◎I think Luo Qushu’s case is a wrongful conviction◎

His words were like a teardrop falling onto a lake’s surface, creating ripples with a soft thud.

Sourness and pain spread together. Luo Wanqing’s throat felt tight and painful—she couldn’t say a word.

He had deceived her too many times, deceiving her to the point where she didn’t dare believe a single word he said.

Yet in this moment, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but feel that what he said was true.

She didn’t dare respond at this moment, only carrying him as she ran frantically, saying in panic: “Don’t talk anymore. We’ll discuss it later.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng laughed softly: “Why won’t you answer me?”

Without waiting for Luo Wanqing to speak, Xie Heng gave himself the answer: “You’re afraid I’ll die?”

She was afraid this was his regret, afraid that if she answered him, he would be satisfied and let go.

Luo Wanqing pressed her lips tightly and refused to speak. Xie Heng seemed satisfied, laughing softly as he confirmed: “You’re afraid I’ll die.”

“Yes!”

Luo Wanqing finally couldn’t help but cry out: “I’m afraid you’ll die! I’m afraid you’ll leave a mess for everyone without finishing anything. I’m afraid you’ll deceive me about everything and then just walk away. I’m afraid I’ve just begun to know you, and it’s already ending. I’m afraid…”

Luo Wanqing’s voice choked up. After a long while, she said hoarsely, “I’m afraid I haven’t repaid the two bags of gold pearls I owe you.”

Hearing her speak, Xie Heng seemed pleased. On her back, his chest trembled lightly with laughter.

“Very happy, aren’t you?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help wanting to cry, and felt somewhat angry: “Very proud, aren’t you? Deceiving people completely, then letting go and leaving. I’m telling you, Xie Heng, there’s no such logic—there’s no such logic in this world!”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. He seemed to have trouble speaking.

Panic rose in her heart, but Luo Wanqing didn’t dare think about it. Feeling her strength exhausted, she gathered her breath to move forward.

She heard voices in the distance. She knew they were not far away, but her steps felt especially heavy.

Carrying someone on her back, stepping through the snow, breathing rapidly, she moved forward step by step.

The wind in Snow Spirit Valley was particularly bitter, cutting across her face. Xie Heng quietly watched her. From Liufeng Island to this moment, he felt like a lamp running out of oil. In this moment, he didn’t want to think about anything—just quietly watched her.

This was the only time in his life when his eyes and heart contained only one person.

It was also the only time someone had desperately held onto him, pulled him, carried him, and climbed out of the abyss step by step.

Such a delicate frame, such a gentle person, yet like the blade in her hand, like grass striving to break through stone—there was no path she couldn’t walk, no sky she couldn’t cleave.

How could there be such a wonderful girl?

He thought.

Heaven had ultimately still favored him, letting him meet such a moving girl.

How could he bear to leave?

How could he leave?

He wanted to stay, wanted to be with her for a long, long time, wanted to let her see what kind of good person Xie Heng had been before he turned eighteen.

“Xiniang,” he spoke with difficulty, every word extraordinarily hard to say, “if I live, promise me one thing.”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help tightening her grip, speaking hoarsely: “What?”

“Like me.”

Xie Heng’s voice was very soft. He closed his eyes: “Like me the way you liked Cui Heng.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak. Cold wind laden with snow poured into her nostrils. She felt the warmth of the person behind her. After a long time, she said, “I don’t want to.”

Xie Heng’s heart trembled. He had no strength to speak, only leaning against her back with a bitter smile.

Luo Wanqing stared into the distance, only saying: “I don’t want to like you. I only want to love you.”

Xie Heng leaned against her back, quietly listening as she said, “I know you have a bad temper. I know you’re jealous and suspicious. I know you deceive me. I know you have many faults. I don’t like that side of you, but I can love you.”

“As long as you live.”

Luo Wanqing spoke hoarsely: “I will love you.”

You don’t need to make me like you, don’t need to be that perfect Cui Heng. You just need to be you—I will always love you.

Hearing her words, Xie Heng felt his withered heart being silently filled by her. All suffering was instantly forgotten. He felt that if this was heaven’s way of compensating for what was owed, then suffering was not unbearable to endure.

He instinctively wanted to say “don’t deceive me,” but in that moment, he felt that even if she was deceiving him, he wanted to believe.

He had no strength to speak, and Luo Wanqing had no strength to make a sound.

Both of them struggled to hold on—one struggling to move forward, one struggling to keep his eyes open, slowly walking through the wind and snow.

Luo Wanqing didn’t know how far or how long she had walked.

She felt it was a very long road, yet she could hear voices not far away. She endured the hardship, walking out of the vast snowy field until she saw human figures.

Many people stood in the distance. She couldn’t distinguish who was who. The moment she saw people, she stopped, opened her mouth wanting to call out, but had no strength.

Then she heard a familiar urgent call: “Xiniang! It’s Liu Xiniang!”

For a moment, she couldn’t recognize who it was. She only saw someone in crimson official robes suddenly running frantically toward her.

The moment he ran over, Xuanshan immediately reacted, leading people to rush over.

“Young Master!”

Xuanshan arrived first. The instant Luo Wanqing heard his voice, she completely lost control, suddenly losing strength and falling forward.

Just before she fell into the snow, a hand suddenly supported her.

“Xiniang!”

That person’s voice was breathless, clearly having run with all his might.

Luo Wanqing was steadied by his support, stabilizing her form. She raised her head to see Zhang Yiran’s anxious expression reflected in her eyes: “How are you?”

“Call Wei Qianqiu!”

Xuanshan shouted behind him, urgently saying: “We found them! Get Wei Qianqiu here!”

Hearing the three words “Wei Qianqiu,” Luo Wanqing finally felt relieved.

Wei Qianqiu was Elder Zhong’s disciple and had always been Xie Heng’s dedicated physician.

With him here, they had done all humanly possible.

The last taut string snapped. She could no longer hold on. Her vision went black, and she completely fainted.

This fainting spell left Luo Wanqing unaware of day or night. When she woke up, she found herself bound all over with bandages. Her entire body ached—even breathing felt painful and restrictive.

Only then did she realize her ribs seemed broken, her finger bones were also broken, and her leg bones and arm bones seemed cracked as well.

She lay quietly in bed, looking at the bed curtains. These curtains looked somewhat familiar. She realized this should be Xie Heng’s residence in Yangzhou—this was the room she had slept in before.

Her mind was empty for a while before she realized she should call someone and ask about Xie Heng’s condition.

But somehow, she was reluctant.

It seemed she feared hearing certain news.

But thinking it over, given Xie Heng’s status, if something had happened, the courtyard wouldn’t be so quiet now—it would have been in chaos long ago.

This gave her some courage. Supporting herself, she tried to sit up. Just as she moved, she heard the door open. Luo Wanqing looked up to see Baili carrying soup, medicine, and porridge. Seeing Luo Wanqing, surprise showed in her eyes. She quickly set down the tray and walked over, taking a soft cushion from behind her to prop her up properly, saying: “Don’t move around. Lie down first!”

“Master…”

Luo Wanqing coughed as she leaned against the soft cushion, immediately asking: “Young Master…”

“He’s fine.” Baili settled her properly. Knowing what she wanted to ask, she turned to fetch the medicine, sat on the bedside, handed her the medicine, and explained Xie Heng’s condition clearly: “His injuries are somewhat severe, but fortunately, Wei Qianqiu brought all the life-saving medicines he could when he came. That person, as long as he can hold onto a breath of life, he’ll be fine.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing paused in her movements.

She couldn’t blame Baili for thinking this way—actually, she used to think so too.

She always felt Xie Heng was strong enough, that Xie Heng was capable of anything.

But somehow, hearing Baili say this now, remembering how his breathing gradually weakened on her back, her heart felt an indescribable pain.

She instinctively wanted to tell Baili something, to make her not think of Xie Heng this way.

However, just before speaking, she suddenly understood that Xie Heng needed them to think this way.

He needed everyone to feel he would never fall, so everyone would have the courage to forge ahead, would fear him and thus respect him.

When people develop pity, they also lose reverence.

So Luo Wanqing calmed down again. She suppressed her emotions, took the medicine from Baili’s hands, thanked her quietly, then asked: “What about the mandala on Young Master’s body…”

“Xuanshan searched and found many from Jirui Palace,” Baili said, her eyes also showing some coldness. “Young Master’s body can’t quit the drug now. We can only keep feeding it to him—consider it pain relief.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing inevitably felt some anger.

The longer one was fed mandala, the harder it became to quit. If outsiders knew Xie Heng was addicted to this, it would greatly damage his reputation. But she knew this emotion was useless, so she forcibly suppressed it and changed the subject: “How did Master come from Dongdu?”

“I received word earlier that Baihu Division personnel were needed, so I came.”

Baili spoke naturally, then smiled as she looked her over: “I didn’t expect that by the time I arrived, they said it wasn’t needed anymore—you had finished the job by yourself.”

Luo Wanqing paused, realizing Baili had received the message and left Dongdu before she entered Snow Spirit Valley.

Seeing she seemed not to understand, Baili continued: “What Baihu Division was going to deploy elite forces to accomplish, you did alone. I heard you even defeated Ji Ruifang? Yesterday Xuanshan was still telling me that if this is true, I can go back and enjoy my retirement.”

“Xuanwu Envoy is joking.” Hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately said: “Baihu Division still needs Master…”

“Do we still need such official rhetoric between us?”

Baili interrupted her, smiling meaningfully.

Luo Wanqing paused, then realized Baili wasn’t joking.

She raised her eyes to look at Baili. Baili’s eyes showed some tenderness as she said gently, “I’m old. I have family and children. My son and daughter are away. In the past, because of my position, I rarely accompanied them, fearing I’d bring them trouble. A person’s life doesn’t have many days.”

Baili spoke, gently patting Luo Wanqing’s hand with meaningful intent: “Being able to live well for one day is one day. Don’t think too much.”

“Xiniang understands.”

Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes and drank the remaining medicine in one gulp.

After she finished drinking, Baili smoothly took away the bowl and handed her a cup of water. After Luo Wanqing drank the water, Baili said: “Do you want to eat something? I had the kitchen make porridge.”

“Thank you, Master.”

Luo Wanqing nodded. She gradually calmed down and began inquiring: “Master, how long did I sleep? How are the others? What’s the current situation? Is Ji Ruifang alive? Was the phoenix feather hairpin found? And Xiang Sizi…”

“You have too many questions.” Baili raised her hand to her forehead, seeming somewhat headache-stricken, thinking as she said, “I’ll answer slowly. You slept for two days. The others… you mean Xing Ling and Cui Junye and them, right?”

“Yes.”

Luo Wanqing immediately responded. Baili thought and said, “After we blasted open the valley, we went straight into Jirui Palace. There weren’t many people left in Jirui Palace—they were easily defeated. We found them in Jirui Palace’s ventilation passages. Cui Junye is fine, Zhuque suffered some superficial injuries. As for Xing Ling…”

Baili spoke with meaning: “She’s currently staying in the dungeon, waiting for Young Master’s interrogation.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing knew this was normal. Xing Ling’s betrayal couldn’t be easily overlooked.

She nodded, then said: “What about Ji Ruifang?”

“She’s alive but hasn’t awakened yet. Her injuries are worse than yours.” Baili frowned tightly. “Most of Jirui Palace’s people are dead. Now only she and someone called Kunyu remain, being held and interrogated in prison.”

“Kunyu?” Luo Wanqing thought, then immediately said: “Has she confessed anything?”

“She hasn’t confessed anything—she’s a tough bone,” Baili’s tone was cold, seeming displeased. “If there’s anything useful, it’s probably just that she said you killed her sisters, so she deliberately moved the gunpowder that was originally meant to blow up the cave, wanting to get revenge on you.”

Listening, Luo Wanqing understood the origin of that final explosion.

She nodded: “Understandable.”

Then she remembered: “What about the hairpin? Was it found?”

“Found.” Baili nodded. Luo Wanqing felt some relief, then was curious: “How was it found?”

“This brings up someone we must mention,” Baili smiled. “Xiang Sizi.”

This made Luo Wanqing pause, saying in surprise: “Xiang Sizi?”

“Didn’t expect it, did you?” Baili’s tone was quite cheerful. “He was staying in Jirui Palace the whole time. There’s an underground waterway beneath Liufeng Island that leads directly into Jirui Palace. Xiang Sizi brought Qinglu and escaped to Jirui Palace, hiding there the entire time. Ji Ruifang was always outside looking for people and hardly searched her palace, so they managed to live quite comfortably by stealing from here and there in Jirui Palace.”

For two people to lurk silently in Jirui Palace for so long was quite an ability.

Luo Wanqing was quite curious: “And then?”

“They were monitoring Ji Ruifang from the ventilation pipes and happened to see where Ji Ruifang placed the hairpin. When Jirui Palace fell into chaos, they were the ones who hid Xing Ling, Minister Cui, and Zhuque. Now they’ve returned with them and are waiting for Young Master’s questioning.”

Hearing everyone was safe, Luo Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief and was completely at ease. She inquired about her final concern: “With Young Master and the Three Envoys all coming to Jiangnan, what about Dongdu…”

“Qingya is there, don’t worry.”

Baili comforted her: “Young Master doesn’t always stay in Dongdu without going out. The Supervision Department has arrangements for when he’s not there.”

“Then…”

Luo Wanqing spoke, remembering a name that she hadn’t seen for only about ten days but felt like half a lifetime: “What about Li Guiyu? And Wang Yunzhi…”

“I heard Third Prince returned to Dongdu.” Baili thought. “Wang Yunzhi also went back. They left too easily—we don’t know what they’re planning.”

This made Luo Wanqing somewhat uneasy, too. Baili was right—given Li Guiyu and Wang Yunzhi’s personalities, they had given up a bit too early.

Wang Yunzhi had lost most of her people, so it was understandable she would leave when seeing the situation was unfavorable.

But with Li Guiyu’s relentless, resourceful nature, how could he leave so simply?

Moreover…

Luo Wanqing calmed down and finally had time to think—coming to Jiangnan to find this item, Xie Heng should have informed Li Zong. Li Zong knew Xie Heng was coming, yet still sent Li Guiyu here too. Why?

To test Li Guiyu’s strength? Or did he not want Xie Heng to obtain it?

If he didn’t want him to have it, he could have just not approved Xie Heng’s trip. Why let Xie Heng come?

Plus, what Kunyu said last night—

“How do you know it’s not the heart of those in power?”

Who were the “those in power” she referred to?

And who was Jirui Palace fighting for this item?

Question after question flashed through her mind. Baili saw her thinking and got up: “Finished asking? Then I’ll have someone prepare some food for you.”

“Can I go see Young Master?”

Luo Wanqing blurted out. Baili looked up in confusion, somewhat surprised: “Hm?”

Seeing Baili’s expression, Luo Wanqing knew she had misspoken.

If it was just the relationship between Liu Xiniang and Xie Heng, asking about Xie Heng’s safety would be sufficient—anything more wouldn’t be her place to ask.

Looking at Baili’s gaze, Luo Wanqing controlled her emotions, hesitating: “I… I want to…”

“You have matters you want to report to Young Master face-to-face, right?” Baili seemed to understand.

Luo Wanqing paused, then nodded: “Yes, there are still some matters I need to report to Young Master.”

“He’s right next door, but hasn’t awakened yet,” Baili pointed to the adjacent room. “How about I take you over to look first…”

“Thank you, Master.” Luo Wanqing immediately said. “When Young Master awakens, I’ll go see him then.”

Seeing she was unwilling, Baili didn’t press further. She nodded and walked out.

After Baili left, Luo Wanqing lay in bed looking at the ceiling, finally realizing she had returned to Yangzhou.

And after returning, she understood that she and Xie Heng could never be like they were in the past.

She couldn’t treat him merely as Cui Heng anymore.

Nor could she treat him as the Xie Heng from Snow Spirit Valley’s cave, when only the two of them were present.

From Baili’s reaction, she roughly guessed that Baili probably knew about Xie Heng being Cui Heng.

Perhaps all Four Envoys knew.

Initially, after the Qin Music Gathering, she had suspected Cui Heng’s identity. Then Cui Heng had met “Xie Heng” at her simultaneously. Looking back now, that “Xie Heng” was probably fake, which meant the Supervision Department… or rather, the Four Envoys were all hiding it from her.

She wasn’t sure how Xie Heng had described their relationship to them, but she could confirm that initially, Xie Heng had always suspected her. Before Fangfei Pavilion, Xie Heng had treated her as an assassin planted in the Supervision Department. So Cui Heng becoming her Shadow Envoy probably wasn’t to reminisce about old times, but to test her.

As for why he stayed afterward, why he remained by her side, she couldn’t speculate further.

Looking back at the past, she finally realized that between them, there had been deception from the beginning. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help feeling somewhat stifled.

But since it was all in the past, she couldn’t dwell on it anymore.

She imagined the reason he told Baili, Qingya, and others probably wouldn’t be too intimate—otherwise, even if Baili and Qingya could keep it hidden, Zhuque couldn’t.

After all, he was the head of the Supervision Department. Developing feelings for a subordinate was ultimately inappropriate. Whether for Xie Heng’s reputation or her future, it would be best if no one discovered this matter.

Her mind wandered for a while before Baili returned with porridge. As Luo Wanqing ate porridge, she chatted carefully with her about the current situation. While they were talking, they heard a servant’s announcement from outside: “Baihu Envoy, Minister Zhang heard Chief Liu has awakened and wants to come pay his respects.”

Hearing this, Baili glanced at Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing remembered Zhang Yiran’s anxious appearance before she fainted, and her heart warmed. She nodded: “Let him come.”

Seeing this, Baili took away her empty bowl, handed her a napkin and water. After she used them, Baili smiled: “Since Minister Zhang is coming, I won’t stay here being bothersome. Documents from Dongdu have arrived—I’ll go look at them first.”

Luo Wanqing bid farewell to Baili, supported herself to get up, found some clothes to put on properly, then sat in position waiting for Zhang Yiran.

After waiting briefly, she heard footsteps outside. After a moment, Zhang Yiran’s voice sounded outside: “Chief Liu, may I come in?”

“Come in.”

Luo Wanqing smiled as she spoke. Zhang Yiran pushed the door open. The moment he entered and saw Luo Wanqing sitting steadily, Zhang Yiran couldn’t help but pause, showing some happiness: “Chief Liu is better?”

“No.” Luo Wanqing shook her head, speaking honestly: “It’s just that I wanted to see Minister Zhang, and knowing Minister Zhang always follows rules and propriety, I thought if I were in bed, Minister Zhang probably wouldn’t dare come in.”

These words made Zhang Yiran’s expression pause slightly. After hesitating a moment, he struggled and said: “If Chief Liu would be more comfortable speaking from bed, and since you’re injured, I’m not so pedantic as that.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help smiling, and then invited Zhang Yiran to sit.

After Zhang Yiran was seated, Luo Wanqing asked: “What brings Minister Zhang here?”

Zhang Yiran paused, hesitating a moment before slowly saying: “I… I just came to see how Chief Liu’s health is. Last time we met, I saw that Chief Liu was too severely injured, so…”

Luo Wanqing listened to his words with some surprise. Zhang Yiran paused, thought, then said: “I consider Chief Liu a friend, so I thought I should come visit now.”

Only then did Luo Wanqing realize Zhang Yiran wasn’t here for official business.

She couldn’t help smiling and nodded: “Naturally. I’m extremely happy Minister Zhang could come.”

Getting Luo Wanqing’s confirmation, Zhang Yiran finally felt relieved and looked her over: “How are you now?”

“Several fractures, some external injuries. I’ll recover slowly with rest.”

“Then shouldn’t you be lying down resting?” Zhang Yiran asked urgently.

Luo Wanqing waved her hand: “Next time.”

“Then I won’t say much more,” Zhang Yiran said, standing up. “I just came to see you. When you’re better, we’ll meet again.”

“Wait!” Hearing this, Luo Wanqing quickly called out to him. “Since you’re here, why don’t you tell me what you’re working on?”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran looked up in confusion. Luo Wanqing immediately said, “How is your father’s case progressing?”

“Oh.”

Zhang Yiran understood and immediately returned to his seat, thinking: “My father’s case is mostly investigated. It’s as Uncle Wang Hu said—Fengyu Pavilion’s people acted to rob the escort convoy. Now that Fengyu Pavilion has been destroyed, if we continue investigating, we’d need to find out who was behind Fengyu Pavilion, but only Xiang Sizi knows that.”

Zhang Yiran spoke, and Luo Wanqing nodded: “Mm.”

“But now Xiang Sizi’s life or death is unknown, so the leads are cut off.”

Zhang Yiran sighed. Luo Wanqing paused slightly, realizing the news that Xiang Sizi was still alive probably hadn’t been spread by the Supervision Department yet.

She didn’t speak immediately, only listening as Zhang Yiran continued: “But I still discovered some other clues.”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was curious: “What clues?”

“Chief Liu had me pay attention to the inventory list of items confiscated when Luo Qushu’s home was raided. Does Chief Liu still remember?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing paused.

Zhang Yiran looked at Liu Xiniang seriously: “I think this case might be a wrongful conviction.”

Author’s Note:

[Little Theater]

Beginning of chapter—

Xie Heng: “Once I return, my happiness begins.”

End of chapter—

Xie Heng: “Tears flow from the corner of my eyes. Why am I still not awake?”