◎What If I Insist on Protecting Her?◎

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing wasn’t surprised and only asked: “Did she bring Lu Lingchan out?”

“Probably not.” Xing Ling shook her head. “The carriage wheel tracks’ weight matches the number of people, and we didn’t see Lu Lingchan.”

So it wasn’t hiding someone to help them escape. Luo Wanqing understood.

If it wasn’t helping Lu Lingchan flee, then going to Duke An’s mansion at this time could only mean seeking help.

“Lu Lingchan was able to become Crown Prince Chamberlain, so the Lu family should have good relations with the Crown Prince,” Luo Wanqing thought. “With him trapped in the Zheng mansion, who would Duke An most likely seek as external help? Would Zheng Pingsheng help him?”

“Probably not.”

Xing Ling frowned: “The grudge between the Zheng family and the Crown Prince stems from when the Zheng family wanted to betroth Zheng Biyue to the Crown Prince as Crown Princess. But the Wang family felt the Zheng family was arrogant and overbearing, wanting to dominate alone, and was unwilling to associate with them. So when the Zheng family made overtures, they instead arranged a marriage with Duke An’s mansion. Lu Lingchan’s sister became Crown Princess, which is why the Zheng family has been at odds with the Crown Prince for years. In this situation, the Zheng family already dislikes the Lu family.”

“Then why is Zheng Jinxin still engaged to Lu Lingchan?” Luo Wanqing was somewhat surprised.

“Both families originally disagreed,” Xing Ling patiently explained. “It’s just that Zheng Jinxin herself got involved with Lu Lingchan, and Lu Lingchan actively sought the marriage. Over these years, the Lu family has risen rapidly with the Eastern Palace’s power. Since Zheng Jinxin is only a concubine-born daughter, the Zheng family considered it.”

“Then, if Duke An can’t approach Zheng Pingsheng himself, who would he seek?”

Unable to approach himself, with his son implicated because of the Crown Prince, his only possible source of help was obvious.

“The Empress.” Xing Ling looked up at Luo Wanqing, reminding: “The documents for the Third Prince’s engagement to Miss Zheng are already at the Ministry of Rites. If he approaches the Empress, the Third Prince might help.”

“With the Crown Prince dead, Li Guiyu naturally takes over his position, making him and the Empress allies. Now he’s also engaged to Zheng Biyue, making Zheng Pingsheng his father-in-law. Having the Empress ask him to persuade Zheng Pingsheng isn’t impossible. But more likely,” Luo Wanqing thought, “he’ll quietly spirit Lu Lingchan away.”

With the Wang and Zheng families at odds, Zheng Pingsheng wouldn’t create trouble for himself for the Empress’s sake.

The Supervision Department was watching closely now. Even if Li Guiyu spoke, Zheng Pingsheng wouldn’t want to openly harbor Lu Lingchan before them.

Additionally, Zheng Pingsheng valued Li Guiyu because Li Guiyu wasn’t favored by the Empress and might have old grievances, making him useful. But if Li Guiyu’s heart was with the Wang family, Zheng Pingsheng would inevitably have concerns.

One Lu Lingchan wasn’t worth Li Guiyu offending Zheng Pingsheng over.

Li Guiyu’s plan to get Lu Lingchan into the Zheng mansion truly killed two birds with one stone—testing her identity while conveniently extracting Lu Lingchan to gain favor with the Empress.

Understanding Li Guiyu’s calculations, Luo Wanqing tapped the table, thinking: “If he plans to quietly transport Lu Lingchan out, tomorrow’s Qinyın Festival would be the best time. With many people tomorrow and so many carriages when the banquet ends, we won’t have enough manpower to watch them all. He could hide someone in any carriage and take them away without us finding them.”

She pressed her lips together: “We need to find him before the banquet ends.”

“Understood.”

Xing Ling nodded.

“Tomorrow you’ll infiltrate with me,” Luo Wanqing considered. “We’ll arrest him inside while having Fang Yuan and others wait behind the courtyard.”

“Good.”

Xing Ling agreed. Luo Wanqing thought briefly, then said quietly: “I will avenge Inspector Cui.”

Hearing this, Xing Ling looked up. After watching Luo Wanqing for a moment, she responded and turned to go down the mountain.

That night, as Luo Wanqing learned qin with Cui Heng, when it was time to sleep, Cui Heng said gently, “Your qin playing should be enough to fool people. Sleep first.”

With that, Cui Heng rose to leave. Luo Wanqing called out: “Guanlan.”

Cui Heng turned back. Luo Wanqing looked up: “Would it be convenient for you to come with me tomorrow?”

Cui Heng held his qin silently, seeming puzzled.

Luo Wanqing bit her lip, somewhat unwilling: “Li Guiyu will be there tomorrow. I’m afraid I can’t handle him.”

Currently, the gap between her and Li Guiyu remains. She wouldn’t throw eggs at rocks.

Hearing this, Cui Heng smiled: “Don’t worry, sleep well.”

With that, he turned with his qin, saying softly: “I’ll choose a good qin for you and send it tomorrow.”

Watching Cui Heng walk away, Luo Wanqing’s heart settled.

Since Cui Heng said not to worry, she naturally had nothing to concern herself with.

Luo Wanqing slept peacefully through the night. The next afternoon, when it was time for the banquet, she changed into a blue dress that ordinary women wore, put on jewelry Cui Heng had given her, and went down the mountain.

Xing Ling and another female Inspector, Ran He, waited early at the entrance. They also wore ordinary women’s clothing. In regular female attire, Xing Ling still had the bearing of a female official, dignified and elegant, showing no trace of the Supervision Department.

Luo Wanqing joined the two in their carriage and saw a qin inside, clearly very expensive by its material.

Luo Wanqing couldn’t help asking: “Who gave this qin?”

Xing Ling looked at the qin, pausing: “We just got in, too.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing knew this was Cui Heng’s arrangement and didn’t ask further. Looking at the two, she only asked: “Where are Fang Yuan and the others?”

“Ambushed behind the Zheng mansion, watching people, waiting for our orders.” Xing Ling spoke calmly.

Luo Wanqing nodded, then instructed: “After we enter, Xing Ling will scout the situation first.” Luo Wanqing considered, “If no one’s watching the back courtyard, go directly there. If someone is watching, we’ll think of another way.”

“Good.”

Both responded together.

The three sat in the carriage and soon arrived at the Zheng mansion.

Luo Wanqing arrived when guests were most numerous. She stopped the carriage at the entrance, put on a veil, and was helped down by Xing Ling, while Ran He carried the qin. The three followed the crowd inside.

The Zheng mansion was enormous. With today’s grand gathering, guests were everywhere.

With many male guests attending, many shy ladies wore veils, so Luo Wanqing didn’t stand out. She brought Xing Ling and Ran He, presented the VIP invitation to the entrance servants.

A servant quickly came forward, smilingly took her qin, and arranged a female attendant to guide her.

The three followed the guiding attendant inside. Once in the inner courtyard, Xing Ling left under the pretense of using the lavatory to scout ahead, leaving Ran He with the qin to continue forward.

As Luo Wanqing walked, she observed her surroundings. Just as she climbed the arched bridge’s steps, she heard laughter from men and women across the way.

“The Third Prince still says no, but news has reached the Ministry of Rites,” a charming female voice teased. “Still not admitting it? Elder Sister, you must punish him.”

With that, a group of young men and women appeared on the steps before Luo Wanqing.

The female attendant quickly had Luo Wanqing step aside, lowering her head respectfully: “Third Prince, Eldest Miss, young masters and misses.”

Luo Wanqing and Ran He, not wanting trouble, also immediately stepped aside.

“Rise.” Zheng Biyue’s voice sounded indifferent.

Luo Wanqing didn’t look up, feeling the men and women chatting and passing by. But after just a few steps, she heard them stop again.

“You…” Zheng Biyue turned back, staring at Luo Wanqing and frowning warily: “Who is this miss?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing looked up. The attendant beside her quickly said, “Reporting to Eldest Miss, this is Miss Liu from the Supervision Department.”

Hearing this, everyone present froze, instinctively looking at Zheng Biyue.

One woman’s face even paled as she said carefully: “Sister, you invited people from the Supervision Department too?”

Her fearful appearance made Luo Wanqing take a closer look, estimating that this was probably Zheng Jinxin.

Today, probably only she would be so afraid of hearing about the Supervision Department people.

Hearing Zheng Jinxin’s question, Zheng Biyue’s face turned cold without speaking. Luo Wanqing knew she couldn’t hide it and nodded in greeting: “Miss Zheng.”

Hearing Luo Wanqing’s voice, Zheng Biyue immediately confirmed her identity. She showed confusion on her face, thinking: “I don’t remember the Zheng mansion sending Inspector Liu an invitation. Inspector Liu’s invitation…”

“I gave it.”

Li Guiyu suddenly spoke beside them, and everyone looked over in surprise.

Zheng Biyue looked at Li Guiyu in bewilderment. Li Guiyu smiled slightly: “I saw extra invitations on your desk and casually took one.”

Hearing this, Zheng Biyue smiled, though her eyes turned cold: “If Your Highness wanted an invitation, just telling me would suffice. Why personally take action?”

“Wasn’t I afraid you wouldn’t give it?” Li Guiyu smiled, turning to Luo Wanqing: “Inspector Liu has long admired the Qinyın Festival and specifically asked me for an invitation. As court colleagues, for such small matters, I couldn’t refuse. Afraid to ask you directly lest you be angry,” Li Guiyu looked back at Zheng Biyue, “I could only secretly take one. Didn’t expect you to discover it. You won’t blame me, will you?”

His words didn’t explicitly say it, but clearly explained that Luo Wanqing had actively asked him for the invitation, and fearing Zheng Biyue’s jealousy, he could only secretly give it to Luo Wanqing.

These words were truly shameless, but at least gave Zheng Biyue face while putting Luo Wanqing on the fire.

A young, beautiful female Inspector asking Li Guiyu, an about-to-be-engaged prince, for an invitation looked suspicious, no matter how you viewed it.

Those present were all noble ladies, their gazes toward Luo Wanqing inevitably carrying some frivolity.

Luo Wanqing remained silent, coldly scanning Li Guiyu, feeling disgusted.

Hearing this, Zheng Biyue’s expression improved somewhat. She turned to Luo Wanqing, smiling: “Since you’re the Third Prince’s guest, you’re also my guest. Miss Liu has a VIP invitation for the main hall, right?”

“Yes.”

Luo Wanqing’s target was Lu Lingchan. Not wanting to entangle with them, she said simply: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first.”

“That area isn’t set up yet,” Zheng Biyue smiled. “Why don’t I take you to rest in the garden?”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing paused, then thought and respectfully said: “Thank you.”

With that, she led Ran He to follow Zheng Biyue.

Li Guiyu glanced at her without saying more.

The group followed Zheng Biyue toward the garden.

At this moment, guests hadn’t fully arrived yet. People came and went in the garden. Zheng Biyue turned to Li Guiyu, saying gently, “Your Highness, please feel free. I’ll take them to rest.”

“Good.”

Li Guiyu said this, glanced once more at Luo Wanqing, then nodded and left.

Zheng Biyue watched coldly without speaking, smilingly leading everyone to rest in the pavilion where the ladies gathered.

Most people following Zheng Biyue were very familiar with the Zheng mansion. Upon entering the garden, they scattered. Zheng Biyue stayed alone, accompanying Luo Wanqing: “I’ll walk with Miss Liu.”

“Thank you.”

Luo Wanqing answered neutrally. Zheng Biyue glanced at her, smiling: “Miss Liu and His Highness seem quite familiar these days?”

“Met during case work.”

Luo Wanqing answered coldly.

Zheng Biyue considered: “I remember the last time I met Miss Liu, everyone was at drawn swords. You accused His Highness of assassinating the Crown Prince and even put him in prison…”

She said this with cold eyes, looking up at Luo Wanqing: “In just these few days, you’ve gotten together?”

“Miss Zheng,” Luo Wanqing looked coldly at Zheng Biyue, “watch your words.”

“I’ve seen plenty of your methods,” Zheng Biyue smiled mockingly. “A small Inspector wanting to climb up? What do you think he sees in you?”

With that, Zheng Biyue raised her hand, gently stroking Luo Wanqing’s face: “Do you know? Your face looks very much like his dead fiancée.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing finally showed interest: “Oh?”

“That woman’s status wasn’t enough, then she died. Miss Liu,” Zheng Biyue smiled, “good luck to you.”

With that, she turned and entered the pavilion.

As soon as she entered, there were successive sounds of greetings and Zheng Biyue’s laughter.

Luo Wanqing stood at the entrance, glanced at them, and turned away.

She understood Zheng Biyue clearly, merely warning her that Li Guiyu liked her only because she resembled his dead fiancée, and that fiancée had died mysteriously due to insufficient status. If even the fiancée was treated thus, what could she, a mere substitute with only a face, use to attach herself to Li Guiyu?

Unexpectedly, she could still be used by Zheng Biyue to warn others. Luo Wanqing couldn’t help finding it somewhat amusing.

Beyond amusement, she felt some chilling anger.

The dagger was in her sleeve. Killing Zheng Biyue would only take a moment.

Her killing intent was quite obvious. Ran He beside her couldn’t help but remind: “Inspector.”

Hearing this, Luo Wanqing glanced at Ran He, suppressed her killing intent, and turned: “Let’s find Xing Ling.”

Ran He went to look and soon returned, saying quietly: “Inspector, Inspector Xing scouted the Zheng mansion and found our planted informant. It’s confirmed—today the back courtyard is empty with no masters stationed there, but the path from the main courtyard to back courtyard is intercepted by experts. Getting through won’t be easy.”

“Can Fang Yuan and the others climb over the walls?”

Luo Wanqing asked quietly. Ran He shook her head: “Though the back courtyard has no guards, people are watching from the wall corners. They can’t get into the back courtyard.”

“How did Lu Lingchan get in?”

Luo Wanqing couldn’t understand, then realized Lu Lingchan must have another route.

This route was definitely shown to him by Zheng Jinxin. If she could catch Lu Lingchan, she could naturally threaten Zheng Jinxin to find this exit route.

So now the most important thing was getting Xing Ling and the others into the back courtyard.

“How far is it from here to the back courtyard?”

“Not far,” Ran He glanced at the wall. “Climb over this wall, cross a stream, over the bridge, and you’re there. Guards are stationed by the bridge.”

Luo Wanqing thought about the location Ran He described and roughly formed a plan.

“Go find Fang Yuan, Xing Ling, and the others. Tell everyone that I’ll create a distraction soon. If the guards there withdraw, find a way into the back courtyard.”

Luo Wanqing thought as she instructed Ran He.

Ran He responded: “Yes.”

With that, Ran He left.

Luo Wanqing glanced at the women joking in the pavilion and slowly walked in.

As soon as she entered the pavilion, Zheng Biyue looked up. All the women stopped talking and quietly observed her.

Noble ladies mostly had connections. Luo Wanqing was truly strange to them.

Luo Wanqing briefly scanned around. She wasn’t familiar with these women either, but she quickly discovered that besides Zheng Biyue, she recognized another young lady.

Today, she wore jade-colored finery with a cold expression. Seeing her enter, she only glanced lightly before turning to feed the fish.

Today, she was dressed as a high-born noble lady, but Luo Wanqing still recognized her at first sight—this was the woman who had fought her at the Dark Pavilion.

“Oh,” Zheng Biyue, seeing Luo Wanqing staring at Wang Yunzhi, asked curiously: “Miss Liu also knows Eldest Miss Wang?”

Hearing this, Wang Yunzhi turned to glance at Luo Wanqing, saying flatly: “We’ve met.”

“You’ve been ill for years, yet you’ve met Miss Liu?” Zheng Biyue was somewhat curious, raising her voice as if casually reminding: “She’s from the Supervision Department.”

At these words, all the women present showed surprise and began whispering about Luo Wanqing’s background.

Luo Wanqing smiled, looking up at Zheng Biyue, saying gently, “Miss Zheng, I’m at least a guest invited by the Third Prince. Even if you’re jealous, you needn’t be so aggressive, right?”

Hearing this, Zheng Biyue’s smile turned cold: “What is Miss Liu saying? I’m jealous?”

“Since entering the courtyard, Miss Zheng has been making barbed comments toward me. Gentle and charming before the Third Prince, but so petty with me—why the difference?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

A woman beside her stood up angrily: “What are you to speak to Biyue like this?”

“Who are you?”

Luo Wanqing turned to look and saw that it was a woman in green who had been following Zheng Biyue. After examining her briefly, she asked back: “Censor-in-Chief Zheng Zhong’s daughter… Zheng Yunrong?”

Hearing her father mentioned, Zheng Yunrong’s expression improved somewhat: “You know…”

“Your father can bite, and you can bite too?” Luo Wanqing chuckled lightly: “Truly like father, like daughter—passed down in the family.”

“You!” Hearing this, Zheng Yunrong’s face filled with rage as she shouted: “Cuiping, teach her some manners!”

At Zheng Yunrong’s call, a maid immediately rushed forward, raising her hand to strike Luo Wanqing.

Seeing the maid approaching, Luo Wanqing grabbed her head with one hand and pressed it onto the table.

The maid struggled desperately while Luo Wanqing sat by the table, casually cracking sunflower seeds: “Your miss has nothing better to do all day than gossip and mock others. If it weren’t for the Third Prince insisting I come, saying he wanted me to hear him play qin,” Luo Wanqing looked up at Zheng Biyue, smiling meaningfully, “I couldn’t be bothered dealing with you all.”

These words were too obviously suggestive. Everyone present knew Zheng Biyue was about to be engaged to Li Guiyu. “Liu Xiniang’s” words were clearly provoking Zheng Biyue.

Zheng Biyue said nothing, staring coldly at Luo Wanqing.

“Let me go!”

The maid, held down by Luo Wanqing, struggled and cried: “Miss! Miss, save me!”

“Someone, take down this shrew!”

Seeing this, Zheng Yunrong became frightened and called out in panic.

The guards stationed around the pavilion immediately rushed toward Luo Wanqing.

As people swarmed around, Luo Wanqing held the maid’s head while dodging left and right at the table, never moving from her spot.

Glancing into the distance and seeing that distant guards hadn’t come yet, she knew the commotion wasn’t big enough. She focused her gaze and turned to Zheng Biyue: “Miss Zheng, the Zheng family guards’ skills are just so-so.”

Hearing this, Zheng Biyue laughed aloud, saying softly: “A frog in a well.”

With that, Zheng Biyue raised her hand: “Zhou Ying.”

As soon as she spoke, Luo Wanqing felt killing intent explode at her neck. She instantly raised her hand and turned back, grabbing someone’s wrist while kicking backward, only then seeing a woman standing before her.

This woman held a curved blade, its edge already at Luo Wanqing’s throat. If Luo Wanqing hadn’t acted quickly, she would probably be a corpse now.

She was tall and dark-skinned. Luo Wanqing realized she hadn’t noticed her at all before, clearly showing her to be a master of concealment.

“Liu Xiniang, the Zheng family isn’t a place for you to cause trouble.”

Zheng Biyue said coldly: “If you want to cause trouble here, get out.”

Zhou Ying kicked toward Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing leaped up, landing on the pavilion’s long railing, supporting herself against a pillar and smiling: “Miss Zheng, Zheng Yunrong’s people attacked me first, yet you say I’m causing trouble. Isn’t that a bit unreasonable?”

“Reason?”

Zheng Biyue stood up, saying coldly, “In the Zheng mansion, I am the reason! Take her down!”

Zhou Ying raised her curved blade and leaped up. Luo Wanqing touched her toe to a point and landed on the lake surface, using lotus leaves to maneuver against Zhou Ying.

Their battle lasted only moments before drawing crowds of observers.

Zhou Ying was robust with fierce blade work, while Luo Wanqing wore a veil, graceful in figure, dressed in wide-sleeved blue robes, moving like a butterfly under the summer sunlight.

After several exchanges where Zhou Ying couldn’t catch her, a masked young man observing from shore raised his hands in applause.

Luo Wanqing looked up to see a youth in white robes with hidden blue patterns, embroidered with soaring white cranes, his hair half-bound with a jade hairpin, appearing leisurely and refined.

She vaguely felt the figure was familiar. Her heart moved, and as Zhou Ying’s blade came at her, she simply spun in mid-air, plucked a lotus flower, and threw it toward the applauding young man on shore, laughing aloud: “For you!”

Though her smile was veiled, her bright eyes were charming and moving.

The young men in the crowd immediately cheered. The youth was somewhat surprised but still raised his hand to steadily catch the lotus flower, tilting his head to study her.

Seeing this, Zhou Ying flew into rage, raising her blade to strike fiercely at Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing’s sleeves suddenly became sharp, and she spun, striking Zhou Ying’s blade with her sleeve. Zhou Ying was forced back by her strength, and Luo Wanqing stood on a lotus leaf, smiling: “I’m not drawing my blade, but don’t think I can’t use one.”

Zhou Ying breathed heavily, pressing her lips without speaking. After a moment, she suddenly whistled. Luo Wanqing turned to see over ten people immediately leap over the wall from outside, attacking the lake surface.

Luo Wanqing was delighted inwardly, but her expression turned cold as she mocked: “Can’t win alone, so you call others? If you have the ability, call them all—let me experience the Zheng family’s capabilities!”

“Then let’s try.”

Zhou Ying sneered coldly. In an instant, the lake surface was surrounded by over ten experts. Luo Wanqing’s eyes swept over everyone as she raised her head slightly, laughing loudly: “Come!”

This shout was truly provocative, instantly enraging all the Zheng family people present.

Everyone rushed forward. Luo Wanqing touched her toe and leaped high, seeing Xing Ling and Ran He jump into the small courtyard when she was momentarily distracted. Someone grabbed her ankle and hurled her toward shore with great force.

The person throwing her used tremendous strength. Luo Wanqing sensed trouble, knowing she couldn’t avoid this fall, and could only instinctively adjust her position, hoping to land more lightly.

But as she crashed toward shore, someone raised an arm to catch her. In an instant, all force left her body. Luo Wanqing looked up in shock to see the masked youth from before.

He held the lotus flower in one hand while embracing her with the other, his gaze cold and indifferent, carrying the casual detachment unique to those in power.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Seeing this gaze, Luo Wanqing knew this definitely wasn’t Cui Heng and quickly apologized while straightening up.

At this time, Zhou Ying had also pursued them.

“Young master,” Zhou Ying landed on the ground, shouting, “This person is causing trouble in the Zheng family. Please step aside quickly and don’t harbor this woman!”

Hearing this, the youth didn’t move his hand from Luo Wanqing’s back, his clear eyes turning toward Zhou Ying.

When he spoke, it was in a voice familiar to Luo Wanqing—like gold and stone striking jade, cold yet noble.

“What if I insist on protecting her?”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater #1] Zheng Jinxin: “You came too late. I’ll create a handle on her for you.” Luo Wanqing: “??? No, sister, you’re risking your life to create it?!”

[Mini Theater #2] Luo Wanqing: Charge skill maxed-out player

[Mini Theater #3] Cui Heng: “Finally, can do a couple of missions with the Inspector. Woke up laughing at midnight.”

The identity reveal probably has 1-2 more major parts, because the emotional development hasn’t reached the point of revealing identities yet, and the plot line hasn’t developed to where the characters are mature enough to talk about romance. If identities were revealed now, it would be bland and the romantic line would be dead, so everyone don’t rush.

There are too many things between these two. Luo Wanqing’s feelings for Cui Heng are more of a dependence, and her willingness to accept Cui Heng is more because there’s no burden. Cui Heng has no connection to the mundane world—by not revealing his identity, he’s essentially telling Luo Wanqing there’s no need for future connections. Luo Wanqing needs exactly this kind of relationship with no future. Once identities are revealed, they’d have to discuss future entanglements, which Luo Wanqing actually can’t respond to regarding Xie Heng’s romantic feelings at this time.

Xie Heng’s feelings for Luo Wanqing also haven’t reached the point where he’d be willing to lower himself and pursue her. His expectations for Luo Wanqing are still more about hoping she’ll spread her wings and become a good Inspector for the Supervision Department. Before Luo Wanqing gives a clear response, he won’t use emotions to disturb her, not wanting love to interfere with their superior-subordinate relationship. Cui Heng is an accident he can’t control—he sees Cui Heng as Luo Wanqing’s guardian. Moreover, he’s quite proud at heart. It’s one thing to lower himself to like someone, but if rejected, he absolutely wouldn’t pursue. He needs time to deepen this guardian’s love into love he can’t let go of, love worth lowering himself for.

So give them some time for sweet ambiguity and emotional upgrades through shared trials.