Chapter 490

Chapter 490

After nine months spent in his company, Luo-Luo thought herself well-used to Lord Husbands unconventional ways, but each subsequent verdict issued by the Justicar sent her deeper into her churning spiral of obstinate denial and bewildered disbelief.

Falling Rain, the former Number One Talent of the Empire and first ever Imperial Consort to outrank his spouse, was a criminal. There was no way around it. Initially, Luo-Luo had scoffed at the ostensibly fabricated charges and thought itd be a simple matter of proving Lord Husbands innocence, but one look at his expression was all it took to change her mind. Rather than alarm or confusion, she found grudging resignation etched across his face in their place, the reaction of someone whod predicted this outcome long ago and had no defence against the charges. How could this be? Why was Lord Husband, a prince of the Bekhai, riding around with a retinue filled with traitors and ruffians? Why was he, with all his brilliant and profitable ideas, looting bandit hideouts to embezzle the spoils? Why was he, with his shattered Core and frail body, being drafted into the army to command slave soldiers? Surely it would make more sense to just have him order Dastan and the other traitors to follow the commands of another?

Garbed in his black, judiciary robes and ornate, feathered headdress, the Justicar seemed an inhuman force unto himself as he named Lord Husbands co-conspirators and listed their respective fines. Luo-Luo only recovered from her shock when Tali and Tate came for the bears, tempting them out into the courtyard with warm hugs and sweet treats, though aside from brother-in-law Charok who followed them out to supervise, everyone else remained where they were seated. Her formidable glare promising pain and suffering, Mother-in-law Sarnai sat with arms crossed beside Sister Alsantset, whose glare was less terrifying, but not for lack of trying. Still as a statue, Great Hero Du sat in impassive silence, his wrinkled face set in a perpetual scowl and sharp eyes betraying nothing of his inner thoughts, but a flash of concern could be seen every time his gaze drifted over to his adopted granddaughter. Clutching Lord Husbands arm, Yans expression wavered between distressed and determined, but her body language spoke volumes to her true thoughts, instinctively sitting at an awkward angle to place herself between the Justicar and her beloved.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience

In contrast, Luo-Luo was sat to his left, but slightly back and away, not because she moved but because the bears needed the extra room to squeeze in around her. Regardless of the reasons, it painted her in a poor light, but she was too terrified to even move.

Realizing time was of the essence, she kept one ear on the proceedings and wracked her mind for a solution to this perfidious and perilous problem, but there was little she could come up with. Yang Jixing had played his hand perfectly, for not only would Lord Husbands life be in grave danger while serving on the front lines, the reputation hed established would become ashes in the wind once these verdicts became known, and even with all his charitable work and goodwill, it would be decades in the mending. Even if shed known about these issues beforehand, she didnt know what she couldve done to mitigate these damages, for Lord Husbands crimes were severe indeed.

Dastan Zhandos, who only days ago revealed himself as a Domain-capable Expert of the Empire, was in fact a rebel who fought alongside the Defiled in Sanshu. Even given mitigating circumstances, which they must have been considering the Magistrate saw fit to grant clemency, Dastan was still a traitor to the Empire and all the ideals it upheld, so it was unsettling for others to see him live out a life of... not luxury, but leisure. Some people might have already known, but Luo-Luo most certainly didnt, and it would undoubtedly be the same for most from Central or South, which meant they were in for a rude awakening. Few people were as universally reviled as traitors...

Then there was the matter of recruiting former bandits to his cause. While not exactly against the law, it struck a devastating blow to Lord Husbands standing. If one walks by the riverside, then ones shoes will eventually get wet, so for a man in his position to surround himself with cutthroats and marauders, it made it seem like Lord Husband preferred their company to upright and honest soldiers, an impression which would not sit well with the common people of the Empire. They wanted heroes to admire and role models to emulate, so to learn Falling Rain was little more than a bandit himself would be disheartening indeed.

As for the matter of looted goods... Well, this mattered slightly less than the others, considering most in his place would do the same, not to mention how word had already spread regarding Lord Husbands charitable works. The worst that could be said was that he gave away tools and technology, opened schools, and fed the hungry to soothe his guilt rather than out of the goodness of his heart, which was still more than anyone else ever did. Humanizing in a way, but still a crime, and many honest men and women would be sorely disappointed in Lord Husband.

Oh Mother in Heaven, how were they supposed to salvage this? The Justicar even implicated all of Lord Husbands mercantile partners in this mess, or rather the ones who remained steadfast after his downfall, placing them all under suspicion of laundering stolen goods or ill-gotten coin and ordered to present their records for Imperial inspection...

The first matter of business was for Lord Husband to establish himself as a cooperative convict, which of course meant he did the exact opposite before she had time to advise him. Is all this really necessary? Interrupting the Justicar mid-litany, Lord Husband sat slumped in his chair with arms crossed, shoulders slouched, and lips pursed, the very picture of disgruntled disinterest despite the serious nature of his crimes.

Incensed by Lord Husbands interruption and his lackadaisical attitude regarding his judgment, the Justicars eyes narrowed in barely restrained wrath. You believe upholding the Emperors Justice superfluous?

No, laws are a must and punishment a necessity, Lord Husband replied, audaciously pausing to sip his tea and give Auries head a pat. To clarify, what I meant was, why are you telling me about the crimes and punishments of parties not present? I take it theres a reason youre using my allies to threaten me?

Though appalled by his lacking manners, Luo-Luo had to admit he had a point, one shed missed in her horror over the current proceedings. Why was the Justicar taking the effort to inform them of his plans to prosecute their allies? Though these issues were tangentially related, the Disciplinary Corps were not so accommodating as to share their future plans regarding co-conspirators with prosecuted criminals. Unhappy at being questioned, the Justicar silently glowered for long seconds, but Lord Husband was not one to cower before the law, a warrior in spirit even if no longer in body. Huffing in irritation, the masked official flicked his flowing sleeves and crossed his arms, clearly displeased by his next statement. In light of your exemplary military service record and valiant sacrifice, the Disciplinary Corps is willing to offer leniency. Should Imperial Consort Falling Rain plead guilty to the above crimes and forfeit the rights to his Imperial Peerage, then aside from the loss of his rank and title, all penalties will be waived, fines rescinded, and investigations dropped in order to spare the Imperial Clans pride.

A threat? All this was a threat? How dare he? The officers of the Disciplinary Corps were Oath sworn to uphold the law and mediate disputes, so even with the Prime Ministers son to command them, a Justicar should never have stooped so low as to use these contemptible intimidation tactics.

Lord Husband evidently shared her disappointment as he shook his head and sighed before reaching over to take her hand and offer a reassuring smile. Much as she appreciated the gesture, he was sorely mistaken if he thought they still had a choice. Despicable as it was to discover the Disciplinary Corps were little more than the dogs of the Yang family, Lord Husband and the Bekhai had been deftly outmaneuvered by the Prime Ministers move, leaving them no choice but to accept the deal offered. The alternatives werent even worth considering, for it would mean outright rebellion, a crime which would see every one of their people killed or enslaved, and over what? Fiercely independent though the Bekhai might be, Luo-Luo didnt think it likely for them to rise up in arms to shelter traitors, former bandits, and an Imperial Servant, especially in light of the fact that Lord Husband was a verifiable criminal.

Considering the Justicar made no mention of keeping this matter private, this meant the name Falling Rain might soon become synonymous for spectacular failure, a man who rose to meteoric heights before being brought down by the weight of his sins. How disappointing, but today was a day for disappointment.

Then Id like to hear a second opinion. Shrugging, Lord Husband added, and a third, if possible. Dont you guys gather in threes to discuss big matters? Regardless of Dastans past crimes, he is now a slave and fights for the Empire as my personal property. It is not the place of the Disciplinary Corps to tell me how I should treat my slaves or where to order my soldiers. Whats next? Will a Justicar come tell me my servants rooms are too large, or my soldiers armour too fine?

A cunning move, changing the focus of the issue. Now it was no longer a matter of Dastan Zhandos the rebel living too well, but the Disciplinary Corps dictating how an Imperial Scion should behave. The facts remained the same, but the nobles of the Empire would wonder if an Official might visit them next. Seeing the issue, the Justicar glowered and said, You have the right to dispute this judgment, but the facts are not in your favour. We have documented proof you bribed Magistrate Chu Tongzu to secure the life of Dastan Zhandos and his retinue, though for what purposes, only you yourself know.

Ha! Slapping the table with a thump, Lord Husband scoffed and said, So returning stolen goods is bribery now? Seems like no matter what I do, its wrong. I gave Chu Tongzu a map to a bandit hideout containing goods stolen from the now defunct Council of Merchants, one I found off the corpse of a Defiled Butcher. Considering one third of the council was proven to be in cahoots with the Defiled and another third was forcibly dissolved for crimes of bribery and corruption, Id hardly blame the Magistrate for using those stolen resources to rebuild his war-torn city. Seeing the Justicars surprise, Lord Husband shook his head. Seems like your boss doesnt have all his facts straight. I figured as much when he demanded I hand over the subordinates of an Ancestral Beast. What a joke.

Eyes widening at this declaration, the Justicar stopped to consider the issue and likely inform his contacts through Sending. Having seen through Jixings plans, Luo-Luo used this opportunity to pull Lord Husband close and explain her findings, as well as share her thoughts on what he should do next. After a long, silent deliberation, the Justicar begrudging nodded his head and said, In light of these new facts, this Official will convene a hearing to discuss this case and pass new judgment on the matter of Dastan Zhandos and retinue. A small victory, but a fruitless one considering Yang Jixing could simply select three Justicars sympathetic to his cause to oversee the hearing. And the other matters? The bandits in your retinue and looted goods?

I have no bandits in my retinue, Rain declared, without a hint of a smile, and Luo-Luo was gratified to hear him take her advice. Only soldiers, men and women who have fought the Defiled in Sanshu and on the front lines. Criminal pardons in exchange for military service is a standard offer given to Martial Warriors, so if the Disciplinary Corps intends to sentence them for crimes committed before they entered my employ, then in the future, what criminal will choose to enlist? If you mean to arrest my people, then do as you please and I will respond on a case by case basis.

This was the crux of the matter, one Luo-Luo almost overlooked. Many soldiers had checkered pasts, and while Lord Husbands retinue might have more former bandits than most, they shared a part in his heroic exploits, most notably his recent record of sixty consecutive days on the front lines without rest, a record which still stood to this day. Prosecuting these soldiers for past sins would not sit well with the people of the Empire, for while traitors were reviled, redeemed villains turned heroes held a special place in many hearts. It would be foolish to act against them, which meant the Justicars demand was merely a bluff, one meant to put pressure on Lord Husband alongside the other, more relevant threats.

As for the matter of looting, like Lord Husband often said, it was only gold and they could always earn more...

Unfortunately, Lord Husband didnt heed her advice to admit to this last, minor crime, and instead broke into a grin. As for the matter of illegal looting, if you have proof I have stolen goods in my possession, then please present it and I will happily return the items, alongside their value in gold.

To Luo-Luos great surprise, the Justicar merely nodded and said, For now, this Official shall suspend judgment on all of the above crimes, pending further investigation. His piece said, the Justicar stalked out of the manor in a stately manner, leaving Luo-Luo blinking in disbelief. They had no proof whatsoever of looted goods? Impossible, Lord Husband had a warehouse full of exotic art which he gifted away like cabbage whenever he

...

Mother in Heaven, so thats why... having given so many of his ill-gotten goods away, if the Disciplinary Corps pushed the issue, then Lord Husband could force their hand and direct them to reclaim those priceless works of art, many of which were currently in the possession of Shen ZhenWu himself, thus allowing Lord Husbands Patron to step in and directly counter Yang Jixing. In a low whisper, Luo-Luo passed along her discovery and asked, Did Lord Husband plan this from the start?

Uh... no, not the Legate specifically, but it worked out pretty well. Gifting stuff was mostly to get rid of it, though some gifts were to say thanks for keeping quiet. Clasping her hand in both his own, he smiled and said, Mostly, I said what I said because theres no point incriminating myself. Never admit to anything, you know? If they have proof, fine, but Im not going to make it easy for them. Besides, I figured since he was bluffing about everything else, then theyre probably bluffing about that too. Eyes focused in thought, he mused, Hmm... you think I could use this? You know, send the Legate more gifts and drag him into this?

And with that, Luo-Luos sat back in her chair in disbelief, no longer able to sit tall in the face of Lord Husbands sheer audacity. Never before had she met anyone with such complete and utter lack of reverence for the Disciplinary Corps, and were he faced with the Emperor Himself, Luo-Luo suspected Lord Husband would behave in the exact same manner.

A fact which was both laudable and lamentable at the same time.

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