The capital courtroom at dawn continues from the opened blood-witness wedding rite. The bronze Truth Lantern hangs over the altar, gold and still. Mei stands at the petitioner's side with her question slips; Bai Yuwen sits silent at the gro

Aji is brought from the witness side path to the stand. Mei notices the unfamiliar gold pin in her hair again, now bright under the Lantern.

Aji reaches the witness stand and is sworn under the blood-witness rules. The Lantern's function is made plain for readers and the courtroom.

Mei begins with familiar household facts to calm Aji and establish her role in the Su household.

Mei establishes the betrothal-gift register and Aji's chain-of-custody role.

Mei tightens the chain of custody around who saw the register seals before the marriage terms were read.

Mei asks about the marriage-debt clause, the legal trap that threatens her father's salt license if the marriage proceeds under Bai house terms.

Mei tries to lead Aji toward the contradiction she expected, but Aji refuses dangerous words and answers narrowly.

Mei realizes Aji's answers are technically true but shaped to avoid the path Mei prepared.

Mei pivots to the gold pin, believing the question harmless. Aji lies, and the Lantern flares blue.

Mei tries to turn the lie into useful proof, but Aji gives only narrow statements that reveal nothing decisive.

Mei returns to the register questions, but Aji is now more cautious and less useful than before.

Aji is dismissed. Mei looks toward Master Wen's empty place, then Old Hu is called to testify.

Old Hu takes the oath under the Lantern. Unlike Aji, he is nervous only in the way a man respects danger.

Mei establishes Old Hu's authority over the official marriage register and his presence during the gift exchange.

Mei presses the debt clause alteration theory. Old Hu answers truthfully and narrows the issue away from Bai misconduct.

Mei tries to prove pressure against her father. Old Hu's truthful answer makes her father's participation sound deliberate and informed.

Mei attempts to attach the clause to Bai Yuwen personally. Old Hu's answer distances Bai from the key meeting while Bai remains silent.

Mei asks the direct alteration question she built her case around. Old Hu's answer is gold, and a door in Mei's case shuts.

Mei's prepared question order starts to fail. The gallery interprets gold truth as Bai's innocence, even though Mei knows truth can be arranged.

Magistrate Lu ends Old Hu's testimony and calls for Master Wen. The empty scholar's place becomes unavoidable.

Mei stands beneath the gold Lantern with her witnesses damaged or absent. The empty place for Master Wen dominates the courtroom.