◎I’ve been waiting for Miss Luo for a long time◎

Luo Wanqing walked out of the courtyard and saw Zhang Yiran already waiting at the entrance.

Seeing Luo Wanqing’s attire, Zhang Yiran was slightly startled, then turned his eyes away and led the way forward: “Inspector Liu, this way.”

The two walked out of the Xie residence together. Zhang Yiran couldn’t help but look back at Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing found this strange and turned to look at him: “Why does Elder Zhang keep looking at me?”

“Oh,” Zhang Yiran, questioned by her, turned to look at the street, seeming somewhat embarrassed: “I was suddenly curious about what Inspector Liu originally looked like.”

“Why suddenly curious about this?”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat puzzled. Zhang Yiran pondered: “When I first saw Inspector Liu, you were already unrecognizable. Later, Inspector Liu seemed to use someone else’s appearance. Today, suddenly seeing Inspector Liu dressed as an ordinary young lady, I couldn’t help but be curious. If Inspector Liu hadn’t been imprisoned…”

Zhang Yiran thought for a moment and couldn’t help but smile: “At Inspector Liu’s age, this should be your prime years.”

“I’m in my prime years now, too.” Luo Wanqing said contentedly, “I now have a sword, an official position, and ability. This is the best age.”

“Inspector Liu is right.” Zhang Yiran nodded, “I was shallow in my thinking.”

Luo Wanqing smiled and looked down, changing the subject: “Do you know who that Cui Niang your father went to see at Mingcui Tower was?”

“I don’t know.”

Zhang Yiran shook his head, pondering: “But I think she shouldn’t be any ordinary person.”

Luo Wanqing knew Zhang Yiran was telling her everything he knew. She nodded, then said: “Then I’ll be your guard now, escorting you to find someone?”

“Good.”

The two arranged their identities and walked to Mingcui Tower.

Mingcui Tower stood by the lake in the suburbs. It wasn’t mealtime now, so it looked quite deserted. Zhang Yiran led Luo Wanqing to the entrance. Before they could enter, a server came up to them, smiling: “Are you two here for a meal?”

“No,” Zhang Yiran replied seriously and earnestly, “I’m here to find someone.”

The server looked puzzled: “Find someone?”

“I’m looking for a woman named Cui Niang.” Zhang Yiran said politely, “Do you know her?”

Upon hearing “Cui Niang,” the server’s expression changed slightly, then he smiled apologetically: “Sir, you’ve come to the wrong place. There’s no Cui Niang here.”

“I came here eight years ago,” Zhang Yiran immediately said, “I even saw her. If she’s not here now, she was here then. Could I ask to speak with your boss?”

“Sir,” the server, seeing Zhang Yiran’s persistence, his expression became unpleasant. He looked him up and down and said, “Are you here as a customer or to cause trouble? I’ve been working here for eight years. I’ve never heard of any Cui Niang you mentioned. Please leave.”

“I see.”

Zhang Yiran nodded, then said: “Then I won’t look for Cui Niang. I’ll look for your boss. Please let me see your boss.”

“Hey, who do you think you are?” Hearing this, the server showed a fierce expression, “What are you? Is my boss someone you can see just because you want to? If you have money, eat. If you don’t have money, get lost!”

“Money isn’t a problem.”

Luo Wanqing, hearing this, took out a silver ingot and handed it to the server, smiling: “Please inform them. We mean no harm.”

“Are you treating me like a beggar?!” The server, seeing the silver, showed no mercy. He raised his hand and slapped the silver away, angrily saying: “Get lost!”

Before his words finished, Luo Wanqing had already caught the silver with one hand and grabbed the server with the other, pressing his hand behind his back and stepping hard on him, pushing him to the ground. She said coldly, “Don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit. Call someone.”

The server, being pressed down by her, immediately began shouting: “Help! Murder! There’s no law here!”

“Of course there’s law.” Luo Wanqing said coldly, “Call your boss out, and I’ll naturally show him the law.”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing threw the server up. The moment he was thrown, his expression changed drastically. Luo Wanqing immediately kicked out fiercely. The server became fully alert, crossing his arms in front of him to block Luo Wanqing’s kick.

But this kick was too powerful. The server was kicked into the building before he could dissipate the force. He did a backflip and landed on a table surface, looking up fiercely.

In an instant, over a hundred people poured out of the entire Mingcui Tower. Luo Wanqing looked up at the server kneeling on one knee on the table and smiled: “Not bad skills.”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing beckoned to Zhang Yiran. Zhang Yiran immediately reacted, quickly stepped forward, and squeezed behind Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing lowered her head and said, “Stay close to me.”

Zhang Yiran nervously looked around, then saw Luo Wanqing step forward. He quickly followed, and together they walked boldly into Mingcui Tower.

For every step Luo Wanqing took forward, everyone else took a step back. When the two had completely entered Mingcui Tower, the door immediately closed. Zhang Yiran heard a “bang” as the door closed and looked back, hurriedly saying: “Inspector Liu, is it okay with just the two of us?”

Luo Wanqing ignored him and found the most central table, beckoning Zhang Yiran to sit down.

Zhang Yiran dared not say much and sat beside Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing turned over the upside-down teacups on the table, poured tea for herself and Zhang Yiran, and said leisurely: “It’s not mealtime yet, so Mingcui Tower doesn’t have much business. I’ll wait here, and either Cui Niang or the boss will have to come out. If they keep not coming out, when mealtime arrives and there are more people,” Luo Wanqing looked up and glanced around, saying slowly: “That would be quite unseemly.”

“Who exactly are you, and what are you doing in Mingcui Tower?”

The server, hearing Luo Wanqing’s words, stood up and took out double batons from his waist, shaking them out. He said coldly, “If you can’t explain clearly, our boss has no reason to see guests.”

“I said, I’m looking for someone.”

Luo Wanqing took a sip of water and lowered her eyes: “I’ll wait for a quarter of an hour. If no one comes, I’ll find them myself.”

“Outrageous!”

The server, hearing this, shouted angrily and raised his hand: “Attack!”

The moment his voice fell, everyone rushed toward the central table. Luo Wanqing sat in her original position without moving, only when the first person rushed over, she grabbed him and threw him to the opposite side.

Zhang Yiran, seeing this, was so nervous he dared not breathe. He watched as Luo Wanqing sat in place, hitting and throwing, without moving an inch.

As more and more people surrounded them and those rushing forward became braver, Luo Wanqing scanned the surroundings and pressed one person’s head onto the table.

However, just as she looked up at the surroundings, the person she was pressing suddenly drew a knife from under the table. Luo Wanqing instantly turned back, and at that moment, Zhang Yiran grabbed a tea tray and smashed it hard on the opponent’s head!

The solid wood tea tray instantly knocked the opponent unconscious. Luo Wanqing raised her eyebrows and looked at Zhang Yiran approvingly, then finally stood up, kicked aside the people nearby, grabbed Zhang Yiran, and headed upstairs: “Let’s go!”

Zhang Yiran followed Luo Wanqing rushing upstairs, urgently saying: “There’s a corridor on the second floor that connects to the inner courtyard!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately pulled Zhang Yiran and ran inward. With swords and sabers flashing around them, Luo Wanqing kicked down one person after another. Zhang Yiran’s heart was beating fast. Last time following Luo Wanqing, he at least had a shield, but this time he was completely using his body to block knives. He was pulled and swung around by Luo Wanqing, watching her pull him forward at high speed. Just as they were about to enter the inner courtyard, arrows rained down toward Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran. Zhang Yiran screamed: “Xiniang!!”

Luo Wanqing threw Zhang Yiran behind her. The moment Zhang Yiran hit the ground, she turned her wide sleeve and swept all the arrows into her sleeve. At that moment, someone struck her with a palm. Luo Wanqing focused her attention and was about to counter when a familiar voice came: “It would be impolite to continue fighting!”

At these words, everyone was startled. The person attacking froze in front of Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing looked up in surprise to see Zhuque walking from the back courtyard with a face full of disdain, pushing the person in front of her: “What level is she? You dare to attack her? Aren’t you afraid she’ll tear down your Mingcui Tower today?”

“Zhu…”

“Let’s go.”

Zhuque didn’t give Luo Wanqing a chance to speak. He glanced at Zhang Yiran, who was stumbling up from behind: “Master Zhang, come along too.”

Speaking thus, Zhuque turned around and led Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran inside under everyone’s surprised gazes.

Zhuque’s appearance here also puzzled Luo Wanqing. When she saw no one around, she hurriedly said: “Zhuque Envoy? Why are you here?”

“You’ll have to ask the young master.” Zhuque lowered his voice, “As soon as he heard you were coming to Mingcui Tower, he set out. Mingcui Tower is a top-level underground brothel with very deep waters. What are you doing here?”

Hearing the words “underground brothel,” Luo Wanqing instantly understood why Mingcui Tower’s security was so tight.

This kind of top-level underground brothel mostly served unspeakably high-ranking officials and nobles. Places like this had many capable people, so she had indeed come rather recklessly.

But since it was this kind of place, how did Xie Heng get in? And he went straight to the back courtyard?

Luo Wanqing thought about it and asked directly: “Is the young master very familiar with this place?”

“The last time he came to Jiangnan for inspection, the young master made a fake identity and came once.” Zhuque said quietly, “I’m now his servant, Xiao Zhu, and the young master is Master Xie. The customers here all need introductions to enter, but once inside, they won’t ask detailed questions about identity. Don’t expose anything and cause trouble.”

Luo Wanqing listened and nodded: “Understood.”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing followed Zhuque inward. This inner courtyard became larger and larger as they walked deeper. When they reached the depths, each room was covered with plants, invisible from each other, with extremely strong privacy.

The rooms had special soundproofing, so basically no sounds could be heard, but occasionally there would still be women’s seductive calls, making Zhang Yiran blush.

Zhuque led Luo Wanqing into the deepest room. As soon as he opened the door, the sound of silk and bamboo music came through. Zhuque respectfully said: “Young master, I’ve brought them.”

Luo Wanqing and Zhang Yiran entered the room and looked up to see a man in brocade robes sitting in a high position. He looked to be in his forties, refined and courteous.

Xie Heng was reclining on a guest seat, holding a wine cup in his hand, his posture lazy and expression indifferent.

Women danced and sang around them. The man in the high position, hearing Zhuque’s voice, smiled: “Master Xie, your people caused quite a commotion in my place. Won’t you introduce them?”

Hearing this, Xie Heng swirled his wine cup and looked up at Luo Wanqing at the door.

The musicians nearby tactfully stopped their music. Xie Heng raised his hand toward Luo Wanqing, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips: “My wife.”

Xie Heng spoke with some command: “Come to me.”

At these words, all the informed people present were somewhat surprised. Zhuque and Zhang Yiran couldn’t help but look at Luo Wanqing. After a brief moment of surprise, Luo Wanqing immediately realized this was a temporary identity Xie Heng had fabricated for her.

She lowered her eyes, not daring to say much, and stepped forward, kneeling in front of Xie Heng and saying quietly: “Young master.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng took her hand and sat up straight, raising his arm around her shoulders. With a slight force, Luo Wanqing fell against Xie Heng’s chest.

Luo Wanqing’s body stiffened. Xie Heng raised his arm around her shoulders, using his wide sleeve to cover half her body, and smiled at the man above: “Master Gao, this is my wife. I’m embarrassed.”

“This is your wife?”

The man above was somewhat surprised: “I heard that the person causing trouble had excellent martial arts skills. I didn’t expect it to be Mrs. Xie. I failed to recognize Mount Tai.”

Luo Wanqing, hearing the address “Mrs. Xie,” felt her face heat up for some reason. Xie Heng, beside her, smiled and proactively raised his cup: “My wife is mischievous and has caused trouble for Master Gao. She’s been working with this young master recently and hasn’t come to find me for a long time. If I hadn’t entered this place,” Xie Heng turned and lightly lifted Luo Wanqing’s chin, seeming to complain: “My wife would probably have forgotten about me, wouldn’t she?”

“So your wife came to find you.” The man surnamed Gao laughed heartily, “I wondered why she was so angry. But coming to find you…”

The man examined Luo Wanqing: “Why did your wife immediately specify looking for Cui Niang?”

“It’s all because of what he said!”

Luo Wanqing, hearing this, felt her heart beat faster and immediately helped Xie Heng with the lie: “He said he was coming to find Cui Niang. I… I thought he was with Cui Niang.”

“Oh my, my dear wife,” Xie Heng embraced Luo Wanqing and buried his head in her shoulder, laughing quietly, “I made up a random name, and you believed it?”

“How was I supposed to know if you were telling the truth or lying?” Luo Wanqing suppressed her heartbeat and turned her head: “Anyway, anyone who comes to this kind of place isn’t a good person.”

“Yes, yes, yes, not a good person.”

Xie Heng raised his head and seemed to whisper something quietly in Luo Wanqing’s ear. Luo Wanqing blushed. Xie Heng looked up satisfactorily at Zhang Yiran, who was sitting restlessly not far away: “Master Zhang, since you’re here, why don’t you stay and watch a performance?”

Zhang Yiran was startled. Xie Heng turned to look at the seated man, smiling meaningfully: “This is Master Zhang, a guest I’m treating today. I hope Master Gao will help me entertain him well. Master Zhang is from the Eastern Capital. If you entertain him well, Master Gao will naturally benefit.”

Hearing Xie Heng’s subtle hint, the man immediately understood and smiled: “I understand. Since you’ve come to Mingcui Tower, I’ll make sure everyone is satisfied and returns happy.”

“Then call all the girls up,” Xie Heng took a sip of wine and pointed at Zhang Yiran across from him: “Let Master Zhang choose one.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” the man stood up, “Since Master Xie’s friend has come, I won’t disturb you. I’ll arrange for people to attend to Master Zhang right away.”

Xie Heng smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

The man got up and left. The musicians resumed playing, and Xie Heng embraced Luo Wanqing as if enjoying the song and dance.

Luo Wanqing leaned against him. Seeing no one around who was paying attention to them, she whispered, “Why did the young master come?”

“If I didn’t come, wouldn’t you have turned this place upside down?” Xie Heng casually played with the strands of hair falling by her cheek, watching the dancers: “It’s just investigating a clue. Why make such a big fuss?”

“Is young master acquainted with the boss here?”

“I know him,” Xie Heng said quietly, “The boss here is the master of Lingxi Pavilion. Mingcui Tower is just one of his properties. He’s smooth and sociable with countless experts under him. You were a bit reckless today.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately said, “This subordinate will be more careful in the future.”

“Mm,” Xie Heng responded lightly, then said: “But he’s not here today anyway, just one of his subordinate managers. It’s not important.”

“Then… young master didn’t need to come.”

Luo Wanqing considered her words: “Young master should have many matters to attend to. You don’t need to worry about small things like this.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng turned to glance at Luo Wanqing, half-jokingly saying: “What could be more important than Xiniang?”

“Young master…”

Luo Wanqing felt uncomfortable being spoken to this way, wanting to remind him they were conducting official business.

Xie Heng saw her stiffness and didn’t say more, his tone becoming more serious as he explained: “I’ve already sent news of obtaining the iron box back to the Eastern Capital, telling His Majesty that when we return, the iron box will be handed over to His Majesty. Being able to open it in Jiangnan is my only chance to see its contents early. This is the most important matter right now.”

“Why the rush to tell His Majesty?”

Luo Wanqing found it strange. Xie Heng took a sip of wine, his expression slightly cold: “My greatest support right now is His Majesty. Since Li Guiyu left ahead of schedule, he’ll tell His Majesty about this. If I show even the slightest hesitation, His Majesty will become suspicious of me. And if I give it to His Majesty without knowing anything, I might never know what’s inside. Whether it’s beneficial or harmful, I might only understand when I’m dying. So—”

Xie Heng turned to look at Luo Wanqing, smiling: “My life is in Inspector Liu’s hands.”

“I understand.”

Luo Wanqing spoke seriously, thinking about the differences between her past and present lives.

In her past life, Xie Heng allied with Li Guiyu, so naturally he wouldn’t investigate her father’s case. Not caring about her father, he naturally couldn’t find or open this box. His eventual death in the previous life, and the fact that the Cui family was never vindicated, was it related to this?

As Luo Wanqing pondered, she heard someone knocking on the door. After a moment, the song and dance stopped, the door opened, and women filed in, bowing respectfully to Zhang Yiran and saying in unison: “Master Zhang.”

“Tsk,” Xie Heng looked at this scene and glanced at Luo Wanqing, whispering: “Master Zhang has quite the good fortune today.”

“Is young master envious?”

Luo Wanqing glanced at Xie Heng coolly. Xie Heng immediately said, “With Inspector Liu at my side, my fortune is sufficient.”

Luo Wanqing ignored him and turned to look at Zhang Yiran, quietly warning Xie Heng: “Young master shouldn’t forget what you promised me. You’d better not be too presumptuous.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng raised an eyebrow but also moved away from Luo Wanqing a bit, saying somewhat disappointedly: “Understood. Everything follows my wife’s wishes.”

Luo Wanqing quietly glared at him and watched as Zhang Yiran stood up to choose someone under the manager’s urging.

Xie Heng glanced at the women on the ground and looked at the manager: “Are all the women in the building here?”

“They’re all here,” the manager immediately responded, “Master Xie, rest assured. You’re an honored guest of the building. We certainly won’t neglect you.”

Xie Heng nodded and smiled, only saying: “Thank you.”

Speaking thus, Xie Heng embraced Luo Wanqing, sipped his wine without speaking, and watched as Zhang Yiran seriously looked at each woman’s face. He finally stopped in front of one woman and hesitantly asked: “What’s your name?”

The woman paused, then slowly raised her head. She looked to be in her early thirties but was very beautiful. Perhaps because of her age, she was in the back row. The manager, seeing this scene, looked at Zhang Yiran and then at the woman with some surprise. Seeing the woman in a daze, he hurriedly said: “Cui Niang, quickly attend to Master Zhang.”

“Her name is Cui Niang?”

Xie Heng seemed somewhat surprised. The manager hurriedly said, “Yes, her name is Cui Niang. She’s been in the building for many years. Her skills are exceptional. Although she’s gotten older, but…”

“There’s such coincidence in the world,” Xie Heng seemed not to have heard the manager’s words and smiled: “I just made up a Cui Niang to anger my wife the other day, and you have a real Cui Niang here, whom Master Zhang has taken a fancy to. Since there’s such a fate, why not let her stay?”

Speaking thus, Xie Heng looked up at Zhang Yiran: “What does Master Zhang think? Or would you like to keep a few more?”

“One is enough.”

Zhang Yiran, blushing, tried not to appear timid and said with forced composure: “Next time I come, I’ll order a few more.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng almost choked on his wine. He suppressed his cough and nodded: “Master Zhang has great ambitions. Very good. Then let’s keep this one. Xiao Zhu.”

Xie Heng waved his hand, and Zhuque immediately stepped forward, handing a banknote to the manager.

Xie Heng looked up at the manager and smiled: “Let everyone else go. Leave Cui Niang to play with the three of us slowly.”

The manager was startled, glanced at Luo Wanqing in Xie Heng’s embrace, then realized something and smiled: “Yes, have fun, you three.”

Speaking thus, the manager glared at Cui Niang warningly: “Serve the guests well.”

Cui Niang hurriedly responded, and then the manager led everyone out. Zhuque also tactfully followed them out and closed the door, standing guard outside.

When everyone left and only four people remained in the room, Luo Wanqing immediately stood up and stepped aside, distancing herself from Xie Heng.

Xie Heng glanced at her and also sat up straight, returning to his usual cold demeanor.

Zhang Yiran didn’t notice these details and directly squatted down, staring at the woman in front of him: “Cui Niang, do you remember me?”

Hearing Zhang Yiran’s words, Cui Niang straightened up. Her face lost the fearful expression she had when facing the manager. She carefully studied Zhang Yiran, then nodded: “Master Zhang.”

Speaking thus, she also looked at Luo Wanqing and bowed: “Miss Luo.”

At these words, Zhang Yiran looked at Luo Wanqing with some surprise. Luo Wanqing shook her head at him, and Zhang Yiran dared not say more.

Luo Wanqing stood up and beckoned Zhang Yiran and Cui Niang to sit together at the central table.

Xie Heng also stood up and walked to a rocking chair not far behind Luo Wanqing. He took out a fan from his sleeve and lay on the rocking chair like a passerby, listening to the three people’s conversation.

The rocking chair began creaking. Luo Wanqing looked at Cui Niang, who was sitting calmly with her hair arranged in a bridal style, and asked curiously: “Miss, do you recognize me?”

“I do.”

Cui Niang nodded, then said: “In the past, Master Luo often brought you to Mingcui Tower. You would eat in the private room while he came to the back courtyard to find me.”

“Find you?” Luo Wanqing frowned, “You and my father…”

“Master Luo and Master Zhang are my benefactors,” Cui Niang, seeing Luo Wanqing’s misunderstanding, immediately explained, “Years ago, I was almost beaten to death in Mingcui Tower. It was the two masters who saved my life. Later, the two masters always pretended to be my patrons to help me financially. Only then did the building allow me to be promoted from the lowest-level female servant, and my life became much better.”

“Since they saved you, why didn’t they directly redeem your freedom?”

Zhang Yiran found it strange. Xie Heng explained from the side: “Mingcui Tower doesn’t have the concept of redemption, and with the abilities of your two fathers, they probably couldn’t take away women from Mingcui Tower.”

“That’s correct.”

Cui Niang nodded, then said: “But as long as I wasn’t a low-level female servant, I could live well in Mingcui Tower. Over these years, I had no relationship with the two masters. Both were men who treated their wives extremely well. I was just helping the two masters pass messages. The two masters were young friends, but it was inconvenient for them to meet, so they could only meet at my place occasionally to share a drink.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran found it strange: “Why couldn’t my father meet Master Luo openly?”

“I don’t know.”

Cui Niang shook her head, only saying: “I only know that when I first met them when they were young, they were still friends, but later they never appeared together in public again. They instructed me not to tell others about their acquaintance, but their relationship was very good.”

Speaking thus, Cui Niang couldn’t help but smile, looking at Zhang Yiran and Luo Wanqing: “When you two were small, I even heard them chat about wanting to arrange a childhood engagement for you two.”

The rocking chair sound stopped abruptly. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but look over to see Xie Heng looking back at her.

The two silently made eye contact. Zhang Yiran said, somewhat shocked: “Then… wouldn’t Miss Luo almost have been my fiancée?”

“Stop dreaming.”

Xie Heng’s voice came directly from the side. Zhang Yiran looked back, puzzledly, to see Xie Heng glancing at him coldly, then lowering his eyes to look at the folding fan in his hand, seeming to remind casually: “You and Miss Luo have never even met. It’s something that never even got started. Don’t overthink it.”

“Master… Master Xie’s reminder is correct.” Zhang Yiran, hearing Xie Heng’s reminder, finally realized his words were somewhat presumptuous. He nodded: “I should still go back and ask my mother if any tokens were exchanged. If a marriage was truly arranged, no matter what, I must take responsibility for Miss Luo.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng gripped the folding fan in his hand tightly, seeming to restrain his emotions with great effort, tapping it in his palm repeatedly.

Luo Wanqing hesitantly reminded: “It’s… It’s not necessary.”

However, Zhang Yiran was completely oblivious to their reactions and turned to Cui Niang, continuing: “Then my father and Master Luo have known each other for at least ten years?”

“Yes.”

Cui Niang nodded: “When I knew them, I was only sixteen. Now, I’m already over thirty.”

Speaking thus, Cui Niang’s eyes showed some emotion as she turned to look at Luo Wanqing: “I’ve been waiting for Miss Luo for a long time.”

“You’ve been waiting for me?”

Luo Wanqing asked puzzledly: “Waiting for me to do what?”

“Master Luo left me a character.” Cui Niang spoke and took out a piece of paper from her sleeve, “He said if Miss came to find me in the future, I should give this character to Miss.”

Hearing this, everyone’s hearts tightened as they watched Cui Niang unfold the paper. On it was Luo Qushu’s handwriting, writing one character—

“辛” (Xin)

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Zhang Yiran: “Everyone has to tolerate my temper, Zhang Yiran’s temper. Even Xie Lingshu is no exception.”

Xie Heng: “…Do you want to die?”

Li Guiyu: “Step aside, let me kill him.”

Zhang Yiran: “Come on. Who has Zhang Yiran ever been afraid of? Inspector Liu will avenge me.”

Li Guiyu: “…”

Xie Heng: “I’m stepping aside, go ahead.”

Li Guiyu: “Forget it, he’s just a minor censor, not worth mentioning. I’ll go compete for the throne instead.”

Xie Heng: “Coward. I’m different. I don’t even bother looking at such minor officials. I’m going to conquer the realm.”

Zhang Yiran: “Ha, I told you everyone has to tolerate Zhang Yiran’s temper. And you, that death row prisoner.”

Luo Wanqing: “…”