A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 421 Ending (90)

Song Yan's arrival was both sudden and seemingly expected.

It is highly anticipated and attracts worldwide attention.

Especially Empress Dowager Song Zi, in her eyes everyone is like an ant, ignored by her, and subjected to her condescending trampling and taking advantage of them as a matter of course.

However, Song Yan's appearance was like a ray of light in the dark night, instantly illuminating Song Zi's gloomy soul, and making her radiate with the brilliance of a withered tree coming back to life!

She even hurriedly got up from the stool and walked to the front of the stage to greet him. In her excitement and panic, she tripped over the stool, causing it to overturn and make a loud crash!
Despite her loss of composure and the pain from the collision, she condescended to look ahead at the crowded scene with a beaming smile!

With the rolling of wheels and the sound of synchronized footsteps, the twenty-four Flying Eagle Guards of the Song Family Army escorted their lord, Song Yan, who was in a wheelchair, as they slowly approached!

The officials felt that the Empress Dowager's reaction was somewhat exaggerated and quite puzzling. Given the current situation, the Duke of Song had openly supported the Emperor, the Song family had severed ties with Song Zi, and every move they made was aimed at killing Song Zi. So what was Song Zi happy about?
The emperor was usually unsmiling, but the question that had been troubling him seemed to have been answered suddenly, startling him so much that his brows furrowed and his anger surged to the top of his head!

Song Yan was not wearing armor; he wore a duke's crown and a scarlet duke's court robe, with a gold and jade belt buckle at his waist.

After more than a decade of fighting, he, known as a scholar-general, remains as handsome as ever, but his brows not only bear the marks of the vicissitudes of the frontier years, but also the cold-blooded fortitude of the battlefield.

The emperor rose to greet him personally, civil and military officials knelt in salute, and the common people knelt in devout worship, welcoming the return of this border hero with the utmost respect!

As the wheelchair approached, Song Shuyu stepped down from the public trial platform and, together with Song Shuxing, paid their respects, calling out in unison, "Father!"

A loving smile appeared on Song Yan's usually stern face. His two brothers, one on each side, helped him down from his wheelchair, so he could face the emperor and perform a grand salute.

"The Duke of Song has a leg injury, no need to kneel!" The Emperor stopped him in time, his face beaming with pleasure. "Seeing that the Duke is in good health, I am very pleased!"

Song Yan bowed deeply in gratitude: "It is my honor to have Your Majesty take notice of me! I thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!"

"You flatter me, Your Excellency."

The emperor was genuinely pleased. He had risen from an unfavored prince to the throne, the most powerful man in the land, entirely thanks to the overt and covert support of Song Yan and his son. He and Song Shuyu were close friends, and he regarded Song Yan as a father, a teacher, and someone to whom he owed a debt of gratitude as heavy as a mountain. However, the emperor could not reveal his true feelings openly. He restrained his emotions and said gently, "Since Duke Song has rushed back to assist in the trial, then let official business take precedence!"

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Song Yan bowed and replied.

The Flying Eagle guards carried the wheelchair onto the courtroom platform. After the two brothers settled their father in, they returned to their respective positions.

Mu Yan met Song Yan's gaze with a cold and deep look. "Surely Duke Song has more to confess about than just this one thing? Otherwise, after I finish explaining, Duke Song will also be questioned by your son, the Prefect of the Capital?"

Song Shuyu immediately sensed the tension, but before he could show it, Song Yan successfully calmed him down.

Song Yan said, "Okay."

He uttered a single word, his expression gentle, without any hesitation.

Mu Qingcheng furrowed her brows, trying to discern hatred or guilt in Song Yan's face. However, she only saw uprightness and frankness.

From beginning to end, Empress Dowager Song Zi was the one who was ignored.

Her burning, longing gaze followed Song Yan as he walked past her without bowing or stopping, treating her as if she were nothing.

Tears welled up in Song Zi's eyes, and she could no longer suppress the bitterness surging in her chest, letting out a soft murmur: "Brother..."

Song Shuyu unconsciously clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with a warning as she glared at Song Zi!

Song Yan glanced at her indifferently, his expression calm and unmoved, and said, "I beg the Empress Dowager to accept the trial according to the law and stop resisting!"

Song Zi's breath caught in her throat for a moment, her almond-shaped eyes widened in disbelief, "You...you said you would protect me for the rest of your life, have you forgotten?"

(End of this chapter)