◎I will clear Uncle Zheng’s name◎

These words made Luo Wanqing frown. She seemed to think seriously for a moment, then shook her head: “Too many dreams still isn’t good. I should discuss with Doctor Wei again about prescribing you some calming remedies.”

Xie Heng’s brush tip paused. He turned to look at her and saw Luo Wanqing say seriously: “How did you feel about the medicine packet I gave you before? Any effects?”

Xie Heng said nothing, only looking at her helplessly. Luo Wanqing was somewhat puzzled: “Young master?”

“Xiniang…”

Xie Heng sighed and simply put down his brush and ink, reaching out to pull her forward so she reclined against his knees.

Luo Wanqing blinked, looking up at the person above who lowered his gaze to her face, and asked again: “Young master?”

“Heart ailments require heart medicine—how can one rely on external remedies?” Xie Heng brushed away the hair from Luo Wanqing’s face, his fingertips tracing across her features as he said meaningfully: “No need to ask Qianqiu to change any prescriptions. Just come back earlier each day from now on, and I’ll naturally sleep peacefully through the night. Come, confess,” Xie Heng held her and smiled: “What were you doing with the Third Prince?”

Knowing Xie Heng wouldn’t let this question go, Luo Wanqing was well prepared. She honestly started from meeting Zhang Yiran, explaining in detail how she received Qin Huaiyu’s message about being unable to find her father’s handwriting, and Li Guiyu’s invitation using the marriage contract.

Xie Heng listened slowly, and when Luo Wanqing finished, he nodded, then asked in return: “Now that Jiqing won’t confess and you can’t prove Uncle could read, what do you plan to do?”

“I still have my parents’ marriage tokens here…”

“You can’t prove the writing on them is your father’s.” Xie Heng shook his head.

Luo Wanqing fell silent, looking at the roof beams and thinking: “Then we’ll have to wait for Jiqing.”

“That depends on whether you have time to wait.”

Xie Heng spoke, and Luo Wanqing immediately frowned, looking up at Xie Heng: “What do you mean, young master?”

“Literally. Right now, you have insufficient evidence, but Zhang Yiran spoke with such certainty in court. If I were Zheng Bikui, I would cause an uproar. How long the emperor will give you to handle this case becomes an unknown.”

Luo Wanqing remained silent. Xie Heng idly combed through her hair, his voice becoming slightly fainter: “Jiqing… we should consider other uses for him.”

“I understand.”

Luo Wanqing pondered.

Xie Heng glanced at her, then said: “Let me wipe off the paintings for you.”

Luo Wanqing agreed. She straightened up while Xie Heng got up to fetch wine and a cloth. Luo Wanqing thought about Xie Heng’s words and walked to sit on the bed, waiting for him.

Xie Heng brought wine and cloth, sat at the head of the bed, and arranged a pillow on his side. Luo Wanqing then removed her upper garments and naturally rested her head on the pillow, lying across his lap and exposing the red plum blossoms painted on her back.

The charcoal fire crackled in the room. Xie Heng began wiping from her waist area. The wine felt cool against her skin as he wiped the branches and leaves while asking: “You still haven’t told me what Li Guiyu saw.”

“The flower painting on my back was too high up.”

Luo Wanqing lay prone, her voice somewhat muffled.

Xie Heng chuckled softly and continued: “After he discovered it, how did you deceive him?”

As he spoke, the cloth lightly brushed against her waist. His movements were very gentle, making Luo Wanqing feel quite comfortable. She rested her face against the pillow and said casually: “I said it was a tattoo, for body identification.”

Xie Heng’s movements paused. After a moment, his tone became somewhat cooler: “Don’t say such inauspicious things in the future.”

“Otherwise, would he have let it go?” Luo Wanqing didn’t notice his displeasure and explained: “Only by saying something serious would he stop asking questions.”

“Why didn’t you tell him the truth?” Xie Heng lowered his eyes, then quickly added for fear she might misunderstand: “I mean about your father and his master’s affair. If he knew, perhaps he wouldn’t keep troubling you.”

“Setting aside whether he’d believe it…” Luo Wanqing understood Xie Heng’s meaning and pondered: “Even if he believed it, I don’t want to be entangled anymore. I’m going to kill him anyway, and he can’t possibly surrender without a fight. Since we’re enemies, I’d rather he hate me cleanly.”

“Are you pitying him?” Xie Heng understood and turned to look at her.

Luo Wanqing closed her eyes. After a long pause, she slowly said: “What he has done is indeed hateful, but his experiences in life are truly pitiable. His fate ends here—there’s no need for more entanglement with me.”

Xie Heng listened without speaking. Luo Wanqing curiously turned back to look at him: “What are you thinking about, young master?”

“I’m thinking,” Xie Heng finished wiping the last traces, leaving only the plum blossom near her collar. He casually tossed the cloth into the nearby water basin and turned to cup Luo Wanqing’s face, pressing gently: “My Xiniang is truly kind-hearted. Instead of pitying yourself, you have the heart to pity evildoers.”

He leaned closer to look at her: “Is the food at the Supervision Department too good? Are you too well-fed?”

Luo Wanqing was amused by him. Looking at the person so close before her, she softened her voice: “It’s because I met the young master.”

She felt somewhat embarrassed saying this and lowered her eyes, letting her thick lashes flutter like butterfly wings, gently brushing against Xie Heng’s heart: “Having surplus in my heart, I can show compassion to others.”

Xie Heng’s heart trembled lightly. Just then, the candle in the room burned out completely. Xie Heng watched the light beside them slowly dim, yet Luo Wanqing’s outline became increasingly clear in his eyes and heart.

He gazed at her, and as the flame crackled and extinguished completely, he said softly: “That couldn’t be better.”

That night, Xie Heng helped her wipe away all the painted patterns on her body, leaving only one plum blossom near her neck. He planned to find color-fixing paint to touch it up once more so it could maintain its color for several years without fading.

Since she had told Li Guiyu it was a tattoo, she couldn’t let him see through the deception.

The next day, Luo Wanqing got up early and went to the White Tiger Division to report.

Baili was already packing her things. When she saw Luo Wanqing arrive, she led her through the White Tiger Division, slowly saying: “From the moment the young master was born, I was arranged by Madam to stay by his side. Later, when he left the Xie family, I followed him, and together we built the Supervision Department. The White Tiger Division was my creation—everything here was planned and managed by Old Liu and me. I used to always wonder what would happen to the young master and the White Tiger Division after I left. Now that you’ve come, I can finally be at ease.”

Luo Wanqing supported Baili, listening to her ramble. She looked at the White Tiger Division’s tall bookshelves, with officers coming and going, organizing intelligence and filing reports.

Baili looked at all this with nostalgia in her eyes: “I’ve taught you everything I can, Xiniang. From now on, you’ll have to walk your path.”

“I understand.”

Luo Wanqing listened, glanced at Baili, and said softly: “Where does the master plan to go in the future?”

“Old Liu has always wanted to travel around, and I’ll go with him,” Baili said with a smile on her face. “Our children have been away—now it’s time to spend time with them.”

“Master should come back to visit when you have time.”

“Good.” Baili nodded and smiled: “I’ll find a place then, and you and young master can come visit me together in the future.”

Luo Wanqing’s movements paused. Baili immediately remembered something and added: “Oh, I mean you’ll accompany the young master when you come.”

Luo Wanqing was silent for a moment and ultimately didn’t ask her question.

She chatted with Baili all morning. At noon, they went together to the front hall of the Supervision Department for her handover ceremony.

The changing of the Four Chiefs was a major event in the Supervision Department. Xuanshan had summoned back all officers in the Eastern Capital Supervision Department who didn’t have urgent missions.

The courtyard was bustling. Before everyone, Luo Wanqing walked onto the high platform. Following protocol, Baili handed the seal and token representing the chief’s authority to Luo Wanqing. Then she knelt on one knee holding the jade White Tiger seal, which she fitted in turn with Qingya’s, Zhuque’s, and Xuanshan’s seals.

The Four Chiefs’ seals were shaped like Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Zhuque, and Black Tortoise, respectively, each with a crescent-shaped base that could fit with anyone’s token or another chief’s seal.

Finally, when Xie Heng came before her, gave her the official seal, and announced she was officially the current White Tiger Division Chief, all the officers knelt. As she stood on the high platform holding the official seal, listening to everyone’s congratulations, she felt for the first time such a clear sense of power’s existence.

The sunlight was just right then. She instinctively turned back and saw Xie Heng standing higher up, looking down at the crowd with cold, calm detachment.

Sensing her gaze, Xie Heng turned to look at her, a slight smile flashing through his eyes.

The next day, Luo Wanqing accompanied Xie Heng to court. Previously, he had always brought Qingya and Zhuque—Qingya was familiar with court affairs, and Zhuque was skilled in martial arts for protection. Now she began alternating shifts with Zhuque. After becoming familiar with court proceedings, she could replace Qingya so he could have some rest.

Zhuque was very dissatisfied with this decision: “I’ve attended court for so long—why isn’t it me who replaces Brother Qingya?”

“Because court affairs are too simple,” Qingya immediately explained to Zhuque upon hearing this, “they can be easily replaced. But you, Zhuque, are unique and irreplaceable.”

This statement was oddly illogical, but Zhuque only heard the last sentence and thought Qingya made perfect sense.

From entering the palace in the morning, Qingya explained all the details to Luo Wanqing from behind—from the palace layout to the etiquette of facing the emperor, talking to the great hall entrance where Xie Heng led them to stand in the front position.

People nearby saw Luo Wanqing and whispered among themselves. Zheng Bikui stood not far away, his gaze cold as if poisoned.

Luo Wanqing scanned around and asked Qingya in a low voice: “Why isn’t Zheng Pingsheng here?”

“He’s taken sick leave these past two days,” Qingya lowered his voice, smiling: “Says he’s ill—everyone says Zhang Yiran made him sick with anger at the palace banquet.”

Hearing Zhang Yiran’s name, Luo Wanqing instinctively looked toward the Censorate. She saw Zhang Yiran standing among them. Zhang Yiran also noticed her gaze and smiled at her.

Luo Wanqing was about to respond when she felt someone staring at her. Looking up, she saw Li Guiyu watching her from not far away. When he saw Luo Wanqing finally look over, Li Guiyu nodded in greeting. Luo Wanqing immediately put away her smile, pretended not to see him, and turned her head away.

Seeing this, Li Guiyu’s expression grew somewhat cooler. He also glanced at Zhang Yiran in the crowd, then thoughtfully withdrew his gaze.

After everyone waited a while, the great hall opened and all filed in.

After the court began, Qingya started explaining to Luo Wanqing in a low voice: “Generally, mornings start with asking about weather conditions everywhere, then ministers present memorials, and finally discussing matters that need discussion. That’s the process.”

Luo Wanqing nodded. Sure enough, she heard Li Zong begin inquiring about the weather, then asking about the day’s memorials. After that, they began handling accumulated matters one by one.

Here, the cold winter had frozen people to death, requiring disaster relief; there, neighboring small countries were causing trouble, requiring military action.

Here, a certain place had suffered drought for so long that refugees were rebelling; there, some high official was embezzling and taking bribes, harming the people…

There were also matters of some princes being unfilial to their mother, some officials beating their daughters to death…

Large and small, trivial matters were discussed all morning.

For the major issues, she couldn’t interject, and they weren’t her concern. For minor issues, she didn’t need to interject as they weren’t related to her.

Moreover, these people spoke back and forth avoiding the main points, just rolling the same issues around endlessly. By the end, Luo Wanqing was getting drowsy and felt sleepy even while standing.

She couldn’t help but look up at Xie Heng in front, only to see him with eyes observing his nose and nose observing his heart, showing no trace of impatience.

She suddenly developed some respect for these court officials.

Finally enduring to the end, after handling all matters, Li Zong finally mentioned the case from a few days ago, calling: “Zhang Yiran.”

“This minister is present.”

Zhang Yiran stepped forward upon hearing his name. Li Zong said calmly, “Regarding your accusation against Minister Zheng at the palace banquet, the Supervision Department has investigated and found that the case indeed has suspicious aspects. Since you brought up this matter, you may continue investigating it.”

“Your Majesty!”

Hearing this, Zheng Bikui immediately stepped forward and said angrily: “Your Majesty, according to your words, this case still needs investigation, meaning the evidence is still insufficient. Under insufficient evidence, can the Censorate just randomly accuse ministers like this?!”

This statement implicated the entire Censorate, and everyone there looked over.

“Master Zheng’s words are mistaken,” Wang Lang, the Grand Censor, immediately replied when the entire Censorate was insulted. “Insufficient evidence doesn’t mean the matter doesn’t exist. How can we call it a false accusation just because evidence hasn’t been fully collected? Investigation needs a starting point. If everything were ready, it wouldn’t be called an investigation but a case closure.”

“But without any evidence, they come to investigate my father. My father is now so angry he’s fallen ill at home. If nothing is found, what will Zhang Yiran compensate with?” Zheng Bikui sneered and looked around: “If anyone can investigate anyone they want, then in the future, among all these court officials, I could point at anyone I dislike and say they have problems, then open a case to investigate them. After tormenting them to death, I could say I found nothing. Would that also be acceptable?”

“Lishang.” Li Zong spoke impatiently.

Hearing his name called, Zheng Bikui restrained himself somewhat and bowed: “Your Majesty.”

“Since Censor Zhang has accused your father, not investigating would also harm your father’s reputation. If he hasn’t done anything wrong, why not let Censor Zhang investigate thoroughly? If nothing is found, I will naturally punish him. Your father is already angry and ill, yet instead of properly consoling him, you’re here adding fuel to the fire and fanning the flames. How are you being a son?”

These words were rather harsh. Zheng Bikui’s expression changed slightly as he suppressed his anger: “This minister was wrong. But this minister is also thinking of my father. If they want to investigate, there should at least be a time limit. They can’t investigate endlessly, can they?”

This request wasn’t excessive. After Li Zong was silent for a while, he looked up at Zhang Yiran: “Then two months. If you can’t produce results within two months, resign and return to your hometown.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing was startled. She instinctively looked at Zhang Yiran and saw him step forward calmly, bowing with neither servility nor arrogance: “This minister will not disappoint Your Majesty!”

Zhang Yiran accepted, and Li Zong was somewhat tired. He waved his hand and dismissed the court.

Once Li Zong left, everyone gradually departed. Seeing the crowd, Luo Wanqing didn’t go to find Zhang Yiran. Zhang Yiran nodded at her and slightly waved his hand in his sleeve, indicating she needn’t come find him, then left with other colleagues.

After everyone had left, Luo Wanqing followed Xie Heng back to the Supervision Department. Qingya returned to the Azure Dragon Division first to handle official business, while Luo Wanqing accompanied Xie Heng up the mountain.

Seeing her looking downcast, Xie Heng couldn’t help saying: “What’s wrong? You look unhappy.”

“I’m wondering… did I harm Lord Zhang?”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat uneasy. Xie Heng understood immediately: “You’re afraid Zhang Yiran will lose his position because of this?”

“Yes.”

Luo Wanqing nodded. Xie Heng smiled: “You’re overthinking. Sometimes in officialdom, one needs to retreat to advance. This case of yours is a risk for Zhang Yiran, but also an opportunity.”

“How so?” Luo Wanqing was curious.

Xie Heng lifted his robes and stepped onto the stone steps, patiently explaining: “All power needs a source. The power source for upright ministers is the people. They need good reputations to continuously attract support from like-minded people. So the upright faction always promotes people with prestige who are beloved by the people to lead them. To gain a reputation, these upright officials love to remonstrate directly and criticize others. Your case is Zhang Yiran’s opportunity to climb higher among the upright faction. If he’s truly dismissed because of the Luo family case, as long as the Luo family case is considered wrongful by the people, when the storm passes and he returns, the upright faction will secure him a better position.”

Listening, Luo Wanqing slowly said: “Then if I follow my plan with Lord Zhang to make this case known nationwide…”

“He might become a leading figure among the younger generation of the upright faction.” Xie Heng stated the conclusion.

Hearing this result, Luo Wanqing nodded, but then suddenly thought: “Young master, if I use the Supervision Department to help him, will Your Majesty…”

“He won’t know.”

Xie Heng said with certainty: “From when you spread the news until it reaches the emperor’s ears, there will be time and many people involved. By then, if His Majesty wants to trace where the information came from, it won’t be easy. You can proceed with confidence.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing relaxed and said happily, “I understand.”

With Xie Heng’s permission, Luo Wanqing began taking action.

That afternoon, she first went to find Xuanshan, opening with: “Chief Xuanshan, I’d like to ask you for a favor.”

Xuanshan was reviewing documents with his head down and said coldly, “Speak directly.”

“I’d like you to write a story book for the Supervision Department.”

Luo Wanqing was straightforward. Xuanshan’s brush paused, then he said coldly: “I don’t do such frivolous things.”

“But aren’t you the Romantic Young Gentleman?”

Luo Wanqing was somewhat puzzled. Xuanshan’s aura changed instantly as he looked up coldly: “Who told you that?! Pen names are private—don’t you understand basic etiquette?!”

“Sorry, sorry.”

Seeing this, Luo Wanqing quickly pressed her palms together in apology: “I just really need help. I know you’re extremely talented and very sensitive to emotions. I have a subject here…”

Seeing Luo Wanqing keep apologizing, Xuanshan gradually calmed down and somewhat awkwardly picked up his teacup: “Tell me the plot first. I can’t write without inspiration.”

“Oh, the plot is like this: There’s a young lady from a good family whose family was framed and imprisoned. To avenge her family, she destroyed her appearance and switched identities with a death row prisoner, then passed the examination to enter the Supervision Department, wanting to take revenge on that man.”

Hearing this, Xuanshan finally became interested: “What happens next?”

“Next, through her efforts, she became an excellent officer in the Supervision Department. Together with a censor friend, she tried to overturn her family’s case, but the friend was framed by that man and lost his position. With no other choice, the young lady had to reveal her identity and accuse her enemy. Everyone bullied her and wouldn’t give her justice. Only the Supervision Department always helped her. Finally, the Supervision Department Head didn’t hesitate to lose his position to successfully help her get revenge.”

“It’s a good story,” Xuanshan nodded, but was somewhat puzzled: “What are you writing this for?”

“I want everyone who sees this story to think the Supervision Department is good and the young master is good.”

Luo Wanqing spoke seriously. Xuanshan understood somewhat: “You want to clear the names of the Supervision Department and the young master?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the point of this?” Xuanshan didn’t understand. “The Supervision Department and the young master don’t need these empty reputations. The people who benefit naturally understand.”

“But I need more.”

Luo Wanqing said this, knowing Xuanshan couldn’t understand, so she simply said: “Chief Xuanshan doesn’t need to think too much—just consider whether you want to write this story or not.”

Xuanshan was silent for a moment, thought about it, then said: “I’ll write it.”

“Good.” Luo Wanqing smiled, then said seriously, “Then please write as quickly as possible, Chief Xuanshan. Before it’s finished, don’t tell anyone about this matter or discuss the plot content.”

Xuanshan was startled, but thinking this was Luo Wanqing’s story, he nodded: “Alright.”

After discussing with Xuanshan, Luo Wanqing returned to the White Tiger Division. After sitting for a while, she took out documents and began seriously writing a detailed report on the Xueling Valley five-hundred-death case.

This report, including evidence organization, took her three full days.

Three days later, when she finished writing, she also received the accusation Zhang Yiran had written.

Using Luo Wanqing’s voice, he had written an accusation from a returning spirit, clearly explaining the entire process of how the Luo family was framed.

He didn’t use complex, elaborate sentence structures or quote classical texts, only the simplest language, yet every word was blood and every voice desperate.

Reading the accusation he had written, Luo Wanqing’s heart couldn’t calm down for a long time.

When Xie Heng returned, he saw her sitting at the desk, holding this accusation without saying a word.

Xie Heng walked to her side and glanced at the writing. He said nothing, only quietly sat down, reached out to adjust her clothing, and drew her into his embrace.

She said nothing, her forehead gently resting against his shoulder.

After a long time, Xie Heng felt moisture on his shoulder.

That night, Luo Wanqing had people copy the accusation in sufficient quantities, then began gradually sending them to all parts of the country.

Accusations from this wronged spirit were successively posted on announcement boards across the nation.

By the time news reached the Eastern Capital, it was nearly a month later.

Li Guiyu had just received the news when violent shouting came from outside: “Let me in!”

Li Guiyu looked up to see Zheng Bikui pushing through people and storming in, slamming an accusation paper onto Li Guiyu’s desk and shouting angrily: “This is what you said you could control?! Now the whole country is in an uproar—are you still pretending to be dead?!”

“How are things with His Majesty?”

Li Guiyu picked up his tea and asked casually.

Zheng Bikui gritted his teeth: “His Majesty has temporarily suppressed the news, but who can guarantee the upright faction, the Supervision Department, the Xie family, or some other death-seeker won’t talk?! Forget it—why am I discussing this with you? I’m not here to chat. I’m here to make you choose.”

“Oh?”

“My people found Jiqing.”

Zheng Bikui spoke, and Li Guiyu looked up.

Zheng Bikui said seriously, “I plan to leak information to Liu Xiniang. She’ll come. You’ll come with me tonight—we’ll join forces to kill her. Then I won’t hold the matter of you disappointing my sister against you anymore.”

Hearing this, Li Guiyu didn’t immediately respond, only saying: “You’re just trying to bargain—why sell Biyue’s misery?”

“Are you going or not?”

Zheng Bikui ignored his mockery and only stared at him for an answer.

Li Guiyu thought for a moment, then said: “Don’t leak information to Liu Xiniang. Bring Jiqing back directly.”

“What, still dreaming of marrying her?” Zheng Bikui laughed coldly: “How about I spare her life tonight and you quietly take her back—wouldn’t that be nice?”

“Then let Xie Heng find a reason to destroy me?”

Li Guiyu’s lips curved: “Fool.”

“Then I’ll go alone.”

Zheng Bikui stood up directly. Li Guiyu said calmly, “Can you kill her alone? I’m afraid that before she dies, the Supervision Department’s reinforcements will arrive.”

Zheng Bikui’s steps halted. Li Guiyu continued: “Bring Jiqing back. I have another method to honorably clear Uncle Zheng’s name.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Luo Wanqing: “Chief Xuanshan, is your pen name the Romantic Young Gentleman?”

Xuanshan: “Who permitted you to expose identities in the 3D world?! Not exposing identities is basic morality—don’t you understand etiquette?! But first, tell me what you want to write?”

Luo Wanqing: “A promotional video for the Supervision Department.”

Xuanshan: “I understand. I ship this CP. I’ll write a million words of it!”

Luo Wanqing: “??? What? What CP?”