Liang Xiao appraised Gu Hai, his brow furrowed. Just as he was about to respond, a commotion arose from a distance.
"The Marquis of Dingguo arrives!"
Everyone turned their gaze, only to see Gongsun Ye pushing through the crowd with a few soldiers.
His hair was entirely white, yet he was robust and spirited, his every movement exuding the majesty of a marshal!
"What business does the Marquis of Dingguo have here?" the surrounding citizens wondered.
Gongsun Ye exchanged a hasty greeting with Zhuo Zifang and He Jingyun, then regarded Liang Xiao with surprise before quickly turning his attention to Gu Hai.
"Are you indeed Lord Gu, the Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Justice?"
Gu Hai stated sternly, "Indeed! This case falls under my jurisdiction for interrogation. I hope the Marquis of Dingguo and the Marquis of Anguo will not interfere!"
Gongsun Ye, the Prefect of Taizhou and General of Zhennan, held a rank no higher than Liang Xiao's Guanglu Daifu, and was only slightly above Gu Hai's fourth-rank official. However, he commanded the military forces in the Jiangnan region, serving as the nominal commander-in-chief of the Jiangnan army.
Furthermore, the mere title of Marquis of Dingguo commanded immense respect, and no one dared to disregard it.
Before Gongsun Ye could reply, another shout echoed from afar.
"The Grand Tutor arrives!"
Gongyang He, who had been waiting at a distance, entered with Dugu Xiao and others, his expression ungracious.
"Marquis of Dingguo, how can a military official like yourself interfere in a public trial? I cannot help but question your motives!"
Gongsun Ye scoffed, "This Marquis is merely here to observe the proceedings of this public trial. Likewise, as a Grand Tutor residing in Jiangnan, do you possess the right to interfere in this matter?"
Gongyang He frowned and asked, "Lord Gu, what is your opinion?"
Gu Hai replied solemnly, "No one should interfere with this case, including the Grand Tutor, Lord Zhuo, the Marquis of Dingguo, the Marquis of Anguo, and Prefect He!"
Liang Xiao's face immediately darkened. "Who told you this Marquis has no right to inquire? This Marquis is on an imperial tour of Jiangnan and, when necessary, may review and even take over all military and civil authority in the Jiangnan region. How much more so a mere public trial!"
Gu Hai retorted angrily, "Each has their specialty. When it comes to governing the nation, I admit my inferiority, but in matters of case adjudication, the Marquis of Anguo should not meddle!"
Liang Xiao stared at Gu Hai, his brow deeply furrowed.
For Liang Xiao, such upright and stubborn individuals were the most difficult to deal with, as one could not employ the same tactics used against villains.
Gongyang He finally found an opportunity, stroking his beard and laughing heartily, "Liang Xiao, as the Marquis of Anguo, do you intend to behead Lord Gu in front of all these citizens with your sword?"
The surrounding populace also cast looks of awe at Liang Xiao.
Gu Hai had already given them the impression of someone who feared no authority. If the Marquis of Anguo were to strike him down with his sword, then perhaps...
Zhuo Zifang's heart sank, and he was about to signal Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao spoke, "Each has their specialty? Do you believe yourself most qualified to interrogate this case?"
"I am, after all, a Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Justice, well-versed in the laws of Daqian, and have adjudicated countless cases. Naturally, I should fulfill my duty as a judge!" Gu Hai replied proudly.
Liang Xiao burst into laughter. "Then how do you intend to judge?"
"A life for a life. Naturally, Nie Yuan is to be sentenced to death!" Gu Hai responded.
Liang Xiao's expression immediately turned grim. "You readily sentence people to death but fail to discern the truth. You are about to create a miscarriage of justice, killing the loyal and good. You have no understanding of what a 'judge' truly is; you are merely defiling the title!"
Having his life's greatest pride negated by Liang Xiao, Gu Hai's face contorted with rage. "I may not know what a judge is, but tell me, what is a judge then?!"
At this point, Gu Hai couldn't even be bothered to say "this official" anymore. Gongyang Teng and the others beside him smirked.
Liang Xiao cast Gu Hai a disdainful glance and declared loudly, "To right what is wrongly set in heaven and earth, to judge what is not judged as black and white!"
As his words fell, the entire scene fell into a brief silence, followed by an eruption of cheers and applause!
Even Gu Hai fell silent.
"Marquis of Anguo, miscarriages of justice are not determined by your imperial decree and your one-sided word," Gongyang He regained his senses and taunted.
Liang Xiao smiled. "Each has their specialty. Grand Tutor, you who are an outsider, should not meddle. Let Lord Gu speak with this Marquis."
Hearing this, Gongyang He felt a thousand horses galloping in his heart, his face flushing red, and he coughed incessantly. "Aren't you an outsider too!"
Gu Hai's brow was tightly knit as he appraised Liang Xiao and asked, "Does the Marquis of Anguo believe he is more qualified to be this judge than I am?"
"What do you think?" Liang Xiao retorted.
Gongyang Teng grew impatient. "Lord Gu, do not yield to him! You are the judge..."
Gu Hai waved his hand, interrupting Gongyang Teng. "This case, due to the interference of Lord Zhuo and the Marquis of Dingguo, has already attracted the attention of the Ministry of Justice and been listed as a major case. If the Marquis of Anguo can prove he is more qualified to be this judge than I, I can respectfully concede, and merely serve as an observer at his side."
"Prove it?" everyone was taken aback.
Gu Hai replied, "Conveniently, there are several new cases in Jinling that are difficult to handle. I will select a few cases that can be swiftly resolved, and we shall see how the Marquis of Anguo adjudicates them. If the Marquis of Anguo cannot win over the public, then he shall not interfere with Nie Yuan's case any further. How about it?"
Liang Xiao contemplated for a moment and readily agreed.
Gu Hai stated solemnly, "If the Marquis of Anguo cannot win over the public, then Lord Zhuo, the Marquis of Dingguo, and the Grand Tutor shall also be forbidden from interfering in this case!"
Zhuo Zifang and Gongsun Ye felt a tremor in their hearts, but seeing Liang Xiao agree, they had no choice but to comply, as they had even less authority than Liang Xiao to be involved in this case.
Gongyang He and his followers also breathed a sigh of relief.
At least this would prevent Liang Xiao from having any excuse to interfere!
"Please, Marquis of Anguo, prepare yourself well. This official will also mobilize the people so they can see whether the Marquis of Anguo can truly match his words, right what is wrongly set in heaven and earth, and judge what is not judged as black and white!" Gu Hai's words, between the lines, clearly carried displeasure and defiance.
Upon hearing that Liang Xiao was to preside over cases in public, the citizens in the vicinity of the square flocked to watch.
Even Jian Nanfeng and others at the Zhuo residence received the news.
"This son-in-law can actually adjudicate cases? I'll go and see too!"
Hong Jie and two others also requested to attend as spectators and were escorted to the square by the Zhuo residence guards.
As soon as Jian Nanfeng arrived at the square, he spotted Gongsun Ye and his expression became complicated.
Gongsun Ye also saw Jian Nanfeng, who stood out like a crane among a flock of chickens, his expression changing, and his features complex.
The two merely nodded at each other before turning away, no longer acknowledging each other.
At this moment, Liang Xiao sat regally in the main seat, waiting calmly.
Gu Hai had said he would select a few cases that could be quickly resolved for him.
"The King of Nan arrives!"
The crowd surged from afar, and King Nan, Xiao Chang, also arrived with his retinue from the King of Nan's mansion.
"Grand Tutor, Lord Zhuo, Marquis of Dingguo, Prefect He, Marquis of Anguo. Greetings," Xiao Chang said, smiling and cupping his fists in greeting towards Liang Xiao and the others.
Liang Xiao's face was cold. "Did this Marquis not remind the King of Nan at the Jiangnan Spring Banquet to be a leisurely prince?"
Xiao Chang responded with a cold laugh. "This King is merely here as a spectator, hoping the murderer receives due punishment. As a member of the Xiao family, do I not even have the right that the common people possess?"
Liang Xiao chuckled. "Spectator? That is what you said. This Marquis hopes the King of Nan will remember he is a spectator and not leap about like a fly."
Xiao Chang snorted coldly. "You worry too much!"
The surrounding crowd couldn't help but take a deep breath, filled with excitement.
The Marquis of Anguo, the Grand Tutor, Lord Zhuo, the Marquis of Dingguo, the King of Nan...
Why had so many prominent figures gathered for a mere public trial!
Liang Xiao had intended to ignore Xiao Chang further, but his gaze soon fell upon a black-clothed youth behind Xiao Chang, and his pupils contracted.
The youth's left arm from the elbow down was bare, the sleeve fluttering gently in the breeze...
The youth's physique was similar to that of the young lord in brocade robes whose arm he had severed with a flying knife that day. The only difference was that this youth had his hair disheveled, whereas the young lord in brocade robes had worn a helmet!
"Who is this young man with the severed arm?" Liang Xiao asked.