized itself, seeing that there were new developments. The Chief Eunuch behind his desk questioned, "And you are?"
Parotting the Chief Eunuch, Eunuch Zhang Minde asked, "Yes, who are you to interrupt official proceedings?!"
Zhou Mingxuan gestured for the soldiers to distance themselves from the child, his dark hair and blue robes swaying ever so slightly as he did.
"I am Zhou Mingxuan!"
Gasps rang throughout the hall, "That Zhou Mingxuan?"
"The book boy favored by the princess?"
"He dares to question the Chief Eunuch… does he not fear death?"
A hint of laziness could be seen on the Chief Eunuch's face, "A mere palace servant… why shouldn't I send you to be executed with the child?"
A smirk could be seen forming on Eunuch Zhang Minde's face, but he wisely chose to remain silent.
"Because," Zhou Mingxuan said coolly, "I dare to say this judgment was unjust! Our Canglong Empire could be considered many things, but never could it be unjust!"
"Then, do you wish to defend this child? If we come to the same conclusion, you shall share his punishment," the Chief Eunuch said.
Zhou Mingxuan stepped forward, slightly bowing, "I, Zhou Mingxuan, will act as this child's counsel."
The Chief Eunuch simply nodded, granting him permission to continue. The young eunuch's eyes glimmered with hope.
'I came here after finishing my apprenticeship of law… in this world, I should be considered the one with the sharpest tongue, no?' Mingxuan thought as he deduced a route to saving the child before him.
"Chief Eunuch Sir, there are plenty of problems with the presented evidence, and we must consider them before punishing the child," Mingxuan began.
Zhou Mingxuan continued, "First, there are no witnesses! How can we trust evidence where the only witness is the accuser?"
Suddenly, Zhang Minde barked, "Are you questioning my conduct? Do not forget, I swore, if I had lied, the Heavenly Dao would have struck me down!"
Mingxuan continued, calm as ever, "Second, the oath taken by the accuser has an explicit loophole! Eunuch Minde swore to have found the herbs under the child's sleeping mat, but said nothing of witnessing the child steal the herbs!"
Veins seemed to be forming on Zhang Minde's forehead as he gnashed his teeth.
"And third," Mingxuan asserted, "this crime carries no intent. The question we must ask is 'why would a young eunuch steal herbs?' The answer, there isn't one! Every eunuch is provided with resources more than sufficient for their cultivation in their monthly stipend!"
The Chief Eunuch raised his white eyebrow, questioning, "You speak of intent, what intent could be found for a well-respected, senior eunuch to risk their reputation over a mere child?"
'Sure, ignore everything else I said!' Mingxuan thought frustratedly.
"Chief Eunuch Sir, every point is up for debate," Mingxuan gave a slight bow, "The child may be guilty, or Eunuch Minde may carry a deep grudge. However, we must presume that the accused is innocent until proven guilty!"
Suddenly, Zhang Minde started to speak. "But-!"
"Zhang Minde, be quiet!" the Chief Eunuch ordered before the words could escape Eunuch Minde's mouth.
Eunuch Minde still stood behind him, holding the child, but Mingxuan could sense the anger boiling on his face.
The Chief Eunuch began, "Book Boy, your tongue is sharp. I can see now why Little Xinyue favors you so. You may have been reckless, but justice has been found in this court. The child will be absolved of their crimes lest any further evidence comes to light!"
Mingxuan maintained his calm, deepening his bow slightly, "Thank you, Chief Eunuch."
Zhang Minde visibly cringed, looking at the floor as he walked out of the grand hall. Zhou Mingxuan too, was going to leave, but the Chief Eunuch quickly interrupted his actions.
"Book Boy Mingxuan, this little eunuch may have been falsely accused! In such a situation, you simply leave?"
Mingxuan was confused, but questioned, "What would you like me to do, sir?"
"This young man will be left in your care until we figure out the guilty party!" The Chief Eunuch declared.