Chapter 41 The General's Blade

That text message was like a faint flash of electricity, suddenly illuminating Jiang Yi's dead and desolate world.

Lowering his eyes, he looked at the line of words on the screen. Those pupils, which had long lost their focus due to shock and betrayal, slowly re-focused at this moment.

[She is a temporary witness. Do not debate emotions with her; that is her trap. Ask her who contacted her, and when, to make her come and testify.]

No comfort. No sympathy.

Only the calmest analysis and the most precise command.

This was very much like Xu Yuan.

And it was very much... to his liking.

That cold, raging fury, which had been turned upside down by Song Shiya's tears and lies, found an outlet for release in this single instant.

Slowly raising his head, his gaze swept past the crowded courtroom and landed precisely on the girl sitting in the front row of the gallery, who was looking at him with a calm expression.

Their eyes met.

She gave him a gentle, slight nod.

That look seemed to say: Go ahead, my general.

Your blade has already been forged for you.

Jiang Yi's heart felt as though it were being grasped by a warm hand, gently yet with immense force.

He withdrew his gaze. On that face, which had long been refrozen by frost, all vulnerability and desolation vanished completely.

Replaced by a form of absolute, almost cruel, calmness.

"Witness," the plaintiff's lawyer was clearly very satisfied with his own masterpiece. Looking at Jiang Yi's "demented" appearance, a victorious smile appeared on his face. "My questioning is finished."

The judge nodded and turned his gaze to the defense bench.

"Defendant, do you have any objections to the witness's testimony? Or are there any questions you need to ask the witness?"

The eyes of the entire courtroom focused on Jiang Yi once more.

Everyone thought he would break down, become furious, and struggle futilely like a cornered beast driven to rage.

Jiang Yi slowly stood up.

He did not look at the lawyer, nor did he look at Song Shiya.

He merely adjusted his collar, which did not have a single wrinkle.

Then, he spoke in a voice so calm it was chilling:

"Your Honor, I have no objections."

"I simply have a few questions I would like to ask the witness."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly resonated throughout the entire courtroom.

A flash of imperceptible smugness crossed Song Shiya's tear-stained face.

She thought he was about to start debating with her about those feelings and past events that she had already twisted out of shape.

And that was precisely her battlefield of choice—her specialty.

Jiang Yi finally cast his gaze upon her.

His expression was cold and distant, as if he were looking at an object entirely unrelated to himself.

"Song Shiya," he began, calling her by her full name. "You just said that you broke up with me because you couldn't bear the thought of me living a luxurious life funded by so-called 'ill-gotten gains,' is that correct?"

"Y-Yes," Song Shiya sobbed in response. "I... I couldn't get past my own conscience."

"Good." Jiang Yi nodded, a faint, almost mocking smile touching the corners of his lips.

"Then may I ask about the Chanel haute couture dress you are wearing right now, the limited-edition Cartier watch on your wrist, and the red Porsche 911 parked outside the courthouse..."

With every item he named, Song Shiya's face grew a shade paler.

"Are these, too, proof that you couldn't get past your 'conscience'?"

"I..." Song Shiya's breath hitched instantly.

"Order!" The judge struck the gavel. "Defendant, please mind your questioning and refrain from personal attacks!"

"Apologies, Your Honor." Jiang Yi nodded slightly, his attitude respectful yet carrying a sharp, unquestionable edge.

"I am merely trying to demonstrate that there is a massive contradiction between the witness's testimony and her own actions."

"However, it doesn't matter." Changing the subject, he no longer lingered on that point, instead drawing out the sharpest blade that Xu Yuan had personally handed to him.

"I would like to ask the witness: who contacted you, when, and in what manner, to make you attend this trial?"

As soon as this question left his lips, all the color drained completely from Song Shiya's face.

For the first time, genuine panic surfaced in her tear-filled eyes.

"I... I don't understand what you mean." Subconsciously, she looked toward the plaintiff's lawyer.

The plaintiff's lawyer's expression changed as well. He immediately stood up and protested loudly, "Objection! The defendant's question is irrelevant to this case!"

"Oh? Is that so?" A cold curve formed at the corner of Jiang Yi's mouth. "Your Honor, the reason I ask this is because I have grave suspicions that my 'ex-girlfriend' was maliciously instigated by someone to provide false testimony."

"And her motive is directly related to the credibility of her testimony."

"I—I did not!" Song Shiya's voice suddenly grew shrill. "I came here voluntarily! I came to seek justice!"

"Is that right?" Jiang Yi let out a cold laugh. "Then please tell the court how you found out about today's trial."

"I... I..." Song Shiya's eyes began to dart around.

Her brain was spinning at top speed.

She couldn't say that Wen Ran had told her to come.

Even less could she say that Wen Ran had only notified her at the last minute before the trial.

Because doing so would only cement her status as a "temporary witness," making all her testimony look like a calculated, premeditated conspiracy.

"I... I saw it in the news!" she blurted out, seizing on an excuse she thought was airtight.

Yet Jiang Yi acted as if he had anticipated her saying this all along.

The smile on his face grew even colder.

"News?"

He turned to face the judge, speaking with absolute clarity:

"Your Honor, as far as I am aware, this trial involves a property dispute in a civil case. According to relevant regulations, prior to the official hearing, there is no public announcement made to the media."

"Therefore, witness Song Shiya, from which 'news outlet' exactly did you manage to find out in advance about today's closed trial?"