The Courthouse

Lord Hui raised his eyebrows. He cast a look at Master Xia and the four children, his eyes especially trained on the unfamiliar boy and girl.

This man...came to confess for his own sins. That is strange already, but he seemed intimidated by the four young ones?

Lord Hui shook his head. He'll ask later.

He turned to look down at the man in front of him on his knees. He leaned forward on his desk. "Liam Kang, was it? Strange...but what crimes did you commit?" he asked, curious.

Liam Kang had his head down and was on his hands and knees, trembling. "I- I...I bore a child with a married woman. I c- committed adultery," he revealed, his voice slightly muffled.

Lord Hui wrinkled his nose and scowled.

What? He didn't expect him to say that. He thought it would be something light, seeing he came himself to confess.

"Hmph. That indeed is a serious crime. With whom? Speak!" he demanded, his mood suddenly dropping.

"Yes. It's with...Ai...Ailee Bai, the Madam of the Bai family. Our- our child is Ethaniel Bai- I mean, Ethaniel Kang."

There was silence in the few moments the other people in the room had to process what they just heard in their heads.

Then, the murmurs came.

Master Bai's jaw dropped and the color drained from his face. "What?" he exclaimed. "You and Ailee, what?!"

Lord Hui was just as shocked. "Y- you and Madam Bai committed adultery?" he repeated.

"Y- yes," he confirmed. "The evidence is our child. His father is not Master Bai...you can do a blood test and confirm it."

Master Bai was left in a helpless trance whereas Lord Hui sighed and ran a hand down his face.

"Even had a child..." Lord Hui muttered, shaking his head. He rubbed his temples and cleared his throat. "Okay, now that you've-"

"Uh...Lord Hui. I'm- I'm not done," Liam Kang interrupted.

Lord Hui slammed his palm down on the table. "What? Don't tell me there are more crimes!"

Liam Kang flinched at the loud bang and lowered his head even further that it almost touched the ground. "Er...there is..."

Lord Hui grunted. "Seeing that you've committed adultery, I should say that I'm not so surprised that there are more, instead," he muttered. "Speak!"

"We've...also planned kidnapping and murder-"

"Planned?" Lord Hui barked a dry laugh. "So it didn't go so well? Or it failed?"

Liam Kang swallowed. "We've also taken the lives of a few servants and commoners," he squeaked.

Silence.

The dark look on Lord Hui's face was indescribable. The whole room seemed to shake as he said, "Why?"

"Ailee ordered it...because they refused to follow along with her plans..."

"Plans? What plans?" the judge snapped.

"Ailee wanted to...kill...two minors months ago. She gathered servants to carry out the job, but some refused, so she killed them. The two minors escaped in the end," he mumbled, trying his best not to look back at the twins.

Lord Hui pushed up out of his seat, his expression was dangerous and fuming. "Men!" he shouted, pointing out of the door. "Send people to the Bai residence! Ailee Bai is to be arrested today! She is charged with adultery, murder, and attempted kidnapping and murder!"

About ten soldiers gathered at the door and saluted. "Yes, Lord!"

The moment he left, he shifted his gaze to Liam Kang, who trembled under his glare. "Don't think I'll let you off easy just because you confessed!" he seethed. "Men! Take this man to the dungeons! He will spend his life in jail for his crimes!"

"Yes, Lord!"

Two soldiers came up to him and each grabbed one arm, dragging him up to his feet and towards the exit.

He didn't struggle.

Instead, when he passed by Elias, he pleaded. "Please let me see Ethaniel from time to time?"

Elias dipped his chin in response, agreeing.

Then, he was gone.

Lord Hui plopped back down on his seat and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Update the records," he said to the secretaries.

He spared Alan Bai a glance, who still seemed to be staring off into the distance, completely lost and helpless.

He shook his head, feeling bad for him.

Madam Wen stood up. "Lord Hui, you can leave him to me. I'll have people send him back," she said curtly.

The middle-aged man nodded his head. He respected Madam Wen himself. "Alright," he said.

Master Xia stood up as well as Madam Wen got up to help Master Bai out of his seat. "Let me help..."

The two heads left the room, each one hefting their friend up by wrapping one of his arms around their shoulders.

Whitney and Wayne headed for the door after saying their goodbyes to the judge.

"Wait!" Lord Hui called out as the twins headed to leave as well.

Elias and Eryn stopped in their tracks and turned back around.

"How may we help, Lord Hui?" Elias asked politely.

The supreme judge in front of them cleared his throat and fixed his posture. "Eh, these two young ones," he started. "I've been here for a long time, but I've never seen you before? Seeing such an elegant young man and lady, I'm sure I wouldn't have forgotten you if I have, before."

"Ah." Elias bowed slightly. "My name is Elias, this is my elder sister, Eryn. We are twins."

Lord Hui smiled in approval. "Er, which family are you from, may I ask?"

The twins shared a look.

Elias wrinkled his nose and answered his question. He was a higher-up from the Imperial City after all, and he seemed to be an honest man. "We come from the Bai family."

Lord Hui was taken aback. "What? Are you Master Bai's children, or...?"

"We are."

Lord Hui paused, his mind reeling. Why are there so many scandals revolving the Bai family? "...You...you are not illegitimate children, are you?" he asked uncertainly.

The twins smiled dryly.

"We are not," Elias said. "Yes, we are Alan Bai's and Ailee Bai's biological children."

"Eh?! Then, then does that mean you are their firstborn children? How come I've never heard of you before? And...I don't see either of your parents' traits in you?"

Elias huffed. "Of course you don't. We grew up on our own without them. If I told you the two minors that Liam Kang and Ailee Bai were planning to murder but escaped were us, then do you see what kind of relationship we had?"

Lord Hui opened his mouth, baffled. "Then, wouldn't it be...'no relationship' if you grew up on your own?"

"Exactly that."

Lord Hui rubbed his chin. How can this be? What is going on with this Bai family? Should he have people investigate?

He shook his head and changed the subject. "Sorry if I brought up a sensitive topic...well, what of the matter with Liam Kang? When he came here he seemed quite scared by the both of you."

"He tried to kidnap me yesterday along with Master Xia's daughter, Whitney," Eryn said with a shrug. "He failed and got a good beating. Wayne was threatening to kill him after finding out the truth of the relationship between him and Ailee Bai, so we told him that if he doesn't confess today, we'll let Wayne loose."

Lord Hui couldn't help but laugh. "Seeing that he failed, you two must be very powerful, yes? I'm sure Liam Kang is no weakling..."

"You can say that..."

Lord Hui folded his hands and leaned forward with his elbows on his desk. It was strange. These two could defeat Liam Kang, but he couldn't sense any aura coming from them. That shouldn't be possible...unless they are capable enough that they can conceal their own aura?

Lord Hui sat up, considering the possibility. He wanted to get to know these two more.

"Ah...I like you two, it makes me sad hearing your past. How about this? If you ever need help or need anything, you can come to me. I will do my best to assist you in any way," he offered.

Elias and Eryn bowed low respectfully. "Thank you, Lord Hui!"

Lord Hui smiled. "Alright. Off you go. I hope to see you soon!"

"Yes."