Complete Victory, I Will Open the Coffin for Autopsy

Creak...

The carriage stopped outside the High Court, and the commoners automatically stood up, backing away and not daring to approach, because...

As soon as the carriage stopped, a squad of Bloodcloak Guards stepped forward to surround and protect it. To the uninformed, it looked as if some great figure had arrived.

"Serena Feng, let's see what you have to say now." Director Xiao of the Criminal Affairs Division was smug, his pallor fading as he cupped his hands to the High Court Chief: "Sir, please allow the Bloodcloak Guard to present our witness."

"Granted." The High Court Chief didn't dare meet Serena Feng or Dominic Zhai's eyes and quickly waved his hand.

This case was truly tormenting for the presiding judge; it was impossible to tell right from wrong. The High Court Chief felt that by the time he finished this trial, he'd have lost half his hair.

With permission granted, the Bloodcloak Guards stepped forward, lifted the carriage curtain, and carried out a stretcher. On it lay a man, his forehead wrapped in white cloth stained with blood, only his eyes and jaw exposed.

His eyes were closed, showing nothing unusual, but the visible jaw and bandaged face, at first glance, looked very much like Simon Sun.

"Is that really the Little Divine Doctor Simon? How did he end up like this?"

"He must've been beaten. Poor Little Divine Doctor Simon, the Bloodcloak Guards are so ruthless—how could they lay hands on him?"

The commoners wanted to step forward but didn't dare; under the Bloodcloak Guards' intimidation, none even raised their heads. Director Xiao was thoroughly pleased, throwing smug glances at Serena Feng whenever he could.

Serena Feng completely ignored him, her eyes following the stretcher. When it was set down, she seemed unable to believe what she saw, her voice trembling as she asked, "Is that the Little Divine Doctor Simon? How could he end up like this? Impossible—my disciple couldn't become like this. This isn't my disciple."

Her words sounded both incredulous and unwilling to admit this was Simon Sun. To the Bloodcloak Guards, her reaction seemed guilty and evasive.

Director Wang of the Bloodcloak Monitoring Division looked at Serena Feng with feigned sympathy, a flash of coldness in his eyes. Now that Simon Sun was here, Serena Feng was doomed—those who defy the Bloodcloak Guard never come to a good end.

The Monitoring Division Chief wanted a swift resolution and ignored Serena Feng, quickly withdrawing his gaze. Pointing at the man on the stretcher, he addressed the High Court Chief: "Sir, this is the fugitive Simon Sun. We intercepted him at the city gate, just as Feng Manor's guards and maid were about to take him out of the city."

"Sir, we have both witness and material evidence. Last night, Serena Feng led people to break into the prison, and early this morning tried to send him away—only to be caught by our Bloodcloak Guards. We were going to return him to the dungeon, but hearing Serena Feng was here protesting, Director Lu ordered us to bring him to you first, so you could clear our Bloodcloak Guard's name."

Not every Bloodcloak Guard was like Director Xiao, skilled only in punishment but not in words. Director Wang of the Monitoring Division was a master of diplomacy.

Director Xiao knew his own weakness. Though the division chiefs didn't get along, when Bloodcloak Guard's reputation was at stake, they knew how to unite. Director Xiao quickly stepped back, leaving the stage to Director Wang.

Director Wang had a square face, thick brows, and a tall build—he looked every bit the righteous man. Coupled with his words and the witness he presented, it was easy for people to believe him.

Good looks really are an advantage.

As is the master, so is the maid—Jada Tang had picked up some bad habits herself. Serena Feng comforted her with a nod: "Be good, don't worry, nothing will happen."

"Mm, mm." Jada Tang nodded repeatedly, looking every bit the loyal and subservient maid.

Hmph... Director Wang, having been repeatedly accused by Serena Feng, sneered: "Miss Feng, what a bold claim—nothing will happen? You broke into our Bloodcloak Guard dungeon, rescued the suspect Simon Sun, and injured our men, yet you still think you'll get away with it."

Because of Serena Feng, the Bloodcloak Guard had lost all face. This time, several divisions had mobilized just to investigate her, and yet...

They wouldn't have known if they hadn't investigated, but once they did, they were shocked—Serena Feng hadn't even been in the capital recently; she only returned yesterday. But he couldn't reveal this, since she left the city with Ninth Prince, which was clearly approved by the Emperor.

Serena Feng closed her eyes, impatient: "Director, how many times do I have to say it? I didn't break anyone out of your Bloodcloak Guard dungeon. I'm just a woman—how could I possibly have the means? Why do you keep trying to pin this crime on me, again and again?"

Frame you? The Bloodcloak Guard is always fair and impartial—we never frame anyone. If you haven't done it, we won't say you did; but if you have, don't think you can escape. Serena Feng, this man was brought down from your Feng Manor's carriage, and plenty of commoners saw it. Do you still claim we're framing you?" Director Wang looked righteous, but every word smeared Serena Feng and exonerated the Bloodcloak Guard.

But exonerating themselves wasn't so easy, and Serena Feng wouldn't allow it. She glanced at the man on the stretcher, and, under Dominic Zhai's worried gaze, snapped back at Director Wang.

Whether it's framing or not, Director, you know the truth. You just grabbed a sick man from my Feng Manor's carriage and claimed he was Simon Sun. The way you conduct investigations is truly questionable. If this is the level of the Bloodcloak Guard, I pity Director Lu for having such pig-headed subordinates.

Anyone with common sense would know: if I wanted to send someone out of the manor, would I do it in broad daylight? That would just be handing you evidence. The Bloodcloak Guard must really be desperate.

Serena Feng, what do you mean? Are you trying to deny that this man left your Feng Manor?" Director Wang felt uneasy, glancing at Serena Feng and then at the suspect on the stretcher, but couldn't see anything wrong.

No, I'm not denying it—he did leave my Feng Manor. So what? I had my guards and maid escort a sick man out of the city. Is that a crime?" Serena Feng raised her head, looking at Director Wang with mockery.

Director Wang was a capable man, but unfortunately had pig-headed subordinates. They hadn't even checked the man before bringing him up—serves them right for their bad luck.

If they dared to frame her disciple, she'd make sure the Shunning Marquis Manor never held its head high again—and that none of its young ladies would ever marry.

If the Bloodcloak Guards attacked, they were to fight back, but not too seriously; when hitting, aim for places that wouldn't show, but if beaten, make sure the injuries were obvious.

Serena Feng trained them well—except for Jada Tang, the four guards' faces were so swollen, they looked like pig heads. But anyone could see these injuries, though frightening, were not serious; a few days' rest would fix them.

Her own people were hurt and being escorted by the Bloodcloak Guards, so of course Serena Feng had to show her displeasure.

"Director Wang, my Feng Manor people were just escorting a sick man out of the city. Was it necessary to treat them like this? Are Bloodcloak Guards people, but my Feng Manor's guards aren't? Look at what you've done to them." Visible injuries were convenient—Serena Feng didn't even need to call for a medical examiner.

"Miss, these people were so fierce—they didn't say a word before grabbing us." Jada Tang pouted in grievance.

As is the master, so is the maid—Jada Tang had picked up some bad habits herself. Serena Feng comforted her with a nod: "Be good, don't worry, nothing will happen."

"Mm, mm." Jada Tang nodded repeatedly, looking every bit the loyal and subservient maid.

Hmph... Director Wang, having been repeatedly accused by Serena Feng, sneered: "Miss Feng, what a bold claim—nothing will happen? You broke into our Bloodcloak Guard dungeon, rescued the suspect Simon Sun, and injured our men, yet you still think you'll get away with it."

Because of Serena Feng, the Bloodcloak Guard had lost all face. This time, several divisions had mobilized just to investigate her, and yet...

They wouldn't have known if they hadn't investigated, but once they did, they were shocked—Serena Feng hadn't even been in the capital recently; she only returned yesterday. But he couldn't reveal this, since she left the city with Ninth Prince, which was clearly approved by the Emperor.

Serena Feng closed her eyes, impatient: "Director, how many times do I have to say it? I didn't break anyone out of your Bloodcloak Guard dungeon. I'm just a woman—how could I possibly have the means? Why do you keep trying to pin this crime on me, again and again?"

Frame you? The Bloodcloak Guard is always fair and impartial—we never frame anyone. If you haven't done it, we won't say you did; but if you have, don't think you can escape. Serena Feng, this man was brought down from your Feng Manor's carriage, and plenty of commoners saw it. Do you still claim we're framing you?" Director Wang looked righteous, but every word smeared Serena Feng and exonerated the Bloodcloak Guard.

But exonerating themselves wasn't so easy, and Serena Feng wouldn't allow it. She glanced at the man on the stretcher, and, under Dominic Zhai's worried gaze, snapped back at Director Wang.

Whether it's framing or not, Director, you know the truth. You just grabbed a sick man from my Feng Manor's carriage and claimed he was Simon Sun. The way you conduct investigations is truly questionable. If this is the level of the Bloodcloak Guard, I pity Director Lu for having such pig-headed subordinates.

Anyone with common sense would know: if I wanted to send someone out of the manor, would I do it in broad daylight? That would just be handing you evidence. The Bloodcloak Guard must really be desperate.

Serena Feng, what do you mean? Are you trying to deny that this man left your Feng Manor?" Director Wang felt uneasy, glancing at Serena Feng and then at the suspect on the stretcher, but couldn't see anything wrong.

No, I'm not denying it—he did leave my Feng Manor. So what? I had my guards and maid escort a sick man out of the city. Is that a crime?' Serena Feng raised her head, looking at Director Wang with mockery.

Director Wang was a capable man, but unfortunately had pig-headed subordinates. They hadn't even checked the man before bringing him up—serves them right for their bad luck.

Today, she was determined to deal with the Bloodcloak Guard, so they'd stop targeting her and focus on finding Simon Sun. Only then could she concentrate on dealing with Shunning Marquis Manor and force them to agree to exhuming the body.

If they dared to frame her disciple, she'd make sure the Shunning Marquis Manor never held its head high again—and that none of its young ladies would ever marry.