Chapter Thirteen: Coming to the Rescue

After reading the Book of Life and Death, Bao Zheng was furious and slammed the gavel once more.

Bao Zheng declared, “Lin Xiaowan, how dare you! Do you recognize your crime?”

Lin Xiaowan shook her head in bewilderment. “I do not know, sir. On what grounds do you accuse me of wrongdoing?”

Bao Zheng replied sternly, “Before you arrived in the Underworld, you caused the deaths of several people. Yet you dare deny it? Confess at once—who was the mastermind? Describe the events truthfully.”

Lin Xiaowan protested, “Sir, you wrong me. I had been bedridden for months before coming to the Underworld. How could I possibly have taken anyone’s life?”

Bao Zheng retorted, “Still you deny it? Must I resort to severe punishment before you’ll speak the truth?”

Lin Xiaowan answered resolutely, “Sir, since you are set on accusing me, I have nothing more to say.”

She knew she could never reveal that Wang Zixuan had avenged her. Admitting it would not only doom herself but also implicate Wang Zixuan. She decided to endure whatever came, knowing the outcome would be the same whether she confessed or not.

Seeing Lin Xiaowan’s stubborn silence, Bao Zheng prepared to order her tortured—there was no talk of mercy in this court. As he was about to seize the bamboo sticks to begin the punishment, a discordant voice drifted in from the hall.

“My, my, Lord Bao, such authority you wield! Is this what they call extracting a confession by force?” The tone began distant, but as the words fell, the King of the Underworld had already arrived beside Lin Xiaowan. The two rows of ghostly guards dropped to their knees, and so did Bao Zheng and Judge Lu.

In unison, all cried, “Your Majesty!”

The King waved her jade-like hand. “Enough, rise.”

Only then did everyone stand straight at her command.

Bao Zheng saluted. “We did not know Your Majesty would grace us with your presence. What are your instructions?”

With a flourish, the King conjured an exquisitely crafted chair opposite Judge Lu’s seat and sprawled into it with casual ease.

She spoke languidly, “I happened to have nothing to do today and thought I’d come observe Lord Bao’s renowned trials. They say you are precise and never let a wrongful conviction slip through your hands.”

Bao Zheng broke into a cold sweat. He knew full well the King of the Underworld was here because of Lin Xiaowan’s case. The evidence tucked inside the Book of Life and Death hinted at Wang Zixuan’s involvement, and the King’s relationship with Wang Zixuan was anything but ordinary. As Bao Zheng deliberated whether to continue the investigation, the King interrupted.

“Lord Bao,” she said, “I’m here to learn from your methods. Don’t mind me; proceed as you would if I weren’t present.”

The King conjured a cup of tea, sipped it leisurely, and waited.

Bao Zheng had no choice but to continue the trial. Yet with the King’s interference, he could no longer resort to harsh punishment. He could only attempt persuasion.

“Lin Xiaowan,” Bao Zheng urged, “confess who orchestrated the crime and recount the events. This is not a burden you can shoulder alone. Do not claim ignorance—I will not wrong you without evidence.”

Lin Xiaowan remained steadfast: “Sir, I truly know nothing of what you describe. I am being wronged!”

Left with no recourse, Bao Zheng summoned the souls of the principal, the discipline director, and several others to question them one by one. Yet each case was ruled an accident, and Lin Xiaowan’s own history was spotless, devoid of any clues. The contents of the Book of Life and Death could hardly be called evidence. Bao Zheng was truly at a loss.

At that moment, the King of the Underworld grew impatient. “Bao Zheng, does she have a crime or not? If not, hurry up and deliver your verdict! Why drag this out any longer?”