◎The Zheng Family Ancestral Tomb◎

Luo Wanqing was dragged back to the prison, and when she was thrown into the cell, she finally caught her breath and turned over, taking a moment to recover on the ground.

Every meridian in her body ached. Yang Chun, who had practiced martial arts since childhood and solidly reached the second level of grandmaster, was quite different from Ji Ruifang.

Though both were grandmasters, Luo Wanqing felt the insurmountable difference between them.

She rested on the ground for a moment, then propped herself up to sit, slowly calming down.

Li Zong had let her leave to confirm that she didn’t know the key to the Xuantian Box. This way, Li Zong’s trust in the contents of the Xuantian Box would greatly increase, and he wouldn’t suspect that she had seen the contents beforehand.

The Xuantian Box key had already been changed by Xie Heng to the first characters of the first three groups of her birth date and time – this was precisely the key her father had always used as a secret code.

The Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches weren’t commonly known, mostly belonging to birth dates and times. If Li Zong had been paying attention to the Xuantian Box before, he would certainly have obtained information about Luo Qushu’s entire family. Her birth date and time might have long been on Li Zong’s desk.

She knew the Xuantian Box characters were limited to the twenty-two Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, so she deliberately said “first characters of sentences” instead of “first characters of birth date and time,” making Li Zong think she had no idea what he was asking about.

But she had already given the hint of “first characters,” plus she deliberately reminded him that she was Luo Qushu’s most beloved child. Li Zong knew her birth date and time, and with so many clues, it wouldn’t be difficult for Li Zong to eventually guess the Xuantian Box key.

Once he opened the Xuantian Box, he would see what was inside.

Xie Heng was the type who either didn’t act at all, or when he did, it was always a killing move. Even though she didn’t know what Xie Heng had placed inside, she was certain it would be something sufficient to make Li Zong consider sending troops against the Zheng family.

If he wanted to send troops against the Zheng family, killing Zheng Pingsheng first and forcing the Zheng family to rebel would be the most logical course of action.

And currently, the person who would be most convincing to the world for killing Zheng Pingsheng was her.

If what was in the Xuantian Box was indeed what she suspected – something sufficient to make Li Zong want to kill Zheng Pingsheng – then Li Zong would certainly keep her alive.

Xie Heng wanted her to use the key to save her life, seeking absolute certainty.

Li Guiyu wanted her to compromise to survive, treating her as if she had nothing.

But she didn’t want to choose either of these paths. What she wanted…

It was for Li Zong to order her to kill Zheng Pingsheng.

She just wasn’t certain what Xie Heng had placed in the box, or whether it carried enough weight to make Li Zong spare him.

So her behavior was taking a gamble.

If the contents of the Xuantian Box couldn’t make Li Zong want to kill Zheng Pingsheng, and she didn’t even have the key to trade for her life, then it seemed she would only have the path of compromising with Li Guiyu.

But somehow, thinking about this, she felt no unease. She almost instinctively felt that this couldn’t happen.

Because Xie Heng was there.

Realizing this, Luo Wanqing froze. She discovered the quiet, growing dependence deep in her bones.

She had lived this way in the past, too – always walking on the knife’s edge, always choosing the option with the highest risk and highest reward, because without gambling, she couldn’t continue on her path.

Her starting point was too low; she had no other choice.

In the past, she had always acted with a desperate determination, but this time, leaning against the wall, she felt unusually calm.

She was even thinking that she couldn’t contact the outside now, but the Supervision Department had eyes and ears everywhere. The commotion earlier had been so great, she had broken two doors in the imperial study. If Xie Heng still couldn’t hear the news or react to find her, then she should take Xie Heng and quickly leave Eastern Capital to flee for their lives.

If he couldn’t even handle such a small matter, what was the point of fighting?

Realizing this way of making plans while treating him as an object of absolute trust, she suddenly felt somewhat uncomfortable, feeling this wasn’t right, yet unable to control it.

She lowered her head, and in this place where no one could see, she quietly took out a small stone and lightly traced their names on the ground.

She traced very lightly, so light that it would disappear with just a gentle wipe, not daring to press hard like when she used to write Jiang Shaoyan’s name.

She didn’t even dare write his name, only carefully and cautiously drawing on the ground:

“Cui Heng, Luo Wanqing”

But before she could finish the strokes, the sound of doors opening came from outside again. Luo Wanqing immediately stood up alertly, only to see Yang Chun walking in with two eunuchs.

Luo Wanqing was stunned, not understanding why Yang Chun would appear at this time.

Xie Heng’s people hadn’t come yet, but Yang Chun had arrived first. What did he want to do?

Luo Wanqing watched Yang Chun warily. Yang Chun walked to the cell door, waved his hand, and had the eunuchs step forward to open the cell door.

“Miss Luo, His Majesty has ordered that you be transferred to the underground dungeon for solitary confinement. Please come with us.”

Luo Wanqing frowned, somewhat incredulous: “His Majesty wants me to go to the underground dungeon?”

“That’s correct. It’s at the edge of the palace grounds – leap over the wall and you’re outside the palace. It’s extremely quiet.” Yang Chun stepped forward, took the key from a eunuch, unlocked Luo Wanqing’s chains, then released her pressure points, smiling as he said, “His Majesty said your martial arts are extraordinary, and he’s afraid that in the heavenly prison, you might find an opportunity to…” Yang Chun paused, as if reminding her, “escape and run away. What then?”

Luo Wanqing caught his hint and frowned. Yang Chun bowed with a smile: “This servant has other matters to attend to, so I’ll let these two disciples escort you there. In the future, if fate permits, we’ll meet again.”

Luo Wanqing listened, even more puzzled. She watched Yang Chun say no more and turn to leave.

After Yang Chun left, the young eunuch beside her said timidly: “Miss Luo?”

Luo Wanqing came to her senses and looked at the two eunuchs.

These two eunuchs had no martial arts skills and were just ordinary palace servants. Yang Chun had unlocked her chains and internal energy, and combined with what he had said, his intention was crystal clear.

He was deliberately letting her escape.

But why? Yang Chun had always obeyed Li Zong. Was this Li Zong’s intention? Why would Li Zong want to release her?

Luo Wanqing thought about it and suddenly realized.

Li Zong had probably already opened the Xuantian Box.

This thought made her heart skip a beat. Li Zong had opened the Xuantian Box too quickly. She knew he could guess the key, but given his suspicious nature, what had made him so quickly determine the key and directly open the Xuantian Box?

But she didn’t have time to think about these details now. She was certain of one thing – after he opened the Xuantian Box, he had developed murderous intent toward Zheng Pingsheng, so he was now releasing her first. With her strength alone, she couldn’t kill Zheng Pingsheng, but when the right opportunity came, Li Zong might step in to help her.

She couldn’t leave.

Luo Wanqing immediately made her decision.

If she escaped from the palace, killing Zheng Pingsheng would be entirely her affair.

She needed Li Zong to release her, to have Li Zong send her out of the imperial palace.

This was her best opportunity.

“Miss Luo?”

Seeing her motionless, the young eunuch urged her again. Only then did Luo Wanqing react, nodding: “Oh, I was lost in thought for a moment. Let’s go, please lead the way, Eunuch.”

Hearing this, the eunuch nodded somewhat uneasily and led Luo Wanqing forward.

As they walked, they chatted with Luo Wanqing: “Is Miss Luo from the south?”

“My father is from Yangzhou, but I grew up in Eastern Capital and then spent a few years in Yangzhou.”

“Seeing Miss’s graceful figure like a willow, we thought you were a native southerner, and were afraid you wouldn’t be able to bear staying in the dungeon.”

“Oh?” Luo Wanqing heard the threat in their words. “Is the dungeon more frightening than the heavenly prison?”

“That’s where the Central Imperial Bureau conducts executions. Those who stay there cry out day and night.” The eunuch had received orders and kept describing the dungeon’s horrors to her. “If you go in, you’ll probably have a narrow escape from death.”

Luo Wanqing pretended not to understand and only said: “I see.”

The two eunuchs exchanged glances. Seeing she had no other reaction, they both felt uneasy.

They could only continue describing various tortures in the dungeon, but these tortures were too familiar to Luo Wanqing. She could continue their descriptions before the eunuchs finished speaking.

“I know about the flaying punishment, but, if you must keep the person alive, you can’t get good skin.” Luo Wanqing said casually, “Top-quality human skin requires burying the person from the neck down in soil while they’re still alive, making an opening at the top of the head, and pouring mercury down. The mercury separates the skin from the flesh, causing the person to struggle upward in agony, and finally, you can get complete, beautiful skin. But this way, the person can’t survive.”

Luo Wanqing’s words made both eunuchs’ faces turn pale. Only then did they realize what kind of background this young lady had. They stammered: “Miss Luo knows so much about this… aren’t you afraid?”

“What should I be afraid of?”

Luo Wanqing looked puzzled: “Such punishments are either for interrogation or because the criminal has committed heinous crimes deserving punishment. Now, I have nothing to confess, nor have I committed any crimes that anger both heaven and earth. Why would I suffer such cruel torture?”

The two eunuchs couldn’t respond and just led Luo Wanqing to stop at the dungeon entrance.

Luo Wanqing glanced at the dungeon and asked, puzzled: “Why have you two stopped moving?”

The two eunuchs remained silent, just looking at each other.

The three of them were at a standstill. After a long while, seeing their difficulty, Luo Wanqing finally said: “You two eunuchs, please relay to Eunuch Yang that although I don’t know his purpose, I understand in my heart what he wants me to do. But since I’ve gone through such trouble to bring my case before His Majesty, what I seek is justice. Without His Majesty’s permission, I won’t do anything that violates the law. I am a subject of the Son of Heaven, and also a minister of Heaven. I hope you can understand.”

Hearing this, the two eunuchs finally got some response and said respectfully, “Yes.”

“Take me in.”

Luo Wanqing spoke, and the two quickly nodded, leading Luo Wanqing into the dungeon.

Upon entering the dungeon, Luo Wanqing immediately smelled the familiar scent of blood. But this blood wasn’t fresh – it seemed to have accumulated for some time, settling in the air with a rusty, foul smell.

The Central Imperial Bureau wasn’t the Supervision Department. It was more focused on handling palace affairs for Li Zong, while interrogation, questioning, and case investigation were still the Supervision Department’s specialty.

The eunuch handed her over to the jailer, who led her deeper inside. When they reached the end of the prison, the jailer opened a cell door for her. Luo Wanqing entered the room and casually leaned against the wall.

The prison design here was extremely crude, with iron bars between cells. After Luo Wanqing sat down, leaning against the iron bars, she noticed someone sitting in the adjacent cell.

That person’s clothes were disheveled and bloodstained, as if they had just arrived.

Hair covered his face, and he sat in the corner so quietly that he seemed nonexistent.

Luo Wanqing glanced casually, not paying much attention. She picked up a piece of dried grass to chew on while thinking about Li Zong’s actions.

She had been thinking for only a moment when she heard footsteps behind her, and then that man who had no presence at all came close to her, sitting against the wall with his back to hers.

Luo Wanqing froze, immediately realizing something.

Before she could speak, she heard someone question accusingly: “Why didn’t you directly hand over the key?”

His voice was very soft, only audible to the two of them, but suppressing dissatisfaction.

Luo Wanqing realized who had come, her heartbeat instantly quickening. She looked around and, back-to-back with him, whispered: “How did you get here?”

“Do I need your approval to come?”

Xie Heng’s tone was cold. Luo Wanqing knew he was extremely displeased, so she cleared her throat and conceded: “I was thinking of the bigger picture.”

“Thinking of what?”

“I know you must have your arrangements,” Luo Wanqing said softly, “it’s not worth saving me.”

“How do you know having you present the key wasn’t part of my arrangement?”

Xie Heng understood her meaning. Luo Wanqing asked curiously: “Then what exactly did you arrange?”

“What I placed can withstand investigation.” Xie Heng explained in a low voice, “After he investigates, he’ll naturally take the next step.”

“What exactly did you put in there?” Luo Wanqing’s curiosity reached unprecedented heights.

Something that could make Li Zong develop murderous intent toward Zheng Pingsheng at first glance, something that could withstand investigation – what could it be?

Xie Heng didn’t speak. Luo Wanqing looked back and saw him facing away from her, staring ahead, knowing he was quite angry now.

Knowing she was in the wrong, she cleared her throat and explained: “I was also thinking of the bigger picture – if we can reduce some suspicion, we should.”

Xie Heng remained silent. Luo Wanqing thought for a moment and continued: “Moreover, if he thought I might have seen what was inside, he might want to kill me to silence me, right?”

“Why do you have so little faith in me?”

Xie Heng’s tone became even more displeased. Luo Wanqing knew she was adding fuel to the fire, so she quickly explained: “I don’t distrust you, I wanted to help you.”

“Do you know where this place is?”

Xie Heng finally turned around. Through his disheveled hair, his eyes were sharp with a hint of panic as he questioned: “The Central Imperial Bureau’s torture chamber takes pleasure in tormenting others. Do you think you’re made of steel and invulnerable?”

Luo Wanqing was stunned, finally realizing the real reason Xie Heng had come personally.

“You’re afraid?”

Luo Wanqing asked instinctively. Xie Heng froze.

He turned away, looking at the wall, only saying: “I have nothing to fear.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak. She didn’t know why, but her heart felt warm and flustered.

The two remained silent for a while. Finally, Luo Wanqing said: “I… I’m fine. I just think that since we’re doing something, we should do it perfectly. The Central Imperial Bureau wouldn’t dare do anything.”

“What gives you the courage to think they wouldn’t dare?”

Xie Heng immediately turned back.

Luo Wanqing was intimidated by his presence and mumbled: “You… you gave it to me.”

Xie Heng paused. Luo Wanqing lowered her head and said softly, “I deliberately broke those two doors today to notify you that the situation had changed. I… I knew you would find a way.”

“What if I couldn’t think of one?” Xie Heng stared at her.

Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised he would say “couldn’t think of one,” but she didn’t mind much, only saying: “Then it would just be a few beatings. I’m more useful alive than dead – His Majesty won’t let me die.”

“Doesn’t it hurt?”

Xie Heng pressed on. Luo Wanqing couldn’t find words to respond. Xie Heng closed his eyes, turned his head away, and finally said quietly: “Xiniang, I’m not a god. There will come a day when I can’t do it.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s heart trembled.

She knew that “I can’t do it” was the fear carved into Xie Heng’s bones and blood.

Neither of them spoke again. Luo Wanqing glanced around – there was no one else in this area, and she didn’t sense anyone’s presence. These two cells, placed alone together, must be Xie Heng’s doing.

She thought for a moment, then reached out her hand through the gap in the iron bars and gently grasped Xie Heng’s hand.

Xie Heng closed his eyes and said nothing. Luo Wanqing said seriously, “Then let me do it.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng slowly opened his eyes and saw Luo Wanqing sitting opposite him, smiling as she said: “Young Master, the things you can’t do, I will do. Don’t be afraid.”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. He just looked at the person opposite him, as if seeing through her, and said with feigned coldness: “Sweet words and flattery, trying to coax me again.”

“How can this be called coaxing?”

Luo Wanqing smiled. She lowered her head, turned Xie Heng’s palm upward, and carefully wrote four characters stroke by stroke in his palm.

“I like you.”

Xie Heng’s features softened uncontrollably with each stroke. Luo Wanqing looked up at him and smiled: “Young Master, this is what coaxing you looks like.”

“What, are those false words?” Xie Heng glanced at his palm.

Luo Wanqing nodded: “Naturally, they’re false.”

“Then what are the true words?” Xie Heng knew she must be playing some trick again, but he wasn’t annoyed and just went along with her question.

Luo Wanqing thought for a moment, lowered her head, and slowly wrote: “The truth is—”

“I very much like you.”

Xie Heng didn’t move. He knew this was Luo Wanqing easing the atmosphere between them, or perhaps this was her way of comforting him.

He told himself he shouldn’t soften, that he should have a proper talk with her and not let her brush things off.

However, the anger that had risen when he came still quietly dissipated, unable to gather any more strength.

He looked down at his palm and said nothing more.

Seeing the gloom between his brows fade, Luo Wanqing began discussing business: “Actually, don’t worry. I have my plans and won’t suffer losses. We don’t have much time. If I’m not mistaken, His Majesty must have sent people to watch me now. It’s too risky for you to come. Right now, don’t get involved with me in any way. Leave after we finish discussing business, and don’t come again after this.”

Xie Heng didn’t respond. Luo Wanqing said directly: “You need to tell me what exactly you put in there.”

“What are you planning to do?” Xie Heng wouldn’t give an inch and pressed for an answer.

Luo Wanqing knew he wouldn’t back down, so she could only answer: “I don’t want to interfere with your plan, so I didn’t directly reveal the key. But I need to be useful to His Majesty now so I can get out.”

“Don’t you want to kill Zheng Pingsheng?” Xie Heng stared at her.

Luo Wanqing paused, feeling somewhat guilty: “Of course I do.”

Xie Heng understood and smiled with some mockery: “I knew it.”

“Hurry up.” Luo Wanqing urged.

Xie Heng knew this wasn’t the time for beating around the bush, so he finally answered: “A map, and copies of letters showing Yang Chun and the others’ collusion with enemies.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing asked, puzzled: “A map of where?”

Hearing her question, Xie Heng seemed to remember something. Unable to suppress the amusement in his eyes, he said a place that Luo Wanqing found utterly absurd: “The Zheng family ancestral tomb.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Li Zong: “Cui Qingping, where exactly did you put the gunpowder arsenal?!”

Xie Heng: “Your Majesty, in the Zheng family ancestral tomb.”

Li Zong: “Who puts gunpowder in someone’s ancestral tomb for no reason?!!”

Xie Heng: “Well… if it accidentally explodes, it would be quite profitable.”

Li Zong: “…”

Xie Heng: “Your Majesty, there’s a gunpowder arsenal here. Should we dig it up or not?”

Li Zong: “…You go dig it. Don’t say I told you to.”

(Several months later)

Wang Shenfeng: “Old Zheng, Xie Heng dug up your family’s ancestral tomb!!”

Zheng Pingsheng: “…Xie Heng, I’m going to dig up your family’s tomb.”

Xie Xiuqi: “He’s not even in the family register. Whose tomb are you planning to dig?”

Xie Heng: “Dig whoever you want, I couldn’t care less.”

Zheng Pingsheng: “Aren’t you afraid your descendants will curse you?”

Xie Heng: “As long as I end my lineage quickly enough, no descendants will curse me.”

Li Zong: “Do you know what I value most about him? I just love his ruthless disregard for family ties.”