Song Lianhe stood before the Injustice Bell, only letting Xuan Mei lower the mallet when Jing Ye emerged with his men.
According to the law, the striking of the Injustice Bell necessitated an immediate court hearing.
As the case involved royalty and high-ranking ministers, the presiding official was elevated from the Temple Chief to the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, Zhen Yongming.
In the courtroom, Ah Jun recounted the various tortures he had endured. As he spoke of the worst of it, his voice choked with sobs, and his thin shoulders trembled uncontrollably.
Song Lianhe gently stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Ah Jun, don't be afraid. I'm here."
Zhou Cangyan, seated to Zhen Yongming's right, raised a single eyebrow. His cold, dark gaze fell upon her slender, pale hand.
Ah Jun lifted his head and looked at Song Lianhe gratefully. "With you here, I'm not afraid."
