Judgement

The hall was deathly silent. All waiting for the emperor's next move. Even the imperial censors dare not breathe as emperor was close to his eruption.

Emperor feeling that his pressure glare was enough starts to parrot the words Yusheng had passed through Pei Jin "hehe.. so prime minister is so high that he can have hats pulled off on his whims.

Bring that impudent girl here to Zhen immediately. Zhen will be the judge for this case. Have Duke ying and Heir song summoned too. "

Everyone waited like statue till the persons arrived. Zhou Xuan was trembling with fear, while Duke Ying and Song Hui also felt the heavy air making their blood turn cold.

"Zhen heard you threatened an official with their hats. Answer who gave you such guts to do so? Is it your father?" asks emperor.

Terrified she dare not speak, she saw her father kneeling and knew that at the moment he wanted to kill her if possible.

"Duke ying is this how your manor disciplines the women? After married it is the duty of husband and his family to have their women taught and disciplined which you have failed to do.

Song hui, Zhen had high expectations from you. But it's second time you have dissapointed Zhen. First you gave into your lust making the matter ugly making the entire capital laughing and entertained.

It was by choice you married two ladies of high status. But clearly you failed to manage your women resulting to such tragedy. Not only your main wife passed even a innocent life that had yet to be born was schemed to death.

While your consort is proved to be the mastermind. What were you onto when all this mayhem was happening on your own house?"

Duke ying or song hui were kneeling not daring to say a word. They knew that emperor was at peak of his rage explaining will only worsen the situation.

Emperor pleased with their obedient posture gives the final hit "Zhou Xuan for being malicious to the point of even mudering a innocent fetus even facing capital punishment is lighter but for her fathers service is to be marked as a sinner and is to be exiled to the coal mine of north where she will be slave herself to death.

Before her exile she is to be given 100 beating with her crimes listed in public. None of her family members are to contact her under any condition if found will be a rebel in eyes of Zhen.

Prime minister Zhou unable to teach his children rather turning them to unruly tyrants time and again disturbing the peace of capital provoking Zhen.

Also for taking zhens mercy and warnings light as feather is to be removed of his position from today. For the past services Zhen will not kill your daughter or you but also cannot let you stay in as prime minister because of repeated failures.

Duke ying for not being strict failing to discipline one's household. Making a laughing stock of yourself and giving trouble to Zhen will be demoted to Marquis of second rank. If failing further then have your neck washed for Zhen.

Song hui being the main root cause, biting more than one can chew. Unable to make correct decisions nor able to handle ones wives, leading to such tragedy will be exempted from taking the upcoming exam this year.

Zhen hopes you will take this punishment as a self reflection and improve your flaws. If creating trouble for Zhen then will be punished severely.

For the empty post of prime minister Zhen will decide after the qingming festival. Till then Zhen hopes to not hear of any troubles created by officials or their families. End of court"

Prime minister felt if he lifts his head he would definetly kill his daughter. Thus even hearing her cry of help not once did he looked.

Marquis ying felt as if the world has come to an end with his demotion and song hui's exemption. He regretted for letting Zhou Xuan enter his manor.

Similarly song hui was totally crumbled inside. All the hard work and effort he pulled for has gone to drain. Even if allowed second time it would not be like his first. He will be known as a scholar who was exempted by the emperor for deeming unworthy.

Third prince was about to get mad from all the results. Even feeling to have a priest called to ward off his bad luck.

To say emperor was harsh he didn't kill, but to say lenient he snatched prime ministers hat, demoted a duke and exempted a well known scholar.

This incident had all the courtiers known that emperor can also kill without spilling a blood making them alert and behave.