Chapter 149: The Real and Fake Baili

Just as Wen Qiran was praying that the Emperor's advanced age had made him hard of hearing and that he hadn't caught Wen Jing's words, Emperor Zhao Gou's gaze instantly locked onto Wen Jing.

"Who spoke just now?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was this humble official's eldest daughter, Qiniang," Wen Qiran quickly knelt as well, casting a sideways glare of warning at Wen Jing.

Wen Jing acted as though she hadn't noticed, thinking to herself, *Father, I'll explain everything to you when we get home.*

Zhao Gou looked from Wen Qiran to Wen Jing, and said, "So it is the daughter of Official Wen. Raise your head. Tell Us how you intend to prove this. We see that the female criminal appears no different from ordinary people. Once such a precedent is set, I fear imitators will follow one after another. Would that not throw the laws of the state into chaos?"

"What Your Majesty says is entirely correct, yet I beg Your Majesty to allow this subject's daughter to offer a brief explanation," Wen Jing said, keeping her gaze lowered.

Zhao Gou let out a muffled "Hmm" from his nose, a sound that sent a chill down Wen Qiran's spine. Based on his decades of experience serving the sovereign, whenever the Emperor felt impatient, he would emit such a protracted nasal hum...

"Firstly, the eighth page of the dossier in Your Majesty's hands should actually consist of two separate sheets of paper. In truth, both were written by Fang Tingyu, but at the time, she was not acting of her own volition; rather, her consciousness was that of another male. As for the second sheet of paper, it bears Fang Tingyu's original handwriting. I humbly request Your Majesty to compare them."

With that, Wen Jing raised her head, gazing from afar at the Emperor seated high upon his throne. She thought to herself that this Emperor, though capricious, was at least somewhat reasonable; otherwise, he might have simply barked out an order to drag her away and behead her...

Eunuch Li hurriedly flipped to the eighth page and presented it before Zhao Gou.

Zhao Gou glanced at it twice and said flatly, "This proves nothing. It is merely handwriting. Even an illness can be faked, so a mere handwriting style can naturally be imitated."

With her head bowed, Wen Jing found herself utterly speechless at Zhao Gou's dismissal. This was an eloquent and sharp-tongued Emperor, and an exceedingly stubborn one at that. It seemed his so-called sense of justice was merely a byproduct of his persuasive rhetoric—he simply argued others into a corner where they had no words left to defend themselves.

Ji Changge looked at the "defeated" Wen Jing, her expression slightly crestfallen. He had not expected even the famously articulate Wen Jing to retreat so quickly.

"Secondly, Fang Tingyu is by nature timid and weak, too cowardly even to kill a fish, let alone slaughter so many people. Imperial Physician Fang can attest to this. It is impossible for a person to suddenly undergo such a drastic transformation."

Fang Yuan Kang had been waiting outside the grand hall all along. Summoned by Eunuch Li, he hurried inside and dropped to his knees.

"Official Fang, is what this... person said true?" Zhao Gou asked, looking down at Fang Yuan Kang.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, what Wen Qiniang said is true. From childhood, my daughter has been exceptionally timid. She would hide far away at the mere sight of chickens or fish being slaughtered, and would faint at the sight of blood. Had it not been for this, this humble subject would have intended to teach her medical arts," Fang Yuan Kang said with a trembling voice. At the same time, his heart was filled with profound gratitude toward Wen Jing; had their positions been reversed, he surely would have chosen to protect himself and remain silent.

"Seen from conventional logic, that is indeed the case. However, should one encounter a major upheaval, a drastic change in temperament is also part of human nature. The dossier records that the female criminal committed these violent acts because her dearest bosom friend was murdered. That is the very cause of her sudden transformation."

Both pieces of evidence were effortlessly dismissed by Zhao Gou, leaving Wen Jing quite helpless. Yet she dared not argue too aggressively; after all, this was an emperor wielding absolute power of life and death, not a difficult opposing counsel in a courtroom. A single misstep and even Wen Qiran would be dragged down into ruin with her...

"Do you have any further evidence? If not..." Zhao Gou said expressionlessly.

Fang Yuan Kang looked at Fang Tingyu in despair, but Fang Tingyu herself wore a calm expression, as though she had long since prepared herself. Her eyes merely flicked toward Baili Moshang, who had remained silent throughout.

"This subject's daughter has one more strategy!" Wen Jing cried out loudly.

Zhao Gou's brows furrowed slightly. He cast a sideways glance at Wen Jing and said coldly, "Do you know what place this is? Do you know who is gathered here? If you are merely wasting Our time..."

"This subject's daughter is willing to accept the punishment," Wen Jing said, lowering her head.

Seeming surprised by Wen Jing's stubborn persistence—since this matter had nothing to do with the Wen family and she had no need to entangle herself in it—Zhao Gou looked thoughtfully at the prostrate figure of Wen Jing.

Ji Changge, Wen Qiran, and the others watched the unpredictable Zhao Gou with taut nerves, dreading what might happen the next second.

"Your Majesty, this subject's daughter wishes to try the art of 'hypnotism.' The so-called art of hypnotism is a novel medical technique used to unveil the hidden facets of a patient's mind. Shortly, Your Majesty will witness Fang Siniang transform into another person, thereby proving that when she committed the murders, her actions were not controlled by her own conscious self."

When Wen Jing finished speaking, she felt at a loss for words. Terms that were so easily explained and widely used in the modern era became nearly impossible to describe in ancient times. Moreover, a single wrong choice of phrasing could incur the crime of treason punishable by execution. At last, she truly understood the meaning of every word piercing the heart like a knife.

Upon hearing the four words "art of hypnotism," the expressions of Ji Changge and Dong Sheng darkened. They thought to themselves, *It already failed once at the Taoist temple, and now you're trying it again... Aren't you simply marching yourself to your own execution?*

Everyone else wore blank expressions; they had never even heard of such a thing as "hypnotism." Fang Yuan Kang looked equally bewildered, having never encountered any such newly invented medical technique...

"Imperial Physician Fang, have you ever heard of this healing art?" Zhao Gou suddenly fixed his gaze on Fang Yuan Kang, as though piercing straight through his thoughts.

Fang Yuan Kang trembled all over before replying, "Reporting to Your Majesty, I have heard of it faintly, but I am not proficient in it."

Wen Jing breathed a sigh of relief. She had felt as though she could no longer breathe just moments before. She had assumed the old, rigid imperial physician would never dare to lie, as that was the crime of deceiving the sovereign, punishable by death. If Fang Yuan Kang had claimed he had never heard of it, the Emperor surely would have grown suspicious. Yet Fang Yuan Kang had risked everything for the sake of his daughter...

"Since that is the case, then proceed," Zhao Gou said indifferently, placing no faith whatsoever in the hypnotism Wen Jing spoke of.

Dong Sheng shifted slightly. Knowing his imperial father all too well, he could see that his father's expression clearly indicated he was waiting to find fault. It seemed this venture was fraught with peril. If he were not in his current predicament, he could at least put in a few good words, but right now he could barely protect himself. He glanced over at Ji Changge and saw the same look of bitter regret, thinking to himself, *Doesn't this all stem from the terrible idea you came up with?*

Feeling the aggrieved gaze directed at him, Ji Changge could only wear a look of helpless resignation. The situation had spiraled out of control.

Wen Jing retrieved an iron ball from her person—the very same one she had used previously at the Taoist temple—and walked over to Fang Tingyu, beginning to swing the ball back and forth.

"Look at it."

Fang Tingyu's gaze followed the movement of the iron ball, her eyes tracking back and forth.

Everyone's eyes were fixed squarely on Fang Tingyu and Wen Jing, and the grand hall fell into absolute silence.

Time ticked away second by second. The iron ball continued to swing, yet nothing seemed to change.

Ji Changge glanced sideways at Zhao Gou and saw that the Emperor's brows had furrowed even deeper. The Emperor was notoriously impatient.

Just as Zhao Gou opened his mouth to speak, Fang Tingyu suddenly collapsed. Everyone jumped in alarm, fearing that something had happened to her...

As Fang Yuan Kang made to step forward and examine her, Wen Jing made a "shh" gesture and signaled with her eyes that everything was fine.

"Can you hear my voice? Baili Moshang, long time no see," Wen Jing said softly.

Baili Moshang, standing nearby, abruptly raised his head, looking in astonishment between Wen Jing and Fang Tingyu. Although Ji Changge had already told him the general outline of what had happened, he still harbored deep doubts, finding it impossible to believe that one person could completely transform into another.

Fang Tingyu's eyes suddenly snapped open. "Qiniang, long time no see. Where is this?"

Ji Changge and Dong Sheng wore expressions of mingled shock and delight. Could this be considered a success? The person before them was undoubtedly Fang Tingyu no longer; this was Baili Moshang.

"This is the imperial palace. You have been asleep for a long time," Wen Jing said with a slight smile.

"Fang Tingyu" looked around in startled confusion, then hurriedly knelt upon the ground and said, "This humble subject Baili Moshang pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live for ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years."

A trace of astonishment flickered across Zhao Gou's face. Had he not witnessed it with his own eyes, he never would have believed that Fang Siniang, moments ago a timid and shrinking young lady, could suddenly transform into such a poised and graceful person.

Noticing the Emperor's bewildered expression, Ji Changge knew Wen Jing had succeeded in her first step. She had successfully aroused the Emperor's curiosity, though that did not mean the Emperor trusted them yet. Zhao Gou was a deeply suspicious man; he scarcely placed full trust even in his own sons.

"Baili Moshang, take a look at who this is," Wen Jing said, pointing toward the real Baili Moshang standing to the side.

"Baili Moshang" stared in utter shock at the silver-haired Baili Moshang, murmuring, "Could this be... myself ten years in the future?"

"Yes, he is you in the future," Wen Jing said softly.

Watching Fang Tingyu's gestures, expression, and even her familiar tone—along with the confidence and arrogance in her eyes—Baili Moshang felt a suffocating tightness in his chest. Was this not what he had been like a few years ago? Then he looked at his current self: fallen into ruin like a stray dog, left with nothing but a riddled and shattered shell. Who could possibly believe this was the once-brilliant young scholar, Master Baili?

"I humbly request Your Majesty to have a folding screen brought in, along with two tables and two sets of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone," Wen Jing said, turning toward Zhao Gou.

Zhao Gou raised a hand, and Eunuch Li hurriedly instructed servants to make the preparations. In no time at all, the items were brought into the hall.

Wen Jing had Fang Tingyu and Baili Moshang sit on opposite sides of the folding screen, each holding a brush.

"Now I am going to ask you some questions. Please write your answers down on the paper. Remember, do not speak them aloud."

Both nodded simultaneously.

"First question: in your hearts, who is the most important person?" Wen Jing asked.

Baili Moshang and Fang Tingyu pondered for a moment, each writing a name on their respective sheets of paper.

"Second question: what is the most unforgettable event from your childhood?"

The two picked up their brushes once more and began to write.

"Final question: whom do you are most grateful to in this lifetime?"

The two deliberated over this question for quite some time. Once they finally set their brushes down, Wen Jing folded the two pieces of paper together.

"I ask Your Majesty to inspect them personally."

Eunuch Li stepped forward, retrieved the two answers, unfolded them, and placed them before Zhao Gou.

Gazing at the nearly identical answers written on the two sheets of paper, Zhao Gou could not suppress the look of astonishment that broke across his face.

Ji Changge and Dong Sheng exchanged glances, both exhaling a sigh of relief. Judging by the Emperor's expression, the answers must have matched closely.

"We also have a question to ask the both of you, and We require your answers as well. If you can answer this question identically too, then We shall believe you," Zhao Gou said with a faint smile.

Everyone's heart skipped a beat. Just as they thought they had cleared the hurdle, the Emperor was throwing another obstacle in their path. Wondering what difficult problem the Emperor would pose, and dreading the consequences of a wrong answer...

Wen Jing looked at the two Baili Moshangs and gave a slight nod.