◎Inspector Xie Heng Takes the Case◎

When Zhang Yiran’s carriage gave chase toward the Shuntian Prefecture, Luo Wanqing stepped through the morning light and walked to the official road of Shuntian Prefecture.

At this hour, the sky was just beginning to brighten. Small vendors started setting up their stalls, and the streets gradually filled with the sounds of people.

Under the secretive gazes of the crowd, Luo Wanqing passed through the long street and arrived at the gates of Shuntian Prefecture.

The front of Shuntian’s gates was already filled with soldiers. Zheng Bikui sat in a chair at the very front, with a small table placed beside him. He looked Luo Wanqing up and down, then burst into laughter: “Inspector Liu, dressed in mourning attire—what are you here to do?”

“Young Master Zheng?” Luo Wanqing glanced at the people behind him. Though they wore soldiers’ uniforms, she could tell from their composed bearing that they were all first-rate masters. She couldn’t help but grip the handle of her blade tightly, speaking coldly: “What are you doing here?”

“The Sixteen Guards of the Southern City are responsible for the Eastern Capital’s security. At the invitation of Shuntian Prefecture, we heard someone was causing trouble, so we came here to stand guard.”

Zheng Bikui spoke unhurriedly, placing his teacup to one side. He seemed curious as he asked: “The one causing trouble—it wouldn’t be Inspector Liu, would it?”

“I’ve come to file a complaint. How is that causing trouble?”

Luo Wanqing stared at Zheng Bikui, then looked toward the Dengwen Drum at the entrance of Shuntian Prefecture, saying calmly: “I ask Young Master Zheng to step aside.”

“Step aside?”

Zheng Bikui laughed: “Inspector Liu comes to Shuntian Prefecture to cause trouble, and I’m supposed to step aside? Is there such logic? Men,” Zheng Bikui raised his hand, and the surrounding soldiers immediately surged toward Luo Wanqing. Zheng Bikui said coldly: “Take her down!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s expression turned ice-cold. The instant a soldier lunged at her, she dodged to the side, lifted her foot, and viciously stomped the opponent to the ground, while her other hand flung away another charging soldier. She raised her eyes to look at Zheng Bikui and spoke coldly: “What have I done that you call it causing trouble?”

“Openly assaulting the city’s protective soldiers—if that’s not causing trouble, what is?”

Zheng Bikui stood up, twisted his wrists, and raised his hand: “Bring me a bow!”

“Zheng Bikui, I am a Fourth Rank official of the current dynasty. Do you dare commit violence in broad daylight?”

Hearing Zheng Bikui’s words, Luo Wanqing immediately reminded him: “This is the Eastern Capital at the foot of the Son of Heaven, not your Zheng family’s private residence!”

“You’re looking for trouble at Shuntian Prefecture. I’m merely carrying out my official duties.” Zheng Bikui took a crossbow from someone beside him, drew the bowstring, aimed it at Luo Wanqing, and couldn’t help but smile: “Killing you—what’s wrong with that?!”

The moment his words fell, the arrow exploded forth, shooting with lightning speed.

It came faster than ordinary arrows. Luo Wanqing’s complexion changed slightly. Knowing that today Zheng Bikui was determined to kill, she simply charged forward to meet the arrow head-on.

Just as she charged forward, many soldiers around her surged out. These soldiers were not ordinary troops—each one had skills approaching those of a Star Spirit.

Luo Wanqing could handle one Star Spirit, but suddenly facing seven or eight masters of this caliber truly blocked her path.

They engaged her in close combat, allowing Zheng Bikui to draw his bow.

This time, Zheng Bikui loaded three arrows at once. He aimed at Luo Wanqing, took careful aim for a moment, then suddenly released the string.

The arrows gathered power, infused with half of Zheng Bikui’s internal energy, coming fiercely and swiftly while simultaneously blocking three escape routes. Luo Wanqing had nowhere to dodge and could only forcibly swing her blade, cutting down all three arrows with one strike!

Cutting down these three arrows nearly exhausted all her strength. Her defenses instantly cracked open. Seeing this, the nearby assassins swarmed forward. Luo Wanqing rolled on the ground and rushed desperately toward the Dengwen Drum.

Zheng Bikui saw her intention, grabbed his blade, and charged forward fiercely, delivering a vicious strike to Luo Wanqing’s blade.

The tremendous force made Luo Wanqing’s arm go numb. At the same time, the surrounding assassins followed closely, joining Zheng Bikui as their attacks fell like rain, sealing off all of Luo Wanqing’s escape routes.

Luo Wanqing hastily intercepted the weapons coming from all directions, concentrating all her strength on Zheng Bikui, blocking his full-powered slashes again and again.

Luo Wanqing’s defense was tight—they couldn’t advance a single step. But they also completely blocked any possibility of Luo Wanqing approaching the Dengwen Drum. She couldn’t even touch the drumstick by half an inch.

Both sides were deadlocked at the entrance of Shuntian Prefecture. Zheng Bikui slashed at Luo Wanqing, strike after strike, his eyes carrying a hint of madness: “Do you know how long I’ve been practicing this blade?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t understand his meaning. She saw Zheng Bikui suddenly pivot, his blade crashing hard against Luo Wanqing’s blade edge. With both their blades locked, he smiled and said in a low voice, “From the day my master died, I told myself that one day, I would kill Xie Heng. What’s so great about being a Grandmaster?”

The instant Luo Wanqing blocked his blade, Zheng Bikui kicked toward her stomach. At the same time, several others sealed off Luo Wanqing’s escape routes. Luo Wanqing hastily blocked with her blade, but was still kicked flying by Zheng Bikui.

The moment she hit the ground, she used her hands to spring up, then heard the sharp wind approach again. Zheng Bikui slashed down with another strike. She spun to dodge, hearing Zheng Bikui say coldly: “It’s just that I haven’t been competing, that’s all.”

Hearing these words, Luo Wanqing’s expression turned cold. She switched from defense to offense, kicking at the people around her and lunging toward the Dengwen Drum once more!

This time, she threw herself in front of the Dengwen Drum and grasped the drumstick. But the moment her hand touched it, Zheng Bikui’s blade swept in urgently. Luo Wanqing hastily turned to block, and was kicked heavily away by him.

The drumstick she hadn’t grasped firmly was knocked flying. Countless people rushed forward to strike at her. Luo Wanqing rolled several times on the ground before finding a chance to flip up.

When Zhang Yiran arrived with Qinglu and Jiqing, he saw that the area outside Shuntian Prefecture was already surrounded so tightly that not even water could leak through. The common people were all crowded in the distance, watching Luo Wanqing surrounded in the middle.

Seeing this, Zhang Yiran urgently called: “Miss Qinglu!”

The moment his words fell, Qinglu leaped in and joined the battle.

Qinglu charged into the crowd and blocked a blade for Luo Wanqing. Seeing Qinglu, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but frown: “Why did you come?”

“What needs to be done?” Qinglu asked directly. Luo Wanqing raised her head to glance at the Dengwen Drum.

Qinglu nodded: “Understood.”

With that, Luo Wanqing raised her blade to hold back the attackers, carving out a path for Qinglu. Qinglu charged straight forward. Zheng Bikui shouted: “Where are the people from Shuntian Prefecture?!”

At these words, the Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate, who had been hiding behind the doors, paused. He took a deep breath, thought for a moment, and finally raised his hand: “Go out and help.”

The Shuntian Prefecture officers received their orders and immediately opened the main gates.

The officers poured out in formation, blocking Qinglu at the entrance. The lead officer shouted, “Outside Shuntian Prefecture, do not act recklessly!”

As he spoke, everyone rushed forward to surround Qinglu and Luo Wanqing. The nearby commoners whispered among themselves, all discussing this spectacle. They weren’t clear what was happening or what Luo Wanqing was trying to do.

“How did these two young ladies end up fighting with the officers?”

“I heard they’re causing trouble. Could they be some kind of fugitives?”

“Why is she wearing mourning clothes? That’s so inauspicious.”

…

Zhang Yiran listened to the discussions around him, watching Luo Wanqing and Qinglu being forced back step by step by Zheng Bikui and his officers, unable to even touch the Dengwen Drum.

Beside him, Jiqing was panicking helplessly. He turned to look at Zhang Yiran: “Lord Zhang, what should we do? What can we do?”

Zhang Yiran said nothing. He just stared blankly at Luo Wanqing, surrounded by the crowd.

She wore snow-white mourning clothes, her blade gleaming sharp in her hand. Zheng Pingsheng led the masters in surrounding and attacking her, while Qinglu was held back by the officers.

She stood alone, like an unbending blade that would never fall, bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the “gentle-natured” Jade Bodhisattva he had once read about.

“I’m not doing this for power and profit. I’m doing it to protect Lord Zhang, to give the Luo family case more opportunities to seek justice.”

“Besides me, who else cares about this case?”

“The dead may not be able to speak, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care.”

…

“Lord Zhang? Lord Zhang, say something!”

Seeing Zhang Yiran continuously spacing out, Jiqing tugged at his sleeves. Zhang Yiran turned his head to look at the drumstick lying on the ground that no one was paying attention to. After a moment, he suddenly pushed Jiqing away, squeezed through the crowd, grabbed the drumstick from the ground, rushed to the Dengwen Drum, and struck down heavily!

With a deep, resonant “dong,” the drum sound instantly spread throughout the Eastern Capital.

After this thunderous sound came even more dense drumbeats—one after another, questioning the hearts of everyone in the Eastern Capital.

Everyone looked in shock in the direction of Shuntian Prefecture. Meanwhile, Xie Heng in the palace square, as if he had been waiting for this moment, suddenly opened his eyes and turned around, leading his people as he strode out quickly.

Nearby officials looked in surprise at Xie Heng leaving. Someone couldn’t help but remind: “Inspector Xie, morning court is about to begin…”

However, Xie Heng didn’t leave a single word. He swept past everyone like the wind, moving against the crowd toward the palace city.

He walked faster and faster, his steps growing larger. His wide sleeves and golden crown, his jade ornaments all jingling as he moved. Zhuque and Qingya exchanged glances, both full of surprise, but didn’t dare ask questions—they just hurried to follow.

When they reached the carriage, before Zhuque could extend his hand to help him, Xie Heng suddenly drew the blade from his waist and cut the rope tied to the horse with one stroke. Then he mounted the horse, called out “Follow me” once, and galloped straight out from the palace.

All the palace gate guards and eunuchs widened their eyes. Zhuque hastily cut his horse’s rope, and he and Qingya both mounted their horses to chase after him. The three men charged out from the palace gates. Zhuque called to the guards waiting at the entrance, shouting: “Borrow horses and follow!”

Without a word, everyone immediately seized horses from the political enemies of the Supervision Department on ordinary days and chased after Xie Heng ahead.

When the group galloped magnificently through the long streets of the Eastern Capital toward Shuntian Prefecture, the area in front of Shuntian Prefecture had already descended into chaos.

After Zhang Yiran struck the first beat of the Dengwen Drum, he shouted hoarsely at the top of his lungs: “Censor Zhang Yiran accuses Minister of Justice Zheng Pingsheng and Third Prince Li Guiyu of falsely accusing the Luo clan of salt smuggling, causing the wrongful death of the entire Luo family!”

When this cry rang out, the crowd erupted in commotion. This case had long been the subject of heated discussion among the people. Just a few days ago, news had spread of Zhang Yiran’s false accusations, and today Zhang Yiran was beating the drum to proclaim his grievances?!

Zheng Bikui quickly reacted, his eyes blazing with fury as he shouted: “Stop him!”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing and Qinglu lunged forward, grabbing the charging guards and pulling them back, blocking them in front of Zhang Yiran.

Zhang Yiran seized the opportunity, striking the drum surface again and again, shouting over and over: “Censor Zhang Yiran accuses Zheng Pingsheng and Li Guiyu of falsely accusing the Luo clan and destroying an entire family!”

“Zheng Pingsheng and Li Guiyu falsely accused the Luo clan and destroyed an entire family!”

“Zheng Pingsheng…”

Before he could finish speaking, an assassin beside him found a gap next to Qinglu and lunged fiercely at Zhang Yiran. Qinglu immediately followed, grabbing the attacker, but the man kicked Zhang Yiran.

The area around them suddenly erupted into chaos. Everyone crowded around the Dengwen Drum, fighting in a tangled mass. Zhang Yiran staggered to his feet, found the drumstick again through gaps in the crowd, rushed forward, and struck the drum surface with another resounding “dong.”

The moment the drum sounded, he was knocked flying again, tumbling down the steps.

His head crashed heavily against the ground, leaving him somewhat dizzy. Luo Wanqing blocked someone who was slashing toward him, urgently shouting: “Zhang Yiran, get out of here!”

Zhang Yiran didn’t speak. His vision was somewhat blurred, but he supported himself, staring hazily in the direction of the drumstick, and walked up step by step once more.

Seeing this, Zheng Bikui shouted: “Smash that drum for me!”

Hearing this command, everyone around immediately charged toward the drum.

Zhang Yiran took the drumstick and struck the drum surface once more. Qinglu blocked in front of the drum, not letting anyone advance a single step.

Amid the continuous drum beats, Zheng Bikui charged forward, gripping his blade and delivering a full-strength strike at Qinglu. Seeing this, Luo Wanqing suddenly lunged forward, pushed Qinglu away, and held her blade horizontally across her chest to receive Zheng Bikui’s powerful blow.

This strike was too heavy. She crashed hard into Zhang Yiran behind her, and Zhang Yiran slammed into the drum surface with a heavy sound, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the drum face.

The Dengwen Drum toppled to the ground and rolled down the steps. Luo Wanqing leaped forward to strike at Zheng Bikui, shouting fiercely: “Protect Lord Zhang!”

Hearing this, Qinglu kicked down someone who was slashing toward Zhang Yiran.

Zhang Yiran opened his eyes while gasping in the crowd. He felt as if his ribs were broken, but he still struggled to crawl up. He crawled forward step by step, leaving a trail of blood behind him. Jiqing and everyone else watched in stunned silence.

They watched Luo Wanqing and Qinglu repeatedly knock away those trying to strike Zhang Yiran, watched Zhang Yiran crawl step by step to the fallen Dengwen Drum.

Finally, Zhang Yiran gasped as he crawled beside the Dengwen Drum. The drumstick had long been trampled and broken. Zhang Yiran struggled to support himself, raised his blood-stained hand, and pounded heavily on the blood-stained drum surface.

Every movement caused him pain; even breathing hurt.

But he still stubbornly continued striking, hoarsely saying: “Zhang Yiran… seeks justice for the Luo family.”

At these words, Luo Wanqing’s hand trembled, and her blade tip pierced into an assassin’s chest, blood spattering across her face.

Then she heard Qinglu urgently shout: “Liu Xiniang!”

Luo Wanqing pulled out her blade and turned around, seeing Zheng Bikui knock Qinglu aside, leap high, and slash down toward Zhang Yiran.

Luo Wanqing’s eyes blazed with fury as she desperately lunged toward Zhang Yiran, knocking him heavily aside!

The blade fell sharply. She had no time to block, only feeling the explosive blade wind slice through her hair. Just as it was about to strike her skull, a long sword suddenly broke through the air!

This sword came like thunder, wild as a dragon’s roar. Zheng Bikui opened his eyes in terror, his internal energy instantly exploding as he turned his blade to block. The sword tip crashed heavily into the blade, and he was sent flying to crash into the steps behind him.

Then came the urgent sound of galloping hooves, splitting into two rows as they charged straight for the entrance of Shuntian Prefecture, separating the assassins and soldiers from Luo Wanqing and the others.

“The Supervision Department is handling a case.” Zhuque displayed his token, dismounted, and rushed forward, shouting: “All unrelated persons, stand aside!”

Hearing this, Zheng Bikui hastily got up. But the moment he moved, Zhuque had already drawn his blade directly, pressing the blade edge against Zheng Bikui’s neck. Zhuque suppressed his anger and looked down at him: “Young Master Zheng, I advise you to behave yourself.”

Zheng Bikui’s movements froze. He glanced around and saw that everyone had been pressed down by Supervision Department personnel, kneeling in two rows on the ground.

Qinglu staggered up to help Zhang Yiran, while Luo Wanqing supported herself against the Dengwen Drum, gasping as she raised her head.

The morning sun had fully risen, breaking through the day with golden light. The young man stood not far away, hands tucked in his sleeves, letting the morning light gild his entire form.

He wore a dark robe embroidered with gold thread for court, a jade-inlaid golden crown on his head. He still had his usual noble and distant appearance, but his accessories were already disheveled—something that had never happened before.

Luo Wanqing looked up at him. Her mourning clothes were stained with blood, the mourning cap on her head had long been sliced off, and her hair was scattered behind her. Her autumn-water clear eyes carried the determination of someone who had staked everything, all focused on him.

In this instant, he seemed to return to that prison in Yangzhou long ago. Though she said nothing, he seemed to hear her cry of “Lord Xie” from back then.

He stood still, looking at this person who was like a startling swan or ephemeral flower, and spoke: “Who struck the drum?”

Hearing these words, Luo Wanqing’s eyes filled with a smile. She supported herself and swayed as she stood up.

Xie Heng clenched his fists in his sleeves, watching the person before him overlap with the image of that young girl from long ago—disheveled hair, bare feet, surrounded by night lanterns—watching her walk toward him step by step.

He couldn’t move, didn’t dare move. He only stood in place, watching her gasp, stepping through blood, treading over tears, walking steadily toward him.

She was different from her previous, struggling, disheveled appearance. She gripped her blade firmly, each step taken with extraordinary steadiness.

Then she knelt on one knee, her spine straight as a blade on the ground, speaking with ringing clarity: “Reporting to the Inspector, today it was Censor Zhang Yiran and this common citizen who struck the drum to proclaim our grievances.”

“What grievances do you two have?”

“Six years ago, the Luo family saved the Third Prince from danger. Miss Luo Wanqing of the Luo clan became engaged to the Third Prince. However, five years later, Minister Zheng’s daughter Zheng Biyue found the Third Prince, and the two fell in love. The Third Prince wanted to break the engagement to marry Miss Zheng, but didn’t want to bear the reputation of being ungrateful. So Minister Zheng took action, falsely accusing Luo Qushu of smuggling private salt, forcing him to die in prison. Then they forged confessions and had the entire Luo family exiled.”

Luo Wanqing raised her voice, briefly recounting the case details. The surrounding people whispered among themselves. Zheng Bikui shouted angrily: “You’re talking nonsense!”

“Shut up!”

Zhuque slapped Zheng Bikui on the head.

“Lord Zhang investigated in Jiangnan and discovered the Luo family’s innocence. He insisted on pursuing the case, but because of the Zheng family’s power, he was imprisoned. Now, with nowhere else to turn, we can only beat the drum to proclaim our grievances. We beg Inspector Xie to seek justice for the Luo family and Lord Zhang!”

With these words, Luo Wanqing kowtowed to the ground. Xie Heng looked down at her and inquired coolly: “What do you say—do you have evidence?”

Luo Wanqing fell silent upon hearing this. If she didn’t reveal her true identity, they wouldn’t have complete evidence.

She pondered briefly and was about to speak when a trembling voice burst from the crowd: “Yes.”

Hearing this voice, Luo Wanqing looked up in surprise and saw the disguised Jiqing trembling as he walked out from the crowd. He couldn’t stop shaking, but still walked forward, walking to where everyone could see him. His teeth chattering, he said: “I am Jiqing, the secretary to the county magistrate who handled the Luo Qushu case back then. I can testify that Luo Qushu was framed. I witnessed them forcing confessions. I wrote his confession. The Third Prince also forced me to frame Lord Zhang…”

As he spoke, Jiqing could no longer support himself and slowly knelt. Then he began frantically kowtowing: “I am guilty, but I can testify that the Luo family is innocent, Lord Zhang is innocent!”

“In other words, both personal and physical evidence are present.”

Xie Heng withdrew his gaze from Jiqing and looked down at Luo Wanqing, who was still somewhat dazed.

“Heaven bears witness—even if those accused hold high positions and great power, we must still determine right from wrong. You beat the Dengwen Drum. By rights, the Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate should report this. However, since the magistrate doesn’t dare to be present now, my Supervision Department will take the case and bring all of you to seek justice.”

Hearing these words, for some reason, Luo Wanqing suddenly felt some emotion surge up within her.

She felt as if she had been waiting for these words for a very long time.

She watched Xie Heng extend his hand and say gently, “Miss, please give me the petition.”

Luo Wanqing took the blood letter from her chest and presented it with both hands.

Xie Heng’s expression became somewhat gentler as he said seriously and solemnly: “Inspector Xie Heng accepts this case.”

“Thank you, My Lord.”

Luo Wanqing spoke with a trembling voice. Xie Heng put away the blood letter, turned to look around, and immediately said: “Bring a stretcher to carry Lord Zhang. Where is the Shuntian Prefecture Magistrate?”

Hearing this, the magistrate who had been hiding in the courtyard, not daring to come out, gritted his teeth. Finally, he adjusted his hat and ran out with a smile: “Inspector Xie…”

“Arrest him.”

Xie Heng spoke coldly. A nearby inspector immediately pressed the magistrate down to kneel on the ground. Xie Heng glanced at the plump magistrate on the ground and ordered: “Dereliction of duty. Detain him together with Zheng Bikui. Who witnessed Zheng Bikui’s assault just now?”

Hearing this, the surrounding commoners didn’t dare speak up. Xie Heng scanned the area and calmly reminded: “Justice never falls from heaven. If you don’t help others uphold justice today, then tomorrow no one will help you uphold that justice. If Zhang Yiran dies unjustly today, then in the future, there will never again be good officials like Zhang Yiran. Those willing to stand up, follow me into the palace for morning court. Those unwilling, leave on your own.”

After speaking, Xie Heng turned to look at Zhang Yiran nearby. He could no longer speak at all, lying on the ground as people lifted him onto a stretcher. Luo Wanqing was taking his pulse, and after giving him life-saving medicine and securing his wounds, she finally stood up.

The two looked at each other in the crowd, both seeing the morning light reflected in each other’s eyes.

Then Xie Heng looked away and turned around: “Let’s go.”

With that, the Supervision Department personnel formed two rows. Luo Wanqing stayed beside Zhang Yiran, covering him with a blanket.

Zhang Yiran looked at Luo Wanqing and gasped: “Xiniang, I’m sorry.”

Luo Wanqing’s movements paused. She raised her eyes and looked seriously at Zhang Yiran: “Lord Zhang, for what you have done, I can never repay you. You never need to say sorry to me in this lifetime.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yiran’s eyes moved slightly. He looked at Luo Wanqing for a long time before hoarsely speaking: “Today, I didn’t come for myself. Zhang Yiran came to seek justice for Miss Luo.”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t find words to respond. What she wanted to say couldn’t be spoken, but Zhang Yiran seemed to understand.

He smiled and said softly, “I understand now. In this world, I’m not the only one who cares. I will keep fighting.”

“Thank you.”

Luo Wanqing smiled, then turned around and walked to the front of the stretcher. She brushed aside the inspectors who wanted to carry it and said calmly, “Let me.”

With that, she crouched down and, together with the others, shouldered the stretcher and slowly stood up.

Xie Heng didn’t ride his horse. He walked at the very front, leading everyone toward the palace gates.

Those watching commoners, after brief hesitation, also followed the Supervision Department’s steps.

They didn’t speak or make noise—they just silently followed behind the procession.

The crowd moved magnificently forward. Zhang Yiran lay on the stretcher, looking at the azure sky washed clean. His blood dripped from his fingertips, drop by drop, falling along the road to the ground.

He heard someone nearby asking: “What happened?”

“You know Lord Zhang? The one who built roads? He went to beat the Dengwen Drum!”

“I know him! That case with Da Niu before—he was the one who reported it. Why did he beat the Dengwen Drum?”

“Have you heard of the Luo family case? It’s true! Lord Zhang wanted to seek justice for the Luo family, but the Zheng family forced him into prison, stripped him of his position, and wanted to accuse him of false charges!”

“This is going too far! Aren’t commoners’ lives also lives?!”

“Now the Supervision Department has taken the case. Inspector Xie said he would take them to the palace, and he’s asking commoners to identify those who just beat Lord Zhang and the others!”

“Only the Supervision Department dares take cases like this. Only Inspector Xie is the blue sky for the common people. I have to go see.”

“I’ll go too.”

…

People whispered around them, and more and more people came to watch. Xie Heng’s procession grew longer and longer.

Zhang Yiran listened to these conversations and slowly broke into a smile.

Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes. She carried Zhang Yiran, but her heart was extraordinarily calm.

They walked step by step to the palace gates. At the entrance, Xie Heng said coldly, “Commoners have beaten the Dengwen Drum. My Supervision Department has taken the case and specially brought those involved in the case into the palace.”

The guards exchanged glances, then hurriedly said: “Yes, Inspector Xie. We’ll notify them immediately.”

With that, a guard ran inside, passing the message layer by layer until it reached the main hall.

Li Zong was listening to officials report on conditions in various provinces when he heard that Xie Heng was bringing people to court. He frowned and couldn’t help saying: “The Dengwen Drum? How is it that the Supervision Department took the case?”

“It’s… unclear.” The guard shook his head. “However, many people are now gathered at the palace gates. Your Majesty, what do you think about this case?”

Hearing about many people, Li Zong was somewhat surprised and instinctively asked: “Many people? How many?”

“At least… a thousand, maybe ten thousand.” The guard recalled: “The palace gates are packed full—impossible to count clearly.”

This number shocked everyone. Song Xichao immediately said, “Your Majesty, with so many commoners gathered at the palace gates, this is not an ordinary case. Inspector Xie is not someone without sense. Why not have Inspector Xie come to court first?”

Song Xichao reminded: “That would be better than staying at the palace gates.”

Having them in court would at least mean officials are handling it. The longer they stayed at the palace gates, the faster news would spread among the people.

Li Zong nodded upon hearing this, tapped on the table uneasily: “Let him bring people in.”

The guard received the order and breathed a sigh of relief. Xie Heng stood at the palace gates and soon received permission to proceed.

He led everyone inside, but after walking just a few steps, he heard a guard behind them say: “Wait, you can’t enter!”

Xie Heng stopped and turned around to see that the guard was blocking the commoners who had followed them all the way.

Xie Heng frowned slightly, somewhat puzzled. The blocked commoners looked at Xie Heng with some fear and didn’t dare speak. After thinking for a moment, Xie Heng understood and tentatively asked: “You want to enter the palace to testify?”

No commoners spoke. After a long time, a young woman’s voice came from the crowd. She called out loudly: “Inspector Xie, I want to testify. Just now, Zheng Bikui wouldn’t let Lord Zhang file his complaint and beat Lord Zhang and those two young ladies.”

After this voice rang out, many more voices from behind joined in.

“I testify.”

“I testify, too.”

Luo Wanqing heard these voices of testimony one after another. She turned around and saw face after face—fearful yet determined—at the palace entrance.

Xie Heng and she stood within the palace. They looked at those commoners across the palace gates and the guards’ long spears.

After a long time, Xie Heng slowly began to smile.

This was the first time he had shown a smile in front of outsiders. That smile was like golden light breaking through dark clouds, spilling across mountains, rivers, heaven and earth.

“Thank you.”

He gently nodded, then turned around: “Let them in.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Xie Heng: “It took 155 chapters to finally circle back to the starting point. If I had known this was my wife’s case from the beginning, I would have taken it and not gone through all this trouble.”

Xuanshan: “But Young Master, if you had taken it back then, this story couldn’t be written—there’d be no dramatic tension.”

Xie Heng: “You and your bad habit of writing novels—don’t project it onto me, or I’ll break your pen.”

Xuanshan: “You can break my pen, but unfortunately, you can’t smash the keyboard of my ink-and-paper works.”

Xie Heng: “…People still need to cultivate immortality. That way, I can break through the void and kick the author into the lake.”