◎Protect Lord Zhang or protect yourself—your choice◎

“Have you heard about that Miss Luo’s ghost filing a complaint?”

“Who doesn’t know? Even the theater troupes are singing about it now.”

“Do you think it’s really a person or a ghost? Did the Third Prince and Minister Zheng really harm the Luo family?”

“Whether it’s person or ghost is hard to say, but the case is definitely real,” someone said in a low voice. “Think about it—if the Third Prince could marry Zheng Biyue, would he still marry Luo Wanqing? If it were me, I wouldn’t either!”

“But that doesn’t justify harming an entire family, does it?”

…

In the tavern, people were discussing in various tones, many unanimously talking about the most mysterious affair in Great Xia recently.

The rumor was that one morning, when soldiers arrived at bulletin boards in Great Xia’s county towns, they discovered a crimson petition hanging there. On this petition, a woman calling herself Luo Wanqing claimed that her entire family had died from persecution by Minister of Justice Zheng Pingsheng and Third Prince Li Guiyu working together.

It involved ghosts and supernatural elements, romantic entanglements, and high-ranking powerful figures. Even though authorities tore down the petitions almost immediately, the news spread instantly in local areas.

Soon after it spread, people discovered it wasn’t just one county town—all surrounding counties were experiencing the same thing.

After some time, traveling merchants realized this wasn’t just a few county towns, but the entire Great Xia—nearly the whole country had these petitions posted overnight.

Although the posting times varied, through repeated telling, it became an overnight phenomenon.

This made supernatural explanations even more prominent, and the only “fortunate” place without posted petitions was ironically the Eastern Capital.

This better fit the mystical theory of “dragon energy protection, where spirits dare not trespass,” making people find it even more mysterious and discuss it with particular enthusiasm.

News was everywhere throughout the country. Even though the Eastern Capital had no posted petitions, it received the information a month later, with streets and alleys full of talk.

Luo Wanqing sat in the restaurant listening to these discussions. Zhang Yiran also heard the voices and looked particularly pleased. While pouring wine for Luo Wanqing, he said in a low voice: “These days, when my former teachers and old friends learned I was investigating this case, they all wrote to ask me about the details. I told them everything, and since they’re all local gentry, this matter will soon gain local authorities’ recognition. Many of their families have high officials—His Majesty should learn about this soon too.”

“His Majesty should have people around him suppressing the news,” Luo Wanqing pondered. “Otherwise he should have known by now.”

“Learning later is also good,” Zhang Yiran showed worry. “Right now we haven’t found anything that can prove Uncle Luo’s handwriting, and Jiqing hasn’t loosened up either…”

Zhang Yiran suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Luo Wanqing: “Is he still running around outside?”

“Yes,” Luo Wanqing smiled. “A few days ago he tried to leave the city but encountered Southern Office people as soon as he got out, so he ran back scared. Now he’s hiding in some broken temple and has been sleeping there for two days. The agents following him say he might try to leave the city again today.”

“We should still bring him back.” Zhang Yiran frowned deeply, saying uneasily: “With him outside like this… what if he dies…”

“Then he dies.”

Luo Wanqing’s tone was indifferent. Zhang Yiran looked up in surprise. Luo Wanqing rubbed her tea cup and turned to watch people coming and going on the street, her tone calm: “He forged confessions and cooperated with Zhou Chun in torture and forced confessions. He might have done many other evil things. Now refusing to testify and being killed by criminals—he’d deserve such a death.”

“But…” Zhang Yiran hesitated. “If he dies, then this case…”

“There will always be a way.” Luo Wanqing pondered. “Always…”

“White Tiger Chief.”

Before she could finish, Fang Yuan’s somewhat urgent knocking came from outside the door, saying in a low voice: “Jiqing has returned to the Supervision Department.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran exchanged glances, then Zhang Yiran immediately stood up: “Let’s go!”

Luo Wanqing nodded, took her veiled hat from nearby, and followed Zhang Yiran downstairs. Together they took a carriage back to the Supervision Department.

Jiqing had been placed in the Supervision Department’s guest hall. When Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran entered, they saw a disheveled, beggar-like middle-aged man sitting at the table frantically eating.

His actions were extremely undignified—he wasn’t even using chopsticks, as if he’d been starving for days.

The room reeked because of his presence. Luo Wanqing stopped at the doorway, glanced at a nearby attendant, and waved her hand: “Go prepare water and clean him up before we talk.”

She then took Zhang Yiran to the side hall to wait.

After a long wait, Jiqing came in burping. As soon as he entered, he knelt before Luo Wanqing and bowed: “Commander… burp… Commander Liu,” then looked at Zhang Yiran and bowed: “Lord Zhang.”

“Mr. Ji, please rise quickly.”

Zhang Yiran immediately stepped forward to help Jiqing up.

As Jiqing was helped up, his eyes reddened. Luo Wanqing sat to the side watching coldly, saying methodically: “Clerk Ji has returned—have you thought things through?”

Hearing this, Jiqing’s movements stiffened slightly, then he nodded with great difficulty, saying hoarsely: “Yes…”

“Mr. Ji has agreed to testify?” Zhang Yiran asked joyfully.

Jiqing’s hand trembled slightly. Luo Wanqing sensed something was wrong and stared at him intently. Jiqing didn’t dare look at Luo Wanqing and only nodded to Zhang Yiran: “Yes.”

“That’s wonderful,” Zhang Yiran released Jiqing and turned to look at Luo Wanqing, saying hurriedly: “Xiniang, you arrange for Mr. Ji first. I’ll immediately go submit a memorial to His Majesty…”

“Wait.”

Luo Wanqing stopped Zhang Yiran and only stared at Jiqing: “Clerk Ji, why did you suddenly change your mind?”

“I… I almost got killed this morning.”

Jiqing spoke vaguely. Luo Wanqing looked at the officer who had been following Jiqing, and the officer immediately explained: “This morning the Zheng family people found us, but we ran quickly and came straight back to the Supervision Department.”

“Oh.”

Luo Wanqing understood and nodded, her gaze returning to Jiqing: “Clerk Ji was scared?”

“Scared,” Jiqing said this word with genuine feeling, nodding: “I figured it out—if the Zheng family doesn’t fall, I can’t survive. Anyway, my family is now in the Supervision Department, so I have nothing to worry about. Just one worthless life…”

Jiqing looked up at Luo Wanqing and said seriously: “I’ll join you in the accusation!”

“I see…”

Luo Wanqing nodded. Jiqing’s explanation was within her expectations, but she still felt somewhat uneasy. She couldn’t identify the source of this unease and only pondered slowly: “Alright then. You rest first. Lord Zhang,” Luo Wanqing turned to Zhang Yiran, “shall we write the memorial?”

Zhang Yiran responded happily, comforted Jiqing with a few words, then hurriedly left.

After Zhang Yiran left, Jiqing became obviously more cautious. He stood before Luo Wanqing, his body trembling slightly.

Luo Wanqing looked up at him curiously: “Clerk Ji seems more afraid of me this time?”

“No.” Jiqing said hastily: “I… I was just frightened and haven’t recovered yet.”

“Then Clerk Ji should rest well.”

Luo Wanqing stood up, arranged for someone to take care of him, then called the two officers who had been following Jiqing to carefully inquire about his whereabouts over the past month.

“This morning he mixed with the crowd and left the city. After leaving, he was suddenly attacked. We two were trapped while he ran frantically. Later when we found him, he was almost killed.” The officer explained carefully: “Fortunately we rescued him in time. We escaped, shook off our pursuers, and returned to the Supervision Department.”

“So,” Luo Wanqing pondered, “there was a period when you weren’t with him?”

The two officers exchanged glances and said carefully: “Yes, Chief. Is there something wrong?”

“How long?”

“About… a quarter hour?” The two officers recalled.

Luo Wanqing nodded: “I understand.”

The two officers withdrew. Luo Wanqing sat in her original position, continuously thinking about Jiqing’s situation.

He was alone for a quarter hour, yet Jiqing was still alive. Should she say he was lucky, or…

She felt somewhat uneasy but couldn’t see anything specific for the moment. She could only instruct people to keep a close watch on Jiqing, then took the case files sent from Sizhou to review.

Since taking over the White Tiger Division, she had thoroughly investigated all major and minor cases in Sizhou.

Under Zheng family rule, Sizhou was absurd beyond belief.

Sizhou had layers of taxation—the court’s tax rate was three percent, but when collected in Sizhou, it reached nearly eight percent. Under heavy taxation, powerful families treating human life as worthless occurred frequently.

Luo Wanqing had been reading for a month but still hadn’t finished all the case files. More sadly, these case files were all listed as unsolved in the Supervision Department.

Most of these cases involved Zheng family relatives. The Supervision Department was powerless to investigate the Zheng family in Sizhou. Officers who insisted on investigation had died in double digits, causing many cases with clear evidence to remain unsolved.

Luo Wanqing patiently finished reading the cases. When she returned to the mountain that evening, she saw lights still on in Xie Heng’s small house.

Everyone had gone to sleep, leaving only Xie Heng sitting on the veranda reviewing documents. The candle lamp beside him became the only warm light in the night, enveloping his entire figure in a halo of light, like fireflies dancing gently in the darkness.

Luo Wanqing involuntarily stopped and quietly watched this person in the night.

Seeing Luo Wanqing return, he looked up once and said: “Tonight is Xiniang’s duty shift. Do you remember?”

Luo Wanqing was startled, then calculated the time and quickly stepped into the small courtyard, saying respectfully: “This subordinate came late.”

“Coming late warrants punishment.” Xie Heng’s tone was flat.

Luo Wanqing felt somewhat uneasy and was about to ask what the punishment was when she heard Xie Heng say: “Your punishment is to finish this bowl of sweet dumplings.”

He looked up and smiled: “I heard you didn’t eat dinner?”

“Ah…”

Luo Wanqing understood and walked to the veranda beside Xie Heng, picking up the sweet dumplings from the ground.

Sweet osmanthus and sesame-filled dumplings spread their sweet fragrance in her mouth. Luo Wanqing quietly ate the dumplings while listening to Xie Heng: “Jiqing returned?”

“Mm.”

Zhang Yiran’s memorial was sent to the palace. His Majesty plans to hold a private trial the day after tomorrow.”

“So quickly?” Luo Wanqing looked at Xie Heng in surprise.

Xie Heng nodded and continued: “Today, the Grand Secretary entered the palace to play chess with His Majesty and casually mentioned Luo Wanqing’s ghost petition. His Majesty doesn’t believe in supernatural matters, but when things develop to this extent, it’s no longer about supernatural phenomena. If handled poorly, any future natural disasters will be attributed to the ruler’s moral failure. His Majesty is worried and wants to close the case quickly.”

“Doesn’t His Majesty suspect who’s behind this?”

Luo Wanqing was curious. Xie Heng’s tone was indifferent: “Suspect, but what can he do? This could be Zhang Yiran’s classmates spreading rumors that became exaggerated into posted notices in every county; it could be the Qin family seeking revenge; it could be the Wang or Sun families trying to divide Zheng assets… For rumors affecting the entire country, His Majesty would need considerable manpower to investigate. Even if he suspects the Supervision Department…”

Xie Heng knew what Luo Wanqing wanted to ask. He looked up at her and smiled: “It would only remain suspicion.”

Seeing that Xie Heng wasn’t concerned, Luo Wanqing relaxed somewhat and nodded: “Good, as long as I’m not causing trouble for the young master.”

“There are plenty of troublesome things—this is minor. I just wanted to ask…” Xie Heng held his brush and said slowly: “Xiniang, in your dream, His Majesty passed away this summer, correct?”

Luo Wanqing was startled, then nodded, recalling: “It should have been this June.”

“Then… since things have reached this point, your family’s case can’t go any higher,” Xie Heng lowered his eyes, pondering: “After the day after tomorrow, there should be a conclusion, right?”

Luo Wanqing understood what Xie Heng was hinting at from his words.

She lowered her head and put the dumpling in her mouth, but it tasted bitterly sweet. Her tone remained calm and serious: “Let’s see what happens the day after tomorrow.”

“I’ve already sent people with jewels and gold toward Kunlun to purchase grain and weapons from Persia.” Xie Heng looked up at Luo Wanqing: “Xiniang, try once and then give up. I’ll help you seek the justice you deserve.”

“Very well.”

Luo Wanqing seemed indifferent. She looked up at Xie Heng and smiled: “Then, when I ask for the young master’s help this time, please don’t refuse me again.”

“Naturally.” Xie Heng also smiled, but his eyes were particularly serious: “Xiniang, there won’t be a second time.”

He had regretted countless times that in the thirteenth year of Changshun, when she desperately ran to him for help, he should have spared no effort to assist her.

If there were another such scene, as long as she reached out her hand, he would grasp it.

Xie Heng had given Luo Wanqing advance notice. The next afternoon, Zhang Yiran came to find her, saying happily: “His Majesty said that tomorrow afternoon, he’ll specially set aside time to hear this case in the imperial study.”

“A hearing…” Luo Wanqing looked at Zhang Yiran: “How will it be conducted?”

“His Majesty said he’ll have Zheng Pingsheng, Li Guiyu, and me confront each other, with Department Head Xie, Grand Secretary Song, and Minister of Rites Xie Guangcheng presiding over the hearing.”

Grand Secretary Song Xichao came from the upright faction, had many disciples, and enjoyed a good reputation both in court and among the people.

Xie Guangcheng was a three-dynasty veteran who had always adhered to propriety and was considered a symbol of justice by everyone.

Both men had good relationships with His Majesty. Their presence could maintain a reputation for fairness externally, but if major problems arose, there was room for negotiation.

Hearing these names, Luo Wanqing nodded and then said, “I’ll accompany the young master there. If anything unexpected happens, I can help.”

“Good.”

Zhang Yiran nodded, looking quite pleased: “With so many people present, even if His Majesty wants to show favoritism, he can’t be too biased.”

“After all, this needs to be explained to the world. His Majesty can’t handle it carelessly anymore.”

Luo Wanqing said casually. Zhang Yiran agreed: “Exactly, and His Majesty is the ruler after all—how could he truly disregard the people completely?”

Luo Wanqing smiled without speaking. Zhang Yiran suddenly remembered: “Oh, also, would it be convenient for me to have dinner with Jiqing tonight?”

“What for?”

Luo Wanqing was puzzled. Zhang Yiran smiled somewhat embarrassedly: “It’s his birthday.”

Luo Wanqing was startled and said thoughtfully: “Just a birthday… Lord Zhang,” Luo Wanqing considered, “Jiqing… isn’t exactly a good person, is he? When he was Zhou Chun’s clerk, Luo Qushu probably wasn’t the first person he harmed.”

“I know.”

Zhang Yiran’s expression grew somber as he said slowly: “He has indeed done many bad things, but… regarding Luo Qushu’s matter, he came to me on his initiative.”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised. Zhang Yiran recalled: “When I was investigating this matter with no leads, I noticed him following me around sneakily. He followed me for seven days—I knew about it but let him. Later, one day, he secretly hinted that I should look at Luo Qushu’s confession again.”

“Why did he do that?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t understand. Zhang Yiran smiled bitterly: “His wife is ill, and annual medical expenses are a huge burden. He told me that initially, he only became Zhou Chun’s clerk because the pay was generous. Zhou Chun valued his efficiency, then deliberately set him up to become an accomplice in a case. After that, he constantly threatened his family with’s lives to make him do things. He tried to avoid it each time, but fortunately Zhou Chun hadn’t done too many major things, until Uncle Luo…”

Zhang Yiran sighed: “He said that after Uncle Luo died, he often had nightmares. Later, when he heard the Luo family was gone, he felt even more regret. But the people were already dead—there was nothing he could do. Xiniang has indeed done evil, but people have both good and evil sides. For his wrongdoings, he should naturally be punished according to the law in the future. But for his good side, I’m willing to reciprocate. Since I brought him to the Eastern Capital, I consider him a friend. I wonder…”

Zhang Yiran looked into the distance: “If he’ll be able to celebrate another birthday in the future.”

Once this matter was exposed, as someone who helped Zhou Chun with forced confessions, His Majesty might kill him in anger.

Luo Wanqing thought about it and nodded: “Alright, I’ll have the kitchen make him a bowl of longevity noodles tonight.”

“I’ll do it.”

Zhang Yiran smiled: “This afternoon I’ll borrow your kitchen—consider it his birthday gift.”

“You can cook noodles?” Luo Wanqing was surprised.

Zhang Yiran nodded: “Of course. When my mother was ill, I used to cook noodles for her. If Xiniang wants to try some, I’ll make an extra bowl tonight.”

“Forget it,” Luo Wanqing waved her hand. “Save it for my birthday.”

The two chatted for a while, then Zhang Yiran went to prepare materials for tomorrow. That evening, Luo Wanqing went to Jiqing’s courtyard to have dinner with him.

Jiqing didn’t expect Luo Wanqing to come. When he sat at the table with her, he couldn’t help saying nervously: “Commander Liu came to have dinner with me—is there… something you need to instruct?”

“Yes,” Luo Wanqing supported her chin, looking at the courtyard while tapping the table: “You probably won’t survive tomorrow, so I came to chat and see if you have any last wishes.”

Hearing this, Jiqing’s face went pale instantly, his voice trembling: “I… can I still make wishes?”

“Of course,” Luo Wanqing nodded. “Our Supervision Department is still quite humane. Later, Lord Zhang will bring poison. After you take it, the poison will take effect when you leave the palace tomorrow—it won’t be painful. I can help with your wishes if they’re not too excessive.”

“Really… really?”

“What’s your wish?”

Luo Wanqing was curious. Jiqing’s lips trembled lightly. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly remembered something and sighed softly: “Forget it… It’s not necessary.”

He unconsciously said, “The Commander won’t help me anyway.”

“You haven’t said it yet—how do you know I won’t?” Luo Wanqing keenly sensed something was wrong.

Jiqing smiled bitterly: “The Commander has always considered me a criminal. How would you help me?”

Luo Wanqing thought about it and didn’t speak. Jiqing’s expression gradually calmed as he said respectfully: “What exactly did the Commander come to find me for? Please speak directly.”

“Happy birthday.”

Luo Wanqing said flatly. Jiqing was stunned.

Just then, Zhang Yiran’s voice came from the doorway, laughing: “Xiniang, why did you say it early?”

Jiqing turned at the sound and saw Zhang Yiran entering with a bowl of noodles, complaining to Luo Wanqing: “I’m not here yet!”

“Lord Zhang…” Jiqing’s gaze fell on the noodles in Zhang Yiran’s hands, saying blankly: “This is…”

“Longevity noodles, I made for you.”

Zhang Yiran placed the noodles on the table and smiled up at Jiqing: “Didn’t you say today was your birthday? I had Xiniang prepare something. I don’t have anything good to give you—I’m decent at making noodles, so consider it a birthday gift.”

“I don’t have anything good to give you either,” Luo Wanqing took out a rabbit jade pendant from her sleeve and placed it on the table. “I heard your youngest daughter was born in the year of the rabbit, so I’m giving you this jade pendant for her. Consider it your…” Luo Wanqing pressed her lips together: “Reward for voluntarily reporting Zheng Pingsheng.”

Jiqing stared blankly at the items on the table, unable to say a word. He seemed to be desperately controlling some emotion, sitting motionless.

“What are you spacing out for?”

Luo Wanqing urged: “Eat up. I still have things to do after dinner. Everyone should prepare well for entering the palace tomorrow.”

“Right.”

Zhang Yiran pushed the bowl toward Jiqing, urging: “Eat while it’s hot. If there’s a chance…” Zhang Yiran pressed his lips together with some guilt: “I’ll properly make it up to Mr. Ji with a banquet later.”

“That’s not necessary.”

Jiqing came to his senses, suppressing the moisture in his eyes, and smiled: “Having such intentions from you both, I’m… very grateful.”

He picked up chopsticks somewhat urgently: “I’m hungry—I’ll eat the noodles first.”

He seemed genuinely hungry, eating the noodles with particular ferocity.

He seemed to want to use the noodles to block all words. Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran exchanged glances and began to console him.

He just smiled and lowered his head to eat noodles.

After finishing the noodles, the moisture in his eyes dissipated, and he became somewhat more normal. Luo Wanqing began explaining precautions for entering the palace. After everyone chatted briefly, Luo Wanqing had other matters and prepared to leave with Zhang Yiran.

As the two were leaving, Jiqing suddenly called out: “Lord Zhang!”

Zhang Yiran and Luo Wanqing turned back together at the door to see Jiqing sitting at the table. He seemed somewhat nervous, gripping his clothes tightly, and asked carefully: “Lord Zhang, do you have any wishes?”

“Wishes?”

Zhang Yiran was puzzled but didn’t think much of it, only pondering: “My wish… is to have a clear conscience and be a good official.”

“A good official?”

“To use my abilities to benefit more people, to seek a way out for the living and justice for the dead.” Zhang Yiran smiled involuntarily: “Then I won’t have wasted reading all those sage books.”

Hearing this, Jiqing didn’t speak. He only looked at Zhang Yiran. After a long time, he finally said: “You—you’ll be a good official.”

“Thank you for the good wishes.”

Zhang Yiran smiled and cupped his hands. Luo Wanqing glanced at both men and reminded Zhang Yiran: “Lord Zhang, let’s go.”

Zhang Yiran nodded to Jiqing in farewell, then left with Luo Wanqing.

Walking into the alley, Zhang Yiran couldn’t help frowning, saying strangely, “What’s wrong with Jiqing? He’s acting odd.”

“I think so too,” Luo Wanqing pondered, then turned back: “But don’t worry—I’ll have people watch him.”

Zhang Yiran nodded, thanked Luo Wanqing, then bid farewell and left.

After Zhang Yiran left, Luo Wanqing turned back to glance at Jiqing. Her expression grew somewhat cooler as she beckoned a guard over and instructed: “If he does anything, just watch—don’t interfere.”

“Yes.” The guard responded.

Luo Wanqing returned to her room. In the middle of the night, as she was drowsily sleeping, someone suddenly knocked on the window urgently: “White Tiger Chief, something’s happened.”

Luo Wanqing’s eyes snapped open as she heard them say urgently: “Jiqing has escaped!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately lifted the bed curtains while putting on clothes and instructing Xie Heng in bed in a low voice: “You sleep first.”

She pushed the door and rushed out, leading the guards down the mountain quickly.

“How did he escape?”

“He had sleeping drugs and drugged the guards, then took their tokens, went to the back courtyard, and climbed over the wall to escape. Following your instructions, White Tiger Chief, we only watched without interfering and are now following him.”

The guard explained clearly. Luo Wanqing understood the key information points immediately.

He had sleeping pills.

He had familiarized himself with the Supervision Department’s layout.

But what exactly was he trying to do? Luo Wanqing couldn’t quite figure it out yet, but whatever he wanted to do, she’d know when she saw him.

Luo Wanqing rushed along the way. When she arrived, Jiqing had reached the cliff. Hearing pursuing soldiers behind him, Jiqing stumbled frantically toward the cliff.

Seeing this, Luo Wanqing shouted urgently and quickly stopped: “Stop! Jiqing, I’m not chasing anymore—stop!”

Hearing Luo Wanqing’s voice, Jiqing finally stopped and turned back in panic.

Luo Wanqing reined in her horse, stopping dozens of zhang away from Jiqing. Everyone followed Luo Wanqing’s lead and stopped, watching Jiqing standing not far away.

“Jiqing,” Luo Wanqing caught her breath and asked directly, “What are you doing? Didn’t you return to testify?”

“Commander Liu, I can’t harm people anymore…” Jiqing’s face was pale as he shook his head: “Please let me go. I beg you, let me go. If you keep me here, you’re only harming Lord Zhang…”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing frowned: “What do you mean? What do you mean by harming Yiran?”

“I didn’t come back to testify!”

Seeing that Luo Wanqing didn’t understand, Jiqing shouted urgently: “I came back to frame Lord Zhang! Don’t you understand that if you let me take the stand, I can only recant and make false accusations?!”

Luo Wanqing was startled and asked urgently: “Why? Why can you only recant and make false accusations?”

“Because we can’t win!”

“You haven’t even testified yet—how do you know we can’t win?!” Luo Wanqing shouted sternly. “Even now, don’t you trust us?”

Hearing this, Jiqing gradually calmed down.

The night wind was cold as he stood at the cliff’s edge, looking somewhat desolate: “It’s not that I don’t trust you both—it’s that you’re too young. You say you want to win the case, but what counts as winning?”

This stumped Luo Wanqing. Jiqing smiled: “Wrongful cases like Luo Qushu’s are countless in Yangzhou—I’ve seen this many times before. Every time, people from the Supervision Department or the court come to Yangzhou to rectify and overturn cases, but what happens after overturning? The case is won, but those people won’t die. They offset merits against faults, find scapegoats, or buy someone’s life, change their names and identities, and let others die instead. When the storm passes, none of those harmed, common people, can escape.”

Luo Wanqing understood Jiqing’s concerns and listened to him ask: “I believe you both can win the case, but will Zheng Pingsheng die? Will the Zheng family fall? Can the Supervision Department protect my entire family for life? After the case passes, what happens to me and my family?”

Luo Wanqing listened, then raised her hand slightly. Everyone exchanged glances and withdrew.

Only two people remained on the cliff. Luo Wanqing felt the mountain wind penetrating her bones, cold and chilling.

“You’re afraid of retaliation?”

“Who wouldn’t be?” Jiqing smiled bitterly. “Commander Liu, yesterday… the Third Prince found me.”

Luo Wanqing’s pupils contracted slightly as she understood: “You returned because Li Guiyu instructed you?”

“Yes,” Jiqing began trembling lightly. “I didn’t want to return. I knew I couldn’t identify them even unto death. If I don’t identify them, I’ll die, and that’s that. But once I identify them, they won’t spare my family. But he made me return and told me to recant during His Majesty’s hearing, saying that Lord Zhang and the Supervision Department forced me to falsely accuse Minister Zheng! I had no choice… he threatened my family’s lives—I had no choice…”

“Then why leave?”

Luo Wanqing looked at him with some compassion in her eyes: “You’ve already returned. Tomorrow you testify against Lord Zhang, and after Lord Zhang and I are arrested, you can return to Yangzhou.”

“Because I don’t want to!”

Jiqing cried out emotionally: “Lord Zhang is such a good person—how can I harm him like this…”

Tears appeared in Jiqing’s eyes: “Such a good official, such a good person—why do they want to harm him like this?! I can’t harm people anymore… I can’t harm him…”

Jiqing gasped urgently. Unable to support himself, he slowly hunched over and knelt on the ground, crying out in pain: “He even remembered my birthday… he felt guilty for bringing me to the Eastern Capital… but it wasn’t even my birthday—I’ve been lying to him from the beginning with half-truths… I can’t harm him… Commander Liu…”

Jiqing suddenly reacted. He stumbled forward, crawling, and knelt before Luo Wanqing: “I beg you, let me go. I can’t testify, and I don’t want to harm him. Let me go… I beg you to let me go…”

Luo Wanqing stood unmoved as Jiqing began frantically kowtowing: “I beg you! I beg you to pretend you never saw me! Please spare me…”

“But you did wrong.”

Luo Wanqing looked down at the person on the ground, her gaze flickering. Looking at this person before her, she thought of the words in her father’s final autopsy report.

He was injured all over his body, with not a single intact spot.

“You cooperated with Zhou Chun in torturing and forcing confessions from Luo Qushu…”

Jiqing froze. Luo Wanqing looked down at him: “You harmed people, and now you repent and want to walk away—is that enough?”

“Then what do you want me to do?” Jiqing raised his head, crying out emotionally and painfully: “I already did it—I can’t turn back! What can I do?! Should I sacrifice my entire family for your dreams, your so-called justice, for redemption?! I did wrong, but what did my family do wrong?”

“They’re not wrong. You don’t have to testify.”

Luo Wanqing spoke. Jiqing was stunned as she half-crouched down and took out a medicine bottle from her sleeve, placing it before Jiqing.

“What is this?” Jiqing looked at Luo Wanqing in confusion.

Luo Wanqing gripped the medicine bottle tightly and spoke calmly: “This is a choice. Tomorrow—protect Lord Zhang, or protect yourself. Your choice.”

She pushed the bottle forward slightly: “It’s up to you.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Zheng Bikui: “Li Guiyu, have you arranged everything?”

Li Guiyu: “Don’t worry, it’s foolproof.”

Then—

Jiqing: “My specialty is being rebellious.”

Zheng Bikui: “Didn’t you say it was foolproof?!!”

Li Guiyu: “Originally, there was no problem, but they discovered his fatal weakness.”

Zheng Bikui: “What?”

Li Guiyu: “He loves eating noodles. They cooked noodles for him.”

Zheng Bikui: “…”

A moment later—

Zheng Bikui (beating up Li Guiyu): “I told you not to send a foodie! I told you to send someone reliable! How can someone who loves noodles accomplish anything!!!”

Zhuque: “I’m not happy with you talking like that. Who in the Eastern Capital doesn’t love noodles?”

Qingya: “Me.”

Luo Wanqing: “…Young master, can I discuss something with you?”

Xie Heng: “Mm?”

Luo Wanqing: “For the rest of our lives, please speak to me in official language and never use dialect, okay?”

Xie Heng: “I know.”

Luo Wanqing: “Shut up ahhhhhhh!!!”