Chapter 132: The Court Established in the Bustling Market

"Ah, follow the Princess's lead? Very well." Zhang Yi, looking completely bewildered, hauled out the magistrate's desk and placed two chairs beside it, inviting Xiao Jingxuan and Su Jingluo to take their seats. Xiao Jingxuan had intended to pull Su Jingluo down to sit with him, but he noticed her hands were ice-cold and her expression was laced with tension.

"What is it? Are you nervous?" Xiao Jingxuan whispered.

"Yes," Su Jingluo admitted with a nod. After all, a young maid had died; it would be a lie to say she felt no regret. Furthermore, facing a public trial—a grand spectacle of accusation in front of a massive crowd—naturally made her uneasy. Though she appeared composed to the outside world, she allowed this momentary vulnerability to surface only for him.

"I will take you home," Xiao Jingxuan said, his heart aching at her attempt to mask her anxiety. He reached for her hand to lead her away.

"No, I cannot run away just because of fear. Besides, I have done nothing wrong, and I do not want you and me to be pointed at and whispered about for the rest of our lives," Su Jingluo said, pulling him back firmly.

"Why care what the ignorant masses say? Do not worry, what can they possibly do to me? I will protect you," Xiao Jingxuan looked at her with unwavering, absolute conviction.

"Thank you, but I don't want to be a coward. I’ll be fine, rest assured." Su Jingluo squeezed his hand tightly, as if to draw strength from him and instill it in herself.

"Your Highness, Princess, please take your seats." Zhang Yi watched them nervously, unsure of what the couple was whispering about. The atmosphere was awkward, and he prayed they wouldn't cause any more trouble.

"The Prince holds a title and should be seated. I will stand," Su Jingluo said, pushing Xiao Jingxuan toward his seat while remaining standing herself. In this public theater of judgment, they were the involved parties. If she were to sit while the two maids knelt, the visual disparity would inevitably fuel public opinion against the Prince’s estate.

"Sit down!" Xiao Jingxuan was displeased. It was one thing to interrogate the maids, but if Su Jingluo remained standing, it would look as if she, too, were being put on trial. He shot a fierce glare at Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi looked on in innocent despair. *My dear Prince, your wife is the one choosing to stand! I didn't force her, why are you glaring at me?*

"Princess, please, take your seat," Zhang Yi urged, not daring to sit himself while she stood, especially under the Prince’s hostile gaze.

"I will not sit. Proceed with your trial," Su Jingluo insisted stubbornly.

Zhang Yi wore a bitter smile. He must have failed to consult the almanac before work today to end up dealing with this pair. Seeing the Prince still glowering and the Princess refusing to yield, he had no choice but to stand, strike the gavel, and summon the parties involved.

Su Jingluo pointed to the grievances drum nearby and instructed her entourage, "Go and beat that drum for the length of one incense stick."

Though the attendants were confused by the Princess's intent, they obeyed.

"Princess, why are you doing this?" Zhang Yi asked, bewildered. Was she intending to file a complaint against someone? Xiao Jingxuan was equally confused, but seeing Zhang Yi voice the question, he simply watched Su Jingluo, waiting for her answer.

"A public trial is only effective if there are as many witnesses as possible. Otherwise, it loses its purpose." Su Jingluo had thought this through; with rumors and malicious pamphlets circulating through the city, if she didn't clear her name now, the entire effort would be in vain.

Regardless of the biting winter chill, the common folk were always eager for a spectacle, especially one involving a maid accusing a princess. With the trial held right at the gates of the government office, the crowd surged in, layer upon layer, pushing and shoving until they were nearly at each other's throats.