Eunuch Baoquan flicked his sleeve, escaping Censor Wei Zhongren's grasp.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Imperial Censor?" Eunuch Baoquan questioned.
Censor Wei Zhongren simply stepped back, standing behind Zhou Mingxuan. Then, Mingxuan replied with a smirk, "I requested that the respected censor oversee our case today, Little Baoquan."
The old eunuch gnashed his teeth, every word that came out of Zhou Mingxuan's mouth was an insult.
But, he was experienced in palace politics. Eunuch Baoquan maintained a calm facade, and replied, "Fine. But what right does a little book boy have to accuse me of crime?"
The crowd of servants nodded in agreement, the difference in status was obvious.
"My status is irrelevant, I've come with an imperial censor. Today, we'll argue about anything but status. And, if the common people cannot accuse those of higher rank, is there any order in this empire?" Mingxuan retorted.
Although what Zhou Mingxuan said was against the culture of the palace, it wasn't untrue. Baoquan could only sigh, and make his point to the actual authority here: Wei Zhongren.
"Censor Wei… I must question your reasoning for appearing here today. I believe that any other eunuch or official would strike out if a mere mortal insulted a disciple of the Qingyun Sect."
Wei Zhongren nodded once at Eunuch Baoquan's point, "It's true that this would be the common reaction."
But, Zhou Mingxuan already prepared a response, "If that is true, we can prepare a case against those other eunuchs and officials in the future. The sins of many do not excuse yours!"
Presently, no servant present would dare to speak, so Zhou Mingxuan addressed them, "All of the servants present are mortals. Are you saying that their lives aren't worth a single disciple of Qingyun?"
Someone from the crowd shouted out, "When we joined the palace, we were promised protection!
"We serve the empire, not the sects!"
Murmurs began to spread through the crowd akin to a plague, and a shadow seemed to loom over Eunuch Baoquan's face.
He didn't underestimate the power of this collective group of servants, the gossip they spread could easily change the royal family's view of him.
Eunuch Baoquan quickly retorted, "What I did was in the interest of the imperial family!"
Censor Wei Zhongren's gaze sharpened, and he said, "Eunuch Baoquan, you dare to assume the interests of the imperial family?"
The old eunuch took a step back, and sweat began to drip down his back.
Then, Zhou Mingxuan continued, "Eunuch Baoquan, I have a single question for you: did you or did you not kill a mortal who only insulted a disciple of the Qingyun Sect?!"
Eunuch Baoquan simply said, "Kill?! This is slander! This eunuch simply meted out the appropriate punishment!"
Zhou Mingxuan's smirk transformed into a grin.
'A tea cup's time has passed… she should be here by now,' he thought.
Mingxuan gave Wei Zhongren a small bow, "This book boy here hopes to bring a witness to the stand. Eunuch Baoquan's words are provably false."
Censor Wei simply nodded, indicating he granted permission, causing Eunuch Baoquan to grimace.
Mingxuan flicked his sleeve, and said, "I call upon Madam Wang to spill out her grievances!"
Steps could be heard coming from the crowd, as the sea of servants parted, giving way to an older lady with a head of white hair.
Madam Wang's hands trembled, and hatred clouded her eyes as she gazed at Eunuch Baoquan.
Zhou Mingxuan prompted her to speak, saying, "Madam Wang's son was viciously murdered by Eunuch Baoquan."
He strode toward her, and held her up.
Madam Wang pointed at Eunuch Baoquan, "My son was no criminal! He didn't deserve to lose his life to your wretched hands! The last of my late husband's bloodline, gone! For what? He only refused to give way for the Qingyun Sect's Outer Disciple!"
Wei Zhongren raised an eyebrow at the old eunuch, questioning, "Well?"
"I-"
Mingxuan spoke up, interrupting Eunuch Baoquan, "Do you dare to claim that a grieving widow is lying? Do you dare accuse her of slander?"
The crowd of servants began to enter a frenzied craze once again, "If so, this Baoquan has gone too far!"
"If Madam Wang speaks true, no one is safe!"
"How many more must die before justice prevails?"
One servant even glared at the eunuch. Although his status wasn't low, some servants present were the same.
"It's a misunderstanding! That boy dared to escape punishment, and in the struggle," Eunuch Baoquan seemed to tear up, "...perished. It was truly an unfortunate accident."
Censor Wei gazed at Mingxuan, as if to say, 'If it truly was an accident… I can't do anything.'
Mingxuan strode toward the crowd, and addressed the response simply, "You called it a punishment before, but now it's an accident? Then why are there no official records of the situation?"
Someone from the crowd nodded, "If it was truly an accident, Sir Baoquan would have reported it to the higher-ups and taken the necessary punishment!"
Mingxuan continued, turning to glare at Eunuch Baoquan, "Under the Palace Statutes, it clearly states that any accidental crimes in the process of a Eunuch's work, such as improper conduct toward the royal family, defaming of the royal family, or harming mortals… must be reported directly!"
"I don't need to entertain this slander! I reported directly to the higher-ups and I received punishment!" Eunuch Baoquan barked as he tried to escape the courtyard.
A servant from the crowd quickly spoke up, "If it were reported, why haven't we heard anything of it?!"
However, before the old eunuch walked away, Censor Wei forcefully pulled him back.
"Do not leave during an official investigation, Eunuch Baoquan. Who did you report this incident to?"
Hearing the imperial censor's question, Eunuch Baoquan was flustered. He couldn't escape the snake-eyed man's grasp, clearly suppressed in cultivation level.
"That seems to be none of your business, Censor Wei," Eunuch Baoquan said, trying to pull his arm away, but failing.
Zhou Mingxuan then interrupted, "It most certainly is, Little Baoquan. Do you dare to name the person you reported to? Or… did you not report at all, and you're afraid that your lie will be exposed immediately?"
At Mingxuan's question, Censor Wei's grip on the old eunuch tightened.
Mingxuan continued, "So? What is it, Little Baoquan?"