Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts
Chapter 481

The other party did not hold Zheng Qiu accountable—everything was within Xu Ming’s expectations.

Five hundred taels of silver—any reasonable person would accept this price, let alone…

“Lord Yu, according to the laws of Wu Kingdom, what should be done in this situation?” Xu Ming asked Yu Ping’an.

Seated in his position, Yu Ping’an cupped his hands toward Xu Ming and replied, “Lord Xu, in this situation, if the victim forgives the offender, then based on the degree of harm and impact caused by Zheng Qiu, he only needs to be imprisoned for six months.”

“What? I still have to go to prison?” Zheng Qiu was dumbfounded.

Hadn’t the other party already forgiven him? Why was he still being imprisoned?

“Of course, you have to go to prison. Even though you’ve been forgiven, you still violated the laws of Wu Kingdom and must face some form of punishment. However, the severity of your punishment has been significantly reduced,” Xu Ming declared.

“Guards, take Zheng Qiu away and transfer him to the Jingzhao Bureau prison for custody.”

“Yes, sir!”

Several Jinyiwei officers stepped forward and took Zheng Qiu into custody.

Zheng Qiu wanted to shout a few words in protest, to proclaim his innocence.

But when he saw his father’s expression, he immediately lost the will to resist.

After thinking it over, he decided to accept his fate.

Six months in prison was still better than five years. Besides, being held in the Jingzhao Bureau meant his life wouldn’t be too miserable. He could just treat it as a six-month confinement for self-reflection.

After Zheng Qiu was taken away, Zheng Liu quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply toward Xu Ming. “Thank you, Lord Xu, for your leniency. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

In truth, Zheng Liu was not surprised at all that his son was sentenced to six months in prison.

In fact, he felt it was exactly what his son deserved.

This way, his son’s arrogance would be curbed, and he would become more mature and steady in the future.

Otherwise, this time, he was lucky to get only six months. Next time, he might not even survive.

However, Zheng Liu was also quietly puzzled.

Initially, he had planned to maneuver things so that his son would be transferred to the Jingzhao Bureau.

But unexpectedly, Xu Ming made the decision himself.

Could it be that Xu Ming was trying to do him a favor?

That didn’t make sense.

Although his official rank wasn’t low, he didn’t wield much actual power—most of it had been taken by the Jinyiwei.

Right now, he was merely responsible for maintaining the security of Wu Capital.

In some ways, the Jinyiwei even held authority above him.

There was no reason for Xu Ming to try and curry favor with him.

Zheng Liu had no idea what was going on in the mind of this young top scholar.

But regardless, since the outcome aligned with his goal, he let it be.

All he wanted now was to finish his remaining years in office and then retire in peace.

“Safe travels, Lord Zheng,” Xu Ming nodded.

After Zheng Qiu and Zheng Liu left, Xu Ming turned his gaze to Mo Yuanshan, who was still kneeling on the ground.

With a deep voice, he declared, “Mo Yuanshan, for resisting the Jinyiwei’s law enforcement and injuring two Jinyiwei officers, you are guilty of two crimes. According to the laws of Wu Kingdom, you shall be sentenced to ten years in the Jinyiwei prison. Guards, take the prisoner away!”

Xu Ming did not waste any more words on Mo Yuanshan.

Whether Mo Yuanshan admitted it or not didn’t matter. The evidence was irrefutable, and no one else had any objections.

“Yes, sir!”

Two Jinyiwei officers stepped forward, their expressions filled with excitement and even a sense of exhilaration.

This was the son of the Grand Pillar of the Nation!

And yet, when Lord Xu declared his sentence, he was immediately taken away without hesitation!

“Wait!”

Just as Mo Yuanshan was about to be taken away, a powerful voice echoed through the hall.

The Grand Pillar of the Nation had stood up.

His voice was full of authority, resonating throughout the great hall.

Everyone’s hearts trembled at the sound.

“Does the Grand Pillar of the Nation have something to say?” Xu Ming turned his head and asked, his gaze unwavering, without the slightest hint of fear.

Mo Peinan stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Lord Xu, my son has indeed made many mistakes. As his father, I feel deeply ashamed. But no matter what, Yuanshan is my son—I cannot simply stand by and do nothing.

Otherwise, I would have no way to face his late mother.”

Xu Ming looked at Mo Peinan seriously. “Lord Mo, I have always held deep respect for you. As the strongest warrior in Wu Kingdom and a founding general, your contributions to the nation’s success are undeniable.

However, even an emperor must be subject to the law, let alone your son.

Mo Yuanshan obstructed the Jinyiwei from enforcing the law and even injured our officers.

He must not only provide an explanation to my Jinyiwei brothers but also to the very laws of Wu Kingdom.

Otherwise, what would the people think? What would the laws of Wu Kingdom be worth? Should anyone be allowed to trample over them?”

Mo Peinan nodded. “I understand and fully acknowledge what Lord Xu is saying. That is why…”

Halfway through his sentence, he reached into his sleeve and took out a golden plaque.

The plaque bore a single engraved character: 免 (“pardon”).

Mo Peinan continued, “This is the Imperial Pardon Token granted to the Mo family by the late emperor. It can be used three times.

Many years ago, in a moment of folly, I used it once. Two uses remain. Today, I use one for Yuanshan.”

Xu Ming gazed at the token and said, “Grand Pillar, your son’s crime does not warrant the death penalty. Using an Imperial Pardon Token for this… isn’t it a bit extravagant?”

“Not at all,” Mo Peinan shook his head.

“I do not have many years left to live. If my son is imprisoned for ten years, I may not live long enough to see him again.”

Xu Ming continued, “But if I recall correctly, the use of this pardon token comes with a condition?”

Hearing this, Mo Peinan was momentarily stunned.

“Indeed, Lord Xu is correct. The late emperor decreed that if I use this Imperial Pardon Token, the pardon is only valid if the recipient couldn’t withstands three punches from me. Otherwise, the token is rendered null and void.”

In an instant, Wu Yanhan and Tang Ningzhi, who were seated in the hall, straightened their postures, their eyes locking onto Xu Ming.

Both of them worried that Xu Ming might do something reckless.

And just as they feared—

Xu Ming stood up from his seat and stepped down from the high platform.

“In that case, I would like to experience the Grand Pillar’s fists firsthand.”

Mo Peinan furrowed his brows, looking at the young man before him.

“Are you certain? According to the late emperor’s decree, I am allowed to strike with power two realms above your own.”

Xu Ming smiled.

“No need for reminders, Grand Pillar—I am well aware.”