◎Girl, How Did You End Up Here Again?◎

At these words, everyone present was shocked. Zhang Yiran knew he couldn’t stop her and sat down dejectedly on his knees.

Li Zong stared blankly at Luo Wanqing, somewhat confused: “Luo… didn’t Luo Wanqing die? Liu Xiniang, what are you talking about?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” Luo Wanqing answered clearly and calmly, “My father was imprisoned due to Zheng Pingsheng’s false accusations. This commoner’s daughter was sentenced to exile in Lingnan. To seek justice, this commoner exchanged identities with death row prisoner Liu Xiniang in prison and used this to enter the Supervision Department.”

“Preposterous!” Hearing this, Li Zong roared angrily: “You switched identities and the Supervision Department didn’t discover it?!”

“Liu Xiniang’s face was disfigured by torture in prison. To exchange identities, this commoner created an accident by crashing into a brazier, self-disfiguring my face. Afterward, it was difficult for ordinary people to recognize me.” Luo Wanqing explained calmly, and everyone stared blankly at her face. Luo Wanqing continued: “Later, this commoner found capable experts and borrowed the name of a mission to restore my original appearance.”

Though she said “borrowed the name of a mission,” Li Zong knew that this mission was given by the Supervision Department—or rather, by him.

At that time, Li Guiyu had just returned, and he desperately hoped the Supervision Department could arrange someone to get close to this son of unknown background and investigate him thoroughly.

But Luo Wanqing had given him face by not exposing this, so he wouldn’t reveal it either.

He digested what Luo Wanqing had said, thought it through, and asked carefully: “So you stayed in the Supervision Department just to avenge your father?”

“Yes.” Luo Wanqing answered decisively: “My family saved the Third Prince from danger, but ultimately ended up with our family destroyed and people dead. This commoner felt I had failed my parents and family. No matter what, I wanted to restore my father’s innocence and seek justice for my family.”

“So you abused your private authority and used the Supervision Department’s power to handle your case?”

Li Zong stared at Luo Wanqing, his tone carrying dissatisfaction.

Xie Heng was about to speak when Luo Wanqing responded: “Yes.”

With that, Luo Wanqing raised her head and met Li Zong’s gaze without retreat: “Your Majesty, my father died unjustly, my family was exiled, and I disfigured myself to reach this day. Does Your Majesty think it was wrong for me to do everything in my power to seek justice? Even if this is a private case, just because it involves my family members, does that mean it’s no longer a wrongful case?!”

“Deceiving the sovereign,” Li Zong frowned. “You are bold.”

“This commoner should bear the crime of deceiving the sovereign.” Luo Wanqing spoke rapidly to respond: “But the injustice to my family is witnessed by all under heaven. Should Your Majesty not explain?”

Hearing this, Li Zong paused. With Luo Wanqing speaking to this extent, he finally understood completely.

The Luo clan case had caused such a huge uproar—how could Zhang Yiran alone have accomplished this?

From Jiqing to the Luo clan rumors, the Supervision Department had repeatedly intervened. He hadn’t been without suspicion of Xie Heng, but had never understood Xie Heng’s purpose.

After all, this case brought no benefit to Xie Heng. What meaning was there in his doing this?

But if Liu Xiniang were Luo Wanqing, everything had a source.

This girl entered the Supervision Department for her family’s revenge, scheming carefully to bring this case before all under heaven. She probably even deceived Xie Heng.

And now that she revealed her identity herself, she was resolved to exchange life for life.

She was using her own life to prove this case—who could doubt even half of it?

Li Zong took a deep breath and said slowly: “Good, good. Then I shall listen to you speak of this case. You accuse Minister Zheng and the Third Prince of framing your father. How do you know they framed him?”

“Minister Zheng’s false accusations have Jiqing’s testimony, along with the Zheng family jade pendant, and my father’s confession as evidence corroborating each other.”

“My father was a retainer of the Cui clan. Due to involvement in the Cui clan case, he fled to Jiangnan to avoid trouble. Although the court never ordered punishment for my father, to avoid disputes, my father always lived in seclusion in Jiangnan, never writing, also to avoid attracting old acquaintances’ trouble. The Cui clan was also a great family in the past. If my father were an illiterate vagabond who couldn’t even write his name, how could he have become a Cui clan retainer?”

Mentioning the Cui clan, the faces of everyone in the hall changed slightly, then they knew Luo Wanqing spoke the truth.

If he were a former Cui clan retainer, the possibility of illiteracy was too small. Moreover, not wanting to expose his identity also had a reason. Though this reason was somewhat far-fetched, for a cautious person, it was reasonable.

“Since my father was literate, his confession should have been signed and sealed by him according to regulations. Why is there only a fingerprint now? This confession exactly corresponds to Jiqing’s testimony. Adding Jiqing’s possession of Minister Zheng’s token, this case was deliberately framed by Minister Zheng, as Jiqing said. Your Majesty should see this. As for how this commoner learned that my father’s case was a conspiracy between the Third Prince and Minister Zheng—”

Luo Wanqing spoke, raising her eyes to look at Li Guiyu: “The Third Prince personally admitted it to me.”

Hearing this, everyone followed Luo Wanqing’s gaze to Li Guiyu.

Li Guiyu kept his hands tucked in his sleeves, only staring at Luo Wanqing, seeming puzzled: “Are you truly my young lady?”

“Am I not? Can’t Your Highness tell?”

Luo Wanqing smiled mockingly: “Doesn’t Your Highness have deep feelings for Luo Wanqing? Just because I changed identities, Your Highness can’t recognize me?”

“I did suspect, but Inspector Liu always denied it…” Li Guiyu frowned, probing: “If Inspector Liu is my young lady, then could you tell me what wish you made when releasing river lanterns on your fifteenth birthday?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing froze.

Seeing Luo Wanqing hesitate, Li Guiyu immediately pressed: “Doesn’t Inspector Liu know, or don’t you remember?”

With the conversation reaching this point, Luo Wanqing couldn’t afford not to remember.

She took a deep breath and could only answer truthfully: “I remember…”

Li Guiyu looked at her, his eyes carrying some nostalgia, hearing Luo Wanqing say with difficulty: “The wish I made was to marry Jiang Shaoyan, to grow old together with him, never to be separated in life or death.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng glanced at Luo Wanqing and then looked away.

Li Guiyu slowly smiled, his eyes showing some relief: “You are indeed my young lady. But since you are my young lady—”

Li Guiyu looked puzzled: “Why would you tell such lies? When did I ever admit to conspiring with Minister Zheng?”

“When Your Highness was in Yangzhou, you argued with me and were stabbed by me. Did this happen?”

Luo Wanqing stared at Li Guiyu, continuing to press: “At that time, you admitted to me that you forced my father to death. Do you remember?”

“Young lady,” Li Guiyu frowned, with anger faintly suppressed in his brow, “At that time, you told me Zheng Biyue had come to you, questioning me about my relationship with her. I explained repeatedly, but you wouldn’t listen, even injuring me because of this… I never reported it. What rumors did you hear that made you mistakenly think I harmed Uncle Zheng?”

“I stand here today risking my life to accuse you. Would I use my life to lie?”

Luo Wanqing knew that entangling with Li Guiyu would lead nowhere, so she could only say: “I know you are meticulous and wouldn’t leave evidence, but I swear to heaven that at that time, you said it was you who forced my father to death.”

“If I did it, why would I tell you?” Li Guiyu analyzed calmly: “Since the young lady says it was an admission, that means before you saw me, you already thought I was the culprit. Only after questioning me would there be the word ‘admission.’ I know a young lady wouldn’t falsely accuse me randomly. Who exactly is deceiving you, saying I harmed Uncle?!”

“What about Zhou Chun?” Luo Wanqing immediately said: “Zhou Chun personally admitted to me that before my father died, he heard you talking to him, telling him that if he committed suicide, it would save my family’s lives. Do you dare say you never said this?!”

“Zhou Chun? Yangzhou Prefect Zhou Chun? Is he the one deceiving you?” Li Guiyu showed anger and immediately said: “Bring him here to see me, let him confront me face to face. I did see Uncle Luo, but I was trying to save him, not force him! Young lady, we’ve known each other for five years. How can you believe him instead of me?”

Luo Wanqing said nothing more. She looked calmly at Li Guiyu, watching him act, and couldn’t help but smile mockingly.

Li Guiyu showed a sorrowful expression: “Young lady doesn’t trust me?”

“Your Majesty,” Luo Wanqing ignored Li Guiyu and turned to look at Li Zong, raising her hand in salute: “This commoner has finished saying what I needed to say. Regarding the Third Prince, aside from this commoner’s testimony, there is indeed no other evidence. But princes and ministers in their actions—how can a mere commoner overturn heaven? Yet the relevant witnesses to this case have now basically vanished without a trace. Just this one point alone, I think all the officials present should understand whether this case truly involves injustice. This commoner replaced a death row prisoner, deceived the sovereign—an unforgivable crime. I am willing to bear the thunder of imperial wrath, only requesting Your Majesty to clear the injustice of this commoner’s wrongfully deceased father, so that he may rest in peace under the nine springs.”

After finishing, Luo Wanqing kowtowed.

No one present dared speak. After a long time, Song Xichao was the first to stand up. He said nothing, only lifted his robes and knelt.

With his kneeling, many officials in attendance followed suit and knelt.

The court was as quiet as death, with only the sound of one official after another kneeling. Then some commoners who understood also quickly followed and knelt.

These people said nothing, yet some voice thundered deafeningly in people’s hearts.

Finally, Xie Heng also knelt and declared loudly: “We request Your Majesty to severely punish Minister of Justice Zheng Pingsheng, thoroughly investigate Third Prince Li Guiyu, and punish Southern Office Sixteen Guards Commander Zheng Bikui, to pacify the people’s hearts.”

With Xie Heng’s words, Zhang Yiran immediately kowtowed and shouted: “We request Your Majesty to severely punish the culprits to pacify the people’s hearts.”

After speaking, waves of voices from the officials echoed repeatedly in the court: “Severely punish the culprits to pacify the people’s hearts!”

“Severely punish the culprits to pacify the people’s hearts!”

Luo Wanqing closed her eyes amid these voices. She waited quietly for the result. After waiting for a long time, Li Zong still didn’t say a word.

Finally, Zheng Pingsheng chuckled lightly and said, “When one wants to condemn someone, one can always find a pretext. Fine, fine. Since everyone has determined that I, Zheng, am guilty, then consider me guilty. But I want to ask Miss Luo how she thinks this official should be sentenced?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing raised her eyes and saw Zheng Pingsheng spread his sleeves, saying mockingly: “I, Zheng Pingsheng, have served as an official for decades, devoting myself wholeheartedly to the court. Even if you think I misjudged this case, it’s not a capital offense, right?”

With that, Zheng Pingsheng turned to look at Luo Wanqing, smiling as he reminded: “Luo Qushu died by suicide, the Luo family died in a landslide, and Miss Luo, you’re living well now. Even if it’s life for life… I have no life to compensate.”

“But without you, how would they have died?!”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran urgently spoke: “How would Miss Luo have come to today?”

“What do you mean by today?” Zheng Pingsheng looked puzzled. He pointed at Luo Wanqing: “Miss Luo is now a Fourth Rank court official, above common people. According to your logic, if this started because of me, she should thank me.”

“Zheng Pingsheng, you are shameless!”

“You are slandering with blood on your lips!”

Zheng Pingsheng shouted. He turned to look at Li Zong, staring at him: “Your Majesty, I have followed Your Majesty for decades. Your Majesty should know my character. If Your Majesty wants to handle me today, you might as well kill me directly and take my head to the Zheng family in Si Province, telling them Your Majesty doesn’t trust me!”

“That’s right!”

Hearing this, Zheng Bikui shouted: “Your Majesty, kill all of us Zheng family members and give them justice!”

“Indeed, you should be killed.”

Xie Heng looked coldly at Zheng Bikui: “Attempting to harm witnesses, destroying evidence, daring to smash the Dengwen Drum in broad daylight—contempt for the sovereign. By law, you deserve death. I think you’ve been in the Southern Office Sixteen Guards commander position too long, and your brain isn’t clear.”

Hearing this, Li Zong’s expression changed. Xie Heng quickly glanced at Li Zong, and Li Zong instantly understood Xie Heng’s meaning.

He rubbed the jade seal on the table, weighing everyone’s words.

The Zheng family of Si Province…

This was Zheng Pingsheng reminding him that he still had a great clan behind him. And Zheng Pingsheng repeatedly saying “not a capital offense” and “kill me directly” was actually telling him this was his bottom line.

In today’s scenario, Zheng Pingsheng probably knew it was impossible not to handle him, but for a great clan, losing one official was not acceptable.

And Xie Heng deliberately mentioning the Southern Office Sixteen Guards was telling him that now the Zheng family was in the wrong, seizing Zheng Bikui’s position would be reasonable and the Zheng family couldn’t say much.

Li Zong thought briefly and made his calculation. He slowly scanned everyone and finally spoke: “Minister Xie speaks truly. Zheng Bikui, how dare you? The Dengwen Drum represents our dynasty’s people’s hope. You publicly smashed the drum—what do you take the court’s laws to be?”

“Your Majesty is slandering…”

“Ask these commoners if this is slander!” Li Zong shouted, then said coldly: “Guards, arrest Zheng Bikui. From today, the Southern Office Sixteen Guards will temporarily be managed by Zhou Shan of the Northern Four Armies. Zheng Bikui will be imprisoned for my detailed investigation.”

“Your Majesty?!” Zheng Bikui looked up in shock, but Zheng Pingsheng remained very calm.

Li Zong turned to look at Zheng Pingsheng, knowing he was prepared, and continued: “As for Zheng Pingsheng, though he misjudged the case, considering his past achievements, he is spared from death, stripped of office for investigation. Repent well in the future.”

“Your Majesty?” Hearing this, Zhang Yiran immediately raised his head: “The Luo family represents several lives…”

“Zhang Yiran, enough!” Li Zong looked over coldly: “Though the Luo family died unjustly, it ultimately has nothing to do with Minister Zheng. Luo Qushu committed suicide, and the Luo family died in a landslide. In the end, it was their fate. Minister Zheng is a veteran minister of three dynasties. My doing this is already showing utmost benevolence to the Luo family. I know you were wronged…”

Li Zong’s tone softened somewhat: “You will be restored to your original position first. I’ll credit you with merit.”

“But…”

“Lord Zhang,” Luo Wanqing stopped Zhang Yiran. Zhang Yiran turned back in shock and saw Luo Wanqing smile gently, pleading: “Enough, Lord Zhang. Don’t say more.”

“As for Liu…” Li Zong saw Zhang Yiran quiet down and was about to speak when he paused. After a moment of silence, his voice became colder: “As for Luo Wanqing, she privately switched identities with a death row prisoner, infiltrated the Supervision Department, reached the rank of Fourth Grade Inspector, abused her authority for personal cases, and deceived the sovereign—an unforgivable crime. She is now imprisoned in the heavenly prison, related accomplices will be investigated, and execution will be carried out on a chosen day as a warning to others!”

Li Zong listed her crimes, and finally, as if venting some anger, his voice softened: “With this conclusion, Luo clan, are you satisfied?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” Luo Wanqing heard the dissatisfaction in Li Zong’s words and couldn’t help but smile. She straightened up and declared loudly: “My family’s several lowly lives in exchange for Minister Zheng’s half an official position—this commoner is satisfied!”

With that, Luo Wanqing kowtowed heavily and shouted: “This commoner thanks Your Majesty’s vast imperial grace!”

She said she was satisfied and said she thanked the vast imperial grace.

But everyone present heard the unwillingness and despair in her words.

How could one be reconciled?

Everyone is born and grows from childhood, and everyone is a precious pearl in the eyes of family and friends. Several lives of a family, witnessed by the entire nation, but in the end, only exchanged for someone else’s half of an official position, who could be reconciled?

“Unfair…”

Someone in the crowd called out, then was immediately silenced by others.

However, this cry of “unfair” fell into everyone’s hearts. But no one else dared speak. The commoners knelt on the ground, trembling with anger.

Seeing this, Li Zong was also displeased, but couldn’t say more, only saying: “If there’s nothing else, detain the people separately and dismiss the court.”

With that, he stood up and strode outside.

With Li Zong gone, the court officials dispersed. Several soldiers rushed into the hall, pressed down on Luo Wanqing, and led her outside.

As Luo Wanqing stood up, she raised her eyes and saw Xie Heng nod slightly at her.

Luo Wanqing knew in her heart that Xie Heng had his plans.

She was led out of the great hall by soldiers. Just as she emerged, she heard a calling voice behind her: “Luo… Miss Luo!”

Luo Wanqing turned back in surprise and saw Zhang Yiran, supported by Qinglu and Jiqing, staggering toward her.

Luo Wanqing quickly stopped and immediately said, “Lord Zhang, you should hurry to see a physician.”

“Luo… Miss Wanqing,” Zhang Yiran breathed lightly. He looked seriously at Luo Wanqing: “I will rescue you.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but smile. Her expression became gentler as she said, “Lord Zhang, protect yourself. I have my plans.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran knew that today Luo Wanqing was definitely not acting impulsively. He pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment, then said: “I’m sorry.”

Hearing this, Jiqing also hurriedly said: “Miss Luo, I’m sorry! I… I back then…”

As Jiqing spoke, he became somewhat flustered. Luo Wanqing heard Jiqing’s voice, turned to look at him, her expression peaceful, only saying: “I let you go because I forgave you.”

Jiqing was stunned. Luo Wanqing’s expression softened: “Now that Secretary Jiqing is willing to return, I’m even happier.”

“Miss Luo…”

Jiqing spoke hoarsely. A nearby soldier tentatively said: “Inspector Liu?”

Luo Wanqing knew these soldiers were in a difficult position. They didn’t dare offend the Supervision Department, but they were palace guards after all. Luo Wanqing didn’t make things difficult and just nodded to everyone before following the guards away.

The guards led her into the heavenly prison and locked her up. After the door was locked, the entire cell became pitch black, with only some light falling from overhead.

For some reason, upon entering the prison, Luo Wanqing calmed down. She sat in the cell for a moment when she heard a familiar voice from the next cell: “Oh, girl.”

Zhang Chunzi’s voice carried curiosity: “How did you end up here again?”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Luo Wanqing: “After being imprisoned so much, entering prison feels reassuring.”

Zhang Chunzi: “I deeply understand. I love staying in the heavenly prison. I’ve stayed for many years!”

Today, I’m giving everyone a 520 special episode. I wrote it a bit long, so I’ll post it over two days, all in the author’s notes.

[520 Special Episode – Shadow Envoy Incident (1)]

Luo Wanqing was called up the mountain from the White Tiger Division.

She had originally been busy beyond belief at the White Tiger Division. Since taking over as division chief, Luo Wanqing hadn’t had a single day of leisure. The division chief had much more to handle daily than when she was an inspector, plus she had to worry about other matters, making her even busier. So being called up the mountain for no reason left her quite displeased.

When she reached the mountain, she saw the Three Envoys—Qingya, Xuanshan, and Zhuque—sitting in the courtyard drinking tea.

Xie Heng wasn’t there. A row of young men knelt on the ground. She looked somewhat confused and asked puzzledly: “The Young Master isn’t here. Why did you call me over?”

“Can’t we call you when the Young Master isn’t here?”

Zhuque said, standing up from the corridor and pulling Luo Wanqing in front of those young men: “Quick, come pick one.”

“Pick what?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t understand. Qingya smiled, pouring tea while explaining: “Inspector Liu, we called you over to discuss the matter of a Shadow Envoy.”

“Shadow Envoy?” Luo Wanqing didn’t understand: “What Shadow Envoy?”

“You don’t have a Shadow Envoy, making work inconvenient,” Xuanshan reminded from the side: “These days, you can never finish writing replies, and the Censorate keeps urging daily, so we decided—”

“To find you a Shadow Envoy.”

Zhuque pointed at the row of young men on the ground: “Look, these are all elites we selected from our subordinates. Choose one.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s heart skipped a beat. She instinctively asked: “Does the Young Master know about this?”

“Do we need to tell him about such small matters?” Zhuque was puzzled. Luo Wanqing couldn’t find words and only stared blankly at the young men on the ground.

The Supervision Department had more men than women. Scanning them, there wasn’t a single female inspector.

She hesitated, thinking of words to refuse, when Zhuque enthusiastically pointed at a high-ponytailed young man: “Look at this one. This is our Zhuque Division’s silent type. His name is Zhuge Yun, best at writing all kinds of documents. This one is called Fu Youwei from the Xuanwu Division—his calligraphy is particularly beautiful. That one is Sun Jianglan—he’s clever and good at handling affairs…”

“What are you doing?”

Before he finished speaking, Xie Heng’s voice came from the room. Everyone looked over and saw Xie Heng adjusting the Qianji device in his hand as he walked out of the room.

Everyone bowed. Xuanshan made room for Xie Heng, who glanced at the young men kneeling on the ground, then at Luo Wanqing. Turning the Qianji in his hand, he walked to the corridor and sat down, saying coldly: “While I’m resting, what are you doing here?”

“We’re picking a Shadow Envoy for Inspector Liu.”

Zhuque spoke matter-of-factly. The surroundings immediately grew colder. Qingya lowered his head to drink tea, but Zhuque and Xuanshan seemed completely unaware. Zhuque sighed and complained: “Ever since Inspector Liu entered the Supervision Department, she’s been fighting alone. Her previous Shadow Envoy…”

Zhuque glanced at Xie Heng and said tactfully, “It wasn’t very useful. When there were fewer matters, it was fine, but now with so many affairs, still making Inspector Liu handle everything alone is a bit too much.”

“Mainly, she can’t finish the work.”

Xuanshan said coldly: “The documents she writes are complete nonsense.”

“Well, Envoy Xuanshan,” Luo Wanqing smiled awkwardly: “I’m just not familiar with document formats…”

“That’s why we need a Shadow Envoy,” Zhuque immediately said: “Find someone who can write, wouldn’t that work? Young Master, don’t you think so?”

Xie Heng said nothing, only turning the Qianji, looking up at Luo Wanqing: “What does Xiniang think?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t speak for a moment. Truth be told, what everyone said tempted her.

She didn’t like writing documents—she only loved missions. Having a literary assistant would naturally make her happy.

Xie Heng saw through her thoughts, nodded, and only said: “Is there anyone you’ve taken a liking to?”

“Zhuge Yun, Zhuge Yun,” Zhuque whispered.

Luo Wanqing looked at Zhuge Yun kneeling on the ground and said hesitantly: “This Shadow Envoy Zhuge…”

“His calligraphy isn’t good.”

Xie Heng reminded. Luo Wanqing turned to look at the second person, probing: “Then… Shadow Envoy Fu…”

“He likes to misuse classical allusions.”

“Then Shadow Envoy Sun…”

“He likes to borrow money and not repay it.”

…

For every Shadow Envoy Luo Wanqing mentioned, Xie Heng pointed out a flaw. After going through everyone, Xie Heng had exposed the backgrounds of all the kneeling Shadow Envoys.

Zhuque was dumbfounded and couldn’t help saying, “Young Master cares about us. Well then, let’s go with our Zhuge Yun,” Zhuque clapped his hands and said seriously, “Though his calligraphy is a little ugly, he’s very reliable. Plus, he’s good-looking—our Inspector Liu would be happy looking at his face!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but take another look at the kneeling Zhuge Yun. The young man looked stern and steady, indeed appearing reliable.

Seeing her look, Xie Heng lowered his eyes and turned the Qianji in his hand, only saying: “Since Inspector Liu wants this Shadow Envoy Zhuge, then keep him. The previous one indeed wasn’t useful—fortunately, he’s dead.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing looked over but said nothing more. Just thinking of the good days ahead without writing documents made her somewhat happy. She bowed and said: “Thank you, Young Master.”

Xie Heng’s Qianji spun faster, his face cold: “Go handle your affairs.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t say more, bowed, and beckoned Zhuge Yun to follow her away.

Seeing this, Zhuge Yun immediately followed Luo Wanqing. The two left one after the other, going down the mountain. Xie Heng looked up once, then looked away, suppressing his emotions without speaking.

Xuanshan looked at the Qianji on Xie Heng’s wrist and couldn’t help reminding: “Young Master, stop spinning it—it’s about to smoke.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng looked up. Not knowing who he was scolding, he only said: “Meddling in other people’s business.”

After speaking, he stood up and walked away.