A Famous Trial


Vick, Ruby, the twins, O, Ai, Zan, and the others in the Jade Palace were all up there to have a joint breakfast. Everything was normal until Zeng rushed into the room with a letter. He gave it to Shifu, then Shifu read it out loud. "The judge wants our helps with a special case. Says he couldn't figure it out." Shifu looked at Zan. "Are you ready?"

"Always," Zan smirked cockily. Zan, Ai, and the rest went to the judgement house. The other kids decided to leave Zan and Ai with the masters. They shortly came to the judgement house and began the judging. "The fields don't belong to you," Zan said to the one duck as the other one smirked. "Neither do they belong to you." The duck's smirk vanished. "They both belong to everyone. Do I control the air that you are breathing? Is it mine so because it's in my chamber? You will both lose your share of the fields for three months. You will not use them for any purposes." The two bowed and left. The crowd murmured loudly.

"Master Shifu," Ai whispered, "why are there so many today?"

"There is great interest in the next case. A case from the southern region."

"Old Gian," Zan guessed. Shifu nodded as two female goat came into the courtroom.

"Your judgment is needed," Shifu explained. Zan saw a little goat baby carried by a female official. Then the court official spoke.

"Your highness, this case is simple yet complex in the same way. Both women here are recently widowed and both have given birth to two male boys. This case arose after one of the boys died. You may now speak your case." The first one spoke.

"Well, we both share a room together with two beds. I laid my baby to rest in a crib while she lied with the baby in her arms. I warned her that she might roll over the baby."

"Lies," Shouted the other, "I warned her not to lie with the baby!" Zan raised his hand, silencing her.

"Do you have any proof that he is your baby," He asked the second one.

"A mother knows her child, dear prince," said the second. Zan looked pensively at them.

"Your highness, I know the baby like the back of my hand," said the first, "It's my child!"

"It's mine," The other shouted.

"SILENCE!" Zan shouted. The crowd murmured loudly, making the baby cry. Tigress went over to the baby and soothed it. Zan thought for a while as the baby slowly grew quieter under Tigress's care. Then Zan had an idea. He whispered to Ai, "What ever happens, trust me." Ai nodded. "Was there no doctor," Zan asked the court official.

"None." Zan thought for a moment.

"Guard, put the baby on the table in the middle of the two women," Zan commanded. A rhino guard gently took the baby out of Tigress's arms and did so. "Now take out your sword." The guard did so. The crowd was hushed. "Now take your sword and cut the child in half." Everyone was shocked as the two women's eyes grew.

"Has he lost his mind?!" Tigress asked Po. Po found himself not able to answer.

"Sir," the rhino asked, hoping he misheard.

"Take your sword and cut the baby in half. If both mothers claim the living child and neither claim the dead child, it's only natural that they both share the child. So cut the baby in half," Zan commanded. Shifu tried to talk Zan out of it, but Ai held him back. The soldier slowly raised the sword.

"No! Please! Don't hurt the baby!" screamed the first one in tears. "I lied! I lied! The baby is hers. Please! Give it to her! Just don't hurt the baby!" Zan looked over to the other.

"Will you remain silent," He asked.

"Your will be done, your highness," She replied. As the guard was about to swipe his sword down, Zan immediately stopped him with his hand, making the sword drop to the ground with a disturbing clank. Zan gently picked the crying infant up and gave it to the first mother, saying,

"A mother will doing anything for their child." The first one rejoiced as the other bitterly murmured as she was taken away. Zan sat back down on his seat as the word shouted his name in praise and admiration. After everyone exited the court, Tigress looked at Zan sternly. Zan rolled his eyes. "You honestly believe that I was going to have that baby killed?"

"With you Zan, I don't know what you would have done," Tigress replied.

"It was the only way," Po said. "Force the real mother to protect the baby while the other one wouldn't protect a baby that isn't hers. It's like with you and Zan." Zan gave Tigress a hug with a big goofy grin on his face. Tigress grumbled a bit but nonetheless smiled.

"But from now on," Shifu continued. "You're not doing these cases unless you tell me what you're going to be doing before hand."

"Yes Master Shifu," Zan replied.

to be continued.