◎To be used by Young Master, or to be killed by him◎

Just as when they came, Cui Heng carried her back to the Supervision Department.

He concealed himself extremely well. When he placed her back on the bed to lie down, the Supervision Department hadn’t noticed anyone coming or going.

Having been tense for so long, finally seeing her family completely sent away, Luo Wanqing finally relaxed.

Although it hadn’t gone as expected—with her seeing her family off for the last time alone—she had been forced to bring Cui Heng along. But she had only told her family to follow the water downstream, and she didn’t know where they were going. She had also instructed them to change their names after settling down. In the future, unless they actively sought her out, she probably wouldn’t be able to find them. Unless Cui Heng was determined to monitor them from now on, it would be very difficult for him to find them later.

Human power had its limits. Having done this much, she couldn’t do more.

She could only choose to believe that at this moment, Cui Heng wouldn’t do something like sending people to track and monitor her family.

Luo Wanqing had no energy to think about anything else. She had porridge and medicine with Cui Heng, then he sat by the bed and said gently, “Rest well. This afternoon, His Majesty might summon you. Is there anything else you need me to do?”

Luo Wanqing pressed her lips together. She wanted to ask him not to reveal today’s events, but she felt she had already troubled him too much.

Seeing her silence, Cui Heng understood her thoughts and said consideringly: “I won’t speak of today’s events, and I won’t interfere with the people you met today. Rest assured.”

“Aren’t you going to ask who I am?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but grip the blanket tightly. Cui Heng saw her movement and hesitated: “If you’d be more comfortable not saying, then I won’t ask.”

“I’m not Zhang Jiuran.”

Luo Wanqing emphasized. Cui Heng looked up: “I know.”

Luo Wanqing was startled and asked in confusion: “How do you know?”

“The Inspector mentioned it last night.”

Cui Heng turned to look out the window, where spring light filled the courtyard beautifully. He said softly, “When you gave him the mother parasite, he understood. The woman in Qin Jue’s courtyard is Zhang Jiuran, isn’t she?”

She hadn’t expected Xie Heng to be so perceptive. Luo Wanqing’s heart tightened, and she didn’t speak. Seeing her tension, Cui Heng smiled and comforted her: “You don’t need to be nervous. Young Master won’t do anything to her.”

“Young Master doesn’t like her.” Luo Wanqing shook her head.

Cui Heng thought for a moment and patiently explained: “Young Master doesn’t like her because she deceived Qin Jue. Although Qin Jue and Young Master aren’t particularly close, he is his junior brother after all. Qin Jue is naturally kind-hearted, and Zhang Jiuran’s use of emotions to deceive him was rather excessive.”

“I know…”

Luo Wanqing’s mouth tasted bitter.

How could she not know?

But while everyone in the world could blame Zhang Jiuran, she, who had received Zhang Jiuran’s kindness, absolutely could not.

“But since Qin Jue doesn’t mind now and is still willing to help her, there must be things Young Master doesn’t know about.”

Cui Heng glanced at her, thinking of what might have happened between her and Zhang Jiuran, his voice involuntarily softening: “He hasn’t had contact with Zhang Jiuran before, so making hasty judgments was his fault.”

“Young Master did nothing wrong.” Luo Wanqing shook her head. “He bears the responsibility of the Supervision Department, so he should act this way.”

“You don’t blame him?”

Cui Heng asked seriously. Luo Wanqing smiled and said softly, “He has been benevolent and righteous to me. I repeatedly deceived him—what is there to blame?”

“He nearly got you killed last night.”

Cui Heng emphasized.

Luo Wanqing looked puzzled: “Li Guiyu was the one who tried to kill me. What does that have to do with Young Master?”

Cui Heng was stunned. Luo Wanqing laughed softly: “This was a matter between Li Guiyu and me. An outsider like Young Master shouldn’t have been dragged into it. He did his calculations—why should he save me?”

Cui Heng couldn’t speak. He didn’t know why, but hearing these words made his heart ache somewhat.

He couldn’t tell if this was pity for her solitary journey, or something else.

He just found the word “outsider” particularly jarring.

Thinking of last night’s confrontation between Luo Wanqing and Li Guiyu—even though they were enemies, their eyes held only each other, nothing else.

This was their affair, having nothing to do with him.

It was clearly a fact, yet there was a strange discomfort that made him fall silent, unwilling to say more.

But there was also a certain unwillingness, making him say: “What about me?”

Luo Wanqing turned her head in confusion. Cui Heng looked at her calmly: “If I had been there last night, would you still think I was an outsider and not care?”

“You do follow Young Master’s orders after all…”

“What if I were Young Master?” Cui Heng interrupted her. Luo Wanqing’s movements stiffened.

After a moment, she seemed to speak evasively: “But you’re not.”

Cui Heng’s questioning words immediately stopped. He could see Luo Wanqing’s somewhat uneasy posture, clearly sensing that she didn’t want him to be Xie Heng.

Cui Heng couldn’t help but feel puzzled and smiled bitterly: “You seem very afraid of Young Master?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak, only seemed to think of something, her face turning slightly pale.

Cui Heng suddenly remembered what Xie Heng had done.

The human skin he had peeled still hung in the interrogation room as a deterrent.

When he didn’t know her identity, he had her change faces to exchange with Baili.

When he suspected she was Zhang Jiuran, he used interrogation to force her, intimidate her, and humiliate her.

He treated her as a chess piece, using her life to plan a strategy…

Why wouldn’t she fear such a person?

Everyone in the world feared him—how could he expect her not to?

He very much wanted to explain something, but as the words reached his lips, the book scroll inscribed with “Great Xia Laws” on the table suddenly flashed through his mind.

What needed explaining, and why did it need explaining?

What Luo Wanqing wanted was Cui Guanlan, and he was Cui Guanlan.

Xie Heng’s path was meant to be walked by him alone—it had nothing to do with others.

Cui Heng lowered his head and chuckled softly. Luo Wanqing turned to look at him and saw the young man seeming to think of something amusing, nodding: “He is indeed someone people find detestable.”

“No.” Luo Wanqing shook her head and looked at him seriously: “It’s just that you’re too good.”

“I think so too. I’ve been more likable than him since childhood.”

Cui Heng nodded, seeming to accept Luo Wanqing’s praise.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but smile with pursed lips, thinking he was indeed a close relative who had grown up with Xie Heng since childhood.

Seeing Cui Heng smile, her heart relaxed considerably. Thinking of last night’s complicated events, she asked one by one: “How did last night turn out? Was Li Guiyu captured?”

“No.”

Cui Heng shook his head, his eyes carrying some suppressed mockery: “Last night, the Central Imperial Office, acting on imperial orders, mobilized all forces in the Eastern Capital for an overnight search. They finally found him at the residence of the Minister of Justice. Zheng Pingsheng said he had been playing chess with Li Guiyu all night.”

“Then…” Luo Wanqing frowned. “This time he escaped?”

“Probably.” Cui Heng’s tone was flat.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help feeling somewhat regretful: “What a pity.”

“What’s to pity?” Cui Heng smiled. “If you’re seeking revenge, wouldn’t it be a pity to end it so hastily now?”

Luo Wanqing was startled. Cui Heng sat by the bed, leaning close to her, studying her expression: “Don’t tell me you think that by letting him die, he would repent for what he did in the past and suffer from leaving this world?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t speak. Cui Heng smiled, his tone gentle: “Xiniang, dying is simple. There’s no underworld in this world. When he dies, he’s just dead—he won’t even feel pain. How could that compare to even one ten-thousandth of Luo Wanqing’s suffering?”

Luo Wanqing’s heart trembled violently. Cui Heng stared into her eyes and said seriously: “Remember, the best revenge is never a moment of rage with blood splattering—that’s foolish beyond measure. It’s you living well while he reaches a dead end. Trading your life for his,” Cui Heng’s tone turned slightly cold, “is he worth it?”

Luo Wanqing didn’t speak. After thinking for a moment, she changed the subject and looked up: “How does Young Master plan to deal with me?”

“Not deal with you at all.”

Seeing that she understood, Cui Heng straightened up and told her honestly: “Since you’re not Zhang Jiuran, you just need to explain to Young Master why you repeatedly deceived him and what your intentions toward the Supervision Department are. If you speak well in the palace today, you can continue being Inspector Liu.”

“What does Young Master want me to say?”

Luo Wanqing understood—Xie Heng was giving her conditions, trading her obedience in the palace today for her prospects.

“This afternoon, His Majesty will summon you. Rest well first. When you enter the palace this afternoon, Young Master will tell you specifically what to say.”

Cui Heng considered and instructed: “Things you don’t want to say, you don’t have to. Just tell Young Master directly that you’re unwilling to say, and he won’t force you.”

Luo Wanqing looked up. Cui Heng smiled: “What he wants to know, he’ll investigate himself—he doesn’t need you to tell him. As long as you’re harmless and useful to the Supervision Department, Young Master can tolerate anything.”

“I understand.”

Luo Wanqing grasped Cui Heng’s guidance.

For Xie Heng, her words weren’t confessions at all.

Just like Xie Heng extracting information from Li Guiyu’s mouth, he only wanted information—what the truth was, he would discern himself. So what she said or didn’t say, Xie Heng didn’t care.

The key point was only whether she harbored ill intentions toward the Supervision Department and whether she was useful.

Seeing her peace of mind, Cui Heng also felt relieved and nodded: “Rest well. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go.”

“Mm.”

Luo Wanqing responded. Cui Heng saw her heavy thoughts and, after thinking, tapped the short flute at his waist: “I also have one of these flutes. If you need me, call me. If I call you, remember to come too.”

“Its tone…”

“I’ll try it in a bit, and you’ll know its tone.”

Cui Heng stood up and looked down at her: “I’m leaving?”

“Alright.”

Luo Wanqing nodded. Cui Heng didn’t linger and left.

Luo Wanqing listened to his footsteps fade away, finally having time to think about last night’s confrontation with Li Guiyu. She raised her hand and gazed at it in the air.

Three arrows.

This was her current limit for blocking his arrows.

Five arrows…

This was the gap between them—she couldn’t block them, but last night, he had hesitated.

Thinking about the trajectory of the flying arrows, Luo Wanqing suddenly realized he had still hesitated.

Perhaps because of this face, or perhaps for other reasons, his arrows had missed.

If he had been more resolute, she might already be reporting to the underworld right now, and last night, he wouldn’t have been able to escape either.

This face of hers had some use after all.

But she didn’t know why—realizing his hesitation, she only felt mocking amusement.

Some sentiment, but not much.

Otherwise, where would today come from?

Last night, with Fengyu Pavilion present and the Crown Prince bringing experts, Li Guiyu’s people had fought them to a draw. If the Supervision Department hadn’t been there, the Crown Prince might have died.

He had just returned to the Eastern Capital and only attached himself to the Zheng family—where did so many subordinates come from?

During those five years in Jiangnan, had he lost his memory?

Had he just stayed by her side as a small guard?

The answer was obvious—he had probably been deceiving her from the beginning.

Luo Wanqing felt sourness in her heart, but she was used to it. She had never had high expectations for this person.

But thinking of those years together, thinking of him passing that grasshopper from behind the bamboo house screen, Luo Wanqing still couldn’t help feeling somewhat sorrowful.

He had once been such a good person…

Luo Wanqing closed her eyes. At that moment, faint flute music began to play.

This flute music required concentration to hear clearly—Cui Heng’s short flute piece.

She immediately got up and followed the sound to the back courtyard window. The moment she opened the window, flower petals rained down from above. Luo Wanqing looked up in surprise and saw Young Master sitting on the eaves, looking at her with a smile.

Luo Wanqing stared blankly at the young man in the morning light, wearing a gold mask and playing the short flute.

The two looked at each other through the falling flower petals. Cui Heng saw the girl with peach blossoms on her face and a surprised expression, knowing she must be happy.

He smiled gently, touched his toes lightly, and gracefully retreated while playing the flute.

Only then did Luo Wanqing hear clearly—this was a Jiangnan folk tune, light and gentle.

For a moment, she forgot everything. The bloody violence in her recent memories suddenly became extraordinarily distant. The person quickly disappeared into the forest. Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes and looked at the petals on the window sill, picked up a petal, and gently placed it in her mouth.

The petals were sour and bitter, but somehow, she faintly tasted some sweetness.

Xie Heng traveled down the mountain, then directly entered the carriage at the gate.

Qingya and Xuanshan sat in the carriage with clothes prepared for entering the palace. Seeing him enter, both respectfully said: “Young Master.”

Xie Heng nodded and quickly changed clothes.

Qingya smiled as he watched Xie Heng bustle about, saying softly: “Did Young Master explain things clearly to Miss Luo?”

“She doesn’t want to admit she’s Luo Wanqing and doesn’t want to acknowledge that I’m Xie Heng.”

Xie Heng said calmly: “Let it be this way.”

“Young Master treats her quite well.”

Qingya said with a half-smile. Xie Heng paused, then chuckled softly: “Perhaps it’s because I happened to watch her journey all the way, so I feel she’s somewhat special. After all, I owe her.”

“Young Master has already done very well.” Xuanshan said from the side calmly: “There are so many wrongful cases in the world—how could Young Master attend to them all?”

Xie Heng paused, thinking of those eyes that had turned to him that night, seeming to burn like fire. He shook his head seriously.

“I broke my promise.”

Knowing his temperament, Qingya and Xuanshan exchanged glances and said no more.

Luo Wanqing rested for half a day. When the Wei hour arrived, Zhusi came to the room to invite her.

“Young Master has returned.” Zhusi’s expression was solemn. “He asks you to come over.”

Luo Wanqing was mentally prepared. With Zhusi’s help, she got up and changed clothes, then followed Zhusi to the courtyard where Xie Heng handled affairs.

In the courtyard, Xie Heng sat in the corridor with case files before him, the desk piled with documents. Xie Heng wore black robes with wide sleeves, a golden crown binding his hair, looking down at the documents on the table.

In the beautiful April season, flower petals fell around his robes. He sat upright above, with long eyebrows extending to his temples, a high nose bridge, an indifferent expression, and dark eyes as calm as the sea, creating a somewhat eerie harmony with the spring and summer colors.

On his left and right sides of the corridor sat the Four Chiefs—Qingya, Xuanshan, Baili, and Zhuque. All had solemn expressions mixed with curious scrutiny as they looked at her, making Luo Wanqing involuntarily tense.

Xie Heng had spared her life, so she was temporarily safe, but whether she could truly survive and remain in the Supervision Department still depended on her performance today.

With an uneasy heart, she knelt and bowed: “Greetings to Young Master and the Four Chiefs.”

“Are your injuries from yesterday better?”

Xie Heng flipped through documents while asking from his seat. Luo Wanqing answered truthfully: “For now, they’re manageable.”

“This afternoon, you’ll accompany me to the palace. His Majesty wants to ask you about last night’s events.”

“Yes.”

“Before that,” Xie Heng looked up at her, “explain yourself to me first.”

With that, Xie Heng closed the documents and said calmly: “Who are you, and what are you doing in the Supervision Department?”

“This subordinate…” Luo Wanqing gritted her teeth and began: “This subordinate is a criminal who impersonated Zhang Jiuran to enter the Supervision Department seeking justice.”

“You…”

“Since it was to seek justice,” Xuanshan coldly glanced at Zhuque, who was about to speak, interrupting him to ask: “Why did you contact Fengyu Pavilion?”

“Because Fengyu Pavilion had something I wanted,” Luo Wanqing didn’t dare lie and spoke truthfully: “So I agreed with Fengyu Pavilion to assassinate Young Master in exchange for what I needed. But this was just an expedient measure—I had no intention of harming Young Master.”

“You wanted to assassinate Young Master!”

Zhuque’s eyes widened. Xie Heng fingered his Qianji bracelet and only asked: “Why did you secretly go up the mountain before?”

“To eavesdrop on Young Master’s conversation with Li Guiyu,” Luo Wanqing answered calmly, “Fengyu Pavilion told me that Young Master would ally with Li Guiyu. If Young Master allied with Li Guiyu, he would be my enemy. They wanted to use this to persuade me, so upon receiving this news, I secretly went up the mountain.”

“Do you truly have a grudge against Li Guiyu?”

“A life-and-death grudge.”

Xie Heng nodded and continued: “Then what?”

“But Young Master refused to ally with Li Guiyu, so I completely abandoned any intention to kill. To escape Fengyu Pavilion’s control, I began maneuvering against them. They wanted me to prove my abilities, which is why I lured Young Master up the mountain. But I was confident they wouldn’t dare act rashly, and if they truly acted, I would fight to the death to protect Young Master.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng took another look at Luo Wanqing, then said: “Why did you divert Zhuque last night?”

“I alone couldn’t fight Fengyu Pavilion, so last night I concealed the Fengxun incense on you and placed Fengxun incense where I wanted Zhuque to go. After Zhuque went there, he helped me clear out Fengyu Pavilion’s people. Then my people gave me a signal, and knowing my goal was achieved, I immediately notified you to have Zhuque return to defend.”

“This way, he wouldn’t have time to search for your important things, right?”

Xie Heng saw through her plan with one sentence. Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes: “Yes.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng remained silent for a long time, staring at her as if discerning the truth of her words. After a while, he chuckled softly and only said: “Using my people to do your business—you’re quite clever.”

Luo Wanqing knew she was in the wrong and said calmly: “I submit to Young Master’s punishment.”

“I won’t pursue past matters.” Xie Heng didn’t argue with her and waved his hand. The Four Chiefs understood and rose to withdraw.

Only the two of them remained in the courtyard. Xie Heng glanced at her knees on the ground and gestured: “Come up and grind ink for me.”

Luo Wanqing hesitated, then rose and came to Xie Heng’s desk.

There was a cushion beside Xie Heng’s desk. Luo Wanqing knelt and sat to one side, raising her hand to grind ink for Xie Heng.

Her heart was uneasy, not knowing what Xie Heng meant.

But Xie Heng showed no expression, looking straight ahead as if she didn’t exist. He picked up a case file from the side and said flatly: “I told you before—since you entered my Supervision Department, I would naturally protect you. There was no need to engage in these crooked schemes.”

“Yes…”

Luo Wanqing responded awkwardly.

“Since you’re alive now, live well and help me with some matters.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing immediately became serious and said respectfully: “I await Young Master’s instructions.”

“Today, His Majesty will summon you to inquire about last night’s events. Listen carefully.”

Xie Heng emphasized. Luo Wanqing immediately focused as Xie Heng looked down at the case files, writing while speaking: “Last night, I went to Fangfei Pavilion to meet with a mysterious person, exchanging you for Baili. During the process, your veil fell off and caught the Crown Prince’s eye, so the Crown Prince asked the other party for you, and they came into conflict.”

“However,” Xie Heng looked up, staring at her intently, “you didn’t know this was the Crown Prince.”

Luo Wanqing immediately understood that Xie Heng was explaining her act of holding the Crown Prince hostage.

Ignorance was not a crime—not knowing this was the Crown Prince was much better than knowing it was the Crown Prince.

Seeing her understanding, Xie Heng withdrew his gaze and continued: “You only knew that suddenly many assassins appeared wanting to kill him. Out of righteousness, you saved his life. Then you happened to hear the sound of my being attacked and came to rescue me. When you broke through the window with Crown Prince His Highness, you discovered these assassins were extremely nervous about the Crown Prince, so you decided to test their attitude by placing your blade at the Crown Prince’s throat. Later, I told you this was the Crown Prince, and only then did you realize your grave error. I ordered you to protect him with your life while I went out injured to find reinforcements. You followed my intentions and protected the Crown Prince until the last moment. Do you understand?”

Xie Heng spoke at an unhurried pace. Luo Wanqing carefully remembered every sentence. After processing it, she didn’t understand and couldn’t help frowning.

Xie Heng, beside her, glanced at her hand grinding ink and asked directly: “What do you want to ask?”

“Young Master…” Luo Wanqing considered carefully: “Why not say the person who invited Young Master was the Third Prince?”

“Do you have evidence?” Xie Heng asked directly.

Fangfei Pavilion was a mixed bag where everyone wore masks without revealing identities. No one could identify that Li Guiyu was at Fangfei Pavilion last night.

Luo Wanqing paused and hesitated: “We could inform His Majesty first and then investigate…”

Hearing this, Xie Heng chuckled softly.

Luo Wanqing looked up in confusion.

“Remember this,” Xie Heng said flatly: “You can suspect and investigate anyone, but regarding Li Guiyu, unless you have solid evidence for a fatal blow, never mention anything that might damage his reputation to His Majesty.”

“Why?”

Luo Wanqing looked up in surprise, then realized her impropriety and quickly said: “This subordinate was presumptuous…”

“Years ago, Li Guiyu voluntarily became a hostage to negotiate peace with the Northern Rong.” Xie Heng didn’t blame her and patiently explained: “This gave him extremely high prestige. This not only enhanced his reputation but also the imperial family’s. He is now the Li family’s glory, proof that the Li royal family doesn’t fail the people. His Majesty would rather give him a cup of poison wine and claim he died of illness than admit he has committed crimes. Unless his interests are completely shaken, otherwise…”

Xie Heng’s expression carried some mockery: “His Majesty will cover for him to the end.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing suddenly understood why Xie Heng had refused to take her case in Yangzhou years ago.

A mere Luo family—even if the Emperor knew, he wouldn’t truly deal with this “imperial honor.”

Moreover, to cover things up, they wouldn’t even have the chance of exile and would be directly executed.

Understanding this, her chest roiled with anger, but she didn’t dare let Xie Heng see. She only gripped the ink stick tightly and said respectfully: “This subordinate understands.”

“Is there anything else you need to tell me?”

Xie Heng looked down at the case files.

Luo Wanqing’s movements paused slightly, and she immediately understood—Xie Heng was testing her.

It was true that he was keeping her, but he didn’t like disloyal people.

If she wanted to stay in the Supervision Department and have power like Qin Jue in her past life’s dream to fight against Li Guiyu, then Xie Heng’s trust now was her most important asset.

She was here now because Xie Heng needed her to report to the Emperor, but she was someone who lied, so she hadn’t gained Xie Heng’s trust.

Would someone with Xie Heng’s temperament tolerate a person of unknown background by his side?

He wasn’t Cui Heng, without that soft heart that always assumed the best of others. From her interactions with Xie Heng in the Supervision Department, she could see he was ruthless and extremely suspicious.

His additional question now was a test.

If she answered poorly and let him see signs of disloyalty, after returning from the palace, at best, he would send her away from the Supervision Department. At worst…

Killing her wasn’t impossible either.

Luo Wanqing’s thoughts were complex, but Xie Heng didn’t rush her.

After a long silence, Luo Wanqing made her decision and calmly asked: “After returning from the palace, how does Young Master plan to deal with me?”

“That depends on your capabilities.” Xie Heng answered carelessly.

An expected answer.

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing raised her eyes: “This subordinate has a suggestion.”

“Speak.”

“Young Master should keep this subordinate.”

Luo Wanqing lowered her eyes. Xie Heng’s expression didn’t change as he only asked: “Why?”

“This subordinate can help Young Master deal with Empress Her Majesty.”

At these words, Xie Heng’s movements stopped.

Luo Wanqing looked at the gradually darkening clear water in the inkstone and said calmly, “Xiang Sizi told this subordinate that Young Master has been investigating cases related to the Cui family.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng looked up at Luo Wanqing.

His gaze was cold and indifferent, but carried an oppressive force that made it hard to breathe.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but tighten her grip on the ink stick and continued: “But if this subordinate remembers correctly, the Cui family’s case was personally handled by Young Master years ago. Young Master personally supervised the execution of the entire Cui clan. Why would Young Master, who had no feelings for the Cui family, investigate the case of a treasonous criminal?” She looked up to meet Xie Heng’s gaze: “At Fangfei Pavilion, Young Master wanted to use the Third Prince’s hand to kill the Crown Prince, then use the charge of murdering the Crown Prince to capture Li Guiyu, right? It seems Young Master doesn’t plan to spare either of the Empress’s two sons. Young Master is targeting the Empress, isn’t that right?”

Xie Heng didn’t speak. Under his scrutiny, Luo Wanqing’s heart raced.

She knew she was gambling.

Saying these things in front of Xie Heng, letting him know she knew so much, made it impossible for him to let her leave peacefully.

But with Xie Heng’s intelligence, perhaps he already knew she was aware of these things.

If she knew but didn’t say, that would be disloyalty to Xie Heng.

She was betting that Xie Heng was waiting for her to say these things, waiting for her to show loyalty.

“Young Master,” Luo Wanqing seemed to inquire, “These things shouldn’t be known by others, should they?”

“So,” Xie Heng’s ice-cold eyes moved slightly, carrying a faint smile: “You’re telling me these things because you want to die?”

“No,” Luo Wanqing shook her head seriously: “I’m telling Young Master that for me, there are only two paths with you—to be used by Young Master, or,” Luo Wanqing reached out to grasp Xie Heng’s hand, guiding it to the knife hilt at her waist, saying calmly: “to be killed by Young Master.”

Xie Heng didn’t speak, only shifting his gaze to her hand holding his.

She couldn’t tell if he was looking at the knife or her. She had no time to worry about it. Her heart raced, her back was covered in cold sweat, but her face remained calm: “If Young Master doesn’t kill me today, please use me with confidence. I have a past with Li Guiyu. If Young Master is targeting Empress Her Majesty, you’ll eventually have to deal with Li Guiyu. This subordinate,” Luo Wanqing emphasized, “is a good blade.”

Xie Heng looked down at her knife hilt without any emotion.

She couldn’t fathom Xie Heng’s meaning, but having said this much, she could only continue: “What does Young Master think?”

“You want to stay in the Supervision Department?” Xie Heng looked up, seeing through her intention.

Luo Wanqing didn’t hide it and said directly: “Yes.”

“Why?”

“I want to live and kill the Third Prince. Either path is only possible by staying in the Supervision Department.”

This answer wasn’t suitable, but lying was useless in front of Xie Heng.

“How well do you understand him?”

Xie Heng stared at her and leaned forward slightly, coming close to her face.

He seemed to be observing her every reaction, saying calmly: “What do you think I should do now?”

This was a test.

A test of her abilities.

Luo Wanqing loosely held Xie Heng’s hand. She was completely unaware of her actions, her mind racing.

Xie Heng didn’t remind her and let her hold his hand.

Her joints were small, and her hands were soft. Even though she practiced with blades, when relaxed, they had a different softness from men’s hands.

Xie Heng knew he was being improper, but his mind couldn’t stop—almost all his senses focused on where she touched him.

Luo Wanqing didn’t notice the young man’s unusual state. After thinking seriously for a moment, she looked up: “Now that the Crown Prince has been attacked, it’s the perfect opportunity for Young Master to pursue victory. As long as Young Master uses Li Guiyu’s hand to kill the Crown Prince, Empress Her Majesty will only have Li Guiyu left. One prince is much easier to bring down than the Crown Prince.”

“But the Crown Prince has returned to the palace, and there’s no news of him from the outside,” Xie Heng smiled and only asked: “How can we use Li Guiyu’s hand to kill him again?”

“Li Guiyu is someone who acts prudently. At Fangfei Pavilion, he sought to kill the Crown Prince with absolute certainty, leaving no evidence. But if cornered, he might not be without methods.” Thinking of Jiang Shaoyan’s way of doing things, Luo Wanqing suggested, “Young Master could pressure him.”

“How?”

“Though he went to Zheng Pingsheng’s place last night, he’s still implicated in the Crown Prince’s assassination case,” Luo Wanqing considered and looked up seriously. “Young Master only needs to bring him to the Supervision Department, and this subordinate can try.”

Hearing this, Xie Heng’s hand, which she held curled slightly, then he forcibly stopped.

His eyes showed some mockery: “Are you scheming for me, or yourself?”

“Naturally, for Young Master,” Luo Wanqing immediately said, “Young Master is primary. Even if this subordinate has countless personal grievances, I wouldn’t dare place them above Young Master’s great cause.”

Xie Heng didn’t speak, seeming to consider.

Luo Wanqing nervously waited for Xie Heng’s response. After a long while, she heard him say flatly: “Good then.”

Xie Heng straightened up and withdrew his hand from hers.

Only then did Luo Wanqing realize what she had done. She inconspicuously withdrew her hand and maintained composure while kneeling beside Xie Heng.

Xie Heng lowered his eyes and said flatly: “As you wish. Go down and wait for news about entering the palace.”

Luo Wanqing didn’t dare linger. She bowed respectfully and rose to leave.

After she hurriedly departed, Xie Heng called out: “Qingya.”

Qingya, who had withdrawn to the back courtyard, emerged from around the corner. Xie Heng kept his eyes lowered and said flatly: “Send that thousand-year ginseng from the storehouse to the palace.”

“Send it now?” Qingya frowned: “That might not be appropriate.”

“Let them investigate.” Xie Heng glanced at Qingya, his words carrying some provocation: “Let them investigate thoroughly.”

Qingya hesitated for a moment but finally responded: “Yes.”

Returning from the courtyard, Luo Wanqing was nearly exhausted.

Conversing with Xie Heng was extremely stressful, but the good news was that Xie Heng had accepted her.

If nothing unexpected happened, Xie Heng would find a way to send Li Guiyu to the Supervision Department for her to interrogate.

When that time came…

Luo Wanqing suddenly realized that when that time came, Li Guiyu would be completely at her mercy.

She could kill him.

This thought rushed into her mind, making her feel somewhat dazed and unreal.

Then she forcibly stopped herself from thinking further.

She couldn’t kill him now.

Her family had only just left. If she deceived Xie Heng at this time and directly killed Li Guiyu, in his anger, Xie Heng only needed to question Cui Heng to easily discover her family’s whereabouts.

It was hard to say Xie Heng wouldn’t kill her family in his rage.

Although Xie Heng seemed like a good person, she didn’t dare trust him.

In this world, the only people she could trust, besides her family, were Cui Heng and Zhang Jiuran.

After calculating for a moment, Luo Wanqing waited a while before news of entering the palace arrived.

She changed clothes, then was carried in a soft sedan by people who came to fetch her. They carried her down the mountain, out of the Supervision Department, and helped her into a carriage.

Perhaps because of entering the palace, the carriage arranged today was extremely luxurious. Luo Wanqing was helped into the carriage, and upon lifting the curtain and entering, she froze in place.

Xie Heng sat above, looking down at something. Luo Wanqing immediately reacted and wanted to bow: “Young…”

“Sit.”

Xie Heng raised his hand and spoke flatly, exempting her from the bowing gesture.

Luo Wanqing awkwardly rose and sat to one side.

Xie Heng kept his head down, looking at documents, seeming to ponder. The carriage started and swayed on the road. Xie Heng continued looking down at the papers before him, but never turned a page.

The two sat quietly. The carriage traveled for a long time, swaying until they reached the palace.

Xie Heng had the right to ride carriages in the palace, so the carriage traveled from the palace gate to the imperial study. Upon arrival, Xie Heng exited first, then summoned two palace maids to help Luo Wanqing down.

Luo Wanqing still had injuries. Previously, when going to see off her family, Cui Heng had protected her the entire way, so she hadn’t noticed. Later, she hadn’t made any significant movements. Only now, after walking for a long time, did she discover that with each step, her wound hurt terribly.

With each step came pain. By the time she reached the imperial study entrance, blood had already seeped through.

Her face was pale. She saw four people standing before the imperial study entrance, and she immediately recognized Li Guiyu.

He wore a prince’s gold-threaded robe embroidered with python patterns, topped with a jade crown. The moment he saw Luo Wanqing, his gaze paused briefly before looking away.

Beside him stood a woman in blue palace attire with an elaborate hairstyle adorned with jade hairpins. She looked very young, about twenty years old, at the most beautiful time of life.

She had been gazing at the hall, but noticing Li Guiyu’s gaze, she looked over. Her originally indifferent expression suddenly widened in shock upon seeing Luo Wanqing.

She recognized her.

Luo Wanqing was certain, though her face remained impassive.

The woman looked at Li Guiyu in panic. Li Guiyu silently patted her hand, seemingly to comfort her.

Seeing this interaction, Luo Wanqing immediately understood.

Last night, Li Guiyu claimed to be playing chess at the Zheng family. This woman had seen him, and Li Guiyu was so intimate with her, so this person…

Must be Miss Zheng, Zheng Biyue.

The childhood friend who had pined for Li Guiyu for five years, searched for five years, finally found Li Guiyu in Yangzhou with her father, and brought him back to the capital.

More importantly, she was Zheng Biyue, who had conspired with Li Guiyu to have her Minister of Justice father abuse his power and sentence her father to death and the entire family to exile.

Seeing them standing peacefully before the palace gate in fine clothes and jewelry, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but feel murderous intent rising in her heart.

But she didn’t show it on her face. Across the long corridor, she even smiled warmly at Zheng Biyue as she had years ago in Yangzhou, as if they were strangers.

But somehow, seeing her smile, Zheng Biyue’s expression immediately changed.

She stared intently at Luo Wanqing. After a moment, she walked up to her.

“This young lady looks quite unfamiliar,” Zheng Biyue looked at her warily: “I wonder which official’s daughter you are?”

“I am from the Supervision Department, Liu Xiniang.”

Luo Wanqing looked up at her: “You must be Miss Zheng?”

Hearing this, Zheng Biyue relaxed somewhat, her eyes showing some arrogance as she nodded: “Zheng family, Zheng Biyue.”

Luo Wanqing smiled slightly, her eyes cold: “A pleasure to meet you.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Luo Wanqing: “This is between him and me. Young Master, you’re an outsider—don’t interfere.”

Xie Heng: “Outsider?! I’m an outsider?! This is between you and him?! I insist on interfering! Even if I have to crawl back and forth between you two a hundred times, I will!!”

Li Guiyu: “…”