Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 433 - 408: Ignorance Is No Excuse!

Chapter 433: Chapter 408: Ignorance Is No Excuse!

Cao Demeng had not finished his words when he was kicked away by the Chamber Head of Changle who stood behind him.

Cao Demeng dared not resist and could only silently endure the kick.

Then he turned toward Emperor Kaihuang with a clasped-fist salute.

"Former Empress Dowager of Northern Zhou, now the Chamber Head of Changle, has seen Emperor Kaihuang."

Yang Lihua’s voice was very calm, devoid of any emotions.

"I am willing to exchange half of the entire Yu Family’s assets for Zhang San’s safety and well-being. I hope Emperor Kaihuang will show mercy beyond the law."

Although Emperor Kaihuang had already decided to spare Zhang San, his heart still trembled upon hearing Yang Lihua’s words.

Looking at Yang Lihua, who kept her head down and was unwilling to look at him, he asked, "Don’t you even wish to call me ’Grandfather’ just once?"

Yang Lihua replied indifferently, "You do not wish to have a grandchild with Yuwen blood, I do not wish to have a ’Grandfather’ who has killed my flesh and blood. It’s better to be just ruler and subject."

Emperor Kaihuang gnashed his teeth, feeling as though each of his daughter’s sentences was sharper than a keen blade, colder than the ice and snow of a winter month.

After a long while, Emperor Kaihuang slowly spoke, "Is this man, Zhang San, that important to you?"

Yang Lihua knew what might be on the Emperor’s mind, so she immediately explained.

"After the Ghost Festival, when I returned from sweeping the tombs for Ming, I met Zhang San for the first time. Knowing that he could employ the Ghost Summoning Method, I asked him to help search for Ming’s soul. Although we never found it, coincidentally, that night, they were ambushed by three Purple Mansion Realm masters and numerous Spiritual Platform Realm assailants. A young boy intervened and saved them, and although I could tell he was not Ming, he bore an uncanny resemblance to him."

"I am not sure if that was the last karmic connection with Ming. But I know that it was because of meeting Zhang San that I got to see my Ming’s face one more time. Even if it was only a reflection in water, I was willing to scoop it up."

"Therefore, I came to acknowledge Zhang San as my younger brother. And this brother has been good to me, unlike my previous brothers who were only superficial, clinging to power when advantageous and dismissive without it."

"Looking at it, now I have a younger sister like Qiong and a younger brother like Zhang San, having both my relatives by my side is rather pleasant."

Emperor Kaihuang had thought his daughter might have developed other feelings for Zhang San.

Alas, it was not so.

But it didn’t matter. Although it was merely the affection between siblings, Yang Lihua’s disposition was stubborn, and the decisions she made were not easily changed.

Since she acknowledged Zhang San as her brother, he would not make things difficult for Zhang San.

It would also serve as an indirect way to make up for the harm he had caused her in the past.

"I understand. You may leave. I will discuss this with Chief Li."

Although Yang Lihua did not receive a definite answer, at least through Emperor Kaihuang’s tone, coupled with her own knowledge of Kaihuang’s past debts to her, she guessed that Zhang San would be alright.

After Yang Lihua came out, she glanced at Cao Demeng.

Frightened, Cao Demeng immediately stepped back half a step.

He was among the Thousand Cattle Guards, always following Emperor Kaihuang, and though his rank wasn’t high, everyone who saw him treated him with courtesy.

Even the Crown Prince smiled and nodded at him when they met.

Yet this Chamber Head of Changle, just for his failure to announce her, started with a slap.

Such a resounding slap!

"Take me to see Zhang San!"

"But Zhang San is in the main hall with the others... Take, take, take... Chamber Head Changle, please follow me."

Seeing that Yang Lihua was about to raise her hand again, Cao Demeng dared not say any more and just complied.

Yang Lihua arrived at the Ministry of Punishment’s main hall to find it crowded with many people.

At the moment, many were smug.

Members of the Zheng Family were discussing whether Zhang San would be dismembered by five horses, have his entire family executed, or first be dismembered and then have his family executed.

Although Wen Chudao did not publicly say anything, he was chatting softly with Shen Wei.

"Although there have been some misunderstandings between my Wen Family and Zhang San, I never neglect public duties for personal grievances. This time, it seems Zhang San won’t escape his fate! Even Emperor Kaihuang is presiding over the trial, could he still let this lad off?"

Shen Wei looked at Zhang San with a mix of awkward and complex feelings.

The Baili Family’s youths were also very happy.

They all felt that the reason they were unpopular at the Town Demon Office was because of this damned Zhang San.

Now that Zhang San was facing death, they were more than happy, and some even wanted to taunt Zhang San a bit. However, they were intimidated into silence by a stern look from Baili Tu.

And just then, someone announced, "The Chamber Head of Changle has arrived—"

Upon hearing of the Chamber Head of Changle’s arrival, everyone immediately fell silent.

Although she seldom made public appearances, everyone was aware of her significance.

However, as soon as Yang Lihua walked in, she ignored everyone and proceeded with her own entourage.

Some people still did not know who the Chamber Head of Changle was or what her title meant.

Upon hearing a brief explanation from those nearby, they were immediately frightened into standing straight and quiet, not daring to show the slightest bit of disrespect.

This was the former Empress Dowager of Northern Zhou, who later became Princess Changle by the decree of Emperor Kaihuang!

Even the daughter of Emperor Kaihuang insisted on being called the Chamber Head of Changle.

With her status and temperament, who would dare to be disrespectful in her presence!

Therefore, everyone was exceedingly polite in their greetings and attitude.

But Yang Lihua acted as if she hadn’t heard any of it and made a beeline for Zhang San.

"Little brother, don’t worry, I just went and pleaded for you, there’s nothing to worry about."

Zhang San couldn’t help but be startled and glanced at Yang Lihua.

He knew that Yang Lihua probably hadn’t spoken to Emperor Kaihuang for years, and yet, today, she had requested an audience with him for his sake.

"Sister, this... I... I don’t even know how to thank you..."

"Enough of that. We’re siblings, so there’s no need for thanks between us."

At this time, seeing that it was his eldest sister Yang Lihua who had arrived, the Crown Prince immediately walked over and gave a respectful bow.

"I’ve seen my elder sister. I hope you’ve been well."

Yang Lihua blatantly ignored the Crown Prince, as if he were an unattractive stray cat or dog she encountered on the roadside, not worth so much as a glance.

The Crown Prince, who had just bowed respectfully, was now incredibly embarrassed.

But after all, she was his elder sister, and he dared not say anything.

"Little brother, rest assured, there’s definitely no problem this time. Are you hungry? You were called over early in the morning, weren’t you? Fearing you might be hungry, I prepared some pastries just in case."

At this moment, a maid brought over two plates of pastries.

Zhang San turned his head and saw that one of the girls dressed as a maid was Qiong.

Zhang San was just about to greet her when Qiong winked and shook her head at him.

Clearly, Qiong had secretly followed along but didn’t want to be recognized by others.

Zhang San nodded slightly and picked up a piece of pastry to eat.

Seeing that Zhang San was enjoying the food, Yang Lihua laughed and said, "Eat more, this plate was made by my own hand. This one was made by Qiong."

Zhang San looked at the pastries made by Qiong and saw that they were not only larger than those his sister had made, some parts seemed burnt and turned a bit black.

"These blackened ones are suited for someone with dark complexion to eat, I’ll just eat what my sister made," he said.

Qiong, knowing that Zhang San was teasing her and Wang Junwu, turned red with embarrassment.

And just as Zhang San was about to pick up a second pastry, Emperor Kaihuang and Li Moxian emerged from behind the hall.

Everyone immediately bowed and showed their respect.

As soon as Emperor Kaihuang entered, his eyes went straight to the pastry in Zhang San’s hand.

After all, he had just overheard outside that it was made by his own daughter.

As Emperor Kaihuang slowly sat down, his eyes seemed to shoot fire at Zhang San.

"Audacious Zhang San, do you know your crime?"

Zhang San shook his head and said, "I do not."

While speaking, Zhang San noticed that Emperor Kaihuang’s gaze seemed not to rest on him, but on the pastry in his hand and on the plate beside him.

Zhang San instantly understood.

He quickly put the pastry back on the plate and offered the entire plate to Emperor Kaihuang.

"Your Majesty, you must be hungry after coming all this way for my affair. Please, eat something to fill your stomach first."

Emperor Kaihuang pretended to be angry as he glanced at Zhang San, then happily started to eat the pastries.

It was, indeed, delicious – the craftsmanship of his own daughter!

After contentedly eating two pieces, Emperor Kaihuang realized that everyone was looking at him strangely.

What did these people mean?

Can’t I eat something before getting down to business?

Though feeling annoyed inside, Emperor Kaihuang still grabbed the last two pieces of pastry from the plate and tucked them into his sleeve, then looked at Zhang San with a stern face.

In a stern voice, he said, "Zhang San, do you not know your own crime?"

Zhang San continued to shake his head, his face the picture of innocence as he said, "Your Majesty, I truly do not know."

Emperor Kaihuang snorted coldly, then slowly said, "It is said: ignorance does not incur guilt. This case has no conclusive evidence, and since you indeed did not know, you’re acquitted!"[Note 100]

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[Note 100]A little legal knowledge

"Ignorance does not incur guilt" certainly does not mean in the context of this Chapter that you are innocent just because you do not know whether you’ve committed a crime or not. It’s just a pretext and for dramatic effect that Emperor Kaihuang used to help clear Zhang San.

In fact, "ignorance does not incur guilt" refers to those who subjectively are unaware that their behavior would cause harm – they may have been criminally liable in objective terms, having met the objective facts of a crime, yet lacked the subjective intent to commit the crime.

This theory is recorded as early as in the "Yantielun·Xingde" of the Western Han Dynasty, stating "Those who intend good yet contravene the law should be spared; those who intend evil yet comply with the law should be punished." The meaning is that if your intent is benevolent and your actions break the law, you should still be spared. If your intent is malevolent, even if your actions are legal, you should be executed.

In modern criminal law, the determination of a crime requires both objective criminal conduct and subjective criminal intent; the absence of either renders it incomplete.

This is just a simple explanation of the law, not a suggestion to pretend ignorance in order to commit crimes! If you get in trouble, don’t say it was because of my book! Thank you!