Kayla ripped the talisman in half, activating the cleaning spell. Focusing intently, she unraveled the magic as it traveled through the circuits of the talisman, successfully nullifying it before it could clean the desk again.

“Yes!” Kayla clenched her fist, feeling vindicated for her efforts. Satisfied with her progress, she finally called it a night and went to sleep. After obtaining the talismans last night, Kayla and Wenyuan had been practicing nullification magic every time they could do so without being noticed, which isn't really a whole lot of time at all. The thing about a rich household was that there were almost always a stream of servants moving around, and the amount of time Kayla would have to herself would be even smaller once she returned to work tomorrow.

You sure your job isn’t too hard? Kayla asked for the fifth time.

Yes, I’m sure, Wenyuan reassured her a little impatiently. Kayla closed her eyes, but continued running through the novel’s plot in her head. Currently, they had Plan A: Throw off the novel’s plot to avoid the death ending, and Plan B: Use nullification magic to either gain so much attention that Xianchun couldn’t move on them, or use the magic as self-defense. Neither would be easy, but Plan A was looking to be the harder route.

Ever since the initial merge after meeting Wenyuan, Kayla hadn’t experienced any further changes. Even if she had, Wenyuan’s memories about the events leading to his death weren’t exactly helpful, given how little he knew about his grandfather and Xianchun’s ploys. Kayla remembered the first arc of the story kicking off on a case regarding a locality’s governor plotting against the throne. Governor Yue was actually just a thorn in the Grand Duke’s side for continuously looking into the Grand Duke’s networks of corruption, but ended up being framed for spreading treasonous writings and executed along with his wife and 12-year old daughter.

At this point in time Xianchun was still a prince without much power, and despite objecting to the Governor’s execution, couldn’t do anything to prevent the tragedy. Saddened by the death of Yue’s family, Xianchun vows to take out the Grand Duke, and actually manages to do so within a few months. Realistically speaking, it should have taken him years since he didn’t have political support from the Emperor or maternal relatives who could help him, but the author had wanted to focus on the drama and tragedy of two brothers ripping at each other’s throats, so the whole thing played out rather quickly.

It was also this case that raised Wenyuan’s death flag, since as the Left Secretariat for Justice, he had presented the case in court and argued for the execution of the Governor. 

You haven’t received that case yet, right?

I’m not sure, grandfather had me present a lot of cases in court, and then his people would argue whatever it was they wanted. This happened a lot.

Come on, you can’t remember an execution?

Grandfather argued for a lot of executions.

Kayla didn’t know what to say to that. It wasn’t fair to judge Wenyuan when she relied on his knowledge and support to this extent, but this was leaving her in a pretty bad place. Kayla sighed and decided to just check for herself the next morning.

//////////////

Kayla lifted her chin to let Chujiao button the collar of the dark blue official court robes she was now dressed in. Chujiao was almost half a head shorter than Wenyuan, was in turn about half a head shorter than Xianchun. The young woman smiled as she stepped back, checking the robes for any untidiness. The distance between Kayla and Chujiao had shrunk dramatically after the day in the gazebo, back to what had been the usual relationship between Wenyuan and Chujiao.

“All done, young lord,” Chujiao said.

“Perfect,” Kayla said, echoing Wenyuan’s voice inside her head. “As expected of Jiao’er.”

Chujiao smiled happily. “Thank you, young lord. Best of luck at court.”

Kayla’s smile stiffened a little. It was unfortunate she was returning to work on a day when the court convened. The court only convened once every five days, starting from the first day of every month at the ungodly starting time of seven in the morning, with officials having one day off every five days. Due to both Wenyuan’s illness and his favored position with the Emperor and the Grand Duke, Kayla hadn’t been to work even once in the six days since her arrival. 

She could only hope that her luck wasn’t shit enough that the plot would kick off right away. When Kayla got on the carriage to leave, the Grand Duke had already left, sparing her from having to face him again. Vendors were already setting up shop, with multiple food carts already bustling with people looking for their breakfasts. The sun was still low, its warm glow making the streets glow softly golden. 

The peaceful feeling it gave her lulled Kayla into a false sense of security. This was quickly shattered as soon as she arrived.

“Left Secretariat! It’s so good to see you, sir.” A mustached man with a small goatee greeted her, dressed in the green robes that denoted his lower title. Kayla recognized him as Jia Fu, Wenyuan’s assistant in the Ministry of Justice.

“Mister Jia, it’s good to see you too. Is the Minister already in the court hall?”

“Yes, shall we go join him?” Jia Fu eagerly offered. Kayla nodded and headed in, Jia Fu following behind respectfully. 

“Mister Jia, is there anything of note going on this morning?” Kayla asked. Perhaps she was just nervous, but she was getting a pretty bad feeling about the court session.

“Not particularly, sir. But there is a case you were planning to present, may I show it to you?” Jia Fu asked. That meant the Grand Duke had a case that Wenyuan knew next to nothing about to present, which probably wasn’t anything good. Kayla nodded. Jia Fu passed her a scroll, and she opened it in a practiced motion that Wenyuan’s body had performed hundreds of times. Her eyes widened as she saw the name of the felon.

Oh shit. Ohhhh boy, I am so screwed. Kayla squeezed her eyes shut in despair. It was the Governor Yue case.

Wenyuan, do we have any wiggle room here?

I don’t think so. Wenyuan sounded apologetic.

Kayla took in a deep breath and nodded at Jia Fu, who was looking at her curiously. 

“I’ll take care of it,” Kayla said coolly, continuing to walk forward. She fought to keep her composure, but her heart was racing and sweat beaded on her forehead. 

What if I don’t present it?

There was a burst of surprise from Wenyuan. Grandfather wouldn’t forgive that!

I-I know, but we’re marching straight towards our death flag, do you really want to go through the same thing twice?

There was a heavy silence from Wenyuan and a sense of resignation.

Listen, I’m going to try this. I’ll apologize in advance for whatever happens after this.

Alright. I trust you, Kayla.

Kayla let out a soft sigh, putting the scroll into her sleeve. She entered the court hall, where officials were already gathered in small groups, talking with each other in soft voices. The Grand Duke was together with Liu Hongyu and He Shirang, the three of them surrounded by officials. Wenyuan normally didn’t openly approach them in court, so Kayla was able to avoid them a little longer. Instead, she walked over to Xie Yunan, the Minister of Justice, who was currently speaking with the Right Secretariat Ge Renqian. 

“Good morning, Minister,” Kayla greeted him with a slight bow before nodding towards Ge Renqian. “Right Secretariat.” They both returned her greetings.

“Wenyuan, I’d heard you were ill, how are you feeling now?” Minister Xie asked her. Kayla assured him she was fine, and the three chatted pleasantly for a bit as they made their way to their places in the hall. A eunuch walked in with the small shuffling steps unique to the castrated workers, head slightly lowered.

“Announcing the arrival of the Emperor!” The eunuch called out.

The officials hastily returned to their spots and knelt with lowered heads as Zhou Ying entered in his full vestiges.

“We humbly greet His Majesty, may the Emperor live ten thousand years,” the officials said in unison. From the corner of her eye, Kayla saw that Xianchun had silently made his entrance as well. Zhou Kuang wasn’t present, since at this point in the story the Third Prince was working hard to deal with a border conflict, and the Fifth Prince Zhou Yu was also absent on account of his mother’s ill health. To her surprise, Xianchun was looking in Wenyuan’s direction with the same intent gaze as last time. 

“You may rise,” the Emperor said, his voice echoing through the room. 

“Thank you, your Majesty,” the officials said in unison before getting up in a more or less synchronized motion. Kayla tried to swallow but her mouth was dry. The officials began to present each of their affairs before the Emperor, with the Ministers of Rites and Public Works each having several items to present as well as one shared item to argue over. Their words flowed in one ear and out the other as Kayla grew more and more nervous. Her hands were dripping with sweat by now, and she tugged lightly at her collar as it tightened around her throat. 

Wenyuan was just as anxious, even more so with the Grand Duke standing just within sight. Between the nervous energy bouncing between the two of them, Kayla was almost expecting to break out in hives. 

In what seemed like only a few seconds but must have been almost an hour, the Minister of Justice was presenting his items already. Wenyuan would technically be next if he planned to present, but Kayla decided to remain still and not do anything. As Minister Xie finished up, Jia Fu leaned forward from where he was standing behind her.

“Young lord, next is your case,” Jia Fu whispered. Kayla ignored him. Her heartpace quickening, Kayla watched as Minister Xie bowed and returned to his spot, glancing towards her to signal her turn. She resolutely remained still.

“Young lord?” Jia Fu hissed. Kayla breathed in slowly and continued to remain in her spot. Seeing that the Secretariats of Justice had nothing to present, the next Ministry prepared to present their items. The Minister of Revenue, who was also the Grand Duke’s ally, stepped forward while giving Kayla a curious look. She avoided his eyes, sweat already dripping down her face.

“Pardon my rudeness, but please wait one moment, Minister Hu. It seems we’ve omitted an item by mistake,” Ge Renqian’s voice rang out. Kayla whirled to stare at him with a shocked look. Ge Renqian stepped forward and bowed towards the Emperor before turning expectantly towards Kayla.

“The Left Secretariat also had a case he was to present the last time the court convened, but missed his chance due to illness. May I be so impudent as to request that he be allowed to present it now?” Ge Renqian asked. 

Wait, what the fuck?! Ge Renqian!

“Wenyuan did? Well, of course then,” the Emperor said. Kayla’s breath quickened into short gasps as she mechanically stepped forward and bowed.

“Your Majesty, I beg your pardon,” she said, fighting to keep her voice steady.

“Not at all, Wenyuan. Go right ahead,” he replied kindly. The open favoritism only made Kayla more nervous. Even worse, Xianchun’s gaze was piercing into her shoulder blade.

“I must apologize for dereliction of duties, your Majesty. I had planned to present this case in the last court session, but while contemplating my work from my sickbed, I came to realize that the case still required further actions on my part before presenting it before your Majesty. Befuddled by illness as I was, I failed to communicate this in a timely manner to my superior and coworkers in the Ministry, and am deeply ashamed for the inconvenience,” Kayla said. She ignored Ge Renqian’s look of disbelief and annoyance. Even if she was called out, there wasn’t anything more important than avoiding the death flag!

“No need to apologize for such a thing! Wenyuan, I’m impressed at how devoted you are to your duties, to even continue thinking of it while you were ill. Such spirit is commendable! Very well, you may present it at the next session,” the Emperor said, looking deeply pleased. The Grand Duke didn’t turn to look at Kayla, but she could already tell she was in serious trouble.

“Thank you for your benevolence, your Majesty, I don’t deserve such praise.” Kayla bowed deeply and began to step back towards her position.

“Oh my, to think the Left Secretariat was worried about that! The Left Secretariat must’ve forgotten due to his fever, but the message you sent was received at the Ministry, and we’ve already taken care of it,” Minister Xie chuckled. Kayla froze. 

What the fuck. You too?! Holy shit, you all are going to get me killed!

“What? That’s wonderful! See, nephew, you had nothing to worry about,” the Emperor said affectionately. I really do!

“I hadn’t realized,” Kayla made out faintly. 

“Did you bring the case today, Left Secretariat?” Minister Xie asked in a kind voice, but she could sense the forcefulness behind his cue.

“I’m afraid not, Minister,” Kayla said apologetically.

Oh my god, please just let it slide, if I could get five more days-

“That’s alright, it’s good that I brought along a copy,” Minister Xie said with false benevolence.

What the fuck?! Kayla stared at him in horror as Minister Xie retrieved a scroll from his sleeve.

“The Left Secretariat hasn’t seen the revisions yet, would the Right Secretariat kindly present the case?” Minister Xie passed the scroll to Ge Renqian. Kayla watched the scroll pass hands before her, head swimming as Ge Renqian read it out.

“Yue Wuxuan, Governor of Anling County, has committed treasonous acts against the Imperial Throne,” Ge Renqian read in a loud, clear voice. Kayla blocked out the rest, her mind blurred with fear and horror.

“Your Majesty, Yue Wuxuan’s crimes are great and he deserves to die! We urge your Majesty to sentence him to death and exterminate his family!” Ge Renqian finished passionately. Kayla’s legs nearly gave out as Xianchun stepped forward, blazing with righteous anger.

“Father, I object!”

Kayla closed her eyes in resignation as Xianchun said the exact same lines as he did in the novel.

“Yue Wuxuan does not deserve to be punished!”

---

Cultural Notes:

Convening of the Court/早朝: Other than large-scale events in which the Emperor convened with his vassals, there were also regular small-scale convenings of the court, usually in the early morning, which have historically ranged from starting times of 3 am to 7 am. The small-scale convening of the court also varies in regularity, with several emperors of the Qing Dynasty being known for convening the court almost every single day, likely to the despair of their officials who had to arrive earlier than the emperor. Some emperors in the Song Dynasty only convened the court a few times a month, while before and during the Tang Dynasty, the court usually convened once every five days. The court tends to use formal speech, and reinforce hierarchies with symbolic rituals. Policies and cases were also debated when the court convened.

Greeting the Emperor: In Ancient China, it was common to kowtow before the emperor at formal occasions, and a commonly used greeting is "陛下万岁", or "may the Emperor live ten thousand years". 

Exterminating the Family/诛九族: For grievous crimes, not only the culprit was subject to execution, but his property would be seized and his entire family killed. The extent of the impact on his family tended to vary, with the most serious including his "nine relations", which could include everyone from your great-great-grandmother to your great-great-grandson. An alternative interpretation of this law includes being the four families of the father (His father's sister's family, his sister's family, his daughter's family, his own family), three families of the mother (maternal grandparents' families, grandmother's maternal family, and mother's sister's family), as well as the two families of the wife (wife's maternal family, mother-in-law's maternal family). However, this was not always carried out to the full extent, depending on the case and the person carrying it out. In some cases, all the men in a family would be killed but the women would become indentured servants or married to commoners if they were nobles, and in some cases, it only includes the family of the culprit from his parents to his children, rather than including all his siblings and relations.